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"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
"One day Michelangelo came
into the studio of Raphael and looked at one of Raphael's early drawings.
Then he took a piece of chalk and wrote across the drawing, 'Amplius,'
which means 'greater' or 'larger.' Raphael's plan was too cramped and
narrow. So it is that God looks down on our plan of life today and,
knowing what He can do through us, writes over the plan, 'Amplius!'
Greater! Larger! " - Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations
God is speaking to His Church this day. He is writing upon our plans and
goals the very words - "Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Psalm 78:41 - He is
admonishing us to no longer limit Him as did the Israelites - "...limited
the Holy One of Israel"
He is saying that our vision
is too cramped and narrow. In order to get the job done - to reach the
world for Jesus - we have to expand the borders of our Faith and believe
for the Impossible like never before! Time is running out! What is to be
done must be done quickly, accurately, and successfully.
God will accept no excuses.
He does not want to hear of our inexperience or fears.
Jeremiah 1:7 - As He said to
Jeremiah, so the Lord says to us - "...Say not, I am a child..."
In other words, do not say
that you cannot accomplish the task that I have laid before you.
Do not tell Me that you are inadequate and that others are more qualified.
Do not say that you do not have the necessary resources or qualifications.
Don't let fear hinder you any
longer!
Jeremiah 1:8 - "Be not afraid of their faces..."
Do what I say!
Speak what I command!
Write what I dictate!
Go where I tell you to go!
I will even make a way where there seems to be no way.
I will open doors that men will never be able to shut.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Believe Me! Trust Me! Obey Me!
Isaiah 58:14 - Delight
yourself in Me, and I will cause you to "ride upon the high places of the
earth" and "feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father..."
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I will cause you to live above
the cares and concerns of this world and not be hindered by them.
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I will cause you to be a
partaker of the land's increase.
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I will place you in high,
inaccessible, and unreachable places, safe from all of your enemies.
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You will even take possession
of your enemies' strongholds.
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Because you take pleasure in
knowing, loving, and serving Me; I will choose your inheritance and cause
you to possess your possessions.
Psalm 91:14 - Set your love
upon Me, and I will deliver you in and out of any trouble that you will
face - "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver
him..."
Allow Me to be the object of
your supreme affection and then watch Me save you from all danger, harm,
and evil in all of your troubles, temptations, and trials.
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Psalm 91:14 - Have an
insatiable desire to know My Character and My ways, and I will place you
out of the reach of your enemies. I will plant you in a safe and secure
place in Me - "...I will set him on high, because he hath known My name."
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Habakkuk 3:19 - Make Me your
strength, and I will make your feet "like hinds' feet" and make you to
walk upon your "high places" - "The LORD God is my strength, and He will
make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high
places..."
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Daniel 11:32 - With Me as your
strength, you will be enabled to perform mighty exploits in My name -
"...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits."
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Isaiah 40:31 - You will "run"
and not grow "weary;" "walk, and not faint."
You will find such tremendous
speed through Me for the spiritual race that lies ahead of you.
Your way will be made plain. Hence, you will outrun your enemies, bounding
over all stumblingblocks or obstacles along the way.
-
Matthew 25:20 - Be serviceable
unto Me. Take the "five talents" that I have invested in you and through
hard work, diligence, and honest business; return them unto me with
increase - "...behold, I have gained beside them five talents more."
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Matthew 25:21 - I, in turn,
will make you "ruler over many things." Because you have been faithful
unto Me in the lower office, I will advance you to an higher office with
more responsibility, greater honor, and far more important trusts.
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Luke 19:16 - Take the "pound"
- the mina - the gift of the Gospel - that I have given to you as one of
My children and be faithful in making considerable improvements with that
which was bestowed unto you. If you will not bury it in the sand but
develop and enlarge on it, I will, in turn, honor and reward you for your
fidelity and painstaking diligence and labor.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Let these words burrow deep within your spirit this day.
1 Peter 2:9 - For I have
called you to be a "chosen generation," "a royal priesthood," "an holy
nation," and "a peculiar people."
I have separated you from all
of the people of the earth to be Mine. You are My very own - My private
property. You are singular, distinguished, special, and unlike any others
because My hand rests upon you for the work that I have called you to do.
Your mission is to "show forth" My praises for I, and I alone, have
"called you out of darkness" into My "marvellous light."
You no longer live under the domain of sin, ignorance, misery, idolatry,
superstition, and ungodliness. You have been called to display a life that
is holy, useful, meaningful, and which radiates excellence through and
through for My Glory.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
The task ahead of you is great.
But your God is Greater!
As the songwriter penned it aptly several years ago -
"Lift your vision higher, you're in a way you've never been before,
Lift your vision hi-i-gher and you will see the Glory of the Lord;
For without impressive vision, you dwell carelessly,
Without impressive vision, you dwell carelessly.
Lift your vision hi-i-gher, and you will see the Glory of the Lord."
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
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