So Much More

So Much More

Ephesians 3: ²⁰ To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: ²¹ to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

 

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When I bought the car, I was excited. “I no longer have to take the bus” was my primary reason for being elated. When I had an accident which totaled the car, I realized I had no transportation to get to and from work. I also could not easily bring groceries home or not get wet as I walked to work in the rain.

 

• I could only see some things from a narrow perspective.
• I overlooked the usefulness of some things until those things were gone.
• I realized some things had more value than I originally understood.

 

Paul concludes his prayer by pointing to GOD. He explains that GOD is able to do so much more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He gives praise to GOD through CHRIST JESUS for all time!

 

My Observations

• GOD does not mind when I ask HIM for small things because HE is so much more.
• GOD knows that I cannot understand HIS power, but HE works in me anyway.
• GOD appreciates when I give HIM praise and when I recognize HE is bigger than my current situation.

 

Knowing that GOD is so much more, brings me hope. I mean, when I cannot see a way out and I am circled by difficulties, GOD makes a way for me and clears my path. HE has done this consistently, over and over and over again. Unfortunately I still doubt HIM.

 

HE forgives my doubt and works in me anyway. HE is bigger than my fears or worries. HE is the one who holds everything and will never forget me. I am grateful HE is larger than my imagination and I praise HIS greatness!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer mentions requests in this part of the prayer?
• Have you ever limited GOD or doubted HIS love for you because of your circumstances?
• Will you see beyond your requests or circumstances and know GOD is so much more than you can ever imagine?

Think Bigger

Ezekiel 38: ²² I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. ²³ And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

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“I hope my running-back gets more yards than my opponent” was my prayer. Fantasy football was extremely fun to play and I got into it. My coworkers got me involved and it was a sign of being accepted. Praying for running-backs is probably okay, but looking back, I wonder what I would pray for if I only had a few breaths left in my body.

• GOD is concerned with minor things in my life as well as major things.
• GOD is concerned about growing me up to think more like HIM and to see those around me.
• GOD is opening up my eyes to not just getting stuff but being who HE want me to be.

From lost car keys to loss of life, GOD wants my prayer. BUT GOD wants me to know HE is in control of nations, this planet and this universe. One reason is when I face situations and think there is no way out, HE wants me to know that HE is bigger than anything I can go through.

• I can trust GOD because HE does exactly what HE says.
• I can trust GOD because HE is the only one who can keep a promise.
• I can trust GOD because HE is the first and the last.

GOD says “I WILL make MYSELF known in the sight of many nations.” HE will one day pour out wrath that has never been measured. The problem for humans is it will be too late. GOD would prefer that I come to HIM willingly rather than having to go through calamity in order to seek HIM. GOD is much larger than anything I can face. I only need to turn to HIM.

• Have you thought so little of GOD that you think HE cannot solve what you are going through?
• Are your words full of blame and doubt?
• Can you seek the LORD first and allow HIM to rule in your life?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS greatness?

Make HIM Bigger

Isaiah 66: This is what the Lord says:

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting place be?
² Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.

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Searching all over the house, I could not find my keys. I said a quick prayer “LORD help me” and in a moment I got a thought to look on the side of the bed and there they were. Another time, I could not get a bolt off of the car I was fixing. “LORD help me” were my words and soon the bolt eased its stubbornness and subsided. But when a large problem occurred I said “I wonder if I should even pray.”

• There were times when I thought GOD was small.
• There were times when I thought GOD was nothing but a punisher.
• There were times when I thought GOD was the “Man Upstairs” not paying attention to my needs.

Relegating GOD only to small tasks of finding keys or helping me fix a car or turning off the oven when I left to go to work became the norm. My faith in GOD soon followed. I did not believe HE could solve large problems because I never gave HIM the chance. BUT GOD was graceful to me.

• GOD placed me in situations where I had to trust HIM and HE did what HE said.
• GOD put me in circumstances where I had to believe only in HIM because there was nowhere to turn.
• GOD sent me to places where it was only me and HIM and I had to see that I was never alone.

Once I realized that GOD could never be contained in a building I soon saw how BIG HE truly is. HE is the GOD of the heavens and the earth. HE has all power and is everywhere. HE knows all, sees all and is in all, yet HE is concerned about finding my keys as well as any large issue I face. All HE wants from me is to love HIM through understanding HIS ways in HIS Word. That is humbling.

• Are you making GOD small by not asking HIM to meet or exceed your needs?
• Will you allow HIM to meet your needs in HIS time?
• Can you open your eyes around you and see just how large HE truly is?
• Will you allow HIM to grow you?