The good which our dear God has in store for his saints in his holy dwelling –
there is not, after tracing its secrets, anyone who can relate a hundredth part of it.

  - Saltair na Rann, Irish, 9^th-10^th century[1]

But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

  - 1 Corinthians 2.9

The Christian life is never “as good as it gets.” Never. Say it out loud: “Never as good as it gets!”

All who really understand the promises of God, who see the vision of Christ in His glory and His Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven, and who realize just how unfathomably great our salvation truly is, will never settle for complacency in their faith.

God always has more in store for us than we’ve ever known or ever dared to ask or think (Eph. 3.20). There is more of His glory to discover, God revealing to us His weighty Presence in beauty, grace, wisdom, and goodness, filling us with unspeakable joy and pleasure.

There is more of His Word to plumb: We can never exhaust the inestimable riches and profound spiritual depths of divine revelation encoded in Scripture. And there is more of Him to discover in His world of creation and culture (Ps. 19.1-4; Prov. 25.2).

More of His Spirit’s transforming power awaits us – to renew our minds, revive our hearts, and shape our wills after the manner of Jesus.

There is more fruit to be borne in us. More gifts for ministry await our embrace. More opportunities for doing good and bearing witnesspresent themselves daily. More of that vision of unseen things that moves us to courageous faith and obedience remains to be discovered and entered. More of the sure increase of Christ’s righteous Kingdom in our lives.

There is more, always more, and we are the losers if we become complacent in the face of this vast, unexplored treasure trove of divine benefits and boon.

This was one of the convictions that drove Celtic Christians so passionately on in peregrinatio (mission) for the Lord Jesus. They believed that Jesus would use their sacrifice, their witness, their long days of labor to lead many souls to salvation. They believed they could change cultures, peoples, and the times in which they lived. They did not think they could ever outstretch God; He would always meet them and provide for their needs, no matter how hard they pushed, how far they roamed, or how fervently they preached the Good News.

Where is that adventuresome, faithful spirit among the followers of Christ today? Too many of us, it seems, have come to regard our experience of Christ as “good enough.” We just don't seem hungry for more than our “hundredth part” of God’s store for us (if that much).

But there is always more. Jesus intends to fill you and your Personal Mission Field with Himself (Eph. 1.22, 23; Eph. 4.8-10), and to flow His life and truth into every nook and cranny of your world (Jn. 7.37-39). Is what He intends in line with what you are seeking?

Seek the Lord, and give Him no rest until He begins, through His Word and Spirit, to grant you more of the abundance of His great salvation for every aspect of your life.

Today, set aside a time for an extended season of thanksgiving – 20-30 minutes of nothing but thanking the Lord for His many benefits and blessings. Then, at the end of it, enter a period of silence. Let your soul rest in the Presence of the Lord, and listen for a still, small voice responding to your prayers of thanks. You’ll probably sense that voice rather than hear it, but its response to you will be clear:

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

For Reflection
1. Why are we so prone to settle for “as good as it gets” in our walk with and work for the Lord?

2. How can believers encourage one another to a “more, ever more” walk with the Lord?

Psalm 116.7-14 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

Lord, I know there is more for me than what I’m presently realizing, so help me today to…

Such a Great Salvation
If you missed our ReVision study, “Such a Great Salvation”, you can download all three parts of this survey by clicking here.

A call to prayer for September
We are asking all of you in The Ailbe Community – all who read or use any of our resources – to make a special, daily focus in prayer, that God would move the hearts of many to share in the financial needs of this ministry. The Lord supports our work through the prayerful and generous gifts of those who share our vision and are served by our ministry. Please join us throughout the month of September, as we ask the Lord to move and enable more of those who benefit from this ministry to share in our financial needs. If the Lord moves you to give, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

T. M. Moore
Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Carey, p. 118.