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The Christian life is one of growth and expansion.  As we seek God daily, we grow in him.  As we read and meditate on the word of God, our faith is increased, and our level of spiritual power multiplies.  The stagnant Christian is an unhealthy Christian.  The children of God need to grow into spiritually powerful adults.  As a rule, God’s power will be manifested to us at the level that we are able to receive it. 

Christians often stress out over small things.  Well, to the Christian the problem may actually be huge.  But there is no obstacle that we could face that would pose any type of challenge to God.  Part of the growth process is the testing of our faith.  As our faith is tested, and we respond appropriately, our ability to utilize our faith expands.  The seasoned Christian will have bigger expectations of God than the baby Christian because the seasoned Christian has learned to release and activate their faith. 

God is as big and as powerful in your life as you allow him to be.  Often our Father will intervene in our circumstances based on our level of faith.  The Lord has an infinite number of ways that he can answer our prayers, but his answer is usually given in proportion to our faith.  We must have an increasing understanding of just how powerful God is in order to expand our ability to receive from him.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).  The first step in walking by faith is to saturate yourself with God’s word.  God’s word produces faith.  And God’s word concerning a particular issue will produce faith for that issue.  If you need healing, meditate on scriptures about healing.  If you need financial help, meditate on scriptures that speak of prosperity.  Reading and meditating on God’s word every day must be a priority in your life.  But there is also something else that you must do, or rather, something else that you must be.

“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).  God granted the request of Jabez because of two things, Jabezes’ faith and Jabezes’ character.  Jabez was honorable and God fearing.  Jabez had the type of character that pleased God.  Christians should strive not only to confess God’s word, but they must seek to be the type of Christian whose lifestyle pleases God.  Living in consistent rebellion against God will sabotage your faith.  “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:22).

Expanding your ability to receive from God involves meditating on his word and living a lifestyle that reflects and displays the character of God.  Ask God to help you to develop the character that he wants you to have.  If you live your life in this way, God will begin to answer your prayers in bigger and more dramatic ways.