The Bible tells us that death will be the last enemy to be destroyed (1Corinthians 15:26)—and death is indeed our enemy. A foreign invader in this world, death is out of place and unwelcome. This is why we mourn at a funeral—because funerals were never meant to be. In the Old Testament, King David trusted the Lord to rescue his soul from the grave, resting in the hope that in the life after death, he would find himself in the presence of God, where there is “abundant joy” (Psalm 16:11).
But the hope of the Christian life is not only life after death; it’s much more than that. Yes, Jesus promised His followers eternal life, but He also spoke of a new life that starts right here and now. It is life with God, and it is eternal because God is eternal. Praying to the Father, Jesus said, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ” (John 17:3).
This promised life is abundant life (John 10:10). And how could it not be? David was right when he wrote that there is joy in the presence of God. Through the Holy Spirit, we carry that presence with us wherever we go. Life is not easy, but we can be joyful no matter what happens, because God is with us. Whether we die before the Lord returns or are caught up to meet Him in the air when He does (1Thessalonians 4:17), the life we have in Christ will continue. “Where, death, is your sting?” (1Corinthians 15:55).
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66 thoughts on "I Will Give You Abundant and Eternal Life"
Leaning on the great and precious promises of the Good Sheperd this morning. Thank you Jesus for making a way for me and giving me your abundant life. ❤️
I am filled up by hope today again knowing that we don’t have to wait to heaven to find joy in the house of the Lord, and today I choose life. I am thankful to Jesus for all he has done to enable this. I am confident of this, I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Thank God because there is so much to weary, discourage, deceive and deter in the world, but by the Grace of God and by his Spirit there is life. Thank you God. I needed to be reminded of this today. I pray this would change my heart and my mind today and would radiate through today. Amen
So thankful to have a relationship with a god who keeps us together even after death!
The very last sentence Jesus states in John 10:10 moved me tonight. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Wow! As a young adult still trying to find her way, I have questioned the meaning and purpose of why I am here for a few years now. I would ask God “What is it you have called me to do!?” I have questioned “There needs to be more to life than just this.” It wasn’t until I spent more intentional time with Jesus and his word that I felt true joy in life. I feel so blessed in the life he has given me! From the very big things to the very small. It’s through his love, forgiveness, and grace that I have recently felt an abundant life. Surely, life throws curveballs at us. Most recently, I’ve focused on how I react to those curveballs and to how Jesus would want me to respond. In admiring the joy I have in this earthly life Jesus has given me, I can’t even imagine what awaits for us all in Heaven!
I love that reminder that the reason we mourn is because we know we weren’t made to die. We can feel the externality of our souls. That is one of the things God uses to draw us to him.
Thank you Jesus that this world is only temporary, thank you that you have given us life abundant.
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WOW what an encouragement for children of God! Oh what a day it will be when we meet with our Father!
This is my temporary home!!!! God has prepared a place for me!!!
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Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
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My Jesus Calling devotion from May 2nd had John 10:10 as one of the verses where John talks about having abundant life. My NIV Bible says “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The word abundant really struck me and led me to look deeper into what abundant life in Christ looks like. Here are some things I found:
1. An abundant life comes from following God’s ways, pursuing holiness, and seeking to be more like Him – which today’s devotion promises if we seek, we will find (Matt 7:7-11).
2. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is evidence/an outward expression of living an abundant life in Christ.
3. An abundant life is not a result of external circumstances, but a state of being from within.
4. An abundant life is achieved when we seek to live out Matt 6:33 “But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
5. Abundant in Greek means “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure” – these words describe the love of God that is offered to us through salvation in Jesus
6. Abundant life is ETERNAL life with God (exactly what our devotion talks about today!)
Hopefully this helps encourage anyone who might also be curious what abundant life looks like in Christ! Happy National Day of Prayer everyone :)
Matthew 7:7-11: There aren’t any restraints or hoops to jump through. All God wants you to do is ask. All God wants you to do is seek. All God wants you to do is knock.
Don’t overcomplicate how simple it is to live a blessed life.
