Adequate or Abundant?

Are you filled with the peace of God? Overflowing with joy? Abounding in love? When we abide in Christ, He lives through us and we bear His fruit. I believe abiding in Christ is how we find the abundant life Jesus mentions in John 10:10.

The Christian life is more than adequate. Living for God brings blessings—He blesses us, and we are to bless others. When we allow Him to lead us, He will work through us. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20a). We should strive for a deeper, personal relationship with Him.

To abide in Christ means we surrender ourselves to Him and walk in obedience. This daily walk should be one of getting to know Christ better through prayer and Bible study. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:8). When we bear fruit, such as peace, joy, and love, we honor the Lord and gladness fills our hearts.

Peace abides in us if we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. In John 14:27a Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Jesus gave us this gift; He is our peace. Peace is a special place of knowing He is always present, along with trusting that He is working all things together for our good.

In an abundant life, joy overflows. When others see this joy in us, they long for it too. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). This verse declares joyfulness. The joy of the Lord gives us strength (Neh. 8:10). Joy abounds through loving others.

In 1 John 4:11-12 we read, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The two verses above portray a beautiful picture of love.

An abundant life is dedicated to prayer and gaining knowledge through God’s Word. Through this walk of surrender, trust, and obedience, Christ fills us with His peace, and we experience overflowing joy and abounding love.

Are you satisfied with adequate, or are you seeking abundance?

Adapted from my blog post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.

The Battle Belongs to God

Many years ago, I taught eighth grade math. During my first year of teaching, I floated—no classroom to call my own. I traveled from room to room carrying my briefcase and books. One class of students kept me on my knees. Three older boys desired to rule the room. But the Lord led me to a story in the Bible that encouraged me and gave me strength to face them each day.

Do you remember the story of Jehoshaphat found in 2 Chronicles 20? He cried out to God for the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat heard that armies were coming to attack their city, and his people did not have the power to fight back. He prayed and looked to the Lord for help. The Lord spoke. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (v 15).

God instructed the people to march against the enemy but not fight. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah bowed before the Lord and worshipped Him. Others stood and offered praise to the Lord with a loud voice. The next morning they went out to face their enemies. Jehoshaphat stood and encouraged the people to have faith. He then appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever (v 21).

When the people sang praises, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies causing them to kill one another. Judah did not have to fight.

Jehoshaphat’s story became my own. Every time I entered this classroom, I felt under attack and didn’t know how to handle the situation. I cried out to the Lord for help and realized the battle belonged to Him. Every day, when I climbed the stairs to this room, I repeated Jehoshaphat’s song of praise. “I thank you Lord, for Your love endures forever.” Within three weeks, the Lord delivered me.

Are you asking if the Lord set ambushes against these three boys and they killed one another? I’m thankful that didn’t happen, but I no longer stressed over the situation. The Lord moved one to another town, expelled another, and sent the third to a different school. God fought my battle, and I continue to praise Him.

What battle are you facing today? Give thanks to the Lord. His love endures forever.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

Isaiah 43:18-19 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland (NLT).

Wilderness and wasteland? New Mexico has its share. My husband, youngest daughter, and I moved to the desert ten years ago from Nashville, Tennessee. Left the green for brown. But New Mexico has great beauty. Mountains, red rocks, plenty of sunshine, blue skies, low humidity, and awesome sunrises and sunsets. The southwest has grown on me.

Although I miss our two adult children and three grandchildren, I enjoy reaching out to others. The Lord has given me opportunities to mentor a few younger people. To encourage, befriend, support, and pray for them during tough times. I guess I’m a professional mom at heart. God gave me family to love and care for while away from my own. He’s led me to walk alongside a few of His children where I work. My desire—to show them the love and acceptance of God.

Soon I plan to retire. I hope to stay in touch with several coworkers including friends and women who meet with me every week during our lunch hour for a Bible study. We enjoy sharing and studying God’s Word. A mid-week time of refreshing.  

I, too, have a mentor. She’s a friend who’s encouraged me to write. Something I’d thought about, even dreamed of doing one day, but her persistent nudge moved me forward. Besides my blogs, I’ve completed my first novel and started on more. I write and wait for God to move in His will, way, and time. During the wait, I believe God’s equipped me to bloom where He’s planted me. Here in the desert. One person or blog at a time.

Where has God planted you? Perhaps you’re a tree in a forest reaching hundreds or thousands. Or maybe you’re like me—a bloom in the desert. Wherever God has you, He wants to use you to take someone by the hand and show them the way to the cross and a deeper relationship with Him.

Find Peace in His Presence

Our dog will soon be three. During the last year, she became afraid of our stairs. She won’t go up or down without help. We carry her up and give her a nudge to go down. We don’t understand what caused her to refuse the steps. She must have slipped. I’m thankful she only weighs 20 pounds. Any heavier, she’d remain downstairs.

I suggested to my husband we adopt a kitten. With a cat to follow up the stairs, we might see a change in our Pebbles. She may let go of her fear for a game of chase.

I’m a cat lover. Our cat, Koko, died eight months ago, and I miss her. I wouldn’t let the dog harm the kitten. Although I may allow Pebbles to chase the kitten to get over her fear of the stairs, I’d be right there to protect my kitty.

A few blogs ago, in Childhood Memories, I shared one of my fears. My dislike of toilets. Another event that frightened me many years ago also dealt with a commode. I used a restroom at an amusement park but didn’t pay attention when I sat that this toilet was different. Before I stood, the thing flushed by itself and scared me! The first automatic flushing toilet I’d used. I still don’t like them. But since toilets are a necessity, I’ve had to face my fear.

It's frightening when a son or daughter takes off alone that first, second, and third time after getting their driver’s license. And what about public speaking, job interviews, and waiting for the results of a medical test? These situations often cause us to worry.

The Lord is with us when we are afraid or concerned. He knows what frightens us and what causes our uncertainties and worry. When we trust Him and give Him our fears, He’s right there with us. He won’t leave us alone. We find peace in His presence.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (NLT).

I’m open to ideas to help our dog let go of her fear. I can tell her to trust in Christ, but I’m not sure she’ll pay attention.

What makes you fearful?