MORE
LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY
Yes. No. Maybe.
Knowing when to say yes, no, or maybe is crucial for living the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10. Here's why:
By Saying Yes to opportunities that align with our values, passions, and goals, we can experience personal growth, fresh experiences, and abundance. We unlock greater fulfillment and abundance by welcoming possibilities, taking risks, and broadening our horizons.
No is just as important when necessary. No empowers us to prioritize our well-being, set boundaries, and make choices that align with our values and priorities. It enables us to avoid overcommitting, participating in activities that drain our energy, and neglecting our needs. Saying no allows us to focus on what truly matters and create space for abundance in the areas that matter most.
Being Open to Maybe involves being receptive to possibilities that may have yet to be considered initially. It means being flexible, adaptable, and willing to explore different perspectives or options. Being open may allow us to step out of our comfort zones, embrace change, and discover new opportunities for abundance that we might have otherwise missed. It encourages us to approach life with curiosity, creativity, and a growth mindset.
Acknowledging the Need for MORE
Acts 19:1-7 highlights the significance of saying "no" to certain things, most importantly our incomplete assignments, resignation to mediocrity, and unwillingness to change. Saying NO is essential to more abundantly living.
The Courage to Say No: Possessing the courage to say "no." is crucial to abundantly living. In Acts 19:4, Paul encounters a group of believers who have not received the Holy Spirit. Recognizing this, Paul boldly asks them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Their response reveals their willingness to say "no" to whatever hindered their spiritual growth. Similarly, we must identify the obstacles of blinding pride and our deafening temptation to follow traditions and courageously say "no" to them when the Holy Spirit calls us towards the more.
The Blessing of Saying No: A blessing follows when we say "no" following God's will. In Acts 19:6, Paul laid hands on the Ephesian disciples, and they received the Holy Spirit. By saying "no" to their previous incomplete knowledge and embracing God's truth, they experienced a profound blessing. Likewise, when we say "no" to habits, attitudes, or influences that hinder our assignments, we open ourselves up to receive more of God's transforming power, guidance, and blessings in our lives.
May we take inspiration from the Ephesian disciples who said "no" to their incomplete knowledge, paving the way for remarkable spiritual growth. This is the year to say NO to narrow thinking, NO to hollow routines, and NO to mediocrity. Just as the Holy Spirit came upon the Ephesian disciples, come Holy Spirit upon all who acknowledge the need for MORE!
.png)
“Nevertheless, in too many churches today, dramatic predictions about individuals’ unique personal concerns are presented as God-inspired “prophecies” by clergy who have never spoken out against social injustice, never uttered a word of political critique, yet still call themselves prophets."
- Obery M. Hendricks Jr., The Politics of Jesus
Life Application
Famous retail chains in America have vanished one by one, including bookstores, toy stores, and sporting goods stores. Barnes & Noble, the last remaining chain bookstore, is now struggling. In 1996, Len Riggio, the founder of B&N, approached Jeff Bezos of Amazon for a collaboration, which was declined due to Riggio's woefully underestimating the internet's transformative power. Boastfully, Riggio threatened Bezos that B&N would crush Amazon. Today, Amazon is worth around $1 trillion, while B&N is only worth about $475 million. Proverbs 16:18-20 warns that "pride comes before destruction," and Hosea 4:6 states that a "lack of knowledge" is the root cause of failure.