- Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, David, Caleb, Joshua, King Jehoshaphat
- the lady with the issue of blood (Matt. 18:26)
- a blind man (Mark 8:22-26)
- a crippled woman (Luke 10:17)
- and many others who faced difficult circumstances and many times impossible situations.
God has revealed His plan for us in His Word. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only in order that he may steal, and may kill, and may destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows") (AMP)
What does it mean to have life in abundance? The original Greek word translated "abundance" in this scripture is perissos which means: super abundantly (in quantity), exceeding abundantly above, superior (in quality), beyond measure.
Ephesians 3:20 is the only other verse of Scripture in which the Greek word perissos is used. Here again it describes the abundant life that Jesus came to give you and I. "Now to Him who, by (inconsequence of) the (action of His) that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and do) super abundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams" (AMP)
What are your highest prayers, hopes and dreams? Take a moment and write down the desires of your heart. Think about this. Whatever you wrote down, God wants more for you than that.
Jesus came so that you can have life that's super-abundant in quantity, superior in quality and exceeding abundantly above and beyond measure. Deut. 28: 1-3 clearly reveals that God wants His people to be blessed in every area of their life.
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to carry out His purpose for you far over and above your highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams. He wants you to live a victorious Christian life by experiencing victory in every situation.
John 10:10 contrasts what the devil wants to do for you and what God wants to do for you.
→ God's will for you includes:
| VICTORY (1 Corinthians 15:57) | JOY (John 17:13) | |
| PEACE (John 14:27) | ABUNDANCE (2 Corinthians 9:6-11) | |
| HEALTH (Proverbs 4:20-22) | SUCCESS (Joshua 1:8) | |
| LOVE (2 Timothy 1:7) | SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Colossians 1:9-12) | |
| PROTECTION (Psalm 91) |
→ The devil’s desire for you includes:
| Defeat (1 Peter 5:8) | Failure (John 10:10) | |
| Worry-fear (2 Timothy 1:7) | Jealousy (James 3:14-15) | |
| Bondage (Ephesians 2:1-2) | Sickness (Luke 13:10-16, Acts 10:36) | |
Poverty (Proverbs 10:15 & 1 Peter 5:8)
| Discouragement (Psalm 42:9-11) |
1John 33:8 teaches us that Jesus has destroyed all the works of the devil. Jesus has redeemed us from each one of the characteristics of the devil. Jeremiah 19:11 describes the plan God has for His people. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (NIV).
James 1: 12-13, 16-17 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial...when tempted no one should say, God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (NIV)
What warning does God's Word give us in verse 16?
According to verse 17, what truth should you believe about your Heavenly Father? John 1:16-17 warns us not to be deceived into believing anything contrary to this truth from God's Word.James 1: 12-13, 16-17 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial...when tempted no one should say, God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (NIV)
Psalm 35:27 tells us what God desires for His people: Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad, and say continually, let the Lord be magnified, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant" (AMP).
The word prosper in Jeremiah 28:11 and the word prosperity in Psalm 35:27 are derivatives of the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom means: safe, well, happy, friendly, health, prosperity, peace. According to this definition then, what does God mean when He says in Jeremiah 29:11 that His plan is to prosper you?
Matthew 7:11 states, If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven (perfect as He is) give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him?" (AMP).
Just think about all that you want for your own children. Matthew 7:11 clearly reveals that God wants that and more for His children.
In 3 John 2 we are told again what God wants for His children. "Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospers" (KJV).
CONCLUSION
God has given us great and precious promises so we can experience the abundant lifestyle He has planned for us.Read 2 Peter 1:3-4, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in His divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (NIV).
God has given to you everything you need to live a victorious Christian life through knowledge of Jesus who is the Word of God (John 1:1, 14). God's Word contains hundreds of promises. If you want to receive all He has planned for you, don't neglect or reject any of them.
When you experience trials and troubles, you can find the answers you need in God's Word. God has given you many promises that offer hope in every situation. Although His will for you is abundant life and His plan is to prosper you, there will be times when you will go through trials or experience trying circumstances. When you face these situations look to God's Word for your answers to the problems.
The following Scriptures tell us what attitudes and actions can keep us from receiving answers to our prayers. We must keep our heart pure before God to have confidence before Him in prayer. 1 John 3:21 says that if your heart doesn't condemn you, you can have confidence that God will answer your prayer.
The Bible says in James 5:16, The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working") (AMP). God's promises of success in life and answered prayer belong to you as His child. You can claim them to be true in your life.
According to 2 Corinthians 1:20 ALL of these promises find their "yes" answer in Christ Jesus, therefore you can confidently respond to God's promises by saying, "Amen, so be it in my life."
LIVING FROM THE PROMISES OF GOD
by: Pastor Bill Lobbs
Whenever we find ourselves facing a problem, others will often encourage us to "put our trust in God!" Have you ever found yourself asking these question?
How can I be sure I'm trusting God? Is God trustworthy? (Can I really trust Him?)
How can I learn to trust Him more?
What has He promised concerning my problem?
How can I receive all that God has promised me?
In this Bible lesson, you will discover the answers to all these questions. You will learn about the wonderful plans God has for your life. You will study the wonderful promises He has given you through Jesus Christ. In addition, you will learn how to trust Him to bring them to pass in your life.
When we face a problem in life, God responds always with a promise. Do not allow the teachings of men, the experiences of others, your own impossible situation, or your own reasoning to cause you to doubt God's promises. I encourage you to become like God's people in Acts 17:11. They searched the Scripture daily to make sure that what they were being taught was true. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and guide and He will lead you to the truth that will set you free.
Pastor Bill Lobbs was an ordianed minister affiliated with the Assembly of God organization. His theological background was coupled with over 35 years of pastoral care and counselling services. His sermons are designed to inform the mind, stir the emotions and challenge the will, resulting in spiritual growth and maturity to those who digest the content.
We would like to give special thanks to Pastor Bill Lobbs' wife, Lois Lobbs, for having quickly, kindly and generously authorized us to post this article on our website. May God continue to bless her with His love, joy, peace and abundance.
For more infomation about Pastor Bill Lobbs or to read his many other great sermons and messages, we invite you to visit the website that his wife animates: Nuggets of Truth.
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