It is interesting how all the Saints of the Bible were so shockingly honest about their struggles, as well as their flaws. In Day 21 called, “Find,” the authors talk about the great King David and the inspirational St Paul as examples of this blatant vulnerability. The authors tell us their secret but asking then answering this question: “What made these two titans of the faith so willing to be transparent in weakness? Well, humility like that is only produced one way: by losing our lives in order to find them. After surrendering to God, David and Paul learned to also depend on Him daily.” (p97) A huge part of the Abundant Life God has granted us is learning to become independent of this world, others and our own resources and abilities, but becoming more and more dependent of God who will provide whatever we need to live that Abundant Life. Both of these great Saints had lived challenging lives through which they learned all about God’s Faithfulness. In doing so, they also learned that they did not have to strive after this world and what it says will fulfill us, but rather, simply leaned on God for what He said would bring them fulfillment. The two can be as different as night and day.
This requires “dying to self.” This simply means to not live life via our old MMI mentality, but to pass every thought, emotion and desire through God before we act on them. As we do this, we begin acting more and more like Jesus did, living Love. The less we try to grab on to the life we thought was good and reach up to God for the Eternal Life that is truly good, the more we will find the Abundant Life we’ve always wanted. Dying to our old thought patterns, to our old self-centered emotions, to our old worldly desires and to our old bad habits, all with the inspiration, help and power of God, is the only way to have, enjoy and share the Abundant Life. That’s the fourth time I said “Abundant Life,” which is based on the words of Jesus in John 10:10. It is the life we were created to live, but I wonder if we really understand what Jesus meant by that? Leave your comments below and we will discuss it more tomorrow…
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
