Daily Devotion

February 9, 2014

Measuring Limits


MEASURED MONEY

The disciples were faced with the need to feed 5,000 men plus their wives and children in the desert (Matthew 14:13-21). They had one boy’s lunch of a few fish and some loaves of bread. One of the disciples measured what they had against the great need and couldn’t see how it would possibly be enough. But when they gave it to Jesus, He didn’t measure the lack. He gave thanks for what was there, blessed it and multiplied it so that there was more than enough for everyone — with 12 baskets left over.

Have you ever looked at a stack of bills and debt the way those disciples looked at the 5,000-plus hungry men, women and children? Don’t measure your opportunity to receive a miracle with the ruler of “lack.” God has an “abundance” mentality. When He blesses and multiplies, there’s enough left over for others to share. Put your measuring stick away. He is the God of increase!

MEASURED CHILDREN

As parents, we can limit our children with our measuring sticks. A school official decides that little Johnny has a learning disorder. Whether he does or doesn’t, Johnny could be measured by those words for the rest of his life. When kids hear things like, “You’ll never amount to anything.” “You’ll never be college material.” “You’ll never succeed.” That’s often the measure that most will live up to and nothing more. Parents need to encourage and equip children in every way to succeed. I remember times when my kids were younger and brought home pictures they had colored with crayons. They’d rush in all excited saying, “Look, Daddy!” It may have looked like an earthquake in some Third World country, but I wasn’t about to limit their creativity by my own perception. I’d say, “Look, Cherise. We have a Michelangelo Jr. here!” In Christ, man’s boundaries mean nothing. Your children may have challenges, but never limit them by your measurements. Because in God’s eyes and with His strength, they can move mountains.

MEASURED VISION

God’s power is not subject to human will. Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus is “able to save to the uttermost.” Be careful if you have a tendency to use society’s measure to judge people it says are no good. God can shake nations with people He pulls out of the dirt and mud. We also need to be careful not to pull out our measuring stick regarding people who have fallen. You don’t know how many times they resisted. You don’t know how many times they fought. God says, “I’m not going to let your past limit you. I’m not going to allow the measure of what you did in that failure stop My will from being done in your life. I reward not for performance, but for effort.”

Everyone has a destiny, a vision that God has given us. Your “promised land” may be your family being saved. It may be having a successful business or a ministry where God can use you to impact people’s lives. Don’t limit His purposes with your measuring stick.

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