Abiding Is Sometimes Hard!

A few days ago God showed me, the time that I spent moping through the waiting process, I did not grow an iota in Him, spiritually speaking of course. This revelation happened after I wrote my post to come clean about my failure. Of course, I have been doing what needs to be done in order to bring myself to a place where I fulfill my part of the abiding process.  After 3 hours of sleep last night, I awoke in the middle of the night. I knew I should use the time to pray and talk to God, but it felt as if my mind had a mind of its own. It took extra efforts on my part after wasting at least an hour, to stop my mind from running away from me (this is what it felt like.)

I could see how easy it is for us human being, not to want to do what Christ wants to do. Honestly, this had nothing to do with Satan, but everything to do with me. My mind kept wandering off on its own. Finally, I got hold of it and stopped this nonsense. I stopped it because when you are a spiritual Christian, you know that is not the way He wants you to spend time. God’s goal is for us to want to do what Christ likes doing.

My point is, in John 15, God made it clear to us that the abiding process is to be reciprocated.  The Bible also tells us that those who abide in Him will cherish His words, meditate on them, believe in Him, obey His words and depends on Him.  If when I was sulking for a few weeks I did not grow spiritually, obviously I failed to fulfill those things, hence I did not avail myself to share His sap in order to get the spiritual nutrition that I needed to grow stronger as a branch.

The spirit showed me this morning, another part of abiding that I was not thinking of at all because I have been taking things for granted.  He showed me, if I want to reciprocate to Him, perhaps I might want to stop that runaway train mode that my mind is on, grab the bull by the horn and make every effort on my part to start bringing my mind to a level where I know that I am doing what Christ likes doing.

 Anyway, I interrupted my reading to share this tiny bit with you.  Have a great day, as for me, I am going back to my time with God.

Search The Scriptures — Study 35 — Luke 13:1-17

Study 35 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 13:1-17

     1.     Trace the connection of thought between verse 1-5 and the parable of verses 6-9.  In the light of the parable, what is meant by ‘repent’ (verses 3,5)? Cf. 3:8a.

     2.     Verses 10-17.  What, in Jesus’ view, was wrong with the attitude of the ruler of the synagogue? Compare his reaction to Jesus’ miracle with that of the woman and the crowd.  What made the difference?

Note.  Verse 1.  The reference is to some massacre in the Temple, typical of Pilate’s brutality.

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STUDY 34

Search The Scriptures — Study 34 — Luke 12:35-59

Study 34 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 12:35-59

     1.     Verses 35-48. What reasons do these verses give us for being alert? In what ways can we be ready for our Master’s return? Against what dangers are we here warned?

     2.     Verses 49-59. Jesus addresses first His disciples (verse 49-53), and then the crowds (verses 54-59); what warnings does He give to each group about the effects of His coming?

Notes

     1.     Verse 50. The ‘baptism’ is His coming suffering.  The agony of Gethsemane was already felt.

2.     Verses 58, 59.  A parable of the need to be reconciled with God before the day of judgement. 

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STUDY 33

Search The Scriptures — Study 33 — Luke 12:13-34

Study 33 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 12:13-34

    1.     Was the rich man wrong to make provision for the future? Where did he go wrong? In what does a man’s life consist (verse-15)

  

    2.     What should be the central motive in the life of a Christian? If this is taken seriously, what does Jesus here promise with regard to material needs? How could this apply practically in your own situation?

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STUDY 32

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked A man reaps what he sows

This morning God taught me how prevalent it is in this day and age that Satan has a counterfeit of everything that He does. This lesson happened after I read Jeremiah 20:7-9 and I was meditating, God showed me my heart and some people on the internet that are passionate about Him. It felt good to know that some of them are part of what I consider my close circle and spiritual friends on Facebook.  The joy evaporated quickly when He showed me one website where there is equal passion operating through this site’s owner.  While he calls many pastors by name and write about them so passionately, in the name of Christ, he smears their names and denounce them as false Christians. In God’s book this guy is no better than Pashur the false prophets who persecuted Jeremiah. What God wanted me to see was the passion behind this website’s owner posts and goals, on the surface looks similar to Jeremiah’s passion for the truth that was burning his heart like fire.  I have to say that it felt disconcerting and discouraging to see how Satan can imitate God’s works so closely, that is until you look deeper into it.  

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”

There are several tests that can show us if we are being deceived by empty words. But, for the sake of today’s digital age, let’s assume the following: once you read something about true Christianity there are two ways to react to it.  The Godly way will cause you to be upset because that is the effect of the gospel of God, it contrasts with your own unholiness. However, if indeed you are in Him and He is in you, there will be some sort of yearning in your heart to be like this person or to obtain knowledge of God and intimacy with Him, in the same way. This is INEVITABLE because He lives in you and it is the Spirit’s job. If this yearning, however small, is not there, then what does that say about Him, if indeed He is in you?

