LET YOUR SOUL DELIGHT ITSELF IN ABUNDANCE

                                                           Isaiah 55:1-2

The word ‘abundance’ literally means ‘more than enough’. It implies adequate quantity or supply; a high degree of provision/availability of something.

However, the abundance we are talking about here, is not just pointing to material acquisition. It looks beyond the realm of materialism. 

It simply refers to the spiritual blessings in heavenly places, which the Father had bestowed upon us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-6). 

This abundance speaks volumes about the overflow of God's blessings which we received through the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry Abba Father... (Romans 8:15).

Jesus said ‘For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him’ (Matt.13:12).

Let’s briefly examine three things involved in delighting one’s soul in abundance.

Listen carefully (hearken diligently) to God

Many folks are not aware of the truth that God still speaks in our days (Heb. 1:2). It takes a listening ear(s) to hear what the Spirit of God is saying in these last days (Matt. 11:15; 13:9; Rev. 2:7). Furthermore, listening is a process which requires a deliberate and conscious effort on the part of the believer.

Eat what is good (feast on the Word of God)

The Word of God is the bread of life through which we possess eternal life (Deut. 8:2-3). This is the only food that can give us assurance of abundance.
Hear what Jesus said:
‘But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given Me the seal of his approval’ (John 6:27).

Let your soul delight in abundance

To delight in something is to have great pleasure or desire towards that thing.
The process flow is that, as you come to God’s presence with an open heart, the Word of God secures an entrance into your heart (Psalm 119:130). Thereafter, you feed regularly on the Word of God, that you may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2; Heb. 5:14). Furthermore, your soul begins to crave for abundance. 

Looking at abundance from another perspective here, it also means getting deeper in the things of God, i.e. seeking the depths of the true riches of God. Yearning for the spring that never gets dried up… 

The Word of God is the incorruptible seed that never dies (1 Peter 1:23). It will always command surplus provision.

Another way to delight in abundance is to cultivate an ‘abundance mind-set’. This allows you to lay up your treasures in heavenly places (Matt. 6:19-21). Through this, you become a channel of blessing to others.

NOTE: It is not possible for you to be a channel of blessings to others without you being truly blessed of God…

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
RESIDENT PASTOR

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A GIVING HEART

                                                       Romans 11:33-36; 12:1-2

Giving is a controversial but very important subject matter in the Christendom. Though it has been bastardized in the church, it still remains an important concept and has proven to be one of the keys to provoking God's blessings upon His people. By developing the right perception towards giving, we can tap into God’s resources and enjoy His ever-abundant supplies for our life and ministry.

Understanding Kingdom perspectives to giving

1. Giving starts with God

God is the Giver of all. Every good and perfect gift proceeds from Him (James 1:17). The Bible says ‘No man can receive a thing unless it is given to him from heaven’ (John 3:27). Even the greatest givers amongst men received what they gave from God.

2. Our giving must be entrenched in love (a more excellent way). Abel gave a more excellent gift than that of Cain. He cultivated a lifestyle of love for God, proved it by his giving. This provoked a testimony that he was faithful before God and it was accounted unto him as righteousness (Heb. 11:4; Gen. 4:4).

3. Giving must proceed from the heart. It's not a function of the substance or gift you offer, it's a function of your heart. Is your heart right towards God? While men look at the hand and probably the status of the giver (as well as the size of the gift), God examines critically, the heart of the giver (Psalm 24:3-6; Luke 16:15). 

What is the motive behind the giving? Many folks give to seek men's approval. Jesus said such people already have their reward (Matt. 6:1-4). 

4. It is more blessed to give than to receive... (Acts 20:35).

Giving according to the will of God

 

1. Present your body as a living sacrifice... Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalm 40:6-8. In other words, giving must be done in absolute obedience to the will of God. The Macedonian churches were used as examples (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

2. He gives seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Become a seed sower! Sow your God-given seed in faith (2 Cor. 9:10).

3. No matter how ‘poor’ you think you are, you will always have something to give. God has placed something in your custody, which should culminate into a blessing to humanity. 

Start with the little resources you have, as you begin to pour out yourself into the vessels that God has placed around you (human vessels), value will naturally flow towards you. As long as there are vessels to be filled, the flow of oil will never cease... The moment you stop being a channel of blessing, the supply of oil will cease (2 Kings 4:1-7).

4. Give to honour God (Prov. 3:9).

5. Give liberally and cheerfully (Prov. 11:24-25; 2 Cor. 9:6).

6. Give to the poor and needy (Prov. 19:17; 28:27).

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
RESIDENT PASTOR

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OVERFLOW: THE JOY OF BEING A BLESSING

                                                            

                                                    John 7:37-39, Eph. 5:18-19

Everyone desires to have every good thing in excess. You want to have just more than enough of everything in life either to store for a future use or to give the excess to others who may need it. No one seems to have enough of wealth, riches or material blessing in life as everyone tends to ask for just a little more.

However, the ability to keep getting more also largely depends on the capacity of the container into which the supposed blessing is being stored.  Moreover, if any container will continue to get more after being filled to the brim, then it must be ready to experience a spill over, hence the overflow.

WHAT IS OVERFLOW?

Overflow is a state of being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in a very overwhelming manner. It is a point of being totally sold out to God. It is a state of unlimited experience of God’s supply. Other ways of seeing overflow in the bible include but not limited to the following:

Spiritual fruitfulness – Psa. 31:19

Super abundance – Joel 2:24

Abundance supply – Phil. 4:19

Overflow is service dependent – Psa. 23: 5-6   

The experience of overflow in any man’s life leaves him with a blessing for his generation. At salvation when you surrender your life to God and follow on, you experience a blessing form God. You are indeed blessed because you have the joy of salvation. Acts 3:19  

But when you experience the overflow, you are operating in the realm of being a blessing. This state is actually higher than just being blessed. You become a blessing that every other person needs and runs to.  Overflow is not what a man experience for the purpose of edifying oneself alone but more importantly for the edification of others. The supply of grace for overflow is service dependent. Exod. 23:25.

For the continuous supply of overflow, you must be willing to be committed to relentless service in the body of Christ.  God never gives the Holy Spirit to anyone who is not going to work for Him. This reason may also explain why many people have not experienced the baptism of the Spirit.

THE HINDRANCE TO OVERFLOW 

While overflow is God’s desire for all his children, it is also true that not everyone can experience overflow because it is not everyone that’s ready to fulfil what it takes. So the following are some of the hindrances to overflow.

1.      Lack of capacity or insufficient capacity to retain the overflow – 2Kings 4:3-6  

2.      Self-sufficiency or self-righteousness – Luke 12:16-20

3.      Propensity to withhold the gifting of God rather than giving out

HOW CAN ONE TRULY BECOME A BLESSING?   

1.       Through the baptism of Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8

2.       Willingness to serve in God’s kingdom – Rom. 14:17-18

3.       Through obedience to God’s word

4.       Total surrendering to the will of God – Rom. 12:1.

PASTOR FEMI ATODE

     

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