Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

048 - Walking by Faith in God’s Promises

In the first part of this message, I bring out a number of essential understandings regarding our faith and how it empowers us. We're all given a measure of faith by God, which comes by hearing His word. Faith and love work through actions. God in faith, speaks into existence what only now is seen. His spoken words have the power to create. In similar ways, our faith gives us the ability to create through our words spoken in love. God's creation is made in love, and love is the creative force in the world today. We have received the fullness of God, with His Holy Spirit living in us. The creative force of Jesus as seen in John 1:1, is also alive in us. We're told that we are of God in 1 John 4:4, and He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Our faith overcomes the world, but the world will reject us due to our faith, just as it rejected Jesus. However, we are given examples of men and women who overcame the world through their faith. Hebrews, chapter 11 is known as the Faith Chapter. It tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. But we see Enoch, who pleased God so much that God took him. Enoch was translated directly into heaven. Then there's Noah, who was moved by fear, joy and love to act on his faith in God's promises and build the ark. The world and its unbelief were condemned by the faith of Noah. Further examples are seen in Abraham and Sarah, who are given promises from God and in faith act on these promises, even when the world says such promises are impossible, or even when God tests their faith in His promises. All these heroes of faith seen in Hebrews 11, including Moses, Joshua and Daniel, walked by faith because they had a promise from God. We have many promises from God confirmed by Jesus Christ. It's these promises that can strengthen our faith to act as theirs did.
Let me hear from you - Charles
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352 - How to Forgive

Many people believe there are those God should not forgive, and I am one of those in their crosshairs. Such an attitude comes from doubt, and it's this lack of faith that prevents a person from forgiving. A better title for this message is, "How to Overcome Unforgiveness.". We are to ". . . be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Since God has forgiven me of so much, of all people, I should easily forgive relatively small offensives. In Matthew 6:14, the Lord's prayer emphasizes that we must forgive in order to receive forgiveness from God. It's tied to our faith in God's grace, which helps us to forgive. And our lack of faith affects our prayers, Bible study and comprehension, and even our fellowship. There are seven attitudes [spirits] that demonstrate our unforgiveness: 1) Resentment; 2) Ill Will or dislike; 3) Grudges or hostility; 4) Malice; 5) Retaliation; 6) Bitterness or cynicism and 7) Hatred. These spirits increase in our hearts as we continue to harbor unforgiveness, which runs contrary to love (1 Corinthians 13). On the other hand, Jesus is the perfect example of forgiveness, when He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Join me in this message as I show how the Word of God enables us to forgive others as Christ forgave us. And to be merciful, because the Lord, our God is merciful.
Let me hear from you - Charles
www.aboundinglove.org
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257 - Who are You?

I share in this episode about "Lottsapoppa." He was a drug dealer from whom I took money in the late '60s. He was later shot by my crime partner. He forgave me years later, after ending up in prison with me. He admitted he wasn't saved at the time, but forgave me nonetheless. This was because of who I was in Christ. "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7). This introduction begs the question, "Who are you in Christ?" The book of Acts 19:11-20, tells the story of a group of men who attempt an exorcism using the Name of "Jesus, Who Paul preaches." The demons say they know Paul, and they know Jesus, but "Who are you?" It did not end well for those men. A person only has the power to use the Name of Jesus, if they are a member of the family of God. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil at the cross and the authority to defeat the works of Satan extends to us; but only if you belong to Jesus. Paul states in Philippians 3:10, that he wants to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Are you someone who has that knowledge? Are you someone who has that power? In other words: Who are you? Benard Crowe, aka Lottsapoppa, ended up receiving Christ, and we took communion together side by side. Selah.
Let me hear from you - Charles
www.aboundinglove.org
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205 - How to Witness

