On occasion, I’ll sit and ask myself if I really understand what Jesus has provided for me and what He intends for my life. I often get the sense that there is so much more in store for me and the family of God than we can ever imagine. The joy I get from meditating on the lavish unselfishness of His provision is indescribable.
Unfortunately, per John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Yet graciously, Jesus came “that we might have life and have it to the full.” This wonderful verse gives us greater insight into God’s generous desire for our existence. He came not only that we’d have life, but to have it wholly.
This reminds me that his commands aren’t given to steal our joy, kill our happiness, or destroy our peace. That’s the thief’s work, so we shouldn’t assign it to our Lord and Savior. Jesus has brought great fulfillment to our lives as only He can, and develops us into the family He desires.
Now of course, according to Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death” and sometimes, our unwise and sinful choices can open doors for our adversary to wreak havoc in our lives. However, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Bible tells us that, in Jesus, was life, “and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). Further, Jesus tells us “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. …” (John 11:25-26).
Therefore, Jesus is the one to whom we offer our gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise for all the great things He has done and continues to do for us.
We have truly been blessed with bountiful life and should not forget all of the Lord’s benefits written in Psalm 103:3-5: “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”
How comforting to know that “He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” We can rest in knowing that “… as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him… .” (Psalm 103:10-11)
Now as far as our enemy is concerned, he has been handled as well. Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:18-19 that He “saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning” and that Jesus had given them “authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy” and that nothing would harm them. Dedicated followers of Jesus are his disciples today.
Even when we experience the trials of living in a sinful world, 2 Peter 2:9 assures us that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” Also, we know from James 1:2-3, that we can face trials with joy as we know that “the testing of our faith produces perseverance.” Not to mention, the Bible’s Old Testament tells us: “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Proverbs 24:16) Nevertheless, it’s okay to ask for help getting back up.
So with all glory being given to Jesus, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 comes to mind: “So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” Now if that isn’t abundant life, I don’t know what is!
Ms. Rita's Minute 