Abiding in Christ - Day 17 - Through the Holy Spirit

The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you... and just as it h as taught you, you will abide in Him.~1 John 2:27

We must LIVE and EXPERIENCE truth in order to KNOW it.  We do not first understand spiritual things in the intellect, then gradually experience these truths.  Just the opposite: We live them, we experience them, then we know them.

You do not realize now what I am doing,but LATER you will understand. ~John 13:7

There is a habit of mind and life that precedes the understanding of the truth.

First follow, then know.

Faith trusts the working of the Spirit unseen in the deep recesses of the inner life.                       ~Andrew Murray, Chapter 17, Abiding in Christ.

By the Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son are ONE.
By the Holy Spirit, there is a bond of fellowship between believers.  They are ONE.
And by the Holy Spirit, there is a bond of fellowship between Christ and individual believers.

By the Holy Spirit, we are one with Christ.

Do you believe this?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit's indwelling?  He lives IN you.
Do you believe in His constant presence?  He guides you.
Do you believe that He is always at work?

Wait and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• He guides our will
• He energizes our faith
• He gives us peace and joy and understanding.

It is impossible to live a life of full abiding in Christ without being filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Take time for daily prayer.
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by lack of faith.
• Honour Him by confidently trusting that He is working within.
• Seek your nourishment in the Word of God. 

The Spirit of God is within the Believer,

              teaching

                 guiding

                      working

with secret but divine POWER.

Trust Him!  Rejoice!

Never hinder Him by unbelief. 

The Holy Spirit was given for this one purpose--that the glorious redemption and life in Christ might with divine power be conveyed and communicated to us.~Andrew Murray

Abiding in Christ - Day 16 - Forsaking All for Him

I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.~Philippians 3:8-9

Life is a taking in and giving out.
Life is a receiving and restoring.

We take in nourishment and give to others in the form of work.
We take in knowledge and give out thoughts and feelings, prose and poetry.

"In the healthy exercise of giving and taking is all the enjoyment of life."                                ~p.98, Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray.

The Bible is full of paradox.

• Sell all to secure the treasure.
• Lose your life to find it!
• Forsake all; receive a hundred-fold.

In order to have a new life in Christ, we must forsake sin.  In order to become wholly a servant of righteousness, we need to be purged.  In order to gain the presence and feel the love of Christ, we must surrender sin.  We must give up unrighteousness, but more than that, give up self-righteousness.  

Instead of absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit's leading, 

                          SELF is expected to do a work it can never do.

In me (that is, in my flesh) NOTHING GOOD DWELLS.  ~Romans 7:18

In order to use our natural gifts in the service of the Lord, we must sacrifice and surrender.

All of our gifts and powers are still defiled by sin and they are still under the power of the flesh.  I can't use them for God's glory until I lay them at Christ's feet, to be accepted and cleansed by Him.

I must feel myself utterly powerless to use my natural gifts correctly.

My gifts - the gift of gab, the ability to write, the tendency to teach - are all under the power of the flesh, and are still defiled by sin, unless they are given up and given to Christ.

Lord, I give You my gifts, my talents, the things that come easily to me.  I give them up entirely.  I do not want to use them under my sin nature - so I give them up to You.  You decide.  You use me as You wish.  Put me on the shelf, if that is where You want me to be.  I am Yours, to use as You see fit.  Only let my life bring You glory.

Isaac, the Son of Promise, was given up.

Jesus, the Son of God, gave up His life.

Wholehearted surrender.  As I give myself up wholly to Christ, He gives me power to take Him wholly for myself.  As I lose myself and all I have for Him, He takes me wholly for Himself and gives Himself wholly to me.

This surrender is moment by moment, a single step.  It's equally a daily renewal, and a progressive attainment.  Forget what is behind, your past spiritual highs, the graces given to you by your Master.  Press on, reaching out to Christ, praying unceasingly for more light, more trust, more surrender.  

