Two things must be true if His commandment is to abide in us:
1 We must know it. This goes beyond mere head knowledge or cognitive input.
2 His words must influence us. God's words must affect our attitudes and decisions. Jesus' word abides in us to the extent that it changes our motives and calls for a response in us.
This is what being a Spirit-filled Christian is all about. The Holy Spirit uses God's word to influence us by affecting our will. Our attitudes, motives, discernment, and judgment are affected; I felt dissatisfied. I wanted to produce more fruit; but how? The Lord began to stir my heart to study John 15. As I studied and meditated on this passage digging for truths on bearing more fruit, I was stopped by the word abide. I realized there is a side benefit to abiding; answered prayer.
If I abide in Him, and His words abide in me (my conversations with Him – treating our prayer time together as a conversation rather than a ritualistic list, I will have answered prayers.
I don’t abide just to get my own way when I pray. I abide because I desire closeness with the Lord.
When I delight myself in Him, while I’m abiding in Him, He gives me the desires my heart should have, then the desires of my heart are answered.
I’ve been asking my Father how I can abide even closer, what are His ways and His truths to prayer. PrayerLord, help me to find the truth I pray that I’ve will learn the things I need to know? I want to climb into the depths of your word and learn. The power of prayer is so great, I am nothing without you . Enrich my prayer through the Holy Spirit guidance so that I may be pleasing to you in all things. You are not merely reciting prayers, nor are you saying empty words. When you are sensitive to the closeness, your soul is awakened. This divinely appointed state of being does not remove you from this world so you can make your home in the clouds – no, rather your entire being is made alive and aware of the world around you. You see its beauties as never before. You are loved by Jesus and in loving Him you can come boldly unto the throne of grace. Thank You, Lord for what you are teaching me through Your Words.
IN GOD WE TRUST
SUE