Scripture
For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
John 3:34
Observation
This is such a great promise that speaks of the unlimited nature of our God. He isn't sitting in His counting house, measuring how much of His Spirit, or standing before scales calibrating the percentage of what He will pour out upon His people. He gives without measure.
So, then, if He gives so freely, why is it that we can't seem to sense His presence in our lives? The answer lies not in doubting His desire to give, but in our willingness to receive. Like the desperate widow in 2 Kings 4 who was instructed by Elisha to bring "empty vessels" before him, which he continued to fill, so too must we bring ourselves empty each day to be filled by His Holy Spirit.
Application
Here, then, is a question we must ask ourselves, daily, "What am I willing to bring before the Father - vessels that are 1/2 empty, 3/4 empty, or ones that are completely empty to be filled?"
Too often, we have a tendency of bringing ourselves filled with our own desires, our own agendas, our understanding of how life should be; we bring ourselves filled with matters of the flesh, and we ask God to fill the rest with His Spirit. We bring ourselves filled with selfishness and expect God to fill the rest with Himself. It happens whenever we attempt to make deals with God to "meet Him half-way." We pray, "Lord, if I go to church, I expect You to bless me." "If I pay my tithes, I expect You to increase my wealth." They amount to nothing more than religious gestures with selfish motivations. We become so full of ourselves, we leave no room for God.
Prayer
Instead, to receive fully what He desires to give so freely, shouldn't our prayer be -
Lord, I empty myself before You today of my agendas, my selfish motivations, and my desires to glorify anyone, but You. I come hungry and with a sincere desire to be filled with Your Holy Spirit who will lead me to do Your will in all that I do today. May Your Holy Spirit intercede in every area of my life and fill me afresh with Your presence. May Your presence increase, as I decrease.
May this be my prayer today...In Jesus Name.
© 2007 Pastor Elwin Ahu at New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu
Original found here.