What does this all mean in practical terms?  Keep the truth of the gospel at the forefront of your mind:  Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  God is in charge of my life and my circumstances, and is actively working to conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord.  Nothing is ever a surprise to Him.  He orders my steps.  He prays for me.  I have an enemy that I must be on guard against, but my God is faithful and helps me continually.  I am a slave; He is the Master.  He loves me enough to call me His friend.  I deserve hell; He gives me heaven.  

So when things happen that are hard, or scary, or terrifying, or painful, I must simply surrender.  I must go to my Lord and sit at His feet, saying "I am the handmaiden of You, Lord.  Do with me as You will."

What can be more difficult than this?

(James Smith, "Nothing Impossible" 1861)

"For with God, nothing shall be impossible!" Luke 1:37

Difficulties often crowd the believer's path, and trials line his way.Obstacles and opposition meet him at almost every turn. What to do at times--he scarcely knows, for he has been disappointed so often, and is now so completely baffled--that his way is hedged up with thorns! Look whichever way he will, or to whatever quarter he may--there is something to discourage him, and cast him down!

It is of no use looking any way, or to any one--but to the Lord; and while looking to Him, it will be well to remember what the angel said to the blessed virgin, to excite and strengthen her faith, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible."

Look at the Fact. There are no impossibilities with God! Hecan do--as He will. He will do--all that He has promised. He has promised to do all that you can need or even wisely desire. In Mary's case, much faith was required--it was exercised and honored.

A virgin did bear a son.

That son was free from all taint of sin.

That son was divine.

That divine Son was the Savior of men.

What can be more difficult than this?

What should stagger us, after this?

Look at what God IS:

look at His power and grace,

look at His wisdom and wealth,

look at His pity and compassion,

look at His greatness and glory.

Look at what God has DONE:

in nature--by His power,

in providence--by His wisdom,

in redemption--by His grace.

And looking at what God is, and at what He has done--you must come to the conclusion, "With God, nothing is impossible!"

Let us use this fact for our own benefit. 

Nothing shall be impossible with God!

Not the conversion of that obstinate child.

Not that hardened husband.

Not that trying and degraded wife.

Not the restoration of that backslider--as low as he may have sunk, and far as he may have gone.

Not the pardon of those sins--as great, glaring, and numerous as they may be.

Not the sanctification of that trouble--as deep, trying, and dreadful as it is.

Not the bringing of the greatest good out of that worst evil--though it may have alarmed and terrified you.

Not the perfecting of the soul in holiness--as sinful and polluted as it is at present.

No, nothing is too hard for the Lord! Therefore cheer up, press on, take up your cross or burden afresh--and bear it after Jesus.

Let this precious truth, feed and strengthen your faith--that you may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Let it excite and animate your hope--that you may expect great things from God.

Let it stimulate you in prayer--that you may ask largely of God, and ask with confidence too.

Let it crush your fears--that you may press boldly on, until you reach the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let it stir you up to exertion--for as nothing shall be impossible to God, so nothing shall be impossible to you, which you undertake with His sanction, and with a view to His glory.

Let it encourage and call forth praise--for how grateful and thankful we should be, that our God can do all things, and therefore will do for us, all that is necessary both in life and death.

Let us keep this sweet truth always in mind, and when cast down--chide our fears and excite our hopes, saying, "With God, nothing shall be impossible!"

http://www.gracegems.org/Grace_Gems.htm

Abiding in Christ - At This Moment - Day 15

Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation. ~2 Corinthians 6:2

In order to keep abiding in Christ, moment by moment, day by day, we need to learn to exercise our spiritual muscles.  I remember reading years ago that it is important to "practice the Presence of God".  In other words, when you have a free moment in your busy day, think of Jesus.  Say to yourself, "Now, at this moment, I do abide in Jesus."

Abiding in Jesus is not based on feelings, nor on your growth, nor on your own strength.  It is simply a question of whether or not your will at the present moment desires and agrees to recognize the truth:  Your position is in Christ.

Pray.  "Father, I am in Christ!  I abide in Him.  Thank You!

Pause.  In the midst of your busyness, say, "I am still in Christ!"

