John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (more abundantly).
Beloved, God did not create us to be passionless, barely getting through the day, mediocre, oh well – whatever, people with dull mental attitudes leading humdrum, monotonous lives.
The word of God in John 10:10 shows us two very key things. It shows us what the enemies plan is for us and it shows us what God’s plan is for us. The enemy’s job and plan is to steal, kill, and destroy. He doesn’t simply want to kill your physical life; he wants to kill your dreams and desires, steal your motivation and passion for life, and destroy your hope and your faith. However, God says I’ve come to ensure that you have a life full of dreams and desires, exploding with passion for life, never dulled with hopelessness and defeated faith. The Lord is not just talking about an abundant life in glory or heaven – he is talking about life right here on earth; the earth and everything in it that he created and then said “It is good – have dominion – be fruitful and multiply”.
Sometimes life gets hard and you will have tribulation, the word of God tells us that. But, the word also tells us “be of good cheer”. If I may paraphrase, “be full hope and remain cheerful and lively, for I have overcome the world”. The question from so many has become: “How do I live a life more abundantly?” Good question! I’m so glad you asked.
As we walk and live our lives for the Lord we must be people who develop and maintain four main characteristics in our attitude, daily thinking and lives. We must be:
1.People of Passion. 1 Sam 30:6,8… David going through a very rough time not only encouraged himself in the Lord but then inquired, “Lord shall I pursue?” David was a man full of passion for every area of life.. Pursue that which you have lost or lost passion for. Be passionate about getting it back. Pursue the passion for God, that passion on your job, passion with your spouse, etc. Don’t just accept the situation! How you see yourself affects your faith. Encourage yourself with the Lord as your help and then be in passionate PURSUIT.
2. People of Action. James 2:14 -17… Many times there is a physical action to take in certain situations, no matter how small it may seem. Sometimes there is no physical action to take. In those times where there is no physical action to take your action is simply your prayer and your praise. Praising God for what has not yet happened in the natural but by faith is already done in heaven. “Thy will be done on earth as it already is in heaven.”
3. People who are willing to change. Gen 32:26-28… We must be willing to continually be growing in every area of our lives and be willing to change. The bible says “Come as you are”, not “Stay as you are”. In no walk of life can you stay the same and expect to grow. Refusing to grow and change births the mundane, humdrum, passionless, stale, stagnated faith life.
4. You have to hate losing & fight complacency & settling for the ‘status-quo’. After being robbed of his wives, possessions, and those of his men; David pursued the enemy, found the enemy, and then fought till he got everything back (1 Sam 30). Joshua & Caleb after spying out the promised land and seeing the large enemy that was there said, “let us go up at once and take possession of the land” (Numbers 13:30). Paul said “Fight the good fight, keep the faith, finish the race” (2 Tim 4) – in every area of life.
Beloved – Don’t settle for a mundane, humdrum, status-quo, passionless, stale, just getting by, oh well whatever, no expectation, effortless, mediocre, life. Stir up the gifts of God that are within you; gifts of peace, love, hope, expectancy, faith, desire, boldness, a fighting spirit, etc. Be like Peter and step out of the boat of complacency and fear and walk on the water. Don’t accept or believe the lie, “this is as good as it gets”. Whether it’s on your job, in your home, in your marriage, your health, finances, or children, get a new attitude and – Stir up the gift. Stir it up, Stir it up! Begin to pray these four characteristics over your life, in your heart and over your family.