Still Looking for the Abundant Life?

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

John 10:10 (NIV)

Many of us quote this passage of Scripture, with great expectation of God granting us houses and cars and money beyond our wildest dreams.  Well, of course, that's what abundant life is really all about, right?

There is another popular passage of Scripture that also comes to mind, though.  It is found in the gospel according to John, chapter 14 and verse 6.  Jesus answers a question asked by one of His disciples saying, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  Wow, did you see that?  He said the way, truth and LIFE!  Could it be that Jesus was speaking of us actually having more of Him in our lives?

As we watch news stories and read of the lives of the rich and famous on the internet and in various magazines and publications, it is clear that money, material possessions and fame do not bring the happiness and fulfillment that many thought it would.  I believe it actually turns out to be rather anticlimactic for many that make it to that place they've always dreamed of.  It is then, in the emptiness of all that they hoped it would be, that they desperately turn to something else to fill a place in their lives that only God can fill.  Sadly, this is often sex, drugs, alcohol or even suicide.

Ironically enough, Jesus prefaces this statement in John 10:10 saying, "The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  So, the choice is made clear to us.  But, of course, the choice is ours to make.

Something I have come to learn and treasure over the years is the blessing of having a grateful heart.  You see, you can have all the money and material possessions in the world and still be unhappy, unfulfilled and ungrateful.  Where does this leave you?  On a never-ending quest to get more.  This is also known as greed and lust.  Greed and lust are never satisfied.

One of the subtle tactics the enemy uses to ensnare us in this trap is an age old trick he used on Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  He cleverly paints a picture and casts the light in such a way, that we forget all that God has blessed us with and causes us to focus on what we don't have.  You may have also heard the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side."

You see, it all comes down to a matter of perspective.  When you look at the glass that stops halfway, do you see the glass half empty or half full?  The grateful heart sees the glass half full, realizing that half a glass is much better than nothing at all.  When we look at our lives and all that God has blessed us with, are we truly grateful?  Have we taken time to count our blessings?

In the end, our earthly possessions will fade, in eternity's light.  Jesus said, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"  Please, don't get me wrong.  I have nothing against being blessed with earthly or material possessions.  But, again, all things must be kept in proper perspective.

Luke 12:48 says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Fame and fortune should only serve as tools for us to lead others to the One who gave His life that we might find true abundant life, in Him.

Faithfulness...A Key to Promotion!!!

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Luke 16:10 (NIV)

Many times, in life, we are waiting for God to promote us or give us greater responsibility, but what are we doing while we are waiting?  Have we proven ourselves faithful with what He has already given us?  Have we passed the test at hand, or do we feel that surely God would not judge us based upon the insignificant responsibility we have now?

We often make excuse and half-heartedly steward what God has already given us, thinking it is just a light thing, that couldn't really mean much.  I mean, honestly, the meager salary that I make now, the small group that I lead, the ungrateful folks that I minister to...it's nothing compared to what God has shown me for my life.  One day I will speak to nations, millions will know my name...I will be wealthy beyond my wildest imagination, my ministry will be one of the largest in the world.

How often we are deceived into believing that, our stewardship over what seems so insignificant now, has little or nothing to do with what God has in store for us in the future.  But, the fact of the matter is, until we have proven ourselves faithful in the small things, we will never see those great visions and dreams come to pass.

I am mindful of a couple of different stories from Scripture that illustrate this so well.  One is the story of a young shepherd boy, named David.  David is off in the fields and pastures, guarding and watching over a flock of sheep.  Being a shepherd was not a glorious job, in any form or fashion.  But we see David, tending the sheep and ministering to the Lord.  Though, this may have seemed like an insignificant and meaningless job, David did not view it as such.

As we read in 1 Samuel 17, David took this so seriously, that he risked his own life to rescue sheep that had been carried off by a lion and a bear.  I mean, really, was one sheep worth him risking his very life?  Yes, to David it was.  And it was through these experiences that he found new hope, faith and strength in God.  This is what helped to prepare him to face Goliath.

