Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 11:12-26

Every year, the ministry of Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center creates a theme to guide us — a biblical truth that stretches our faith or challenges our understanding of God. Our theme this year has been IMMEASURABLY MORE, inspired by Ephesians chapter 3. Over and over again, we have made the declaration of faith and gratitude that the apostle Paul made:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

But what does immeasurably mean? If we take the word apart, we come up with the simple explanation of something that is not measurable — too great to be measured or too complex to be exactly known. Would you agree with me this morning that God’s greatness is too large to be measured — that God is too awesome to be known exactly? As we acknowledged how much we still have to learn about God, God revealed Himself to us over and over again. And we prayed this prayer over our team, the women and men we served, as well as the friends of the ministry:

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. – Ephesians 3:14-19

To understand the immeasurable love of God, to experience a love that is too great to fully understand — what a gift! As I look back at the many ways in which God has revealed Himself in 2025, I am undone. In my most challenging seasons, He gave me strength; in my moments of deep sorrow, He comforted me. He supplied my needs and provided His protection. He held me through life’s crushing disappointments and faithfully revealed His presence when I needed Him the most. I can stand in confidence that our God is good; I know from experience that the Lord is faithful!

As a ministry, we started 2025 with some lofty goals — the kind of goals that would require IMMEASURABLY MORE. We chose to pray bolder prayers as we displayed a stronger faith in what God is capable of doing. As we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center, the Lord made it clear that He is not finished yet. We had the privilege of serving more women and families than we ever have in one year. We opened a third residential facility for the youngest moms and their little ones, we opened a campus satellite in Champaign (IL), and we used our mobile clinic to begin offering services in Logansport (IN). We had more opportunities to come alongside young families through our fatherhood program as well as our Curbside material assistance. And the list goes on — all for the glory of the God who can do IMMEASURABLY MORE!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

I have been forever impacted by these verses; I am not the same person I was a year ago. I can say with confidence that I believe God is able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, and my prayer life has become a reflection of my faith as I daily bring my needs before the Lord.

But not every prayer spoken has been answered; not every request has been granted. Can you relate? At times, something passes through the hands of God that breaks our heart or shakes our faith. We stand in confidence that God CAN do anything; we just aren’t sure that He WILL. Our circumstances leave us on shaky ground, and we have to learn how to trust God all over again. We have to DARE TO BELIEVE that God is still good and that He is listening to our prayers.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” – Mark 11:22-25

Jesus challenged his disciples to have faith in God; he challenged them to overcome their doubts and believe. “If you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” We have to do more than just pray, we have to BELIEVE FOR IT. We need to answer God’s call to be strong and courageous, even when the situation or task ahead is difficult.

Believing that God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine requires faith. And sometimes faith takes courage. At times we have to dare to believe that God has something good ahead for us; we have to dare to believe that He loves us enough to answer our prayers and provide for our future.

I believe that God wants to daily strengthen our faith in 2026 — He wants to increase our hope. He will give us the faith we need to persevere, to endure patiently, to step into His presence with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. So as we close out one year and prepare to begin another, let’s fall on our knees before the Lord and ask Him for the courage we need to face all that is ahead. Let’s DARE TO BELIEVE that the God who can do IMMEASURABLY MORE than we can ask or imagine will answer our prayers and equip us with what we need.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6