We can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him when we step out in faith to serve Him, because He is so great!
William Carey, known as the “Father of modern Protestant missions,” embodied this quote. His conviction for reaching the lost by traveling to remote locations based on Matthew 28:18-20, was considered radical by his contemporaries in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, undaunted, he forged ahead in faith and God used him to inspire a great missionary movement that continues today.
This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.
I have learned that I can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him when He leads me to step out in faith. Over the years many opportunities to serve have come through pastors and leaders from my church. Sometimes it feels like I’m stepping off a cliff with no net, until I remember that He will catch me. As a result, God has worked through me to accomplish things that I could have never imagined; and He has never disappointed or failed me.
The key to expecting great things from God and attempting great things for Him is realizing that He is the One accomplishing the work through us. Our motive must be to glorify Him and I’ve discovered that when we stay consistent and don’t give up; He is faithful to use us.
We can both expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him because, He is omnipotent or all-powerful. He is the supreme Ruler, reigning with unlimited power. He is invincible and undefeated. He has no equal or match.
All throughout the Bible, we can read about the greatness of God and His awesome works.
Psalm 66:3 says, “Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.” (NIV)
Psalm 48:1 says, “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.” (NIV)
Psalm 77:13 says, “Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?” (NIV)
Jesus said that believers would do the works that He did and even greater things because He was going to the Father.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NIV)
Christians can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him, because we have the Holy Spirit living within us.
John 14:15-18 says, “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. (NLT)
Does that mean that believers can expect any great thing from God or attempt any great thing for Him?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), but no if the great thing we want to attempt conflicts with His will and His Word.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:7-10 ESV)
God wants us to bear much fruit for Him however, our dreams and goals must be to glorify Him and not ourselves or others.
Sometimes we may have God’s blessing to move forward in faith and we’re expecting great things and ready to attempt great things; but like William Carey we may face opposition from people or from the devil.
It’s always wise to take a step back and make sure we’re in God’s will. We can take time to use discernment and obtain confirmation from the Lord. Personally, if I’m faced with resistance, but I have prayed, sought God and His Word, and obtained wise counsel from pastors and mature believers; then I will confidently move forward in faith.
What great things are you expecting from God or attempting for Him?
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