There is also the story of Joseph, as told in the book of Genesis.  A young man who also had dreams of greatness.  Joseph is sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of their jealousy.  He is also falsely accused of trying to rape Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison, as a result.  Yet, through this all, Joseph remains faithful.  Faithful to God and his convictions.

Joseph could have allowed the things that happened to him to discourage him and cause him to become bitter and resentful.  As a result, he could have found excuse not continue to serve and honor God.  He could have allowed the poison of bitterness to keep him from walking in a spirit of excellence, even in the midst of a very difficult season of his life.  After all, this was far from the dreams God had given him, so why not just remain complacent and wait for God to deliver him and bring him to his appointed destination?

It is often in the place of humility and obscurity that the Lord prepares us for the work that He has ordained for us to perform.  It is in this place that we learn of our utter need and dependence upon Him.  This is the place where we learn to trust Him and discover His faitfulness.  This is where we develop the confidence in knowing that, if God be for us, He is more than the world against us.  It is here that we learn to completely surrender to Him and find that it is better to please Him more than man.

As a husband and father, my first ministry begins at home.  I am called to be the head of my family, the king and priest of my home.  Scripture also tell me, in Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you will be your servant."  Though I can go out and minister tirelessly to others, the real question is, how is my service at home?  Am I showing the same love, grace and compassion to my own family?  Am I willing to lay down my life for my wife and children, without making them feel that they are a burden to me?

The Apostle Paul says in his second letter to the church at Corinth, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  What is the attitude of my heart as I minister to my family, even when they may seem ungrateful?

I remember, years ago, when I worked for my church in the Chicago area.  I began as a voluteer, just content to be of service to the Lord and ministry.  I was responsible for cleaning the sanctuary, following the services.  I recall having to fix chairs that had been thrown over and moved, cleaning up piles of soiled paper towels, washing dishes that weren't even supposed to be used by the members.  I remember thinking to myself, what is wrong with these people?  After all, these are supposed to be adults.  Why couldn't they clean up behind themselves?

As I went on and on about this in my mind and heart, the Lord asked me a question.  He said, if you have a problem doing this, how can I use you to serve my people and minister to them when they have messed up their lives and need your help to fix them?  That put things in a whole new perspective for me.  I began to experience God's presence in a whole new way as I cleaned the church after that.

Whether we are cleaning a toilet or serving a meal to someone who will never know our name, let us be found faithful and diligent in doing whatever God has given us to do.  Let us not despise the day of small beginnings.  Remember, the Lord has called us to do all that we do as unto Him anyway.  Even giving a cup of water to a small child, is serving Christ...the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Selah.

Tithing: A Personal Testimony

 ⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
   “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
   “In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 3:8-12 (NIV)

I once heard a minister say, "You can't beat God giving!"  I have to say, I have definitely come to see this proven in my own life.  But, do I give because I expect God to give me more in return?  No!

To me, giving or paying my tithes is an acknowledgement of God's provision in my life.  It is an act of saying, "God you are my source and my provider!"  It is a matter of giving God what is due to Him. 

Actually, when we really look at it, everything that I am and that I have belongs to God.  He is my creator, the one who has blessed me with the ability to do the things that I am able to do.  He has blessed me with strength in my body, with the activity and use of my limbs.  He has blessed me with the intellect to comprehend and communicate.  He has invested gifts and talents in me, allowing me to do things that I would not otherwise be able to do.  Of course, I could go on.

Anyway, about 5 years ago, my wife and I were faced with a very trying situation.  We had made some bad decisions regarding our employment and finances, which caused a ripple effect, leaving us in the midst of a standoff with our mortgage company.  We were on the verge of losing our home.

My wife and I, frustrated with our previous jobs, left them without another one in sight.  I know, a very foolish decision on our part.  As it turned out, we both ended up unemployed for about 3 months.  During this period of time, we began to fall behind on our bills.  We managed to get by for a while, robbing Peter to pay Paul, but it eventually all caught up with us.

