Much More

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Posted by Kim Stanley, September 4, 2024

In the Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, the young ingenue, Louisa, pines for a life of love and adventure and begs God at the end of her soliloquy, “Please, God, please, don’t let me be normal!” 

Then she breaks into song, of course, which ends with the lyric plea: “But I want much more than keeping house! Much more! Much more! Much more!”

Raise your hand if you’ve ever asked God for more. (See my hand first). 

I’ve surely been guilty of saying, not necessarily singing, “I want much more than….what I have now. “

It might be a desire for new furniture, new opportunities, more time with children and grandchildren, or a vacation. Nothing evil, of course, just a craving for something more, something that seems just out of reach. 

It may be something deeper, though.

That longing was put there by the God who created us. 

And He wants to be the fulfillment of that longing. 

He has made Himself the answer to our deepest desires for more. 

There is a “much more” God for all of us. 

Paul uses that phrase four times in Romans 5 alone. It’s one of my absolute favorite phrases in the Bible. 

We may readily accept that we have been saved “by grace through faith and that not of ourselves” and that we are justified and made righteous by Christ’s atoning death on the cross. 

Hallelujah!

But do we fully grasp what Paul writes in Romans 5:10: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life?” (ESV) (italics mine)

Now that we are reconciled (received in favor to God), much more (so abundantly, to a greater degree), are we saved (made whole, restored, made well, delivered) by the life of Christ. (parentheses from Strong’s Concordance)

The resurrected life of Christ makes us whole and complete and enables us to live victoriously.  

He is ever interceding for us now in his Life as a priest forever. 

And He is living inside each believer by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

That means we can have a “much more” life than merely one of “just getting by” until we get to heaven, which will be the ultimate “much more.”

Think of it. 

Much more of Jesus, much more of His resurrected life now; 

more joy, more victory, more hope, more, more, more.

His resurrected life accomplishes that for us. 

And by faith, we believe and appropriate it.

Why do we see so many of our brothers and sisters beaten down and living in defeat? 

Why are we still in bondage to the strongholds that held us while we were yet still sinners?

Perhaps we haven’t thrown ourselves upon the “much more” grace of God. 

His Grace accomplishes everything for us – our salvation and our sanctification, which I like to think of as growing in grace. 

Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: (italics mine)

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:17 ESV)

Adam’s trespass brought sin and death to all of humanity. We were born into it. We see it all around us. Death.

But God.

Through Jesus, we have been given the free gift of righteousness (right standing before God), AND as we continue to receive his abundant grace, his much more grace, we will reign in life through him.

We are meant to reign in this life;

Over the power of sin, which we are now dead to.

We must constantly receive God’s much more grace.

His grace is power to live as He calls us to.

Only by his grace can we do anything good for the Kingdom.

That grace also draws people to us; 

people who need to know His Grace;

who need to know Him.

Praise God for His Grace! 

I want much more than _______.

I have it already in Christ. 

Kim Stanley is a worship leader, speaker, writer, and is the worship leader for Touching Hearts Ministries. She and her husband Joe have been in itinerant worship ministry for over 30 years. She is the founder and director of One Thing Worship, a retreat ministry for women that provides sacred time and space to be still and hear the voice of God. She also co-hosts a podcast called “A Burst Of Hope” with Martha Wilson. She and Joe have been married for 40 years; they have 4 grown children, one in heaven, and 6 grandchildren. They live in the south metro Atlanta area. You can connect with Kim on her website, www.joeandkimstanley.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @onethingworship.

Just One Word

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Posted by Martha Wilson, August 28, 2024

Simple words embellish the walls of our homes and offices. We no longer only decorate with beautifully painted pictures but with simple words. Words that cause you to pause and think. Words that shift your perspective. Words that make a declaration about your life.

Just one word is powerful enough to change your life. Let’s not forget that God’s spoken word set this entire universe in motion. (Genesis 1)

I have meaningful signs in almost every room of my house. Perched above the cabinet in the sunroom is the word “RELAX.”  High above the cathedral bathroom shelf is the word “BELIEVE.” The kitchen wall reminds me to: “ENJOY THIS DAY; BE PRESENT; BREATHE DEEPLY; SHOW GRATITUDE.” The sign in my office daily declares: “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.” 

Of all the words in the Old Testament story, just one word gripped me. This prominent word hung above this storyline, and everything changed. 

 “NEVERTHELESS” 

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, “David cannot get in here. Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David." 2 Sam. 5:6-7

NEVERTHELESS! 

