Life Abundant

Going on missions trips has become a thing that I love and enjoy. Nothing brings me as much joy in my Christian life as reaching out and loving people that are less fortunate than I am. So many times in our Christian life, it seems that reaching out to people becomes the most challenging thing that Jesus has asked of us, but in reality, the most difficult things in many of our minds will return the most joy to our life. With all the resources you have in your life, how can you spread joy to the world?

In John 10:10, Jesus says that He has not only come to give us life but to give us a more abundant life! When I think about how great my life is and how much greater it can be serving Jesus, it is at that point that I become excited and start reaching for the joy and peace that only a life with Jesus can provide! Someone made a joke about me going on a vacation when I told them I was heading to Haiti once, and then when I thought about it, it in fact did have some components of a vacation! I get to refresh spiritually, and I get to spend time doing things I love! I wonder if we truly realize the amount of happiness and joy we get from doing what God has asked us to do?

Recently, our preacher brought before us the thought that since we had been given so much, are we going to give it back? I want to challenge you to share more of yourself with the cause of Christ. It may not be by going to other countries or across the United States, but most of us have neighbors who need Jesus. It may not be by coming to all the Church outreach nights, but you know your friend who hasn't been to worship in a couple of weeks! We can all make a difference if we commit ourselves to spread the blessings we have received from Jesus.

The most amazing part about our God is this: the more we give of what He has given to us, the more we will continue to receive from Him! We may not receive more money or a new house, but we will gain the eternal riches of Heaven! Freely you have given, freely give.

Being the month of Thanksgiving, take some time to write down all the things that God has blessed your life with. Once you have your list completed, write out to the side of each blessing how you can use that to benefit the kingdom! Once we realize how we can bless the lives of others, I genuinely believe we will start to tap into the unmatched joy we have in Christ!

Will