The Secret to True Abundance

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Drinking it faithfully is to key to abundant JOY!

            ABUNDANCE----what does that word mean to you?  When I hear the word, I immediately think of a huge amount of something!  Sometimes we think we have an abundance of WORK!  Many days there is an abundance of laundry and housework…especially for those with young families.  At certain times of the year, we experience an abundance of yard work.  Are you ever overwhelmed by an abundance of bills?!!!!!

            Today let’s think of abundance in the manner that Jesus taught about in the Gospel of John. Remember the passage we mentioned yesterday in John 10:10? “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  This kind of abundance is a good thing….a realllllly good thing!

            Bruce Wilkinson (in The Prayer of Jabez Devotional)  writes that “the secret to TRUE abundance is to want what God wants.” That means that we love God so much that we put aside our desires and trust that He knows what is best for us.  He wants us to bring our needs and desires before Him, but when we do so, we need to be content with His answer and His provision.

            Abundant life in Christ is living every moment soaking up His love, His will and His direction.  It is then that we will be filled with ABUNDANT JOY!

            Drink in the joy of the Lord every day, trusting God to bless you with true abundance!

An Abundant Serving of God's Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Help yourself to an abundant serving!

            The verse in John 10:10 should bring a smile to our face and joy to our heart!   Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

            What an awesome, humbling truth!!  Jesus came to this earth, lived and died for YOU and ME…so that we can enjoy abundant life! Do you understand the enormity of that truth!?   He doesn’t want us simply to survive! He wants us to THRIVE!

            It’s a sad thing that many people think abundance is simply about wealth, possessions, a big house, an expensive automobile and a big, bulging bank account.  The abundance Jesus is talking about goes far beyond material things.  It’s being content with what God has given us and expressing gratitude and joy EVEN in during tough times.  Some of the most joyful people you will ever meet are those who have a close relationship with the Lord.  It has NOTHING to do with how rich or poor they are by the world’s standards.

            Are you living in God’s abundance? We can profess to be a Christian and miss out on the abundant life because we are not 100% “sold out” to Him.  Give God every part of your heart!  THAT’s how to experience the ABUNDANT life overflowing with JOY!! 

         Drink an abundant serving of JOY JUICE so that you’ll overflow onto and into the lives of others.

           

Don't Be Deceived!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Let’s listen… for JOY!

            This week we’ve talked a lot about learning to recognize God’s voice.  How can we be sure that it’s Him speaking?  Sometimes we’re not sure if it’s God or maybe just our own thoughts….and sometimes even that evil enemy.

            First of all, we must stay in The Word…and know when something doesn’t match up with scripture.  That’s why it’s so important to read the Bible daily, to be saturated with truth so that we recognize something that is UNTRUE   Satan is our enemy and he is pretty cunning.  He’ll try to deceive us at every turn. In John 8:44 he is called the “father of lies”.

            So how can we be sure it’s God speaking? One of the surest ways to recognize God’s voice is the effect His words have on us.  The results should produce increased faith, gratitude and joy!  God’s voice brings encouragement and peace.  He tells us to “be anxious for nothing” in Philippians 4:6.  He’s the God who calms our mind and soul.  A sure sign that we’ve heard from him is the peace we feel in the midst of the storm. 

            We, also, will know God is speaking because of our attitude.  He will place in our hearts a new understanding toward others, and we’ll begin to feel greater compassion and mercy.  We’ll find ourselves not only being a blessing to those around us, but receiving joyful blessings as well!

            May we listen for God’s voice and experience His encouragement, peace, understanding and joy!