Photo: APC/Rufina Velasco Set Design: AGMP/Dan Dalida
What is an abundant life? How do we live the abundant life? These were the questions addressed in the recently concluded Central Luzon Conference (CLC) Year-Round Evangelism Health and Happiness 2010 series last July 17-18, 21-25, and 28-30, 2010 at Pasay Adventist Church from 5:00-9:00 in the evening.
Organized by CLC and sponsored by the LL7 Ministries, this ten-night "Abundant Life in Jesus" seminar sustained an average audience of 400 nightly for the whole series and more one thousand in attendance to the maximum during the last night.
Broadcast via the Internet by the Amazing Grace Media Production or CLC TV Ministry, the live video streaming of the seminar nightly was viewed by thousands worldwide at the conference's website - www. adventist.ph.
Bro. Bing Alabata, a Chicago-based evangelist, handled the spiritual part of the seminar. With his sermons and illustrations, his presentations underscored the fact that when we know God - we have all the resources we need to live the abundant life.
"You can only find true wisdom and knowledge by knowing God", Alabata said. "Eternal life is to know God. But how can we know God? Many are asking, where can we start reading or studying the Bible? My answer to them - ‘You can start anywhere in the Bible if you want to know God, because everything in it points to Jesus Christ'."
He also revealed the three blessings in God's revelation of Jesus in the Bible: the Illumination that the Spirit gives us in Faith, in Inspiration, and by Grace. "The Bible, you can deny its truth. But it will continue to touch peoples' lives from generation to generation throughout the centuries", Alabata added.
This spiritual program of the conference aims also to provide a preview of promoting CHIP or Coronary Health Improvement Project.
Dr. Blecenda Varona of the Need Health Ministries revealed the biblical recipe that leads to the abundant life. In her health lectures, she outlined the provision God has made for us to live whole, healthy, and hopeful lives.
She presented health guidelines based on divine prescription and taught attendees about healthy diet; furthermore, she also taught how to add beauty to food preparation that will satisfy all the senses.
"Lower down the fat contents of your foods", Varona said. "Go vegetarian. Eat more plant-based foods. Eat variety of fruits and vegetables because these are protective foods. More color of fruits and vegetables in your kitchen is better and healthier."
"Discover your own nutritious and delicious food in your kitchen everyday", challenged by Varona. "God gave us food (man's original diet) for health, for life, and for enjoyment", she added.
A health expo was also held prior to the seminar where participants got a glimpse of the Adventist health programs, activities, healthcare services, free lectures with cooking class, and free tasting of healthy foods.
Indeed, abundant life is not necessarily a life of wealth, comfort, leisure, or freedom from pain. It is not the "good life" we hear about on TV. But it is a life of access to untold divine resources and provisions. The secret to the abundant life is a close relationship with God as we follow the truth of Scripture.
Jesus said, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10). So an abundant life is one that is richly supplied with what we need, a life that is available because Jesus came to provide it. The quality of life promised by God to His children in this world that will make us fit to live in His kingdom.
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