Tag: abundance

The Golden Life

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus speaking to some Pharisees one day, told them that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but that He came to bring life and life more abundantly. This statement showed the beauty of His grace and mercy toward undeserving men where he offers an alternative to the evil one’s offerings whose motives are wicked.

Unfortunately, the Bible tells us the Jews who heard those words, responded with statements that He was demon possessed and mad. Yet others said those weren’t the words of a possessed man, questioning if a demon could open the eyes of the blind.

To this day, our Savior offers a unique kind of life for those who choose to accept it. It is abundant in its quantity and quality. Abundant can mean different things to different people. Yet from the Bible we know the life Jesus gives is eternal. You can’t get any greater than that–everlasting.

The Greek word for abundant in John 10:10 is perissos, which means overflowing, rich, full, extraordinary, beyond measure. This speaks to a life that is beyond what is expected or needed; not just satisfying. This life is more than sufficient but exceeding normal limits. Who wouldn’t want a life like that? Do we really understand what kind of life this is?

I’m hoping to be successful in encouraging you as a believer today to remember the type of life Jesus has provided us to possess. Of course, life on earth with all of its current challenges can be frustrating sometimes. We may become distracted focusing only on those issues that rob us of the life that entails the peace and rest Jesus made available to us. However, we can redirect our thinking with faith in the Lord’s promises.

NAHB – Hartness – Greenville, SC

In our daily prayer time, it would be helpful to ask the Lord to periodically remind us, in His own creative ways, of the abundant life we have in Him as we face each new day. We should remember that though we have trouble in this world, Jesus says He’s overcome the world (John 16:33).

Further, the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:35-39, reminds us that no trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, nor any powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! In fact, in all these things we are more than conquerors. Now how amazingly wonderful is that to know and believe?

This abundant life that Jesus has given us also provides some wonderful work by the Holy Spirit within us like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Not to mention justification, sanctification, and healing among other things. This new life we get to experience is beyond wonderful!

My thinking on this good news is not only to know what this abundant life entails, but to recognize the tools the thief uses to hinder us from living this life as Jesus would define it. We already know that anything of this world that involves theft, murder and destruction are the work of our enemy.

We also know from Matthew 28:18-20, that since the death and resurrection of Jesus, something remarkable has happened and has given us purpose: … “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

These are Jesus’ words to live by! While the method may differ from person to person, the responsibility is foundational for all of His followers.

Enjoying Freedom

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 8:36

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.“

Freedom is a wonderful way to live. According to Galatians 5:13, it’s a true mark of God’s calling: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

We must remember freedom is not something God frowns upon, but actually provides. He has graciously given us a will to choose who and what we hold dear. He has provided what he deems best while allowing us the choice of what we think best. He won’t bully us to change, but will often send sound Bible teaching and commands, with different inspirations and considerations into our lives to lead us toward his way.

Those of us who believe Jesus to be the Son of God and Lord over our lives, trust His way to be best for our lives. He has provided in the Bible how to accept and live for him as well as how to treat all people: sinners and saints, enemies and friends. He has shown us the way of love and will work with us, as we allow, to be successful in this endeavor.

Jesus has provided ways to help us turn from sin which is destructive to our lives and the righteousness he died to give us. He has shown us how to walk by the Spirit, which is initially foreign to man, and not by our human instincts and worldly desires. He has also made a way for us to live an abundant life here on earth, as it is in heaven.

I thank and praise God for Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Hence, we’re done with slavery if we truly want to be. We can trust that if Jesus makes us “free,” we are free indeed. The word free in John 8:36 means to set at liberty: from the dominion of sin. This is a wonderful thing.

By God’s grace, we don’t have to be enslaved to sin anymore. We have the freedom to choose to sin, but clearly, we don’t have to give in to it. Instead, we choose life given with his gift of righteousness. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, “…God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Again, he has provided freedom of choice in decision-making. Hence, in our relationships, we should never try to make anyone do anything they don’t want to do. God doesn’t. Yet he wants us to act of our own volition in choosing what he’s revealed to be best for us. I’ve found throughout life he’s committed to steering his believers in the right direction, even when at times we think another way is best. I’ve found him to be truly gentle and humble in heart as stated in Matthew 11:29. His “yoke” on us, brings rest, not turmoil.

Therefore, in our freedom, I’ve concluded that gentleness and humility are key in our relating to others regarding their choices of living. In showing the love of Christ, we must be respectful in how we treat others even when we don’t agree with how they live or they don’t agree with how we live. Nevertheless, we don’t compromise what we hold to be a life of true liberty. We follow confidently, supportively, assertively, and kindly the path God has created for us.

Following Christ wholeheartedly and avoiding excessive carnality will require distancing ourselves from influences that are destructive to our path which clearly is the wisdom of God. However, we never stop showing love for human life, as Christ has taught and demonstrated. At the same time, we refuse to reject the Bible’s teachings regarding to whom we yoke or bind ourselves in agreement. Over a believer’s lifetime, God will be clear in showing each of us those relationships best for our lives.

As for me, I want to live free and stay free in the convictions God has given for my life. I can’t let any person, place, or thing stop that process. We only get one life, and I’ve lived a large portion of mine and want God’s life for me to continue strong. I sometimes think I know better when he might prefer something else, but I don’t feel that way for long. I believe I healthily fear God and if not, he has proven faithful to show me. In all of this, I actually feel freedom. It’s when I am being disobedient and know it, that I feel terribly bothered. For this, I am thankful, too. It signifies God is still working in me.

Throughout my life, as he strips away everything that might hinder the freedom he’s provided, eventually my soul feels increasingly lighter of the worries of this world. Those things that meant so much don’t mean much to me anymore. Yet at the same time, he reveals the beauty and wonder of a new life so unimaginable, that it causes an increasing joy in my heart I can’t explain. With it, peace comes along with a conscience free of worry. The heaviness of sin is no longer desired, and when I err, God corrects and continues to sanctify me. For that, I would not trade anything.

So let’s continue to walk in the freedom God has provided each of us. Don’t risk losing it for anything or anyone. Let’s stay free of the bondage that can weigh us down and keep us from living in God’s peace and abundant life and study what God’s freedom truly is and how to experience it. Whether we are wealthy, poor, or in-between; married or unmarried; healthy or unhealthy; happy or sad; wherever we currently find ourselves, let’s be confident in the fact that if we are sincere followers of Christ, we are free!

Let’s embrace all the blessings God has for us. Let’s not allow anything to keep us from enjoying the freedom Jesus so dearly paid for. Let’s hold fast to my favorite scripture, John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Not to mention: 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”