One of the difficult lessons in God’s Word for me to fully capture is the state of abiding.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Jn 15:4
What does the word abide mean? menō A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): – abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.

The scripture tells us to abide or stay in Christ, or remain in a given place of safety where God will produce the most fruit in our lives.

In Acts 27:10, Paul was being transported by ship along with 276 other men and prisoners from Caesarea, Israel to Rome, Italy. Paul was to appear before Caesar to defend himself from his Jewish accusers. While in route to Rome the ship landed in a city off the Island of Crete called Fair Havens or Good Harbor. Paul encouraged the ship captain to stay (or abide) there because it was winter and sailing into the rough Mediterranean waters that time of year would jeopardize everyone’s life.  Paul’s words were not heeded and the captain ordered the ship to depart from Good Harbor. Paul had no choice but to trust God for the outcome. Once the ship was well on its way, there  arose a “tempestuous” winter storm. Although Paul was given a promise from the Lord in Acts 23:11 that he would speak in Rome, the storm  caused fear and robbed him of his hope. Paul had done all that he could do to stay in a place of safety (Fair Havens) but was thrust into a storm that he didn’t choose.

Sometimes, we also are thrust into storms that we dont choose. We may be fearful or lose hope because there appears to be no escape. God is ever faithful to His promises; in His Word and also to the promises He imparts to us individually. He inspires purpose and vision for our lives.  Storms may shake us to our core but God is still working within the storm to fulfill our destiny as the Lord has purposed beforehand. As with the Apostle Paul, God wasn’t finished producing fruit through his life and was going to save him from perishing in the sea. God sent an Angel to comfort and assure Paul that no one would perish and that Paul would appear before Caesar.

We as believers are much like Paul, we may desire to abide in Christ and stay in a place of safety like Good Harbor but because of circumstances beyond our control we are thrust into a storm. Many kinds of problems cause us to realize that our mind or body are both incapable of overcoming a situation that grips us with fear. Paul had a fear of perishing before he reached Rome even though he had a promise from God. Later in his life he would write,

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:12.13

Paul was testifying that in every circumstance of life he faced; whether he suffered need or had fullness, it was Christ who strengthened him. It didn’t matter to Paul what his body had to go through because his only goal was learning about Christ.

While in the midst of a storm, Paul was in the process of learning how to abide in Christ. He was about to face unknown peril of the Sea and there was a good possibility he would die before reaching the promise of appearing before Caesar in Rome. We often think Paul was a super saint with no weaknesses, but real fear struck him. God sent an Angel with a promise so he would not fear and know that no one would perish in the storm, the Angel also confirmed his destination to arrive in Rome before Caesar. Once Paul heard from the Lord, his hope began to soar and his faith was strengthened. He told the men with him on the ship, that no one would perish because an Angel had spoke to him that night. Paul warned them that unless they stayed with the ship they would perish in the storm. God may use storms, circumstances or problems in your life to bring to pass His greater purposes, but be of good cheer for God is ever faithful to His promises. If God still has work for you to do here then wait on the Lord, abide in His rest, fully confident that “He that began a good work in you will accomplish it.” (Phil 1:6)  As you seek Him you will find Him. He will answer.

“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again. And His disciples heard it.” vs 20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mk 11:12-14; 20-24  

Most people approach this portion of scripture with regards to Israel or Christians not having fruit in their lives. I would like to look at it from a faith perspective.

The fig tree that Jesus cursed died from the roots up. When the disciples heard Jesus curse the tree they saw no evidence by sight of anything different happening to the tree. After returning from Jerusalem the next day, Peter said, Master look! The fig tree you cursed withered away. Peter could now see with his natural eyes the effects of Jesus’ words to the fig tree that were spoken the day before.

Jesus spoke His Word and immediately the fig tree’s roots began to dry up. This process first took place underground where the disciples could not see and within a day had spread to the tree trunk and branches where it now became visible for all to see.

