Abiding in Him

I am not an eloquent writer and don't claim to be in any sort of way, so please bare with me on my posts as I just write plainly from my heart/mind in what God is speaking to me.


I was reading in 1John the other day and I haven't been able to get off of my mind what I read. As time speeds up I realize that I need more of Jesus every day. He has placed me here for this time - this season for a purpose...I need to find and fulfill that purpose.


1John chapter 2 talks about being a Christian - having Jesus in us and how to know when someone does not have the Truth truly in him. Verse 5- 6 says

"But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him: Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself."

Ouch.

How have I walked and conducted myself??? I have to admit I know that I haven't always walked and conducted myself in the way HE walked and conducted Himself.

Ouch.

Then go on to Chapter 3 and there it says in verse 6

" No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him - deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin.
No on who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. "

Man, how many people say that they are Christians yet deliberately and knowing that is wrong sin? Going against the very word of God and what He stands for?! My heart is just grieved at my imperfections and the imperfections of the Church as a whole. We are not the Bride that we are suppose to be! We have let our standards be filtered with the worlds standards. The Church as a whole has become hypocrites - just like the Pharisees.

Now, I know that not every church or everyone is a hypocrite, but if you truely look at the church today as a whole we have become just that. Laying down the Word for the sake of Political correctness. It's time to wake up to the Truth! Go against the grain of sociaty and be a true Christian.

verse 10"...no one who does not practice righteousness [ who does not conform to God's will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ)."

Loving your fellow believer is ranked up there with righteousness. That's something to think about. Where is your love walk at with fellow believers? Believers: not the same denomination as you - believers in Christ.

Lots to think upon....my mind is full and I need to just be in the presence of God.

Misty Edwards song Doves Eyes...

I don't want to talk about you
like you are not in the room
I want to look right at you
I want to sing right to you

I believe you are as near
I believe that you move at the sound of my voice
I believe that you are as near
I believe that you move at the sound of my voice

Give me doves eyes
Give me undistracted devotion
For only you
Give me doves eyes
Give me undistracted devotion
For only you

I don't want to talk about you
like you are not in the room
I want to look right at you
I want to sing right to you

Growth

As time is speeding up there is a need to mature in the things of the Lord and also just mature over all. There is no more..I'll do it tomorrow...I have another month...It's NOW.
Now is the time when Christians/Church as a whole need to stand up for what is right and true according to the word. The world is falling apart quickly and the church is suppose to have the answer - Jesus Christ. His return is very soon and we need to repent and live a holy life. With out that how can we expect to show the world the one true living God. There is a great post about Holiness here

What is it that makes us grow in God?

I want to grow so much more in the Lord. To walk out the fullness of what God has for me as His child. To do that takes sacrifice of time but even more so of me. And by saying that I mean that I have to "die" to grow into what God wants me to be. I can no longer be distracted by my agenda but I have to be focused on God's agenda.

Reading and hearing the word of God is very important and really critical to your walk with God. As the word says "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God". You can't have faith unless you hear Him and you hear Him by reading/listening to the word.

I know that as a mom of 3 little ones it can be hard at times to get that quiet time in. We can all find something else to do during their nap...laundery, cleaning, Facebook, blogging...but in that time we need to make it a priority to get into God's presence. I know for me my time is usually in the evening when they have gone to bed. My dear husband works at night so I have time to myself with the Lord. Other times it is during afternoon nap.

Being faithful in attending a church that speaks forth the truth of God's word is also very important to growth in the Lord. God commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Being apart of a church body is vital for your encouragement to get back out into this world and live a Christian life-style. Not being fake or a hypocrite but truly walking it out - - being Christ-like.

So, I challenge you today, to get away into the Word and into His presence and let Him speak to you, change you, up lift you, and love on you. We all need more of Him and less of us. And to be in a church that will help you grow even more.