“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV.
You have to give the maximum to live the maximum.
My thoughts and comments today are about “abounding.”
God clearly desires that you abound in Him, and in every grace. God’s will is that you enjoy a life that flourishes in every good way – not living with just enough, and certainly never less than enough. Abundance! Think about it. There are some that are “full of themselves,” but others who are full of life, and life is full for them. Do you ever wish your life were more like theirs? You can be.
“Abound in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us . .” 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 NKJV. You can allow life’s adversities to steal your hopes and dreams. With each year you might accept life on lesser terms, smaller than you want and less than you need. Inside, doubt whispers the lie that you are just accepting reality, but are you? Embrace possibilities rather than a false reality that is not God’s intention. Abound in hope! Read Romans 15:13 NKJV.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV. I love the God that makes that possible; “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 The Message.
Only one place where abounding life can be found – in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s most important, but only the beginning. An abounding life requires intentionality of you: a good example, your best effort, and a little extra.
A good example is important, one that inspires and assures you. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 NIV. Fix your eyes on a Godly example, because you will ultimately imitate who you admire. See Hebrews 12:2 NIV.
Your best effort is required at all times.The abounding life does not come to those who are casual about it, or unwilling to do what it requires. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord . .” Colossians 3:23 NIV.
A little extra needs to be given, of extra effort and extra time.A life that abounds does not come cheaply or quickly. See Matthew 19:29 NIV. My Dad taught and believed, “Anything worth having is worth working for.” Take the long view; life is not measured in seconds or minutes or even hours, but in years and lifetimes.
Forget measuring out the minimum. That gets you nothing and nowhere. “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Sir Winston Churchill. You have to give the maximum to live the maximum. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is to have a fullness of all that God gives, and life affords.