Will we yield to abundance or destruction? Our thoughts, words, and actions reflect our choice each day.
Delight is the first step to abundance.
Jesus wants us to delight in his Word. With an emphasis on abundance, we will do everything possible to start the day in the Bible. When you and I read the Bible, meditate on it, and memorize it, we take that first step. The Bible says, “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 ESV).
When I have a mid-morning appointment, I choose to get up early to start the day in the Bible. My eyes may be at half-mast, but I choose to yield to abundance.
How will you yield to abundance?
Discouragement is the first step to destruction.
The enemy wants you and me to be discouraged. With a negative focus, we can look at the things that go wrong and be discouraged. A friend told me she doesn’t get any sleep when the grand babies are teething. She chooses to nap after they leave. When thunder and lightning hit my area two weeks ago, I didn’t sleep. Discouragement could have slipped in, and the enemy could have won the first round. Instead, I chose an afternoon nap and an early bedtime.
Will we yield to abundance or destruction?
Abide is the second step to abundance.
Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:5 ESV). One friend sends me a text almost daily about abiding in the Lord and being fruitful. I appreciate her reminders.
Being afraid is the second step to destruction.
The Lord told Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which the Lord had already promised to the Israelites. After forty days they returned and gave a bad report. And besides, we saw the descendants of Ana there . . . “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31 ESV). The people were so afraid they chose to yield to destruction.
Technology is not one of my talents. I pray hard to keep up with the changes and not collapse in fear.
Devote is the third step to abundance.
“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14 ESV). When I read the church bulletin, I notice announcements for a blood drive, a ministry for widows/widowers, and activities for the youth. Several churches and similar organizations choose to meet urgent needs and be fruitful.
How will we meet urgent needs and be fruitful?
Disgraced is the third step to destruction.
If we get closer to destruction, we feel disgraced. Micah 3:7 says, “The seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God” (ESV). Those seers and diviners detested justice and accepted bribes. We see injustice and bribery all around us, but we don’t have to join in it.
A few days ago, someone asked me about a car parked across the street. I said, “That guy comes to help his relatives with yard work.” He does do that but that isn’t the main reason he’s parked there. Now I need to face that woman and tell her the truth.
Dance is the fourth step to yield to abundance.
We dance before the Lord as the psalmist David did in praise, repentance, and restoration. “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment” (2 Samuel 6:14 NLT).
A week ago, I needed to keep an early morning appointment. I read my Bible before I left. In the car, I sang the chorus, The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength. I modified my actions to maintain safety on the road. Instead of clapping, I tapped one hand on the steering wheel. Instead of raising both hands, I raised one hand about one inch from the wheel.
Depression is the fourth step to destruction.
A young woman became depressed after she got pregnant outside of marriage. She disappeared into a world of drugs and pornography for about five years. Her thoughts, words, and actions reflected her choice to yield to destruction, but her story didn’t end there.
That woman returned to her family and real friends.
I ask a final time, Will we yield to abundance or destruction? Our thoughts, words, and actions reflect our choice each day. What will you choose?
Internal Link
Thank Our Mothers or Mentors.
External Link
Overflowing with Abundance in Christ
https://maryandmartha.com/overflowing-with-abundance-in-christ/
Prayer: God, thank you so much for the people in my life who help me yield to abundance. Amen.
Next Step: Please feel free to leave a comment on this article. Thank you. I will answer you as soon as possible.
Yvonne, thank you for this message. Our words and actions show our love for God. Those words and actions can help lead others to God.
Yvonne Ortega
Thank you for stopping by, Melissa. Yes, I would rather lead someone to faith, hope, and love than to destruction. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Loved this Yvonne! Such a positive way to replace the negatives with positive choices!
Always looking for the positive. Very encouraging.
Thank you, Karen Whiting. I have learned to focus on the positive and prefer that to the negative. Have a great rest of the week.
Thank you, Manu. I’ve learned to prefer the positive to the negative.
Yvonne Ortega
Thanks for these encouraging words!
You’re welcome, Chris, and thank you for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.
Yvonne Ortega
What a motivating question to ask oneself each day! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
You’re welcome, Nan, and thank you for your response.
Yvonne Ortega
Thanks so much for an encouraging Words of God this morning . May we all be blessed today .
Hi Juanita, you’re welcome. Yes, may we all be blessed today and every day.
Yvonne
Thanks ,Yvonne, for the reminder of what leads to encouragement in our lives verses sorrow! Meditating on and reading the Bible is the best first step- just as you wrote!
Hi Ann,
You’re welcome, Ann. And thank you for stopping by and encouraging me.
Excellent, Yvonne. Well imagined, beautifully written, truly inspirational.
You’re welcome, Donn. I appreciate your kind words and how you affirm my efforts.
Have a great weekend.
Yvonne
Very uplifting, Yvonne!
Thank you for stopping by, Stevie. I appreciate your feedback. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks for this Yvonne! A true blessing today! Becky
Becky, you’re welcome. And thank you for blessing me. Have a great week in the Lord.
Yvonne, you made it clear we must choose abundance or we’ll risk destruction. Thank you for these practical tips.
You’re welcome, Debbie W. Wilson. I appreciate your feedback. Have a great weekend.