GOD IS ABLE, GIVE HIM GLORY

Ephesians 3:20, 21

Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly 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.

 

GOD IS ABLE 

 

The Apostle Paul  takes a "praise brake" in the middle of His letter to the Ephesians. He praises GOD for His faithfulness and His ability to answer prayer above all that he could ask or imagine. Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit as he extols the greatness of the LORD. Look with me at the statement "GOD is able"

Paul says, "GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think". When we ask the LORD in prayer, we are giving to Him permission to act on our behalf. Let's look again at the widow who had a debt she couldn't pay. She asked the Man of GOD for help and he asked what she had in her house. When we give to GOD what little we have in our hand, He will take it and magnify that little bit into great abundance, because we asked Him and because He loves us. Yes, LOVE is the key. He loves us first and our love is our response to His great love. His love gives abundantly and exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine. 

I am sure that the widow and her sons thought that the request from the man of GOD to collect oil vessels, was strange. Yet, they were obedient and collected as many vessels as they could find. Then they "shut the door", so that only those who believed in the power of GOD were within the house. Then then poured out the oil and there was overflowing abundance. There was so much oil that the widow and her sons had enough to sell and pay their debt, plus live off the oil for themselves. 

Think about this also, there was a great famine and drought in the land of this "certain woman" and her sons. When the oil was filling the jars and the woman sold the jars of oil to pay her debt, she was providing oil for other families who were crying out in their need to GOD. So GOD was not only providing for this "certain woman" but for her neighbors. When GOD does wondrous things, in great abundance and far more than we could ever ask or imagine, He wants us to give in love as He has given to us. When He puts abundance in our hand, our hands become His supply for others. 

 

GOD IS ABLE, GIVE HIM THE GLORY FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE IN HIS ABUNDANT LOVE FOR US.

CERTAIN PEOPLE

Luke 1: 37

For with GOD, nothing shall be impossible.

 

"Certain people" know this to be true, that nothing is impossible with GOD.  Certain people will not limit GOD in their thoughts or in their belief; they hang on the word, "nothing". I had a friend who used to say that "nothing" really was "no thing". People who are certain about GOD will confess eagerly that no thing is beyond the reach of GOD'S Hand; His arm is not shortened. 

 

The question is, Are YOU certain? Think about it, are you certain that GOD heals today? Are you certain that He responds to you as a loving father to His child? Are you certain that whatsoever GOD does is perfect? Are you certain that JESUS is GOD? Are you certain that the Word of GOD is infallible, inspired by GOD? Are you certain that what JESUS says He will do? Are YOU certain? Then you are part of a very large family of certain people; certain that GOD is GOD. 

GUARD YOUR HEART AND SHUT THE DOOR TO ALL WAVERING AND UNBELIEF.

BE CERTAIN PEOPLE

CERTAIN PEOPLE

Acts6:1-4

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, "It is not fitting that we should leave the Word of GOD, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look among you for seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word."

CERTAIN MEN AND CERTAIN WOMEN

The disciples were men and women who were certain about their commitment to GOD and to His Word. The Grecians were concerned for the widows and they expressed their concern to the twelve Apostles. Notice the resolution of the problem; the Apostles appointed seven "certain men" who were honest, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom to minister to the needs of the widows and the entire community; the Apostles committed themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. 

It is very clear that the LORD is very concerned about individuals. Each person is special in the sight of GOD, set apart for special grace and mercy.  Widows and orphans were often mentioned in the Scripture as being in need of special attention from the community. They were considered "certain woman and certain orphans" whom GOD wanted and wants  to be treated in a very special way. 

In the culture of today, we tend to lose sight of the preciousness of the individual, that each person is made in the likeness and image of GOD so they deserve our attention and care. It is also true that we, as individuals, are not called to do all things, but only those things that we are specifically called, by GOD, to do. There are different gifts given to each of us and if we are faithful to our calling, all the needs will be met. The Apostles were called to prayer and the ministry of the Word; the seven were called to servant ministry, meeting the physical needs of the community. Others were called to be the body of volunteers, pitching in where needed.  ALL WERE CERTAIN PEOPLE, WHOM GOD PLACED IN THAT MOMENT OF TIME TO DO HIS WILL.

 

We are all special, certain men and women, where has GOD called you to work out your life in Him?

CERTAIN PEOPLE

DEUTERONOMY 28: 13, 14

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath. If thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy GOD, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them. And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

"Certain people", the people who are certain that the LORD GOD is the One GOD, will strive to follow the LORD and obey what He commands.  There are certain blessings attached to being faithful "certain people". Included in these blessings are, that you will always be the head and not the tail, because the LORD said so; above only and not beneath. The condition for receiving the rich blessings of GOD is that He alone be glorified and His commandments followed faithfully. 

 

Do you ever feel that you are losing ground in your life? Do you feel that you are not able to move ahead? Do you feel inferior to others? Then look deeply into the Word of the LORD and you will find that, in Christ JESUS you will gain all the promises of GOD; you will leap ahead in your life and you will know the joy of being the "head and not the tail".

