John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly."
Ephesians 5:15-16 "So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
Have you begun your journey to abundant life? Jesus promised that He would take us there. It is an amazing journey! Not without the occasional complication, of course, but He has laid a beautiful path before us that continues to get brighter and has given us the promise of the Holy Spirit, our personal tour guide!
I've been pondering these two Scriptures together. Jesus came to give us abundant life, and then He gives instruction through the Apostle Paul to live wisely and make the most of our time because the days are evil. When we choose to walk with Jesus, He promises to teach us how to walk in the abundant life He has provided. And the truth of it is that we get to choose the amount of abundant life we experience and the amount of time that it will take to get there.
Let me explain. The children of Israel were led right up to the Promised Land. Because they had a hard time believing that God could actually give them what He had promised, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 more years. Furthermore, many of them NEVER had the opportunity to experience the Promised Land. The choice was there.
I believe you and I are on the edge of our Promised Land. God has promised us abundant life. But because of the size of the giants we face, many of us have simply concluded that maybe God doesn't have abundance for us after all. Our beliefs will determine whether or not we enter our Promised Land of abundant life and how long it will take us to get to that promise.
But I believe there are ways that we can make the most of our time, expediting our path to the Promised Land, and in doing so releasing hope and life to those around us.
Believe the promises the Lord has spoken to you! These can come in the form of personal prophetic words that you have received for others or simply promises from Scripture that the Lord has highlighted in your heart. One of the best ways to get to that promise in short order is to believe Him.
Hold on! I guarantee you that there will come times along the way when the Word of the Lord is tested. You may and probably will face situations that fly in the face of what He has spoken. Don't allow your circumstance to change your belief in what God has said. Hebrews 3:14 says, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." If we don't quit, we win!
Declare! This is a powerful tool! When the enemy seeks to undermine the promise because of your experience, it is then that you must declare the Word of the Lord out your mouth. You will believe what you speak. Don't just speak what you see in your experience, speak the truth of what He spoke to you! 2 Corinthians 4:13 "But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written: “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,"
Ask for help! Are there areas in particular where they abundant life Jesus has promised seems illusive? Find someone who is experiencing abundance in ways that you are not and invest in relationships that will help you to grow. Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory."
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude! When we can rejoice in the little steps of victory that we have seen so far, it opens us up to increased levels of victory. Say you have a $5000 need. If God were to gift you $50 in the mail, what would your response be? Would you see it as not enough, or would you celebrate the hand of God at work in orchestrating your provision?
Steward well what you have been given! How are you using what God has given you to move towards abundance. Oftentimes we wait for the abundant life to fall out of the sky, but God is waiting to see how we will put to use the abundance that He has already given to us. Matthew 25:29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." Do you recognize that you have or do you feel like you have not. That will determine how you steward what is in your hands. And to those who steward what they have, more will be given. And notice the wording there. They will have an ABUNDANCE!
Sow into the lives of others! The Bible says that we will reap what we sow. Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly. Are you looking to reap more? Sow more! Live a life of generosity! 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
So let's make the most of our time pursuing the fullness of all that Jesus has promised. We owe the world a true representation of who Jesus is and all He has promised!
If you are looking for support along your path to wholeness, please reach out by scheduling a time for a free call! I would love the opportunity to help bring clarity to you on your journey!
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