Exceedingly Abundantly

Wow that sounds like a lot doesn't it?  Exceedingly abundantly.  I don't know about you but I like the sound of that.

Have you ever had ideas pop into your head that just seemed too grand to ever really imagine accomplishing?  Whether it's an idea for ministry, a business, personal growth, or whatever, the idea pops into your head and you think "wow that would be so cool" but at the same time there is a small part of you that right from the start says "unfortunately there is no way I could do that". 

As an example, how many of us have had the experience of thinking up a cool idea for a product but never act on it.  Then the next thing we know we are seeing that product advertised on TV and we are left with "if only".  If only I had acted on that idea.

Where do those ideas come from and what are we supposed to do with them?

Ephesians 3:20-21(NKJV)

20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Well the way I read this verse, I believe those ideas come from God.  God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think.  As we ask for things God is thinking four and five and ten steps ahead of us.  The best analogy I can think of is that it is as if an adult is playing chess with a 5 year old.  While the 5 year old is contemplating his next move, the adult is contemplating his 4th or 5th move down the line. 

"Yeah, but"

The thing that stops most of us is the yeah, but.  Wow that's a great idea.  Yeah, but I don't have the time, know how, resources, or whatever excuse you chose to put in that spot.  And when we do that we are blocking out some of the greatest blessings God wants to bestow on us.   Here  is why I say that.

Ephesians 3:20-21(NKJV)

20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Look at the highlighted part.  "according to the power that is in us".  When God gives us ideas or visions that are exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, He tailor makes those ideas or visions for us based on the power that is in us to achieve them. 

Now there are two important points to make here.  First is that God never sets us up for failure.  If He gives us a vision or a dream He does so "according to the power that works within us" meaning we already have the ability to accomplish the idea or vision successfully if we will rely on God. 

Secondly I want to focus on these words.  "according to the power that works within us".  There is power within us that we have to draw on to accomplish what it is that God has given us to accomplish.  To me that indicates that we bear some of the responsibility in this thing.  We have to draw on that power and take action and get started.  We have to take the chance.  We have to go talk to people, or write the check, or take the risk, or whatever else it is that is required to turn that God given idea or vision into a reality. 

This really ties in with what I wrote on Friday.  (http://randomobservationsofacommonchristian.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-is-deal-with-works.html) 

Ephesians 2:10(NKJV)

10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Once we have accepted Jesus and are saved (are you saved yet?  If not why not ask Jesus into your heart right now?) then we have work to do for God.  That is the purpose that He made us for.  He will give us all that we need, exceedingly abundantly,  to accomplish the ideas and the visions that He has prepared for us.  All it takes on our end is the guts to get started, and He'll provide that also if we only ask.

So do you have the guts to follow the visions that God has given you???