This week I have been focusing on John 15. I especially love the English Standard Version of this chapter. Jesus tells us to abide in him. He uses the example of how a branch must abide in the vine to bear fruit. We also must abide in Jesus and he in us, so we can bear fruit for his glory.
So what does it mean to abide? The Webster’s Dictionary defines abide as remain, last, reside or endure. Jesus tells us to abide in him, meaning to remain in him. Just like a branch can not bear fruit without remaining in the vine, we also can’t bear fruit unless we remain in Christ.
Every single day we are faced with decisions in how we are going to deal with life. We can wake up and choose Jesus. Choose to be obedient to all he desires for us. Some days are more of a struggle with our fleshly desires. We get frustrated with situations, feelings, opinions, disappointments and the list goes on. So what do we do? Do we choose to abide in Christ or do we choose our own way? I’ve learned from experience that when I choose my own way my joy and peace are lacking.
As I prayed this morning I found myself asking the Holy Spirit to check my heart. God knows what I’m going to say before it comes out of my mouth. Sometimes I feel a check in my heart telling me “Don’t say that” or “Don’t do that”. It’s wise to choose obedience. I’m not saying it’s easy! God knows the struggle is real but he doesn’t leave us on our own to deal with things. God has given us the Holy Spirit and Im so thankful. I can’t make it through a day without leaning on the Lord.
Apart from abiding in Christ, we can’t bear fruit. Galatians 5 tells us that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. As we abide in Christ these fruits will be evident in our lives.
Living with hearing and visual issues, I need patience, peace, joy and self control not to react in a sassy manner. Oh I can be sassy! I have found that when I choose to abide; choose prayer, times of worship and reading scriptures, when I choose obedience to what God desires, I am more likely to respond to life struggles in a more God honoring way. As we continue in 2022 my prayer is that we will abide in Christ……remain in him… flourish in our spiritual growth..
bloom and bear much fruit for the glory of God.
Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Park Road Books. My story of learning to live triumphantly despite disabilities, through Gods strength and lessons He has taught me along the way. Be inspired!
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
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