Transform Your Life with Abundance-Based Faith

How often do we miss what is right in front of us?

This week, an old camera that one of the hosts from Antiques Road Show purchased for 60 euro sold at auction for 20,000 euro. The original owner had no idea what he had when he let it go for less than $75.

We often don’t understand the true value of what is already ours.

When I was newly married, I would sometimes pout with frustration at Rob or over a quarrel. That’s when I would look back in my journals from when I was single and reread all the times I asked God to send me a husband. That usually did the trick because it reminded me of the value of what was right in front of me.

Today, when I lifted up my eyes during my prayer time, I wondered how much I miss about what I have in Christ.

As much as I value my salvation, as much as I love Jesus, as much as I am grateful to be delivered from sin, I still don’t fully grasp everything I have in Jesus. I know this because if I did, I would spend much more of my day in worship and awe. I would fall silent more often than I do. My life would radiate the power of the living God unleashed in someone who truly appreciates what she owns in Christ.

The apostle Paul tried repeatedly to help us ordinary believers (those who haven’t been caught up to the third heaven!) grasp a fraction of the blessing that is ours in Jesus.

Paul understood that the more we appreciate what we have in Christ, the more our lives will demonstrate the resurrection power of Jesus, the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the radiance of God.

In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul outlines just a few of our blessings:

• We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
• We were chosen from the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in Him
• In love, He predestined us to be adopted as sons
• To the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.

Spiritual riches. Washed clean of sin. Set apart for God. Adopted into the family of the Living God. Recipients of grace.

And this was just three verses! Paul goes on because He hadn’t exhausted all that is ours in Jesus.

I once attended a wedding of the daughter of dear friends. The couple were clearly in love and you could see on the groom’s face how blessed he felt to be marrying this young woman.

At the end of the ceremony, the bride surprised her new husband with an old car – a favorite he once owned now restored by her father out of love for the new couple. I’ll never forget the groom’s face as he realized not only was he receiving a bride, but he was marrying into a family rich with love, thoughtfulness, and generosity! Blessing upon blessing was his because of this relationship. It’s been many years now and he’s still smiling!

Too often, I function from a deficit-focused faith. What do I lack? What do I need? What haven’t I done yet? Where am I failing?

I wonder what would happen if I operated, instead, from an abundance-based faith?

Peter and John were full of the Holy Spirit. They functioned from this fullness as evidenced by their statement to the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3. The man was begging for alms as Peter and John arrived at the temple to pray. “And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’” Acts 3:5-6 ESV

What if I lived, not from my lack, but from my abundant blessing in Christ? How would my life look different? How would it impact my calendar, my bank account, my anxiety level, my prayer life, my testimony?

I plan to find out. How about you?

When I read Ephesians 1, I feel as if a race car expert is watching me drive my Ferrari one mile to the grocery store and back shaking his head wondering how and where I might drive if I only understood the power and excellence at my disposal.

Yes, when we are weak, He is strong, but in Christ, we don’t operate from our weakness but from His strength. Psalm 84:5-7 ESV says this, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”

From strength to strength. As I navigate the next months of my life, crossing every torrential river and walking through every storm, I’m going to keep my eyes, not on the raging, drenching waters but on each rock God provides for my crossing, because each Rock is the Rock of Ages, my Lord, Jesus Christ.

We have everything we need for life and godliness. What if we lived as if we believed that? What do you think that would change?

Do I operate from my abundance in Christ or am I living a deficit-based faith? https://t.co/qC7t5c6Mzv #Jesus #Christianliving

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) May 21, 2021

Events are happening! People are beginning to gather! If you are considering an event at your church or planning a retreat, I’m booking engagements for the fall and spring! I’m fully vaccinated and ready to share God’s Word with the people at your event! There’s a lot of hesitancy and it can be nerve-wracking to plan a gathering right now. I can work with any budget (even if you have none!) and can help reduce your concern about planning in these times. Let me share the load. We’re in this together. Email me at lorisroel@gmail.com and we’ll begin the conversation.