If Ye Abide

Good morning! Yesterday was a great reminder that as we abide, we rest, we pray. They will happen together as we grow in our understanding of what it means to abide. Do take some time to simply talk with God today. Ask God to help you. He promises that He is already in the secret place waiting for you. (Matt 6).

Our reading today is entitled, If Ye Abide, and the verse is John 15:7

If you abide in me and My words abide in you, ask what ever you wish and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

Here are some highlights:
If you abide: Here is the difference between the branch of the natural and the branch of the spiritual Vine. The former abides by force of nature: the latter abides, not by force of will, but by a diving power given to the consent of the will. // the branch can abide in the Vine.

If we are to live a true prayer life, with the love and the power and the experience of prayer marking it, there must be no question about the abiding. // we must gaze on that little branch and its wonderful power of bearing such beautiful fruit until we truly learn to abide.

And what is its secret? Be wholly occupied with Jesus. Sink the roots of your being in faith and love and obedience deep down into Him. Come away out of every other place to abide here. // Let Christ be first. // Do not be occupied with the abiding – be occupied with Christ! He will hold you, He will keep you abiding in Him. He will abide in you.

“I in you. If my words abide in you”- //  all these words enter into your will, your being, and constitute your life – if they transform your character into their own likeness, and you become and are what they speak and mean, ask what you will; it shall be done for you.  Your words to God in prayer will be the fruit of Christ and His words living in you.

Ask what you will, and it shall be done for you – believe in the truth of this promise. Set yourself to be an intercessor for men and women – a fruit bearing intercessor, ever calling down more blessing. Such faith and prayer will help you wonderfully to abide wholly and unceasingly.

If you abide. Yes, Lord, the power to pray and the power to prevail must depend on this abiding in Thee. As Thou art the Vine, Thou art the Divine Intercessor, who breathest Thy Spirit in us. Oh, for grace to abide simply and wholly in Thee, and ask great things!

Abba, may we learn to pray and intercede for one another. May we believe that we really can abide in You, and You in us, and that Your words can become our words for prayer. Lord, I ask that we may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we may walk in a manner worthy of You. Lord we desire to please You in all respects, we desire to bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge, the experiential knowledge of You. Lord we desire to be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to you Abba, You who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. Lord how thankful we are that we are counted as sons and daughters of You. May we remember we have been adopted for our joy, Your glory, and for the purpose of You bearing fruit through us, for drawing others toward You by Your Spirit through the grace displayed in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen