Mensa Otabil - Expand Your Capacity (09/27/2025)
Welcome to day number 22 of our 40 days of power. Today, we are talking about expanding your capacity. Second Kings, chapter 4, verses 3 and 4: «Then he said, 'Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels. Do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons. Then pour it into all those vessels and set aside the full ones.'»
One thing about God is that He is not limited in what He can do; He is an unlimited God. The only limitation we have in life is how far we will allow God to work in our lives, and the more space we give Him to work, the more expansive His grace gets manifested in our lives. Most of the time, the limitations we face are the limitations we impose on ourselves. They are not God’s limitations; they are our limitations. It is very possible to see the little things God is doing for us and be so overwhelmed that we think that is all He can do. He can do far more than what you have seen so far. No matter how great your testimony is, there is a bigger testimony coming to you.
In our passage today, the prophet Elijah tells the widow with only one jar of oil to go and borrow more vessels from her neighbors. This widow is in debt, and Elijah tells her to shut the door and take that one bottle of oil and pour it into all the vessels. She did that and was amazed at how much oil she had. She sold it to pay off her debts, and there are important lessons we learn from that passage. The first lesson we learn is that God starts with what we have. The woman had just a jar of oil, and sometimes we have very little. God is not intimidated or depressed by the little you have. He can start with little; as a matter of fact, God starts with nothing. He says, «Let there be light» when there is no light, and then there was light. So God starts with what we have. Faith starts with what we have; don’t despise what you have in your hand today.
Secondly, God wants us to grow beyond what we have. What you have is little; He wants you to grow beyond it. God wants you to expand your capacity, and for this woman, she had to go and borrow vessels. She had to ask other people to give her capacity. This simply means that you grow your capacity by learning from people, reading, and growing your capacity, opening the space, and saying, «God, you’ve done so much for me, but I believe You can do so much more.» Because of what I see You do in other people’s lives, I know You can also do it for me. You are borrowing vessels; you’re growing your capacity. So, start with what you have, but God doesn’t want you to end with what you have. He wants you to grow your capacity.
The third thing you notice is that the jar of oil stopped flowing when there were no vessels. That means that God’s grace will go as far as you can demand, as far as you have capacity, as far as you see. «Lord, I am ready for You to do some more.» So, what has God done in your life so far? He can do far more than that, and I want you to trust Him that in these 40 days of power, He will expand your capacity to do far more than you’ve ever done, in Jesus' name. Why don’t we share a word of prayer together? Say with me, «Heavenly Father, help me to know when I need help, and help me to grow and increase my capacity. Lead me to those who can help me grow my capacity, in Jesus' name. Amen.»
Well, my friends, God wants to expand you. He wants to do great things for you. Get ready for it. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.