LIVING IN GOD'S OVERFLOW

LIVING IN GOD'S OVERFLOW

John 10:10
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The word translated “abundantly” comes from the Greek perissos pe-see-sauce , which means:
Overflowing, exceeding, more than necessary, beyond measure, superior, or extraordinary.
It describes something that surpasses normal limits — an overflowing quantity or quality of life.

So, Jesus isn’t talking about just existing or surviving — He’s talking about thriving.
The life He gives is richer, deeper, and more fulfilling than what the world offers.

Constant giving without being spiritually refueled eventually leads to emotional depletion, compassion fatigue, and burnout — even when intentions are pure. 
Here’s how you practically root yourself in God’s strength so your giving flows from overflow, not exhaustion:

Remember. Unity is not possible unless we all are overflowing. 

A thought: 
Could part of the problem be that in following Jesus we're trying to be a better version of ourselves rather than a more accurate reflection of Him?  (Romans 8:29; Romans 12:2)

Steps to Living in His overflow.

1. ANCHOR Your Identity Daily — Not in Service, but in Sonship/Daughterhood

Burnout begins when your sense of worth becomes tied to what you DO for God rather than WHO you are IN God.

Practical Steps:
Begin each morning declaring the truth: “I am loved before I labor.”

Read Ephesians 1:3–14 — note how every blessing is “in Christ,” not in performance.

Before any task, pray: “Lord, let me serve from Your love, not for it.”

2. Prioritize the Secret Place

Jesus often withdrew to solitary places (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed time alone with the Father, so do we — especially givers.

Practical Steps:
Set non-negotiable daily quiet time — even 15–20 minutes of silence, Scripture, and prayer.
No phone. No agenda. Just presence.
Use the S4 pattern: Stillness → Scripture → Surrender → Strength.

3. Feed on the Word Before You Feed Others

A common trap: studying the Bible ONLY to teach, serve, or help others. That’s spiritual malnutrition.

Practical Steps:
Read Scripture for your own soul FIRST!! - FILL UP!

Example: Before prepping for ministry, ask, “Lord, what are You saying to me?”

Keep a “personal manna journal” — record what God speaks to you, not just what you’ll share.

4. Practice Rhythms of Rest and Sabbath

God established Sabbath not as a suggestion but a survival tool. Rest is not laziness — it’s obedience.

Practical Steps:
Set one day (or block of time weekly) for no ministry tasks — just rest, enjoy creation, worship, family, quiet time.

Take regular “soul retreats” — even half a day away with just your Bible and a journal.

Schedule rest like you schedule service. (Be intentional)

5. Guard Emotional Boundaries

Burnout often stems from carrying what God never asked you to carry.

Practical Steps:
When helping others, ask: “Is this mine to carry or His to cover?”

Journal frequently: “What burdens today are not mine to keep?”

Read Matthew 11:28–30 — trade your yoke for His.

6. Build a “Refueling Circle”

Even Paul had Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. You need voices that pour back into you.

Practical Steps:
Identify 2–3 spiritually mature people who fill your cup, not just draw from it.

Have honest check-ins: “How’s your soul, really?”

Stay accountable to rest and rhythm.

Serve With Awareness, Not Attachment

You’re called to obedience, not outcome. When you over-attach to results, you’ll over-exert to control them.

Practical Steps:
After every act of service, whisper: “The results belong to You, Lord.”

Celebrate obedience more than impact.

Let go of what you can’t sustain — if God called it, He’ll carry it.

Key Scriptures to Stay Rooted and Overflowing.

John 15:4–5
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, WILL produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Let's Reflect

“Am I giving out of overflow or out of obligation?”
“Overflow isn’t about what’s in your bank — it’s about what’s in your spirit.”
“God fills you to spill you — your blessings are meant to flow, not stagnate.”

John 7:38 (NLT)
“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living 
water will flow from his heart.’”

When your service flows from intimacy, it becomes worship. When it flows from exhaustion, it becomes weight. The difference is abiding — not striving.

Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”

Meaning: God doesn’t just fill you to the brim — He overflows your life with the P3 His Presence, Peace, and Provision, enabling you to bless others from the surplus.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will ALWAYS have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Meaning: Overflow isn’t about excess for self — it’s divine supply that equips you to meet the needs of others with joy and generosity.

Romans 15:13 (NLT)

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Meaning: Hope that overflows inspires others to trust God — it's a contagious faith born from personal communion with the Lord.

“Overflow happens when gratitude outweighs complaint.”
“Living in overflow means trusting that God’s supply will always outrun your need.”
“The overflow is not earned — it’s inherited through intimacy with the Source.”

Final Thoughts
First, we should realize the "love" Jesus speaks of is practical, not emotional. We don't need to "feel warm thoughts" for others, but we do need to act lovingly towards them, even when they're hostile to us (Romans 12:17–21). 
Romans 12:17–21 (NLT)
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of
shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
 
When this evening of discussion and teaching began, Jesus initiated it with an act of love: washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:3–5). Affection will sometimes grow as we serve others. But, even when it doesn't, the command to "love" remains. 

Second, we are meant to echo the nature of Christ's love. This means humility (John 13:6), sacrifice (John 15:13), and service (John 13:35). Our approach to others, especially between fellow Christians (1 John 4:20–21), should be characterized by those traits. The idea of laying down one's life, stated in the next verse, means something more constant than a single act.

Some Practical Reflections
“When Christ fills you, you don’t just have enough — you have overflow.”
“Jesus didn’t die to make you merely survive — He rose to help you thrive.”
“God’s abundance isn’t about having more — it’s about becoming more through Him.”
“The abundant life isn’t measured in possessions, but in peace.”
“The overflow begins when self ends and surrender begins.”
“You can’t overflow if you’re half-full of self; let Him fill every empty place.”

LIVE IN THE O.V.E.R.F.L.O.W. 


O        Obedience to God - John 14:23

V        Vessel of His Presence - 2 Corinthians 4:7 

E        Empowered by the Spirit        (Acts 1:8)

R        Renewed Daily (Lamentations 3:22-23)

F        Faith in God’s Supply. (Philippians 4:19)

L        Love in Action  (1 John 3:18)

O        Outpouring of Grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

W        Witness that Impacts the World (Matthew 5:16)

“Overflow is a lifestyle of Obedience, Vesselhood, Empowerment, Renewal, Faith, Love, Outpouring, and Witness — living so filled with God that His presence naturally spills into the lives around you.”

FAMILY: STAYING UNIFIED WE THRIVE IN 2025