More, Lord!

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. John 3:34 ESV

More, Lord! This was the prayer being prayed over friends at the altar. More of what or whom? Is this a scripturally accurate prayer to be prayed? Is there more going on than emotional joyfulness? Some appear to be better receivers than others. Is it okay to ask God for more or do we need to be specific about what we want more of?

At these altars I have seen all kinds of “more” happening. I’ve seen bondages of sin broken off and people living lives free. I’ve watched joy and hope come back into a person’s life to deal with the trauma they were facing. I prayed for a hispanic man who spoke no English to experience more of the Spirit rising from his belly, BUT only later did he testify that God was actually healing sickness in his stomach. Grace.

As I was reading today, I pondered the last part of the phrase, “Spirit without measure”. For those who dive deeper, the “he” is not in the text, so there is some debate over who the “he” is. 

• Some versions use God as the source of giving Jesus the Spirit. Jesus is more than the OT prophets and teachers for He has the Spirit without measure. They had the Spirit for a designated task, but Jesus always had the Spirit.

• A few imply that Jesus gives the Spirit without measure. This looks forward to the day when the Spirit is poured out on the day of pentecost to all who would receive Him.

• Still others drop the “he” which is not in the scripture and focus on the Spirit giving without measure. This view highlights the Spirit’s role in helping Jesus utter the words of God -the breath of God at all times, whenever and wherever Jesus needs the availability of God’s word.

• The word measure – “metron” in greek is defined as proportioned or a measurement such as an instrument of a rod. Romans 12 speaks of the gifts being given in proportion to our faith. 1 Corinthians 12 shows how the Spirit proportions His gifts to the body of Christ. In these examples we see the wisdom of God displayed in the building up of the body of Christ, where each part builds up the other.

Let’s loop back to where we started, “he gives the Spirit without measure.”

When I pray for “more, Lord” for myself or for others, I am actually praying John the Baptist’s earlier declaration, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  There is a chorus with these lyrics, “More of him and less of me, more of Him and less of me, I want more of you Jesus.” The less of me is important in the “more of Him” prayer.

We yield…

• Our brokenness. “Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Lay your burden down and receive His peace and rest.
• Our pride. “His ways are not our ways”. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Lean not on your own understanding. To ask for more is to repent of our own selfish, prideful ways of acting. Repentance is common when asking for more.
• Our Needs. Give us this day our daily bread. Your Father knows you have needs such as these, seek first his kingdom and righteousness. My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Don’t let your needs consume your thoughts leading to worry, rather lean into the wisdom, love and presence of Jesus.
• Our disappointments. Life is not going the way you had hoped. God says, “I know the plans I have for you declares the lord. Plans for good and not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future“. You haven’t fallen so far off the rails, that God is unable to come alongside of you again. Today, right now, you can still walk in the refreshing newness of life, no matter what circumstances you are facing.

More, Lord!

Reminds of a song by Lindell Cooley - More of Your Glory.  Chorus -
More of Your glory
More of Your power
More of Your Spirit in me
Speak to my heart and change my life
Manifest Yourself in me

May God pour out His Spirit without measure over your life. May you live in the fullness of His presence. May your hunger for Him be satisfied with His abiding presence of joy

Blessings Love y’all