And the Assignment is....
In my last blog i told you to study up on John 15 because i was going to give you all an assignment....so here it is...
I am going to be speaking at a High School Camp (starting Tues morning) to the girls. We will have three sessions of one hour to cover John 15 and the idea of Abiding. For the last session I am wanting to read to them what you respond to me....so PLEASE RESPOND! (and soon if you can!)
1) I am wanting all the girls to leave knowing that it IS worth it to ABIDE and REMAIN in Christ. So in one paragraph or so, what would you say to encourage these girls that it is worth it to stick the course?
2) What are some very practical ways that you ABIDE in Christ daily?
Okay friends please do write. and all of you secret readers....WRITE TOO!
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5 comments:
What speaks to me most out of John 15 is verse 16. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and annointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last." He chose me! The God of all creation...chose me! selfish, used-up, worthless me. He chose me. Not only did He love me enough to send His son to take my punishment, but He loved me enough that He would use me to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name. ME. now if that isn't reason enough to abide in Him, then I don't know what is. Hand-picked by the creator Himself. robin moore
Our pastor spoke on this very passage this morning. He said we focus so much on OUR love for Jesus - how much WE feel for Him, when really it is about HIS love for us. Abiding - remaining - really allowing Him to fill you with His love so that you FEEL how much He loves you rather than concentrate on how little in comparison we feel for Him. In all of this, we discover our depravity at the Cross, but Christ gives us our dignity at the Cross. How true. Would we say, as John the Beloved Disciple, that we are the one whom Jesus loves? Doesn't mean He loves us more than anyone else - it just serves as evidence that we KNOW His love and are abiding in it.
If I would have known the fullness of His love years ago, I would not have cared what anyone thought of me. I would have had my self esteem when I was young, instead of having to fight for it now when I am a wife and a mother. I think that if I truly knew His love for me, I would have no problem abiding in it, because I would never again want to experience living without it.
sometimes i learn to fully embrace what it means to abide during seasons when that is not true in my life - during times that i have set up camp somewhere else. if ever i realize how much joy there is in abiding, its when that joy is missing. the unexplainable peace that comes from abiding is very real to me when life is anything but peaceful. and the deep intimacy that comes from abiding whispers to my heart when it seems so far away. when my selfishness, pride, complacency and busyness win the battle over my heart, life is miserable - maybe not externally, but internally there is no rest for my soul and the deep places of my heart cry out for something more. the reason i know that abiding is worth it? because when i am not abiding, my heart is sick and sad. the beautiful thing is that the Father's arms are open wide every time i am ready to curl back up on His lap. i don't understand why my heart so often wants to stray, but i promise - its not worth it. there is nothing greater than deeply abiding with Jesus.
I've been studying the fruit of the Spirit, and if you're not abiding, then you just can't bear "much fruit. . to the Father's glory". We all want the "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control", but sometimes we forget that they come AFTER, as a result of, abiding.
I'll be praying for you, Amber! Have an awesome week!
Star
Okay, this is awful! I just typed out a lengthy response after putting lots of thought into it, and my window messed up, went to an "Internet Explorer Cannot Display this Page" sign and erased my work! Since it's now 12:40am, I need to go to bed. I have had one of the most stressful 36-hour periods of my life (obviously, there have been plenty worse, but it feels pretty crazy right now), and all I can say is that if I had not spent time with the Lord this afternoon, I would have fallen apart completely about five or more times today. My study of the Word "just happened" to be over Psalm 46 today, which reminds me that "the Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." I was reminded today to "'Be still and know that [He] is God. [He] will be exalted among the nations, [He] will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with [me]; the God of Jacob is [my] fortress." Clearly, it was no coincidence that I studied this particular psalm today. I went to the Word, and the Lord knew exactly what I needed when I sat at His feet today.
In the end, despite the craziness of my day, I know that He will be exalted in all things! And even if I never see exactly how the stressors of my day will end up contributing to God's glory, I can trust that He will use these situations as well as my responses to them to glorify His name among all nations. And let me tell you, the only way I can respond WELL to all of this is if I'm abiding in Him. Praise be to God for providing help for me... and for the JOY of knowing that when I abide in Him, He will bear fruit in my life, and share the fullness of His joy with me! Amen!
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