GENEROUS GOD

GENEROUS GOD

READ:

Ephesians 3:14-21

[God] is able to do exceedingly

abundantly above all that we

ask or think.  –Ephesians 3:20

When our family lived in Chicago several years ago, we enjoyed many benefits.  Near the top of my list were the amazing restaurants that seemed to try to outdo each other, not only in great cuisine but also in portion sizes.  At one Italian eatery, my wife and I would order a half portion of our favorite pasta dish and still have enough to bring home for dinner the next night!  The generous portions made us feel like we were at Grandma’s house when she poured on the love through her cooking.

I also feel an outpouring of love when I read that my heavenly Father has lavished on us the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7-8) and that He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (3:20).  I’m so grateful that our God is not a stingy God who begrudgingly dishes out His blessings in small portions.  Rather, He is the God who pours out forgiveness for the prodigal (Luke 15), and He daily crowns us “with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 103:4).

At times we think God hasn’t provided for us as we would like.  But if He never did anything more than forgive our sins and guarantee heaven for us, He has already been abundantly generous!  So today, let’s rejoice in our generous God. – Joe Stowell

Lord, remind me often that You have been exceedingly

generous to me.  Help me to extend that generosity

of spirit toward those around me, so that they

may know who You are and rejoice in You.

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Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

INSIGHT

Today’s reading addresses the wellspring of spiritual power in the Christian life.  Certainly, human willpower or adopting a positive mental attitude is not the source of this spiritual power.  Instead, the apostle Paul points us to the reality of the indwelling Christ.  But the indwelling of the spirit of Christ along does not  change the believer’s life.  Choosing to yield to the Spirit’s promptings and meditating on God’s Word give the believer power for living.  An attitude of faith and expectation in prayer access vast resources available to God, “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Have a blessed day and week ahead.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace