Did you know that the Golden Gate Bridge in constantly under constuction? The Golden Gate Bridge was built in four years and was open for traffic on May 28th, 1937. The bridge is over 70 years old! How old can it get? Over a billion people have crossed over the bridge since opening day, almost 8 decades ago. And people will continue to use the bridge until....you ready? The day they quit maintaining the bridge.
Everyday, 24 hours a day, 38 men continually paint the bridge. Their job? They are painters, and painting the bridge is all they do. Painting the Golden Gate Bridge is an on-going process. The paint protects the Bridge from the high salt content in the air, which rusts and corrodes the steel components. 17 iron workers and 38 painters battle wind, sea air and fog, often suspended high above the gate, to repair corroding steel.
Humans need to consistantly protect ourselves from personal corosion, and rusting of our spirits. A man turns 25 today. He complains that he is getting old, and to top that, he says he is going through a quarter life crisis! A couple of you that are a couple years older, (wink wink), than 25 might say, "That's ridiculous! Let me tell you a few things about getting older, you youngin." We will all die physically some day. Yet, many are already dead spiritually, or even worse never even experienced life at all. The title of the Book read, "Dead at 33, barried at 72." (Time is fun when your having flys) Think about it.
The constant painting and upkeep on the Golden Gate Bridge is important because it is the entrance to the San Fransisco Bay,from the pacific ocean. The upkeep of your spirit is vitally important to your future. Your spirit is your golden gate bridge, the entrance into the deepest innermost parts of your soul. We need the upkeep for growth, we need the upkeep to prevent us from rotting spiritually. Ephesians 5:18 say's, "So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time, because the times are evil. Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Stop getting[ drunk with alcohal, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit fills the believer in 2 ways. The first fulfilment of the Holy Spirit is passive, it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which happens the minute you believe in Jesus Christ, confess that your a sinner, and recieve His grace. Jesus builds a bridge from this life into the next, called the Holy Spirit. This is what I call the first layer of paint. The first layer of paint is applied to your eternal inheritance the moment you believe. The moment you believe, you are filled with the Spirit. And it is passive because there is nothing that we can do to recieve the Holy Spirt, only believe.
The second fulfillment of the Holy Spirit is active and happens on a daily, on going basis. This is the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, ect... ect... coat of paint. The Biblical term for this daily painting of our lives, to protect us from rust and corrosion, is called santcification. Sanctification, To sanctify is literally “to set apart for special use or purpose,” figuratively “to make holy or sacred.” This process is on going, 24/7. Today, worship God in spirit. Talk to Him like you would a very close friend. Talk to others today about Him as if He is your very close friend. When you make decisions in the small areas of your life, as well as the big ones first ask not just what is good, but ask "What is God's best for me?" Show others how much you love God by the way you love on them!
You don't just fill up your car with gas once, do you? You fill your car up when your empty, or getting close. How's your spiritual gas tank doing today? Are you running low on full. Fill up today on the Holy Spirit. As Ephesians say's, keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Today, Live for an audience of "1"!
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