“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine …” – Ephesians 3:20
I have a pretty big imagination and I have some friends who are crazy creative, but I wonder if any of us are asking for the big stuff like we did when we were younger and less cynical. This passage in Ephesians says God is able to do a lot more than we can ask or even dream up on a sunny day.
What happened to our fierce faith and bold determination? Have we surrendered our idealism and settled for pragmatism? I believe in common sense living and making decisions based upon facts, but the Kingdom of Heaven requires us to live by faith, which means we have to take risks and rely on things that are not seen. It actually pleases God for us to live like this.
Life tends to drain us of this tenacious faith. The economy tanks and we run for the foxholes to wait it out. The pressures of paying a mortgage cause us to think in 30-day cycles instead of looking further toward the horizon and imagining all the possibilities that may exist. We ditch our five-year vision plans and strategically survive instead.
Recently, God has challenged me to pray for some big stuff. I am asking Him for a donated Dream Center building that is bigger than we think is needed and better than we deserve so we can pastor our city. We don’t have the money or the staff to even operate a Dream Center, but we do have the vision and the courage to ask for a miracle.
What big prayers should you be praying right now? Have you settled for foxhole living or have you started dreaming big again? My prayer is that all of us will regain our fierce faith and live with bold determination because God is able to do immeasurably more than we are asking or imagining.
July 5, 2010 at 8:48 am
Thank you so much for this, it is just what I needed to hear. He doesn’t answer to the economy , it answers to him. I think often times come to him with a “just get by” amount of faith, when I must never forget he is El Shaddai, God Almighty, who blesses out of his abundance.
Love in Christ,
Ginger
July 5, 2010 at 9:41 am
I have had a vision to turn this home that i currantly run a small in home christian daycare out and my son Forest and i live in, into a full daycare center and Forest and I are to live else where. my landlord has agreed to sell to me if i can get a grant. no founding or $$$ to do all this but through God i be leave it can happen. this house needs storm windows, new flooring, foundation to be fixed, garage to be converted into two class rooms and an infant playground to be built. plus all the supplies for 4 more class rooms. thats a lot but nothing is impossible through God!!! thank you for the faith and strength 🙂
love alicia elledge
July 5, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Pastor Brady, this blog is so timely for me, as I’m sure it is for many. God has been speaking to me about daring to dream again, and your words are such an encouragement to move forward without fear. I love what you wrote about not just strategically surviving, and I’m going to let those two words be my motivation to seek God for more than I could hope for or even possibly imagine. Even though I’m a member of Gateway, I listen to your podcasts on a regular basis. Your messages are so anointed and challenge me to dig deeper in my walk and especially my faith. Thank you for caring so much about the flock God has given you to Shepard … Even those who are shepherded from a distance like me.
I
July 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Pastor Brady,
Ephesians 3:20 is one of my favorite verses because God and I have our own responsibilities in this verse. He is the One Who is able and we are the ones to exercise our faith. Most people don’t look at the next verse which tells us why He does what He does – for His glory.
Keep asking BIG. What is God going to say? I can’t handle it? I dont’ think so. He wants us to ask SOOOOO Big that He will be glorified. Amen.
July 7, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I am a world changer. I pray accordingly. =^) Let’s go get ’em!!!