Above and Beyond: Living in God’s Abundance
JODI HARRIS
Lee en español
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (CSB)
Recently, I was looking at the plants around my yard. Some stood tall and full, their leaves green and lively, bold and radiant in the sun, nonplussed by recent harsh winds. They flourished above and beyond — but others were limp and dying.
Why? The flourishing plants were next to an abundant water source: a hidden water drainpipe.
Jeremiah 17:7-8a says, “The person who trusts in the Lᴏʀᴅ … will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green” (CSB).
This is similar to Ephesians 3:20-21, where we also see God’s abundance:
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
The book of Ephesians often describes God’s abundance using words like “blessings,” “riches,” “inheritance,” “gifts,” and “fullness.” In Ephesians 3:16-19, Paul also prayed that believers would be rooted and firmly established in God’s love. All believers, including us, can experience God this way — not just knowing about Christ’s abundant love but personally experiencing it.
As believers, we become like plants flourishing in the Lord’s presence and power, able to experience His abundance. Jesus came to give us life and provision so far “beyond all that we ask or think” that it gloriously overflows “to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21)!
However, the enemy wants to uproot us from God’s deep love, turning us into scrawny, struggling plants of scarcity, beaten by winds and drought, damaged by the world around us.
So how do we re-root our faith when we doubt God’s provision?
If you find yourself in doubt or despair, barely surviving instead of thriving, here are a few ways to be still before the Lord and re-root:
- Remember what He has done for you and for others in the past. The more we live rooted in His history of faithfulness, the more we experience God’s present abundance (Psalm 77:11).
- Read and ponder promises in His Word. “The power that works in us” according to Ephesians 3:20 is the Holy Spirit — the One who inspires Scripture and teaches us God’s Truth when we read it.
- Dwell in and on His abundant love. Through prayer and worship, we can say with all God’s people, “To him be glory” (Ephesians 3:21).
When we allow God to flood us with His fullness, we will praise Him for doing far above and beyond all we can ask or think.
Lord, I’m easily uprooted when hard things happen. Help me be rooted still more deeply in Your love so I will be unmoved when harsh winds come. Let me shine Your glory and grace to those around me as I live abundantly, trusting Your provision above and beyond my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
John 10:10, “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (CSB).
What does Ephesians 3:20-21 teach you about God or about yourself? How does this passage inspire or convict you to make a change in how you think, what you do, or what you believe? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Jodi Harris. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
