John 15:9-11
:7 If you abide in me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
:9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love ; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
:11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
1 John 4:16
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.
Abide in the Greek…3306..meno
Abide has the idea to remain, to continue to be present; to be held, kept, continually; to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure.
In reference to state or condition---to remain as one, not to become another or different
This last meaning stands out in the sense that to abide in Christ makes me think of the believer's union with Him. We stay put in Him, in His love. We do not become something different than what He has created us to be. We are not different when circumstances become difficult, or the world has a negative opinion of us because of believing in Him, or mocks us, or ignores us or excludes us, or makes us to feel put down in some way. Our feelings do not dominate us because the place where we dwell and abide is the most REAL place, the safest place we could ever be…in Christ who is in the Father; in their unfathomable, never-ending, deep love (John 17:26; 1 John 4:16). He keeps us there, His love envelopes us and constantly reassures us that we are extremely unique and important to Him.
Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another to Him who was raised from the dead, that you might bear fruit for God.
Thus being in union with our Risen Lord, which enables us to abide in Him, produces His perfect love flowing to the world we live in, it produces answers to prayers, fruit bearing (John 15:16), and a joy that is full. Most importantly though the Father is glorified in the Son in whom we are abiding.
Thank You my wonderful Father, for loving us so much as to teach us to simply abide in You.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Our Helper
John 14:25
These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
:27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Father, You brought to my mind that the famous verse about peace, verse :27, comes right after your telling your disciples about not leaving them alone and sending the Holy Spirit.
I love the connection. We can have complete peace because You have not left us alone! The Holy Spirit is with us as long as we are on this earthly journey. Never ever are we alone!
The Spirit of the One True Living God is with us when we are sleeping, going for a walk, eating an ice cream cone, working in the garden, exercising; when fear tries to grip us, it has no legal right and though we may feel afraid, the Holy Spirit enables us to do what is right in the eyes of our Father. Strength is there if we will depend on You to provide it through Your Spirit.
You do not forsake us or ever leave us stranded (Hebrews 13:5). We have only to turn to You and Your Spirit is there to provide what is needed.
Not only is He present every single moment after salvation, but He brings to remembrance all that You have already told us, all that You have taught us. He is reminding us of what You have taught us to enable us to discern and also to speak truth to those around us.
I love that! No need to depend on an imperfect memory because Your Spirit will recall to our mind what is needed in the moment and at times we need only to ask.
Father, thank You so much that You have provided the Helper that dwells within us. You knew we needed Him in this modern world that we live in as much as the disciples needed Him because Jesus was about to leave this earth.
And thank You that we can have an intimate relationship with Him as we do with You. The Amplified Bible has these names for Him:
Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Counselor, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby….Spirit of Truth.
May He be all these things to the Body of Christ to raise the Church in America to a higher level of sensitivity to Your will.
These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
:27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Father, You brought to my mind that the famous verse about peace, verse :27, comes right after your telling your disciples about not leaving them alone and sending the Holy Spirit.
I love the connection. We can have complete peace because You have not left us alone! The Holy Spirit is with us as long as we are on this earthly journey. Never ever are we alone!
The Spirit of the One True Living God is with us when we are sleeping, going for a walk, eating an ice cream cone, working in the garden, exercising; when fear tries to grip us, it has no legal right and though we may feel afraid, the Holy Spirit enables us to do what is right in the eyes of our Father. Strength is there if we will depend on You to provide it through Your Spirit.
You do not forsake us or ever leave us stranded (Hebrews 13:5). We have only to turn to You and Your Spirit is there to provide what is needed.
Not only is He present every single moment after salvation, but He brings to remembrance all that You have already told us, all that You have taught us. He is reminding us of what You have taught us to enable us to discern and also to speak truth to those around us.
I love that! No need to depend on an imperfect memory because Your Spirit will recall to our mind what is needed in the moment and at times we need only to ask.
Father, thank You so much that You have provided the Helper that dwells within us. You knew we needed Him in this modern world that we live in as much as the disciples needed Him because Jesus was about to leave this earth.
