Devotions by Deborah

Devotion 11-22-23. 2 Corinthians 9:8 , "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;" We tend to look at limitations instead of turning our eyes to God, Who is entirely unlimited. We tend to have a scarcity mindset, when God has an abundance mindset. Paul sets forth the same abundance perspective as Jesus. Paul says "having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." When we receive "all grace" from God, we receive all we need and more. Jesus spoke of abundance as well. He was speaking of love, mercy and forgiveness. Luke 6:38 , "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” We see the source is God, not us. We also see the mindset required to receive is openness and obedience to God's plans and His precepts. God will make all things abundant in the same measure we determine to be His. With God there is no limitation. With God there is no lack. Jesus said, in Luke 11:9 - 10 , “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." God's great love for us is liberally poured out but must be received. Once it is received, it must be freely given, abundantly given away to others. This is the abundance cycle of God. Ephesians 3:20 - 21 , "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."