Have you ever received something that you really wanted only to find out that it doesn’t do what the advertisement said it would do? Perhaps you’ve purchased a piece of exercise equipment, a diet or a power tool only to be very disappointed, it looked so easy to use in the commercial and those little tiny words that say “results will vary” weren’t visible until you saw the manual. The seller over promised and the product under delivers, it’s common. The great news is this: God under promises and over delivers! Here’s what He says about you as His masterpiece: “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. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21 NLT) He is working to accomplish infinitely more than you ask or think – all through His mighty power at work in you as His masterpiece.
Do your dreams, prayers and faith line up with God’s mighty power? Because they should! Unfortunately many people live in the past and quite creating the future God has for them. It is a very dangerous way to live and will cause you to live way beneath the privilege God has for you. There are 4 actions you need to take today to assure that you are living in and leaning on His mighty power and allowing Him to do “infinitely more than you might ask or think” in and through you.
1. Dream Bigger Dreams
I recently had the privilege of meeting with the lead pastor of a very large church. He told me that he usually takes Pastors to a nearby hillside overlooking their campus and asked them to describe what they saw. The answers were always very similar “a big church”. He went on to tell me that is the difference, because what he and his leadership see to this day is a very lost city just beyond their campus and that is what keeps them dreaming bigger – God sized – dreams. Your dreams of your future should reveal God’s mighty power because He is working in you to “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Asking and thinking is dreaming bigger dreams and always the results of prayer and meditation. Dream dreams beyond your own strength in your family, business and spiritual journey as you do, it will lead you to more prayer.
2. Be Specific
It’s important that you have so clearly allowed God to help you define your dreams and vision that you can speak and pray specifically. Without clarity you will not be able to pray specific prayers: “…you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” (James 4:2- 3 NLT) If you are not clear about your dreams and vision start there. “Tap into His presence through praying daily and reading His Word daily. Ask Him to empower you to clearly see the dream and vision He has for you.” (Life Palette book, Chapter 8 Consistency)
3. Be Persistent
In Scripture Paul the Apostle tells us: “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Eph 6:18 NLT) In other words, prayer should be a lifestyle. God’s desire is that we are persistent in how we live and what we are praying about. Once you have discovered with clarity the God sized dream that He has for you as His masterpiece, persistently pursue it every moment of every day. Don’t get discouraged, don’t give up!
4. Take Risk
Prayer is important, imperative. However it’s important to understand that as you pray, at some point you are going to have to step out in faith and risk. In Ecclesiastes 11:4 the writer says: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Taking action through faith is necessary for living in your potential as His masterpiece to allow Him “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Go for it today and everyday for the rest of your life, God is willing to do more through His mighty power at work within you. Make these actions a part of your Life Palette and allow His mighty power to work within you as a masterpiece. Allow your dreams, your life, and your faith to be a reflection of His mighty power at work in you.
Next Steps Because You’re Created For More:
Of the four actions in this blog which one do you need to take today and in what area of your life? Put to memory Eph 3:20-21 and let it transform your thinking. “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. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21 NLT) Repeat it and pray it throughout the day and ask God to help you apply it to every area of your life: relationships, business, education, personal growth, future plans, personal and professional vision and most important your spiritual journey.