THE ABOUNDING LIFE

 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would ABOUND MORE AND MORE"
(1 Thessalonians 4:1).

What kind of life does God want us to live in our home? God leaves nothing unsaid in His Word. It's all waiting for us to read and embrace into our lives. Jesus emphatically states that He came to give us "life, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY" (John 10:10).

What is this abundant life? The Greek word is perissos and means "superabundant, excessive, exceedingly abundantly, above the normal, beyond measure, above and beyond, extraordinary." You can't get much more "over the top" than that, can you? We can't work up this kind of life. Nor is it according to our personality. It's Christ's life in us (Colossians 1:27).

Does God want us to abound in some things? Just the things we enjoy doing? Or in all things? Paul talks about the Corinthians believers "abounding in everything" (2 Corinthians 8:7). Once again, we realize it was not in their own flesh, but because of Christ living in them. Let's look at some of the qualities God particularly wants us to abound in.

Abound in hope (Romans 15:13). In the face of everything going wrong, hope keeps us going. To abound in hope keeps us going with a smile.

Abound in joy when going through tribulation (2 Corinthians 7:4).

Abound in liberality (2 Corinthians 8:2, 7).

Abound in unselfish love (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Read also 2 Corinthians 7:15; 8:7; Philippians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:5-8).

Abound in faith (2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and 1 Peter 1:5-8).

Abound in speaking God's Word (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Abound in knowledge (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Abound in diligence (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Abound in prayer (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

Abound in your walk with the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:1).

Abound in excellence (1 Peter 1:5-8).

Abound in self-control (1 Peter 1:5-8). Not just "keeping your cool" but abounding in self-control.

Abound in patient endurance (1 Peter 1:5-8). Do you like this one? God wants you to abound in this virtue. Don't worry, you'll never do it in your own strength, only by the power of Christ's life living in you. Yield to His patience for He overflows with patience.

Abound in godliness (1 Peter 1:5-8).

Abound in thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:12 and Colossians 2:7).

Abound in brotherly kindness (1 Peter 1:5-8).

Abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Greek word in this Scripture is the verb, perisseuo and means "more and more, to excel, to exceed, to go beyond that which is necessary, superabundant in quantity and superior in quality." It is "over and above" (John 6:13). Yes, we get this phrase from God's Word. And "enough and to spare" (Luke 15:17). We get this saying from God's Word too! Read further examples in 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 15:10; 11:23).

The work God has given you to do is the work of mothering. Are you doing it with an abounding attitude? That might be a hard statement for you when you are just grinding through each day. Dear mother, that's what it's like when you try and do it on your own strength. Move into the next gear. Yield to the life of Christ in you. His life is an abundant life.

What about your marriage? "I've got a good marriage," you reply. Don't settle for just a good marriage. Whatever you are doing now to make it good, do it more. Aim for an abounding marriage. That is what God intends for you. Never settle for sameness. Never stay in the rut. There is always more. Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day."

God's language is "abounding, abundantly, exceeding, increasing, and multiplying!"

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

www.aboverubies.org

 

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, I don't have it in my own self to abound, but I thank you that this is the life you came to give me. I exchange your life for my life. Amen,"

AFFIRMATION:

I'm leaving the rut behind; I'm into the MORE AND MORE life!

 

P.S. You may like to take one of these qualities each day and talk about them with your children, looking up the Scriptures.

Check out these wonderful Scriptures of how God abounds to us.

God ABUNDANTLY gives grace to us (Romans 5:15, 20; 2 Corinthians 4:15; 9:8; Ephesians 2:14 and 1 Timothy 1:14).

God ABUNDANTLY gives salvation to us (Psalm 130:7; Titus 3:5-6).

God ABUNDANTLY gives wisdom to us (Ephesians 1:8; James 1:5).

God ABUNDANTLY pardons us ((Isaiah 55).

God ABUNDANTLY provides for us (Psalm 132:15).

God ABUNDANTLY gives mercy to us (Psalm 86:5; 103:8; 1 Peter 1:3).

God ABUNDANTLY welcomes us into His kingdom (2 Peter 5:8).

God ABUNDANTLY works in our hearts (Ephesians1:18 and 3:20).