After his conversion, Paul became a good example of having the more abundant life. One of his experiences portrays this beautifully. While shackled in the dark depths of a Roman dungeon, he prayed, he sang, and he was delivered. As a result, the jailer and his family accepted Jesus Christ. Then he washed Paul and Silas's wounds and set a meal before them.
The abundant life was so apparent in my father that I consider him the most successful man I have known. I thank the Lord I hear my father's daily prayers and saw them answered, fulfilling all his needs. Now I thank my Lord for answering my prayers in giving me the abundant life; for leading me to my life's companion; for giving us healthy children; for leading us in preparing them to become self-sufficient and positive contributors to society; and most important, in their accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior who has given them abundant life.
My son was still in high school when he asked me, ?Did you see what the lottery is worth?? I responded, ?Would you trade the Lord's blessings for all those millions?? He answered instantly and emphatically, ?NO WAY.? His friends have always noticed something special in his life and their comment has been, ?Wow, do you ever have good luck!?
And the blessing continues, for now our children's children are also living the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us 2000 years ago.
So, especially in this Advent season, like George Frederic Handel, I sing from my heart, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH!
