Video Bible Lesson - What Does It Mean to Have Abundant Life? By Brenda Rodgers

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

4/27/2020

What Does It Mean to Have Abundant Life?
By Brenda Rodgers

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
Around my daughter's first birthday, mealtimes became unbearable. She couldn't communicate with words yet, so she whined, grunted, and threw food. As a solution, I taught her a few words in sign language. The sign for "more" was one of them.
My daughter is now two-and-a-half and articulate for her age, especially with the word "more." If she begs for something she'll say the word "more" and sign it. I guess she thinks the sign gives her extra chances of getting what she's begging for.
As I've watched my daughter I've asked myself, "Are we much different from toddlers?" From our youngest ages, we desire more. We pine, crave, beg and covet for more. Typically we see this as negative - a part of our sin nature. But what we don't realize is that our desire for more is God's design, and He is happy to give it.
God created us to have an insatiable thirst as we live in this world. When sin entered the world, so did discontentment with life. God desires for us to seek more out of life. The problem is we displace our desire for more because of our discontentment.
The purpose of the tension we feel with what we want and what we have is to point us to God and to eternity. We're meant to desire more of God.
At first look, we might be tempted to say, "What? I rather have a life of abundance so I can have the stuff I want and be happy!" But when you're in a state of crisis, what's worth more - a life full of fear, anxiousness, and tension, or a life full of tranquility and the fruit of the spirit? I think we'd agree that you can't put a price tag on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
An abundant life comes from following God's ways, pursuing holiness, and seeking to be more like Him. "This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him" (Psalm 18:30). As a result, others see the abundant life in you and are led to Jesus through your example: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
God created us to want more. But which kind of "more" will we seek? Abundance in worldly pursuits or an abundant life? The more we desire God, the more abundant our life will be.

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

And the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive – forever and ever – and I hold the keys of death and of Hades! (Rev 1:18)

Flower! Easter lilies! Speak to me this morning the same dear old lesson of immortality which you have been speaking to so many sorrowing souls.

Wise old Book! let me read again in your pages of firm assurance that to die is gain.

Poets! recite to me your verses which repeat in every line the Gospel of eternal life.

Singers! break forth once more into songs of joy; let me hear again the well-known resurrection psalms.

Tree and blossom and bird and sea and sky and wind whisper it, sound it afresh, warble it, echo it, let it throb and pulsate through every atom and particle; let the air be filled with it.

Let it be told and retold and still retold until hope rises to conviction, and conviction to certitude of knowledge; until we, like Paul, even though going to our death, go with triumphant mien, with assured faith, and with serene and shining face.

O sad-faced mourners, who each day are wending
Through churchyard paths of cypress and of yew,
Leave for today the low graves you are tending,
And lift your eyes to God’s eternal blue!

It is no time for bitterness or sadness;
Twine Easter lilies, not pale asphodels;
Let your souls thrill to the caress of gladness,
And answer the sweet chime of Easter bells.

If Christ were still within the grave’s low prison,
A captive of the enemy we dread;
If from that moldering cell He had not risen,
Who then could chide the gloomy tears you shed?

If Christ were dead there would be need to sorrow,
But He has risen and vanquished death for aye;
Hush, then your sighs, if only till the morrow,
At Easter give your grief a holiday.
—May Riley Smith

A well-known minister was in his study writing an Easter sermon when the thought gripped him that his Lord was living. He jumped up excitedly and paced the floor repeating to himself, “Why Christ is alive, His ashes are warm, He is not the great ’I was,’ He is the great ’I am.’” He is not only a fact, but a living fact. Glorious truth of Easter Day!

We believe that out of every grave there blooms an Easter lily, and in every tomb there sits an angel. We believe in a risen Lord. Turn not your faces to the past that we may worship only at His grave, but above and within that we may worship the Christ that lives. And because He lives, we shall live also.
—Abbott

Listening with Purpose.....

Listening with Purpose

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Yesterday we learned about hearing the Word with eagerness and attentiveness. Now, let’s think about approaching the Bible purposefully, expectantly, and prayerfully.

Christians study the Scriptures not just individually but also corporately to learn more about God and His ways. Underlying this simple concept is a big challenge. To gather biblical knowledge with purpose means determining in our heart to obey what we hear (Ps. 119:33). And to do so expectantly means we believe that the Lord is going to speak specifically to us (Ps. 25:4). Sermons, Sunday school lessons, and quiet times on our own are all things to be anticipated. God uses these to build us up, strengthen us, or offer us comfort—He certainly makes listening to Him worthwhile. And obedience is the only proper response to this kind of personal attention.

Approaching the reading of Scripture prayerfully prepares our hearts to listen well and ushers in an attitude of purpose and expectancy. Today’s passage tells the story of young Samuel’s first encounter with God. The priest Eli gives the boy valuable advice—that when the Lord calls, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (v. 9). Pray those simple words with conviction before you open your Bible, and you will hear God more clearly.

