Category: Abundant Living

Step One

We need to study the principles and pray for enlightenment so that we are acting with knowledge and with the will of God – which ensures that “all is possible”.

Meditation Thought: “All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

The first step to any accomplishment is to believe that it is possible so that we will make the effort to succeed in it: we need to learn all we can about the situation, how to solve the problems and what cause will have what effect. When we learn the principles of life as set out by our Creator, we can apply them to each situation and know that they will work. But if we are ignorant of even one factor, the results can be vastly different.

We need to study the principles and pray for enlightenment so that we are acting with knowledge and with the will of God – which ensures that “all is possible”.

Trial and Success

Apparent failures turn into successes under God’s loving guidance.

Meditation Thought: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor’s crown, the life God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

“Trial and error” – a way of life we have considered normal. But it is not normal for a Christian relying on God’s directions: His life is “trial and success” – for apparent failures turn into successes under God’s loving guidance and protection. This knowledge gives us strength to bear up under trial, that God might bring us further along the way He desires us to be. And the more we become His heart’s desire, the more we can stand the trial, and the more successful the transformation becomes.

Hope Does Not Fail

What better description for a life of peace and victory?

Meditation Thought: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Afflicted (hard pressed) – not crushed
Perplexed – not in despair
Persecuted – not abandoned (forsaken)
Struck down – not destroyed

What better description for a life of peace and victory? No matter what the circumstances, hope does not fail, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

We are not crushed, despaired, abandoned or destroyed because we are not alone, we know our “Reserves” are coming to back us up – all we need do is to wait for them to come to change the situation. What a difference it is to know that our uncomfortable position is only temporary – and that good is being worked in it for us.

It’s easy to take discomfort when you know it is bringing rewards later, easy to take when you know it is improving you every minute. We don’t seek discomfort or problems, but when they come (as they do to believers and non-believers alike), we can rise above them in our minds as our minds concentrate on God, seeking His will – His wisdom – His solutions. Soon – or at least on God’s schedule – we have not only our minds, but every part of us risen above the discomfort and problem and feel exhilarated and happier for the overcoming of the trouble, for the knowing more completely than ever before, that God is sufficient. As we come closer to Him in trust, we can not only throw off fear of events, we can almost welcome trouble because we know God will work so much good from it that eventually it will become a blessing.

Dispelling Darkness

When His glory is perceived, others are drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Meditation Thought: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“Let” – not “Do” shine. Our part is to allow God to have His way with us, so that He makes our light shine. If we attempt the actual lighting by trying to accomplish it by good works, then people would focus on us, not God. By allowing God to take complete control of our lives, He lights such a bright lamp by the works He does in and through us, that His glory is seen in the light. When His glory is perceived, others are drawn to it like a moth to a flame, and God is then able to work in them, too, lighting their lamp.

The more people that allow God to light their lamps, the more light there is to dispel the darkness. We may never know how many other lamps are lit from our lamp by God, but we can be happy in knowing that our lamp is completely at His disposal.

Peace comes when we are doing the good works, knowing that God is pleased because we are doing His work, according to His instructions.

Only Ask

Proceed without doubt, without fear – but only after consultation with Me.

Meditation Thought: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…  I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 12-13)

“Do not hesitate to use the authority which I have given to you; and do not dare usurp the authority which is Mine. How can you determine our respective authorities? In one way only: constant checking of My will and instructions by prayer – by listening to My Word and Spirit. I have deliberately withheld from you specific instructions and knowledge until you need them. Proceed without doubt, without fear – but only after consultation with Me. There are only a few principles which you need to know – but these few are expressed in as much variety as there are moments in your life.

Only I know the specific most effective application of the principles at any given time, for only I know the unseen forces working everywhere.

But I long to share this knowledge with you! Only ask Me so that your free will is honored.

Fresh – Pure – Lovely

Life is meant to be actively lived, not passively endured!

Meditation Thought: “Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4)

“My judgment has been revealed, and My judgment is: forgiveness. I seek to love you. Will you seek to love me? Can you put aside the fears and misconceptions the world has thrust upon you when you were vulnerable – before you put on the armor of My Spirit? You can, you know.

You need not keep any irritants within you – let My Spirit wash them out. Through the yielding to the rushing flow of My Spirit you can be cleansed – constantly made fresh and pure and lovely. But you must be willing: you must recognize that at times the waters will be removing such entrenched irritants that there will be temporary pain. Do not stop the flow at these times or some of the irritant will remain.

Keep the flow strong by seeking to know what to think, how to pray, what actions to take. Why live a life ‘in limbo’? Look at the physical evidence which surrounds you: there is color, movement, substance. Life is meant to be actively lived, not passively endured!