There are hundreds of ways to be a witness for God, but for any to work, we must be led by the Spirit. When witnessing, we share our relationship with Christ. We're showing our faith in God's grace. It could be as simple as sharing a tract or asking someone to church. It helps to have something in common with that person, like working out at a gym or grocery shopping together. This way, the subject of God's "grace" can be woven into a conversation. We defend why we believe by sharing our testimony, and our "sin" that caused us to recognize our need for "God's love." God's remedy for our sin is the death and resurrection of His Son "Jesus". We are sharing God's Word (the Gospel) so "faith" can arise in that person's heart. They, as we did, need to "repent" and turn from sin to God. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a lost soul, but each of us has a part to play in leading someone to saving faith. What part are you playing? Listen to this message to learn how to plant and water seeds. I pray that a desire will be placed in your heart to serve in the Body of Christ. That a fuse would be lit in your heart, so you will be a dynamite witness for the Kingdom of God. [See my brochure "How To Share Your Salvation" on the website.]
Let me hear from you - Charles
www.aboundinglove.org
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157 - The Soul of Man Overview

The understanding that we are triune: spirit, soul and body, just as God is triune, is seen repeatedly in Scripture. Internally, we are spirit, which is born again, made new by grace, having become partakers of the divine nature. This is surrounded by our soul (mind, will and emotions), which is renewed through a process involving the Word and the Spirit of God, Who indwells us. The outer man is our body, which is what everyone sees. But, our body, unlike our spirit and soul will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We'll be given a new body. On this earth, we are to let our righteous born-again Spirit come forth. For this to happen, we must work to put on the mind of Christ by the study of God's Word and the working of the Holy Spirit. Daily, we're to cast down imaginations and every high thing, which tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of God, His love, and His resurrection power. As our mind is renewed with the Word of God, we'll experience peace, which only He can give, plus His power to do His work on earth. We become the light of the world, just as Jesus is the light of the world. This message draws on specific Scriptures to bring out how this can be done in us. How we can stop serving sin, defeat the devil and become servants of righteousness.
Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

041 - Applying the Blood

In Revelation 12:11, the apostle John heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Today, we must lay down our lives by testifying with a loud voice what the Word of God says concerning the power of the blood of Jesus in order to overcome the schemes of the devil. So testify, "I am purchased by the blood of Jesus, just as if I never sinned and declared righteous. I am bought with a price, purchased by grace, free and forgiven of all my sins by the blood. I have peace with God, and I have the boldness to enter Heaven's Most Holy Place, a new and living way to enter God's presence by the blood of Jesus. I am set apart unto God, having an everlasting covenant signed in Jesus' blood. I am holy by the Spirit, loved, washed, cleansed of all my sin and made a king and priest, reigning in God's Kingdom. I overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. After applying the blood of Jesus by faith, I have put on my royal priesthood for service, and moved into the true heavenly tabernacle, through the wilderness (trials), out of Egypt (the flesh) and over the Jordon (the Spirit) into the promised land, with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Amen!"
Let me hear from you – Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe & share with someone you love.

303 - Living A Holy Lifestyle

Living a holy lifestyle takes place from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible uses many terms to describe holiness, but “holy” comes from the Greek word "Hagios", which means “a saint, a holy one, pure, blameless and concentrated." In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul tells us that we are sanctified in the Spirit the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. But Paul also stresses progressive sanctification in the soul [mind, will and emotions] to fully reap the blessings and rewards of being joined with Christ and living according to His will. Holiness is where God places man through His grace, and He has supplied every provision to those who choose salvation through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today’s message offers a deep dive into understanding the nature of God’s holiness, and how you can strengthen your faith in that holiness and sanctification.
Let me hear from you – Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe & share with someone you love.

147 - Let God’s Word Overflow

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the Spirit of God living within us, but His Spirit needs to rule our soul [mind, will and emotions] and body. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Paul sternly reminds the squabbling churches of Corinth that they must submit to the Word of God and cease their constant arguing and discord. Paul’s letter forewarns us as well that our minds are a target for the enemy, and Jesus needs to rule our minds through His Word, so we can become the actions of Jesus in this world. God has given us His power to rule over the darkness and schemes of the devil, through the blood and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. If we walk in His Word, speak His Word and make our decisions according to His Word, then our actions will follow. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to reign in your soul and body as a Christian? Or are you walking in strife, envy and division? Do you find yourself saved today, but also find yourself not acting like you’re saved? Learn from today’s message how to give Jesus control of your thought life, so you can reap the true joy and gifts of a Christian life.
Let me hear from you – Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe & share with someone you love.