God's wonderful love

It's important that we have our lives in order right now, that we live in joy and peace despite our situations, but here and now is not all that we should be worried about. Our salvation should be important to us because it was very important to God. It was so important to Him that He sent His only begotten Son to die for you and I so that we could have eternal life. (see John 3:16) You as a person and your salvation is so important to God that He's son had to die for you! You are special and you serve a loving God that cares especially for you! He has a love so great for you that He even know's the number of hairs on your head. (see luke 12:7) Could you love a God like that? A God that would give up His son for you? A God that knows you, cares for you and only wants the best for you. He is waiting for you to love Him in return, to speak to Him, to get to know Him. He doesn't want to be a distant God, He doesn't want you to worship Him out of ignorance but He wants you to get to know Him, to draw closer to Him and to include Him in your life. When I think about the love God had for me that while I was a no good sinner Jesus died for me. (see Romans 5:8) I could never understand how Jesus could die for us knowing that we are liers, murders, adulterers, slaunderers absolute sinful beings, how could He do it? What a great love He must have for you and I to have died for us knowing how we are. I am not perfect but the love Christ has for me continues to draw me closer to Him and helps me to turn from my sins and it can do the same for you. Christ died not only because He wanted to change our lives now but also to give us the gift of salvation. The gift a home in heaven, it was so important to Him that you would be with Him in heaven that He died for you. This gift you can choose to accept or to reject. God is calling you today to accept the sacrifice that was made for you on the cross so that you can have eternal life. This requires a decision from you to not only believe in the saving power of Jesus' sacrifice but also to believe that from now on you will be changed. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) God comes in to your life to change you, so that you can be the great person He intended you to be, a person free from the chains of sin and addiction etc. After a decision is made you have to act on it, you can use your direct line to God which is pray to thank for Jesus' sacrifice and ask Him to enter your heart, to change and also to forgive you of past sins and for Him to help you turn away from them. Remember that with God all things are possible, there's no addiction to strong that He can't help you let go of, there's no sin so great that He can't forgive. Lastly get to know Him because you can't love a God that you don't know, and by reading His word you can know Him. This act of prayer, handing over yourself to God and getting to know Him is nothing something that is once if but that should be done daily, because you can't be victorious over your carnal nature without God on your side. Paul understood this when he wrote these solemn words "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31) it is not a literal death but a death to self so that Christ might live in Him. That is what we need everyday. So today and everyday give your life to God.

A Lifetime Guarantee
Will you take me back, dear Lord,

I've been gone from You so long;

I have lost track of all my sins,

And I've spent years in doing wrong.

I did so many prideful things,

And shamelessly did boast;

I broke so many loving hearts

And hurt the people I loved most.

I've heard about atonement,

I've been warned of Judgment Day;

And even though I listened,

I still strayed far away.

Will you welcome me again, dear Lord,

And forgive me one more time?

Will You share Your Father's love with me,

If I truly give You mine?

I'm so sorry that I left You,

God,I'm saddened now ... and low;

God smiled, "You didn't leave me, child,I never let you go!""

I promised you Salvation,

My Word cannot be undone;

You got a Lifetime Guarantee,

When I gave up my Precious Son."

http://www.homewithgod.com/Cards/alifetimegaurantee.shtml

Living life abundantly

Think back and notice the progress that you've made and the changes you've experienced in your life, note them down so that whenever you feel like giving up they will remind were you've come from. There's nothing much else I can say, continue to thank God for what He's done for you and share it with other's. How you feel in life is a choice, so everyday continue to choose to live that day to the full, to give glory to God, help those around you and spend time doing something you love. Remember the choices you make today affect how you will live tomorrow. Choose not to be depressed, choose not to hold on to hurt and anger, choose to let go and live in peace daily so that you will be able to live life abundantly. If I can do it, so can you.

Joyfulby Jill Eisnaugle
When you awake, tomorrow morn
Open the shades; greet each sun ray
A new beginning shall be born
A start from which you’ll never stray
The skies above, so crystal clear
Will pave a path to brighter hours
Your heart will be embraced by cheer
As you move from yesterday’s showers.

