From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage.ga@verizon.net>
Subject: Joyous Greetings
Date: Sunday, December 01, 2002 7:50 AM

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask
or think, according to the power that works in us."  Ephesians 3:20

The Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians is filled with superlatives
especially in the first three chapters that tell of the Believer's position
in Christ.  But here in our Scripture we see the words just piled up.  It
seems that Paul can not find words that tell of the glorious things God has
for those who love Christ.  Look at those words again; 'exceedingly,
abundantly, above all'.

Webster's Dictionary defines each word this way:
Exceedingly: to an unusual degree; very; extremely; extraordinary;
exceptional.
Abundantly: more than adequate; oversufficient; abounding, richly supplies.
Above all: most important of all; principally.

In 1 Corinthians 2:9 we read,
"But as it is written:
'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
 Nor have entered into the heart of man
 The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'"

Almighty God, the Him, in our verse today is able to do all things.  Let's
look at a couple of Scriptures that refer to His divine ability.  He is
able:
To deliver:
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace
of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king."  Daniel
3:17  (And He did so.  Read Vs. 19-28)

To make all grace abound:
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good
work."  2 Corinthians 9:8  ("For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in
them."  Ephesians 2:10.  He never requires us to do something that He does
not equip us for and abundantly so!)

To save to the uttermost:
"Therefore He (Christ) is able also to save to the uttermost (completely,
perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God
through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede
with Him and intervene for them."  Hebrews 7:25  (Now that is saved!)

Now let's look at some Scripture that speak of spiritual abundance:
Abundant joys:
"...The children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."  Psalm 36:7-8
(What could be more joyous than partaking of God's pleasures?)

Abundant life:
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly."  John 10:10

Abundant supplies:
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by
Christ Jesus."   Philippians 4:19

Abundant entrance:
"For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."  2 Peter 1:11 (To
see the fuller understanding of 'in this way' read Vs. 5-10)

I close with these wonderful verses concerning God's divine power that
has made Christ and His Kingdom known to us,
"Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to
life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His
own glory and excellence, for by these He has granted to us His precious and
magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by
lust."  2 Peter l:4

As you read these Scriptures be reminded of the definitions of 'exceedingly
abundantly above all' and let the awesome love of God fill you with a 'joy
inexpressible and full of glory'.  (We love because He first loved us!)  So
with hearts filled with love let us lift our voices in praise and worship as
we give the Lord God all the glory that is His alone.  Amen!