Expand 20 messages, 21 to 40 of 51 
doc10
8 y
3,030
Re: Why is it that most people are n... tomi444
8 y
2,981
This is a reply to # 2,315,648Thank you Doc for your input.
Yes, your right about copyright albeit there are some of his books still in copyright.
Here's some of his works ..........
http://www.ministrybooks.org/collected-works.cfm
Yes his writing is sometimes too detailed so later he was more to the point:)
This is a reply to # 2,315,170
Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Do you want to experience His abundant life? Do you want to say, "Praise Jesus, I am doing great!" and mean it when others stop to ask you in the hallway at work?
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12 that he learned to be content in every circumstance, whether rich or poor.
What's the secret?
I believe that if we avoid three pitfalls along the path of life, we will be enabled with God's grace to live life abundantly right now.
First, you can't live in the past.
God says that we are new creations. The old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). We serve "The Great I Am," not the "Great I Was." God is a God who lives in our day to day, granting us new mercies every morning.
If God is all about newness, why do we as humans keep finding ourselves stuck in our past? Sometimes that’s because our past is our familiar frame of reference, and what is familiar is comfortable and comforting to us. What is out there ahead, though potentially wonderful, is unseen, unknown, untouched. And that scares us. Sometimes we prefer to rustle up images of the “good old days” rather than stepping out in faith and creating better days ahead.
But living in the past has major drawbacks. First, when we live in the past, we quickly become dissatisfied with our current lives. Instead of being thankful in all things, we fuss, wishing for what we used to have. And wishing for what used to be can be a dangerous thing. Just look at the Israelites in the Bible. They got miraculously delivered out of Egypt, but then spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness instead of enjoying the Promised Land because their complaining, short-sighted mindset held them back from God’s blessings.
When we live in the past, we also can't see God's goodness in our midst. Naomi exclaimed upon her return to Bethlehem, "I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). Naomi failed to see that though she had lost her two beloved sons, she had gained the undying loyalty of a daughter-in-law, Ruth, who chose willingly to become Naomi’s friend in need. Naomi wasn’t “empty,” as she pitifully proclaimed. The truth was God had brought Naomi a wonderful companion during her time of grief, but Naomi could only see a bleak future devoid of meaning because she could not see beyond how things used to be. How often we do this when life doesn’t turn out as we expected it to! We forget the blessings along the way.
Second, it isn't about your timetable.
Have you been waiting for God to give you something that it seems everyone else has? -- a husband, a baby, a new car, a promotion, a recognized, self-supporting ministry? You feel like you have been waiting long enough and now you deserve to get what God has freely bestowed on everyone else but you.
But who says that God has to do things according to your timetable? God has His timetable. As His children, we have inherited His day planner.
True, His ways are not our ways, but if we ask for bread, will He give us a stone? If we ask for fish, will He give us a serpent (Luke 11:11)? No. God gives good things to those who ask -- it's just that He might not give them right away.
And according to God's timing, it was perfect that Abraham's wife Sarah had a baby in her old age, that Lazarus would be healed only after he had died and was dead for three days, and that Jesus -- the very Son of God -- spent 30 years learning and only about three years in ministry.
When we rest in God's timetable, we are not bound by our own self-impinging deadlines or influenced by unrealistic expectations of our society or our peers. We can enjoy each moment of life without stressing out that it has all passed us by. We can go through life being joyful when others succeed because we know that God hasn't forgotten our desires and dreams.
In His perfect timing, He will answer our prayers as we delight in Him, for it says in God’s Word, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
And last, you must never let fear rule.
God knows that we as humans can get pretty wound up about our day-to-day living, which is why there are so many verses in the Scriptures that proclaim in essence, “Fear not!” The Bible tells us to let the peace of God reign in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). God says that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, of power, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
At various junctures in our lives, we can let our hearts become troubled, especially when our safety net has been threatened – financial challenges, marital discord, job insecurities, health issues, changing living situations, dreams becoming seemingly more elusive than ever. We have a tendency of doing what Peter did when he stepped out of the boat – we focus on the deep waters beneath us instead of the awesome provision of Jesus Christ straight ahead and we start sinking!
We forget that our Advocate, Jesus, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Even though we might not see it in the turbulent times of our lives, we have to remember that God is in control. He will keep us from falling (Jude 1:24). He will not give us more than we can bear.
When we live one day at a time, understanding that God sets our course, and we let His peace rule in our hearts, the abundant life is ours, no matter what our age, rank, circumstance, hang-ups, or failures.
http://www1.cbn.com/inspirationalteaching/walking-in-gods-abundant-life
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... rainy.7
8 y
2,766
- Here is another one. refreshed
8 y
2,835
This is a reply to # 2,315,186
What Does it Mean to Have an Abundant Life? Some Thoughts on Prosperity
We talk about "abundant life" in our churches regularly. What does it actually mean?
