Great Men Ask For Great Things From A Great God
Linda J. Waiters © April 23, 2010
Great men and women of God have made their mark here on earth and God has called them home. People like Deborah, the Judge over the Children of Israel that we read of in Judges 4:3-5, Smith Wigglesworth, Maria Woodworth-Etter, and Oral Roberts. Common people serving an uncommon God. People whose names God has made to continually be spoken of long after they’ve gone. People who got it, and did something with it. They made a mark that no devil in hell can erase. But looking at the Body of Christ nowadays, it seems as though, if we even stop to consider mighty moves of God, we have the attitude that those things were for back then. After all, God is doing a new thing now. Oh, is He really?
Actually, God’s plan has not changed. We’ve changed. For a minute there, we were a part of the Jabez generation. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, the Word says,
. . . Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
People formed entire prayer groups around that one passage of scripture. We learned that you can ask God to prosper you and He will. But what we didn’t learn is that we were being “enlarged” for others.
Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with being blessed, we’re supposed to be. But we’ve received a few breakthroughs and now some of us act like, “I’ve got mine!” Through all your struggles and defeats you finally broke through and got something from God, so now you’re content. Forget anyone else. YOU have yours. Consequently, the few material things some of us have obtained has lulled us into a false sense of being. We’re blessed and highly favored – for us. We’re too blessed to be stressed – for us. And with that, the bulk of Satan’s work is done. He has you satisfied with crumbs. You are no longer a threat and have succumbed to his evil scheme.
But enough is enough! The Body of Christ has gone around the mountain of compromise, complacency, and mediocrity far too long. Therefore, I am compelled to cry out and spare not by saying, “There’s more! There’s more! Troops, keep it moving! Get up and get back into rank so others can know victory against the forces of darkness too. There’s more in the Book than what you’ve allowed yourself to be limited to.”
For instance, what have you done for God lately? (If I may borrow a phrase coined by Janet Jackson.) Ask yourself these questions:
- Have I structured the company God gave me so that I can win souls to Christ?
- Is what I’m doing causing the Kingdom of God to increase?
- Did I do something TODAY to keep someone from going to Hell for eternity?
These are crucial questions we must confront ourselves with, because when it is all said and done – that is the blessing INDEED! We cannot forget the greatest commission, which is winning souls to Christ. No one in Heaven rejoices when you get a new car, but Luke 15:10 says,” . . . there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Here is God’s plan, as set forth in Mark 16:15-20 (New Living Translation):
And then he [Jesus] told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. (Clarification added.)
Is what you’re doing today promoting “that” plan? That’s the objective before we leave this planet either through death or the Rapture. And the great commission is not designated to just people behind the pulpit. Consider Bezaleel, who Moses said ” . . . the Lord called by name.” (See Exodus 35:30-35.) Bezaleel was called. He had a calling. But when many hear that word “called” today, religion is automatically activated. Surely a calling is for evangelist, and preachers, and teachers, and prophets, and apostles – some would say. No! God has called YOU by name also to do something for His Kingdom. You cannot relegate your responsibilities to others.
There are more great men and women of God out there, and it’s time for you to rise up and ask great things of our Great God! Go after your real inheritance and don’t be content with a few shiny coins. The one place you can be greedy and it be a good thing is in God – desire more of Him and from Him. Place a demand on the anointing in your own self. Seek God’s purpose for your life if you don’t already know it. That purpose should fit into HIS plan and not just benefit you. Don’t let God go until He blesses you with it. And then expect Him to answer. He will because after all, it’s His plan. For some, you simply need to shake your own selves and knock off the dust and dirt you’ve been wallowing in and get with the plan. Nevertheless, we must all say, “Father, I’m ready to do my part in Your plan,” because it’s past time for us to get out of here. We have been around this same mountain long enough! The time for idolatry is over. We have kingdoms to rule, remember? We are to rule and reign WITH HIM [Jesus]. (See 2 Timothy 2:12 and Revelation 5:9-10.) A kingdom encompasses more that you, your four, and no more. Selah!
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Let’s Pray: Father, in certain situations it’s hard for all of us to believe You for even the little things in our own lives. Please forgive us, and help us to believe You for the big things that You need done before Your return. In Jesus’ Name I pray and give thanks. Amen.
