“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.”
Amen
Difficult to do on our own, but thank you, Lord for the power of the Holy Spirit in us!
I needed to read this devotion today. A great reminder for God to increase and I decrease. And to wait and listen to Him and His will. Amen
Love this Verse Amen.
Will print this as a constant reminder. Thank you.