ABIDE IN CHRIST – MAKING TIME: IT’S LIFE OF DEATH
SCRIPTURES: John 15:1-4 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:7,9,11 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you…. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
THOUGHT: I am sure you have seen a branch broken off of a tree and left to rot. A simpler example is grass cuttings when the lawn is mowed. Disconnected branches dry up, while grass clippings dry up and turn from their deep green to a dirty brown color. Jesus is teaching us that if we do not remain in constant contact with Him as our source then we will dry up just like the grass and the branch.
Receiving Christ in our hearts is not a one time affair. It is a daily experience that we have to plan for and execute diligently. He is the Bread of Life and if we come to Him and sit with Him on a regular basis, we will not hunger or thirst (see John 6:38). This has to do with our provision and our satisfaction. He will provide for our needs and our hearts will not pine for the things we do not have as He is the great possession.
Jesus further described that His Words must abide in us (see John 15:7). We must always be concerned with what He has to say about our attitudes and actions. His Word is the governor for our lives and not the word or ways of the world. To know His Word, we must spend time with our Bibles and patiently in His presence. When we do this we can receive of His love and be filled with The Joy of the LORD. (John 15:9 & 11)
Rick Warren, a prolific Christian writer and pastor defines The Joy of the LORD this way: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
PRAYER: LORD Jesus, I make the choice to ABIDE IN YOU. I plan to make time for You on a regular and consistent basis and to spend more time hearing, reading, considering and applying Your Words. Give me the wisdom and the insight to hear deeply what You are saying and the courage to apply Your sayings to my life. I desire to bear fruit in my life, and to live in Your love and Your joy, and make an impact in my sphere of influence and in my nation. In Jesus Name, AMEN!
