Wednesday Words of Encouragement

John 10:10 (HCSB) ~

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

I love fresh flowers and one of my favorites are lilacs.  They are vibrant, colorful, fragrant, fresh, alive, sweet, uplifting, inspirational, and beautiful.  These adjectives describe most flowers and they are words that should describe us as believers in Christ if we are rooted in him. 

So often though we seem to reflect a wilted bunch of flowers instead.  We have the life of Christ in us but have forgotten that He wants us to have abundant life.  We are drooping!

This can happen because of various obstacles and distractions in our lives.  And when that happens, our enemy, the devil is thrilled.  Because that is exactly what he wants.  He wants us to live ineffectual, "going through the motions" life.

As we dig into God's word and spend time in prayer, listening and then, obeying what He wants us to do, we will find that abundance in Him.

My desire is to live that abundant life but it won't happen though if I remain distracted. Distractions can take on many forms and will be different for different people.

For me, it can be trying to please people or worrying about what other people think.  It can be too much time spent on technology or it can be just sheer laziness.  For others, it may be something else.  Each of us knows what our distraction is that continues to hold us back.

My prayer is that we would put aside those distractions and obstacles and move forward and spring to life.  My prayer is that we would have a full-to-the-top, overflowing spiritual life that permeates every thing that we say, do and think.

Praying that each of you live that abundant life and exude a sweet fragrance today!