I shared with you that in Sunday School this past Sunday our class discussed abiding with Jesus. We were completing our study on the book “Anxious For Nothing” by Max Lucado. In the study, Lucado explained that our goal should not be the fruit of the Spirit. Instead our goal should be abiding with Christ and as a result of abiding with Christ we will display the fruit of the Spirit. WOW! I have never thought of it that way. This point has changed my perspective.
Just like today’s picture, the path ahead is not clear cut or well defined. However, we have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us as promised by our Savior.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 NIV
This Thankful Thursday let’s be thankful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be mindful of the presence of the Holy Spirit and give thanks for clarity and new perspectives. As we give thanks, let’s abide with Christ and as a result become more like Him.
Since Sunday, I have been trying to be cognizant of what it means to abide in Christ. Being aware of Christ’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s guidance has caused me to be more careful in my interactions and responses. I have done more listening and less talking.
The images above are a visual representation of my thoughts this week. When I see the picture of the ocean I automatically think of the sound the ocean produces. Don’t get me wrong. I love the sound of the ocean. In fact, at our house we all sleep to the ocean sound. My point being, the ocean produces a distinct noise whereas the marsh is quieter. The marsh is more peaceful. To hear sounds around a marsh you must be quiet and listen.
Just like the two bodies of water, we must be aware of the words we speak. There are times we may be loud, talking with others and responding to conversations. Sometimes we may be like a marsh. We may need to be quiet and listen. However, at all times we should be mindful that our words are gentle and life-giving.
On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you interact with others. Listen and pause before responding and be sure the words you speak are Christ-like. Be mindful that sometimes you need to be an ocean and sometimes the situation calls for a marsh.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
I may be wrong, but it looks to me that the boat in the picture is traveling at a high rate of speed. The picture reminds me of how I sometimes travel through life. I speed through one task at a time splashing and creating waves. As I reflect on my post from yesterday on abiding in Christ, I am reminded of what was going on in our world this time 2 years ago.
Two years ago we were in the beginning stages of the pandemic. We were in the midst of being quarantined to our homes and in a sense, forced to slow down and wait. Waiting wasn’t easy. Slowing down and waiting caused some anxiety at first, but many of us learned to appreciate our time at home. Many home projects were completed, books read, and puzzles assembled. More importantly, many of us drew closer to God and spent more intentional time in prayer and devotion. We were abiding in Christ, whether we realized it or not.
My tip on this Transformation Tip Tuesday is to intentionally slow down and wait. Take time to reflect on where you were 2 years ago and let that reflection shape your perspective on today.
Have you ever heard a scripture hundreds of times and one day you hear it differently? Yesterday was one of those days for me. In Sunday School we discussed what it means to “abide” in Christ. I have known the definition of abide for years: to remain stable or fixed in a state. However yesterday I understood the meaning even more. Read now the context of the scripture as written in the NIV.
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-4 NIV
NIV uses the word “remain” to mean abide. Now read The Message version of the same passage.
““I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.” John 15:1-4 MSG
The Message version uses the words “live”, “make your home”, and “joined.” All of these words help paint a picture of how encompassing it is to abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is not just praying during my devotion time, but approaching every aspect with prayer and discussing it with Christ as my friend. I must use the lens of Christ to see EACH person. I must work EVERY task with the hands and feet of Christ. Then as a result of abiding in Christ I can better display the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
The beautiful statue in the picture was donated in memory of one of the matriarchs of our church. This week, the image of the statue will remind me of my new insight of what it means to abide in Christ. On this Mindset Monday may each of you have a heightened awareness of abiding in Christ. May we each share every aspect of our day with our Jesus and as a result, may others see Christ through us.
Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today is a new day. Today holds new promises and blessings. Often we get caught up on the mistakes we made yesterday. We linger in the world of should haves, could haves and would haves. Let’s not look back today. Instead, let’s embrace the promises and blessings of today and give praise. As you start your morning, listen to this version of Morning Has Broken by David Phelps. Praise God as you ponder the possibilities of this Spiritual Sunday.
In Wikipedia a banner can be a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a coat of arms (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a banner of arms. In Exodus 17:15 NIV; “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.” This was a symbol of the Lord fighting our battles for us. You can read the full story in verses 13–16.
Jehovah-nissi is the name given by Moses to the altar which he built to celebrate the defeat of the Amalekites at Rephidim.
On this Finish Friday I encourage you to not only listen to this music video My Weapon by Natalie Grant but to watch it as well. The intensity of the musicians playing their instruments in is very moving. I encourage you to really listen to the lyrics; Your presence is my greatest weapon. Pushing back the darkness. Breaking every chain. My worship opens up the heavens. Crushing every stronghold. When I speak Your name ‘Cause Your presence is my weapon.
Today let’s, raise our banners high and let our Jehovah Nissi fight our battles for us! Let’s finish strong in Jesus name! Victory has already been won.
Water Walkers 