The other way to react, is that this person is truly getting on your nerves to the point where he or she is  not only intolerable with his or her truth of Christianity, but something about this person’s writing just plainly P**sed you off. (Pardon my French.) Yet, the writing of someone teaching, preaching or spreading a half truth and making you feel really comfortable and invite you to sit passively in a lukewarm kind of Christianity where the beliefs that you are ready to accept are welcomed and justifiable, you can be sure, you are dealing with a counterfeit. The truth and the love of God are missing.

Romans 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,”

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Search The Scriptures — Study 32 — Luke 11:53—12:12

Study 32 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:53-12:12

   1.     In a context of growing opposition and publicity, what does Jesus teach of the security of His people, and of the help God gives in time of need?

   2.     What, then, should be the disciple’s reaction to persecution, both in his outward response and in his inner attitude?

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STUDY 31

Search The Scriptures — Study 31 — Luke 11:37-52

Study 31 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:37-52

    1.     Verses 37-44. How would you summarize the faults of the Pharisees? Translate them into terms of modern life.  What attitude and action does Jesus recommend?

    2.     Verses 45-52. What three charges does Jesus level against the lawyers? Translate these, too, into modern terms. Who may still be guilty in this way? How may such sins be avoided?

Notes

1.     Verse 44.  Contact with a grave caused defilement (Nu.19:16).

2.     Verse 51. For Abel, see Gn. 4:8; for Zechariah, see 2 Ch. 24:20-22. As Chronicle was the last book in the Hebrew Old Testament, the whole range of Old Testament history is thus indicated. 

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STUDY 30

Search The Scriptures — Study 30 — Luke 11:14-36

Study 30 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:14-36

In verses 15 and 16 are recorded two attacks on Jesus: a charge of collusion with Satan, and demand for a sign to authenticate His mission. The first is answered in verses 17-26, the second in verses 29-32.

    1.     How does Jesus show the falsity of the charge that He cast out demons by demonic power? What, on the contrary, do His exorcisms prove about Him?

    2.     What is the sign of Jonah? Cf. Mt. 12:40. Why should the generation to whom Jesus preached stand condemned at the judgment? What was their sin?

Notes

1.       Verse 19. ‘Your sons’: Jewish exorcists. Verses 20-22 show Jesus’ complete mastery over Satan in comparison with the imperfect cures of the exorcists. (Verses 24-26).  

2.       Verses 34-36. The function of the eye, as the organ by which the body makes use of the light which shines on it, is taken as an analogy for the faculty of spiritual perception, which must be in good order to receive the lights of revelation.  The allusion is to the spiritual blindness of ‘its generation’. 

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STUDY 29

Search The Scriptures — Study 29 — Luke 11:1-13

Study 29 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:1-13

     1.     Verses 2-4.  This abbreviated version of the Lord’s Prayer gives, as it were, the ‘iron rations’ of prayer.  Consider what aspects and theme of prayer are selected as the most essential. How does your prayer measure up to this pattern?

     2.     Verses 5-13. What attitude in prayer is commended in these verses?  What results may such prayer expect? What reasons are we given for confidence in prayer?

Note: Verse 8. ‘Importunity’: what this describes is a persistence in solicitation that is literally ‘shameless’ or ‘impudent.’

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  STUDY 28

I Need To Come Clean! ( I Messed Up In How I Wait For Him)

I read this today during my devotional time

Is your place a small place?
Tend it with care!
He set you there.

IS your place a large place?
Guard it with care!
He sets you there.

Whate’er your place, it is 
Not yours alone, but His.
He set you there.
                          By John Oxenham

One of the reasons I used to experience God so much was that I learned to cultivate a heart where through His grace, I could live out the pain of my life in His presence, knowing that “He set me there”.  During the biggest trial in my life when I was so sure I was going to be homeless, I learned to accept it so much that I knew in my heart that whatever corner of the street that I found myself, whether dirty, or cold, my heart embraced it all, knowing that it was going to be my little corner with Him and for Him and that “He set me there.” He was delighted in me!

 I have no idea what happened, but for months now, I realized this way of living was no longer a priority for me at all.  I even forgot to glorify Him in this way. This morning, sobbed, when I realized that I abandoned my first love too. As I examined myself, I can see that I failed Him miserably. I failed to abandon myself and abide like a branch.  I have been busy thinking about the length of my waiting process and how even my soul is tired.  As I cultivated this attitude and this frame of mind, my thoughts were about the care of this world and about me. I failed to live like the birds of the air in Matthew 6. It is truly for our own good that God wants us to abide and not care for tomorrow.

I failed to live every moment in His presence! Yet, I am grateful that this morning, He allowed me to

examine myself through His eyes. I am grateful that I could see my sins.  As I am writing this post, I realized how relieved I am and I feel much better as if this heavy cloud that was looming over my head, on my shoulders and in my heart has been lifted up.  Our sins can truly keep us down.
It is not for nothing that He says in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”