Don’t underestimate how ready God is to give you what you truly desire.
Erricka, this is SPOT on!! I think I (and I’m sure many others) think it’s difficult sometimes but it’s really this simple. Thank you for this ❤️❤️
I needed this one today. And the song afterwards in the Promises of God Study book. It’s been a tough day and reading this tonight was exactly what I needed to hear. ❤️
Amen…powerful
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I love that Jesus came to not only give us eternal life but abundant life here on earth. The circumstances of my life don’t feel very abundant right now, but I’m praying that God will fill me with his abundant life. I pray he will show me that the abundant life isn’t found in our circumstances, but his spirit.
Oh Pam. Tears in my eyes as I read your post. Prayers for all involved. Jesus, wrap them in Your arms. Give them Your words of hope. Help them, Jesus.
Such wonderful scriptures reminding us of the eternal life which has already started here. This I believe with all my heart. But this has been a very difficult weekend and week. On Saturday morning I learned of the home going Of a very wonderful godly lady. She was 89 years old, vibrant, always a twinkle in her eyes, lover of God , Teacher of the word, and published writer. We will miss her, the She’s with Jesus and with her beloved Husband of 70 years who made his own journey to heaven just 4 months ago. Such a sweet reunion. But later that afternoon we got a call from our oldest son asking for prayer, as his sensei and dearest friend, Only 45 years old was deliberately run down by a perpetrator In a grocery store parking lot. Oh, the grief that has flowed to my children and grand children At what seems like such a senseless death, a murder. He was beloved by so many. My son had been doing Bible study with him, helping him grow in his faith. So many Whys. And yet the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Our son and his wife have become those the family is leaning on. Please pray that God continually fills their mouths with His words as they minister. Our ministry right now is to minister to our children. We cover your prayers.
Oh death where is your sting? Words we need to hear.
Today’s devotion briefly referenced a verse from 1 Thessalonians 4. During this global pandemic, I’ve found myself thinking more about death and worrying about losing loved ones. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 has always been a comfort to me:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Death is still the enemy and will darken all of our doors, but for the believer, we don’t mourn without hope. We have eternal life in Christ and He will come again to make all things news.
❤️
Katie Fleming. Believing God for you to have a perfectly healthy, happy baby that will rise up and call The Lord blessed
Kenzie, to answer your question from yesterday I believe many people believe the meaning for Shalom is rest. So the author is saying there is more to the meaning of Shalom than rest. The author is also saying how we should rely on God to achieve the meaning she has given us for Shalom. I hope this helps.
Being joyful no matter what happens isn’t always easy. Life can throw you some tough and hard things to cope with I have found out. I have also found no matter what the circumstances God, Christ and the Holy Spirit will be there with you through it all if you let them and ask them into your life. I have had to ask multiple times, raising two AD/HD sons; living with a husband with AD/HD for 11 years; the death of one son at the age of 18; the other son using drugs after his brother’s death because he blamed himself for it; and the death of a niece who was like a daughter and was a roommate at the age of 35. My faith has carried me through and the joy others received from my loved ones Who died early in their life gives me joy. Father, God remind me of all the joy you have sent my way. Remind me of the happiness and rejoicing my loved ones who went before me did in your name. Amen.
Oh death where is your sting? (1 Cor 15:55) What a wonderful day that will be when we all go HOME whether by death on this earth or when Jesus comes to get us. My daughter and I have these conversations and long to go HOME.! Meanwhile we wait. While life can be hard sometimes I’m thankful for the JOY that God gives us. Sometimes it’s in the early morning sunrise other times it’s sitting outside with my son drinking “iced” pour-over coffee that he made for us and the 2 of us watching the sun go down. It’s breathtaking. I will cherish these nights forever.
I love this Mari! We can long for heaven but also savor our time on earth. And it’s truly the little things in life that can bring the greatest joy!