Repent.  When overtaken by sin, acknowledge:  "Father, I have sinned, and I come to you.  I blush to say it, but I am in Christ. The sin is evidence that I must flee to You.  Thank You for paying the penalty.  Now keep me in You.

When David first became King over Judah, he was not yet king over all Israel, even though it had been promised by God.  The other tribes were still following Saul's son.  It took time for the Lord to work in the hearts of the men of Israel.  Read the story in 2 Samuel 3.

And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”
(2 Samuel 3:17-18 ESV)

This story is a beautiful type of the promise by which the soul is NOW invited to trust Jesus for victory over every enemy, and to trust Him for a life of undisturbed fellowship.

The divided kingdom.  Just as Judah was faithful to the king God had chosen, and Israel was still clinging to the king of its own choosing, the inner chamber of your heart abides in Christ, yet the surrounding territory, the everyday life, is still ruled by self-will.

The longing desire for a better state.  The people of Israel were seeking a better king, the king of God's choosing, David.  Abner appeals to their knowledge of God's will that David must rule over all.  The believer, when first brought to Jesus, desires Him to be Lord over all, but unbelief and self-will set in.  So he longs for Jesus to reign, but struggles with his sin nature.

God's promise.  Abner reminds the people that the Lord had spoken, and that David would be king.  As David had conquered the Philistines, he would conquer the enemies further off.  In the same way, the soul is now invited to trust Jesus for victory over EVERY ENEMY, and a life of undisturbed fellowship with Him.

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
                                                                      (Luke 1:70-75 ESV)

 Picture David reigning over the entire land, leading a united and obedient people on from victory to victory.

Now remember the promise - this is what Jesus does for us, as soon as we exercise our faith in God's promise and surrender all to Him, and abide in Him NOW.

Whatever the present moment may hold, however unprepared the message finds you, however sad the divided and hopeless state of your life may be, do come and surrender - this very moment!~ p. 96, Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray

Just as it took time for David the anointed king to rule over the whole land and subdue the enemies of Israel, it will take time for the Lord to conquer all of your enemies, and to train all of your powers for His service.  It is the work of a lifetime, and God will do it!

But your work is the work of a moment.  This moment!  Do it now!

Surrender all to Jesus.  Live only in Him.

Do it now!

Surrender this very moment to abide wholly, only, always in Jesus.

Do it now!

Your whispered, "Jesus, I abide in You" meets with an immediate and hearty response from Him.  He takes hold of His children and draws us close to Himself.

Do it now!

Today is our son's birthday.

I was going to write my thoughts about Day 15 of Abiding in Christ, but decided to postpone until tomorrow for two reasons:

1. It's Jared's birthday.  He is steadfast, loyal, hardworking, reliable, friendly, funny, and a kid at heart.  He loves surprises.  He loves teasing his siblings and nephews and nieces.  He's generous and kind, and mean and nasty (all in good fun).  He makes the best eggs in the morning for his Mom.  I love him, and I trust God that He has Jared in the palm of His hand.
2. My wrist hurts.  My dog was a kennel dog for the first 8 months of her life, and she did NOT learn manners when it comes to food.  She has not yet learned that it is not permitted that she should help herself to food on the counter, on the table, on the stove.  She's been rebuked and warned, but still thinks she can put her nose right next to your plate if you've got something delicious.  Yesterday, she had the nerve to get into my bowl of food when my back was turned.  I hollered and whacked.  I think I broke a bone in my wrist.  On the upside, she was better behaved at breakfast.  On the downside, it hurts to type.  See you tomorrow, dv.

Abiding in Christ - Day by Day - Day 14

The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. ~ Exodus 16:4

When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God provided their food in the form of manna, which was gathered early in the morning and was enough for each day.

God's design is that we live ONE DAY AT A TIME.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.~ Matthew 6:34

Only today is yours; tomorrow is the Father's.

"Accept, enjoy, and fulfill with your whole heart the part you have to perform this day. His presence and grace enjoyed today will remove all doubt as to whether you can entrust tomorrow to Him, too!" P 87, Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray

Don't look at life as a great big whole and neglect the little you have to do today.  If you look at the years ahead, pondering what will happen with relationships, or finances, or health, or politics, you may start to think you cannot possibly live sweetly abiding in Christ.  The way looks long and difficult.

