Tag Archives: Glory

Exceedingly Abundantly Above

3 Sep

abundantly

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”      Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Imagine something, anything, the biggest imagine that you have ever imagined.  God can do it.  In fact, God can do Exceedingly (“exceedingly; very; greatly; highly”), Abundantly (“an exceeding measure, something above the ordinary”), Above (“of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative superior to, more than”) anything that you can possibly imagine.  That’s huge!!

When I think about that, “Exceedingly Abundantly Above All That We Ask or Think,” I wonder how often we limit God in our prayers.  Our prayers are our direct connection to the Father, our personal relationship with Him, and how often are we holding back (Philippians 4:6)?  How often do we think, “Well, there are others who need His help more,” or “I don’t want to bother Him with something so small or trivial,” or “I’m not worthy of His personal attention.”  If that were the case why would this scripture be in the Bible for us to read and meditate on (1 Peter 5:7).  What if Hezekiah had decided that his desires weren’t worth of prayer (Isaiah 38:5), he would have missed out on 15 amazing years of life.

Can you imagine how spiritually powerful we would be if we addressed every need we have with this passage (James 5:16)?  Every prayer we send forward would reach the throne of God with power and confidence and expectancy.  Imagine the pleasure of the Father knowing that His children are stepping into His will and His realm to attack and issue that He can easily address (Matthew 21:22).

I remember hearing a story where a Pastor in Africa was praying for a Bicycle.  He prayed and prayed but nothing happened.  One day in prayer he asked God why his prayer had not been answered.  He heard God say, “You haven’t told me what kind you want.”  The Pastor then became very specific in the model and style and color of the bike he wanted, thinking previously that it was brash to be so specific.  Within a week God had put this Pastor on the heart of someone who bought the exact make, model and color that the Pastor had asked God for, including a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars!!

God could have sent a rusty old bike that still worked, but He wanted to ”abundantly exceedingly above” bless the Pastor.  He was waiting for the Pastor to recognize that God was big enough for specifics.  He wanted the Pastor to believe that he was loved beyond measure.

Do we limit God?  Do we only ask for the minimal, expecting to receive just the basics of what we need?  Do we believe that God loves us more than we can even imagine and wants to bless us with the desires of our heart, not just the needs of the day (Psalm 37:4)?  Do we believe the promises of the Bible are for other people, important people, strong people of faith, but not a simple believer?

Scripture says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and if you don’t know how to pray for your specific need, to pray in the spirit and your requests will reach the Father (Romans 8:26-27).

Put Him to the test.  Pray with a humble heart and watch God bring you more than you could have ever imagined.  It is for you.  It is for today.  “To Him Be The Glory.”  Amen!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 8

Written by Linda J Humes

12/19/2016

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Your Glory

31 Aug

Worn Out Tires

Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:13

Tribulations are not something new.  Tribulations have been around as long as man was created.  Adam and Eve faced tribulations after being removed from the Garden of Eden, after they disobeyed the instructions of God.  Tribulations can be many things, and may be completely different to each individual person.  To one person a tribulation may be a sickness, drugs, poverty, a learning disability, or something that greatly impacts their immediate everyday life.  To a nation Tribulations could be wars, natural disasters, or the potential of devastating decisions to be made.  One year, for me, it was a limited income and a car in desperate need of tires.

I went out one day and found my back tire completely flat.  After one of the boys put my spare on I headed in to work, realizing that the poor tire that had just been taken off was in no shape to go back on.  The metal bands were worn through the rubber, and nothing could be done to convince it to hold air again.

A few days later I went to the local tire shop and asked them to look at the tire, as well as the others, and assess the problem.  I knew my checkbook did not hold enough for a new tire, the spare would have to do for a while, but I wanted to know what the cost was going to be to replace all of them, as soon as I had enough money to make the purchase.  My goodness, I wasn’t prepared for the cost of tires.

They put the worse tire on the back, opposite the spare.  I told them I would be back as soon as I could to replace it.  They encouraged me to come back as soon as possible because they were concerned about it blowing out on my hour trip to or from work each day.  I also told them that as soon as I could I would replace the front tires which were in bad shape as well.

I went back a few weeks later and purchased one back tire, then a few weeks later I purchased another back tire and put the spare back into the trunk.  I told them that I would not be able to buy another tire for at least a month.  They thought, if I was very careful, that I might be able to drive on the front 2 for a month, but not any longer.  Four months later I returned and purchased the last 2.  I sat and waited in their customer area and when the car was complete I went up to the cash register to complete my transaction.  There were 4 people watching me.  I greeted them and one of them asked what I did every day when I drove my car.  I told them that when I got into my car every day I thanked the Lord for the blessing of the car and asked for grace to get to work and home again without a problem.  I asked them why they wanted to know and the same man stated, “Because there is no way that those tires should have been holding air.  We are completely shocked that you were able to drive in here!”  All of the rest nodded in agreement.  “I serve a wonderful and miraculous God,” I told them, “and I am forever grateful for what He does for me every day.”

