Live Your More!

When I look at the lives of believers these days, it saddens my heart to see so many who are settling for a life that lacks faith and power. I’m convinced the problem is that so many have diminished expectations of what God can do. They’ve set the bar of their faith way too low.

It’s as if they’ve grown comfortable in a dimly lit room, believing this is the brightest it can ever get when there’s a world of light waiting to be discovered just beyond the door. They’ve accepted a narrow view of what’s possible, forgetting that the horizon is vast and full of untapped 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 are your dreams and aspirations today? How are you expecting the Lord to use your life in the days to come? Paul is saying here that no matter what your expectations may be, God is able to do MORE than you ask or think!

But it’s easy to miss the second principle contained in this verse. It would be wonderful enough for Paul just to point out that God can do amazing things—yet the apostle takes it a step further. Not only can God do the impossible in some kind of abstract way, but He wants to do amazing works “through his mighty power at work WITHIN US.”

Let that sink in for a moment. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in YOU (Romans 8:11), so it’s time to raise your expectations!

Perhaps you’ve gone to church all your life, but never have experienced the incredible power of God. It’s not too late! Jesus gave this astounding promise to anyone who would dare to take the limits off 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 amazing statement!

Tough and Tenacious

Of course, you may be tempted to think it would require a great effort for the Lord to the extraordinary thing that could change your life.

But the Bible offers great news for you! God is a miracle-working God, so it’s not difficult at all for Him to perform a supernatural work. Remember: To create the universe, He merely had to speak a word, and that’s all He needs to do to change your circumstances today.

In Matthew 15:21–28 (NKJV), a Canaanite woman came to Jesus with a need: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed” (v. 22). Even though she cried out in desperation, Jesus “answered her not a word” (v. 23).

The Lord explained that He was only sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). In other words, the focus of His ministry was first on the Jews. Because this woman was a Gentile, she simply didn’t qualify.

This was a test. Would this woman persist in her request, or would she back down and give up?

Friend, you may be undergoing a similar test of your faith today. Perhaps you’ve prayed about a serious need in your life, but God hasn’t seemed to respond. What will you do?

Well, the Canaanite woman wasn’t about to take no for an answer. She continually cried out, “Lord, help me!” (v. 25)

At this point, Jesus made a very interesting statement: “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs” (v. 26). Again, He was saying that “the children” (the Jews) were to receive their promises first (compare Romans 1:16).

In first-century Jewish culture, Gentiles were often called “dogs” to signify outsiders who were considered unclean for not following the Torah. However, when Jesus uses the term “little dogs,” He softens it, implying affection, as if referring to a beloved household pet rather than using the harsh insult.

While many people would have lost all hope at Jesus’ reply, not this woman. “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (v. 27).

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

How Does Jesus See Our Faith?

Why was Jesus so impressed by the Canaanite woman’s faith? There are several reasons.

First, this woman was persistent, even though it meant being quite bothersome to Jesus and His disciples. And when her request initially was denied, she refused to back off or give up. It may seem surprising that Jesus wasn’t upset by her tenacious, insistent attitude. Instead, He applauded it.

The second lesson from this story is that Jesus could see the woman’s faith by her words and her actions. Many people claim to have faith for God to move in their life, yet their words and actions are a complete contradiction.

Apply this test to your own life: If someone spent a week listening to your words and examining your behavior, would they be impressed that you were trusting God for your breakthrough? If not, the Lord wants to do a work in your heart today.

The third lesson is perhaps the most profound: The Canaanite woman understood that the miracle she sought was merely a “crumb” from the Master’s table. In other words, she didn’t see her request as anything difficult for Jesus …

A mere CRUMB was all she needed for her miracle!

Do you grasp how powerful this truth is? Whatever your need may be today, it’s no big deal for God to fix. Your prayer request is not too much to ask of Him—it’s just a crumb in comparison to the vast resources of Heaven.

So go ahead and cry out to Jesus as this woman did. Boldly tell Him your need, and use your faith to believe Him for more. You will be rewarded if you obey His voice today. And you’ll be blessed if you surrender everything into His loving hands.

Your friend and partner,