I believe Jesus was teaching his disciples a spiritual principle using the fig tree as an example. Jesus spoke to the fig tree yet nothing changed by appearance, however in reality, the trees roots had already begun to dry up. Tree roots are underground below where the physical eye can see. Our spirit man is also concealed, hidden from us by the veil of our flesh. We hinder our understanding to see into the spiritual realm by wholly relying on that which we perceive by our five senses. Rather, we are admonished to “walk by faith not by sight” 2Cor 5:7.

God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). When God moves it is in the spiritual realm within our spirit man. He has provided for our every need, whether or not we see what He has done in the spiritual realm manifest in the physical does not discount the truth of God’s Word, its still true. We are instructed to “have faith in God” and to “believe whatever things we ask for in prayer”; because our faith pleases God and counts for all eternity (1Cor 13:13).

When we ask in prayer for something, God our Father desires to move freely to give an answer in our spirits. Many times we have a promise, conviction or assurance that He has imparted. When God moves in our hearts, we need to possess our answer by faith. We co-labor with Him to fulfill His expressed purpose; we become responsible vessels to convert His Word into a physical reality through our actions. That is not to say that we are the one who produced the answer by our own power. It is God who works miracles and without Him we can do nothing, but we get to cooperate with Him by faith as joint heirs together with Christ. Ephesians 3:20 reads  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us“ God’s power is at work in us and is superabundantly able to do far beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. Because Christ lives within us nothing is impossible for those who believe.

Jesus concluded his teaching about the fig tree by challenging his disciples to have faith in God and speak words of faith that “whosoever says unto their mountain be thou removed and doubt not in your heart, he shall have whatsoever he saith” Mark 11:23. Jesus then taught them how to pray in faith. V 24 reads, “Whatever things you ask for, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.” We often minimize the accomplishment of the Cross, pleading with God to move in our situation when our problem lies in our receiving all that He has provided for. Let us start praising Him for His fulfillment of our prayer and we will see mighty manifestations become our reality.  It may take another day for the answer to manifest in our physical realm. It may even take one month or one year or ten years, as it did for Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, the woman with the issue of blood and many other people of faith in the Bible. We mustn’t doubt or waiver in our belief that God has already answered our prayer. We remain steadfast, bold and immoveable on the promise of God. The time that it takes for God’s answer to be manifest in the physical may be hindered by our unbelief, forces of evil, or even a greater work of God in process.  

I love these truths and am growing in them daily. Glennis and I are speaking words of life unto my body, utterly dependent on the creative, powerful authority of the Word of God to restore and redeem. We are denouncing the influence ALS has in our lives and commanding it to leave in Jesus’ name! It has been 12 years now with this illness but I am determined to continue to believe GOD for a total healing manifestation despite what I see or how I feel.  

Have you ever noticed how much of Christ’s life was spent in doing kind things? Jesus was always walking in love doing kind things for others. Some of the greatest truths about Jesus are said in very few words. What characterized Jesus? It was his love. Jesus loved in all situations and circumstances. His love was not based on the worthiness of the one being loved. He just loved. He did not love to get, but rather he loved to give. Jesus loved us as the Father loved him. He told us to do the same toward each other. This is the challenge in our lives. Love, like Jesus loved. Even in the times when He seemed harsh, his love came through. Jesus remained sinless, showing us what His plan for His people was before sin entered the world. This is still His plan, of course, and that is why He came to defeat sin and the lies of the devil with love, truth, and His own blood. When Jesus rebuked anyone, it was always in love with the objective of bringing them back into the into the Kingdom of God and saving their lives. Jesus’ purpose was never to condemn people, but to save them (John 3:16-17).

There are so many examples of Jesus’ love in the BIBLE. In Mark 10:16, He took children one by one up into his arms placing his hands on them and blessing them. In Mark 10:21, a man seeks eternal life, thinking that he can keep the commandments of God. What does Jesus do? He loves him.  In John 11:5, Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus as dear friends. In John 11:32-36, When Jesus saw Mary and the Jews who were with her sobbing over Lazarus’ death, He wept. The Jews then commented on how they could see how tender Jesus’ love for Lazarus was. In Matthew 20:32, Jesus saw the two blind men and heard their cries for mercy and compassionately healed them. In Mark 1:41, a man with Leprosy begged Jesus on his knees to heal him and said to Jesus, “if you are willing you are able to make me clean” Jesus was moved with love and compassion and said to the man that He was willing to make him clean and healed him. Jesus not only spoke about love He also expressed love through His deeds. In John 15:13, Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.  

