The Christian Online Magazine -
"One day Michelangelo came into the studio of Raphael and looked at one of Raphael's early drawings. Then he took a piece of chalk and wrote across the drawing, 'Amplius,' which means 'greater' or 'larger.' Raphael's plan was too cramped and narrow. So it is that God looks down on our plan of life today and, knowing what He can do through us, writes over the plan, 'Amplius!' Greater! Larger! " - Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations
God is speaking to His Church this day. He is writing upon our plans and goals the very words - "Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Psalm 78:41 - He is admonishing us to no longer limit Him as did the Israelites - "...limited the Holy One of Israel"
He is saying that our vision is too cramped and narrow. In order to get the job done - to reach the world for Jesus - we have to expand the borders of our Faith and believe for the Impossible like never before! Time is running out! What is to be done must be done quickly, accurately, and successfully.
God will accept no excuses.
He doesn't want to hear of our inexperience or fears.
Jeremiah 1:7 - As He said to Jeremiah, so the Lord says to us - "...Say not, I am a child..."
In other words, don't say that you cannot accomplish the task that I have laid before you.
Don't tell Me that you are inadequate and that others are more qualified.
Don't say that you do not have the necessary resources or qualifications.
Jeremiah 1:7 - "...Go to all that I shall send thee..."
Jeremiah 1:7 - "Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak"
Don't let fear hinder you any longer!
Jeremiah 1:8 - "Be not afraid of their faces..."
Do what I say!
Speak what I command!
Write what I dictate!
Go where I tell you to go!
I will even make a way where there seems to be no way.
I will open doors that men will never be able to shut.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Believe Me! Trust Me! Obey Me!
Isaiah 58:14 - Delight yourself in Me, and I will cause you to "ride upon the high places of the earth" and "feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father..."
I will cause you to live above the cares and concerns of this world and not be hindered by them.
I will cause you to be a partaker of the land's increase.
I will place you in high, inaccessible, and unreachable places, safe from all of your enemies.
You will even take possession of your enemies' strongholds.
Because you take pleasure in knowing, loving, and serving Me; I will choose your inheritance and cause you to possess your possessions.
Psalm 91:14 - Set your love upon Me, and I will deliver you in and out of any trouble that you will face - "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him..."
Allow Me to be the object of your supreme affection and then watch Me save you from all danger, harm, and evil in all of your troubles, temptations, and trials.
Psalm 91:14 - Have an insatiable desire to know My Character and My ways, and I will place you out of the reach of your enemies. I will plant you in a safe and secure place in Me - "...I will set him on high, because he hath known My name."
Habakkuk 3:19 - Make Me your strength, and I will make your feet "like hinds' feet" and make you to walk upon your "high places" - "The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places..."
Daniel 11:32 - With Me as your strength, you will be enabled to perform mighty exploits in My name - "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
Isaiah 40:31 - You will "run" and not grow "weary;" "walk, and not faint."
You will find such tremendous speed through Me for the spiritual race that lies ahead of you.
Your way will be made plain.
Hence, you will outrun your enemies, bounding over all stumblingblocks or obstacles along the way.
Matthew 25:20 - Be serviceable unto Me. Take the "five talents" that I have invested in you and through hard work, diligence, and honest business; return them unto me with increase - "...behold, I have gained beside them five talents more."
Matthew 25:21 - I, in turn, will make you "ruler over many things." Because you have been faithful unto Me in the lower office, I will advance you to an higher office with more responsibility, greater honor, and far more important trusts.
Luke 19:16 - Take the "pound" - the mina - the gift of the Gospel - that I have given to you as one of My children and be faithful in making considerable improvements with that which was bestowed unto you. If you will not bury it in the sand but develop and enlarge on it, I, in turn, will honor and reward you for your fidelity and painstaking diligence and labor.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Let these words burrow deep within your spirit this day.
1 Peter 2:9 - For I have called you to be a "chosen generation," "a royal priesthood," "an holy nation," and "a peculiar people."
I have separated you from all of the people of the earth to be Mine. You are My very own - My private property. You are singular, distinguished, special, and unlike any others because My hand rests upon you for the work that I have called you to do.
Your mission is to "show forth" My praises for I, and I alone, have "called you out of darkness" into My "marvellous light."
You no longer live under the domain of sin, ignorance, misery, idolatry, superstition, and ungodliness. You have been called to display a life that is holy, useful, meaningful, and which radiates excellence through and through for My Glory.
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
The task ahead of you is great.
But your God is Greater!
As the songwriter penned it aptly several years ago -
"Lift your vision higher, you're in a way you've never been before,
Lift your vision hi-i-gher and you will see the Glory of the Lord;
For without impressive vision, you dwell carelessly,
Without impressive vision, you dwell carelessly.
Lift your vision hi-i-gher, and you will see the Glory of the Lord."
"Amplius!" Greater! Larger!
Copyright 2004 by Connie Giordano
