Jesus makes a remarkable assertion: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Are you enjoying an abundant life? Do you have confidence that no matter what happens you will be able to enjoy life abundantly? The source of abundant life is only in God who created all things, including me.

Jesus also said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 If my treasure is in heaven (with God) then nothing can harm the abundance of my life.

In Romans 8:31 - 9:1 we read "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is a truly great promise.

How do I obtain this promise? “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 But how you may ask? A jailer in Philippi asked the same question in Acts 16:30-31 “Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’” Acts 2:38

I am hopeful that if you’ve gotten this far in my article you have some questions. It is my privilege as a “pastor” to help you discover, own and enjoy the answers God provides. God wants you to enjoy him, and the abundant life he offers. He does so because he loves you.

Come and see.

All Bible quotations from the English Standard Version