GodThoughtsWired! Archives

Thursday, February 8, 2007

External Evidences of the Abundant Life 1

External Evidences of the Abundant Life 1
Brad Reiches
Feb 8 2007 11:07AM

Thursday, February, 8, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"External Evidences of the Abundant Life"

PART 1

"I (Jesus) came that they might have life

and might have it abundantly.."

John 10:10

The External Evidence of the Abundant Life.

1. JOY. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" (John 15:11). I call it the "MY JOY!" It is an internal joy that is "visible-obvious-apparent" to all who know you. A joy that transcends the everyday ups and downs of life. A joy that is only found in Jesus. Those who have never known Jesus have never known this joy.

2. PEACE. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). I call it the "MY PEACE!" Much like the joy of Jesus, it is an internal peace that is "visible-obvious-apparent" to all who know you, and an inner-peace that remains regardless of circumstance. It is rarely seen because it is only found in those who abide in Jesus.

3. CONTENTMENT. Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am" (Philippians 4:11). Inherent in the "prosperity of the soul" that God offers us is an other-worldly contentment. Amidst this world of turmoil, fear, anxiety and discontent, the true disciple of Christ is...content.

"Hell and destruction are never full,

so the eyes of man are never satisfied."

Proverbs 27:20 (King James)

Although we are just getting started, if the abundant life that Jesus came to offer only included these three, joy, peace, and contentment, I would find His offer to be of inestimable value.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure...

which a man found...he goes and sells all

that he has, and buys that field."

Matthew 13:44

For more on this subject click on, Life At It's Best!

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Living Life with Jesus: Part 5

Living Life with Jesus: Part 5
Brad Reiches
Feb 7 2007 10:13AM

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Wednesday, February, 7, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Living Life with Jesus"

PART 5

"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper

and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

3 John 2

My goodness. The prosperity of the soul. "Who is the one who fears the Lord?...his soul will abide in prosperity" (Psalm 25:12-13). Nine years ago I didn't know what it was, "the prosperity of the soul." When I walked away from the Lord, turned my back on Him and went my own way and did my own thing...I had no idea!

Now I've come to realize that the vast majority have no idea. They've never experienced it because it is only realized within the context of a right relationship with Jesus. Jesus came to give us what He calls "The Abundant Life," (see John 10:10) but most have no idea what it is because it is only found in Him.

To reject Jesus is to reject the abundant life

that He offers. To live life outside of the will of God

is to live a life void of the 'prosperity of the soul.'

The External Evidence of the Abundant Life.

1. JOY. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" (John 15:11). I call it the "MY JOY!" It is an internal joy that is "visible-obvious-apparent" to all who know you. A joy that transcends the everyday ups and downs of life. A joy that is only found in Jesus. Those who have never known Jesus have never known this joy.

Approximately nine years ago I chose to live life without this joy. After three months the Spirit of God invited me to repent and return to Him. He didn't have to ask twice. I returned to God (see Malachi 3:7)...and the "MY JOY" returned to me.

For more on this subject click on, Life At It's Best!

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Living Life with Jesus: Part 4

Living Life with Jesus: Part 4
Brad Reiches
Feb 6 2007 09:46AM

February, 6, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Living Life with Jesus"

PART 4

"You will know them by their fruit."

Matthew 7:20

The other day I admitted, "I am open to being 'crazy,' but the fruit of my life suggests otherwise." Indeed. When I examine my life as I periodically do, I find that I am quite satisfied with the fruit. By "fruit" I mean EVIDENCE. The evidence that God is real. The evidence that God is good. The evidence that suggests that God's ways are the best ways.

So what are some examples of this "fruit?" Is there any evidence in my life that others could look to and find hard to simply chalk-up as "coincidence?" What can I point to in my life that assures me that God is real?

INNER EVIDENCES.

Answered prayer. The number of prayers that God has answered over the years may well be the single biggest "faith-builder" in my life. I can't imagine life without divine intervention. The Bible says, "And my God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phipippians 4:19). My life has been a progression of learning to depend on God ever-increasingly? Why? Because over the years I have found that God is trustworthy. I have found that He is real! I have come to depend on God for virtually everything because when I call on Him, He hears...and He acts!

