“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This verse tells us that we are to have life and have it more abundantly. The question arises, more abundantly than what? I believe we are to have a life that is more abundant than the enemy could ever steal or destroy. If you have 100 watches and you lose 1, you may not really notice it-that is abundance. Abundance however applies to more than material or financial resources. It also refers to peace and joy. For example picture the scene, when you are having a bad day, when everything seems to be going wrong, then to cap it all someone in the supermarket steps on your toe, you become furious and want to shout at the individual. However on a different day when all is well and you have an abundance of joy, you are likely to just laugh off the incident.
God has promised us an abundant life that is out of reach of the enemy. Once you are on God’s side, the enemy has no power over you. (John 10:11-15)
God is unlimited therefore the abundance He has for you is limitless. (Jer. 32:27) The enemy cannot limit you, he is under your feet (Rom. 16:20). As long as you are on the Lord’s side, you are more than a conqueror. (Rom. 8:37) Therefore nothing can stop you getting to the top except YOU. NOTHING can limit you except YOU, YOURSELF & YOU!
What does the word limit mean? The dictionary defines it as:
- The greatest amount, number or level of something that is either possible or allowed
- To control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number or level
- a point beyond which something does not or may not pass
Therefore to limit something is stop it from going beyond a particular point or level. This is how we limit ourselves, we determine or control the level to which we can go in life or the extent to which we can serve God by our beliefs about ourselves and what we can achieve.
Don’t be limited by your humanity-your soul (mind, will & emotions) or your physical body (your senses). Once you have submitted yourself to Jesus Christ, the old has passed away and the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17). The Holy Spirit now dwells within you and can empower you to overcome whatever limitations that you feel you have. When you allow your spirit-man to control the soul and the physical body, you have the victory over your limitations. How do we achieve this? By reading the word of God and though prayer & fasting, these activities feed our spirit man and reduce the influence of our flesh over our lives
Let’s look at some examples how we limit ourselves and how biblical characters overcame these limitations.
- “I’m too young & inexperienced”
Mary, the mother of Jesus trusted God even when she didn’t understand. Even though she must have felt too young, unqualified, unprepared & inexperienced she simply said “..be it unto me according to thy word” (Lk. 1:38) Don’t discount yourself because of your age (1 Tim. 4:12). Don’t forget The Ancient of Days is dwelling in you!
- “Others say it’s not possible”
Moses and Aaron sent a group of men to explore the land that they wanted to conquer. All of them came back with a negative report except Caleb and Joshua who believed that as long as God was on their side, they could conquer the land. (Num. 13:30-33) Whose report will you believe, man or the word of God?
- “I’m too busy”
Lydia was a business owner who provided shelter & hospitality for Apostle Paul (Acts 16:14-15,40). She even started a church in her home. God used her home, her business skills & her network of contacts to advance the Kingdom & build the church. If you are not busy for God, the devil has plenty of things to keep you busy with. God is just looking for your availability, he will equip you. Priscilla & Aquilla were Tent-makers with little theological knowledge but God used them to establish a church.
- “I’m too old”
Anna, an elderly prophetess worshipped God with prayer and fasting day & night. She could have excused herself by saying that she was too old to fast or to be in the temple day and night. Instead she served God with all the strength that she had and because she was positioned well, she was able to see Jesus and God still used her mightily as an evangelist (Lk. 2:36-38).
- “I know all that I need to know”
The Samaritan woman at the well had her own religion but she was prepared to listen to what Jesus had to say. (John 4) Believing that you know everything about a subject can limit you from excelling. You need to be humble enough to continue learning.
- “I’m afraid” (of failing, of looking foolish etc.)
Peter got out of the boat to walk on water, of course it is likely to have crossed his mind crossed his mind, “what if I sink, I will look foolish” but he stepped out anyway. It was when he let his thoughts take over that he stated to sink. (Matt. 14:22-33) With God on your side, you can’t fail. It’s your reaction to the situation that will determine the outcome-Daniel didn’t get eaten by the lions because of his faith-filled mindset. Daniel was not intimidated by the lions and therefore they could not overpower him. David beat Goliath for the same reason.
- “I don’t have enough resources”
God is our source, He is our provider. The Earth and everything in it is His (Psa. 24:1). He fed over 5000 with just 2 loaves & 5 fish, He will take what you have & multiply it.
- “I’m tired, I don’t have the strength”
God is the one who will give you the strength. When we lean on Him, he will renew our strength. Therefore when we are weak, we are to say we are strong. (Isa. 40:31, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Phil 4:13)
- “Others say I’m useless”
“Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.” (Rom 16:12) The Greek word for work here means ‘to toil to utter exhaustion’ yet the names Tryphena and Tryphosa mean dainty & delicate. These sisters were not limited by what they had been called by others Don’t be limited by who people say you are-who does God say you are.
- “I’ve made too many mistakes in life, I’ve fallen so many times to be used by God”
The Samaritan woman had experienced 5 broken marriages but when she listened to Jesus and submitted herself to Him, God used her to evangelise to her whole village. Make a decision to turn away from sin, remember that you have dominion over it (Rom. 6:14). Once you are walking uprightly, don’t live in condemnation. God has tossed the sins of the past into the sea of forgetfulness & there is a sign that says ‘NO FISHING!’
The bible is full of examples of those who did not allow their circumstances or their status to limit them. Lets follow their example and be and do all that God has purposed for us.
LIVE BEYOND THE LIMITS!
Andrea Onduku