If you want to experience God working in your life, come to Scripture with a prayerful, expectant, purpose-filled attitude. The mourner will be comforted. The weary will gain strength. Those convicted of their sin will repent and know peace. All will sense joy. Recognize what a gift God’s Word is.

God Hasn’t Set You Up to Fail

God Hasn’t Set You Up to Fail
JASMINE WILLIAMS

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews‬ ‭10:36‬ (‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Wake up before the kids do, they say. Have your coffee and quiet time before you get ready for work, they say. Those are just two examples from the list of well-meaning advice on how to find time for yourself.

Well, it’s not always that simple, you know? Some mornings are too busy. Some nights are too restless. Maybe with less responsibilities, I could spend more time with God and pursue the things I actually want to do.

Recognize that tune?

Do you ever feel like your current situation doesn’t match the goals in your heart — like maybe the things around you are hindering you from making your next move?

I surely do. Sometimes I get frustrated by how slowly things are moving. Whether it’s trying to grow my ministry or guide my child through her next developmental milestone, I can easily become impatient with the process, wondering if I should just try a completely new method.

Sometimes that can be the solution, but I’ve found that starting fresh isn’t always the answer. More often than not, I believe our current situations are the perfect environments for God to grow us exactly how we need to grow.

Perhaps the frustration from that job you no longer love is the fertilizer God uses to develop your creativity for something greater. Maybe that impatience you feel from changing diapers and making bottles all day is the water He’s using to strengthen your endurance. God knows you’ll need it to accomplish those dreams that may seem out of reach right now.

At times, I’m so focused on the vision He gave me for my life that I undervalue today’s challenges, deeming them as obstacles in my way rather than propellers into my future.

But imagine if a seed were to say, I’m tired of all this dirt. I need to get away and step into the light. Well, that seed would never become what it was meant to be. Likewise, sometimes we have to go through the less glamorous seasons to blossom into the people God has made us to be.

Hebrews 10:36 reminds us, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (NIV).

There’s a promise in store for us when we do God’s will. It can feel like the chaos of daily living is soaking up time to do what God wants us to do. But what if we’re looking at it the wrong way? What if the tasks that currently consume our time are where we’re supposed to find God? Surely if we can learn to seek Him in the midst of everything else, we’ll be better prepared for the calling He’s placed on our lives.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Just imagine! We can trust Him with all of our plans and desires, knowing that somehow, our present responsibilities are opportunities for growth and the lessons we need for the work God has prepared for us. It could be that where you are right now is equipping you for where you are going.

Be encouraged. Don’t let today’s responsibilities trap you into longing for a different season. Hold on to God’s Word, and know He hasn’t set you up to fail. Whatever your current endeavors are, do everything to glorify God, and He’ll see you through to your next big move.

Lord, You know I desire to do more for You. Help me see You in everything I do, so I can embrace the process and enjoy the journey, knowing I’m purposefully planted to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (CSB)

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

Bursting the Bubble

Bursting the Bubble
by Meghan Kleppinger

“…We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”- 2 Peter 3:13

Washington D.C. is a politically powerful city and it’s easy for young professionals working there to get carried away by all of its bells and whistles. As a recent college graduate who experienced this firsthand, I found that it doesn’t take long to adapt to the culture. It’s an exciting place to be, but the problem with becoming a full-blown Washingtonian is that too often, people forget why they are there to begin with.

Most people move to Washington to support a cause or to work for a politician representing a state. I, for example, worked for a non-profit that worked to preserve family values, and many of my peers worked for their state senators or representatives.

To help pop the D.C. bubble we were living in, several of us developed the discipline of reading our hometown papers online each morning. By reading the Richmond Times-Dispatch every day, I was reminded of my roots, culture, where I was from, and for whom I was really working. This practice, along with repeating our mantra, “this isn’t the real world,” enabled many of us to start each day in Washington as Virginians, Pennsylvanians, Texans, etc., representing the states we called home.

Sometimes life gets tough, circumstances cause confusion and doubt, purpose becomes unclear, and faith seems irrelevant and far removed from everyday struggles. It doesn’t take much for the line between the world we currently live in, and the promise of our eternal home, to become blurry – it’s those times when “home” with Christ sometimes seems so far away.

For me, these bleak moments almost always coincide with periods of times that I’ve stepped away from praying and spending time in God’s Word each day.

It’s not that prayer and study act like a magic formula changing my circumstances, though sometimes God does change them; usually, it is simply this set aside time causes me to regroup and change my perspective of the circumstances.

God is greater than man. He’s our creator, sustainer, and He’s in control of everything. He loves us, gives us purpose, and promises us a future with Him. This life is temporal and is nothing in comparison to spending eternity with Christ. How do I know these things? It’s all in God’s Word.

