Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

354 - How to Measure our Walk with God

This podcast focuses on how believers should measure their Spiritual walk against God's nature rather than comparing themselves to one another. To measure accurately, one must understand God's character as revealed in Scripture: God is light [1 John 1:5], righteous [1 John 1:29], love [1 John 4:8], life [1 John 5:11-12], truth [John 17:17], and goodness [Romans 11:22]. I emphasize that this process begins by being born again as a "new creation" through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [2 Corinthians 5:17]. By using God's Word as a mirror, Christians can reflect God's image and grow "from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18) as Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith" perfects our lives (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Drawing from the book of First John, I share seven (7) specific steps for measuring Christian behavior: FIRST: Walking in the light [1 John 1:6-7], SECOND: Admitting and confessing sin [1 John 1:8-9], THIRD: Obeying God's will [1 John 2:3-4], FORTH: Imitating Christ [1 John 2:6], FIFTH: Loving Others [1 John 2:7-10], SIXTH: Rejecting love for the world [1 John 2:15], and SEVENTH: Proving Christ is righteous by abiding in Him [1 John 2:27-29]. I specifically caution believers to avoid "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). The ultimate goal of self-measurement is to allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit living in us to empower one's actions, insuring that believers live a pure, victorious life and is not ashamed at the coming of the Lord. Join me as we measure our walk together knowing that only through the power of Christ can we be all that we are called to be. Selah!
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351 - How to Prosper

In this enriching episode, I teach that God desires his children to prosper and walk in health, which I define not as excessive luxury or "multimillion-dollar homes," but as an abundant supply of resources to meet one's obligation to advance the Gospel. True Biblical wealth is rooted in the covenant of Abraham, as Deuteronomy 8:18 states that God gives His people the power to prosper specifically to establish His covenant on earth. Rather than seeking riches for personal vanity, believers are encouraged to live a moderate life and use their resources to "put more into the kingdom of God" and minister to the world. This provision is guaranteed through Philippians 4:19, which promises that God will supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Walking in this prosperity is conditional and requires believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that material necessities like food and shelter will be added [Matthew 6:33]. Central to this process is meditating on God's Word day and night, a practice outlined in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1 that builds faith and creates an "inner image" of success in the soul. As the soul [mind, will and emotions] prosper through renewing the mind and fellowship with God, eternal health and wealth naturally follow [3 John 2]. 
Finally, believers must be diligent doers of the Word, hearkening to God's voice as described in Deuteronomy 28 to access that blessing of obedience and remain free from the "curse of the law" through Christ's redemption [Galatians 3:13]. Join me as I delve deeper into the subject of divine prosperity for your success both personally and in ministry. Selah!
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349 - How to Have Success

In this uplifting episode, I outline a Biblical path to success rooted in Psalm 37, emphasizing that while God provides everything needed for a successful life, believers must fulfill their part through four specific actions. FIRST, one must trust in the Lord [Psalm 37:3], which involves moving away from worrying or "fretting" about evildoers to finding bold security and confidence in God's Word. SECOND, believers are encouraged to delight themselves in the Lord [Psalm 37:4], enjoying His fellowship and setting aside busyness to find true fulfillment. THIRD, success requires committing one's way to Him [Psalm 37:5], a term I define as "rolling away" problems like a ball so they no longer weigh you down, and FORTH, one must rest and wait patiently [Psalm 37:7], practicing stillness and silence before God.
By following these steps, God promises to handle the "evildoers," who might otherwise cause irritation or envy, as they will eventually be cut down like grass [Psalm 37:1-2]. For the righteous person -- the one who is mature and upright -- the ultimate reward of success is an abundance of peace and having the desires of the heart fulfilled through a relationship with God [Psalm 37:4, 11, 37]. This episode highlights that a humble person who trusts God's inheritance will not be forsaken, even in times of famine and will receive strength and deliverance from the Lord [Psalm 37:19, 25, 39-40]. Ultimately, true success is not found in material riches alone, but in the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the cares of the world, while resting in God's protection [1 Peter 5:6-7]. Join me as we delve into these Scriptures and more for an exciting time studying God's Word. Selah!
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343 - How to Have Revival

In this episode, I define revival as "bringing back to life" or returning to a healthy, vigorous and flourishing condition after a period of decline. Drawing from the central Scripture of 2 Chronicles 7:14, I outline a 4 part "formula" for revival: God's people must humble themselves, pray, seek God's face and turn from their wicked ways. This process is not merely a scheduled church meeting but a spontaneous, internal transformation that requires believers to be "doers of the word" rather than just "hearers," as cautioned in James 1:21-25. True revival involves a dual process: the deep public confession of sins followed by a profession of renewed faith in God.
To experience this transformation, believers must put away "doubtful habits" and "lay aside every weight" that hinders their Spiritual progress, as instructed in Hebrews 12:1-2. I emphasize the necessity of being "real" and "pliable" with both God and fellow believers, rejecting a self-righteous mask of perfection to instead "Confess your faults one to another . . ." (James 5:16) and "Bear one another's burdens . . ." (Galatians 6:2). I share how historical evidence, such as the 1904 Welsh Revival, demonstrates that when these conditions are met, the impact extends beyond the church to transform society, resulting in reduced crime and healed communities.
Ultimately, God has provided forgiveness and salvation in Christ to those who approach Him in humility, as promised in 1 John 1:9 and 1 Peter 5:6-7. Join me as I share these Scriptures and more, while believing that God is doing a new thing in your heart and life. Selah!
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342 - How to Build Your House

