The Abundant Life

(Prov 14:12 KJV) (Prov 16:25 KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

"Drugs, sex and Rock'n'Roll", "The All mighty Dollar", "Go for the Gusto" are popular slogans of life styles that the world would have you believe. The enemy lies and says "this is the life!" but then you find your happiness is stolen or your life destroyed. My experience, The Police, Hospitals and even God will tell you "the end thereof is DEATH".

(John 10:10 KJV) 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.

In reality there is only one life style that will end in eternal life and an abundant life on earth as well. The Christian life style. The Abundant life may not be as exciting, or addicting, or as passionate or as "fun' as the life styles of the World but the Christian life style has so much more harmony, peace and of course LOVE!

The life style of Jesus is of no earthly good to anyone or us until we apply it to our lives and personal relationships. Where the rubber meets the road is when we talk, argue, love, hate, fight and ignore our friends, relatives, employees, bosses etc. The two great commandment of Christ are:

The secret to fulfilling these commandants we find in the teachings of Christ on humility. Just as self-worship was the fall of mankind so is humbling yourself to the Kingdom of God the beginning of Grace.

I cannot emphasis more the value of learning your position in Christ. Pride is the destroyer of marriages and families. It leads people to do many inhumane acts. Today, there is no lack for news of people killing their own parents or raping their own daughters or beating a child to death. Knowing that you will some day, stand before God with your friends, family or lovers as witnesses should sober anyone. Remember how you treat your wife, daughter, son or anyone is recorded and watched by God. Better we should humble ourselves now than face the wrath of God.

Jesus Christ humbly served us even unto death in obedience to God. So should we serve one another as He served us? As fathers or bosses or mothers or teachers we should remember we are first servants and second given our position by God! To often Satan leads us to believe we own our children or employees or wife when in fact they are lent to us by God. We should always treat them that way. They are after all the property of God. The humility of Christ teaches us that alone we are nothing, even our righteousness is as dirty rags (Isiah 64:6), yet in Christ, we become valuable. Just as a Diamond is worthless deep in the ground yet when found and worked by a jeweler it becomes of great value. Jesus works on us as we follow His commandments, and organization in life. I do not care how worthless you are, or worthless you think you are or what you've done. You can become a diamond shining bright. Put your pride is in Christ! Understanding this principal one can appreciate the hierarchy of life in the Lord.

There is secret strength and great power of this tradition. Today we lose our children at a rate of 15% to suicide and drugs. Unwanted pregnancies are aborted at a rate of 400,000 a year. Two of every three marriages end in divorce. What's the problem? We do not listen to the God, the creator of life. He ordained marriage and family for smooth running of society.

God understands the terrific workload, responsibility and friction that it takes to make a loving, happy and fruitful home. He therefore ordained the man to be the home provider. Providing the food, the house, the protection, which is a full time job. However, the house is not a home until the woman provides the care, the beauty, the organization and the fun of having a family, which is also a full-time job. Working together leaves time for children and enjoyment of life in harmony.

Today, the harmony is little enjoyed and rarely lasts long. Economic force, women's liberation, television morality and education system has battered and

broken the roles and views of the marriage and family. Men now compete at work then compete at home with their mates for leadership and roles. Everything is up for grabs, from who is going to cook or do the dishes to who is going to fix the roof and pay the bills. Women think the role of "home maker" is second class and feel they are being "oppressed". Television fills us with dissatisfaction of "old fashion" family values and life. The hero is never dad (Dad is usually the brunt of the Joke) and sex outside of marriage is always the prize. Even economics leaves little time to enjoy spouse and family. The family of today does not have enough time together. Both parents are at work 8 hours plus and when they get home they must do the domestics and take care of bills and emergencies. The average child under 11 watches 33 hours of television a week! Add this to about 35 hours of school and you have less than 8 waking hours per week with the child. No wonder our children seem to be God forsaken. They are, because they are parents forsaken!

The secret is to get back to the family values of God. All peoples and all creeds need only follow God's blueprint to heal our society. We all must swallow our pride and live more humble. Men must become more Christ like and sacrifice for

their families investing time and love. Women must again become homemakers and put the love and fun back into the family. Most of all we must again adopt the ways of Jesus and not let our ears be dull and hearts wax gross to the murdered children and the child murders. Then God will heal our families our nation and us.

Acts 28:27 (KJV) For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

It has been said that family is the closest we get to paradise on this earth except that Satan has spoiled it again! Indeed, Satan does use pride, television, economics and politics to destroy the unity and holiness of the family. Compare television show like "the Waltons" or "Father knows best" with "the Simpsons" or "married with Children" the top family show of today! We are destroying America's foundation because we are destroying God's foundation, the Family. Men and women, decide today to bring your families under the umbrella of Christ's rule and protection. Together find a biblical evangelical church and begin the road to recovery. Together also read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and build your marriage and family on it. Seek Christian counsel. Let Christ make your family into a diamond!! Amen.
Jesus is the guiding light to life. Click on the cross for some simple steps to begin a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is a great resource in time of trouble and for the family.