But you only have to think about the little assignments God has planned for you to do today.

This is the work of each new morning:

                      the distinct renewal of surrender and trust

for life moment by moment.

                  As we look forward in the morning,

                                or look back in the evening,

                                                  weighing the moments,

we learn to value them and use them rightly.

When you awaken, thank God for this new day, a day given to abide in and grow up in Christ Jesus!

In the morning, when all is fresh and quiet,

                   look ahead and consider the duties and temptations you will face. 

Cast them all on Jesus, your manna, your nourishment, your strength, your life.

Each day of faithfulness brings a blessing for the next,

                                 making both the trust and the surrender easier.

The moments make up days.

The days make up a life.

You Keep Me

There's an old hymn written by  Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918 called "I Need Thee Every Hour."


As I think about Abiding in Christ, I find myself changing the words to the following:


You keep me every hour, most gracious Lord,
Your tender voice of power can peace afford.

You keep me, O You keep me,
every hour You keep me,
You bless me always, Saviour, I abide in thee.

You keep me every hour, You stay nearby,
Temptations lose their power when you are nigh.

You keep me every hour, in joy or pain,
In trials planned in Love, I fret in vain.

You keep me ever hour; teach me Your will;
And thy rich promises in me fulfill.

You keep me every hour, most Holy One,
You've made me thine indeed, you Blessed Son.

Abiding in Christ - Day 13 - Every Moment

In that day,
“A pleasant vineyard, sing of it!
I, the LORD, am its keeper;
every moment I water it.
Lest anyone punish it,
I keep it night and day; (Isaiah 27:2-3 ESV)

Is it possible for the believer to ALWAYS abide in Jesus?

If abiding is our work, done in our own strength, the answer is NO.

But if the Lord Himself keeps the soul day and night, watering it every moment, then uninterrupted communion with Jesus is indeed possible!  In fact, it is the spiritual walk every Christian ought to enjoy.

If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out. ~ John 15:6He who abides in Me bears much fruit. ~John 15:4-5

How do we abide in Christ?

• willing, intelligent, whole-hearted surrender
• accepting His offer, consenting to live in Him - ONLY!
• believing His promise that He keeps us moment by moment, every moment of our lives.

Nature of Man

We know that the natural man is sinful, and that we live in a sin-cursed world.  There are two objections raised when believers ponder how to always abide in Christ.

Objection 1  Our limited powers prevent us from being occupied with two things at the same moment.  How can a person be doing his work in full concentration on the task at hand while at the same time consciously abiding in Christ?  How can a mom who is washing the breakfast dishes with a toddler hanging onto her skirt and a 6-year old asking how to spell "machine" with the phone ringing in the background and the mailman at the door keep on abiding in Christ.  Wouldn't she have to withdraw herself from all the ordinary activities of life, and live in a monastery?

Answer  Abiding in Christ does not mean our minds must be engaged each moment, or directly occupied with abiding.

It is an entrusting of ourselves to the keeping of eternal  love, in the faith that it will abide near us. . . and watch over us, and ward off evil.  Our hearts then have rest, peace, and joy, knowing we are kept moment by moment.  Abiding in Christ is a settled trust that God is keeping us always.

A father who works all day has his family in mind as he tackles his occupation.  They aren't always first and foremost in his thoughts, but his love for them is what keeps him toiling to bring home the bacon.

A king who goes about his royal duties always acts under the consciousness of his royalty.

A mother never loses the sense of her responsibility to her husband and children, even when she is away from them and busy with other activities.

In the same way, we can always be aware that Everlasting love keeps us constantly.  We are IN CHRIST, kept in Him by HIS ALMIGHTY POWER.

Objection 2  We look upon the fact that we will sin daily as inevitable.  So how can we continuously abide in Christ?  We'll certainly fail and be unfaithful.

