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The Grapevine
Number 129                                                                      
June 10, 2006
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
 
A Life of Abundance
by Jack Northart
 
As we watch television, read newspapers, surf the internet, and listen to the radio, we absorb a lot of their gloom and doom, and life begins to take on discouragement and dispair. Death, distruction, poverty, lack and sadness dominate the headlines of today. It all casts fear and darkness on life that seems to be unalterable. Is this the way our God and Father truly intended life to be like?
 
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
 
This verse in the gospel of John states two distinct contrasts; the thief, (who is the god of this world, Satan), whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy; and Jesus Christ who came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
 
We certainly see a great deal of stealing, killing and destroying in the world, but where are those who are manifesting a life that is more abundant? If abundance is our's as God's children, then why are we not seeing it and enjoying it? Part of the answer lies in our focus of life. Such was the case to a man named Asaph, who lived during the time of David in the Old Testament. He got caught up it in thinking about what others had, and what he didn't have. His focus was not where it should have been. Asaph is credited with writing Psalm 73. In this Psalm, he mentions his discouragement, and what it took to change his situation.
 
Psalm 73:2-3
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
 
He looked around at what the unbelievers had, and what he didn't have, and became envious at their apparent abundance.
 
Verses 4-7
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
 
We can imagine what these people would looked like. If we put them in our day and time; they would drive the nicest cars and wear the latest fashion in clothing and jewelry. They would stay in the most expensive hotels, sail on the nicest yachts, fly in their own personal jets, and live in the most elegant neighborhoods, and be beautiful to look at. They would have more than heart could wish. 
 
Verses 8-12
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
 
Asaph's observation of these people was based on envy and want. He saw every detail of what they had in their lives and he let get to him.
 
Verses 13-14
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.
 
He felt that he was doing everything that he was supposed to for God, and yet he had nothing but trouble to show for it. He knew that God was a God of abundance and unlimited supply, but he looked around on what the unbelievers had and he didn't have, it was too painful to think about. Sound familiar?
 
Then he change his focus, and realigned his thinking.
 
Verse 17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
 
He had to make a deliberate decision to change the way he looked at life. Instead of comparing his life to the life of the unbelievers, he saw what God had done for him and made available to him.
 
Verses 22-26
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
 
We don't need to compare ourselves to anyone else to determine our success and abundance. God has made available a life that is more abundant to us. As we change our focus from envy, to an acceptance of God's abundance, life will take on a whole new cheerfulness and excitement. Misery and gloom does not need to be part of our lives again. We do not have to wait for "our ship to come in" to enjoy this life. Jesus Christ made the more abundant life available to us today. We don't have to wait for heaven to come around to have in enjoyment and happiness in life. Of course there will be set backs in life. However, the set backs do not determine who we are or where we are going.
 
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
 
Placing our focus on this tremendous reality gives life a whole new direction. To know that our God has blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings means that we have got more than any unbeliever will have in this life. It is now up to us to take heart to these blessings and manifest them in our lives. The seven Church Epistles describe these wonderful blessings to us, and as we focus on them, we see how much our Father has done for us and given us. 
 
There is so much to enjoy in this life that God has given us, that as we look at the blessings that we have, our lives will be full of joy and we can manifest more abundance.
 
I John 1:3-4
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
 
The riches and wealth of the wicked are not the portal to paradise. Happiness and joy is gained by right thinking right acting, and right living.
 
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
 
If we are not seeing these things that are mentioned in Malachi come to pass in our lives, perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are doing what is stated here to receive this abundance. Are we giving the tithe? Are we looking for the blessings to happen? Do we see so many blessings that there is not room enough to receive it? Are we expecting God to rebuke the devourer? Or are we wasting our time and efforts by comparing ourselves to others; seeing what they have, and what we don't have?
 
Proverbs 3:9,10
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
 
Our fellowship with God is the key to the flow of His abundance in our lives. As we honor Him and acknowledge Him as our source of life, wealth, health and happiness, He pours out more and more blessings in abundance. It is the greatest life that can be lived on this earth!