HEAVENSREEF

Abundant living is different living. Abundant living is far removed from the rat race of the world.

To live differently, what is required is authenticity in speech and actions.  It is a willingness and a desire to not be like everyone else.  I kinda get this because when I was growing up, my Mom and Dad drilled into me that it was just fine to be different from everyone else and that not following the crowd had it’s rewards.

Let us ask ourselves here then, do we appear different from the world around us?  Does my speech, actions, character and life reflect JESUS?

I think it is safe to say that we all know some Christians who have become complacent in their faith, just staying on the fringe of their religion figuering they are saved so why do anything beyond that?  

Our churches should be teaching truth and encouraging us all to be CHRIST’S disciples spreading the Gospel, taking time to study, being in small groups to experience the love of community and serving where and when we can.

TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY AND ABUNDANTLY ALONGSIDE THE LORD MEANS TO CARVE OUT THAT NARROW ROAD WHERE JESUS LEADS.

Where we differ from one another is in our thought process, our choices and our self-discipline.  Abundant living will be different living from every other believer, because there is no complacency, but a living in moment to moment in CHRIST’S hands.  Abundant living is worshipful living!

MATTHEW 7: 14 “FOR THE GATE IS NARROW AND THE WAY IS HARD THAT LEADS TO LIFE, AND THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”

Where is your heart right now?  I ask because living to please only the LORD and to worship HIM in your days is abundant living…….it is not looking for man’s acceptance and affirmations, but only looking for GOD’S approval.  

Someone once said to me something that has stuck with me: don’t worry about your reputation with men, worry about your reputation with GOD!

PSALM 119: 37 “TURN MY EYES FROM LOOKING AT WHAT IS WORTHLESS; GIVE ME LIFE IN YOUR WAYS.”

When you are walking that abundant life with GOD, your road will appear different because each one of us should work out our salvation with GOD alone……..on your narrow road, you will walk with GOD’S hand on you in a unique and different way.  So don’t compare yourself with what someone else is doing, cause it doesn’t matter!  And be wise to the ones who say: “do it this way.” Because GOD wants us to find our own way, our own unique way to embrace and love HIM! 

We all shouldn’t put ourselves into that box: devotions (check), prayer (check), Church attendance (check), service (check).  Do what you can, the best you can, with all you can and love the LORD with all your heart, soul and mind.  GOD loves us completely and securely…….

PSALM 5:7 “BUT I, THROUGH THE ABUNDANCE OF YOUR STEADFAST LOVE, WILL ENTER YOUR HOUSE.  I WILL BOW DOWN TOWARD YOUR HOLY TEMPLE IN THE FEAR OF YOU.”

Your belief should be bold and fresh and abundantly secure in GOD’S love, because you are living daily with HIM, in HIM and through HIM. 

Just remember this my friends……..

HE LOVES US IN A THOUSAND AND ONE DIFFERENT WAYS…….WHY SHOULDN’T WE GLORIFY HIM IN A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS TOO?

And isn’t our individual holy potential awakened when we truly commune with the LORD and when that occurs, we are different from one another, because that is how GOD made us to be?

You are as you are and are just perfectly where you are, because GOD has placed you there……so embrace it, live fully in the moments given to you, live abundantly by loving and obeying the GOD of different abundant living.  GOD sees us as HIS beloved, so live like you are loved.  And your living, will be different!

NUMBERS 14: 24 “BUT MY SERVANT CALEB, BECAUSE HE HAS A DIFFERENT SPIRIT AND HAS FOLLOWED ME FULLY, I WILL BRING INTO THE LAND INTO WHICH HE WENT, AND HIS DESCENDANTS SHALL POSSESS IT.”