Abide in Him
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
I live in my home. I am very comfortable here and I enjoy spending much of my time here. I feel safe and it is really my “happy place” that I come to each day. Yes, it is about where my stuff is some, but it is also where my husband is and I enjoy being with him when we can be together here. My home is also in me. I know it well and there is a place in my heart i give it. I know that sounds kind of weird and certainly I don’t love it, but it is special to me, so it takes up space in what is important to me. Obviously, my house cannot fit inside of my heart physically, but I do feel like it is part of who I am because it has taken on some of my personality by the things that are in it.
As I consider this concept of me in my house and my house in me, it helps me to better understand that through God’s salvation, Jesus lives in me and I in Him. It is not a physical thing, but a spiritual picture. I invited Him into my life because I wanted to live my life according to His ways. In doing that, now I live in Him and in agreement with His word. Oh, I am not perfect by any means, but it is easier not to fall into sin like I once did because I stay far away from the line of temptation and commit to keeping in agreement with Him.
In today’s verse, Jesus said if I abide or live in Him and His words live in me, I will ask what I desire (according to His Word) and it will be done for me. Jesus makes this promise because He knows that when we live our lives by the word of God, we are living by the will of God. God’s Word is Gods’ will! Now we understand that when we are facing an uphill situation or crisis in life, we go to God’s word and find the promise that He will bring us through to victory. Words like “I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me” (Romans 8). “I can do al things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4). “All of my children have great peace because they are taught by the Lord” (Isaiah 54). Because God made these promises in His word, I know they are His will for me. I know that I am more than a conqueror so I will win this battle I am in. I know that His words say that I can do all things so when I ask Him for the grace to accomplish His plan, I know I have it. I know it is His will that my children live in peace because His word told me that. I have no trouble believing He will bring them through every problem because I can ask for them to live in peace according to His word, which is His will. No matter what the outward circumstances look like, I know that the pressure of God’s promises on that situation will turn it around for His glory.
So today I want to encourage you to abide in Him. As the branch cannot have life without the vine, find your life and purpose in Him. Give Him first place in your life so that He can live at the head of all you do each day and direct you in His perfect path of purpose. Then you will know how to pray and petition for yourself and those you love because you live your life according to God’s word which is His will. Trust His provision of peace, grace and love through His word for every one of life’s circumstances that come your way and you will have whatever you ask from Him. When you do, vs. 8 says that God will be glorified by your victory in Him.
Today’s scripture reading: John 15:5-8
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
The Daily Dose 