the fullness of the spirit
"May I receive a double portion of your spirit." —2 Kings 2:9
When Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, that was a Jewish way of asking for all of the spirit. The Lord "does not ration His gift of the Spirit" (Jn 3:34), so He wants us to pray for and receive the Spirit in His fullness.
The Father lavished the Spirit on us (Ti 3:6) and wants to continue giving us the Spirit. Nevertheless, we don't want the Spirit as much as the Lord wants to give us the Spirit. Therefore, we must greatly increase our desire for the Spirit. To do this we must repent (Acts 2:38), pray (Lk 11:13), and obey (Acts 5:32). Then the Spirit will fight against the flesh (Gal 5:17). We will have less desire for the things of the world and more desire for the life in the Spirit. The more we say 'no' to ourselves, the more we'll say 'yes' to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has done much in our lives, but we have barely begun to receive the fullness of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. The Spirit is infinite. Therefore, there's so much more to receive of the Spirit.
Don't let the single portion of the Spirit make you so satisfied as not to ask for the double portion. Don't let receiving some make you so complacent as not to receive all, or at least more. Don't settle for being acquainted with the Spirit when you can be in communion with Him. Come, Holy Spirit, in fullness!
Prayer: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love."
Promise: "Keep your deeds of mercy secret, and your Father Who sees in secret will repay you." —Mt 6:4
Praise: When planning retreats, Julie fasts and prays, then sees God literally place people in her path to assist with teachings and witnesses.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Don't Stifle the Spirit on audio AV 56-3 or video V-56.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009
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