Sunday- Abiding Worship

Abiding in Christ is what connects us to His glory, mercy, and all the good gifts  that are ours in Him..   Keeping Him in our  day, our  heart,   and mind,  can sometimes  get lost in the  tempest that our  days can become.  But there are some things we can do to keep  Him uttermost in our lives.. ...   that are essential    for our eternal  relationship.

• We can begin each day eating from His word..   if you  haven't read through  the Bible  using a daily reading plan I can recommend   Pastor Allen Jackson's  Daily Bible Reading plan.  My husband and I have  been dong this, this year and I really  like the way it was divided. It made us stick with it  almost to the end!  Just a bit left to go!!  If  you  can't do this,  a good morning devotional  is  needed.  I  personally love  Jesus Calling.  Beginning your day  with a Word from  above  helps to establish your mind and heart for whatever  comes  ..
• Maintain a thankfulness journal.. I  started  mine  back  when Ann Voskamp   introduced 1000 Gifts,  her book on being Thankful,.. We were encouraged to watch for the small things that God sends our way..  "the  glow of the sunlight on the dish water  in the morning."    I mean it really  made  me quite intentional as I sought God in my day!!
•   Set side  some quiet time in  the later part  of the day  to just reset  and  reflect.  Reflection is very important. I think it carries with it healing.  Sometimes I turn on a YouTube  instrumental hymn  video and let that beautiful music carry me through  my household chores, as well.
• All the while during these exercises reflect on the goodness of God, how  he cares for you, personally,  and  build on your personal relationship you have with him; He is the lover of your soul.  And  I love  Jeremiah 29:11,"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
• Even if your day is full of trouble, pain,  sorrow, and bleakness,  still remember these words..1Thessolonians 5:16-17  Now Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.

Remember, nothing takes God by surprise, and  everything that happens is by his indirect or direct Will.   And,  as bad as. it appears, it  is always for our ultimate good.   I rely on this truth all the time, because  sometimes life is hard, but I  know that God is  faithful and  just, and I, also, know   that  I sometimes have to be taken to the woodshed by the  troubles that come my way, to test me and see if I am trusting Him, or going off on my own.   Just keep pressing in to Him and things  turn out,  I may not realize  that His way is best at the time,  but  I eventually realize  that He is God and He knows  best, and His mercies endure forever!!!  The Lord of All who   called the Universe into existence  loves you  dearly, and seeks  to spend time with you!

Sunday- Abiding Worship

                

You will remember  from  the October 2nd   post    that we are to abide in Christ  because He is  the True vine and we are his branches.. 

  That we are to remain in Him (Jesus).  and bear much fruit. The scripture in John 15 goes on to say,8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

• These underlined phrases are not suggestions,  but  there are imperatives!!!  Commands.. and in particular  was leading his  disciples to  verse 12.Love each other as I have loved you..  Now we know how Jesus loved us..  I suspect that if you are  a Christ follower you can  recite John 3:16, so I will not  add it here.    If you are unsure,  by all means  look it up; it is one of the most important  verses in the Bible and one  most new believers memorize first. The all important   phrase of that verse states "He gave His only begotten Son"  what  are the ramifications or consequences of that phrase.
• God gave His only begotten son to leave heaven and  come down to earth  for a grand purpose ...Jesus had been with His Father forever   ..  he  was   spoken of in Genesis  1..26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and Jesus appeared as the Chief High Priest Melchizedek  in chapter 14  to Abraham. 
•  But God gave His only begotten son to   give up heaven and put  on humanity,  be born  in low estate   and live a humble life before mankind.   Jesus told His disciples in John 14 that He only did what he saw His father doing,  thereby introducing them to the Father. They had known about God but had no idea  Jesus was actually His son!  Then Jesus  died a sinner's death ;a death so cruel it was meant only for the wicked ; death on  cross.  .. He had taken on every sin ever committed  and carried them all on the cross.As He hung there  He was so  reviled His Father had to look away, because He is so Holy He cannot look upon sin...  and Jesus was utterly alone for the first time..  in His  suffering ... for us!!  By this act of love Jesus  washed away   all of our (We who believe in Him as Our Lord and Saviour!) iniquities   .. til we are white as snow.  and  would then be children of God.
• And if we return to John 
  15:13 Jesus goes on to say: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
• Oh, by the way, in the link above I gave you more than  the verse,  but  an exceptional explanation  for our need for Christ in our lives. I hope you will take time to  digest  the information given.  It is life changing!!