We only pass through this world once so therefore, any good thing that you or I can do, or any kindness that we can show to any of mankind, let us do it now! Let us not wait till tomorrow or neglect our conscious. We will not pass this way again and may never get another chance. The greatest thing a person can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children. 

“whoever loves his brother [believer] abides (lives) in the Light, and in It or in him there is no occasion for stumbling or cause for error or sin” (1Jn 2:10).

I have been mulling over many topics and ideas for my journal lately but one thought keeps resurfacing. It is the statement that Jesus made to Martha in the Gospel of Luke chapter 10 verses 39-42: 

“And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

     Jesus and His disciples came to the village where Martha lived; they were probably tired and hungry from journeying around the Judean countryside. Martha’s intent was to serve Jesus and the disciples whatever she could in order to meet their needs. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, was content to just be with Jesus and to sit at His feet to hear Him speak. Martha was upset with Mary for not helping her to serve and wanted Jesus to correct her. Jesus instead gently said to Martha, “Thou art careful and troubled about many things but one thing is needful and Mary has chosen the good part…”     Was Jesus telling Martha that serving others was not as important as sitting at his feet listening to him speak? Possibly, but I think what he was really doing was revealing to her own heart whether or not she loved him out of duty and service or for the fulfillment in honoring the things of God. There are many things that can occupy our time and attention that are very important and necessary, but there is only one thing that is needful, it is being intimate and honest with Jesus (Luke 10:39).      

Oftentimes, I think in my own life how I get frustrated in my intense desire to “do” something productive by serving and my inability to “do” anything for others because of my physical limitations. I always fall short of my own imposed expectations. During these times of self condemnation Jesus will draw me aside to Himself, reminding me that there is a mystery in weakness where His strength is manifested. When I am counseled by what the Spirit says within me, my soul rejoices because I am continually set free from the bondage of works in the flesh and condemnation.        

There are many ways for all of us to be cumbered about with serving God.  Serving is not the problem; Jesus was the greatest servant of all. His admonition to Martha had more to do with the motive and intent behind her serving without expectation. God doesn’t measure the amount or size of our deeds, rather He measures the amount of love we have in them. Martha became so overwhelmed with taking care of her guest’s needs that she seemed to lose the joy in her service rather than her service overflowing of an abundant heart. Martha may have wanted to be recognized for hard work portrayed by her statement asking Jesus to bid her sister, Mary, to help her serve. She missed the reason why she was giving in the first place, her service was to be an offering unto an All-Knowing God who sees and recompenses her efforts to promote the life of Christ in others. These types of contributions establish in all of us the virtues of God magnifying the expression of the fruits of the Spirit and the nature of Christ through us.      

Mary did not need Jesus to validate her efforts and impose upon her what Martha was doing. Jesus checked Martha’s  heart and her motives for helping by replying “one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen it” Mary’s desire to sit at the feet of Jesus was in a response to love, she had chosen to be under His instruction because for her it was a most needful priority in her life at that moment. Although Martha may have had a legitimate need for assistance (we thank the Lord for her functional portion of providing for others) she didn’t need to compare her expression with Mary’s. Jesus was quick to reveal her attitude of self righteousness by comparing. 

What is the motive behind the things you do? Is it love or is it because you seek recognition? Do you want to be recognized for your service and efforts? Are you a “martyr for your cause”? Or do you want to recognize the One who says to you “one thing is needful”. Christ will supply for each need, sit at his feet to listen to Him simply because of your desire to know Him in a deeper way. Also, be available to provide for the needs of others to sit at His feet when you have the opportunity, capacity and grace of God serving with joy and gladness. At times we can be so distracted in our everyday routine with our “busyness” or in the responsibility of serving others that we miss out on the one thing that was most important for us, which is to hear what Jesus is speaking to us personally. Do you want to hear from Jesus? Then take time to find Him, sit at His feet, and listen to what He is saying that is most needful. 

