I had a flashlight that I had been using regularly to work with. Over time it had begun to dim, but I didn’t notice. It was still shining, it just wasn’t as effective as it should have been. When I really noticed it was when I changed the batteries. When I turned it on it shined brightly like it was supposed to.
Jesus said that you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 NET). Yes you and I are the light of the world because we share the light that Jesus has given us. Sometimes I believe that our light isn’t shining as brightly as it could. We aren’t hiding our light from others, we just aren’t shining brightly. Maybe in just doing what we are supposed to be doing we’ve grown weary in well doing. This is a legitimate problem as Paul warns us against it in Galatians 6:9 (KJV) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Well what stops you from fainting? In the physical world if you are about to burn out you need to refresh or recharge. Just like the flashlight needed a fresh charge.
How do we recharge? Well it starts with a prayer meeting. In Acts chapter 4 the church entered into a prayer meeting. Then something interesting happens. It says in Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. What really makes this interesting is that these were those that already had received the Holy Ghost. It clearly states that they were filled with the Holy Ghost. So what is happening here? They were being refilled. It’s not that they had lost the Holy Ghost, not at all.
For a better understanding let’s look at what Jesus said to the woman at the well: whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14 KJV). Jesus said this in John 7:38-39 (KJV) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
So we see that this well of living water is the Holy Ghost. When we receive the Holy Ghost this well spring of living water is placed in us. The well is not removed, but we often pour into others from ourselves. We need a refilling that may spring up or fill us up to the top so to say. To the point it starts spilling out. How do you know that it starts spilling out? It comes out of the “mouth of the well” that is our mouths. We see the evidence when we speak in tongues (unknown languages).
There is a prophecy of this in the book of Isaiah 28:11-12 (KJV) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing… Notice that it says the rest and the refreshing (one translation says by this you will get new strength). This is what we addressed earlier. Those that are weak need refreshing or recharging. This is done by being filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20 KJV). As the phrase goes there is one baptism (initial filling of the Holy Ghost) but many fillings.
There is an example of pouring ourselves into others in the story of the wise and foolish virgins. The oil can also represent the Spirit. Although the wise virgins had enough to refill their lamps, they did not have enough to pour into the others lamps. We should keep an ample supply of the Spirit so that we always have something to pour into others and thus shine brighter.
By being refilled, by praying in the Spirit we are recharging or refreshing the Spirit within us so that we can shine brighter in this dark world. The brighter a light shines the more people it will affect and help see the way. Let us pray spring up, O well (Numbers 21:17 KJV). Let us pray in the Spirit.
Matthew 5:16 NET In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
Jude 1:20 NHEB But you, beloved, keep building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.