Ahhh, the Abundant Life. I think some people misunderstand what Jesus meant when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV) When you think of abundance, what do you envision? Too many quickly think of a big house filled with every worldly convenience that money can buy, including a garage filled with cars. That’s nice, but eventually, the house will need major maintenance and the cars will get old and break down. My point is that all these things are temporary. God always thinks Eternal, so when Jesus talked about having life abundantly, He was talking about something that would live on forever. Yes, God wants us to enjoy this life, but we can only fully enjoy this life when we are living it God’s Way. This means focusing on our inner life more than we do on the outer things of life. In other words, not centering all our time, talent and treasures on gaining possessions, but instead, on gaining healthy relationships, starting with the most important relationship with God, Himself. But if we are living for MMI, then we miss the boat. Both David and Paul knew this from experience and were not ashamed to make themselves less because God was greater to them.
These two giants of Faith had given up trying to stand in the limelight because they knew only One had that right. They each had been miraculously saved by God’s Grace and they knew it well. But they did not stop there. King David through his psalms and godly reign over Israel, and St Paul through his incredible teachings and planting of churches, were also not shy about sharing this Abundant Life with those around them either. I’m continuing with our devotional from yesterday, Day 21 called, “Find,” which says, “In fact, the more dramatic our rescue, the less shy we are about expressing our feelings because the drive to inform the desperate eclipses any fear of being mocked. Or rejected. Or dismissed. Or canceled. Or even killed. In Christ, we let go of our desire to self-protect or self-promote, because we’ve traded our old life for His.” (p97-98) Trading our old, temporary, lack luster and fading life for God’s abundantly fulfilling and satisfying life, filled to the overflow with things that no one can take from us and no time will rot? Things like peace that surpasses understanding, joy that strengthens us, righteousness that grants us contentment, no matter what is going on around us? Yeah, that sounds like an amazing trade up, doesn’t it? This is the Abundant Life that God offers us. All we have to do is receive it, then seek God so we can live it. In Christ, this is the life we find, and it is so very worth losing that old one.
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
