November 24 Abundant Living John 10:10
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
What does it mean, “To Really Live?” Are we to allow the insanity and chaos of our present day to dictate our living, our attitude or our actual living? As I have reflected, over the results of our recent national election, it has become crystal clear, at least from my perspective, that our nation has taken a major political turn to the left. With this shift in thought, it occurs to me that the motivation is simply, Evil driven. The very foundational structure is Anti- God, Anti- Christian and, seemingly, Anti-American, yet over half of our country voted for this radical shift. Listening to the chatter of many, I would hear that, “We need to get back to normal!” They were not talking about COVID19 related issues; they were talking about political and social issues. Just this past Sunday, one of our members asked me what we were going to do. This particular verse, came racing into my consciousness, and I stated emphatically, Satan has won the day, but he cannot and will not rule our abundant living. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, made a powerful and prophetic statement that answers the question, “What does it mean to really live?” He begins by identifying Satan as a “Thief” that attempts to steal our joy and to make our living a mess. When we succumb to the Devil’s influence, we stop edifying our Savior. Basically, Satan attempts to steal the TRUTH from us and to encourage us to think “Earthly” thoughts, instead of, “Heavenly thoughts. Jesus said that “He came to give us life, and that we might have it more abundantly!!” Are you living the “ABUNDANT LIFE,” or are you living to SATISFY SATAN? Friends, if you are not living each day in obedience to God’s promises and commands, you may very well be experiencing some NON-ABUNDANT living. Folks, it is just my opinion, however, based on the facts, as I see them, we are in for some “Rough” times ahead. Every one of us, that are committed Followers of Christ, are going to experience a heightened resistance to the TRUTH and a battle to continue to openly share Jesus and His Love. Yesterday, I heard one of the Senators that, is expected to be in the new administration’s cabinet, say that “Inclusion” was a priority and anyone spouting “Hatred” should be silenced! Guess What? That’s right! This world sees the HOLY SCRIPTURES as Hate Speech. Is ABUNDANT LIVING POSSIBLE? ABSOLUTELY!! Be Committed to Jesus, Be dedicated to HIS CALLING, FOCUS on HIS PROMISES and RECOGNIZE the SOURCE OF THE EVIL: SATAN! I am fully aware of the Evil, yet claim the power and purpose of God, for us: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Come what may, my Victory is secure and my Abundant Living is simply waiting to be claimed! Please do not let circumstances or any thing else to keep you from Living Abundantly! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!