When you awake, start with a smile
The best, my friend, is yet to be
Promise to make your time worthwhile
Then, you will find bliss shall not flee
Approach the future, filled with peace
And you will see when day is through
Contentment, unable to cease
Will have made its way there with you.

When you awake, come next sunrise
Take time to say, “I love myself”The twinkle shining in your eyes
Articulates your inner wealth
As you head down your path, have trust
That good tidings will come your way
Then carry on, howe'er you must
While you behold a joyful day
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=12769&id=211284

Wednesday - Implementation

Today is the day! Well if you haven't already implemented the action plan begin now, it's never to late to start. Today i'm going to include an inspirational story to help you on your way. Take time to read it and i pray you feel inspired to take this moment and live it abundantly.

Take Hold of Every Moment
by Author Unknown

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
"This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package." He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
"She got this the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on. Was saving it for a special occasion.
Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothings he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said:
"Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".
I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work. I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if i feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words "Someday..." and "One Day..." are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now.
I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come. I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends I would meet, letters... letters that i wanted to write "One of this days". I would regret and feel sad, because I didn't say to my brothers and sons, not times enough at least, how much I love them.
Now, I try not to delay, postpone or keep anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives. And, on each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
http://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/take-hold-of-every-moment.html

Psalm 18: 1-3
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

Tuesday - Action plan

Today is the day, that we get everything going. It's time for an action plan. I hope you have your Bible ready because we are going to be searching to find it's secrets to abundant life. Try to encorporate this into today and every day from now on.



1. Begin each day by praying. If you haven't prayed for long or never at all begin by praying the Lord's prayer found in Mathew 6:9-13 and it goes as follows:

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.

for ever and ever. Amen



Youu can also use this prayer as guideline for what to include in your prayers, confessions, thanksgiving and praise. The more your pray, the more your prayers will become natural. God has given us prayer as a direct line to Him, He wants to hear from you. You can tell Him everything and anything. Giving your burdens to God in prayer is the first step to having an abundant life. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 Prayer is important as it gives us the opportunity to talk over our problems, needs and everything else with God therefore lifting many burdens of our shoulders. I've heard many times of the talking cure, so talk to God to be cured.

2. Spend time reading the Bible. The amount of time and what you is entirely up to you, but if your wondering where to begin i'd suggest either psalms, matthew or romans. Each of these has a special message for us, people who want abundant life. We can learn from David's psalms of trial and praises many ways to deal with situation, from matthew or any of the Gospels we can learn more about Jesus and the miracles He performed on earth and this can increase our faith, Paul's great love for God as expressed in Romans can help our love for Him to grow. It's important for you to spend time in God's word because it can change you, your life will never be the same again. Every time before you open the Word of God be sure to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance.

3. Do something good for someone else. If we focus our minds on other people it becomes easier for us to not moan about our situations but it helps us realise how blessed we are. Everyone rich or poor often needs a friendly smile, some act of love. Be kind, generous and loving to all those that you meet but first start in your home. Begin by doing something nice for your family and loved ones, give of your time, love and wealth to those in and out your family that need it.
Galatians 6:9-10 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

4. Spend time laughing or doing something fun. Take some of the time that you'd normally spend in front of the tv and spend it doing something different. Spend some time with old friends that will lift your spirit. Spend playing games with your kids or doing a sport. You could even just take a stroll in the park. Whatever else you can think of doing that isn't stressful and that you love you could do to. It's important to get some time to relax and enjoy life. A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22

5. Do steps 1-4 everyday and you will begin to live abundant life. It will not come in a second, but if you choose to live abundantly and forget the horrible things of the past, you can grab hold of today and live it to the full. I wont say that it will be easy to change your mindset our your habitats but take each day as it comes and do the best you can. If you ever feel like giving up or throwing in the towel then remember this verse: I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. (Phil 4:13) God bless you as you embark on this wonderful journey, never give up, there is something better planned for you.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