 

I am reminded that JESUS followed all the commands of His Father and never turned to the right or to the left. He observed all the commandments and did them. Now, through JESUS, we are not under the law, but under grace. Now, it is out of love for GOD that we observe what He commands, and we do what He says. When we fail to do all that He commands, we have an Advocate who bestows the grace of forgiveness to us.  We are never the tail, we are only the head, because of the Grace and mercy of GOD for His children whom He loves and who love Him.

 

The new commandment, sealed with the Blood of JESUS is to Love as He loved and do as He did. Love the LORD GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. GOD spoke the law of Love in Deuteronomy 6: 4, 5. His Law of unconditional Love has never changed, it has only become stronger. JESUS was the personification of the Law of Love and He fulfilled all of the Law through His life. Grace, mercy and unconditional love is the embrace of GOD around our heart.

CERTAIN PEOPLE

I Peter 2:9, 10

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who in time past were not a people but are now the people of GOD, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

 

CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE BECOME THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

 

When I speak of "certain people", I am not being selective or discriminatory; I am speaking about people who are certain about GOD.  Are you certain that GOD is GOD alone and is able to love unconditionally? Are you certain that GOD will supply all your needs, according to His riches in Glory in Christ JESUS?Are you certain that JESUS came in the flesh, suffered, bled, died, rose again and is seated at the Right Hand of the Father making intercession for us always and perfectly? Are you certain that we have redemption and the remission of sin through the Blood of JESUS? Are you certain.....? If you are certain, then you are part of the People of GOD; "a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own". 

Uncertain people are not connected to the community of the "certain people". It is often that JESUS would ask uncertain people to leave before He brought a miracle into the life of a person, because the uncertain person brought disbelief into the situation. "Certain people" believe that the LORD can do all things, above all that we can ask or imagine. "Certain people" know that the LORD will bring a person who is walking in darkness and the shadow of death into the glorious light of Christ and live. "Certain people" know that all things are possible to them who believe in JESUS. "Certain people" make up the People of GOD, a community of the faithful.

"CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE BECOME THE PEOPLE OF GOD"

THE CERTAIN WOMAN

II Kings 4: 7

Then she came and told the man of GOD, and he said,"Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children on the rest."

 

THE PROVISION OF GOD

 

I am sure that the woman wondered how a little bit of oil could fill many vessels. I am also sure that the woman wondered how this miracle would help her in her time of need for money to pay her debt. Oftentimes, GOD uses unusual things to accomplish the request from a person. We remember Naaman who had leprosy and was told to go wash in the Jordan river seven times. He was angry at the instruction from the man of GOD, but went reluctantly and was cured. JESUS told the servants at the wedding feast to go and fill vessels with water when the wine had run out; the water was turned to wine of the finest sort. Moses was told to hit a Rock and the water came out, when he and the Children of Israel were in the desert. Afterward, Moses was told to speak to the rock and receive provision. The little boy's lunch of fish and bread fed 5, 000 men plus women and children. Think about how GOD used a little stick to bring about the parting of the Red Sea so that the Children of Israel could pass through on dry ground.

 

I see in these stories, and many more, that the LORD takes what is at hand and makes that a part of the miracle. Remember, in verse 2, the Elisha asked the woman what she had in her house? Well, all she had was a little bit of oil and GOD turned that little bit into enough to sell to pay off the debt and for the woman and her children to live on. 

 

What do you have in your hand that the LORD can use to bring forth the answer to your need? Are you limiting GOD by saying that what you have is too small? DON'T LIMIT GOD IN ANYTHING. Nothing is impossible with GOD.  

THE CERTAIN WOMAN

II Kings 4: 5,6

So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, "Bring me yet a vessel." And he said unto her, "There is not a vessel more." and the oil stopped flowing.

 

DON'T LIMIT GOD  

 

There is a great lesson in this story, one which we have to learn in our life; DON'T LIMIT GOD.

The sons of this certain woman, a woman certain that GOD would act to meet her need, instructed her sons to go to the neighbors and collect empty vessels, as the man of GOD had instructed her to do. She obeyed GOD and His instructions through Elisha, but her sons were only following her instructions, so they found a few vessels from the neighbors. The belief of the woman was total, she acted on what was told her, without needing to know what GOD was doing. She trusted in GOD, who is limitless. Her sons trusted her and knew her limits, so they brought few vessels.

Jesus said to His Disciples,"With men it is impossible, but not with GOD; for with GOD all things are possible." (Mark 10: 27). Paul said, in his letter to the Ephesians,"Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Ephesians 3:20). We limit GOD by our unbelief that He can do the impossible. There is a book called, "GOD loves the word Impossible" by Ann Kimmel, she stresses the fact that GOD will provide for His children, even in what seems to be the most impossible situations, just do what He says.

Notice in the story of the Certain Woman, that she went into her house and shut the door then started pouring the oil. She blocked out all the outside distractions and unbelief of others, so that she could focus on what GOD was doing. Ranchers put blinders on horses to keep them looking straight ahead; she shut the door to her house, so she and her sons could fix their eyes on GOD.

When there were no more vessels, the oil stopped. GOD will fill us with His provision to the limit of the empty vessel that we give Him. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:7).  The more empty our human vessel is, the more oil of the Holy Spirit and His provision, GOD can put into us. There is an old Hymn which says, "nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." It is in this degree of emptiness, that GOD will fill us to overflowing with the oil of the power of the Holy Spirit.

DON'T LIMIT GOD IN ANYTHING