Blessed Beyond Measure

Exceedingly above. Running over. These are the words used to describe what our expectation of God's ability to bless us should look like in our lives. We should be examples of “blessed beyond measure.” What does that really mean? Does it mean we will not encounter any issues? Does it mean we won’t experience hardship? No. Actually, when I think of some of the most blessed individuals in the bible, they endured the most. Job lost everything. David lived on the run, his child died, and his house was a hot mess. Elijah was tormented by Jezebel. Why would we expect any less? Our blessings are directly tied to our ability to endure hardship. It sounds oxymoronic, but God’s word said he would use the foolish things to confound the wise. People with the greatest testimonies have endured the greatest tests. No matter what you are going through, count it all joy. You are blessed beyond measure.

Abundant Life

The bible speaks about God's ability to bless us abundantly. God's love is described as being abounding. God’s desire for our life is the exceedingly abundant. How do we get to live the life that God desires for us? Follow God’s word. Heed his instruction. Make prayerful decisions. Seek the counsel of elders. Ask for wisdom. Wait for godly answers. Accept the consequences of past decisions and make an effort to be a good steward moving forward. The abundant life is within reach, but it does require you to do things differently. Change is how we get to live the life God desires for us. Acceptance is the path to the abundant life. Obedience is the key to successfully navigating God’s will for our lives, because it won’t always make sense. God uses the foolish to confound the wise. Trust the plan, but more importantly, trust God.

God is Able

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I'm at the place in my life where I have experienced "above all I can think or ask." I have learned to pray big prayers. I have an expectation built on big faith. I have experienced God's love in the valley. I have felt his comfort in seasons of loneliness, and I've learned that God is still in control and more importantly, God is able. My life, my dreams, my aspirations are nothing without God's ability. It is not through my strength, but His. It is not through my power, but His. Trust that God can do the exceedingly abundant in your life. God is able.