You've been hearing this on your radio, seeing it on TV and evangelists pr…
ABIDING IN CHRIST: A GLIMPSE
Hello brethren!
PREAMBLE
Hope y'all are coping with this lockdown and still finding comfort in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
It's not a surprise if most Christians lose faith during this turbulent times or are shook in their trust in God the Father. With the severity of this lockdown order issued months back, and it's gradual relief now, at least in Nigeria, there hasn't only been economic, political and social standstills, but also a spiritual one- for believers. The fellowship of the saints(going to church) which God tells us not to forsake in His word is one of the cordial aspects of a Christian's life affected gravely upon the outbreak it this pandemic.
Most Christians have lost faith, hope, have given up on Jesus, underestimated God's power and strength, wondered if God is still working or just sitting there, doing nothing. It's not the fault of humans to respond to this situation with immediate doubs and insecurities of God's say in all this, as it's human nature. We judge by what we see and not we can't see(what truly is). God says if you truly are of Him, you should think like Him; believing in what is not there rather than what is there.
It may look like God's just relaxing on His throne doing nothing but to speculate at His children who are worrying in anguish, but even if you believe or want to believe it, HE IS WORKING.
God works in mysterious ways.
It may seem as though He doesn't care about His children who are crying unto Him each day and night non-stop, but dear brethren, Our Father cares about every single droplet of tear and every single word we pray unto His ears.
God has already given us a solution---- rather a hope to stay faithful to Him during this terrible times. God has made it known to us, in His word, how to get through this kind of situation still obeying steadfastly and trusting completely in Him. He has shown us a soothing remedy to still hold on to our established faith in Him, keeping His will as our priority and blotting out any hint of doubt that wants to creep in.
And what's that remedy?
ABIDE
Abide in Him
Abide in Christ
Trusting solely in Him, casting all your cares aside and focus on the faith you have in Him, obeying Him without complaining, praising and worshipping Him giving thanks for all the wonderful things He has done, He is doing(even though it may seem otherwise) and He will do.
Why does God tell us to abide in Him?
Because He is the only one we can lean on now. Not your family, not your friends, not your neighbor, not your governor, not your president, not the health organizations and medical practitioners........ it's only HIM you can trust now.
He is the only one that can see you through all this.
He is the only one that can still keep you same when everything around seems insane.
He is the only one that helps you grow stronger in your faith in Him and rely on Him as your strength and support.
He is the one that knows what's best for you.
He is the only one you can count on now.
Why not trust Him with your life?
He loves you unconditionally to let you slip through His careful hands to the devil's clutches
How can we abide in Christ?
- Think like Him, Walk like Him
1 John 2:6[6]He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
It says those that abide in Christ are meant to walk like Christ. This, meaning, Think like Christ,Walk like Christ.
I ask myself everyday (ever since this lockdown started that is)is this how Christ would react to this situation? Is this what He would do?
If you want to abide in Christ, you have to think like He does and do what He would do in particular situations. If you want to trust someone, wouldn't you know how the person behaves and how the person thinks and try to see if you think the same way?
It's the same thing with trusting God!
If you say you trust God, you would start acting more like Jesus would in any given situation. If you do that, you would have less problems worrying about unnecessary things, confiding in yourself and being self-conceited.
You want to abide in Christ and trust His every move; try thinking more like Him and be in consonance with His will. It won't be hard for your u to become His most faithful servant.
2. Study His word and obey it
2 John 1:9[9]Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
God's word is truth.
God is the word.
He is truth.
Abide in Him, Abide in His word.
How can you trust in God, when you don't trust His word? The word is the basis of doctrines preached in christianity. We as Christians can't imagine what christianity would be like without the Bible! Not as much as now, being a Christian, we need the truth in out lives to sustain our faith.
2 Jn v.9 admonishes Christians on being faithful to the word of God to signify their relationship with Him. Simply, if you say you trust in God and don't do His will or live according to His word, you aren't His son, but if you do, you are truly His son.
You can't go around sinning and doing exactly what God has said is detestable in His sight yet call yourself His own. You'll just be deceiving yourself.
3. Continuous prayer
John 15:7[7]If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Prayer is the master key!
If you want to abide in Christ, continuously pray to God. It is obvious that is one abides in Christ and His words, anything He asks shall be answered.
To will always trust God in every situation, you need prayers.
You need to constantly remind God that you're there, waiting for Him to manifest His will at any second.
You need to always fellowship with the Holy Spirit, even if you feel He's not there (Trust me, He is).
You need to plus out all your thoughts, actions and desires to Him so He can break you even more for His use.
You need to consult Him at the nose dreadful times, with the simplest faith you might have.
God says if you abide in Him and His words, He will surely answer your prayers.
The bottom line: These are testing times indeed; the time God wants to see who are truly His children and not just the “pleasant-phases only" Christian. He wants to see who will call out to Him in spirit and in truth, even though it seems He is not involved in any of this. He is searching for His own.
Are you a faithful servant of Christ?
Are you ready to abide in Christ during this period of time?
Are you HIS OWN?
Conclusion
Hey there!
I hope this post was inspiring and encouraging. God is doing things now that we can't possibly imagine; He's changing people's hearts and lives. People are realizing He's sovereign and almighty. Unbelievers are believing in His existence and power, why would you, a believer, then lose your faith at this critical point of your Christian race?
I have a short prayer for you to take home and please say this before you sleep:
O dear Lord, I am weak, I am powerless, I am but human. You remain faithful, when I am faithless. You keep your promises when I break the ones I pledge to you. God, I know these times are bad indeed. Many Christians are losing faith instead of holding unto it. They(myself included) don't see the marvelous things you're doing in secret and I'm sorry for not realizing this earlier in. God please forgive my ignorance. O dear Father, from this day one, put in my heart that fire, that faith and hope in your will and power. Give me the spirit to constantly abide and trust in you unconditionally. God please give me the spirit of hope and remaining as faithful as the day I first met you- knowing you have better plans for me in the future to come.
Thank you Father, for in Jesus name I pray.
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If you have any questions and anything you would like to knows, don't hesitate to send me a message.
Thanks for stopping by.
Above all, stay strong in faith and stay blessed, beloved brethren