Monday: Solution

There is only one lasting solution to living a lifeless life and that solution is found in Christ. He has something to offer you and that is abundant life. John 10:10 says: "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."(KJV) Jesus came to the earth so that we wouldn't have to live hopeless lives, so that we wouldn't be bound by sin and death; he came so that we could have abundant life. He knew that you would need Him, that you would feel this way, so he came to give you hope and peace. You have to accept His gift in for you and then allow it to change you. Jesus came so that you didn't have to see life the way the world sees it and so that you can be changed for the better. Do you want strength, peace and hope? Jesus's gift will give you this. Begin today by praying and begining to study your Bible so that you might find out for your self what Jesus has planned for you. Abundant life doesn't mean a life of wealth and glamour, it means a life filled with peace, love and joy. Peace in knowing that God will forgive your sins and erase your past,“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5). Joy in knowing that Jesus is coming back for you that this life isn't the end, there is something better planned for you.Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14: 1-3). Mostly importantly basking in the love of God and letting it shine through your life. 1 John 4:9-10"God showed how much He loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Sin as a sacrifice to take away our sins." Abundant life is yours and it is found in Jesus try him today and He'll fulfill the deepest longings of your heart.

Jesus Came To Save
by Cindy Wyatt
Jesus came not to call the righteous but sinners to repent
When he left heaven to come to earth that was his sole intent
It's not the people who are whole but those sick who need a physician
Jesus came to save sinners
That's why he gave the great commission


He told us to go into the all the world and preach the gospel to every creature
Jesus came to the world to save sinners, not just to be a good teacher
He died on the cross for all the sins of the world
that those who would on him believe and trust his shed blood for remission of sin
would his free gift of salvation receive


To receive this wonderful gift of eternal life,
you only need to look to Jesus and live
He has already paid your sin debt and is ready and willing to forgive
Jesus loves you so much that he suffered and bled and died
If you've never asked him to be your savior, then today is the day to decide


Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day
to save you from going to hell
That is the gospel story the greatest story ever to tell
You only need to trust Jesus with your heart and ask him to be your savior
He'll forgive you of all your sin and write your name in heaven
and give you abundant life and so much more
http://www.christart.com/poetry/poem4536.htm

Today take this verse and apply it to your life: Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (NIV)

Sunday - Realisation

The first step in achieving abundant life, is realising that the life you are currently living is lifeless and realizing that there is something better for you and that you want that something better. Begin by writing down the reasons why you feel lifeless are you unhappy at work, have problems in your marriage, are you shunned and looked down upon, whatever the reason/s start by writing them down. Sometimes feeling lifeless comes to us for just a season when we are going through something but no matter what the reasons are, the next step is to decide today that no matter what problems you have in your life, life is worth living! You are special, you were made in the image of God and He loves you very much and today He says to you: "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7)." Every life must have trials, tribulations and pains but each of these come and in time go. They change you, teach you things you didn't know and often leave you stronger than you were before. Your lifelessness is the same it is here now but there is hope it isn't here to stay, tomorrow will get better and with each day you'll see that there is abundant life for you. It is important that you begin to think about the reasons you have to live and what keeps you going. I also suggest that you pray to God and tell Him how you feel, tell Him why and lay your burdens at His feet. He's waiting to hear from you.

More To Life
Challenges come both large and smal
lBut what does guide us through it allIs it anger, is it rage
To see the deed on written page
A waste of time, a waste of thought
A horrid lesson you've been taught
Will you win or will you lose
Or will you play, you have to choose
What's in the winning
If already you've lost
You need to step back
And then weigh the cost
There is more to life than what seems to be now
you just need to learn what
and figure out how
http://www.sacredpoems.com/life16.htm

Going from living lifeless to living life ABUNDANTLY!

Have you often felt as if your body was alive but everything within you is dead; your emotions, your will to get up, to go on, you feel weary and down; some may call this a feeling of lifelessness. What do you when you feel like this? I have often felt like this and I thought what can be done to make me stop feeling like this? I wanted to feel alive like I had an abundant life. When I felt like this I clung to the promise of Jesus found in John 10:10 where He says that He has come to give life and life more abundantly. So if He came to do that, why wasn't I experiencing this life? Maybe you wonder that as well, so for this next week each day we will explore how you can have life more abundantly. So these will be the topics, Sunday: Realisation, Monday: Solutions, Tuesday: Action plan, Wednesday: Implementation, Thursday: Revision, Friday: Giving Thanks, Saturday: Living Abundantly. Jesus promised that He came to give us life more abundantly, that promise is for me and you and if you follow this blog for the next week you will learn how to claim that promise in your life. No matter what point you are in your life, it's never too late to start over, its never to late, to start living again.

