If You Abide, Day 16

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Key Scripture:

John 15:7. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Key Idea:

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 divine power given to the consent of the will. Such is the wonderful provision God has made that, what the power of nature does in the one case, the power of grace will do in the other. The branch can abide in the Vine. If ye abide in me…ask whatsoeve r…
— Murray

Pray for revelation:

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!
— Murray

Key words:
Abide,
Ask.

In this verse is the whole message of abiding. It is a two way street. As we commit to abide in Jesus, he also will abide in us. Abiding is not a demanding relationship, but one of mutual give and take.

As humans though, we are not plants, or branches. In nature, branches have no choice but to be what they are and they just grow, and produce, unless some outside force causes them to not remain with their vine.

We humans are animated. We have

God’s Timing: Different Perspectives. 2 Peter 3:8-9.

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2 Peter 3:8-9 3:8. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. This is a message that is being written to a group of believers who are growing a little complacent. They are letting some of the doubts of the world creep in, and having their patience stretched. Their minds need to be stirred up. Take time to remember the words of the prophets of old, the words of the apostles, the commandments, even the words of the savior himself. It's easy to say to ourselves that God spoke to early, ancient people, but they are long dead and the world keeps plugging along without much change. Seasons come and go, years come and go, and miracles seem to not happen anymore. Where are the things promised, When is the last days going to be? Don't rush things. The earth was created long ago, and was designed to endure for a long, long time. In fact the promise is that seasons will continue for as long as it takes. the earth will continue, just as it has, preserved, until God destroys it with fire, when he comes to judge all people.