They watched me leave the building and get into my car.  I thanked God for the blessing of my car, and I thanked Him for the miracle that kept me on the road until I had the money to replace those old worn out tires.  The tribulation became my “glory” because I never gave up.  John Wesley said that your glory is “Not fainting” when things become tough.  Glory means beauty, ornament, distinction and pride.  Our standing in faith, taking everything to prayer:  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18 (KJV), gives God a sense of pride over our trust and faithfulness.

I certainly don’t recommend living recklessly and expecting God to get you out of situations that you could have avoided.  There’s a scripture about that, it says:  Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.”  Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV).  But when you have no other means of solving a problem, leaning on God through prayer and supplication will have profound and amazing results.  Our God is mighty to answer in ways that can only be done by Him.

Lord, I thank You that You are always with me, listening to my joys, fears, pain, and desires.  I thank You that when I am in situations that I cannot control, You are there to keep a watchful eye and bring miracles when they are needed.  I can never thank You enough for all you do.  I can only promise to do my best to make myself available for anything You ask me to do.  I am forever Yours.

(stock photo, not actual tire)

 ** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

4-17-2016

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

SEALED

2 Aug

Ancient wax seal

(Christ) . . . “in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,– in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory. ‘Ephesians 1:13-14 (ASV)

Over the last several years I have learned how to can.  Canning is generally quite simple, but with a few very critical components – time, pressure, temperature and most importantly, seal. Without a solid seal on the lid, the precious food inside will spoil.

Back in early times, when royalty sent a letter or a message, they wanted to be sure that the receiver was assured that the message had come from them. To do so they folded the paper and melted bitumen onto the end of the paper, then used a signet ring to press their specific emblem onto the paper, sealing it closed.  This was later replaced by a heavy wax and even later, envelopes with a wax seal over the closure point.  The seal kept the precious message for the eyes of the receiver only.  Once the seal was broken, it could not be resealed.

God‘s people used Bitumen as far back as Genesis when wanting to seal something of great importance.  Noah used bitumen (also called pitch) when waterproofing the Ark (Gen 6:14).  It was used to line the basket in which Moses was placed as a baby, to keep it afloat (Exodus 2:3). It was used to bind the bricks when building the Tower of Babel (well, that’s another story).

Sealing was used to place a mark of ownership and to establish where something came from and the authority with which it was sent.  Sealing was a means of protection from an outside element, such as water, wind or storm.  Sealing also was used to set something apart, or someone apart, protecting them from a peril of the time.

God has placed the Seal of the Holy Spirit upon all believers.  This seal brings us wisdom, foreknowledge, protection from the evil one, and proof of our right to eternal life with Christ.  The Seal is clearly on our foreheads, the same Seal that God placed on His son (John 6:27), is visible in the spiritual realm, marking our place (Revelation 9:4; Revelation 7:3).

This Seal is only the earnest of our inheritance, only the first sign, a small portion of what is to come, when we become children of God (2 Corinthians 1:22).  It is a deposit, a security, a pledge, the first installment of the wonderful gift; the inheritance of eternal life (John 3:15-16), a mansion fashioned to every individual (John 14:2-3), redemption from this world of pain and suffering to a Heavenly place where there will no longer be tears or anguish (Revelation 21:4).  We become God’s prized possession, sealed by the price of the life of His dear son, Jesus Christ.  Sealed by the blood of the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14).  Sealed by a bond that cannot be broken.

Lord, help me to always give you the glory and praise for the seal you have placed on my life.  Let me remember the sacrifice Your precious Son gave that I might receive this precious gift.  Help me to remember that even as I leave this earth, Your seal is forever visible by those in Heavenly places and the hand of evil can never remove it.  Praise Your Holy Name.

**A Journey through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 8

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-6-14

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

MY PRECIOUS FATHER

22 Dec

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of.” Isaiah 61:3

—

I have a precious Father,

Who is always there for me.

—

Not one minute of the day goes by,

When I can’t see Him and all He’s done.

—

A Father whose lap I can nestle in,

When I’m feeling tired or overwhelmed;

Where I can grieve and mourn,

And feel peace as His strong arms,

Shroud me with His Glory.

—

I have a precious Father,

Who never leaves my side.

—

He provides the joy in my happiness,

He provides the strength in my sadness.

—

He gives me the freedom of decisions,

And the mercy of forgiveness,

When my decisions are poor.

—

I have a precious Father,

Who provides the sunlight of my mornings,

A cool breeze in the heat of the day,

And the brightness of silvery stars in a blackened night.

—

My Father paints the sky,

With the rise and set of the sun,

And dances the clouds about,

For my pleasure.