A precious gift
Life can get you down,
But you don't have to let it keep you down
If you read God's word you will see
He has something better planned for you and me
Better than lifeless living
Better than anything money can afford
He has the gift of abundant life
He'll give it to you
If you ask
A life of peace and joy
A life with a lifeline to Heaven
To keep you going strong
You see,
You don't have to give up
You don't have to throw in the towel
God cares for YOU
He loves YOU
And that's why He wants to give you a gift
The gift of abundant life
Commaner

Today

Today is new day, with brand new possibilities. New things to do, new challenges to tackle. It's important to realise that each day given to you is God, and you need to live each day to the full. This includes doing your work to the best of your ability, spending time in the word of God and spending time with family. By giving each of these three special attention in your day, you will be living your day to the fullest. If opportunities to do good, to help someone or just to be kind come your way today, don't hesitate to do it. If you live your life giving special time for the things that are important to you and not clustering your day with unimportant things you will feel peaceful at the end of the day. God gives you peace and this peace is found in discipline, self-control and spending time giving God all your problems. Claim God's promise of peace for your life and live today abundantly. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5.1-5) Don't live in the past, let go and move on, don't live only for the future, you might not see that day; live for today, today is all you have. Make right with those you'v wronged and make the best of each good opportunity given to you.

Begin Again
by Susan Coolidge
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Every day is the world made new;
You who are weary of sorrow and sinning,
Here is a beautiful hope for you-
A hope for me and a hope for you.


All the past things are past and over,
The tasks are done and the tears are shed;
Yesterday’s errors let yesterday cover;
Yesterday’s wounds, which smarted and bled,
Are healed with the healing which night has shed.

Yesterday now is a part of forever,
Bound up in a sheaf, which God holds tight;
With glad days, and sad days and bad days which never
Shall visit us more with their bloom and their blight,
Their fullness of sunshine or sorrowful night.
Let them go, since we cannot relieve them,
Cannot undo and cannot atone;
God in His mercy, receive, forgive them;
Only the new days are our own,
Today is ours, and today alone.


Here are the skies all burnished brightly,
Here is the spent earth all reborn,
Here are the tired limbs springing lightly
To face the sun and to share the morn,
In the chrism of dew and the cool of dawn.

Every day is a fresh beginning;
Listen, my soul, to the glad refrain,
And, spite of old sorrow and older sinning,
And puzzles forecasted and possible pain
Take heart with the day, and begin again.

http://www.inspirationalwordsofwisdom.com/begin-again.html

Never Give up

In this time of recession, it seems to most of us that more than the economy is receeding, our wealth, our treasures, our jobs, everything we've worked for just seems to be slipping through our hands. It is in these times when we need to turn to God, we need to remember where He has brought us from, so that we might have faith to get through today. Lift your spirit by praising God and thanking Him for all you have, don't dwell on the negative but stay positive by walking close to God. Everything may not come right at first but find a verse in the Bible that you can hold on to, that will keep you from losing hope. I like to think of this verse in times of trouble: And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Never give up, everything that you are going through will work out for your good, you may not see it now but one day looking back you will see how God has worked in your life.

FAITH WILL CONQUER

If you are going through a trial

And the burden is heavy for you

Surrender it all to Jesus

He knows what to do.

Increase your Faith every day

Keep pressing on and be strong

Faith will conquer every fear

God can fill your heart with song.

Even when you are so weary

And when tears dim your eyes

Trust in God to bring you through.

He is with you and hears your cries.

When discouragement touches your mind

And your heart aches with pain

God will lift the hard times from you

Be patient as He restores you again.

Pray to God for every moment

Lift your voice up in praise

It will help to lift your spirit

Let Him guide in all your ways.

Leona I. Miller

http://www.hopecrc.ca/Encouragement.htm