Taking The Limits Off

When it comes to God, He can do more in our lives than we could ever imagine. But sometimes we are so preoccupied with our problems that we only see then mediocre. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” This word “according” actually means “to the limit of.” In other words, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, to the limit of the power that works in us. So what, or who, limits God’s power in us? According to Ephesians, we do.

There are five ways that we can limit God:

1. Sin – Isa. 59:1-2 (CEV) “ The Lord hasn’t lost his powerful strength; He can still hear and answer prayers. You sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why He doesn’t answer prayers or let you see his face.” Sin separates us from God and stops the flow of His blessing in our lives. We got to repent and turn away from sin.

2. Thoughts – Isa. 55:8-9 (CEV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘ As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’.” Our small thinking, reasoning and logic limit the power of God in us.

3. Choices – Deut. 30:19 (AMP) “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; Therefore choose life, that you and your Descendants may live.” Out future is determined by all the choices we are making today. Choose life

4. Experiences – Heb. 3 7-8 (NCV) “SO it is as the Holy Spirit says: ‘ TODAY listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn as in the PAST when you turned against God, when you tested God in the dessert’.” We allow past experiences to harden our hearts – both success and failure. Don’t get stuck in the past.

5. Unbelief – Matthew 13:58 “and he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Out ability to believe gives God something to work with – our inability to believe God takes that something away.

God is not limited because He does not have the ability to do what He wants to do, but because He is not given the opportunity to do it. If we allow these barriers to remain and linger in our lives, then God can’t exceed beyond the mediocre to do greater things in our lives. We should not limit God where He has not limited himself; in the words of Martin Luther, we need to “Let God be God!”

Adapted from Pr. Viviane’s

Friday night message.

Don't Let The Secret Out

Facebook. It seems that nowadays everyone has a Facebook page. We spend a big chunk of time going through Facebook, checking notifications, viewing recent pictures, liking interesting posts, catching up with old friends and family, and simply chatting with a friend.

But how much Facebook is too much Facebook? The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP) that “all things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful…constructive [to character] or edifying [to spiritual life].” In other words, through the grace of God, we have the free will to do anything we choose, but the choices we make should be governed by a right standard. When on Facebook, there are things we need to be aware of.

First, Facebook is a time waster. Checking one harmless picture can lead to another picture which leads to a Facebook page which leads to countless hours on Facebook. The Bible in Psalms 90:10 that time “[passes] quickly, and then we are gone.” Time cannot be accumulated or replaced; it is always passing, whether we make the most of it or not. We need to manage time and limit ourselves when on Facebook so that we aren’t couch potatoes on the internet.

Second, Facebook connections can prove to be hurtful. Although Facebook is a great way to stay connected to family and both old and new friends, it also allows us to be connected with some unfriendly “friends.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NCV) warns us to “not be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’” Not everyone on Facebook has pure motives; some just gossip and spread rumors, and many post compromising things on their pages. We need to be careful who we accept as a “friend” because that person could be anything but a friend.

Finally, Facebook is one of the main invaders of our privacy. It is up to us to check our privacy settings to manage who we want viewing our information, but, more importantly, it is up to us to decide what we should share on Facebook. Not everyone needs to know that we “checked in” at “home,” how bad we think parents, bosses, or teachers are, or about that embarrassing moment at the party or in the bathroom.

So, what secrets are you letting out through Facebook? Don’t broadcast every moment of your life – it’s your life. God has called us to live in a way that pleases him: “…live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Based on Pr. Viviane’s Friday night message “Don’t Let The Secret Out.”