It is a Jesus Thing

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

(John 10:10, NLT)

 

This assurance from Jesus is beautiful and full of hope.  Is there anyone who does not want a rich and satisfying life?  Every person, in his or her own way, is striving to find the things which make one feel complete and fulfilled.  But, I come today to suggest we have our eyes on the wrong prize. 

 

As I talk about myself, I am sure others will begin to see.  I read the King James Bible and mistakenly thought ‘life more abundantly’ meant enjoying plentiful possessions, obtaining symbols of status, and having my desires be God’s desires.  My passionate pursuit of higher learning, prominence in my career, financial wealth, the perfect mate, the next adrenaline rush, and…and….and….created a blind spot.    

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with these things in themselves.  God always intended for me to have a life full of achievement, pleasurable experiences, and companionship.  But, the greatest gift was meant to be knowledge so that I would not die for a lack of it.  The real tragedy would be me walking this earth spiritually dead because I failed to recognize Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

 

My free access to God through Christ is the thing to be valued most.  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ (Ephesians 1:3, NLT).  I will have a rich and satisfying life because this bounty of love fills my heart and the overflow becomes the plenty in my hands.    

 

These spiritual blessings grow into more than what I could ask or think.  For, they are the knowledge of the goodness of God, peace in the time of storms, healing when others say death, the reward in putting God-given talent to good use, financial savvy, a multitude of loving family and friends, adventure, and…and…and….

Hello, It's Me God

God is talking always, but it may not be what you want to hear.  For example, I had just moved to a new city where I had no family.  Just like all the other times I had moved, my plan was to find a church and make its members my family.  There was joy and pain in the church I chose.  The words of wisdom coming out of the pulpit were life affirming and, excuse my gushing enthusiasm, glorious.  I felt better every time I entered that sanctuary.  However, the sanctuary was one of the infamous mega-churches.  That place was HUGE with a lot of people in it.  I had never felt so alone.  Everyone was polite enough, but the cliques were out in full force.  After two months, I had yet to find a friend let alone an extended family.  It was in this moment of frustration God spoke to me.  The person making church announcements encouraged all the unattached members to attend the next Singles Ministry event.  I am not shy, but I am bit socially difficult.  I can be a wall flower, the life of the party, or anything in between depending on my mood when I walk into a social venue.  Still, something told me I should go.  May I take a moment to point out that little voice we all talk about is just a euphemism for God?  So, I decide that the Singles Ministry event could be a good place to go on the hunt for an attractive man who was fixated on God like me.  Now, things were starting to get interesting!

On the designated night, I made my grand entrance determined to be the life of the party.  You can rest assured I was dressed for the part.  Conservative enough to let the men know I was the woman they could take home to mom but with just enough spice to make them wonder what trouble we could get into together.  It was not meant to be.  I normally can scan a room and know if a sparkling and tall man with a basketball frame will have to deal with me making googly eyes at him.  He was not there and there were not even any consolation prizes.  I know I sound harsh, but attraction is about pheromones and there were none floating in my direction.  I sat down and listened to the spiel about honoring God and enjoying life while one accepted His timing for when that handsome best friend (boyfriend) would arrive.  At the end of the event, everyone participated in an activity meant to help people get to know each other.  We all answered some questions and then looked for someone who answered similarly.  This how I met the first friend who shared the same deep faith I have.  This has more meaning when I point out I was in my thirties.  It is also relevant to point out that it was another woman who was also from the north.  I had come looking for a boyfriend.  God sent me a best friend. 

I was never alone in that huge church again.  It was like a snowball effect.  People felt we acted like bobbsey twins, but they were paying attention.  My social circle grew and I found my family slowly but surely.  My confidence grew and so did my excitement.   My eyes were opened.  There were a multitude of very interesting and nice men, reference to their looks was omitted on purpose, who would not be caught dead at a Singles Ministry event.  However, they were not averse to making the time right after church a singles mingle event.  As all women know, the best way to be seen in a cute and attractive outfit is to strike a pose and act like you are really engrossed by what your best buddies are telling you.  So, I heard ‘get a date at the Singles event’.  God was trying to say ‘build friendships first and the dates will come’.  Now, that is wisdom.

WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Psalm 34:17 NIV
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

We can call upon the Lord at any time.  God hears us and provides relief every time because He is a kind and merciful.  However, should we be calling out in desperation or with the expectation of tapping into God's power?  We are promised dominion over everything on this earth; this is a free and loving gift offered to all of the faithful.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith (1 John 5:4 NLT).  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).  We must approach the throne of God knowing that He has already provided the resolution to our problems.

The trust we have in God is reflected in the words we use to convey our requests.  The Word must be our battle cry.  The people called by His name must not send cries full of feared defeat up to Heaven.  It is best for God and His most precious creations to share a moment of being on one accord; we must be like our heavenly Father and speak those things that be not into existence.  As the faithful, we are carried through the storm by faith.  We will not be discouraged by the mountain of trouble that stands before us.  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NIV).  Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires (Psalm 37:4 NLT).  For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right (Psalm 84:11 NLT).  These are words that speak of impending victory.
 
God wants us to cry out for help at our darkest moments.  But, let those cries be a sweet aroma to the Lord.  God should hear honor and praise in our cries to Him.   I would like to think that He finds pleasure in hearing the words He sent to save and heal us take flight and return to Him full of hope and confidence.  So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).  The people called by His name should incorporate the Word into our cries for help.  We shed the feelings of being victimized.  We acknowledge the privilege that comes with being victors.  We become warriors because all trials and tribulations are overcome by using the Word as a weapon of mass destruction against anything that would distract us from walking in our God-given peace and joy.

PRAYER WARRIORS

Revelation 12:11 NIV

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 


The children of God overcome the world and any problem that arises, every time.  The source of this assured victory lies in the absolute power of the Word of God.  Yet, the Bible also states that.....The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16 ASV).  One must begin to explore what makes a prayer effective.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24).  Every child of God has prayed without doubt in her heart, only to see that specific prayer go answered. God never fails to meet a need.  So, prayers can go unanswered because the desired thing does not fit into God's plans for the believer's life.  Other times, the believer has not realized fully the explosive combination of supplication and speaking the Word. 

Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word (Psalm 103:20 NIV).  These heavenly hosts are the servants of God who do His will and obey His Word.  These soldiers in heaven's armies are standing at attention, waiting. The act of speaking the Word sets these agents of God into motion so that they can fulfill their marching orders.  The body of Christ can declare war on every life issue.  The cancer diagnosis is reversed because.....with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5 ESV).  We find success at work despite the backbiting co-workers because of the promise: "The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! (Deuteronomy 28:7)  The infertile married couple knows that the child is coming because He makes a woman who is in a childless home a joyful mother. Hallelujah! (Psalm 113:9 GWT)  The battle is not ours, but the Lord's.  We can be at peace because He will not fail us or abandon us.  We win every time.

Those called by His name must plant the Word in our hearts by reading and studying the Bible daily.  God promises: so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).  We must be like our Father in heaven.  When the Word is known "by heart", it can pour out of us anytime a prayer is needed.  Even if a Bible is not readily available, the Word goes forth from our mouths in our prayers.  It achieves the purpose for which it was sent.  We advance the kingdom of God by always walking in this power.  We are triumphant when our prayers are full faith and the Word.