And thank You that we can have an intimate relationship with Him as we do with You. The Amplified Bible has these names for Him:
Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Counselor, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby….Spirit of Truth.
May He be all these things to the Body of Christ to raise the Church in America to a higher level of sensitivity to Your will.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Safe and Secure
John 14:18-20
: 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
: 19 After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also.
: 20 In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and You in Me, and I in you.
In thinking of verse 20, I pictured my left hand spread open and the right hand being coupled and tucked into it and then another (me) coupled and tucked into the right hand.
It made me think of what I had read in Stacy Eldriges’s book, Captivating.
“Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of Jesus.”
The whole truth is that Jesus is our source of safety and security. We can have the confidence that He loves us deeply and cares for us and is able to keep us safe and secure.
Turning to Jesus in those moments of fear, weakness, or temptation will make our life’s path more steady and true to our calling for we are “the called of Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:6).
I am in the greatest place of safety I can be that does not depend on location, circumstances, or anything else that we experience in this earthly journey. As Your child I am raised up and seated at Your right hand in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6)
Thank you for the abundant grace to turn away from fears that hold me back and to enable me to walk knowing that I am in Jesus, and Jesus is in You.
: 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
: 19 After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also.
: 20 In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and You in Me, and I in you.
In thinking of verse 20, I pictured my left hand spread open and the right hand being coupled and tucked into it and then another (me) coupled and tucked into the right hand.
It made me think of what I had read in Stacy Eldriges’s book, Captivating.
“Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of Jesus.”
The whole truth is that Jesus is our source of safety and security. We can have the confidence that He loves us deeply and cares for us and is able to keep us safe and secure.
Turning to Jesus in those moments of fear, weakness, or temptation will make our life’s path more steady and true to our calling for we are “the called of Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:6).
I am in the greatest place of safety I can be that does not depend on location, circumstances, or anything else that we experience in this earthly journey. As Your child I am raised up and seated at Your right hand in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6)
Thank you for the abundant grace to turn away from fears that hold me back and to enable me to walk knowing that I am in Jesus, and Jesus is in You.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Obedience out of Faith
Romans 1:3-4
...concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,
4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake,
:6 and whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ
In Paul’s introduction to the book of Romans he speaks of Jesus
being declared the Son of God with power as a result of the resurrection from the dead.
In reading this passage Father, the words, “obedience of faith” stood out to me.
The thought that came to me immediately was that obedience comes out of real, living faith not morality. Morality is a good and right thing. But a person can have morality without faith in Your Son, Jesus. There are many people who live what they consider moral lives and have a religion that teaches that their morality is enough to satisfy their god.
500 years before Christ, a man in India named Siddhartha, thought that he found the life’s secret to happiness. He “taught his followers that they should be honest, make peace with their enemies, and avoid violence (even to animals and insects). He became known as the Buddha.” (taken from Story of the World)
In China, at the same time, a man named Confucius, seeing war and turmoil all around him, came to believe that even the poorest Chinese could have peace and happiness.
He became a wise teacher of the Chinese, teaching them to respect authority, to believe in obedience, kindness, and many other good and moral things. (Story of the World)
Morality definitely gives a person a better life. But what a difference when our faith in a Living God, who is victorious over death, is the central focus of our behavior. When we choose to live out of an intimacy with the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, we learn to have the confidence in His love and care for us based on what He has done and not on our own good life. No human being can ever be perfect enough in their behavior to satisfy a Holy God (Rom 3:23).
Jesus’ death and resurrection and His life in us through the Holy Spirit is what gives us true peace, joy, and happiness in this journey on earth. As a believer in the Risen Christ, we have received the grace, which pours forth out of its deep well within us, to bring about obedience.
He alone is worthy of glory and praise.
...concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,
4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake,
:6 and whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ
In Paul’s introduction to the book of Romans he speaks of Jesus
being declared the Son of God with power as a result of the resurrection from the dead.
In reading this passage Father, the words, “obedience of faith” stood out to me.
The thought that came to me immediately was that obedience comes out of real, living faith not morality. Morality is a good and right thing. But a person can have morality without faith in Your Son, Jesus. There are many people who live what they consider moral lives and have a religion that teaches that their morality is enough to satisfy their god.
