Scriptures on Abiding in Christ

From http://blogs.blueletterbible.org/blb/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2012/06/060712_abiding.jpg

This week, I have decided to share a few Scriptures on abiding, rather than composting a complete blog post.  We can gain so much spiritually when we meditate (seriously think about) on Scriptures.  By hiding God’s Word in our heart, we can face the hard things in this fallen world in a way that will make others wonder what we have that they are missing.  History has many examples of Christians who were so committed to Jesus—they were solidly on the vine—they were willing to lose everything, including their lives to stay true to Jesus.  My longing, hope, and prayer is that I will be prepared to join them one day.   

The verses that follow are not by any means all the verses in the Bible on abiding in Christ, just a select few to mull over in the days ahead.

From http://dbenson3rdgradebis.tripod.com/abide.jpg 

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 15:4 KJV)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

(John 15:5 KJV)

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

(John 15:6 KJV)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  

(John 15:7 KJV)

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 

(John 15:10 KJV)

 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.  (Acts 14:13 KJV)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

(1 John 2:15 KJV)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

(1 John 2:16 KJV)

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

(1 John 2:17 KJV)

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  (1 John 3:6)

From http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-abide-in-christ.png 

My prayer is that these verses will speak to your heart and provide strength and encouragement on difficult days.  Currently, part of my time with the Lord each day is focusing on what it means to abide, to wait, to dwell—along with the resulting benefits.  It is a slow process; after all fruit takes time to mature.  At some point, I may share what I am learning in a blog post.

What verses is the Lord leading you to or speaking to you this week?

Please join with me in prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for Your Word that contains solid truth, as we mediate on it, open our spiritual eyes to understand what You are saying to us.  Direct our attention to the Scriptures You want us to meditate upon and apply to our daily lives.  Help us to abide in Your presence every day.  Thank You for the benefits that come from being Your child; may we share the Good News with those around us who desperately need to hear it.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

My One Word for 2016: Abide

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 15:4 KJV)

From https://brandinicolejm.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/john_15_4.jpg 
 

In the last few years, I have seen many posts on choosing a word to focus on for the year—for those of us in Christ that should be a word the Lord give us as we seek Him for His desire for us.  This year, I decided to reveal the word I believe the Lord desires me to study, to focus on, and to understand more fully from a Christian perspective.  The word I was directed to could really change things for me and my life as a Christian.  (As an aside, last year’s word was trust, as in God saying, “Trust Me.”) 

My word for the year is abide.  Abide.  Abide in Jesus and not leave—stay in Him.

Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 defines abide like this: “1. To rest, or dwell. ....  2. To tarry or stay for a short time.  ...  3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable.  …  4.  To remain, to continue…  To wait for; to be prepared for; to await.  ...  To endure or sustain.  …”[1]

Other words for abide, for my context, are:  dwell, submit to (humility), remain, continue, and stay.  Knowing the synonyms is helpful in gaining understanding of exactly what it means to abide. 

 

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuglfMlyfh71cZfDBHcwyYQt0gjb_9zBGTdSk6joqic-w95BdXWbeTUUATPcu7M-_87JctrzSu80NupqfTlbydCNkV_MVvh_YKpr0tFLE9otgIiStBzosDrnPxWg49lWSW6GFiV_mhoG95/s1600/abide+2.jpg

When we abide in Jesus we have the strength to do what we have been called to do; strength to face incredibly hard days.  It when we abide that we can do all things—something we cannot do if we only have an intellectual faith or depend solely on our mind, our own strength to live as a Christian.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (John 15:5 KJV)

From https://shadowlilies.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/john15_5.jpg

It is when we abide in Jesus that we bear fruit.  When we wander away from Jesus, from the vine, we suffer; we dry up and produce nothing noteworthy.  What we produce in the flesh will not last.  Ultimately, without abiding in Jesus we will wander away from the faith when things get difficult.

 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  (1John 3:6 KJV)

From http://image.slidesharecdn.com/slidesharedailybibleverse201502060545-150206074634-conversion-gate02/95/1-john-36-bible-verse-of-the-day-1-638.jpg?cb=1423208833

Abiding in Jesus, being firmly attached to the vine, empowers our Christian walk.  It is a matter of heart.  No amount of intellect will assist us here, in fact, it may be detrimental.  Abiding with Jesus, truly abiding will change our lives in ways we cannot begin to imagine! 

Last year, I read three books by Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place impacted me deeply).  I was amazed at the depth of faith in the ten Boom family.  They along with many other Dutch Reformed Christians determined to stand up to the Nazis and did all they could to protect the Jewish people in Holland.  Due to their faith, they paid a very steep price:  imprisonment, getting sent to concentration camps in Germany (almost certain death), and in some cases they paid with their life.  That is the type of faith I desire! 

I do not know about you; I know that I want to be ready, willing to give my life for Jesus!  My hunch is that my word for the year, if I truly focus on it, may be crucial in my preparations for when I face persecution due to following Jesus.

From https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/4d/75/0b/4d750bc9f777f28fa93f736d2d91af2e.jpg

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (Psalm 91:1 KJV)

From https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e15/11357669_1612891885655218_318992201_n.jpg

Ahh…dwelling in the secret place…  I cannot not think of a better place to dwell, to abide. 

What word has the Lord directed you to for the year? 

How are you abiding in Christ?

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father:  As we embark on this year, show us how we are to abide in Jesus.  Draw us more and more to You, as we seek Your face and desire to do Your will.  In many ways we know that we need to abide in Jesus if we expect to do much of anything, yet it is so easy to wander off at times.  Thank You for all the times You wooed us back to You after we wandered away from Your side.  Cause us to seek to dwell with You in the secret place, where will find such protection and provision, we will do things we never dreamed were possible.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

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[1] See http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,abide