Get up from your sick bed of rebellion and pity and sloth and distress: Follow Me. We have many places to go and things to do, each place an interesting vista, each action an exciting adventure, every day an eagerly anticipated event!

We can change the world: we can exchange the world for the Kingdom in each heart which will open to our knock. Come, let us put out our nets, that we may bring hearts within our reach. My judgment consists not of vengeance but of love, and we must teach the truth of this wherever Satan has deceived a heart with his lies about this.”

Tears Shall Reflect Rainbows

They who wait for the Lord – instead of rushing in to take matters in their own hands – shall have the wisdom and the strength of the Lord motivating and activating them.

Meditation Thought: “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

They who wait for the Lord – instead of rushing in to take matters in their own hands – shall have the wisdom and the strength of the Lord motivating and activating them.

  • The contrast in the power of self and Lord can hardly be comprehended or measured.
  • The difference between the motivations of self and the Lord can hardly be compared.
  • The difference between the actions of self and Lord are almost totally unrelated, having little in common.

But when self is by faith embraced in the Father’s arms and the Father does the moving, carrying the child, then the whole picture changes.

The knowledgeable, mature, wise, loving, powerful, righteous Father, full of grace and glory, sweeps along time and circumstances doing His good will and good works. He allows the child to accompany Him, to help Him, to enjoy the varieties of experiences as they participate together in all that lies along the chosen path. But the point is that the path is the choice of the loving, wise Father and not the wilful child.

May pain yield to the pressure of His love,
And the darkness of the night yield to the brightness of the dawn.
The tears shall reflect rainbows
As a new spirit is born within:
The heart of stone is removed
And the replaced with a heart of flesh.
The heart of flesh carries the waters of the Spirit
To give abundant live and peace forevermore.

Heart Transplant

You can have My power working only to the extent that you yield your power to it.

Meditation Thought: “ Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! ” (Ezekiel 18:31)

“A new heart” means “a new you” – a new you which is formed by a new spirit: the spirit sent by Jesus to dwell within you – my Holy Spirit.

Your belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord, coupled with your yielding to the Holy Spirit as controller of your life (spiritual and temporal) is the process by which you acquire a new heart and a new spirit.

Do not allow yourself to reject this transplanted heart and spirit: they are not foreign to your spirit, mind and body, but are super-strength ‘replacement’ parts: My power being the power that moves them instead of your power. But you can have My power working only to the extent that you yield your power to it. Our two powers cannot work at the same time, as two objects cannot take up the same space at the same time.

You can choose to allow My power to flow – you know the way of clearing your power from blocking it: Praise, Prayer, a humble attitude (not subservient – simply an acknowledgement of My authority over you as Father to child), and the expectation that your loving Father works all thing together to good for you.

Beginning, Middle, End

Is this your desire? Is this your desire for your family? for your friends? for strangers? For ‘enemies’?

Meditation Thought: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

” ‘In the beginning was the Word’ – and in the middle is the Word, and in the end shall be the Word. To you is given knowledge of the Word that you may have life and have it abundantly.

Recall the Word: the history of the Word; the history of the Word and the living Word; all words which are true are words of Mine intended to prompt My beloved children to seek to know Me, to love Me, and to do My will.

And My purpose in encouraging My children to know Me, to love Me, and to do My will is to bring them to abundant, fulfilling life.

Is this your desire? Is this your desire for your family? for your friends? for strangers? For ‘enemies’?

If this has become your desire, then shall you fulfill the promise of John 14 through Him who stated: ‘I am the Way, the Truth, the Life’: you shall also do the works that He does because your belief in Him causes Him to do His works through you. It appears as if you are doing the works because your body is visible, your words hearable, and your actions seeable, but the power that is doing the works is not yours: the power is of the Father, transmitted by the Son, and manifested in you.”

Pest Repellent

Those who have already started to grow serve as inspiration and encouragement for those who are considering growth.

Meditation Thought: “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor…you are God’s field, God gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:8,6)

Plant the seed of faith by your witness to My love. Everyone has been given a measure of faith as the growth potential contained in the seed. But the seed must be planted in the nourishing soul of willingness to grow, and nurtured in the acts of obedience to My Word and Spirit, that the fruits may be made manifest.

Those who have already started to grow serve as inspiration and encouragement for those who are considering growth.

If you act at all times as my faithful child, then at all times you are both growing and encouraging others’ growth.

Think of the potential harvest as you endure storms, drought and weeds and pests. Seek to concentrate on the sun (Son), on the parching of your thirst by the Living Water, on the strength of the natural repellent against pests as given you by your Creator: the repellent of the Word standing against the spirit-pest of evil, including the evils of self-will and selfishness and self-pity.

Goodness, righteousness and mercy shall be the fruits in My fields, flavored by love, savored by all.