More than we asked for...

Based on 2 Kings 22-23, John 4:31-54

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours."

John 4:36‭-‬38

God always exceeds our expectations...but how many times do we strive to even meet His expectations for our lives? Are we sometimes too distracted, or do we fear not measuring up to the mark? Jesus provides more than we ask for constantly, even when we sometimes forget to pray about it...and we have to remember that Jesus will use people that have no experience in the field of ministry/religion in order to help them measure up to the mark He has personally for them. The woman at the well came not only from a background outside the Jewish culture, but she also came from a sinful culture. The disciples described above were working where many prominent men of the Bible worked before them, even though they came from all walks of life. They got to build upon their foundations, and Jesus wanted them to realize how special that was.

When we choose to live for God, and surrender ourselves completely to His perfect will, we will receive more than we ever asked for...we will also have to do more than we'd expected, or at least do things differently...but that's all part of His miraculous plan once we're all in!

"Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD , which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: and let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD : and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD , to repair the breaches of the house, unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house. Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD . And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it."

2 Kings 22:4‭-‬8

Josiah was only 8 years old when he began to reign...8!!! Look out, Moms! God can use our children to do great things, as long as we're leading them to The Lord! Josiah wanted to do some good work on the temple. He sent people to repair it...but he definitely got more than He asked for! The temple was great, but it was what was found on the inside that mattered...The Word of God! The kings before him forgot about it, but when brought to him, Josiah wanted to bring it back so he & God's people could love Him and live by His Word once again! God saw Josiah's good work & made it a God work! And we all know God works!

"And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el."

2 Kings 23:4

Josiah went above & beyond. He took down all the idols, places of idol worship, and all the wickedness out of Judah! He held God's Word dear to his heart. If we want God to bless us with more than we asked for, we must do more than we expect of ourselves...but just remember, it's not about what we are given...it's about Who is giving it...when we receive Jesus, we already receive more than we could ever ask for!! So let's strive to be more than we were yesterday! Let's strive to meet Jesus right where He wants us, like the woman at the well. Not only positioned to meet Jesus, but ready for the change He was willing to provide. That change & transformation is the greatest gift only God can give! Let's go for the more in Jesus' Name!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38