In John chapter 10, verse 10 Jesus said to some of the Pharisees who were present when He healed a blind man and ministered to those who wanted to learn more about Him [during Jesus's public ministry, He healed and fed the multitudes]. Jesus said, "...I have come that they [you] may have life, and that they [you] may have it more abundantly."
So, what is the abundant life?
The abundant life is not something you have to work your fingers to the bone for. It is not immense material wealth. It is not that well-paying job which most people dream of nor is it that perfect man or woman to share your life with. The abundant life as born again Christians is the "abundant, God-kind of life". The first step to an abundant life is believing Jesus is the Son of God (by faith), to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and to privately ask Jesus to forgive your transgressions.
For many of us, before we became believers, we were oblivious of the fact that God, since the fall of the human race, have set things in motion to reconcile us back to Him. But we, as a human race have ignored Him and in some instances, forgotten Him. And for many of us, we were living life without God who completes us.
"God wants you to prosper in your spirit, in your soul (which is your will and the mental and emotional part of your personality) and in your body. Abundant life includes spiritual fulfillment, mental and emotional peace and physical healing and prosperity. Sometimes Christians are given the false impression that poverty, lack, oppression, sickness and tragedy in the life of a Christian are signs of spirituality. This idea proposes that in His sovereignty God afflicts a Christian with abuses so the Christian will demonstrate more nobility and humility than he [or she] would have if his [or her] had been one of blessing and abundance. Maybe you've heard believers saying things like, 'The Lord is using this disease to teach me something.' 'God must have had a reason for allowing us to have that accident.' 'This tragedy is God's way of getting my attention.' Insurance companies even call tornadoes, hurricanes and natural disasters 'acts of God'. The Bible does not teach that." [reference or source: "Getting a Grip on the Basics: Building a Firm Foundation For the Victorious Christian Life", written by Beth Jones, copyright 1994 by Beth Ann Jones P.O. Box 555 Richland Michigan 49083, Published by Harrison House, Inc. P.O. Box 35035 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74153, ISBN-13: 978-1-57794-826-1; ISBN-10:1-57794-826-2; formerly ISBN 0-89274-625-4].
Philippians Chapter 4, verses 11-13 (spoken by Apostle Paul): Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
"He wants us to be content in all circumstances. We are to expect and look forward to God's great blessings while being content with our current lot in life. This is not always easy. Trust God for an increasing measure of the abundant life, and don't allow yourself to grumble with discontent in your present status in life." [reference or source: Getting a Grip on the Basics: Building a Firm Foundation For the Victorious Christian Life, by Beth Jones, copyright 1994 by Beth Ann Jones].
Proverbs Chapter 10, verse 22: The blessing of the Lord makes one rich. And He adds no sorrow with it.
Psalm Chapter 68, verse 19: Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our salvation!
Psalm Chapter 103, verses 1 thru 5: Bless the Lord; O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life from destruction. Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. Who satifies your mouth with good things. So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Romans Chapter 5, verse 17: For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans Chapter 8, verse 37: Yet in all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.
3rd Epistle of John Chapter 2: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Philippians Chapter 4 verse 13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians Chapter 4 verse 19: God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Luke Chapter 1, verse 37: For with God nothing will be impossible.
2nd Corinthians Chapter 2 verse 14: Now thanks be to God who always leads us [me or you] in triumph in Christ, and through us [me or you] diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Matthew Chapter 6 verse 25: Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew Chapter 6 verse 33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7 thru 11: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1st Timothy Chapter 6, verse 17 thru 19: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Gifting money is easy. The sharing of riches include one's time, talents, and Spiritual gifts require more from a person. Also try to remember that we are fighting and resisting an invisible foe in this imperfect world. The human mind is the Devil's favorite battleground. So, those of us who believe in preventive medicine, we seek Divine intervention, guidance, and wisdom from our Lord through prayers, helping others in need (e.g. feeding the homeless, initiating something like a neighborhood watch program in your area, keeping children safe from road hazards, taking in and caring for stray cats, helping injured victims or stranded highway travelers when their cars break down in the middle of nowhere....), spending alone time in His Word (reading the Bible daily), growing in knowlegdge of our Lord (and He knows a lot).
Deuteronomy Chapter 28, verses 1 thru 14: Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God; Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country, Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offsprings of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandmets of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them."
Deuteronomy Chapter 8, verse 18: And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
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I believe as born-again Christians, God has given each and everyone of us a purpose in our lives and has equipped us with what we need in this present life - whether as servants of God, missionaries, secular fields, or parenthood. We each have a role. You might recall one of Jesus's parables "the parable of the talents":
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his good to them. And to the one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'. He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them'. His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'. Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours'. But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" Matthew chapter 25, verses 14 thru 30.
This parable is analogous to the final days of the prophecy described in the book of Revelation. "And they were judged, each one according to his works."
I learned that the first step of becoming a Christian bearing much fruit is accepting Jesus as my [and your] Lord and Savior. Be vigilant in your faith. If you believe that you are called to serve the Lord in the mission field, pray about it, seek the counsel who is in the service of the Lord (e.g. church pastor). And perhaps, consider going on a short-term mission trip. Keep in mind, that even if you are not called to serve as a missionary, you still have a purpose, responsibility as a Christian.
"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." 1st Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 9 thru 12.
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