The sense of His presence. There have been times in my life when the sense of God's presence was so strong that it dropped me to my knees in worship. "The Lord is intimate with the upright" (Proverbs 3:32). Most of the time these occurences have taken place after a dilligent time of seeking Him. What is the presence of God like? It's like the wind. Air is around us all the time, but when the wind blows we can feel it. We notice it. When the wind blows strong upon us it affects us. Such is the presence of God.

The sound of His voice. "My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me" (John 10:28). I've never heard the audible voice of God, but there have been times in my life when the inner voice of God has been as real as if it had been audible. "And your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:20).

The sight of His hand. I mean the undeniable work that I see God do. In my own life. In the lives of others, and what I see God doing in the world around me. The Bible says that all of creation "shouts" of His handywork (see Romans 1:18-20). Twenty-first century science has discovered that the complexities of the human body and the world around us are far too great to have happened by chance. The "fingerprints of God" are all around us...for those who are willing to look!

These "inner-evidences" are very important to me however, I am keenly aware that the skeptics are still not convinced. Tomorrow I'll begin to take a look at the "outer-evidences" that are much more difficult to explain away.

Friday, February 2, 2007

Living Life with Jesus: Part 3

Living Life with Jesus: Part 3
Brad Reiches
Feb 2 2007 10:34AM

February, 2, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Living Life with Jesus"

PART 3

"Actually, I am open to being 'crazy,'

but the fruit of my life suggests otherwise."

-Pastor Brad (GTWired!, February 1, 2007)

Last night after dinner and homework, my youngest daughter Jennifer (10) and I bundled up and headed for the local tennis courts for some "daddy-daughter" fun time. As a dad, life doesn't get any better! Afterwards, we headed for Jamba Juice for smoothies that she bought us with the gift cards she received from Christmas.

Was it real? Did I imagine it? Does Jennifer really exist? Karen or I drive them to school every morning, but does all of this really happen? Or is it a horrible example of a man who has lost touch with reality?

Last night after dinner while the girls were doing their homework, I bundled up and went outside for my usual prayer walk. For almost an hour I talked with God. I also listened. When I got home I jotted down in my journal the things that God spoke to me. There were moments during the walk that my relationship with Jesus was so intimate that He may as well have been there in the flesh...it was that real.

"My sheep hear My voice and I know them

and they follow Me."

John 10:28

But was it truly "real?" Or did I imagine it? Does Jesus really exist? I typically spend a couple hours with Him every morning, but what am I really doing? Is this another tragic example of a man who has lost his mind?

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Living Life with Jesus: Part 2

Living Life with Jesus: Part 2
Brad Reiches
Feb 1 2007 01:03PM

Happy February, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Living Life with Jesus"

PART 2

"I find "non-believers" to be incredibly presumptuous

when they nonchalantly disregard the existence of God.

For, if God does not exist, and my relationship with Jesus is not real,

that means I'm either a liar, or I'm crazy! And I know I'm not a liar..."

-Pastor Brad (GTWired!, January 31, 2007)

And that's my point. If my relationship with God were not real, and the inner voice that I sometimes hear not His, I would have stopped being a Christian long ago. I have no desire for a man-made religion. My entire life has been a quest for truth and I have found that truth in Jesus. The fruit of my relationship with Jesus has born such amazingly good fruit that I could never deny it, or turn away from it.

You see, if my relationship with God is not real, the only options left are that I'm a liar, or a lunatic. Those are the only options. In fact, those are the only options for Jesus Himself. Either He was a liar, a lunatic, or He was/is Lord. Every time someone questions or denies the existence of the biblical God they are leaving those of us who claim to have a relationship with Jesus with very few options. And since I know that I'm not a liar, the only option left is that I am..."LUNY TUNES!"

Actually, I am open to being "crazy," but the fruit of my life suggests otherwise.