Exceedingly.... Abundantly

It's a beautiful morning here in the cozy cottage.

Winter weather is closing in upon us with forecasts of a wintry mix late tonight and tomorrow.

A good day for enjoying the warm atmosphere of home and enjoying the sweet presence of the Lord.

The climate outside the home in terms of how the world is rolling along is said to be like a storm brewing on the horizon.

What comfort and joy is ours as believers as we soak our minds and hearts in the warmth of God's Word and the comfort of His presence.

The verse that warms my heart and cools my thoughts this morning is Ephesians 3:20- "Now unto Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us."

Oh the wonderful promises of God! They cheer the heart and establish the mind to go forward with fresh courage and joy.

Our God is mighty to save and He is our strong tower, our defender.

His power lives within His children....the very power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Hallelujah!

God can work exceedingly....to an extreme and unusual degree.

God can work abundantly....this means in great quantity, more than adequately.

God is not limited.

I'm a weak vessel...I easily become weary.

My Father never grows weary. His ability to flow through me is unhindered if I allow Him to live His fullness in me and through me.

I long to be a well watered garden, don't you also?

 A garden full of the fruit of the Spirit....love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness.

In every season of life, through days of sunshine or days of darkness, our lives serve a purpose. 

We are here to live and enjoy God, and bring hope and Living Water to thirsty people.

The problem is that we are just people too. 

We need encouragement just as everyone does.

The solution is that we, the children of God, have a wonderful resource. 

We know the fountain of Living Water, and we are invited to drink our fill.

We are like my little tea cup in the photo I share today. We need to be filled and then we can be poured out into the lives of the thirsty folks around us.

People need love and joy and peace....they are thirsty and often cling to things that cannot fill the longing in their hearts. They are lonely and frightened today by many things. There is little good news outside of the good news of Christ, and hearts are startled and weary.

We are lights in the darkness and we carry the fountain of Living Water.

We can bring our little cup to pour into thirsty hearts.

We must be aware of an important truth however....we are not the source of this Living Water. We are merely the vessel that His water flows through.

Our little vessel empties quickly.

We ourselves must come to the Fountain to be refilled often or we too become depleted.

God doesn't want us to turn our cups upside down and bang on the bottom to get out the last drops, so to speak.

He invites us to return to Him again and again as we pour forth His love and kindness. As we become empty we run back to be filled with His love ourselves.

Then we are able to go forth and water another life bringing hope and comfort.

His yoke is easy. His burden is light.

He doesn't send us forth to work until we faint. He sends us forth as well cared for, well watered, beloved children to share the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living Psalm 27:13-14

We, as well as those we minister too, will faint unless we can hope"to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" as Psalm 27 says. 

He is here dear one....faithful and capable...here among us.

We are not to fear. Perfect love casts out fear.

As we sit at His feet and enjoy His presence, our cup is filled with hope, joy and peace.

This beautiful filling from the Lord then flows into the precious lives we meet as we journey through each day.

Take heart dear one.

God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all you ever thought or imagined.

Jesus is near. 

He reigns in power and Majesty.

Be courageous.

People need what we have.....people need the Lord...