Christian Living

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" I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows). " 11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. (A) (John 10:10 Amplified)
There are times when a prophetic word is needed. There are seasons when it is the heart of God to show us what "is" and "will be" according to His word. It is important to understand the times and how events that happen are aligned with what the Bible states of these times.

However, there are many of us who have no idea of how to manage every day life, the day-to-day things that occur and sometimes cause us to live in fear and depression. We struggle with decisions and family. We don't quite know how to deal with pressure caused by the job or we just get tired. We have allowed "life" to get us down. We have been defeated, not by some big hairy monster, but by life. We find out way too often that it is truly the "little foxes, which spoil the vine."

Those small things that creep up on us and allowed to grow to an almost uncontrollable state. For the most part, we have no issue with trusting the Lord for the big things. We lean on him in temporal faith for a new car or house. We run to him for healing of those diseases, which we fear like cancer. But for the common cold we rely on Nyquil. For today's meal we simply open the refrigerator (without any thought of who made provision) and if it is empty we turn to people for help whether it be family, church or the government. We, in our limited ability and understanding, attempt to manage life. What is life? Yes it is physical existence but it is so much more than breath and a heart beat. Life includes every aspect of a man, physical, mental, emotional, relational, financial, etc. If one of these areas lacks all are affected.

Jesus said that he came that we may have life, not just any kind of life but Zoë. Zoë is more than just warm blood in our veins but it is life blessed by God not just in eternity but also right now. It is life, real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever (Strong's). So why do we not enjoy Zoë? What is it that causes us to fall into states of hopelessness? Why do we experience highs and lows as if we are being pupated by the enemy? Perhaps we are seeking the wrong things. We look for happiness. We find it and loose it and find it again…then loose it. Maybe happiness isn't what we need.

You see happiness is an emotional state, which is determined by something or someone else. As quickly as we receive it we can loose it. If the person or situation changes, our happiness goes with it. What we must have is joy. Joy is a state of mind. It is how we can exist and govern ourselves regardless of any outside forces. It is deeply embedded in the one who carries this gift. Once it is given and truly received, it is everlasting.

A pay raise may make me happy but it won't give me joy. Why? Because we live according to our income and as soon as more money comes into the home, we get more stuff. And more stuff brings more bills and therefore my happiness is replaced by grief, cause I can't pay my newly acquired bills. A new relationship won't make me happy because as soon as the "new mate scent" wears off and he does something I don't particularly like I will try to change him. And when he doesn't change (because I accepted him and his flaws when I was to impress him) I find myself unhappy. So I go and get somebody new and repeat the cycle.

We try and fill empty places within ourselves with things and people. While making money is good, the money should never make you. Concerning relationships, we should look more at a persons character rather than what they can buy us, how great they can sweet talk, etc, etc, etc, And the little bitty faults? So this one picks his teeth, the next one may pop his toes, the next may snort when he laughs. It'll always be something!

The contentment we need is only found in Christ. The joy I must have to endure anything that comes my way is in the arms of the Lord. " He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… Because he hath set His love upon me." (see Psalm 91). Every issue of life that causes me to think negatively, I must take to the Lord. His Word tells us to cast our cares on Him because he cares for us. All of the answers I need are in Christ. "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God." Every need I have is in Him. " According to his divine power hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).

Why allow life to continue to defeat us? Christ came to give us a more abundant life filled with joy. But the catch is it cannot be obtained any other way but by Him.

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