MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU...

SCRIPTURE

1 John 2:26-28 (NRSV)

Have confidence in the coming one

I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now,little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

DEVOTION

I love the injunction to abide with Jesus. I looked up the word “abide” and it has many meanings that apply for us today. Abide means to, “stay, continue in a particular relationship, wait for, act in accord with, and submit.”

Wow! Can you believe that we are given the blessed invitation to abide with Christ!

Today’s scripture says that when we put all of our faith in Jesus, choosing to abide with him as our Lord and Savior, we were anointed by the Holy Spirit. That anointing teaches us the things we need to know about being in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That anointing makes it clear that we are to stay with Jesus, acting in one accord with Him, and submitting to His will, as we wait for his glorious return from the heavens!

You may be asking, “What is Jesus’ will for my life?” Well, it seems to me that Jesus’ will is manifold. First and foremost, Jesus wants us to know and experience God’s great and unconditional love for us! Secondly, Jesus wants us to believe that He went to the cross to atone for our sin and to secure our eternal relationship and life with God. Third, Jesus wants us to believe in the miracle of the resurrection. And finally, Jesus wants us to be in such an intimate relationship with God that our daily behaviors and activities are geared to share God’s love and relationship with others!

As we abide with Jesus, we will experience great confidence! Confidence literally means, “with faith.”

As we abide with Jesus, we live by faith! Our faith causes us to submit to God’s will for our lives and then to act in accord with Jesus.

So, what does it mean to be in accord with Jesus?

Well, I think the answer is simple. Once we are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then we are to share that relationship with others. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all people…”

As we have experienced the love of God in our own lives, we are to share that love with others. As we bathe in the light of Christ, we are to reflect that light to others.

In short, we are to be bearers of the GOOD NEWS message that all human beings are invited to abide with Christ and live in faith. All human beings are beloved by God, who gave Jesus for us, all in order to make provision for our sin to be forgiven and for us to inherit eternal life!

As we abide with Jesus, I believe that we will be so filled with the light, love, joy, and peace of the Holy Spirit, that our non-Christian friends will be compelled to ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

They ought to want what we have my friends! And they will…

As we love them passionately with our words, and with our deeds, I believe that their hearts will become softened to the GOOD NEWS message!

Let us abide with Jesus, living with faith, and loving others until Jesus comes again!

How can you share your faith with others?

Jesus, I want to abide with you. Please increase my ability to live in faith. Please help me to share my faith and your love with others! As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you! Thank you for fulfilling my deepest desires! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com