—

I have a precious Father,

Who holds the wealth of Kings,

In the palm of His hand.

—

Who lifts the broken out of poverty,

Lays waste the Kingdoms of the unrighteousness.

—

And in all His greatness and majesty,

My precious Father,

Never forgets me,

Never sets me aside,

Never leaves me for a moment,

Even in times when I am less than thoughtful.

—

A precious Father that will remain with me,

All the days of my life,

Even though I choose,

To walk away from Him.

—

I have a precious Father,

Who will grant me the wisdom,

And bless me with the anointing,

To remain in His will,

Protecting His legacy,

In my meager way,

Always remembering,

That I have a precious Father.

—

Written 6/15/1997

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Troubled Water

23 Sep

(4) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (7) The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.   John 5:4&7

I can feel it -

 the shaking,

 the stirring,

 inside.


The angels 

 have troubled the water,

 deep within me.


Who will help me,

 draw close to the pool,

 where pure love,

 can heal?


Where the Glory of God,

 lights the dark recesses

 of doubt.


If I move quickly,

 toward the call of God,

 the desperate corners,

 I find to hide in,

 will be purged and cleansed,

 and my Spirit,

 will be set free,

 to soar above the circumstances,

 my soul calls hopeless.


Who will take the chance,

 of entering into my world,

 and carry me down,

 to the healing pool,

 where Spirit and soul,

 come together?


Who will lay their life open,

 to care - to hurt - to lift?


Could it be you?

 

Written 1-20-99

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TINY FLAME

22 Sep

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.   Luke 11:33

Being burdened down by the flu on New Year’s Eve 1999 kept me home from the outstanding event our church had been preparing for the previous 4 months. I sent up my prayers for my church family and the events they had worked so hard on – then I lay back down and prayed for relief from the symptoms I’d been fighting the previous 2 ½ days.

The year 2000 was about to become a reality, 2000 years since the death of our precious savior – 2000 years of salvation by faith, by grace, by the blood of Christ. 2000 years.

We’ve come from traveling by foot, to traveling by jet plane. From writing on the bark of a tree with the juice of berries, to computers and the internet. From never traveling farther than 30 miles from where we were born, to the moon, mars and beyond.

We come from a way of life where our entire days were surrounded by the teaching of the ways of the Biblical Fathers, to the days where people walked with Christ – God made flesh, to the time where it is difficult to work 10 minutes of prayer into our busy daily schedules. We have advanced our civilization in the last 100 years at a pace that has outreached any imagination the early pioneers could have had. We have created, and created, and created at such a rapid pace that we have left ourselves little time to remember, let alone thank, the creator of all.

I prepared my candle and matches, just in case the Y2K “doomsayers” were correct and I needed to travel from one end of the house to the other in total darkness. I lit the candle and realized how I’ve always been drawn to the tiny flame. It has always intrigued me how lighting a candle during the day gives off so little light, but at night, when all other light has been extinguished, that one tiny flame can light an enormous room.

Drawing close to the flame you can feel the warmth that it emits. A warmth far beyond its tiny reach. This light and warmth draws me together with those who have shared this very moment for hundreds and thousands of years. Long before the birth of Christ. Before Moses and the burning bush; that burned and yet wasn’t consumed. Long before Pharaoh and Noah.

A light and a warmth that comforted Adam and Eve, expelled from Paradise, sent into a land of unknown sounds, shadows and total darkness – caused from being apart from God. I envision their being drawn to the flame, like the many times they drew near to God’s glory; warm and comforting.

Like that tiny flame, I wonder what part I play in the spiritual darkness that has spread across the world. Can the small flame that burns inside me, lit by the Holy Spirit and fed by the anointing, create enough light to show others the way to Christ? Can that flame generate enough warmth to draw the confused to a place of comfort and understanding?

Lord, I pray that as long as I remain on this earth, that I will always share the light that’s within me. Help me to feed the hungry and comfort the comfortless. Let me always remember that the reason I have been placed upon this earth is to praise and give all glory to You!

Written 12/31/99 – and yet it still applies today!

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Lord, Rest Here

13 Jan

Rest Here

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 KJV

—-

Lord, rest here.

Comfort in this humble home,

Shine with Glory through our prayers,

Lighting the way in our darkest hour.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Sitting beside me as I read Your Word,

Explaining each question

as I meditate the passage,

Highlighting special scriptures

 when I need an answer.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

A misty image as I try to see Your face,

What Heaven must be like;

green, pure, peaceful,

Content at Your feet.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Set Angels all about for the moments

 You must leave,

Keep anger and temptation and evil at bay,

Helping us become the people You need.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

I could not bear a single day without You,

I could not consider a moment

      without the touch of the spirit,

I could not imagine a thought

  without Your Son in it.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

For this child is Yours,

To mold – and shape – and place –

In Your world – in Your Perfect Will.

—-

Tags: , , , , ,