Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
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, to Him be glory in the church of Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 AMP
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and ) do super abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts , hopes or dreams) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Immediately following His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Apostles and breathed into them the life of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was released into 3,000 people. These are the Bible’s first accounts of people being saved as the grace of God was poured out into humanity following the death and resurrection of His Son. The sacrifice that formed an Eternal Covenant between God and Jesus for all mankind also installed Jesus as our Advocate where He sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us every day. The Holy Spirit, the very spirit of God that knows His will, is deposited into us as our internal Counselor, Comforter, Teacher, GPS, and Best Friend. The Holy Spirit is your Sword of Gideon.

The Old Testament story of Gideon details an account of God choosing him to be the one to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Despite his feelings of inadequacy, Gideon continued to put one foot in front of the other in obediance to the will of God. After asking God to confirm His will multiple times, God’s mercy prevailed and Gideon moved forward to fight the Midianites and Amalekites “who lay along the valley like locusts for multitude” (Judges 7:12) As the great battle neared, Gideon heard a dream interpreted that described a cake of barley bread that rolled into the camp of the Midianites, flattening their tent. (Barley was very inexpensive and the least of all grains, distinguished from ‘fine flour’.) Gideon’s family was the poorest in Manasseh and he was the least in his family but through the Lord’s detailed direction, Gideon and his small band of 300 warriors destroyed the Kings and Princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and 120,000 of their men fell by the Sword.

Ephesians 3:16  AMP
May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit (Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality).

The Holy Spirit is a person, working in and through, enabling you to become more like Christ while providing necessary tools and communication to live successfully. His primary role is to point you to Jesus but one of His roles is to administrate and orchestrate the redemptive covenant benefits awarded by grace through the blood and resurrection of Jesus –

Shammah (His Presence,  Always There, Ezekiel 48:35)
Shalom (Peace, Judges, 6:24)
Ra-ah (Shepherd-Pastor, Psalm 23:1)
Jireh (Provision, Genesis, 22:14)
Nissi (Banner of Victory Over Darkness, Exodus 17:15)
Rapha ( Healer, Exodus, 15:26 )
Righteousness (Tsidkenu, Jeremiah, 23:6)
M’Kaddesh (Sanctifier, Leviticus, 20:6)

It is the will of God for all people to fully understand what His Son purchased for them and walk in the fullness of the glory of the New Covenant.

Tracy Gatewood
Twitter – constructionzon
Google direct: tracylgatewood.wordpress.com

Over the past year plus more following the devastating April 2011 tornado, I have prayed diligently for my hometown; Tuscaloosa, Alabama. One December day, I prayed a simple prayer asking God specifically to allow the University of Alabama to win the BCS Championship. I barely know a field goal from a safety but  I do understand that winning the National Championship brings hundreds of thousands of fans to Tuscaloosa, driving millions of dollars into its sales tax base, money still urgently needed for tornado recovery.  Following my prayer, I felt a single yet strong, and very definitive confirmation from the Holy Spirit. The University of Alabama football team not only won the BCS Championship title, but shut out its opponent. Throughout this spring, the U of A has won National Championship titles in women’s golf, women’s softball, gymnastics and also recruited the #1 college football team for next season. I believe there is more to come.             

God loves us, and wants to bless us exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever imagine.  I was content with one (albeit major) football game but blessing continues to flow on this program. How many times do we put limitations on God, becoming satisfied with our finite ideas of what He could do for us when He has planned exceedingly and abundantly more? He has removed all major obstacles through the sacrifice of His Son, which formed an eternal covenant with Him to provide for the needs of every Believer.

To my friends that cheered for the opposing team during the Championship….Hey – It was only a game!  But you’re the ones that taught me how to pray!  🙂

Related Articles:

The Assignment  www.tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/the-assignment/
Equip the Bride  www.tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/equip-the-bride/
Purpose Driven Bride  www.tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/purpose-driven-bride/
Wisdom of God  www.tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/wisdom-of-God/