It brings a twist to the story. It didn’t matter what the enemy thought or spoke; David believed God and did it anyway. A few verses later, we understand the how.

David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with Him. 2 Sam. 5:10

God had called, appointed, anointed, and positioned David.

His hand was upon David’s life, and he had success in everything he did. He didn’t let the words and thoughts of anyone control him. The words of others didn’t deter, discourage, or cause him to waver. Nevertheless, he believed what God said. 

Just one word has the power to bring a twist or turn in your story. 

Why do we allow the taunting words of the enemy to stop us? Why do we give in to fear and bow to his voice? Why don’t we believe just one word that God speaks? Why not delete the words of the enemy or the voice in your head? 

“That can never be done.”

“It’s too late.”

“You’re too old.”

“Things will never change.”

“If it hasn’t worked by now, you might as well give up.”

Why not nail an overarching sign over our lives?

“NEVERTHELESS”

The enemy lied;

NEVERTHELESS, she did it anyway because the Lord God Almighty was with her.

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of A Burst of Hope weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.

Living in the Gap

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Posted by Erin Roberson, August 21, 2024

This blog is inspired by a sermon by Dr. Crawford Loritts (Click here to listen.)

In a recent sermon, Dr. Loritts said “It’s never okay to not depend on God, and God creates gaps in our lives when we must depend on Him.”

God spoke to me through Dr. Loritts’ statements, because I am preparing to enter a “gap” very soon! On December 1, I will retire from my career as an educator, and my husband and I will move back to our home state of Kentucky. When people find out I am retiring and moving away, they often ask, “What will you do next?” My reply is always the same, “I have no idea!”

There is a Hebrew word for this kind of waiting - “Qavah.” This word means much more than passive waiting. With Qavah, we are eager, hopeful, and actively involved!

It’s a time for growth, discovery, and deeper connection with God.

Maybe you are in a “gap season” of qavah as well. It may be an exciting time of waiting expectantly for what God has planned next, or it may be a terrifying time that has you asking, “How long, God?”

Perhaps you have experienced the end of a relationship that was very important to you.

Maybe you’re between jobs or, like me, you are retiring from the only career you’ve ever known.

Maybe your child has wandered away from God and the family, and you are waiting for God to intervene.

Maybe you have no money until your next paycheck, and you’re not sure how you will make it financially.

What should we do when we find ourselves living in the gap?

Be watchful

“But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). As we wait, we should live in prayer and worship! We lean in and call on Heaven, listening for God’s leading. We also look for God. Henry Blackaby wrote in Experiencing God, “Look for where God is working, and join Him there.” 

What is God showing you during your gap season?

Be generous

We may be tempted to focus on ourselves when we're waiting, especially if our choices have put us in this “waiting place.” We may be tempted to cling to past mistakes or shame. Instead, spend this time to meet the needs of others. Serving others brings joy, and it helps our perspective. It also blesses the people around us.

Generosity is the path to our own provision. I Timothy 6 tells us to be generous and ready to share, and God will supply what we need. Being generous causes us to be grateful, and it creates in us a spirit of hope.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Be trusting

God is never early, and He is never late. His timing is always perfect, even when it feels like a very long delay. Our faith can grow during gap seasons as we wait and trust God’s perfect plan and timing. ”Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” (Psalm 37:7).

Be malleable

God knows what we don’t know, and He is already in our future. We need to remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways. He may have plans that far exceed anything we can imagine, and we can participate in those plans if we allow Him to have His way! We will be ready for whatever is next when we allow God to transform us.

How do we do this? Attend worship services, get involved in a group of Believers, read Christian literature, and get immersed in God’s Word. These activities are especially important during gap seasons, because they prepare our hearts for the Holy Spirit to provide wisdom, peace, and clarity.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Be content

While we are waiting, we need to avoid the temptation to grumble and complain. It may feel good in the moment, but complaining results in a negative mindset that can keep us from learning the lessons God has for us. Besides, the Bible says God doesn’t like it (see Philippians 2:14-16 and I Corinthians 10:10). Contentment is found in the source, not in the resource.

So, when you find yourself in a gap season of qavah, it is important to give everything to God. God wants us to live this way - to have open hands, to live generously, to allow Him to transform us, and to join Him where He is working. 

In His perfect plan and timing, he will lead you out of the gap and into the next chapter He has planned for you!

Erin Roberson is a wife and mother of two wonderful grown boys. She is a lifelong educator who loves learning and teaching others. She believes our primary focus should be on our relationship with God, learning who God is, who God says we are, and how God wants us to live.