January 8 – More Than We Can Think

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Can we say that the promise in today’s passage is the promise of God's power working within us? Yes, we can. For this is just what the Apostle Paul is praying for with confidence for all believers. This power is abundant to the point of exceeding our ability to ask or imagine. Beyond our thoughts. But, again we need the context to understand more completely how this power is made available. Spiritual power is a mark of every Christian who submits to God’s Word and Spirit. It is not reserved for some special class of Christian, but for all those who discipline their minds and spirits to study the Word, understand it, and live by it. Paul’s prayer included requests for: strength for our inner person; the dwelling of Christ in our hearts through faith; solidly grounded and rooted in love; ability to comprehend the fullness of God’s love which surpasses knowledge; and filled with the fullness of God. When these conditions are met, God’s power working in and through believers, is unlimited and far beyond any comprehension. All for His glory in Christ Jesus and His church forever. That is God’s promise of power for us.

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March 27 – I AM The Door

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:9-10 (ESV)

It is this chapter Jesus uses the tending of sheep by a shepherd and compares that practice to His purpose and plan for our lives. One of the most important responsibilities is protection of the flock. The pens or sheep folds that kept sheep safe were often circular with low walls and only one opening.  The opening did not always have a gate and the Shepherd would lay across the opening as a door keeping the sheep inside and safe. Thieves were a threat and when the shepherd was not doing their job they would be a danger. Christ says He is the Door in the fold where He keeps us, His church. What greater security does the church of God have? Our Lord Jesus is between us and all enemies and threats that seek to destroy us? Those who seek to become a part of God’s flock must come into the family by the only way, Jesus Christ. By faith in him as our Mediator between God and man. We also have precious promises given to us who observe His directions. He promises us security and life; and all we need for an abundant life in Christ.

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October 24 – More than Enough Power and Understanding

“Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The LORD supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.”  Psalm 147:5-6 (NASB)

We are looking again at the Psalm that declares God as our Healer who counted and named every star in the universe - seen and unseen. Our promise today continues by telling us that the greatness of our Lord God is his abundant strength. There is no limit to God’s strength and power. It will never be exhausted. The same with his understanding, it is infinite, unlimited. Nothing in our lives will leave God puzzled and contemplating what’s next. He functions perfectly for us because He is our Lord and He is Great in all things. More than that, he cares for us. Are we afflicted? The meaning here is humbled? When others or circumstances bring us to our knees because we recognize that we are not capable in ourselves we are humbled, oppressed, afflicted are all part of the meaning. God is with us and supports us. He lifts us up off the ground because He understands our weakness and our need. But for the wicked, the evildoers, they are brought down to the ground. If it doesn’t happen right now, it will, God has promised so. 

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July 7 – Abounding, Inexhaustible, Good

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5 (NASB)

This verse has been chosen because we want to focus on the expression David has written in this prayer song. It is the expression “abundant in lovingkindness.”  Other versions might read “abounding in steadfast love” or “abounding in love.”  What does it mean that God is abounding or abundant in love?  It means that He has so much love that it keeps flowing, it keeps running over.  It means that no matter how much love He shows us there is still much more there for us to experience. In fact, He has an inexhaustible reserve and there is no way that our Lord will ever run out of His love that He has for us and shows to us. There is enough love in the heart of God to meet all our needs, to cover every situation that we will ever face.  But our verse reminds us that in order to experience God's love we need to call to Him.  He promises that He is good and ready to forgive and help every person that calls on Him.  Let's call on Him today for whatever challenges we face or for whatever failures we've experienced.  God is pouring out His love on us.

March 5 – Beyond Comprehension and Imagination

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

We remember how God gave Abraham a reminder of His greatness by revealing that He is God Almighty.  We're glad that we can call Him by this name. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians he did not use this name but he did emphasize the same truth. Today's verse is just what God meant when He said to Abraham “I AM God Almighty.” And this is what God wants us to understand too. It's not that we can understand how much God can do because his capacity is unlimited and beyond our comprehension, but He does want us to realize that He can do much more than we can imagine – immeasurably and abundantly more as our verse says. So even if we can't imagine the greatness of God's unlimited power, let's believe it.  Our Father is God Almighty, what a promise to cling to these days. 

May 26 – Abundance Stored Up

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”  Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

We are blessed  to think of our God as being a good God and this verse reminds us that His goodness is abundant. The psalmist tells us that the abundance of good things have been stored up for us if we fear God. Think of some of the very large storerooms we have seen. God's storehouses are for us and they are not hidden. God has placed this abundance in the sight of all – it is a storehouse of enough goodness and love to take care of all who come to God and accept His invitation. This is God's promise to us, that if we fear – respect and worship – Him, we have access to this abundant goodness. When we read that it is for those who fear Him, we understand that means those who have true respect and awe for God. Today, let's praise our God for creating this storehouse of abundant good things and we can find refuge in Him.

March 24 – Craving Nourishment

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)

This isn’t the first time we have chosen this verse. The Apostle Peter was writing to encourage those who believe to feed their spiritual lives with spiritual food. If you are a regular reader of this devotional blog, we trust that you know of the goodness of God and have experienced what it is to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Or, if you have just recently experienced your new life in Christ, this verse encourages us to crave the nourishment that the Bible can give us for our spiritual growth. You have tasted that the Lord is good and you want more, you want to grow in knowledge and understanding. The life as a Christian is a journey from salvation to knowing and learning more about our Lord Jesus and how much our Father loves us and how much He wants us to experience an abundant life. 

August 6

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

We know that our God is infinite. That means that there is no limit to His love and His goodness. We must never think that we will ever come to the end of His goodness and faithfulness. Have you taken refuge in the Lord? Do you come to Him when you are troubled by things around you? No matter how many times you do come to Him, or how often you do, you will always find His goodness and love. You will never exhaust or come to the end of it. He’s got it all stored up for you, waiting for you to take advantage of it.

May 25

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”  Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

Did you get the picture of the storehouse of goodness of God in these words? God knows how we need to experience His goodness and He wants us to know that He has lots of it to share with us. His goodness is stored up for our benefit.  How do we benefit from his goodness? We are told it is for those who fear God, those who revere Him. It is for those who seek refuge in God by trusting in Him for their needs. Let’s revere Him today and trust Him for everything. His goodness is there for us. Let’s take advantage of it!