Word of the Day
Beloved, I chose you, you did not choose Me. I chose you and determined that your fruit would remain (cf. John 15:16). You are the branch I chose. You are the one I longed for—the one I desired and gave so much for. You are the one I dreamt about. You are the joy set before Me at the Cross. As the blood poured down My face and agony shuddered through My ripped and torn flesh, I saw you and longed for you.
Yes, you were and are the one I long to walk with, sup with, dine with, and talk with not just in the cool of garden but in the heat of the day. Know this; I am an all weather kind of God. I am with you in the thick and the thin. Circumstances and situations only have power to rob from our abiding relationship if you let them. I am always near—always waiting.
Beloved, I cried out for the Father to make us one as He and I are one. I wanted and want you to have what We have. Therefore, I made a way where there was no way. I am indeed the Way Maker. Come into the Way and be, for all is ready regardless who, what or where you have been. It simply is because I Am.
As an example of relationship, obedience and sacrifice to My Father I compel you to come for I am able to keep you in this abiding place. As I eternally live on in My Father’s love, you eternally live on in love as we abide together. My Word dwells richly in your heart, functioning as a wonderful capable teacher, developing fruit for your own life and the lives of many others (cf. Colossians 3:16). I have ordained it so. Won’t you receive? Won’t you be?
Keeping the commandments to love Me with all your being and loving your neighbor as yourself will enable you in this abiding place. Loving Me fully eliminates the possibility of potential failures in the area of loving others. It is the key to overcoming everything else in your life.
As we commune, love will be the first thing I give you, the second thing I give you and the last thing I give you in each and every situation—in and throughout each and every day.
Therefore, depend on Me to funnel all that I am into you. Loving and being loved takes time and communication. Abiding is resting in the fact that I love you as much as My Father loves Me. Bouquets of flowers may fade and wither but you, My fruitful branch, will live on in My love as I live on in His—as I live on in you.
Like Me, you endure, remain, prevail, survive, and are permanently unshakable and steadfast as you dwell in Me. Come, let Me keep you. Come, abide, receive, give and be complete. Be full and running over with gladness for I reside in you and you reside in Me. I smell your fragrance and it smells like Me. Inhale deeply and you will know, you will smell. Come; let us walk in the cool of the day. Much is waiting to be discovered.
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:9-10 NKJV)
Prayer
Father, I thank You for sending Your precious Son as a declaration of Your everlasting love. You are a wonderful Vinedresser and an ever-loving Father. Thank You, Jesus, for Your willingness to give Your life that I might have a place to live. You have provided an abiding place for the here, the now and the life to come. I cling to You, drawing all my strength and love from You. I open my heart wide to receive Your love, mercy, and grace.
Pour the very depths of Your essence into my being, enabling precious fruit to grow, as I follow You in word and deed. Forgive me for not partaking and celebrating the scope of Your provision. I will remain forever Yours, an example of enduring love. Sit my feet upon the rock, a permanent, unshakable foundation. Create a steadfast spirit within me.
Holy Spirit, teach me how to abide with all my heart, realizing a deeper communion than I have ever experienced before. You are so practical, yet at the same time, so holy—a touchable awesome God. In the midst of my many failures and blunders I find myself closer to You as You forgive me and wash me in Your cleansing blood. I am here, Jesus, to abide, to receive, to give and be complete in You. You are my hiding place and I love You so. Help me; grace me to always abide in You. Amen
Reflect and Journal
- Contemplate the incredible reality of the sacrifice He gave in order to choose you—in order to make a way for you to be one with Him as He is with the Father.
- How does it make you feel to know you are His chosen—His favorite place to be?
- The first and the last thing He gives you is love. How will this enable you to embrace the definition of abide?
- Have you been His love to others? If not, take stock or inventory of your time and relationship with Him. Do you see any correlation to your time with Him either way?
- Take some time with Him and ask Holy Spirit to show you which definition of abide He wishes to work into your heart and life the most. Write what He speaks to you.