So Much More

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV) 

With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen. – (Ephesians 3:20-21, ERV) 

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ – and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen! – (Ephesians 3:20-21, TPT) 

There is so much to this passage. First, it is an incredible exhortation, reminding us of the infinite power that is found in Christ and His ability to work in and through us. The part of this that baffles me is that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus from prison. He had seen and continued to know and experience the amazing power of God at work in and through both himself and fellow followers of Jesus. Additionally, as Paul recognized all that God was doing, and all that He would continue to do, He was intentional to point out where all praise is due. When Paul speaks of the church, he is referring to every body of believers. The church is not a building, but rather those who join together for the common purpose of loving God and loving people. Through the love of God, so much more than we could hope or imagine, becomes possible. 

In my life, after my first marriage ended, I did not think that sort of love was for me. My focus was on God and my boys, and that was all that mattered. Family and friends surrounded us, and God was faithful to be present and provide all that was needed and more. As I grew in a much deeper understanding of who He had created me to be, I did begin to hope, to dream, and to imagine what might be possible. Now, more than six years later, I am preparing to celebrate my second anniversary with the man that God knew I needed. In our nearly two years of marriage, we have had to navigate some crazy and difficult things; all of which God brought us through, by His strength – together. Each of us needed one another, as God had intended. Grace, support, encouragement and unconditional love have been tangible reminders of what God will do that extend far beyond what either of us could have hoped or imagined. That does not mean that it is all easy or smooth sailing, but we do have each other with God in the center, as He has shown us again and again how He works in and through us, and is worthy of all of our praise forever. 

No matter where you find yourself, God is faithful to do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine, especially in the midst of the difficult. May we ever lean into the Lord and give Him all of our praise, for He is faithful to strengthen, encourage, and carry us from start to finish in all situations. God can do infinitely more than we could hope or imagine, and that is reason to praise. 

The power of God, 

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Is beyond compare; 

He’s faithful always, 

Love He freely shares. 

A love that strengthens, 

When we’re feeling weak; 

Encourages hope, 

As all things feel bleak. 

Provision abounds, 

For He’s ever near; 

To carry us through, 

Heartaches and our fear. 

All glory to God, 

Let our lives give praise; 

To He who’s worthy, 

For all of our days. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and our hope, our strength and supply. Thank You that You are faithful to do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine as we depend on You. Forgive us for our lack of trust, as You are faithful forever and worthy of all of our trust and praise. Continue to teach us how incredibly faithful You are, as we seek You with our lives. Show us how to love those around in ways that encourage hopes and dreams in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all glory, honor and praise forever. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! – Hebrews 9:14

Monumental Hope

With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. – (Ephesians 3:20, ERV)

God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! – (Ephesians 3:20, MSG)

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you. – (Ephesians 3:20, TPT)

 

Right now, my requests and hopes and dreams seem monumental. Originally, I did not think they were so far-fetched, yet as I have attempted to pursue possibilities to meet the needs of my own family, I am finding closed doors and discovering that what I thought was reasonable, is really a God-sized ask. I know God is greater than our circumstances and that He can make a way where there seems to be no way. I am trusting Him, but this morning, I again find myself weary after a second near-sleepless night in a row. God is faithful, and He has never let me down yet. Despite lack of sleep yesterday, I had the energy I needed to do all that He called me to do. He knows what we need, far better than we do ourselves, and I have to give Him my renewed trust each morning.