Ed Stetzer
When Christians talk about abundant life in Christ, they share some common beliefs and have points where their ideas diverge, as a Wikipedia article attests! But Scripture is clear that our new life is a reality. Second Corinthians 5:17 talks about this life when it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things have passed away and new things have come.” And Jesus calls that life "abundant" in John 10:10.
So what does this new life look like? Ask 10 Christians to define abundant life and you will get 14 answers. And perhaps they are all right in some way, but, if we are being true with Scriptures, the new life given to us in Christ must mean more than merely materially blessings.
Abounding Perspectives
Jesus said, “A thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). People often talk about God doing “exceeding abundantly, beyond all we can ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
Throughout Scripture we see God blessing people, and promising blessing to people. The books of Joshua and Psalms speak to the fact that we can be prosperous. Several of the Proverbs reveal ways we can become prosperous.
Is God trying to tell us that abundant life is the result of having been made new? Is prosperity the sign of abundant life? Because many in the Bible and throughout history have had lives of struggle, suffering and pain, yet seemed to experience abundant life.
Abundance is not What Some Think
The powerful passage of Hebrews 11 highlights people of great faith and blessing, but also tells us that many believers were tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, destitute, mistreated and homeless. The writer says the world was not worthy of these saints. They were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised. Does that sound like abundant life? Is that prosperity? And yet, we find that these struggling people spoke of a deep-seeded joy.
Paul himself, who penned the oft-quoted “exceedingly abundant” phrase, did a fair amount of writing of joy and peace in the middle of his own difficult circumstances. He used terminology like, “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory.” Paul found his life sufficiency in Christ. But what are these “riches in glory” to which he refers?
We know there are some things that can only come from God, not Walmart. God gives peace that passes all understanding. Jesus and Paul promise there will be trouble in the life of a believer. Some of this trouble comes to everyone.
The rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
Actually, some believers deal with some problems because of our relationship with Christ. Their new life in Christ costs them physical and materials abundance; yet, Jesus says we have abundant life!
Always, we are promised a deep abiding peace. This peace is beyond what we can work up on our own by breathing deeply and counting to ten. And have you noticed that peace during these times is the most outrageous blessing ever?
Abundant Opportunity & Responsibility
One way of viewing abundant life is to see when people have been changed by the power of Christ; they live different lives, which affects all aspects of their experience. In missiololgy, we call that "redemption and lift."
This isn’t just true individually, but can also be on a cultural level.
So, spiritual change, accompanied by better decisions, does often lead to better circumstances financially. (Sometimes it get's you arrested and martyred, so don't miss the point here.)
However, this is what the book of Proverbs touches on many times. Good decisions, often undertaken because of spiritual decisions, leads to greater prosperity.
Here are a few examples:
"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)
"Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest." (Proverbs 6:6-8)
"The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor." (Proverbs 12:24)
"The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied." (Proverbs 13:4)
So, that's not the prosperity gospel, but greater prosperity can come from a gospel-centered life and worldview. It's not because of our "seed faith," but because we see our faith lived out in a new kind of life.
While everything in my financial life may not be increasing in measurable ways, the gospel is truly prosperous.
In other words, don’t get hung up on money when you see the word “prosperous.” James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.
What about Financial Miracles?
I don’t think we need to be afraid of the fact there are times when people are blessed materially in Scripture, sometimes even is response to their acts of faith. The question is, “Is this the norm, a common occurrence, or is it the exception?”
Maybe we should ask why God blesses some with more material things than He does others. Is He rewarding faithfulness with more opportunity? Is God trying to show faithfulness in some people through the fact they don’t have as many resources as others?
We want to be thankful for what God has given us and we want to recognize that God blesses others. We also shouldn’t be mad at people who are blessed materially. We all must remember that we’re blessed—as Abraham was—to be a blessing.
When we live this way, we will become conduits of the blessing of God. Some Christians seem to think God has made them containers, complete with a lid. A container stores resources, but a conduit delivers them. We should continually be pouring out into others what God is pouring out into us.
The Key
Acknowledging that people prosper when they are changed by the gospel because they become better at their jobs is obvious. That's a form of Christian prosperity.
Believing that God can and does bless financially for His own purposes makes sense—and we should respond as those who are blessed by being a blessing.
The key is understand that we will not automatically receive materials blessing and to acknowledge that we can be remarkable blessed, and live an abundant life, in the midst of difficult circumstances. Poverty and persecution cannot overcome the prosperity that God provides for us in Christ.
Abundant Life
Abundant life is not about what we have. It’s not about what we get. It’s not about what we claim. Ultimately, abundant life is about what we receive as a gift from the Lord and to live knowing we are stewards of the blessings of God.
It’s not a sin to be rich (though it might be missing the point if we die rich). Furthermore, stewardship is not measure by what we have received, but by what we have given.
