HE IS ABLE

August 28

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Say a prayer. Think a thought. God is able to do more.  Far more.  Far more abundantly more. He has worked that way in the past.  He works that way in the present.  And He will continue to do so. These two verses of praise speak to the truth that God is always exceeding our imagination and expectations in the way He does things!  This passage is precious to me.  I finished my ministry at Lewis and Clark Bible Church after 27 and ½ years with a sermon series from this text and then shared those messages with our brethren in Uganda.

Arthur T. Pierson once said that there is a sevenfold measure of the power of God is Paul’s benediction:

First, God’s able to do first what we ask.

Second, He is able to do all that we ask.

Third, He is able to do what we think.

Fourth, He is able to do all that we think.

Fifth, He is able to do above all that we ask or think.

Sixth, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think.

And seventh, He is able to do exceeding, abundant above all that we could ask or think.

Kenneth Wuest has explained the meaning of this great phrase (far more abundantly) this way: “it is a superlative of superlatives in force. It speaks of the ability of God to do something, that ability having more than enough potential power, this power exhaustless, and then some on top of that. Thus, Paul says that God is able to do super-abundantly above and beyond what we ask or think, and then some on top of that.”

Kenneth Wuest

These two verses serve as a fitting conclusion to all that precedes in this epistle.  The main point of verses 20-21—that God is able to do far more abundantly—is interwoven through all that we read about there.  Salvation is by grace.  Inasmuch as it is by grace, and according to the work of God, all the glory goes to Him.

We should note how the life and ministry of the God-inspired-writer of this epistle embodies the truth that is spoken of here.  God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.  The Apostle Paul had formerly been a persecutor, blasphemer, and violent aggressor, hell bent on destroying the church.  He was engaged in that evil work when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus.  Neither he nor his companions could have imagined what God had purposed to do in his life.  But Jesus saved him!  Recall how hard it was for Ananias and the church in Damascus to accept the reality of the truth that God had indeed saved such a man as Paul.  Not only did God save Paul, but He also called him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.  He was sent out and on three missionary journeys and he traveled thousands of miles, witnessing to countless numbers of people and planting dozens of churches.  Undeterred by constant threats and severe trials, he finished his course and kept the faith.  God revealed His truth to Paul, and he wrote all those epistles—words that have worked to instruct and encourage millions of souls, including you.  That murderous hater of the church was transformed to be the best friend and missionary the church has had, save the Lord Himself.  That work of God in his life was according to the far-more-abundantly ability of God to save and transform!

God’s work in your life is according to this dynamic.  God has purposed to fill you up to the “fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).  What does that entail?  Have you heard that song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe?  We can only imagine what it will be like in glory!  God is at work to radically transform you from who you were—as a child of wrath, dead in your trespasses and sins—to who He is making you to be; conformed to the image of His Son.  There will come a day when Jesus will “transform (your) lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:21).  It is a far-more-abundantly work that He is well able to do!  That’s how God works, always exceeding our expectations and beyond what we could even imagine!  Think a thought.  Say a prayer.  God is able to do more.  Far more abundantly more!

“Far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams” — Ephesians 3:20, The Message Bible

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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