 “Take care not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven.”                                                                                                                    Mt 6:1

God’s greatest work is done in secret during the darkest moments of  your life. Despite the hardship in trials; there is an unexpected beauty that can shine through in times of helplessness. Uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of your life to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful.

If you are in sickness, may your sickness glorify Him; in perplexity, let Him guide you, If you are in sorrow, let Him comfort and cherish you. May you see the treasure you truly are to God and to others. God has created you for a definite service. He has committed a work to you which He has not committed to another. You have a mission; it may be unknown to you in this life but you shall be told it in the next. You were created for a unique purpose in the plan of God. Whoever you are and whatever you are facing…you are of great value. You are a brilliant gem in God’s quarry of jewels.

“And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord,     the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3

When you cannot take another step or take another breath because of the pain that this world has dealt you, listen closely because there is someone who knows, cares and bears your grief with you. His name is Jesus, He is by your side and will never leave nor forsake you. F. B. Meyer wrote this beautiful portion in the 1800’s about the One who bore our sorrows.  

 “YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH a time of deep sorrow. The love on which you were trusting has suddenly failed you, and dried up like a brook in the desert now a dwindling stream, then shallow pools, and at last drought. You are always listening for footsteps that do not come, waiting for a word that is not spoken, pining for a reply that tarries overdue. Perhaps the savings of your life have suddenly disappeared. Instead of helping others, you must be helped; or you are suddenly called to assume the burden of some other life, taking no rest for yourself till you have steered it through dark and difficult seas into the haven. Your health, or sight, or nervous energy is failing; you carry in yourself the sentence of death; and the anguish of anticipating the future is almost unbearable.  

At such times life seems almost unsupportable. Will every day be as long as this? Will the slow-moving hours ever again quicken their pace? Will life ever array itself in another garb than the torn autumn remnants of past summer glory? “Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (Ps. 77:9). 

Jesus Christ Himself trod this difficult path, leaving traces of His blood on its flints; and apostles, prophets, confessors, and martyrs have passed by the same way. It is comforting to know that others have traversed the same dark valley, and that the great multitudes which stand before the Lamb, wearing palms of victory, came out of great tribulation. Where they were we are; and, by God’s grace, where they are we shall be. 

Sorrow is a refiner’s crucible (a cup or container where metals are melted in a furnace into a liquid).-It may be caused by the neglect or cruelty of another, by circumstances over which the sufferer has no control, or as the direct result of some dark hour in the long past; but inasmuch as God has permitted it to come, it must be accepted as His appointment, and considered as the furnace by which He is searching, testing, probing, and purifying the soul. Suffering searches us as fire does metals. We think we are fully for God, until we are exposed to the cleansing fire of pain. Then we discover, as Job did, how much dross there is in us, and how little real patience, resignation, and faith. Nothing so detaches us from the things of this world, the life of our five senses, and of earthly affections. There is probably no other way by which the power of the self-life can be arrested, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.                                                                                   

But God always keeps the discipline of sorrow in His own hands.-Our Lord said, “My Father is the husbandman.” His hand holds the pruning-knife. His eye watches the crucible. His gentle touch is on the pulse while the operation is in progress. He will not allow even the devil to have his own way with us. As in the case of Job, so always, the moments are carefully allotted. The severity of the test is exactly determined by the reserves of grace and strength which are lying unrecognized within, but will be sought for and used beneath the severe pressure of pain. He holds the winds in His fist, and the waters in the hollow of His hand. He dares not risk the loss of that which has cost Him the blood of His Son. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tried above that ye are able” (1 Cor. 10:13).  

  In sorrow the Comforter is near. very present in time of trouble. He sits by the crucible, as a Refiner of silver, regulating the heat, marking every change, waiting patiently for the scum to float away, and His own face to be mirrored in clear, translucent metal. No earthly friend may tread the winepress with you, but the Saviour is there, His garments stained with the blood of the grapes of your sorrow. Dare to repeat it often, though you do not feel it, and though Satan insists that God has left you, ‘Thou art with me.’ Mention His name again and again, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Thou art with me’. So you will become conscious that He is there.” 

