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2000-06-30 - Remaining in Christ
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For
a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot
be fruitful apart from me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are
the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who parts
from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are
gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you stay joined
to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it
will be granted! 8 My true disciples produce much fruit.
This brings great glory to my Father. (NLT)
Do you find yourself riddled with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed with the stresses
of your life? Are you discouraged because no matter how hard you work, your
ministry work seems to be accomplishing nothing visible? Do you feel emotionally
drained, spiritually listless? If you answered yes to any of these questions,
you probably are not remaining in Christ.
When we look at the sky at night, and notice that the moon is a three-quarter
moon, whereas a few weeks ago it was full, to our perspective the moon has
changed. In reality, we have moved because of the Earth's rotation. When
we feel like failures or like we feel we just can't take it any more, we
perceive it to be because of our circumstances but in actuality, it is because
we are not where we need to be - remaining in Christ. It's easy to say, but
not so easy to do. It's discouraging when we put our hearts into a ministry
and lives do not seem to be changed. But though we often feel we are responsible
for the outcome, the fruit of the ministry do not depend on us -- on our
efforts or our ability; rather, they depend on God. He uses us, but the ultimate
results are in His hands. Life can be incredibly painful. Emotional pain
can be so deep, that we literally feel it physically, we don't feel like
doing anything, and we just want to curl up into a little ball and wail.
But there is nothing that God cannot handle. It sounds like an
oversimplification, but if we remain in Christ, we truly can have peace even
in the most difficult circumstances. And He wants that for us. He doesn't
want us to feel like a failure, or to be "eaten up" inside.
How can we, as the King James Version puts it, "abide" in God?
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First and foremost, spend time in His presence, just "being" with him. Henri
Nouwen tells of how his profoundly retarded friend, Adam, taught him the
importance of "being" over "doing" or "accomplishing." We need to make time
in our busy daily schedule, to talk to God - pour out our feelings to Him,
asking Him to help us remain in Him. And we need to listen. If you are like
me, too often prayer is a one-way conversation. Don't monopolize; take time
to simply wait and listen for His leading.
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Read the God's word day. Sometimes other important activities crowd out our
Bible-reading, but studying God's word needs to be a priority for us.
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Read uplifting books, magazines etc.
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Spend time with other Christians who are abiding in Christ.
No matter what you are going through, God can handle it and in fact, He is
eager to help you. He wants to take your burdens; they are His by right,
not yours:
Matt11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who
are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke
upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will
find rest for your souls. (NLT)
Dear Father, help us to relinquish our heavy spiritual
and emotional burdens to you. Give us your peace that only You can give,
that surpasses our understanding. It's hard to believe Lord, that You can
do this or that You want to, so as the centurion said, "help our unbelief.".
In Jesus' name, amen.
Jan
cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
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