Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

175 - The Gift of Praise

The Apostle Paul writes: "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all . . ." (1 Corinthians 14:18, NKJV). He was thanking God for the gift of God which he had received. If it's good enough for Paul; it's good enough for me. We need to thank God as well. Some believe the gift of tongues is not for today. But God gives such gifts for "the edification of the church," and the church still needs to be edified. I believe God wants us to speak with "other tongues." One reason is to exercise the gift of praise. Speaking in tongues is NOT a lot of emotionalism when real. It's a language; a gift of praise unto God. In Mark, Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues . . ." (Mark 16:16,17, NKJV). So those who believe will do certain things, one of the things is to speak in tongues. Many Christians feel it is "just a lot of gibberish." But if you want to be used by God you'll realize all authority has been given to us and that includes the right to speak in tongues. It is the power of God apparent in us, if you embrace what God says and seek this gift. No where in Scripture does it say speaking in tongues is gibberish or emotionalism. What the Scriptures say is that tongues will follow the believers. Paul also says: "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification" (1 Corinthians 14:5, NKJV). So when interpreted, tongues is for the edification of the church. Later Paul points out it's also for the edification of the one speaking in tongues. It's a form of praise. Would you like to know more? Join me as we look into this gift of praise. [See "How to Receive and Minister the Baptism of the Holy Spirit" brochure on the website].
Let me hear from you - Charles
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195 - Be of Good Cheer

This episode is on Spiritual warfare. It used to be that when I heard the term, "Be of Good Cheer," I thought it had to do with worship. But being of good cheer has to do with the exercise of spiritual courage. Our good cheer can lead to worship, but it's not part of worship. Jesus tells us: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). This is a good scripture to memorize. Jesus has been teaching about the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Helper will come when he is gone. Jesus is speaking a message of peace [Shalom]. We are to take courage because Jesus has defeated the works of the enemy. Jesus says that as we learn His Word and have faith in His Word, our peace will increase -- we will be of good cheer; even when undergoing trouble. When we stay in our relationship with Jesus and His Word, we'll have confidence -- courage. Do you have confidence in the ability to overcome the world as Jesus has overcome the world? Good cheer, confidence and courage releases\ the power and ability of the Holy Spirit to overcome. Jesus uses the term "good cheer" often, for example: "Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you'" (Matthew 9:2, NKJV). In this verse, Jesus is encouraging the paralyzed man to be courageous, to be of good faith, to think boldly. He sums these ideas up by saying,"Be of good cheer." Courage is the ability to overcome fear and despair. The paralyzed man had to know that Jesus has the power to heal him and the power to forgive his sins. When you become strong in your faith in Christ and His Word, you'll become bold in your actions. Then you'll see people healed, you'll see people forgiven, you'll see people changed. Join me as we explore this term and the way Jesus uses it to build our faith. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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194 - We Have Unquenchable Joy

Our joy in the Lord is unquenchable -- it cannot be extinguished. In the Old Testament, the word "joy" means "gladness of heart" or "to delight the mind." The Hebrew word comes from the root word meaning "to shine" or "be bright." People who had "the joy of the LORD" were known to bring light into dark situations. It was a mental exercise. In the New Testament, joy takes on another aspect. Joy comes not only from the mind, but from our born-again spirit -- it's a fruit of the Spirit. It should not be affected by circumstances. However, our joy is affected by our circumstances and when it is, we have help. If you go to the Word of God; our joy is restored. In our Christian life, joy is from an outpouring of the Holy Spirit verses only being a mental exercise. This joy we have is unquenchable, just as the Holy Spirit is unquenchable. The world didn't give it, so the world can't take it away. But Satan will try to steal your joy. The apostle Paul exhorted, "Do not quench the Spirit" (I Thessalonians 5:19, NKJV). We can quench the Holy Spirit, thereby quenching our joy. We can even quench other people's spirits by what we do and say. But when a Christian is strong in the Spirit, they'll use the shield of faith ". . . to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Jesus defeated the works of the Devil. Jesus' presence produces joy. King David knew this: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalms 16:11, NKJV). In his sermon on Pentecost, Peter quotes David: "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken . . . For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence'" (Acts 2:25, 27-28, NKJV). We have defeated death through Jesus Christ. That is a major reason for our joy. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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172 - Why Practice Praise

Praise and prayer go together hand in hand like the wings of an eagle. When you praise God and pray to God, you get answers to your prayers and you soar in the heavens. We have to be diligent in our praise; not doing it mechanically, but sincerely. Forget about yourself and lift up your hands acknowledging that it's all about Him. The Psalmist David exhorts, "Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard" (66:8, NKJV). We need to get excited about Jesus. In this message we're looking at seven (7) points showing why we should praise God:  1) Because God loves us and sent His Son to us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV). This verse summarizes the Good News. 2) Because God sacrificed His Son for us (Romans 8:32). Again, the Psalmist exhorts, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (107:2,  NKJV). Let's tell the world about our redemption. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (107:8, 15, 21 and 32).3) Why Praise God? " . . . His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV). We praise God for all the things He has given us. 4) Because God has blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). There's nothing better than what we've been blessed with.5. Because the Scripture says that if we delight ourselves in the Lord in praise, He gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:1-4).6. Because God gives us a life more abundantly and protects us from those who want to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). And lastly,7. Because we know we're upheld by God always (Isaiah 41:10). Join me as we explore in detail our need to praise God continually. Selah!Let me hear from you - Charles
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166 - The Armor of Righteousness