-‘A Very Present Help in the Time of Trouble’ F.B Meyer

“For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith” 1 Jn 5:4. 

The victory that conquers the world is our faith. Faith is believing God for something future, that cannot be experienced by our five senses now. Faith is the only thing that pleases God. It is simple trust and confidence in God. Being fully satisfied and assured that God is mighty and able to keep His Word and do what He promises. Faith empowers us to grow strong as we give Him praise and glory for His promises.

Unbelief and distrust cause us to waver, doubt, and question God which will result in the weakening of our faith and will eventually lead to death. Satan wants to sift and wear out our faith so we will have no victory or testimony in the world. He accomplishes this by arguing or contending with our spirit in the courtroom of our soul. If he can convince us through sight evidence that the promises of God are not true because of the lack of any visible proof, then we willingly forfeit any victory that God had planned for us.  

All the promises of God have already been provided for (they are past tense). “Whatsoever you ask when you pray believe THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED them, and you shall have them” Mk 11:24 . Everything that we can pray for has already been provided for, its past tense.

“He personally BORE (past tense) our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes YOU HAVE BEEN healed” 1Pt 2:24.

God wants us to step out in reckless faith and prove Him.  “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” Mal 3:10. If Gods promises have already been provided for then He would have storehouses full of supplies waiting for our needs. Before we ever have a need, God has provided a supply.

“When we prove God we are obeying Him to the extent that we get so far out beyond our own resources that God has the opportunity to do something for us. The reason that God isn’t doing more than He is doing for most people is simply the fact that they won’t give Him the opportunity. Until you get out and give God an opportunity to do something for you, you’re not proving Him. Most of us are sitting around in unbelief waiting for the miracle to come. When you’re willing to step out and trust God to work miracles in order to keep His Word, you’ll not be able, to contain the blessings that He will pour out upon you. When we are truly persuaded, we are going to act. We will embrace the truth of God’s word and act upon it by a choice of the will. And that choice of the will is based upon our conviction concerning the ability of God. By acting on the revealed truth of God and stepping out on the promises, we render present that which we hope for. When we choose to act, something happens.”  Adventures in Faith/ Manley Beasley 

Faith requires our acknowledged weakness or inability to save ourselves, when only God can. We have to be brought to places of weakness to discover that we need a Savior, and to learn that human effort is insufficient. Faith in His promises relies on His faithfulness, where we have to depend on Him to bring us through our wilderness experiences (Ps 34:17,19; Phil 4:19). God still provides today in the wilderness.

In Exodus 13:17,18, God led the children of Israel out of Egypt by way of the wilderness or desert. He did not lead them the shorter way along the Mediterranean coast because they were not ready to see war and they would have returned to Egypt. God wanted to prepare their hearts for the physical and spiritual battles they would be facing ahead, so he took them the way of weakness through the wilderness. God wanted to bring them to places of weakness so they would discover their need for a Savior.

Three days after crossing the Red Sea, the supplies the children of Israel brought with them from Egypt ran out. They became thirsty and were led by God to a place called Marah, where they needed to trust God to provide water for them. God is continually bringing us to places where our supplies will run out. Where human effort runs out. Where we are out of options and our backs are against the wall. Where we will cry out, I need a Deliverer! This is a place of weakness but God sees it as a place of strength. Because when we are weak then He is strong and He will get the Glory (2 Co 12:10). 

Nehemiah heard a report concerning the condition of Jerusalem and the Jews who still lived there:

“And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its [fortified] gates are destroyed by fire. When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:3-4

Nehemiah wept because he heard about the suffering of others, he had a heart to provide hope to the hopeless. God gave him a burden and he acted on it. He saw others as Christ saw them, sick, needy, and brokenhearted, without intervention they would die. Jesus came to set the captives free, and to heal all who were sick and oppressed of the devil.

Isaiah 58 says we will find our own healing when we pour out to others what sustains us in our need. Whatever is at our disposal, whether it is physical or spiritual, we are to freely give to others. Then we become repairers of the breach. We become friends of God, having His heart towards the forgotten and the hopeless.

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.” Isaiah 58:11-12