My 2015 one word is ABIDE.
Though I've known this is my word for two months, I have written and re-written this post over many times, finding it difficult to express whats in my heart...I think that's because I am meant to be learning more what it means throughout the year and have my understanding grow deeper. Since deciding on this in early January, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard something or read something either talking about abiding or that amazing passage in John 15.
My study bible describes it like this: Abide in me means to continue in a daily, personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by trust, prayer, obedience and joy.
Last month I studied the book of John with She Reads Truth. When we got to John 15, Jesus talked a lot about abiding.
In John 15:5 He says....
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing."
for without Me you can do nothing."
God created me to need him...desperately and daily and personally. He is the vine, and I am the branch...without him I can do nothing. In His sovereign love, he calls me daily to die to me, to my own efforts and will and striving and to find my life in him. He invites me to abide.
And in that relationship He initiates, He provides grace and strength. Its grace that I don't deserve and strength that I don't need to stir up on my own....I just answer the invitation to "abide in me".
Abide in him, and he will abide in you. He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6). He who called you is faithful; he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Wish I could have seen your face when Pastor E began his sermon on Saturday night! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
ReplyDelete@Meg...remarkable! Hearing that is what finally prompted to me to get this post up! :)
ReplyDeleteI am in a season of abiding right now - and this post is what made me realize it! I've just felt disconnected from the people around me lately. Abiding. Perfect for Lent, now that I think about it :)
ReplyDeleteThe Kelly Minter "What Love Is" Bible study digs deep into abiding based on the usage of the word in 1, 2, 3 John. Kelly writes that "abide" is derived from the Greek word meno, which can mean "not to depart; to continue, to be present; to be held, kept, continually; to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure." As you abide in Him, rest assured that He richly abides in you. What a beautiful truth to dwell on this year and always.
ReplyDeletethat last scripture was so good for me to hear this morning! My word for 2015 is Trust. The scriptures I am memorizing have gotten me through some difficult nights of fear and doubt. And each day I find my Trust in Him landing on a deeper level.
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