Back story: Right before we left for the airport for launch, we were giving a piece of paper. This paper was from a group of complete strangers that prayed over us individually and was given a word or phrase for us. Here is mine….
I thought “oh, that’s a nice verse.” I taped it in my journal and never really thought about it since then. But then Sunday church happened (if you haven’t read my previous post “Distracted” I encourage you to do that now before continuing)
Abide: a word that has many meanings. The Merriam Dictionary defines it as this:
- To remain stable or fixed in a state
- To continue in a place
- Synonym—Dwell, hang around, remain, stay, stick around
- To exist over a period of time or indefinitely
- Continue: applies to a process going on without ending
- Last: especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected
- Endure: adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies (in spite of everything, her faith endured)
- Abide: implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.
When Dixon was giving his message on Sunday at the very end he shared John 15:3 and I immediately thought of the paper I was given. I quickly turned to John 15 and read verse 1-11. The word “abide” is mentioned 8 times in those verses. (ESV) Wow. Pretty sure God is trying to tell me something. This morning my quiet time with Jesus, I read through John 15. (seriously read it). It is the Vine and the Branches chapter. A great read.
Dixon talked about in order to have initiative, you need to have a healthy relationship with God. God is calling me to abide in Him. Dwell in Him. He is my safe place.
God will take away and prune back anything that is not of him. He also prunes the good branches so you can grow even more. It will be painful and not easy but you will grow from that pain. Jesus forgives our sins and we cannot survive without Him. He is our home and we are His. When we dwell in Him, He will bless us and answer our prayers. We glorify Him when we live our life and an obedient to Him. Not only do we abide in Him, we abide in His love. His unconditional love. And with that love we can overflow and love our neighbors. Verse 16 says “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.”
God chose me to abide in Him. He chose you to abide in Him. What are you waiting for?