Physical therapy went well yesterday, as mom again conquered the entire length of her hallway by herself. Each time she does it, it is stronger and smoother than the time prior. Additionally, she did strong work with her various exercises and stretches both during her appointment and throughout the day. Shortly after Nick left, mom looked at me and said, “Let’s get out of here!” I was certainly not about to argue. We began with our usual drive through Dutch Bros, followed by a trip to Safeway. Much to my surprise and delight, she agreed to come into the store with me. It was still quiet in the store, so we roamed freely and filled the small basket that I was carrying as I pushed her around, to overflowing. Mom was pleased to actually see and decide for herself, what groceries would go into the cart. From there, I thought she would want to go home, but to my surprise, she directed me to drive on another scenic adventure around parts of Wenatchee I had not yet explored. It was wonderful and light, as we laughed often and soaked in the views. As we turned on the main road home, mom saw some dear friends walking their dog, and she asked me to stop so that she could say hello. Our quick stop turned into an invitation for the two to join us later in the afternoon for a visit. By the time we returned home, it was already lunchtime. After the groceries were put away and lunch had been eaten, mom determined that a rest would be wise, so she took a  snooze for a bit. We had a lovely visit with her friends that took us to dinner time, then another evening of movies and stretching before bed. The biggest ask for mom is her ongoing healing and for clear direction and orchestration as to where she will be next. We are fairly certain she will spend a season at my sister’s in Albany, but there are details to orchestrate and of course there is timing to determine. May we continue to seek our Savior, who can do so much more than we ask or imagine.

 

O God, unto You,

Again, I choose trust;

With all of my hopes,

For You, Lord, are just.

And far beyond that,

You are merciful;

Bless undeserving,

Make life beautiful.

You take the weary,

The broken, the lost;

And loved with Your life,

Paid ultimate cost.

Now You are seated,

On Your rightful throne;

Loving and blessing,

Beyond what we’ve known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You bless us beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. Thank You that You hear our every prayer; that not one whisper or utterance of the heart goes unheard by You. Forgive us for feeling defeated when things seem impossible, for You are the God that makes all things possible. Teach us to trust You more. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage those who are discouraged and strengthens those who are weary. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our hearts, hopes and lives in Your hands, trusting that You will do abundantly more than we could hope or imagine. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10

Immeasurably More

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. – (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)

With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. – (Ephesians 3:20, ERV)

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you. – (Ephesians 3:20, TPT)

 

The house that my fiancé and I have purchased to make our home had everything that we had hoped for and imagined, except decent closet space in a master bedroom. I had a few “hope fors“, and a walk-in master closet was one of them. It became quite clear that this particular home was the one meant for us, and I let go of the notion of such a closet and was thrilled with the space that met the needs of all five of us. One day, just prior to our receiving of the keys, we walked around the property to show some dear friends our home to be. We shared with them who would be in which space and recognized how extraordinarily blessed we were. As we walked around, our friend had a suggestion that we had not considered. He proposed the idea of us turning the downstairs living space into our master suite and building a walk-in closet. This idea excited both of us, and my Viking, being a man of action, set a plan in place to get it done. A coworker and friend of his used to build houses, so he chatted with him about what it would take. Shortly after the keys were given, his buddy and his brother came out one Saturday morning to frame the closet. Merely days later, my fiancé set to work to get the sheet rock up so that the job would be completed. We looked at different options for the wall finish and came up with something that we both love. This past weekend, he set to work, and as of last evening, we have a beautifully finished walk-in closet. The thing about this is not so much that I was given what I had hoped for, but God did immeasurably more than I would have asked or imagined, just to bless me. He placed a love so deep in the heart of my Viking for me and gifted him with the skill set and contacts in whom he knows to meet a seemingly trivial hope that was held in my heart. Every time I go over to the new house, my heart soars at the blessings that God has granted me. This house is to be our home, and God outdid our greatest requests, dreams and what we could have imagined for a space for our newly merging family to grow together. May we ever give God the glory for the way that He sees and knows our hearts and does far more in us and through us than we would have ever thought possible.

 

More than we could hope, 

Ask or imagine;

God in His power,

By His grace, moves in.

He blesses our hearts,

Amazes our minds;

As He works in us,

His power, we find.

The dreams of our hearts,

Our loving God knows;

In goodness He gives,

And blessings bestows.

For great is our God,

And greater His love;

That He has for us,

The Lord, high above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the ways in which You do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine; in us, through us, and for us. Thank You for the incredible blessings that You bestow upon us that show us that You care deeply for us in all things. Forgive us for not giving dreams a voice before You, as You love to bless Your children. Teach us to tell You our every hope and dream and give You the reigns to determine the path each is meant to take. Show us how to hear Your voice, so that we may bless those around us with Your lavish love in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You our hopes and dreams, and praise You for hearing and blessing us with Your loving kindness. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

And the Lord said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you.” – Exodus 33:19