THE OVERFLOWING LIFE
On Saturday we drove to a local dam and had a picnic lunch. We love to watch the fisherman put their boats in the water and head off for an enjoyable time of fishing. We also usually drive to the spillway and see how full the dam is, and if any water is overflowing the spillway because the dam is getting full.
This reminded me that as Believers we must maintain what is often called the:
THE OVERFLOWING LIFE
Negative things like bitterness and unforgiveness can quickly stop the flow, but how can we: MAINTAIN THE FLOW.
I think this is the biggest challenge for believers that DAILY we MUST learn to live the “Overflowing life”. Again as far as I am concerned, this is an essential part of Biblical Discipleship. let me share some principles with you.
King David in that well known Psalm 23 said in verse 5
YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WILL OIL; MY CUP RUNS OVER; NKJV Here is an important key. We must live in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us in Eph. 5:18 but be (continually) filled with the Spirit. and then tells us ways to do this.
Speak to one another in (1) Psalms (2) Hymns (3)) and Spiritual Songs making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5:19 Solomon says A meet heart makes a cheerful countenance Prov. 15:13 A merry heart has a continual feast Prov. 15:15. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine Prov.. 17:22 (all KJV) Let us maintain a singing heart, which is easy when you start to count your blessings.
Then Giving Thanks ALWAYS for ALL things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 5:20 We need to have an attitude of gratitude.
Then SUBMITTING one to another in the fear of the Lord. Eph 5:21 mutual submission between Believers is essential if we are to live the “Overflowing Life”.
May I suggest you spend some time meditating on Eph. 5:18-21 and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart, and these verses are so full of truth, but there is SO MUCH MORE.
In John 7:37 Jesus asked a question If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink, if we come what is the result? If we believe, as the Scriptures says, OUT OF HIS HEARET WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER. v.38 NKJV
Eph. 5:18 Be filled (continually) with the Spirit has a ring of command about it, what a privilege a new believer has if someone will walk with him and teach him how to live the overflowing life.
I briefly mentioned in the introduction how we need to recognise anything that would stop the flow of the Holy Spirit in my life, and learn to not let them ever have a part to play in our lives. We need to major on the positive keys to maintain the “Overflowing life. like living in the Anointing of the Spirit and doing those things that Paul commands in Eph. 5. 18-21.
Above those things do as Paul recommends strongly in 1 Cor.14:4 HE THAT SPEAKS IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF (BUILDS HIMSELF UP IN HIS HOLY FAITH). Listen to the Message Bible : The one who prays using a private “prayer language” certainly GETS A LOT OUT OF IT.
I wrote a complete blog on the topic of the personal use of praying in unknown tongues on a FAILY REGULAR BASIS, and I can confirm that as you do that the RIVER WILL FLOW.
There is an old Pentecostal saying that I love. Usually it is in the form of a question. This is what I wrote in a FB post today:
TO MAINTAIN THE “OVERFLOWING LIFE” YOU MUST STAY UNDER THE SPOUT WHERE THE GLORY COMES OUT.
You know the Nike slogan JUST DO IT