Revisiting scripture and praying on a daily basis acts as a needle bursting the bubble I live in. Like reading my hometown paper each day, scripture reminds me that this world doesn’t own me. No matter how long I’m on earth, it’s not my home and I’m not here to represent it – instead, I need to be an ambassador for my Father until it’s time to go home to Him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to God’s Word to rediscover who you are in Christ, your purpose, and most importantly, to remember where home really is.

The Struggle to Rest

The Struggle to RestBy: Jennifer Waddle

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. - Genesis 2:1-3

I was raised by hard-working parents who set a good example of what it meant to have a strong work ethic. Even today, as they enter retirement, both of them can work circles around me. Unfortunately, I didn’t automatically acquire my parent’s diligence.

I still remember the summer when I was fourteen and decided that sleeping until noon and watching soap operas all day was the best plan ever. Until…my dad had enough of my laziness and set an alarm for nine a.m. Not only did he set an alarm, he gave my brother and I a list of chores to complete before he got home. He even got creative, as one day, he had us move a stack of lumber from one end of the yard to the other. Then, the next day, he had us move it back!

A strong work ethic is something to be valued, and is mentioned many times throughout the Scriptures. But what about rest?

“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.”

Nowadays, it isn’t so much that people struggle to work hard, it’s that they struggle to set their work aside. Think about how many times we bring our work home with us, spend weekends on projects, and even lose sleep over our jobs. There is a definite struggle to stop working and enter into a time of much-needed rest.

Interestingly, it’s been proven in certain cultures that nap time, even during the workday, is highly productive, not only with job performance, but for peoples’ sense of wellbeing. God created us to work hard, but He also intended for us to take a break when needed and to devote one day of the week to rest. It’s not complicated. But for so many of us, we simply don’t know what it means to switch gears and take a full day off.

If you struggle in this area, here are several small steps you can take to make rest a priority in your life:

• Schedule your day of rest and post it for the whole family to see.
• Plan how you will spend the day so you won’t fall back into your work routine.
• Make preparations for meals so that no one has to cook.
• Do something special, such as taking a leisurely walk or having a time of worship as a family.
• Devote an afternoon of quiet reading and napping.

• Try out a new hobby such as painting or learning an instrument.
• Write letters to loved ones—physical letters with pen and paper.
• Start a new Bible study or devotion.
• Spend time in your prayer closet, interceding for others and listening for God’s direction.

Learning to rest isn’t rocket science. It’s simply a matter of making it a priority and determining to follow God’s example. We can still maintain a strong work ethic, and set the alarm for our kids who want to sleep all day, while also being an example of what it means to enjoy God-given rest.

A Prayer for God’s Provision in Times of Need

A Prayer for God’s Provision in Times of NeedBy Debbie McDaniel

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Sometimes the needs in our lives seem to mount up high. Maybe you're waiting, or have been praying, for help, for a breakthrough. Maybe you feel like it's been slow in coming, or that you can't see a way out of your current situation. Maybe the needs seem to far outweigh the reality you're living in. You've lost hope, feel alone in the struggle, and the weight of stress seems too hard to keep shouldering.

Whatever the need - physical, spiritual, financial, emotional, relational - His Truth reminds us that He's got “this thing,” whatever it is, that concerns you.

He is able.

Fully.

To provide what you need.

“And my God will meet (supply, provide for, accomplish, complete)

all your needs (necessities, tasks)

according to his glorious (bright, majestic, splendor)

riches (wealth, abundance) in Christ Jesus.”

Our God who created the entire world and designed you and I with such purpose and intent can provide, will provide, out of His richness, fullness, wealth and treasure, for every single need we have. He gives favor. He lines up our pathways to be in the right place at the right time. He miraculously accomplishes so many things for us every day that we may not even be aware of. And He will bend over backwards just to give to you out of His riches. Whether we realize it or not.

Because He loves us.

We will never out give the richness of God for us. Because His provision is really not based on us. It's based on His character, and He is Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides.

Resting there today. Right smack in the middle of His abundance.

Hope you are too.

Grace.

Dear God,

We thank you that no situation is too far out of your control to provide. For you are Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. We thank you that you own it all, and hold everything in your hands. We thank you that you know our needs before we even ask, before we even come to you. You’re aware of all that concerns us, and you have a plan. You hold the provision, you have the solution. You alone can move mountains to make a way for your children. We ask for your answer, in your timing, in your plan, to be given for every need that weighs our hearts down. Forgive us for doubting you, for worrying, and for trying so hard to work everything out on our own. Help us to trust you more, help us in our unbelief. We choose to recognize and to believe that you are Able to accomplish far more, to do far greater, than we even thought possible. We thank you in advance for your miracles, for paving out pathways, for your provision for those who love you. Thank you for the abundance of blessing and goodness you have already stored up. We trust you this day, and every day, and are so grateful for your Power and joy that fills our lives. Thank you for teaching us to be content in all circumstances, we love you Lord, we’re leaning on you,

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.