walking with Him day to day. sharing His love with others no matter where or when. knowing that life is not just about the here and now but the then and when. abundant living for me is only found through, in and because of Him.
thriving relationships that are marked by honesty, grace and truth – with God, my wife, and others.
stewarship of my body in a way that reflects the truth that it is the temple of the new covenant – the Holy Spirit resides in me; AND, i do not own my body.
an integration of sabbath in my life that reflects an understanding of how Jesus presented it.
maximizing His design of me for His glory.
taking the promise of the Gospel to a broken world.
enjoying the Lord’s presence each day as i seek to honor Him in and with all things. also enjoying the amazing blessing of my wife and daughter each day. LIFE is truly abundant!
Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
I’m living it right now. Freedom in Christ. A church community that lives that out. My husband and kids around me. Knowledge that I’m not queen of the world and the power to live like it!! :)
I’ve been wondering about abundant life lately too. I wonder if we look at our lives through a lens of selfishness because of our culture?
I think that abundant life would have looked very different in the book of Acts compared to what we’ve been taught is abundant in America. These scriptures show abundant life in my opinion. The look nothing like American religion though.
Acts 2
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
A life in which I can wrap myself in His joy and peace, regardless of the situation or circumstances I find myself in, is the chief indicator of abundance in my life. :)
I have such a negative take on my abundant life right now.
Like every trendy person (i tend to be a trend follower), I’ve been trying to simplify the last couple of years. I finally got around to giving things away.
This led to some more extreme behaviors. My buddy and I started hanging around homeless people. The more we hung with them, the more we felt convicted about our lives.
This past weekend, I brought one of my homeless friends to my house. Introduced him to my wife and kids, and we ate a meal together. We hung out all afternoon. It was a great time.
Then I dropped him off, under his bridge by the train station in Wilmington. And drove away.
I’m annoyed at myself for having such an abundant life.
I think for me it finally means letting go of the material wants & needs, being at peace with God & His wants & needs and being full of joy and love for Christ, my kids & life.
(And that doesn’t mean that I have to give up my Ebel watch or cant like it, it just means that it is no longer the focus or something that drives me.)
Comments
28 responses to “an abundant life”
walking with Him day to day. sharing His love with others no matter where or when. knowing that life is not just about the here and now but the then and when. abundant living for me is only found through, in and because of Him.
For me it’s a life spent living out the dream that God gave you.
It’s using the gifts and talents God created you with to make a difference in the world around you.
It’s enjoying your family, your friends and living every moment to the fullest.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
a nice, easy question for monday, huh? :)
thriving relationships that are marked by honesty, grace and truth – with God, my wife, and others.
stewarship of my body in a way that reflects the truth that it is the temple of the new covenant – the Holy Spirit resides in me; AND, i do not own my body.
an integration of sabbath in my life that reflects an understanding of how Jesus presented it.
maximizing His design of me for His glory.
taking the promise of the Gospel to a broken world.
Galatians 5:22-23…:)
To me an abundant life is being complete in God. Living out the purpose and plan that He has for me and my family.
It’s reaching out to people and making a difference in people’s lives.
And finally, helping empower people to do the same.
Dunno.
Haven’t seen it yet.
Trusting God completely.
Mike
It’s fearless, because it’s filled with a perfect love that is set free to truly love without condition.
I second Mike’s statement
Living each day like its my last!
God at the top.
Then His desires.
Then your desires.
then all your pride and selfishness at the very bottom.
Operating in my calling and seeing the mundane moments in the lives of my men turn into amazing opportunities for growth.
enjoying the Lord’s presence each day as i seek to honor Him in and with all things. also enjoying the amazing blessing of my wife and daughter each day. LIFE is truly abundant!
overflowing with His grace and full of His love
abundant life = enjoying God
I ain’t gonna try to use them big words and fancy replies.
What does abundant life look like to me?
Good physical/mental/financial health, good friends, good family, good church life.
I think that covers most of it.
I can’t really add to what has been said… so I’ll just say “ditto.”
Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Having your broken self picked up off the floor and carried right out of the jail cell that your life was before.
It’s the thing that happens to you after you finally, finally stop striving, lay it all down, and simply let him love you.
Michael
http://www.sojournerblog.blogspot.com
To be free in Christ.
living in my full potential
I’m living it right now. Freedom in Christ. A church community that lives that out. My husband and kids around me. Knowledge that I’m not queen of the world and the power to live like it!! :)
I’ve been wondering about abundant life lately too. I wonder if we look at our lives through a lens of selfishness because of our culture?
I think that abundant life would have looked very different in the book of Acts compared to what we’ve been taught is abundant in America. These scriptures show abundant life in my opinion. The look nothing like American religion though.
Acts 2
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
A life in which I can wrap myself in His joy and peace, regardless of the situation or circumstances I find myself in, is the chief indicator of abundance in my life. :)
Abundant life…..very secure in His promises….He will never leave us nor forsake us!
The Cubs finally winning the World Series. I could die a happy man as long as that happens. Is that too much to ask for?
I have such a negative take on my abundant life right now.
Like every trendy person (i tend to be a trend follower), I’ve been trying to simplify the last couple of years. I finally got around to giving things away.
This led to some more extreme behaviors. My buddy and I started hanging around homeless people. The more we hung with them, the more we felt convicted about our lives.
This past weekend, I brought one of my homeless friends to my house. Introduced him to my wife and kids, and we ate a meal together. We hung out all afternoon. It was a great time.
Then I dropped him off, under his bridge by the train station in Wilmington. And drove away.
I’m annoyed at myself for having such an abundant life.
I think for me it finally means letting go of the material wants & needs, being at peace with God & His wants & needs and being full of joy and love for Christ, my kids & life.
(And that doesn’t mean that I have to give up my Ebel watch or cant like it, it just means that it is no longer the focus or something that drives me.)