Trusting God for More: Growing Faith and Capacity

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Able to Do Far More Than We Imagine

God’s character is unchanging, and He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. No matter what we face or how limited our perspective may be, God’s power and goodness are not diminished by our circumstances or doubts. He invites us to trust in His ability, not just for “just enough,” but for overflowing abundance in every area of our lives. When we remember that nothing about us changes who He is, we can rest in His faithfulness and expect Him to move in ways beyond our imagination. [52:09]

Ephesians 3:20 (NASB)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been praying “just enough” prayers? How can you ask God for more in that area today, trusting in His abundant power?

Day 2: The God We Trust Determines Our Obedience

The depth of our trust in God is revealed by our willingness to obey Him fully, not just in the areas that are comfortable or convenient. When we hold back parts of our lives or pick and choose which parts of God’s Word to follow, we are ultimately trusting ourselves more than Him. True trust leads to wholehearted obedience, even when it stretches us or challenges our preferences. The more we trust God, the more our lives will reflect His ways, and our obedience becomes a testimony to who we believe He is. [54:38]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Reflection: Is there a specific area where you’re holding back obedience from God? What step can you take today to surrender that area and trust Him fully?

Day 3: Grow Your Personal and Spiritual Capacity

Experiencing more of God requires us to intentionally grow our personal and spiritual capacities. We are each responsible for how much we ask, dream, and believe God for, as well as for the disciplines that feed our spiritual growth. When we settle for small prayers and minimal engagement, we limit what God can do in and through us. But when we stretch our faith, ask bigger, dream again, and invest in spiritual disciplines, we make room for God to exceed our expectations and transform our lives. [59:13]

Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can increase your personal or spiritual capacity this week—whether in prayer, Bible reading, generosity, or service?

Day 4: Pray Like It Depends on God, Work Like It Depends on You

There is a dual responsibility in seeing God move in our lives: we pray with faith, knowing it all depends on God, but we also act, doing what only we can do. Faith is not passive; it leads to action. As we pray for God to move in our marriages, finances, families, or church, we also take steps of obedience, diligence, and service. When we do our part and trust God to do His, we position ourselves to experience His “more than enough” in every area. [47:14]

James 2:17 (NASB)
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Reflection: Where is God prompting you to take a practical step of action alongside your prayers? What will you do today to partner with Him?

Day 5: Take One Step Further—There’s More in God

God invites us to go one step further in our walk with Him, not settling for maintenance mode or spiritual coasting. Whether it’s in worship, generosity, serving, or spiritual disciplines, there is always a next step that draws us closer to God’s heart and opens us to more of His grace and power. Even small steps of faith can lead to big changes, and as we respond to God’s invitation, we discover that there is always more in Him than we ever thought possible. [01:10:58]

Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one “step further” you sense God calling you to take this week? How will you act on it, trusting that He has more for you?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to worship the God who never changes, the God who is more than enough, and the God who invites us into a life of abundance and purpose. We celebrated His presence, even in the midst of loss and hardship, remembering that God’s goodness is not diminished by our circumstances. As we lifted up our Florence campus and remembered Christina Zambrana’s legacy, we were reminded that even in grief, God is worthy of our loudest praise and deepest trust.

We explored the difference between small thinking and big thinking in our faith. Too often, we settle for “just enough” prayers and a maintenance-mode faith, asking God only for what we think we can handle or accomplish. But God is not a “just enough” God—He is a “more than enough” God, able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or imagine. The higher we go in our trust, the more we see from God’s perspective, and the more our faith expands.

Ephesians 3:20 teaches us that God’s character is unchanging—He is always able to do more than we can comprehend. Our circumstances, doubts, or failures do not alter who He is. The real question is: are we willing to trust Him enough to ask for more, to dream again, and to step out in faith beyond our comfort zones?

There is a dual responsibility in the life of faith. God’s power is at work, but we are called to increase our personal and spiritual capacities. No one else can do this for us. We must ask bigger, dream bigger, and take practical steps to grow. Whether it’s reading the Bible more, praying bolder prayers, giving more generously, or serving in new ways, each step forward is an act of trust that invites God to do what only He can do.

