A New Years Wish From Brother Hanline

“Just How Big is Your God?”

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:6 ESV)

In some ways I can’t believe that it is finally January 1, 2025, and in other ways it seems like it was just last week that it was January 1, 2024. Whoever said “time is relative” knew what they were talking about.

Think back to when you were in your teens; that is quite a challenge for some of us; it seemed like “forever” for the day to come when we got to be 18 and could start making some decisions for ourselves. Now, we know that it just takes a blink of the eye for 10, 20, 40 years to have flown by. As I get older, it just amazes me to see how fast this life that God has given me really does fly by, and I realize that my years left on this earth are coming to an end, and there is much left for me to do.

Lately, I have felt the Holy Spirit asking me the question, “Just How Big is your God?” Honestly, He caught me off guard when that thought first entered my mind. It was subtle at first, but then, more and more, this question began coming to my mind. So, what would be your answer to this question? If you are like me, the first thing that comes to mind is, “There is no one or nothing "Bigger than my God.” After all, He created everything, and without Him, nothing was made.” I remember when, some time ago, how impressed I was with God’s greatness when He spoke with Job and told him in Job 38:8-11 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds it's garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?” It was by God’s might that He spoke and there was light, He spoke and created everything from nothing, and “…every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Rom. 14:11).

You see, my reaction to the question "Just How Big is My God?" is easy because it is an abstract answer. I mean, it is true because it is Biblical, but it’s out of the realm of my daily reality. Yes, every time I see the sun rise or set, every time I see an ocean wave break on the seashore, every time I see the wind of a storm blow through, I am reminded of just how powerful or "Just How Big my God" is. But when it comes to my day-to-day life, or better yet to my prayer life, how confident am I in just how big my God is? Do I meekly come before the throne of Grace and cower before Him, afraid not to ask for too much? Or do I boldly come before the throne of Grace and seek mercy and grace in my time of need? (Heb. 4:16, Eph. 3:12). Are my prayers the prayers of someone who has a BIG God, or are they from someone who has forgotten just how big my God is?

I think this year, every believer needs to come before God with BIG prayers, having every confidence that our God can and will do what is asked in accordance with His will. If our prayer requests are made in accordance with bringing honor and glory to our God and Savior, they should be Big.

This year, let us expand our prayers from just what we can see or do, to what God sees and does. Let us start praying for a revival in our churches, community, and country, and let us include the whole world. We know that God can answer that prayer, and that our prayers would bring honor and glory to our Savior. Why don’t we expand our prayers beyond who we can influence and include those thousands of people that we will never meet, but that God is calling to salvation? Why not expand our prayers from just providing a roof for a church in Africa to providing so many souls that are touched with the gospel of Grace that they must build another church?

In 2025, let’s start praying for Big things from our God. We know He is able and willing to bring millions to Christ. So, let’s pray for that. Then, we can look forward to the “Privilege to Participate” in being part of His glorious goodness and blessings to others.

Let’s all start praying Big, this year.

I pray for an amazing year for each of you!

Brother Jerry Hanline

"Living in Grace is not about what I can do, but about what Jesus has already done!"