500 years before Christ, a man in India named Siddhartha, thought that he found the life’s secret to happiness. He “taught his followers that they should be honest, make peace with their enemies, and avoid violence (even to animals and insects). He became known as the Buddha.” (taken from Story of the World)
In China, at the same time, a man named Confucius, seeing war and turmoil all around him, came to believe that even the poorest Chinese could have peace and happiness.
He became a wise teacher of the Chinese, teaching them to respect authority, to believe in obedience, kindness, and many other good and moral things. (Story of the World)
Morality definitely gives a person a better life. But what a difference when our faith in a Living God, who is victorious over death, is the central focus of our behavior. When we choose to live out of an intimacy with the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, we learn to have the confidence in His love and care for us based on what He has done and not on our own good life. No human being can ever be perfect enough in their behavior to satisfy a Holy God (Rom 3:23).
Jesus’ death and resurrection and His life in us through the Holy Spirit is what gives us true peace, joy, and happiness in this journey on earth. As a believer in the Risen Christ, we have received the grace, which pours forth out of its deep well within us, to bring about obedience.
He alone is worthy of glory and praise.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Enter into My Joy
Matt 24:21
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’"
This caught my eye …enter into the joy of your master. I love you, Father. You are the very breath of life!
In reading this passage about entrusting the slaves with talents, it spoke to me about the use of our gifts and every other possession that we have.
You have gifted each one of your children with gifts to bless the body of Christ and to carry out the plan that You have for their life to grow the Kingdom of God.
Our possessions themselves, though we really enjoy having them and You delight to bless us with them, are also to be used for the same reasons as the talents.
But I really loved the fact that in utilizing our gifts and possessions as You direct us to, we will enter into Your joy.
Ps 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Joy is one of the things that the heart of man needs desperately. Perhaps because it is sought in the world and the things of the world many hearts still remain without its blessing.
But believers know You, Father, You who have reconciled us to Yourself through the blood of Jesus, our Risen Lord.
We have the privilege of Your Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have the fullness of joy within us! Even though we don’t “feel” it doesn’t mean it is not within us.
So what helps us experience Your joy more fully? As the passage in Matthew 24 relates,by using our talents we will enter into Your joy, which to me says we will experience real, genuine, true joy.What can be greater than the presence of God?
As we exercise those gifts, whether it is money or gifts or possessions, we are in the works “that God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. Eph 2:10
It is not a mystery, it is not a secret and it is not something unattainable for each believer.
Today, right now where we are, we can experience the joy of Your fullness by filling our mind, heart, and thoughts with Jesus!
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’"
This caught my eye …enter into the joy of your master. I love you, Father. You are the very breath of life!
In reading this passage about entrusting the slaves with talents, it spoke to me about the use of our gifts and every other possession that we have.
You have gifted each one of your children with gifts to bless the body of Christ and to carry out the plan that You have for their life to grow the Kingdom of God.
Our possessions themselves, though we really enjoy having them and You delight to bless us with them, are also to be used for the same reasons as the talents.
But I really loved the fact that in utilizing our gifts and possessions as You direct us to, we will enter into Your joy.
Ps 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Joy is one of the things that the heart of man needs desperately. Perhaps because it is sought in the world and the things of the world many hearts still remain without its blessing.
But believers know You, Father, You who have reconciled us to Yourself through the blood of Jesus, our Risen Lord.
We have the privilege of Your Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have the fullness of joy within us! Even though we don’t “feel” it doesn’t mean it is not within us.
So what helps us experience Your joy more fully? As the passage in Matthew 24 relates,by using our talents we will enter into Your joy, which to me says we will experience real, genuine, true joy.What can be greater than the presence of God?
As we exercise those gifts, whether it is money or gifts or possessions, we are in the works “that God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. Eph 2:10
It is not a mystery, it is not a secret and it is not something unattainable for each believer.
Today, right now where we are, we can experience the joy of Your fullness by filling our mind, heart, and thoughts with Jesus!
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