Life- to the extreme

I was thinking this morning about some things and just started writing things down, and it developed into this:

"...And by His [Jesus] stripes we are healed." ~Isaiah 53:5

"who Himself [Jesus] bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness- by whose stripes you were healed." ~1 Peter 2:24

"...healing all kinds of sickness and all kids of disease among the people...they brought to Him [Jesus] all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics and paralytics, and He healed them." ~ Matthew 5:23-24

"When evening had come, they brought to Him [Jesus] many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.'" ~ Matthew 8:16-17

So, when Jesus was beaten, before He was nailed to the cross, He purchased our healing. He carried all our sickness and disease. He took it all. He bore it all. Because He was beaten, we are healed. By His injury we were healed. So, since He already bore our sickness, disease, and pain, why should we bear it again? He already made a way for us to walk in health- nothing missing, nothing broken...nothing out of place, nothing weak- full of strength and vigor for life. Abundant life.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they more have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Jesus came so we can have abundant life, not dragging through the mud, barely making it life. ABUNDANT LIFE! =D That sounds good to me!

Abundant life...what does that look like?

Hmmm...well, abundance- having more than enough, not just a little more than needed, but this great big overflow! Overflow of what? Life.

So, life is just overflowing out of us. Abundant life. That brings to mind things like:
-Joy, certainly not depression. No matter what the situation, just a joy that bubbles over. A happiness and excitement about life that isn't limited by the circumstances. Even in the very worst circumstances there is something to smile about. If nothing else: God loves us! Yet, there's even so much more than that most of us can be thankful for.
So, joy, what else?

-Well, certainly walking in complete health. Abundant life, unhindered by pain or sickness. So, if we're completely healthy is that abundance, or just enough for our own self. I think abundance would look like being so full of this life of God that it overflows to other people. It could look like it did with Peter:

"So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." ~Acts 5:15-16

Or what happened with Peter and John:

"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.' And he took him by the hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them- walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." ~Acts 3:2-9

Then why should we be able to do this? Jesus is the Healer, not us, right? Yes, Jesus Christ is the Healer. However, this is what He said before He returned to heaven:

"'And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.'" ~Mark 16:17-18

Wow! Just think about that! Then, after you've gotten a hold of what it says, start living it! Enjoy the extreme life God has for you- abundant life! =D

Need Resources?

"'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.'" John 14:12-14

The resources and backing for work in the Kingdom of God are there, ready and available. It's all in order to advance the Kingdom of God and glorify the Father.

Because I believe in Jesus, I can do the same works He did on earth, and even greater works. Whatever I ask in the name of Jesus- according to His will (found the Bible) and character- He'll do it, in order to bring glory to the Father. =)

Specifically Created

"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'
'Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.'
But the LORD said to me, 'Do not say, "I am only a child." You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'Now, I have put my words in your mouth.'" (Jeremiah 1:4-9)

I love these verses! It shows how God created us each specifically for a purpose. I like what "The Principles and Power of Vision" says about this:

"Notice that God used the past tense. He had already set apart and appointed Jeremiah as a prophet. Yet at first, Jeremiah responded, 'I do not know how to speak' (v.6). God's reaction was, in effect, 'Do not say that! If I built you to be a prophet, don't tell Me you can't talk!'...
...Again, whatever God is causing you to dream is a revelation of your ability. Responsibility is really 'respond-ability' or the ability to respond to the requirement of your vision.

Everything about you is determined by your purpose. God built you, designed you, and gave you the right makeup for it. Your heritage and ethnic mix, the color of your skin, your language, your height, and all the other physical features are made for the fulfillment of your vision. You were built for what you're supposed to do. You are perfect for your purpose. This means that your ability isn't dependent on what you perceive as your limitations.

...Everything God gave you to do, you are able to do. For everything God put in your heart to do, you have the corresponding ability to accomplish.

Dreams are given to draw out what's already inside us and to activate God's power in enabling us to achieve our visions. This is why God may give us dreams that are bigger than our educations. ...Likewise, you may not have the background to do what you are going to do. People may not believe you can do it, yet what does it matter what they think? Just keep doing what God tells you to do. God never gives us dreams to frustrate us. He gives us dreams to deliver us from mediocrity and to reveal our true selves to the world. The more I study the Word of God, the more I realize that God appoints, anoints, and distinguishes people. He doesn't like them to get lost in mediocrity. Therefore, He said, in effect, 'Abraham, come out. Moses, come out. David, come out. You are lost among the average.' "