At the end of the day, perhaps that is how we know we have an abundant life—when we have shared our life with others. When we have enough of the blessings of God (mercy, peace, love, grace, wisdom, etc.) to share with our others, and then actually do it; that’s when we truly have abundant life.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/march/what-does-it-mean-to-have-abundant-life.html
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
2,869
This is a reply to # 2,315,186Just about every word of that spoke to me. I knew it, but just keeping grounded and not just wanting out of what seems so unreal is important.
This is kind of personal, but if it helps somebody then its good to share.
Today my sister got frustrated and started yelling at me. She said "you've been taken care of your whole life" like it was a bad thing. My husband was bigger than life, think d. trump like. I was 12 when I met him. (friends brother).
Him dying, was like my own personal superman dying. He could do anything. He knew me to the tiniest detail and vice versa.
We had troubles though and split up a while then got back together. Thankfully, I had him back for a wonderful time before he died.
But, my life, my superman, all my special things, my house, everything from that life is gone, except Bear. He loved him just as much as I do.
Our son is not a subject that I am free to speak about.
But, great post. None of us leave this world with someone. We all meet Jesus by ourselves. Glory begins with a very new and currently unimaginable understanding then.
-
Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
3,031
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... refreshed
8 y
2,882
This is a reply to # 2,315,243Wow Doc, I had no idea our lives mirrored one another so closely. For I too knew my future husband back when we were 15-16 years of age and I went from being taken care of by my parents to being a young wife. The day I was standing outside my home with a group of my girlfriends, did a group of young men drive by and upon seeing us, did they stop the car and one very handsome boy leaned out the window and said to us..."Have you girls been saved?"
Now as spiritual as that may have sounded, the truth was that this young man, who had been raised in a religious household was no more witnessing to us than I was to him when I flashed my baby blues at him with a smile. For I too was raised in a religious upbringing but without knowing Christ as my Savior.
I personally do not see anything wrong with being taken care of by another person. I would like to think that I took just as good of care of my young husband as he did me. It's not just one person giving and the other taking. That may be part of what undying love for one another is. But what I later came to understand about our type of love, was that I also gave god type status to him as well. I basically worshiped the ground he walked on. He could do no wrong in my eyes.
It wasn't until he was dying at an early age did I truly seek the One, True God. I needed to know that there was someone more powerful than death itself, who was looking out for me, my husband and child. And because Christ came into my life one night as I prayed for Him to reveal Himself to me, I became a new creation in Him. It was so apparent that my own husband finally asked me what had changed in me. I had not yet told him about my encounter with Christ because I thought he would mock me. But when he asked why I seemed different, I finally told him about Christ speaking to me and telling me to read my bible. I shared as well that I felt His presence with me and how I cried real tears of joy for the first time in my life. And because my husband was very ill and possibly dying, he eagerly listened to my story and believed me. He even had me start reading the bible to him every day.
It's so wonderful that our faith has grown through the years as God spiritually takes care of His widows. It's also wonderful that we have other christians in our lives that look out for us and grow with us. (even if they don't always understand us) We are not alone. :)- Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
2,954
This is a reply to # 2,315,282There are similarities for sure. But I moved away from him back here to Texas after high school. I worked for my other sister and later as a lease analyst for an oil company. I lived on my own for a while.
The oil business crashed back then. I was saved before I moved back. In fact a man where I worked was the one who witnessed to me shortly before I was saved.
My husband and I attended the same church when we were younger, but being saved wasn't their teaching. It was a more liberal church.
Its a long story, but I was saved first and although he was the stronger personality and I did adore him, I had to be the spiritual leader at first. God dealt him a hard blow early though and he gave his life to the Lord after we married.- Re: Why is it that most people are n... refreshed
8 y
2,750
This is a reply to # 2,315,290Oh ok. So when you say "always taken care of"...you mean something different than I do I guess. I was thinking it meant something like a stay at home housewife who's husband supports her. Which I consider myself a housewife, and we had a business that we ran together. So I had the best of both worlds. When he died I continued to run it myself to support myself and my child.
So perhaps you are saying you and your husband had more money than your sister and she sees you as "taken care of"...or pampered maybe? Pastors many times don't make much money if they lead a small church. If so, sorry I missed that understanding.- Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
3,007
This is a reply to # 2,315,299You were right, after I moved back to Missouri after the time spent here, we got married after dating a while. I was a stay at home mom. I was expecting within 3 mos. I didn't work outside the home, but ultimately began a very long school process many years later and was always self employed after that. He was always the main bread winner. But his superman title came from way more than that. Its hard to explain. But it was great.
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... refreshed
8 y
2,743
This is a reply to # 2,315,306Thanks for explaining Doc. What awesome experiences in life we have had with the Lord. :)
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... refreshed
8 y
2,743
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
3,007
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... refreshed
8 y
2,750
- Re: Why is it that most people are n... doc10
8 y
2,954
-
Share:
Translate This Page: