Every morning the sun shows up. On time. Every evening it hides for a certain amount of hours ( and just the right amount, I might add). The ocean breathes in and out along the shores of our beaches. Each season of the year provides us with familiar traits such as heat, cold, death and life. We see trees shed their withering leaves and then clothe themselves with bright, new ones. We see new birds come to visit and we watch as they leave us. There is a bit of consistency in our lives as we notice nature. God gave us so many examples within His creation. Examples of how to build can be found in the beaver's meticulous dams. Examples of how to support one another in community like a pack. While we were created superior and given free will so that we might make the choice to love our God, I sometimes wish I had just a bit more animal in me. Please do not misunderstand, I am happy and glad to be me and to have the opportunity to love my family, friends and God, but there are just instances when I watch animals and desire to understand that kind of determination. They do not wonder. They do not second guess. They instinctively rely on their nature to show them what to do next. It's as if they have all the answers already programmed in them. I can honestly say that I do not understand how an evolutionist can hold their beliefs. Just knowing the small amount that I do about science and the way things work, it appears impossible that such amazing creatures were not created. How would they not die out if all of their intricate ways and parts and mechanisms were not fully developed or existent upon arrival into our earth? I have a theory. Maybe these creatures are like us, yet they did not get THE choice. They were MADE to worship. They love God and can't deny Him. Maybe they have mastered the art of abiding. In John 15:4, Jesus says "Abide in me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me." Over and over again in the word of God, our Lord uses nature and horticulture and animals as examples to give us a clear picture of how we should live. So what is this abiding business? I asked myself that question a few years back when I was in a bible study. I unfortunately did not grow up in bible studies and Sunday school, so there are many terms and phrases new to me, thus making them exciting and like a riddle I have to crack. I started the quest asking, what must I do to abide? Read His word. Ok. Check. Pray. Yes, that is a must. Stay in tune with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Absolutely. All of these tasks are part of the life that abides in Christ, but there just seemed to be a missing link. I was putting all the ingredients together and my cake didn't bake. I recently found a course online that this guy put together called " The Abiding Life ". I did MOST of it and found some really good information. His whole concept is that we must open the abiding doors of our hearts, invite Jesus to be our Lord, allow Him to rule our lives and stop trying to do it in our own strength. Now that is hard. At least for me. To truly just stop doing these things just doesn't make a lot of sense. Ok, so last night at bible study, my teacher has been on a kick with the term " In Christ " and I found that quite ironic. When I say ironic, I mean it was a God thing. The abiding life course was interesting and helpful, but there is just something about having a God revelation in your life. It comes without warning and changes everything. Ok, so to get to the point, Jesus tells us that in order to produce fruit, which is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives and it is how people will know us, we must abide in Christ. The dictionary defines abiding in many ways, but here is my translation : to dwell in, agree to, endure with, accept without question and submit to. So, why do the animals seem so confident and on track? How can a bird keep a temperature steady in its' nest for 6 months without varying a degree? How does a giraffe bend down to drink water without its' brain exploding when it lifts its' head? Or how can a spider spin varying types of web for different tasks? I'll tell you!.. They are abiding in Christ, their creator. Do they spend hours praying, reading their bibles and putting on a happy face? No! They are just living and being evidence that our God reigns. Our lives will produce the fruit when we submit ourselves fully ( 100%) to God's authority. What is His authority? His Word. His Spirit. So abiding in Christ is not about works ( duh ) but about relationship. I know we have all heard that one, but if He occupies our thoughts and changes our lives because He lives through us, then inherently, instinctively- we will obey and be living testimonies to His love. Acknowledge His presence ( when you get up and when you lay down- and everywhere in between), accept His will ( the promptings of the Spirit and the Words of Jesus ), communicate your desires/misunderstanding/sins/ideas/ (everything) in prayer and practice agape love and I believe we will abide in His majesty, Our King of Kings!! There are many verses to share, but I will end my ( God's ) rantings with a few that really mean the world to me. I hope that they might encourage and become written on your hearts. With love-
Galatians 5:18- But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Psalm 119:9- How can a young man keep his behavior pure? By guarding it in accordance with your word.
Jeremiah 31:3- The LORD appeared to Israel from far away and said, "I've loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I've drawn you with gracious love.
1 Corinthians 2:9-13 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him- these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
One more thing- I know I just presented this theory as an easy fix- but please do not underestimate the trials we will face because of our choice to worship Jesus. Nevertheless- We are definitely not alone and He will sustain us and keep us! Thank you God for that.
Ok ok.. One more thing- Just a quick prayer.. :)
Creator God- Lord over the animals and us and all of your beautiful and wonderful creation- Thank you. Thank you for giving me a word, a message. Thank you for the ability to hear you and know you. I love you and would not be able to live without you. Please sustain me when I am weak and help me to be ever relying on you. You are the one true God and I know you have plans to prosper me. Please watch over everyone who reads this blog, may it bless them and bring glory only to You Lord. Be our guide, our father, our friend and our reason for living. Forgive us for hurting each other. Show us how to love as you do. Help us to put aside selfishness and put on the love and forgiveness we have been shown. Jesus, in your very powerful name- Amen.
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