We had gotten so far behind on our mortgage payments, that the mortgage company initiated foreclosure proceedings against us and would no longer accept payments.  In order to prevent them from moving forward, we had to negotiate an acceptable repayment plan that would bring us current.

This process required us to list our income and expenses.  What we had, once everything was listed, was a shortage of about $1,000 a month.  As it turned out, this shortage was about the same amount as our tithe, which we had also included in our budget.

Once submitted, as you might imagine, our plan was rejected.  This was due to the fact that our expenses exceeded our income and did not prove that we were able to afford to pay our mortgage, let alone get caught up on the past due balance.

We had saved our mortgage payments, borrowed from our retirement plans and received contributions from family and friends to assist.  However, none of this would make a difference if the mortgage company would not agree to accept our repayment plan.

I recall the day that I had to call to speak with the gentleman that was responsible for our account.  I felt rather intimidated and nervous, as this conversation would basically be the deciding point regarding whether my family and I would lose our home.

The decision came down to one issue...whether we would remove our tithe from our monthly budget or not.  As the representative for the mortgage company explained, this would be the only way they were willing to work with us.  However, with firm conviction, I let him know that I was confident that we could make the payments going forward, but that we could not stop paying our tithes.

He reiterated again, that this would be the only way that he could give his approval for a repayment plan that would prevent them from proceeding with the foreclosure.  I expressed, once more, my sincere desire to work with them, but let him know that I could not withhold my tithe.

After realizing that this was not a point of negotiation, the gentleman asked me to hold.  As I remained on hold for several minutes, it seemed like an eternity.  Finally, he returned, letting me know that he was able to obtain the necessary approval to work with us.  Hallelujah!!!  Glory be to God!

Over the next several months, we were, in fact, able to bring our mortgage payments current.  God has since blessed us to refinance our mortgage for less than our original interest rate and made provision for us make our payments every month, without falling behind again.  God is faithful...all the time!

Though, I am often tempted to look at what I have in my hand as a limitation, God reminds me that it is only a seed for an abundant harvest that He desires to bring forth.  So, I ask you today...is your faith in the seed you hold in your hand or in the one who made the seed and causes every harvest to come forth in its season?

This is just one of many stories that I could share of God's favor, provision, faithfulness and blessing.  Over the years He has blessed us in ways that I never thought possible.  But, I pray that this testimony will, in some small way, bless, encourage and inspire you.

Fan the Flame!!!

I came upon something today, that I'd written quite a while ago.  However, I believe it is quite appropriate for sharing today with all that we see going on in the world in this time and season.  I pray that it blesses and inspires you in some way.

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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God."  Many of us have seen the smoldering ashes of a dying fire.  A fire that may have once burned with intensity and brightness, now only a dim glowing light with a spark here and there.  Yet, however small and dim it may be, it doesn't take much to set it ablaze once again.

As I have been meditating on this passage of scripture for the past several days, a couple more passages come to mind.  In Matthew 24:12 Jesus warns that in the last days the love of many will grow cold because of the increase of wickedness.  Also, in Revelation 3:15-16 Jesus, speaking to the church says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

I have no doubt that we are living in the last days.  God is moving mightily in the hearts of His people, calling us higher, drawing us closer.  Many of us have allowed the distractions and cares of the world to hinder and, at times, stop us from living each and every day with a sense of eternal purpose and destiny.

As the conductor of a train gives the final boarding call and the sound of the trains' whistle fills the air, so the call of the Spirit resounds throughout the earth.  "All aboard that's coming aboard!"  Yet, there are still so many souls to be reached.

Dr. Paul Osteen shared such a powerful message on Wednesday evening about "A Passionate God."  He went on to share three parables from Luke 15 that Jesus told, conveying just how valuable one soul is to God...to heaven...and should be to us.

Each and every day is an opportunity for us to share Jesus with someone.  Remember, this is not our home.  You and I are citizens of heaven...ambassadors for Christ in the earth.  If you have lost your zeal and feel like the things of the world are putting out your fire...FAN THE FLAME!!!