Raise Your Expectations: Living in the Faith and Power of God

When I look at the lives of believers today, it saddens my heart to see how many are settling for a life that lacks the faith and power of God. I’m convinced the root issue is this: too many have lowered their expectations of what God can do. Their bar of faith has quietly been set far too low.

It’s as if they’ve grown comfortable in a dimly lit room, assuming this is as bright as life can ever be, when just beyond the door is a world flooded with light. Many have adopted a limited view of what’s possible with God, forgetting that the horizon of faith is vast and filled with untapped spiritual potential.

However, the apostle Paul had something to say about this. He challenged the Ephesians to set their sights higher, and I’m sure he would have the same message for us today:

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).

Friend, I want you to apply this verse personally.

What dreams has God placed in your heart? What are you believing Him to do in your life and future? Paul is reminding us that no matter how big our expectations may be, God can do MORE than we ask or even imagine.

But there’s a second truth in this promise that many believers overlook. It would be remarkable enough if Paul simply said that God can do great things. Yet he goes further. God doesn’t just work in distant or abstract ways—He works through His mighty power at work within us.

Pause and let that sink in. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives inside you (Romans 8:11). That means the power of God is not far away—it is already at work in your life.

So it’s time to raise your expectations and start believing God for more.

Perhaps you’ve gone to church your whole life but have never truly experienced the power of God in a personal way. The good news is this—it’s not too late. Jesus gave an extraordinary promise to anyone willing to remove the limits from their faith.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12 NKJV).

What an astonishing promise. Jesus didn’t reserve a life of supernatural power for a select few—He offered it to all who believe. Through faith in Him, you can step into a life where God’s power is real, personal, and active.

Tough and Tenacious Faith

You may be tempted to think it would take something extraordinary for God to do a miracle in your life. Sometimes we assume that a breakthrough requires great effort or perfect conditions.

But the Bible gives us wonderful assurance: our God is a miracle-working God. It is not difficult for Him to perform the supernatural. After all, He created the universe with a word—and that same power is more than enough to change your circumstances today.

One of the most powerful miracle stories in the Bible is found in Matthew 15:21–28. A Canaanite woman came to Jesus with a desperate need. She cried out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed” (v. 22). Yet despite her desperation, Scripture says Jesus answered her not a word (v. 23).

Jesus explained that He had been sent first “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). In other words, His earthly ministry was initially focused on the Jewish people. As a Gentile, this woman appeared to be outside that covenant promise.

But this moment was more than silence—it was a test of faith. Would she persist and keep believing, or would she give up in disappointment?

Friend, you may be facing a similar test of faith today. Perhaps you’ve prayed about a serious need, yet Heaven seems silent. You’ve believed, you’ve asked—but the answer hasn’t come. The question is: what will you do next?

The Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 refused to give up. She would not take silence as a final answer. Instead, she kept crying out, “Lord, help me!” (v. 25). Her persistent faith is one of the clearest examples of breakthrough faith in the Bible.

Then Jesus made a statement that must have been incredibly difficult to hear: “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs” (v. 26). He was explaining that His earthly mission was first to Israel—the covenant people who were to receive the promises before the Gentiles (see Romans 1:16).

In first-century Jewish culture, Gentiles were often referred to as “dogs,” a term used for outsiders. But when Jesus used the phrase “little dogs,” the tone shifts. It reflects a softer expression—more like a household pet than a harsh insult—hinting that something deeper was unfolding.

Many would have walked away wounded or offended. But not this woman.

With remarkable humility and bold faith, she replied, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (v. 27).

Her response changed everything.

Jesus immediately commended her faith and granted her miracle: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire” (v. 28). And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

How Does Jesus See Our Faith?

Why was Jesus so moved by the Canaanite woman’s faith? This powerful story reveals what real faith looks like in the eyes of the Lord.

First, her faith was persistent. Even when it seemed she was being ignored, she refused to give up. When her request was delayed, she didn’t retreat or grow offended—she pressed in. Surprisingly, Jesus wasn’t frustrated by her bold persistence. He honored it.

The second lesson is just as important: Jesus recognized her faith through both her words and her actions. Many people say they believe God for a breakthrough, yet their daily speech and behavior tell a different story.

It’s a sobering question for all of us: If someone listened to your words for a week and watched your life closely, would they see evidence of real faith? Would they recognize that you’re trusting God for something greater? If not, today may be an invitation for the Lord to deepen your faith.

The third lesson may be the most profound of all. The Canaanite woman understood that the miracle she needed was only a crumb from the Master’s table. She didn’t see her request as something difficult for Jesus.

A single crumb was enough.

Do you see how powerful that truth is? Whatever you’re facing today is not difficult for God. Your need is not too great, and your prayer is not too much to ask. Compared to the vast resources of Heaven, your miracle is only a crumb.

So come to Jesus with bold faith. Bring Him your need. Cry out as this woman did, and believe Him for more. When you trust His voice and place everything into His loving hands, you will discover that faith is always rewarded.

Your friend and partner,

David Cerullo