Day 25 Greater Things

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)

Abraham and Sarah were way too old to ever have a baby! Yet Abraham continued to believe God’s promise to him that he would be “the father of many nations.” Even with the huge challenge of old age; Abraham was fully convinced that God would do exactly what He promised to do.

The TSC pastors, through the study of God’s word, have become fully convinced that the Lord has “Greater Things” prepared for our church. We know that since the “Greater Things” are coming from the Lord, that they will be “more than we can ask or imagine”       Ephesians 3:20.

Even while childless at 100 years old, Abraham believed God for a son and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Even against all odds, Abraham believed God for “Greater Things.”

What “Greater Things” are you believing God for in 2014?

Pray--Lord, please give me the faith and courage of Abraham to believe You for “Greater Things” even when the odds don’t look in my favor. Lord I believe You for “Greater Things” for my life, my family, and TSC this year. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 24 - What Has God Imagined for Me?

1 Cor. 2:9  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (NLT)

I love imagining what God can do.  Whether I am thinking about how He can reform a heart or redeem an outcome, He can do whatever I think He can do --- and beyond.  In truth, whatever God imagines for that person or situation will eclipse my best ideas.    

“’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord.  ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”  Isaiah 55:8 (NLT) 

God’s best idea brought salvation to every man.  His plans bring glory to himself and demonstrate every attribute of His being while He extends to us the best possible outcome for us. 

It makes me wonder, “what is God imagining for me?”  Jesus is ever interceding before the Father for us.  What’s he asking God to do for me and through me for God’s glory?  I find myself praying, “Father, whatever Jesus is asking for me, that is what I want.”  I don’t even have to know what it is. 

This thought doesn’t keep me from praying and imagining what God’s best would look like in a particular situation.  Since there is nothing too hard for Him and nothing is impossible with Him, I imagine how He could receive the greatest glory and pray to that end.  Then I wait with eager anticipation to see what He does.  He promises to dwarf my expectations.

Pray – Father give me the understanding to imagine what greater things you have in store for those who love you, for me.  Give me the courage to ask and believe you for what I can’t conceive.  

Blogged by Pastor Duane Murray

 

Day 23 The Road to Greater Things

“I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do –yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

 

Have You ever had the thought, “Is that really what You mean, Jesus?” “Are You using some kind of symbolism here?” “I can’t do what You did, Jesus.” First of all, yes, Jesus meant what he said, but we sometimes fail to put enough emphasis on the part of the verse that says, “Because I am going to the Father.” So, first we have to remember that anything good that we do is because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and empower us to do things we never imagined. But how do we see those “Greater things” come to be. In Matthew 25 we read about three people entrusted with money. Two of them put that money (talents) to use and brought back more. One did nothing and brought back what he was given. We all know the story. The Master entrusted the first two with greater things. Then, he took what he had given to the one who did nothing and gave it to the others.

To see “Greater Things” in our church, we have to recognize that 25+ years ago God entrusted Thompson Station Church with the means and talents to reach our community. Those few people were faithful, so God entrusted them with more. Now we all have been entrusted with even more. Our responsibility is to remain faithful and use the “talents” God has entrusted us with for His kingdom.

Take a moment to pray for wisdom as each one of us (TSC family) strives to be a good steward of all God has given to us.

Pray--God, You have already blessed us beyond our comprehension. I know You have not done this merely for our benefit. You have greater things in store for us as individuals and as a church. Give us wisdom as You do more than we could ever imagine in our lives and in our church. All glory belongs to You, Jesus. Amen.

 

Day 22 Faithful is Everything

So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Hebrews 3:1-2 (MSG)

As we seek God together and ask Him to reveal greater things to us, remember who is at the center of it all.

           Jesus is the one who carries us through the beauty and pain of life.

           Jesus is the one who calls us to return, release and restart. Jesus is the one who is faithful in everything God gave Him to do.

           Asking God for greater things will force us to step outside our comfort zone. We may be tempted to limit what we ask for because we want to make sure it’s something realistic. Something logical. Something safe. But what if God is challenging us to ask for something bigger? What if it was something so audacious that we could never pull it off on our own?

Remember that He is the centerpiece of everything we believe. If He has called you and our church to greater things – believe what He says!

Pray--Thank You God for Your power and faithfulness to carry out everything You desire. Give me boldness to step out in faith so that I can accomplish Your greater things; those things that are far beyond what I could dream up on my own.

Day 21 He Has Greater Things for You

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18

Many Sunday mornings when I walk in the back door of the preschool wing I am reminded of these words from David…who am I that you have brought me this far? I attended TSC for the first time twenty years ago this month. I walked in with my 4 year old daughter on a Sunday morning and my main motive for being here was I needed to take her to church because it was the right thing to do. I had plans for her, but He had plans for me.

God didn’t change my heart and life all in one day. He began to slowly show me that He had given me gifts that could be used to serve His church. In 2006 God began to show me that ministry was in my future and by March 2007 I had a fancy gold nametag and was knee deep in preschool ministry. I wanted to be a Sunday morning church attendee, and God wanted to give me far greater things than I could imagine. I am so humbled that He lets me be a part of it.

It’s January and many people reading this might be walking into the church doors for the first time ever or maybe the first time in a long time. You are not here by accident. God has a great plan for your life!

Pray-- Lord, Show me Your way and the greater things you want for me and my family. Thank You for bringing me through the doors of TSC so that I can be a part of the work that You want to do on this corner.

Blogged by Angela Spencer

 

Day 20 Great and Mighty Things

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things,which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

 

We have a tendency to ask God to answer our prayers according to what we understand. “Please give me this job which I have always wanted! I need this God, because it will fix all my problems!” Well, it is time for us to realize that God’s plan is bigger, grander, etc. Most of all: it is always right for us. We must return to the place of faith that says, “If I can trust God with my eternity, then I can truly trust him with right here and right now. I can trust Him with today!”

 

Take a moment, and call out to God for greater things. Remember that what you have been praying for might be better than your current standing, but what God has for you is always BEST. And, when it brings glory to Him, it is a greater thing! Take the day to focus every

minute on seeing what God’s plan is for your life, and trusting Him to do what is BEST. Guess what?! He will “show you great and mighty things, which you do not know…”

Pray—Father, show me Your better ways, Your best desires for me and plant those desires in my heart. I want to want what You want to give me and when that is different than what I’m asking, I choose to trust You until Your purposes are revealed to me.

 

Blogged by Pastor Eric Nichols

 

Day 19 Prayer of Jabez

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. I Chronicles 4:10

As we follow the lead of Jabez in his prayer God will also enlarge our territory. Jabez’s prayer to enlarge his territory was not a selfish prayer so that he could just become a very wealthy man. He wanted to enlarge his territory to show how big God is. God granted the

request as a result of how Jabez brought the petition before Him. Jabez asked in humility and sincerity for God’s blessing, to help him in his work, to be with him in all he did and to keep him from evil and harm. God wants to answer your request. The key to answered prayer is your motive. God will enlarge your territory spiritually, and physically as long as your motive is pure, as long as you are driven by a sincere desire to experience and expose His glory.

 

Pray—Father, oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.

Blogged by Bill Junell