The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
John 10:10
How do we know what the abundant life looks like? Jesus is our model for what a full life looks like. That is why it is important to create a Jesus culture and not follow worldly standards.
And saying, repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:2
The way to create an abundant life is to change the way you think. The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Tap into it.
If we honour (put a high value on) God, He will in turn do the same for us. The problem is we honour the wrong things and find our identity in those things. We need to place value in Godly things. So, how do we honour God?
Honour His word
Are we positioning ourselves to hear God? There is a gap between what we are actually experiencing and what God actually has planned for us. Are you expecting God to speak to you? Not just about your challenges but rather every area of your life. If you want to honour God and His Word then you need to understand that He is speaking to you. If you’re not expecting Him to speak to you, then that’s the gap.
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “
Mathew 4:4
We are sustained by what God is saying. God is constantly saying something. There is something He wants to communicate to you. What is He saying now?
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1: 1-14
If we want to find out how to live an abundant life, we need to know how Jesus lived an abundant life. And where do we find that out? In the Word. When gladly received, the Word become alive in us. The Word has two meanings. Logos and Rhema.
Logos means the general written Word of God. The general will of God concerning anything. When you read the Word you read the logos. It is the principles, patterns, and precepts of God (Refer back to Mathew 4:4).
Rhema means the Word the Holy Spirit quickens to a person or a situation. It is when the Word becomes alive. Rhema is the proceeding Word of God. Rhema never overrides Logos. They are always in alignment.
We must know the logos to experience the rhema. We must now know the written Word the experience the living Word.
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, [tested by trial] a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skilfully teaching] the Word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
This is what we call the now Word. If you can study the Word accurately you can stand firm in your challenges. What is God saying to you now? What does Jesus think about your challenge? So, how we position ourselves to hear from God?
- Hunger
You must be craving for the things of God. He gives liberally to those who have a thirst and a hunger for Him.
Psalm 42:2 | My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? [John 7:37; 1 Thess 2:9,20]
Revelation 21:6 | He said to me: it is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
- Expectation
Are you expecting God to speak to you?
Ephesians 3:20 | Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]
- Quick to listen and quick to obey
We need ready and open for what God is going to say. Our obedience to God’s commands and leading is an indication of the strength of our relationship with Him.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) my commands.
John 14:15
