Living from the Overflow

When we find our name on the final roster, our chests fill with excitement, pride and anticipation. What we’ve worked toward and hoped for has become reality! When we love something, we put everything we have into it. That could be our sport, a hobby, or even a specific area of study we want to turn into a career. We live and breathe what’s important to us. But this can lead to a rickety foundation if what we’ve placed our hope in disappoints us or crumbles unexpectedly.

The sure bet of building a life around something that sustains is building from the overflow of God’s love. God gave Jesus to take our sin and introduce us to a life of value, meaning and impact.

“’A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.’” –John 10:10

Jesus pointed out how vastly different the thief of our souls is from our Savior. Where the enemy leads us down a path of discord, hurt and destruction, Jesus, our good Shepherd, brings a life full of abundance, unity and light.

How great would it be to live out of a fullness that comes from staying close to God? There are a few things to keep us in close relationship with God that let us live joyfully, attentive and intentional.

God has so much more in store for us than we can even imagine. Beyond any championship, accolade or success, God wants to give us an abundant life in Him. How does living out of the fullness He promises make a difference in both our lives and in the lives of those around us?

Take a minute and listen to the voice of Jesus, reminding you of what it looks like to live in the promises and overflow of His love. 

Overflowing Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is produced in us by the power of the Holy Spirit when we choose to see situations with an eternal lens. Even in our trials, God can grow a deeper joy that isn’t dependent on what we face, but who we face it with. Deep-rooted joy is intriguing, and others will notice this in you and want to know how you remain joyful, even in the middle of hard things.

“You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” –Psalm 16:11

Overflowing Hope

God’s promises fill us with ultimate hope that does not disappoint. We know that in the end, He will make all things right, and we can look to Him in all our circumstances to build confidence that in Christ, no situation is impossible, and there is always more to come.

“Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” –Romans 8:24-25

Overflowing Grace

Grace abounds over and over. For as many times as we slip and stumble, God guides us back to His mercy and love. The more grace God gives, the more we receive. And the more we receive, the more we get to be vessels of that grace and extend it to the people around us. Grace gives more than we can imagine, and it’s what sets God’s love apart.

“Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” –John 1:17-18

Living from the overflow brings a deep and lasting peace that can only come from fully abiding in the Lord. Recognize His joy, hope and grace for you; receive it, and let it settle within you. This is the full life Jesus promises. Choose the way of God’s grace, and step into all the abundance that comes from our good Shepherd. 

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” –1 Thessalonians 3:12

Question: What are the things that drain you, and what things fill you up? What do you need to live a life overflowing in Christ?

Challenge: Make a list ofthe things that bring you joy, and do one of those things today.

CTA: Want a deeper look into living from the overflow? Jump into October’s Discovery Bible Study set and soak in what Scripture says about this way of living: DBS 24/7 

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.