Thank you Jesus that we have eternal life. The promise today was so needed. Jesus said it multiple times that the only way to eternal life is by believing in him. There is hope in Jesus, peace, forgiveness and joy! This reminder is what I needed today. For no reason I’ve been feeling a little down and reading these words really have helped me not overthink things right now. Have a blessed day everyone ❤️
What a message of Unwavering Hope …. and Knowing. Makes my heart beat fast in celebration!
Thank You :)
What a wonderful reading this morning and such a great reminder of abundant and eternal life. One of my favorite passages: Romans 6:23 ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Thank you Jesus!
This is very encouraging to know that he provides when we ask but he provides what’s meant for us .
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In your presence is fullness of joy… Ps 16:11
So encouraging!!! Eternal life is knowing God. Not just in heaven one day. Personally. Now. There is joy in his presence… And his presence is all-encompassing. He is behind you, and beside you, and before you and within you! John 15:11 tells us to abide in Christ, so that you will be filled with HIS joy! We can do that now! Then the best part of heaven will be the full realization of God’s presence! When Joy is complete! My heart it longs to go! ❤️
Something that was revealed to me as I read these scripture passages was how much if my fear is rooted in not fully resting in God’s promise of eternal life. I place my hope in all these other things (my work, my children, my friendships, my spouse) and when they fail me or when they hurt me, I crumble; or I get overcome with worry that something will happen to them. God’s presence offers us abundant joy. It is in His presence that we experience the peace of a heavenly perspective.
This is true for me as well. Thank you for your insight.
The comfort of the Scriptures!
The things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal. May we ever be focused on eternity.
Grace and peace to the family of Lamon. God’s Grace is sufficient.
Blessed Beth, THANK YOU for sharing. Even after your mom was in heaven with Jesus, He used her influence to guide you and comfort you through the Holy Spirit. That is our God.
Churchmouse, I am in prayer with you that the numbers coming to eternal life in Jesus may far outnumber the deaths. I hope is built on nothing less than Jesus.
Cassandra King and Lamon, you are in my prayers this morning as you battle this disease. Even in this time of illness, may the light of Jesus Christ be evident in you. May someone who is hopeless and lost without Christ be drawn in by His radiance out of you. May they find eternal life even this day – dying to sin, alive in Christ. As your bodies heal, may your lives shine.
And Katie, praise God for the little one growing inside of you! At this very moment my niece, Lauren, is in labor with her first in Alabama. Hers too, has been a long anticipated joy. I smile when I think about you Katie, about Lauren, about my own daughter-in-law when she became a mother for the first time (& now has 3), and even about Claire-Berkeley-Hitt, Jennie, and Haylee, young moms in the thick of it right now. Motherhood is not for wimps, it is one of the most exhausting, humbling, exhilarating, blessings ever! God is trusting each of you with His precious little people. They are a part of this abundant life He has given you for now and eternity and, you are a part of the abundant life He has planned for them…this moment, and every tomorrow. For even as Blessed Beth shared today, once our life ends in this earthly dwelling and we are resting in the shalom shadow of the Almighty…the message of Jesus will live on for generations to come. Who we are doesn’t matter as much as WHOSE we are – that is eternal!
Angie, thank you! It is beautiful to be reminded that the little ones are part of the abundant life God is giving me and that I am part of an abundant life for them. I often call them “my blessings”, but I sometimes focus too much on my failures and what I DIDN’T get done in a day. I forget that I am a blessing to them, too. It is an honor.
Katie, such joyful news! Keeping you in my prayers.
Also praying for Lamon, his family, and his care team.
Yes Ruth, I’m praying for healing for Lamon, that the presence of Jesus is more than enough to see him through. May Lamon never feel alone in his hospital room for Jesus is surely there.
Katie that is great news!
All this week everything I read and study has had reference to Psalm 16, 23 or John 10. All about sheep and how Jesus alone is our good shepherd. May I truly live out of the abundance of this knowledge and the care He has and the life He gives and longs to give to each ONE…every single person- praying for many lives to turn to Jesus.
Awesome devotional and scripture today! And so timely. I’m thankful that during this time of uncertainty that God reigns on the throne!
