Do you believe that?
The headlines are disturbing, the presidential campaign is concerning and then perhaps you are undergoing an intense season of trial on a personal level.
Question: how are you reacting? In the face of worry, when you are under duress, do you remember and believe God is Able?
If you and I truly believe God is Able, we must act as though we are counting on him to be at work, in control and on the move. We pray with that in mind.
"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able
to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, for ever and ever." Amen.1
Paul describes that God will do far more abundantly than all you ask or think. 'Far more abundantly'? That is super superlative! Paul is serious that God can outdo your finite thinking. So, do you pray expectantly, filled with faith and hope, because you are sure of both God's heart toward you and that he is wholly capable of doing anything?
God's Word is very clear that when we ask, we are to have faith that we will receive. For instance, James wrote, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.2 When we pray, we are to believe ... aye, to have faith, and stand steadfast upon the object of our faith, our God who is Able.
We pray with this in mind:
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God's peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.3
Let us consider Paul's doxology yet again:
"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
The One who answers prayer, the one who works out His will in us and through us in this world ... it is to Him we give glory - all of us who claim his name down through the generations, telling and retelling his mighty works, for ever and ever. The tune to a childhood chorus runs through my mind, "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."4
Indeed, it is the chief end of man to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever! Amen.5
Determine to get your eyes off the chaos in our world, off your personal situation and on to the One who can effect change in your situation. Turn off the television and take a few minutes to pray to the God who is Able. Commit yourself to God, give him what is on your mind, ask him to move - to heal, to comfort, to change - in short, to come and do what only he can do! Amen.
Do you believe God is Able? I pray that your faith will be increased and you will know that you know that you know that he is indeed Able to do more than you could ever imagine, and he is at work even when you do not see it.
With love,
Christine
1 - Ephesians 3.20-21
2 - James 1.5-6
3 - Philippians 4.6-7, New Living Translation
4 - 1 Timothy 1.17
5 - Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1647, Westminster Assembly.
5/Prayer: Take a few minutes to pray ~ offer your heart, mind, day to God. Allow him to point out anything within you that needs forgiveness. Ask Him for wisdom and favor . . . that you will feel his presence in and around you. Tell God your needs and thank him for his blessings; open your heart to him - he loves you like no other.
5/Worship: Yes, I Will https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssozypj0fnM