I went to the movies the other day, and guess what? I bought popcorn. A big ol’ tub of popcorn, and I was extremely pleased to see that the young lady serving me did not skimp on the popcorn OR the butter. In fact, I had to take care not to spill any of the kernels as the bucket was filled to overflowing.

I amaze myself sometimes (actually often) over the things I get excited about, and most often it centers around food and portion size: from my overflowing bucket of popcorn to a heaping dish of ice cream to a meal so large that even I have to ask for a doggie bag.

But I am embarrassed to say that God promises me all kinds of abundance every day, but I don’t celebrate or revel in it even though His promises of abundance are so much more satisfying and rewarding than an overabundance of any food item.  Just listen.

John 10:10–– “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Life Abundant

Proverbs 3:9-10–– “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”  Provision Abundant

Luke 6:38–– “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  Return Abundant

Ephesians 3:20–– “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Beyond our imagination Abundant

2 Corinthians 9:8–– “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Grace Abundant

Romans 8:38-39––  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Love Abundant

I will try to remember all that God has promised me, but I guess I really shouldn’t beat myself up too much about getting excited over a big bucket of popcorn or large bowl of ice cream, for those are God's gifts as well.

Last week we saw that what we plant in our minds, will take root in our hearts, grow, and then manifest itself through our words. So if we are not happy with what tumbles out “in the moment,” how do we change it?

As any good mechanic or plumber will tell you that before you put anything new in a system, you have to flush out the bad, and usually you can do that by running clean water through it. And this can’t be a trickle. It needs to have some thrust to it.

We are absolutely no different. We need to flush out the bad that has worked its way into our hearts by sending in a surging stream of the good. And what is the good? The Bible talks of two things we need to be filled with––God’s word and His spirit.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ….” Collisions 3:16

“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

When we are going through the flushing out process, we can’t just read small portions of the Bible (though there is a time for deep reflection over small passages); rather we need to flood ourselves with God’s word. A little dribble will not displace all that Satan has crowded into our minds and hearts.  A short verse here and there will not counter a day’s worth of worldly onslaught. We need to hear God’s voice more than Satan’s.

And even if we read more than we can understand at the time, it will not be in vain. For as Isaiah 55:11 says,  “… my word … will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

We also need to be filled with God’s spirit (Ephesians 5:18), which God promises to give us (John 14: 26).

The greatest miracle about this flushing out and filling up with God’s Word and His Spirit is that they produce abundantly more: an understanding of the word; joy and peace; hope; and all the fruits of the spirit. (see verses below)

So let’s “Fill ‘er Up!”

Verses:

But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. (John 14:26)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

A year ago, comedian and political commentator Bill Maher faced a backlash of reaction for using a racial slur during his program. He apologized and said that he regretted saying it, and that it was just the “banter of a live moment.”

Many of us looking on in judgement would say that only what is already inside a person would come out in a “live moment.” Swear words, racial slurs, derogatory comments must already abide in a person in order to be able to resurface. And I am one to agree with that. For as Matthew 15:18 says, “the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart.”

But before we get too self-righteous, we should look at what we say, for even though we may not use foul language or purposely demean others, perhaps what spills out of our mouth is also offensive to God, for it calls into question his goodness and his protection.

Have you ever doubted your self-worth?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Voiced insecurities?

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

Revealed jealous thoughts?

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)

Expressed Fear?

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

No doubt we will express all of these emotions and more throughout our lives, but a strong indication of where our heart lies is in the words that spill over in a “live moment.”

For years, the number one killer in America was heart disease. Though it has been surpassed by cancer in twenty-two states, it is still a leading cause of death. One of the many factors of heart disease is the hardening of the arteries.

People who smoke, have high cholesterol, are obese, or don’t exercise are more at risk. Should one experience chest pains, shortness or breath, sweating, and anxiety, he or she should seek medical attention and then eat healthier, restrict salt intake, lose weight, quit smoking, and exercise.

In other words, if we pay attention, we should be able to avoid a hardening of the arteries.

The Bible also talks about heart disease, only this time it isn’t a hardening of the arteries but of the heart itself––a hardening of our heart toward God and his statutes. Just as hardened arteries can lead to physical death, a hard heart can lead to spiritual death. Our abilities to perceive and understand are blunted, and we care little for God and His ways. Unfortunately, hardening one’s heart is surprisingly easy.

Step one: Don’t listen to God. Just do your own thing. Follow your own desires.

While the world says that God’s laws and statutes are stifling, unloving, narrow, bigoted, and put a plug on pleasure, they are actually the exact opposite. They keep us healthy and allow us to live free.

Step two: Justify doing your own thing.

When we argue with God, we begin to close our heart to Him. When we want to hold back forgiveness, we have to close off our heart to others. When we purposely step into temptations, we have to steel our heart against the working of the Holy Spirit.

Step three: Avoid the warning signs and continue doing your own thing.

The warning signs are more than obvious: we don’t want to be around anything of God. His Word, His people, Him––and ironically, our joy dies.

But a hard spiritual heart can be remedied, easier even than our physical one, by repenting of our sins and returning to His word. Then as he promised: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)