In this episode, I use the physical process of construction as an analogy for building Christian character and Spiritual growth. Drawing from Luke 6:46-49 and Matthew 7:24-27, I emphasize that a solid Spiritual life must be founded upon the "Rock," which is Jesus Christ, achieved by both hearing and doing His word. A life built on this foundation remains unshakable during the "floods" and "storms" of life, whereas building on "sand" -- representing a life of not listening to or doing God's word -- leads to great ruin. This Spiritual building process begins by entering the "straight gate" and walking the "narrow way" described in Matthew 7:13-14, rather than the broad road of the world.
Beyond the foundation, I outline several essential steps for construction, including choosing the right "neighbors" by being wary of false prophets and seeking those who produce good fruit, as instructed in Matthew 7:15-20. The "blueprint" for the house is the Word of God,  which represents His will for the believer's life. The "main structure" should be built with "precious things" like gold and silver -- Spiritual treasures that can withstand the "fire" of judgment -- rather than worldly "wood, hay and stubble". Finally, the " finishing touches" involve laying aside sin and looking to Jesus as the "author and finisher" of our faith, according to Hebrews 12:1-2. Ultimately, this diligent work on one's earthly "Spiritual house" prepares the believer for an eternal house in heaven, not made with hands. Join me as we delve into building your house for the glory of God to shine forth into the world. Selah!
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341 - How to Get Help

In this episode, I share that true help is found exclusively in Jesus Christ, addressing both physical ailments and, more critically, spiritual sickness. Drawing from Matthew 9:27-31, I recount the story of two blind men who sought healing, noting that while physical blindness is a "bad disease," a spiritual blindness to the Kingdom of God -- as prophesied in Isaiah -- is far worse because it is rooted in sin and death. I explain that these men recognized Jesus as the "Son of David," the prophesied Messiah who came to rescue humanity and "bruise the head of the serpent," fulfilling the words of prophets like Jeremiah and David, who spoke of God sending His Word to heal.
To receive this help, I outline a specific path modeled by the blind men: following Jesus, crying out for mercy, and confessing faith with one's mouth. I stress that faith is the essential condition for transformation, citing Romans 10:17, which states that "faith cometh by hearing the word". The climax of the message focuses on Jesus' question, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" and the subsequent healing based on their affirmative response: "According to your faith, be it unto you" (Matthew 9:27). I conclude that when a person is born again, their spiritual eyes are finally opened to see the love and beauty of Christ, leading to a transformed life and an irrepressible desire to share Jesus with others, like the two blind men, who ". .  . spread the news about Him in all that country" (Matthew 9:31). Join me as we delve into this inspiring message to build your faith in the healing power of the Word of God. Selah!
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85 - Witnessing the Kingdom - Acts #7

In this final episode in the Acts of the Apostles on witnessing the Kingdom, I share how the Kingdom is eternal, where ". . . those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17, NKJV). Because the Kingdom of God is within us, we have the Spiritual power to overcome Satan, who is "diametrically opposed" to God's realm. The Word of God is our offensive wea pon to cast out devils by the "finger of God" (Luke 11:20), and "casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV). Ultimately, the Kingdom isn't defined by physical things like meat and drink, but by righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), allowing us to maintain a heavenly citizenship while walking on earth.
I share how we possess the same creative power that God used to speak the world into existence through the Spirit of faith. This faith requires us to believe and then speak, as "our words have creative power" when spoken in love. "We having the same spirit of faith . . . I believe, and therefore have I spoken" (2 Corinthians 4:13, KJV). Faith serves as the "substance of things hoped for" and the "evidence of things not seen", mirroring how the worlds were framed by the Word of God (Hebrews 11:1, 3). We are to "walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), focusing on the eternal realm rather than the temporal, physical world. By looking at the things not seen, we recognize that our afflictions are merely "light" and "for a moment" compared to the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Join me as we sum up this powerful series with an anointing from God's that will be contagious to your Spiritual life. Selah!
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84 - Witnessing the Kingdom - Acts #6

In this continuing episode in the Acts of the Apostles, I define the Kingdom of God as a spiritual realm of eternal love where God lives and reigns forever. This kingdom isn't visible to the physical senses but is accessed through the eye of faith, which allows believers to see and operate according to God's Word rather than circumstances. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, I emphasize that while the "outward man" is perishing, the "inward man" is being renewed daily through God's Word, allowing believers to view light affections as temporary compared to the eternal weight of glory. And by renewing our mind, we can move from a worldly perspective to a spiritual one, becoming "love beings" who create and speak life just as God does.
I share that Jesus Christ brought His kingdom to earth and was the only one to perfectly fulfill the Abrahamic covenant, demonstrating the life of blessings promised in Deuteronomy, chapter 28. Also, because of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit, believers are now recreated in God's image and seated in the "heavenly places," far above worldly powers and principalities, as described in Ephesians 1:19-21; 2:6. In this eternal kingdom, believers are called to reign as kings, living in a "spiritual time zone" where the pressures and clocks of the world lose their meaning, replaced by peace, joy and liberty found in God's presence. Join me as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and learn to live with a daily perspective of the Kingdom of God. Selah!
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