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (NKJV). All things becomes new in Christ. Then in verse 21 we read: "For He [God the Father] made Him [Jesus ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). Jesus came to bring righteousness to mankind. Prior to coming to Christ in faith, we were caught up in wrong things -- wrong way of thinking. But Jesus brings right things -- right way of thinking. We've been set free from death and brought into His righteous kingdom due to His righteousness being in us as born-again Christians. "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more 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). We walk in Christ's righteousness; but so much more. We are told we become kings, co-heirs with Christ. And as kings, we are part of the Army of God. We're soldiers in His army, His host of soldiers. This is not because of anything we've done; but because of what He's done for us. Soldiers must be equipped to fight: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13, NKJV).The battle has been won, but we still must fight the good fight of faith. To do this, we must know we have on God's clothes -- His gift of righteousness, then we are made strong. What are you wearing?
Let me hear from you - Charles
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251 - How to Overcome Your Inferiority Complex

Jesus Christ came to overcome the works of the devil, and when you have Jesus in your life; you also overcome. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). In this verse, Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit so we can have peace -- even in tribulation. He overcame the world, so we can overcome the world. "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4, NKJV). Greater is Jesus in you than Satan, who rules this dark world. But John points out we have overcome. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, NKJV). Who is "he" who overcomes? That would be us -- anyone who believes. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:11, NKJV). We overcome by the blood of Jesus Christ and His blood must be the focus of our testimony. When you testify and believe that in your heart; you are set free. You are an Overcomer! Before we knew Jesus we had a low opinion of ourselves -- and we should have! But Christ is inferior to nobody. He is above every name that is named. The world and Satan want to point out your faults and shortcomings so they can sell you a worldly remedy. An inferiority complex is an inadequate feeling about yourself. But now because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we have become superior to Satan [and all angels]. For the unsaved, an inferiority complex and a superiority complex bring death. But in Christ we are to have a superiority complex; but only because of Him. Join me as we explore these truths. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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248 - A Sound Mind

In the past I've presented the spirit, soul and body illustration. It is pictured as a "bullseye" with the center being our spirit, the next ring being our soul (which is comprised of our mind, our will and our emotions) and the outer ring being our body. Our spirit and soul are found within our body. When we believe in Jesus, it's our spirit which is made new. It becomes "born again." But also, our soul has to be renewed through the Word of God so we can think as God thinks. Then our body conforms to what we think and our actions become what God desires. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). The power comes from the Holy Spirit. The love comes from God the Father and from Jesus Christ His Son. The sound mind comes from the Word of God. Jesus told Nicodemus: ". . . Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3, NKJV). Jesus says you must be born again in your spirit. Instantly our spirit becomes right with God. But our soul (our mind, will and emotions) must be renewed by the Word of God. As it does, we will begin to think as God thinks. We obtain the mind of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). As we begin to think as God thinks; our actions will follow. Our body becomes an instrument of the Holy Spirit. The "sound mind" we receive is a calm mind, a well-balanced mind and a disciplined mind. We become disciplined by our study of God's Word. Just as the "disciples" did. "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31-32, NKJV).  Would you like to have a sound mind? This message brings out these truths and many others to show that it's possible and a requirement of our Christian walk. Please join me as we study the salvation of our soul. [See Resources/Study Chart Gallery/E-7 Spirit, Soul and Body on the website].
Let me hear from you - Charles
https://www.aboundinglove.org/
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163 - Develop a Righteousness Consciousness - Pt. 2

In the last episode we saw how as born-again Christians, we have received the gift of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). God made Jesus to be sin for us so that we might become righteous in Christ. Paul tells us to "awake to righteousness, and do not sin" (I Corinthians 15:34). Satan seeks to deceive us through condemnation that we are not right with God, because our consciousness of righteousness empowers us to be used by God. The light of this truth drives the darkness of the world, the flesh and the lies of the devil out of our lives. Many Christians do not overcome sin because they don't embrace these truths. It takes time and effort to develop a righteousness consciousness through faith. We never stop developing our relationship with Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word. Those who do not come into the knowledge of God remain in bondage. He has set us free and given us His righteousness so we can stand boldly with Him. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NKJV). We bring every thought captive to the truth of our righteousness in Christ. To the degree we do this; we overcome! "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness " (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV). We have to put the truth of God's Word first in our lives.  Hebrews 5:13 confirms: "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe" (NKJV). Some of us remain immature, unskilled in the "oracles of God." By faith in God's grace, we become skilled in the Word of righteousness so we can do the work of God. This message is about becoming skilled and mature in righteousness. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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