Expansion

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20

It’s high time we stop focusing on our “lack”.  God can do so much more than we could even begin to imagine!  We are called to have big dreams, visions, and expectations.  We are to live as children of the one true KING.  God says that he can do infinitely more than we could ever even think up to ask.  The dictionary describes “infinitely” as immeasurably, indefinitely and exceedingly great. How awesome is that!

We can’t even really wrap our mind around the great work God can do in and through us with the Holy Spirit in us.  It’s truly immeasurable.  We just have to throw wide the curtains of our hearts and trust God with the process and the outcome.

Enlarge the place of your tents, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV)

We need to walk that out daily.  We must not settle for less.  Let’s expand our tent pegs.  Take new ground for God, in our personal lives but also for the Kingdom!  Don’t hold anything back or keep a part of yourself hidden from this work God is calling you to do.

It’s time to break out of our small comfortable tents.  They may seem comfortable but they are dark and cramped.  God is calling us to new territory.  A place of expansion.  A place where He wants to meet us and usher in His kingdom. 

In order to really throw the curtains of our heart wide open we have to be willing to lengthen our cords.  In other words, expansion.  In order to do this we need to strengthen our stakes.  This requires us to root down deep into the word of God.  This stretching of ourselves will only truly be accomplished by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us.

He must become greater; I must become less. 

John 3:30

We need to empty ourselves out in full surrender and trust God with the expansion process he has planned for us.  Trust Him with the dream he has placed on your heart.  Know that He can do SO much more than we could ever imagine or even hope for!

Jesus, Your power in our lives is so amazing!  You can do more in and through me than I can even imagine or think to ask.  We receive the power of Your Holy Spirit and ask to be used for expanding Your kingdom.  We are ready to enlarge the place of our tent and trust You alone with our hopes and future.  In Jesus mighty name, Amen!

Come and follow!

I raise sheep. Quite a few sheep actually. I will admit I don’t live out with them 24 hours a day like the shepherds did during Jesus’ life. They’re in fenced in pastures and have guard dogs that live out with them to help protect them. I have learned a thing or two about the ovine species (fancy name for sheep) during my life.

Sheep can be quite skittish. They’re a prey animal so they’re always on the lookout for danger. It takes quite a little work in order for sheep to really trust anyone or anything. It is their only real means of defense.

I check on the flock regularly for health issues as well as to feed them. During lambing season I spend a LOT of time out with the flock. They know me and I know them. They recognize my voice. They know they belong in my flock and they follow me. There is peace.

“After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4 (NLT)

When a stranger walks out to look at or visit the sheep there is a different reaction. They become very uneasy. They bunch up and retreat to a safe place. It’s especially noticeable if the stranger speaks. Peace is not found in that instance.

“They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:5 (NLT)

There are many voices calling to us in this world. Many of these voices we don’t know and we can’t really understand. This is because God has called us to be HIS, to listen for His voice alone.

Jesus calls us to follow Him. Do you know His voice? He promises in John 10:28 “I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”

Today, listen for God’s voice. He wants to have a relationship with you. You can trust and follow Him!

Prayer: Father God, thank you that you want to be in relationship with us. You desire to spend time with us. You know our inmost being. Thank you that we can know you better each day through time in your word and prayer. Help us to listen for your voice alone today! In Jesus name, Amen!