The Bible has some intriguing promises in it for us. Want to check out a few? Read on…

18 “Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! [the problem is that what she is calling love is really an addiction to lust; real love comes from the Father]

There are several verses that promise us that we will overflow with certain qualities and attributes. What are these special verses?

Hope- In what is to come. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. Joy and peace flow from our hope.

Love- His love in us. “May the Lord make your love [that He has given you] increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

Joy- Knowing Him and being part of His plans. “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and [amidst] their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2

Peace- Resting in the knowledge that we are safe. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Grace- What we have received, we give. “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:14. His love gives us faith. We feel it; we know it deep within us. It is foundational.

Thankfulness- A continuous attitude. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

Life- Springs of living water flow from us. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of [living] water welling up to eternal life.” John 10:10, 4:10, 14.

A person might ask, “How do I partake of these promises?” They are found in the Person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 says it best, “Continue to live your lives IN Him.” How do we do that? By establishing Him as the foundation of our lives and then building our lives on Him. Here’s how that works:

1. With our mouths confess Him as Lord of our lives. It’s important to say it out loud. There’s something concrete about the words leaving our mouths. It’s why the courts have us sworn in; it’s why we say vows in marriages, and it’s why we “confess with our mouths, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead” and we are saved (Romans 10:9-10).
2. Start a list of all the important things in our lives: people, money, houses, job, cars and other possessions, fame, belonging, power, influence, etc. Now go over each one asking the Lord what He wants you to do concerning each one. It’s not easy and it takes a while. He usually won’t ask us to give up everything at once–but sometimes He does! Are we willing to give Him all?
3. Ask someone to help you. We all need mentors, someone who can kickstart us in our walk with Christ by giving us verses, pointers, and guidance, but will also encourage us to seek the Father in prayer and Bible study, and will pray for us and with us.

Most people see their lives as a pie that is cut into several pieces, each piece representing a segment of our lives: Work, family, entertainment, church, etc. The problem is that Jesus wants all the pieces. It makes better sense to see our lives as a target with our relationship and fellowship with Christ at the center, our family and close relationships in the next concentric ring, then our work in the next ring, our entertainment in the next, etc. We always go to the center before going to any of the other rings. It’s called, “Hitting the mark,” which is the opposite of sin (“missing the mark”).

Want to know why many Christians don’t serve Jesus with all their hearts? It’s because they live their lives by the “PIE” illustration. It’s also why they don’t experience the promises listed above, or at least not with regularity or intensive measure. Let’s take Jesus up on His promises. I know He wants us to!

Abba, thank You for Your promises. I strive to experience them every day. I admit I am hooked on Your love, joy, peace, hope and grace. I am, indeed, overflowing with thankfulness. Now, I ask that You overflow me with life so that I can share You and Your grace with others. I am truly grateful, Lord. I am Yours. Amen.