Ask for and expect overflow: God wants to bless you to be a blessing

The current devotion is written by Dianna Hobbs, founder of EEW Magazine. Get more inspiration like this on her Daily Cup of Inspiration blog.

So often, I talk to you about believing God for great things and trusting Him to top that. I always tell you, He is a God who goes over and above what you ask Him to do. I know this to be true, and God showed me that once again yesterday.

My ministry team and I saw God exceed our expectations on Giving Tuesday—a global day of giving back to charities, nonprofits, and community organizations making a positive impact. At our ministry headquarters, we prayed and asked God to touch the hearts of others to sow a generous seed to help us continue spreading the gospel, expand our outreach efforts, and give more humanitarian aid globally to those who are hurting and in need.

And boy did God ever show up in a big way! If you donated on Giving Tuesday—or any other day—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Think of all the people we will help together.

As I was reflecting on ministry and missions, God drew my attention back to a familiar Bible story I have talked about many times. It is found in 1 Kings 17.

During a time of extreme famine, the widow of Zarephath only had a small amount of flour, a little bit of olive oil and some water to make the last piece of bread for her and her son. They were about to split their last meal, and prepare to die of starvation. But the Lord was concerned about this poor woman with no husband, no income, and no hope, so He sent the prophet Elijah on a mission to help her. He prophesied something good to her.

Elijah said to her, “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”

“God is sending you a word today: He is going to bless you in abundance, and the blessing will be so great, you will be able to bless others too! ”

— Dianna Hobbs

God was faithful to the word that He released through the prophet, and the widow had more than enough to sustain her family. God has always cared for those in need, and He has not changed. He yet cares.

My friend, He cares for you too.

Matthew 6:26 NLT says, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”

If He cares about the sparrows and provides for them, won’t He do it for you? Surely, He will! Perhaps you need God to help you or increase you. Your area of necessity may not be food or money related, but whatever it is, God is more than willing and able to help you.

I believe He’s sending this message to you for a reason: He wants you to trust Him more. Expect more. Ask Him for more. Believe Him to go over and above what you need. Not just for your benefit but for the benefit of others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT says, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

The God who cares for the sparrows will cause overflow in your life, and He will do this for the benefit of His Kingdom, for His glory, for His will to be done, and for those who will be helped through you.

God loves to bless you so you can bless others. Start asking Him for overflow. Believe Him to open Heaven’s floodgates and give you the kind of blessing you won’t have room to receive. Trust Him to enlarge you and expand you.

As you read this, I am praying increase, favor, and blessings over you. I am also asking God to increase your faith and level of expectation.

Today, I’m stirring Luke 17:5 KJV into your cup of inspiration. It says this: “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, ask God to increase your faith. He will do it, and He will increase your capacity to receive blessings.

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