stay

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

John 8:31 ESV

If we accept His word by faith, unfolding its insights rather than use it to support our own, His spirit will abide in us and we will love His people and reveal to them His glorious grace.  

Jesus is with us. His Word is with us; and His Word will always lead us to His way. All too often we are so overwhelmed, giving all our energy to everything other than the Word that gives us life. There are no shortcuts. 

The way to life—to God— is vigorous and requires total attention; (Matt 7:13-14 MSG)

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells the disciples that those who passively receive the Word or do not take the time to understand the Word will immediately fall away when trials come. “They received it with joy,” but did not allow the message to take root in their heart. (Mt 13:18-23) Basing our relationship with God solely on feelings and our circumstances gives the enemy an advantage to fill our minds with lies about our identity, our purpose and who God is. 

There are going to be seasons we don’t “feel” God. There are going to be moments that “feel” unfair and uncertain, much like the climate today. But there is always an opportunity to fix our eyes on Jesus and recall daily the gospel on which our life depends. (Jm 1:22-25)

Center your heart around His Word today. Study it. Meditate on it. Speak it out loud. (He 4:12)
And remain encouraged friends. Through the cluster of interpretations and denominations, we can easily lose our way— when in doubt, consider Jesus. All throughout scripture He is revealed. 

centering prayer

Holy Spirit, teach me to abide.