Last week we discussed the "tricks of the thief" and how they can steal our joy and kill our love for life. We know we have a Helper that can lead us into a full and abundant life. He knows our needs and He will give us the strength to make it through.
We have Jesus whose purpose is not to steal, kill or destroy but to give us Life.
Do the math: Reliance on God = Abundant Life
That's a good Christian calculation but how does that play out in day to day living? 
Do you have a bucket list?
You know a list of must do and must see before the end of our days on earth. That is how some measure the fullness and completeness of their lives. Now don't get me wrong. There are many places I would love to see and things I would love to experience in this wonderful world. But would that make my life fulfilling?
We can tick off every item on our bucket list, land the job we want and build the house of our dreams. Those are our plans. They can still leave us feeling empty, lacking and a sense of dissatisfaction. God has a plan for each of us. Our part in that plan is to connect with Him so we can hear Him clearly.
The never ending to do list. I used to spend my days working on what seemed most important that morning. I often felt overwhelmed. That list never ended and at times my efforts seemed fruitless. I was busy; Martha like busy. Not taking nearly enough time to sit at His feet. I needed more Mary traits.
Follow your heart ; I once read that is a key to living a fulfilling life. It sounds right in theory. I'll pose this question today.
What is your heart condition?
A friend of mine, Connie Cavanaugh, spoke at a retreat at my church a couple of years ago. She said we all have the need for a healed heart, a clean heart, and then we can have a heart like no other. She said "After God cleans out our hearts; He wants to replace all the lies in our hearts with truth from His word." If we follow our hearts like the world's wisdom dictates must be sure that our hearts are filled with the truth from God's word. Align your heart with the plans He has for you. Quiet your mind and shut out all the demands of others. Listen to that still small voice and let Him be your GPS.
So forget your plans. When you d
o it frees you up and replaces the desires of you heart with the desires of His heart. Be open to endless possibilities be because we serve a God of endless power. His passions will quickly become yours and you will be living a life that is so abundant.
As my very wise husband once told me "life in ministry is a roller coaster ride. Keep you hands and feet in and hang on for the ride. God's got this".
We are all in different phases of life, serve in different mission fields. Some of us are in very small rural areas, some in mega churches, and some in foreign lands. Some are raising families and some are empty-nesters. Some of us are full of joy and energy and some are in difficult even discouraging times of ministry. I found no matter what season of life I'm in if I check my "heart condition" and replace the lies with the truth from God's word I will have that peace and abundant life He promises.
God often speaks to me through music.
There are two songs that come to mind as I write this.
The first is by Pam Thum- Life is Hard. The lyrics say that "Life is hard but God is good. Jesus never said it was an easy road to travel. He only said that you would never be alone." For those of you in a discouraging season of life that is a promise you can cling to.
I'll date myself with the second song. It is more upbeat and speaks the truth of the hope we have in a life in step with Him. This Is The Life by Phillips Craig and Dean says"This is the life. I'm where I wanna be livin' from the center of a heart that's free. Oh, I'm feelin' alright. Day or night, rain or shine this is the life."
God gives us a "heart like no other" and a "heart that's free".
Meet me in the forums to chat about a free heart that lives the full and abundant life.
Praying for ya,
Donna
