The Practice of Abundant Living

Trust in the Lord (v. 3)

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

If we are going to live abundantly, it is going to be because we exercise the spiritual gift of faith.

The spiritual gift of faith is exhibited by one with a strong and unshakeable confidence in God, His Word, and His promises. Examples of people with the gift of faith are those listed in Hebrews chapter 11. This chapter, often called “the hall of faith,” describes those whose faith was extraordinary, enabling them to do extraordinary, superhuman things. Here we see Noah spending 120 years building a huge boat when, up to that time, rain was non-existent and Abraham believing he would father a child when his wife’s natural ability to do so had ended. Without the special gift of faith from God, such things would have been impossible.

We need Christians who exhibit radical faith in God. Who are unafraid to trust him in the darkest hours.

Christian brother and sister, it’s time to stop living weak lives of faithless despondency.

We have the king of Glory as our God. We need to live ABUNDANT LIVES of ABUNDANT FAITH!

Delight in the Lord (v. 4)

Psalm 1:1–6 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

We delight in the Word, Will and Way of the Lord

Scripture memory, hiding God’s word in our hearts, is the most clear way to delight in the Lord.

As we memorize the word of God our hearts dwell on the truth of who God is and on his faithful and steadfast love.

Commit to the Lord (v. 5)

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

How do we commit to the Lord? We commit by faithfully seeking to do what he commands.

One way is by knowing what God commands.

Reading the Word and by obeying it. We must learn to take in God’s word faithfully, to make God’s word a part of who we are.

One way you can exercise this discipline is by using our Deep Dive Devotional Journal. We have some in the lobby at the welcome desk. This journal is designed to help you daily walk through the word of God. If you would like a one month journal complete with 30 days of sheets, please call the church office and let Betty know and we will print on one off. There are 10 in the Lobby right now. Pick one up on your way out.

Wait on the Lord (v. 7)

Psalm 5:3 ESV

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Finally, we wait on the Lord. Because of our faith in Christ and the new life we have in him, we wait on him.

We do this because of the example of Jesus:

Hebrews 5:7 ESV

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

We do this because of the commands of God

Philippians 4:6 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

God’s people, let us trust in the Lord in great faith, let us delight in the Lord and memorize his word. Let us commit ourselves to the Lord by studying his word, and let us wait on the lord in faithful prayer!