Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)

4 The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! 10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”

Those in the Bible who stretched for more: Abraham, Gideon, David, Moses, Ruth, Jeremiah, Joshua,  Esther

“The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part!”

catalyst: something that causes activity, an event, or change. And usually, these events and changes are big.

 God will release abilities that have remained dormant as you begin to stretch.

“Your best unfolds when God is permitted to build a better you,” Ps. Steve

 Excuses that get in the way of stretching for more:

1. Offenses from others in church family.

2. Believe to be unqualified for the job.

3. Refusing to give up control of how much to give out.

Stretching through those excuses:

1. Go to God’s word

2. Pray scripture audibly

3. Spiritual counsel

 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Philippians 1:6 (CEV) God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

Oswald Chambers: “Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”