Overflow

Every time I hear the the word overflow, I think about the prophet Elisha and the widow’s oil. The story is found in 2 Kings Chapter 4. What I love about this story is that the prophet didn’t ask her to go buy anything to make the miraculous happen. He used what she had in her house….that was empty no less. What do you already have? What are you not using? What are you not maximizing? Your miracle lies in what you already possess. What’s in your hand? What is your talent? What are you good at? That’ s where the overflow lies. Overflow is excess. It’s more than enough. Overflow supplies your needs and puts you in position to be a blessing. This is the year God will use what you have, what you have ignored, what you have dismissed to bless you and others. This is the year of the overflow.

Beyond Expectation

Fear plays a big part in our expectation. Past experience also plays a part in our expectation. If we have been disappointed, then we typically expect disappointment. If we have experienced failure, then we expect failure. If we have been hurt, then we expect pain. We have experienced the worst and now that is our expectation. God wants us to think beyond our past, beyond our hurt, beyond our failure, and beyond our disappointment. God wants us to cast our nets into the deep. He wants us to walk on water. He wants us to experience the miraculous. God’s ability and resources are limitless. God wants us to think BIG. God wants us to think beyond our reality, beyond our limits, beyond expectation.

More

We’ve all heard that God will never put more on you than you can bear. If I could be perfectly honest, sometimes I’m astonished at how much I can bear. There have been times, I have just wanted to quit. I’ve wanted to breakdown and cry, but I had to push through. I didn't realize my own strength. I didn't see a way out. I didn’t see the other side, but God. If you feel overwhelmed, know that God knows how much you can bear. God knows what he’s trying to produce. God knows how much “more” you can handle.

More

There's more. I want more. I need more. I should be doing more. There's more to life than....What? What is that in us that can't appreciate the now? What is that in us that makes us think that what we have is not enough especially since there are people who live in unspeakable poverty. There are war-ravaged countries where combat is the norm. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with goals and dreams, but there needs to be some balance. We need to learn to appreciate what we have now. Sometimes, that promotion means less quality time with your family, but it does mean more money. Which one takes a priority in your life. Sometimes, what we want costs us more than we can afford...literally and figuratively. Ask yourself if your "more" is a blessing or a curse. Will it hinder or profit you in the long run? Sometimes, sacrifice is necessary for the greater good. Sometimes, you do need a bigger house or a bigger car. Sometimes, you do need a better job with better benefits. Sometimes, you absolutely do need more. Make sure you are seeking after the right "mores." Make sure you evaluate what "more" is going to really cost you, and if it's really worth it.

Raised Expectation

It's a New Year filled with new hopes and dreams. Many people have made New Year's resolutions. It is a time filled with optimism and promise. People are buying self-help books. They are invoking the power of positive thinking, visualization, and attraction. These are all good things. However, if there is not a spirit of expectation and execution. They are all fruitless activities. Every year, we want to do things differently. We want to make physical, financial, and mental changes, but we don't want to do the work. Make a plan. Do the work. Raise your expectation. It all starts with raised expectation.