A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!" As she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again. As she ran she once again began to pray, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late... But please don't shove me either!"
Introduction: We all want to live a productive, active life in our later years. We desire the abundant life that Jesus promised us in John 10:10 (NASB). I came THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.” Abundantly is also translated MORE ABUNDANTLY or WITH FULLNESS in some translations. There are a few simple but important lifestyle changes that we might consider making if we want to experience this full life. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22) gives us 7 COMMANDS that will help us to experience God in a new way in 2020.
Philippians 4:4 (ESV) states: Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I will say, Rejoice. Happiness is external and temporal. Happiness is like a rollercoaster. It moves up and down. At one moment you are on top of the world. At other times you are down in the dumps of despair. However, joy is internal and eternal. God’s joy is always with us.
In Philippians 4:6 (ESV) Paul writes: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. We must pray with God, not to or at God. Pray is having a conversation with God.
Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks ALWAYS and for EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Giving thanks in all things is thanking God in good time and in bad. The good refreshes us. The bad times make us stronger. Either way, we must give thanks.
Titus 1:2: God never lies or deceives us. The power of the Spirit is immeasurable. Don’t put yourself in any position that does not allow you to tap into it.
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. We grow spiritually through reading and studying God’s words. Trust in His interpretation.
Romans 12:2 explains: be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Making God’s commands habits in your life will give you the abundant life He promised (Romans 5:17).
Matthew 6:13: “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” God will never allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
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