John 7:37-39 Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’" (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

According to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the source of that "something more," the source of what’s missing. That is why Jesus invites us to "Have a drink on him."

Amazing things happened when people are filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Max Lucado once said, "The wizard of Oz says look inside yourself and find self. God says look inside yourself and find the Holy Spirit. The first will get you to Kansas.The latter will get you to heaven.Take your pick."

When you choose the Holy Spirit, you surrender your life to His control. The more you surrender, the more you will sense His love and power.

Think of this as a voluntary choice to surrender your life to the Holy Spirit's control—in other words, to be sensitive to His leadership and guidance, obedient to His promptings, and dependent upon His strength.

The evidence of the Spirit's control is revealed in a person's character. Those who have yielded their lives to Christ's leadership are continually being transformed into His likeness.

The degree of surrender determines the level of transformation. The degree of surrender opens the door to the level of what type of experience you will have.

Christlikeness is not produced by imitation, but by inhabitation!"

God wants you to experience what it truly means to be full of the Holy Spirit and here is the biggest reason why.

He loves you and created you for fellowship. He wants to not only guide your life, but he wants to be your life.

I hope you see you all this Monday night at Encounter either in person or on our live stream Facebook page.

I look forward to a glorious night of worship, teaching fellowship, communion, prayer and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Be Blessed and Encouraged

Bill Rieser

Encounter Pastor