Please pray for Lamon. He’s been hospitalized and released and readmitted to the hospital with Covid-19. He’s got heart issues and COPD. Now he has pneumonia in both lungs, a high fever and a low oxygen level. Thank you ladies!! Have a wonderful day!!
Katie, adding my prayers for the health of your little one – so happy for you!
Such good words! May we each experience abundant life today!
“But the hope of the Christian life is not only life after death; it is much more than that…It is life with God…
There is joy in the presence of God and through the Holy Spirit, we carry that presence with us wherever we go.”
Thanks “Churchmouse”, for reminding us again, that our strength is in Jesus… in these dark days…AND always! And, “Blessed Beth”, your reference to the Holy Spirit’s comfort is also timely! Dear SRT Sisters…We have this truth…Let’s fall on our faces, before Our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, The Anointed One, emptying ourselves and receiving His Holy Spirit’s Power… and go forward “With Abundant JOY”!!! Psalm 16:11
Thank You, Father, that we do NOT have to live in fear, help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, as we “place one foot in front of the other” and tap into the “!!Abundance of your Joy”
Praying Katie
To anyone interested in a National Day of Prayer event, see here: https://billygraham.org/live/national-day-of-prayer/?utm_source=bgea+05.05.2020&utm_medium=bgemail&utm_campaign=national+day+of+prayer&utm_content=BY205YNDP&SOURCE=BY205YNDP&fbclid=IwAR157m5k08iOq2czphkeBwpBSMiD4vicJ-6w-WLgEV1zDqkcEjcBPXr5zQY
I have been trying to get pregnant for months and months and yesterday I got my first positive test! Please pray for our growing miracle that Jesus will give it abundant life! For this child, I have prayed! ❤️❤️
Praying❤️
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Praying for you and the new life growing inside you. Congratulations. God is good. ❤️
Congratulations and glory to God! That is wonderful news Katie!
Congratulations, Katie, this is wonderful news!
Congratulations! Praise God for this precious little life!
Thank you all so much, what a blessed community this is!
Thank you Churchmouse, for pointing out these truths. There is no fear in Christ.
I pray that we would share with others the hope that we have during this time and other times also.
Have a great day!
Thank you Beth for sharing. Have a joy-filled day.
With this pandemic, many thoughts naturally turn to death. We’re bombarded with case numbers, the number of deaths, the age ranges, projections for the months ahead. When numbers rise so does fear. The Scriptures today provide the Hope everyone is looking for, though they may not know it. While I appreciate the knowledge of the medical and scientific communities, their knowledge pales in comparison to the wisdom of God’s Word. I turn from any fear and focus on faith – faith in the One who created this world and who has sovereign authority over it. We are not without access to how this life will go. It’s all in the Bible. He’s told us from beginning to end. And He’s shown us the way to live with hope and joy regardless of our circumstances. He tells us the Truth, not best guesses. John 3:16 is unambiguous. Romans 6:23 is direct. This is accurate data!
Thursday is the National Day of Prayer here in the USA. Let us be intentional in praying for the salvation of those who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Time may be short. Let us focus on life, not death. Let us pray that the numbers of those who come to eternal life will rise far beyond any numbers of deaths from this virus.
Amen! Thank you Churchmouse for you encouraging words.
Turn from fear and focus on faith…Amen and thank you Churchmouse!
Thank you Churchmouse! Your words offer encouragement during a tough time.
Thank you Churchmouse. Thank you for the reminder.
Yes!!!!
What a gift His Holy Spirit, I remember as a young mother knowing there was something missing in my life, but not knowing what it was. I had moved to this country, I had lost my mother to ovarian cancer, l had two baby girls, my husband worked overnights and I felt lost and alone. When out of nowhere God led me to my mother’s favorite author who introduced me to the gift for the lost and lonely, His Holy Spirit. Oh what a gift I have felt comfort ever since and able to deal with all situations with His help, situations I would never of gotten through without Him. I had no intention of sharing this but I am humbling and obediently doing so. My you feel His comfort today as you go through your struggles.
Who was the author?