Here is a short hymn of praise that Paul wrote in prison.
Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Now to Him (God) who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
It's like a praise break. We need to take a praise break every once in a while.
God forbid that we'd give more praise to anything more than to God Himself.
This passage is a faith declaration given to God Himself. May faith rise up in our souls.
We must mix God promises with our faith in Him. Otherwise, the promises of God won't work for us.
1. Now to Him.
What does it mean to live for the Lord?
The world teaches us to live for self; however, God has a plan that's bigger than us.
When you live for the Lord, your world enlarges to reach the needs of others.
When we live for self, our world gets really small.
When you watch TV, ask God "Is what I'm watching pleasing to you?"
Do you show up on time?
Do you work hard even when others cut corners?
Do you treat others right when you are treated wrong?
Do you forgive even when others don't ask for forgiveness.
(Sometimes your reaction to your enemies will do more to promote you than your friends).
People who live for the Lord have a different perspective of pain.
Pain will direct us and perfect us. We must not live for temporary things.
2. Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above
This is term of double abundance. God's abilities combined with God's abundance can take you further than you can go by yourself.
Do you have a dream, a passion, or a vision?
Don't be afraid to ask God for too much. God is saying to Himself. Is that all you're going to ask me for?
Don't limit God by your own understanding. Don't insult a big God with a small dream.
We've been conditioned for lack.
Sometimes we only follow God if we understand Him. If you do this, you aren't following God, but you own mind.
Jesus explained to one man how his faith problem was effecting his ability to receive from God.
Mark 9:21-23 (NKJV)
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood.
22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
The issue has never been with Jesus, but in your ability to believe. We struggle to believe because of what we see.
If you struggle to believe because of what you see, close your eyes and hold onto your faith.
3. Be glory in the Church.
Glory means the manifested presence of God. It means to inspire good opinion of Him.
What would happen if we were attractive to the world because we are distinctively different?
The Church is the vehicle of God's Glory. The world might hate us because of Jesus, but let's never make the world hate Jesus because of us.
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