Answer This is precisely why we must abide in Christ as our sufficient - and ONLY - deliverance!  We must live in Christ, depending on HIM to live in us.  If we fail, we flee to Him, to confess and be forgiven and  filled anew with Him.

We've had poor examples in older Christians not living a life of faith and trust.  We've seen Christians despairing over health issues, finances, failed relationships, family issues.  Don't be like them!  Don't give in to despair!  It is possible to live in healthy, trusting, joyful consecration.

TO ABIDE UNCEASINGLY IN CHRIST IS THE PORTION

OF EVERY BELIEVER.

Every Moment

He keeps you every moment.  Do you believe this?

Moment by Moment

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

Moment by moment, I'm kept in his love;
Moment by moment, I've life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

Never a trial that he is not there,
Never a burden that he doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that he doth not share,
Moment by moment, I'm under his care.

Never a weakness that he doth not feel,
Never a sickness that he cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus my Saviour, abides with me still.

Abiding in Christ - Day 12 - God Will Establish You

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
(2 Corinthians 1:21 ESV)

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary explains the word "establish".

ESTAB'LISH, v.t. [L. stabilio; Heb. to set, fix, establish.]
1. To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently.
I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant. Gen.17.
2. To found permanently; to erect and fix or settle; as, to establish a colony or an empire.
3. To enact or decree by authority and for permanence; to ordain; to appoint; as, to establish laws, regulations, institutions, rules, ordinances, &c.
4. To settle or fix; to confirm; as, to establish a person, society or corporation, in possessions or privileges.
5. To make firm; to confirm; to ratify what has been previously set or made.
Do we then make void the law through faith?
God forbid; yea, we establish the law. Rom.3.
6. To settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak; to confirm.
So were the churches established in the faith. Acts.16.
To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness. l Thess.3.
7. To confirm; to fulfill; to make good. Establish thy word to thy servant. Ps.119.
8. To set up in the place of another and confirm.
Who go about to establish their own righteousness. Rom.10.

It is God alone who can establish us in Christ Jesus. We must cease from striving to establish the connection with God more firmly, and allow God to do it!

God is faithful, by Whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.~1 Corinthians 1:9

Scripture teaches us that in all God's leanings with His people, FAITH is the one condition for seeing His glorious power work in our lives.

"Faith is the ceasing from all our natural efforts and all other dependence; faith is confessed helplessness casting itself upon God's promise and claiming its fulfillment; faith is putting ourselves quietly into God's hands for Him to do His work." ~Andrew Murray, Abiding in Christ, Chapter 12

Do you have faith?

Faith ceases its own efforts and trusts.
Faith confesses helplessness and rests.
Faith puts itself into God's hands, and sees Him work.

As surely as I am in Christ, I will also, day by day, be ESTABLISHED (confirmed, settled, fixed) in Him!

God is my Good Teacher

He plans my course of study with His infinite wisdom.  He delights to have me come each day to Him for the lessons He has to give.  So, every morning, I go to my Master Teacher, surrendering to His plan for my day.  What lessons would He have me learn this day?  Will I be in the school of hardship, partaking in the sufferings of my Lord?  Will I be in the school of patience, learning to bear with others in love?  Will I be in the school of joy, transported with delight to the highest heaven to worship my God and my King?  Whatever lessons He has planned for me are perfect.  He knows His disciple - even the thoughts and intents of my heart.

I am in Christ, kept there by His power, established for His glory!  Praise God!

From Hannah Farver:

(I'll be writing more about faith tomorrow, Lord willing.  Meanwhile, read Hannah's thoughts:)

We must remember

and keep count

the promises of God;

equipping ourselves with confidence

that He owns the future

and will always be

who He always was.

“…a faith that only looks back to Christ’s death and resurrection is not sufficient… Forgiveness for the Christian also depends on having, like Abraham, a futuristic faith in God’s promises.” -Daniel Fuller

“Our confidence and trust must be in all that God Himself will be for us in the next moment, and in the next month, and in the endless ages of eternity. It is He and He alone who will satisfy the soul in the future.” -John Piper