Abiding

The theme for the study of John this year was ABIDING.
God is so good, He knows exactly what we need.
Though we sing "Abide with me" the problem is not God abiding in me but the opposite.
Why is it so difficult for me to abide in Him?
Fear? Self Focus? Impatience? Control issues? Not daily dying to self?
Dwelling in His love, obeying His commandments should not be that difficult, yet it is.
Being in the study of John has enabled me to dwell in His love almost daily which helped to refocus my eyes on Him, His Will and His plan.
Looking back at the unexpected challenges that I faced this year (extended family issues, health issues) I did my best to abide in Him and the result was His perfect peace. I experience joy even in the sorrow. Through cloud and sunshine I felt His love. Tears had no bitterness. Any gloom encountered, He was there to point me to Him. I have felt the Lord's abiding in me this year. How sweet is has been.

I know to remain in Him I must daily die to myself so I can dwell in His love which will enable me to obey His commands.
Today I will choose to Abide in Him!


Notes from BSF Workshop Below:

ABIDE:
Continuing without change, enduring, steadfast
Enduring, Imperishable
Unending, Unchanging, Unshakable
to remain, continue, to stay
to have one's abode, dwell, reside
to continue in a prticular condition, relationship, last
to endure, sustain, withstand without yielding or submitting
to wait for, await
REMAIN,WAIT, DWELL
To wait patiently for
To remain in place
To conitune to be sure, firm
Endure
To dwell or sojourn
to act or behave in accordance with or in obedience to

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens;

Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me

The Lord is unchanging, He does ABIDE in me. He does not leave or forsake me. I have nothing to fear, no foe, no gloom, no darkness. He is always with me, always guiding me. The problem is not Lord abiding with me, the problem is me abiding in Him.

Abiding- Offering ourselves completely to Him

I John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Titus 3:4-5

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Romans 12:1

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Abundant Life is measured by HOW I ABIDE in HIM.

But how do I abide, remain, endure, wait, dwell????

1. Dwell in His love- His perfect LOVE that drives out fear

2. Obeying His commands

When I abide in Him, when I dwell in His love and obey His commands the focus changes from self to God.

The mark of abiding is what comes out of my mouth.

Abiding in Him effects the way I think, act and speak.

The unexpected challenges that I face and how I respond will show me how well I am abiding in Him.

When I abide in Him

......I recognize my need for God's empowering and enabling.

.....I love others enough to help them abide in Christ.

.....My goal is a vibrant relationship with God for myself and for others.

.....I prayerfully lead others to abide in Christ.

.....enables me to trust in God's timing for the salvation of others.

.....enables me to discern opportunities to share the gospel.

Abiding in Christ means turning the conversation towards salvation.