“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need…My cup overflows with blessings” (Psalm 23:1, 5 NLT). That sounds like the promise of unlimited cold water for someone dying of thirst in the desert!
The LORD is the shepherd of all who repent. He doesn’t promise His best gifts to those with a downward, inward focus on the lusts of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). To those living a self-centered life in His Universe. To people who disregard His word (Psalm 119:139).
He promises overflowing blessings to people who come to their senses (Luke 15:17) and turn to Him from a life previously dedicated to wahoo, wealth, and winning.
Those who repent bear spiritual fruit demonstrating they are the LORD’s sheep (Matthew 3:8). They don’t blend into the world. They shine “like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:15 NLT).
They stand out like an elephant surrounded by ten thousand mice. They “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:23 NLT).
They love God, their neighbor, other believers, and their enemies (Matthew 22:37–39, John 13:34–35, Matthew 5:44). Their love and good deeds show they follow Jesus and God’s will and ways (John 15:8).
God sets the agenda for their lives. They have a new goal—becoming like Jesus (Romans 8:29). They have a new way of thinking and no longer march to the world’s drumbeat (Romans 12:2).
They have new eyes. They are no longer spiritually blind (Acts 26:18). They have a new “made in Heaven” responsive heart (Ezekiel 36:26).
God graciously fills their lives with things that matter. But they must cooperate with Him for it to happen. God’s gracious supply and their full-out effort are required.
God Fills Believers with Jesus
They are complete because they are united to Him in Whom all the fullness of God lives in a human body (Colossians 2:9–10). Christ lives in them (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27), and they live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15).
God Fills Believers with His Word
Through their disciplined reading and study, God fills them with His word in all its richness (Colossians 3:16). It causes their hearts to rejoice (Jeremiah 15:16), like one who discovers a treasure (Psalm 119:162). It guides them through life (Psalm 119:105).
They live by every word from the LORD’s mouth (Deuteronomy 8:3). They remember it (Psalm 119:16). They trust it (Psalm 119:42).
They stay pure by obeying it (Psalm 119:9, 11). It revives, encourages, and gives them life and hope (Psalm 119:25, 28, 37, 43). It gives them light and understanding (Psalm 119:130).
God Fills Believers with the Holy Spirit
God fills them with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The Spirit’s power filled Jesus during His earthly ministry (Luke 4:14).
The Spirit’s filling enabled the first disciples to speak in languages they had never learned (Acts 2:4) and first-century believers to preach God’s word boldly (Acts 4:31). The Spirit equips believers to do whatever tasks God assigns.
God Fills Believers with Faith
“Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14). Stephen was filled with faith (Acts 6:5).
God Fills Believers with Christian Fellowship
They jointly participate with other believers in the life of Christ. They are part of a living organism, the body of Christ. The parts all belong to each other (Romans 12:5).
Believers work together to build up that body (Ephesians 4:12). They motivate one another to love and do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Their love for one another proves they are Jesus’ followers (John 13:35).
God Fills Believers with Joyful Service
Faithful service is an offering to God that creates joy in those who participate (Philippians 2:17–18). Believers use their freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).
God Fills Believers with Joy-Producing Trials
Believers’ troubles are opportunities for great joy (James 1:2). God allows those troubles to build an enduring faith (James 1:3–4). He comforts them in their troubles to equip them to comfort others experiencing similar difficulties (2 Corinthians 1:4).
“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need…My cup overflows with blessings” (Psalm 23:1, 5 NLT). God fills believers with all things that pertain to life and godliness. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
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