Ultimately, the invitation is to go one step further—whatever that looks like for you. God is ready to meet you at the level of your expectation and exceed it. Let’s not shrink God down to the size of our comfort or past experiences. Instead, let’s trust Him for more, participate in the hope of the local church, and live lives that reflect the abundance and power of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Character Never Changes God’s nature is steadfast, regardless of our circumstances, doubts, or failures. Our struggles do not diminish His power or love. This truth anchors us in seasons of uncertainty, reminding us that our hope is not in our own consistency, but in His. When we feel distant or unworthy, we can rest in the assurance that He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. [54:02]
2. Small Thinking Limits God’s Work Settling for “just enough” prayers and maintenance-mode faith keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God’s power. When we only ask for what we think is possible, we reduce God to the size of our own abilities. True faith dares to ask for more, to dream again, and to believe that God can do what we cannot. Expanding our prayers and expectations opens the door for God to exceed them. [58:05]
3. Personal and Spiritual Capacity Is Our Responsibility No one else can grow your faith for you. Increasing your personal and spiritual capacity means taking ownership of your growth—asking bigger, dreaming bigger, and developing spiritual disciplines. This is not about earning God’s favor, but about positioning yourself to receive more of what He wants to do in and through you. Your willingness to stretch determines how much of God’s abundance you experience. [64:53]
4. Faith Requires Both Trust and Action There is a dual responsibility in the life of faith: pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you. Trust leads to obedience, and obedience is revealed in our willingness to take practical steps—whether in generosity, service, or spiritual disciplines. God invites us to participate in His purposes, not just as consumers, but as active partners in His mission. [47:14]
5. Take One Step Further Growth happens one step at a time. Whatever you’ve done before—whether in prayer, giving, serving, or worship—take one step further. This act of faith signals your trust in God’s character and your desire for more of Him. As you do, you’ll discover that God meets you at the level of your expectation and often exceeds it, revealing new depths of His grace and power. [70:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:11] - Inviting God’s Presence
[19:17] - Ministry Moment and Prayer
[20:10] - Honoring Christina Zambrana
[21:42] - Letting Angels Minister
[22:35] - Worship and Prayer Team Invitation
[34:41] - Supporting the Florence Campus
[35:40] - End of Year Offering Vision
[37:36] - Global and Local Outreach
[41:00] - Seeing from God’s Perspective
[42:41] - Small Thinking vs. Big Thinking
[46:35] - Faith in Action: Trust and Work
[50:52] - Ephesians 3:20 and God’s Character
[54:38] - Trust, Obedience, and Capacity
[58:05] - Praying Bigger Prayers
[64:53] - Personal Spiritual Growth
[70:58] - Taking One Step Further
[72:31] - Invitation to Salvation and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 3:20 (NASB) — > Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 3:20, what is God able to do, and how does this compare to what we can ask or imagine?
The sermon described the difference between “just enough” prayers and “more than enough” faith. What are some examples the pastor gave of “just enough” prayers? [[42:05]]
The pastor mentioned that God’s character never changes, even when our circumstances do. What evidence or examples did he give to support this? [[54:02]]
What does the sermon say about who is responsible for increasing our personal and spiritual capacity? [[59:13]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that God can do “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think”? What does this reveal about God’s character and our expectations?
The pastor said, “Small thinking paralyzes your faith.” What does he mean by this, and how might it affect someone’s spiritual life? [[48:49]]
The sermon talks about a “dual responsibility” in faith: God’s power and our action. How does this balance play out in practical terms, according to the message? [[47:14]]
The pastor challenged the church to “take one step further” in their faith journey. Why is this step important, and what does it signal about our trust in God? [[01:10:58]]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “God is not a just enough God—He is a more than enough God.” In what areas of your life have you been praying “just enough” prayers? What would it look like to pray bigger, bolder prayers this week? [[42:05]]
Think about a time when your circumstances made you doubt God’s goodness or power. How can the truth that “God’s character never changes” help anchor you during hard seasons? [[54:02]]
The message challenged us to increase our personal and spiritual capacity. What is one practical step you can take this week to grow—such as reading the Bible more, praying differently, giving more generously, or serving in a new way? [[59:13]]
The pastor said, “No one else can grow your faith for you.” What is one area where you’ve been waiting for someone else (a pastor, spouse, or friend) to help you grow, and how can you take ownership of that area? [[01:04:53]]
The sermon described faith as both trust and action: “Pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you.” Is there a situation in your life where you need to take a practical step of obedience, not just pray about it? What would that step look like? [[47:14]]
The pastor encouraged everyone to “take one step further” in their faith. What is your “one step further” this week? Is it in prayer, generosity, serving, or something else? How will you make sure you actually take that step? [[01:10:58]]
The message warned against shrinking God down to the size of our comfort or past experiences. Are there ways you’ve limited God in your thinking or expectations? How can you open yourself up to trust Him for more? [[58:05]]

