HE > ME

MORE*4

John 3:30 (ESV)

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30 (NLT)

30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Acts 4:13–35 (ESV)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Ephesians 5:18–21 (ESV)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Fasting for MORE. More understanding, more revelation, more intimacy, and more growth. Fasting won’t change God’s heart for you, but it will change our awareness of it. It positions us to receive from Him, and He is always wanting to give us MORE. When you deprive your flesh and feed your spirit, you shift the momentum in the battle for your soul. When you’re hearing the Holy Spirit clearly, you’ll get direction for your life that you might have missed otherwise.

Ultimately, we need more of Jesus. John the Baptist understood this right away. He had successfully ministered in the region already, and it would have been easy for Him to prioritize his pride and his following. Instead, he knew what was ultimately needed for success. Less of me and more of He.

We know the story of the early Church in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit comes on the scene powerfully and the whole world is changed. We see Peter and John ministering like never before. They’re healing people in the name of Jesus and the religious leaders are not having it. They arrest them and bring charges against them. Let’s pick up in verse 13 and read to the end of the chapter.

Even though they’d been filled in Acts 2, they needed more. They’d poured out and been put in some less than awesome situations that required them to give of themselves at a high level. Paul compared it to being poured out like a drink in 2 Timothy 4.

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the Church that they have to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a lot that can distract you and take your focus away from that. It’s interesting to me that he talks about some issues of the flesh in contrast to what he implores them to do in being filled by the Holy Spirit.

For more of Him this year (and everything that comes with that, we have to empty ourselves of all the things that don’t belong. We have to rid ourselves of the habits and sin that have held us back for so long. We can’t just stop there, though. We have to be filled with Him to accomplish His purposes and receive His reward.