Last week we looked at the abundant blessings from God as depicted in the song “The Blessing.” We only scratched the surface of how He abundantly blesses us. Doesn’t it amaze you that He wants to bless us? The keys to living abundantly in Him are ours for the taking!
John 10:10
Jesus speaks of abundant life in the parable of the Good Shepherd:
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV.
A thief’s primary interest is him or herself. They take what they want without concern for their victims. Jesus tells us He is the polar opposite of that. He came with no concern for Himself, but to bring us salvation from the consequences of our sin. We have an abundance of safety and security, forgiveness, love, and guidance in our Good Shepherd.
Jesus Gives Life
He came to give us eternal life, starting the moment we believed. We don’t have to wait to get to heaven to experience His quality of life. Jesus says we can “live abundantly” each day until He calls us home.
What is Abundance?
Having an abundance of something means having an ample supply. There is a sense of having more than you need (which God provides in exceptional quantities!). The opposite of abundance is a lack of something in your life, an emptiness or dissatisfaction.
What Does it Mean to Live an Abundant Life?
The abundant life Jesus is talking about is lived in His attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. It is having His power and endurance to walk through any circumstance without fear. His presence in our lives strengthens us to tackle each day.
Jesus never said that living in Him would take away our grief, sorrow, or concerns. He does promise, however, to walk by our side so they cannot overwhelm us. He promises to supply us with more than we could possibly need to live, no matter what our circumstances bring.
When we remember to bring these promises into each day, we live in His abundance.
Bible Verses about Living Life to the Fullest
The Bible is full of assurances of God’s inexhaustible supply of protection and provision. They show us what a life lived within His abundance looks like.
•“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV.
God says we have a part to play in living an abundant life. His prosperity comes from studying and thinking about His Word throughout the day and then doing what it says.
Fill yourself with His calming and peaceful truth instead of your problems or difficulties.
•“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV.
God’s plan for our abundant life is to prosper in all things– body and soul. Healthy bodies and souls are both important. Neither one should be neglected!
So how does your soul “prosper”?
John comments in the next verse talk about “walking in truth” – meaning our lives should mirror what we believe. Do you believe God forgives and loves you? If that is your truth, “it is well with your soul.”
A prosperous soul is confident and content in God’s promises and love. It is filled with His wisdom; and anchored deeply in Him. It is completely satisfied and filled with His goodness. Our souls can be prosperous no matter what circumstance is swirling around us!
•“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV.
Paul tells us that God can do abundantly more for us than our minds can ever comprehend, ask for in prayer or imagine. His abundant works in our lives exceed any measure or description. And that’s here on earth. Can you imagine what heaven will be like?? Yes! To Him be the glory!
Live Life Abundantly
•“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Sometimes (ok, maybe more than we’d like to admit…) we slip and let our circumstances dictate our life. I can’t think of a time when I needed the above verse more! I’ve lived through some “scorched places” before, but the past months have seemed especially dry and barren.
We can live abundantly in these scorched places and on challenging paths because our Lord will guide us continually. He will always, without fail, heal, and refresh our spirit when we go to Him.
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How to Live More Abundantly
•Practice Gratitude
It’s human nature to desire material things. But with a Christian perspective, we reject the notion that abundance is “more stuff.” Living abundantly comes from setting our minds on “things above”, not earthly things. “Setting our minds” is just another way of saying to seek God’s perspective. Make it your daily focus and see your world with His eyes.
Gratitude in all things is God’s will for us, and it’s based on trusting his unfailing love. We shouldn’t base our practice of gratitude on the circumstances of our lives. Trust Him! He’ll give you what you need to live abundantly.
Related Post∼ Set Your Mind on Things Above
•Study the Word of God
An abundant life needs the building blocks of God’s Word at its center. It is the rock-solid foundation of His wisdom that brings us the peace that surpasses all understanding. We will always have challenges, but when we spend time with Christ and come closer to Him, we live in His abundance of love and care.
When we know His promises, we can claim them for our lives. His strength and power are within us through His Spirit!
The old Proverb says “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (7:3 NIV) His Words are that precious; they should be written on our hearts.♥
•Experience Living Hope
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” 1 Peter 1:3 NIV.
We are blessed with a living hope- a new birth, the free gift that ensures our salvation. It enables us to live abundantly in this life, knowing what we have to look forward to. The resurrection of Jesus lets us live in a hope that anchors our soul firmly and securely to Him in this world.
Understanding this living hope can change how we think, act, and speak. Our own resurrection shines brightly in our future. We can live our lives in the abundance He gives now and with great expectation for our future!
•Sharing Our Abundance
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV.
Our abundant life is overflowing in faith, love, knowledge, peace, grace, compassion, kindness, and joy, just to name a few. Christ modeled them and gives them to us selflessly. He never meant for us to hold on to them for ourselves. Shouldn’t we also imitate His goodness and grace to others? He has given us His Spirit to strengthen and guide us in sharing our abundance with those we meet. His supply of abundance is rich and never-ending. When we share out of our abundance, He refills us- abundantly!
Living an Abundant Life
Living abundantly is not about what we have. It’s about what God has blessed us with. It comes full circle when we share the mercy and love, peace and grace we’ve received with others.
Jesus came so we could live in a new way- in a personal relationship with Him that brings daily renewal to our spirit. He wants to lead and guide us, keep us safe and secure, and bring us His peace and strength every day.
Living an abundant life allows us to live confidently and peacefully in any challenge. An abundant life is lived with Christ at its center.
And with Jesus, we truly can do all things!
In what ways have you felt the abundance of Jesus in your life?
Abundant Blessings!
AnnMarie
Photo Credit: Canva
When you hear abundance the first thing that comes to mind is earthly possession, but I now have a complete understaning about abundance that its not about the material things you possess.
Thamjs.
I think that is a common misunderstanding Patrick! I’m so glad this was helpful- I always learn new things as I’m researching and it’s what keeps me curious and eager to dig into His Word! Thanks for the encouragement and for reaching out to let me know.
Timely!
I wish I could send this to the prosperity preachers out there, ones I heard online just yesterday. What an abundant life really means: spiritual richness, not money or success.
Thanks, Ann
His riches for us are beyond description, so plentiful and perfect, and exactly what each one of us needs. I get discouraged over the prosperity gospel preached too. Hopefully His Word will go far and wide and convict those who hear it!