My church used to have this very big banner in the sanctuary with the Bible verse from John 10:10. Its promise greeted me prominently when I first visited my church about 13 years ago. They recently removed the banner and replaced it with a very big screen to display the stage and words for songs and scriptures.

I left the church and my faith in my mid-20s because I stopped believing in Jesus to be able to deliver on this promise. I have given up so much to follow Him for five years but I still did not have abundant life. Do I have an abundant life now? Did Jesus fulfill his promise of John 10:10 for me yet? Well no. Perhaps I am not sure what abundant life means according to Jesus’ definition. Perhaps life is about having more of Jesus in my heart, mind and soul; and having people around me to share Jesus together with.

In the plane ride back home from SoCal, I saw the movie about Jim and Tammy Bakker, the American televangelists. They preached only about the love of God and the prosperity gospel in the 80s and 90s. For them, the abundant life in God seemed to be about wealth, health and lots of building projects and spending money on stuff. Eventually their empire fell apart publicly and scandalously. It was very sad. I think it’s good to watch this movie to learn what mistakes they made and also gleam some good lessons as well. For example, it really touched me to see how Tammy Bakker felt about sharing God’s love to everyone. I could probably do more of this. (By the way, if you want to study another televangelist who finished extremely well, please read the autobiography of Billy Graham. It’s called “Just As I Am”. He always had a home church pastor and lots of accountability too. After seeing the movie about the Bakker’s, I now understand even more why we all need to belong to a home church for accountability.)

I just finished listening to this sermon by pastor RT Kendall. He gives 10 things to do in order to finish well in our life of faith. These are ten basic safety measures that we need in order to keep ourselves safe from being deceived by the devil. When times are tough and difficult, then it’s not hard to lean on Jesus, but when times are easy and prosperous then it becomes very dangerous for the believers. This was very clear to see in the movie about the Bakkers. Therefore it’s super important to build up these guardrails and discipline during the lean years.

Please listen to this very important message and maybe hear it twice. http://sermons.tsc.nyc/finishing-well-3/

Here is the link to the movie about the televangelists. – https://m.imdb.com/title/tt9115530/

Since I spend most amount of time with my husband, it’s seems really not possible to have the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10 until he becomes saved. Also since I am concerned about my two children, I don’t think I can have an abundant life until they become saved too. I could be wrong. I’ll have to check back on this abundant life promise once they become believers of Jesus Christ…whenever that happens.

Perhaps abundant life is having more of Jesus? I don’t know…I definitely don’t have him fully in my heart and experientially. In my mind, yes since I study about him all the time. But if you examine me I’m pretty sure I don’t appear that content, joyful, loving and free.

Here’s a link to this thought by one ministry resource. I think I’m going to do more research about this topic now. I’ll post more resources underneath here later if you also have been wondering what Jesus means by “abundant life”.

https://www.gotquestions.org/life-more-abundantly.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/living-abundantly

1/2/24 – Wow these two messages about Mary (Jesus’ mother) really did a marvelous job on giving me wisdom about “abundant life” according to God. We’ve been taught so wrongly from the pulpits in the American Church. Please give a listen and think about these things. I think I’m going to listen to the messages again.

https://youtu.be/-PGwBoyqXCg?si=ugu9AWQD5keyPd0K

https://youtu.be/A8reFCneEPQ?si=_wuDknTTrFrMLi1m

I just heard this message by Francis Chan couple of weeks ago and it is about the fallacies of the American gospel. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-love-podcast/id1007053996?i=1000639871687