“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Holy Connection

Each morning as I sit in my big chair reading my Bible, praying, and journaling a line or two, I look out my window to the hills encircling this city. The scripture that always comes to mind is, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). Truly, God is my help.

Jesus said, “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” (John 15:5). God has been calling me of late to abide in Him. In order to do this there are some childish things I need to put away, some flesh that needs to die, and some comforts to forego. He is calling me to a deeper place.

As I look at John 15, I see the power and the worth of abiding. I cannot bear fruit unless I abide in Him. Nothing I can do in my own strength, or knowledge, or abilities is going to bear eternal fruit. He is teaching me to wait to hear what He would speak before I take on a task, a ministry, an assignment. I want to be not only Spirit-fed, but Spirit-led.

In my abiding, God will be glorified (John 15:8). I will go about things in His way and not my own. I will respond in His timing and not because of schedules or programs or expectations (see John 7:1-9 as an example). I need to hear from God before I move.

In my abiding I must keep His commandments. John 15:12 tells me, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus has laid down His life for me. There is no greater love than this. I am commanded to love.

In my abiding comes a power in prayer that what I ask the Father in Jesus’ name, God would grant me. I think that in abiding I will come to know the heart of Jesus for this individual, this circumstance, or this crisis. I will have a deeper understanding of what the will of the Father is and agree with Him for all that He would do.

 “I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah” (Psalm 61:4).

“Father, more of You, less of me. Grant that understanding of Your will and purpose. Our desire is to follow as You lead. Amen.”