Sermon Clips

There's a dual responsibility in seeing the move of God in my life. There's a dual responsibility in encountering the more that God has in your life. Your actions don't save you. The cross does. But your abilities, your capacities determine what you experience from him. [00:56:30] (19 seconds) #DualResponsibility

Many of us can't experience God fully because we won't increase our capacities personally. We like a small God because a small God is safe. In fact, let me ask you this question. It's just a question. Don't get mad. What if we've allowed our God to become so small that we've never really experienced him fully? [00:57:21] (26 seconds) #ExpandYourFaith

Dream again. I'm gonna give you a two word phrase and I'll challenge you this week. Take some free time and ask yourself this. What if, what if? I'm not talking about like the old 90s. I'm talking about the old 90s. I'm talking about the old 90s. I'm talking about the old 90s phrase that was like passive. Like, what if? Y'all remember that? My 90s babies remember that? Right? What if? I'm saying what if? What if I chase this dream? What if I chase the dream that I can't accomplish without God? What if I believed for generosity that I can't do without God? What if I believe for more for my community than I can do? What if, what if? Y'all, what would happen if we dreamed again? [01:01:45] (48 seconds) #FaithNotCoasting

Are you dreaming dreams that you can accomplish or that you have to depend on God for? Because if, watch this, this is hard. If there are things that you can accomplish, you might be worshiping the God that you don't think you are. It might be me that I'm worshiping. It might be me that I'm caught up on. It might be me that is in this. [01:04:12] (21 seconds) #SpiritualGrowthResponsibility

Your personal spiritual growth is not up to me. It's not up to me. My job is to feed and direct the flock. Your job is to love and care for each other and grow personally. Do you hear me? So when you hear somebody say, the pastor wasn't feeding me, so I left. What they're really saying is, I didn't eat any other time but Sunday. Let's call it what it is. And many of us get mad, not because we're not eating. It's because we're actually hungry. You're hangry spiritually. I just came up with that. I like that. Spiritual hangry. You're spiritually hangry. [01:05:05] (43 seconds) #SpiritDrawsLife

What am I trusting God for that I cannot do myself? Can I tell you something? The best I can do is preach a message for about 30 minutes. Let's be real, 40, and do some entertainment. That helps me draw a crowd, but I cannot draw a life, a change of life, and I don't want entertainment to draw crowds. I want the Spirit to draw it, so what you, here's my point. I'm asking God to grow the church to a level that I can't. Hey, God, and He is currently. God, will you do things that I can't do, and that when people look at it, they literally go, that old country boy from Elgin, South Carolina didn't do that one, and I'm gonna be like, you're doggone right. You with me? What are you believing God for that you can't do yourself? [01:09:41] (55 seconds) #OneStepFurther

Whatever you've done before, go one step further. Just one step. Just one step, it gets you closer. Just one step. Here's what I mean. If before, you've never picked up the Bible except on Sundays, pick it up one or two days this week and watch what happens. If before, the only worship you ever hear is in church on a Sunday morning, turn it on during a quiet time on the car ride to school or to work. Watch what happens. If before, my prayers are all about God get me through the day, I dare you to pray for more. If before, you only give a dollar or two in the offering bucket when it passes by, can I challenge you? Tithe and watch what happens. Or if it's tithe, be generous and watch what happens. Or if it's generosity, go one step further. I'm just saying, like if before, I just attend church, I don't serve, can I ask you to go one step further? If it's, hey, I carry the invite cards in my wallet, but I never give them out, give them out this week and watch what happens. Why? Because I'm going to pray like it depends on God, because it does. But I'm going to work like it depends on me. I'm going to do my part. I'm going to step one step further, because I just want to encourage you today, there's more in God than you think. [01:10:39] (73 seconds) #TrustAndCapacity

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does trusting God more reveal about our faith?

How can small prayers limit God's full power?

In what ways does spiritual capacity affect obedience?