Abiding in Christ
My heart is running over…nothing has changed. I haven’t made some amazing purchase or gotten incredible news. You see, my joy is not based on earthly circumstances, but the shear sense of completeness I feel as I abide in Christ.
When you choose to live your life with a sense of purpose and an amazement of the magnificence of your Savior...fear, anxiety and depression begins to dissipate. It’s replaced with an exciting anticipation of what our future holds. Our peace is not based on world affairs, the government, your current situation, finances, jobs, relationships, logic or health, but strictly on your relationship with Jesus, and the promises He's made in His Word.
In the original Greek abide is μένω (menō) it means to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy. To abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand or tarry.
So, abiding means we don't seek and serve God one day and do our own thing the next, then wonder where our peace has gone. It's waking up with Him on our mind, chasing after Him throughout our day, studying His Word and being relentless in our pursuit! It's desiring His pleasure and will above our own and seeking to hear, obey and please Him with every thought, action and deed.
I'm not saying abiding in Christ makes us perfect, but it brings a desire for holiness and purity in our lives. It removes all hindrances and causes us to hear and see Him more clearly. It gives us a heart of gratitude and worship. It transforms us from selfish and self centered beings to self sacrificing, completely surrendered children of the Most High God!!
Abiding in His presence makes us strong and unintimidated by our weaknesses and the attacks of the enemy. We have no doubt of how much we are loved and that He cares about the details of our lives! We KNOW that we are on the winning side and nothing is impossible!!
Do you want to bear fruit and experience a deeper relationship with Christ, rest, purpose, peace and fulfillment? ABIDE IN HIM!
John 15:4-11 (ESV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
1 John 2:24-29 (KJV) Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
