Abundant Life

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Friday February 22, 2008

1 John 10:9,10 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
9. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

According to verse 9, the people Jesus was talking about in verse 10 are those who are SAVED-- THAT'S US!
Jesus said that He came that WE may have life, and have it TO THE FULL! The King James says it a little better in this case:

1 John 10:9,10 (KJV)
9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10. 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.

Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY!

So what IS this "abundant life" that Jesus came to give us??

Verse 9 tells us that those who are SAVED will FIND PASTURE. Pasture is where sheep graze. If it's good pasture, the sheep can eat to their heart's content! So what are we "eating" in this "pasture"?

Psalm 23
1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. 3. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overfloews.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We know that Psalm 23 is talking about Christians, (see previous Daily Word on the subject: http://www.jimseekamp.com/04-26-05.htm )
and according to Psalm 23, we are in GREEN pastures! We're where the EATING IS GOOD! The Lord is with us with His rod and staff, so we don't fear any "wild animals" that could try to come after us (thieves that come to steal kill and destroy; satan and his evil spirits). A table is set before us where the cup we drink from overflows!

Verse 6 tells us that "goodness and mercy will follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, so this is not talking about heaven or eternity; it's talking about NOW!

The abundant life is awesome: no fear of anything because Jesus is here with us. Abundant pasture and a cup that overflows portray abundant prosperity! That's what God has for us if we will only receive it by faith!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your Word, that tells me so much about Your great love for me, and gives me examples of how to live. Help me to understand Your Word so I can understand Your ways better, and allow You to govern every area of my life.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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