The Fruitfulness of Abiding in Jesus

What do peas in a pod, a caterpillar in a cocoon, a heavy statute, and a Christian have in common? Abiding. Webster defines abide as 1. remain; continue 2. dwell. 3. stand firm

During the growing season, the peas remain snug in the pod until the time of harvest. As a caterpillar undergoes its metamorphosis, it dwells within the snug cocoon. A heavy statute stands firm through all kinds of elements, refusing to budge, and a Christian remains, dwells, and stands firm in faith waiting, anticipating, and expecting fruit in their life.

I first learned the spiritual meaning of abiding while at a writer’s conference. My first book had come out and already people were asking about the 2^nd one. What if there wasn’t a 2^nd one? The panic began to mount. Then my eyes fell upon John 15.

I realized that my stewing would not give me another success; it was only going to steal the joy of the first one. All I needed to do was abide in the arms of my sovereign God. If He wanted me to have another, it would happen. If He wanted me to bear other kinds of fruit, I would. I remember my sense of peace in that moment of revelation.

What is the role of an abiding Christian? We must follow him in our lives, but trust HIM for the outcome. As we stay connected, the sprouts of trust begin to breakthrough discouragement. The Holy Spirit can produce His fruit in us because we are abiding.

How might this fruit appear in the life of an abiding Christian? (Galations 5:22-23)

Love—An abiding Christian loves his fellowman, encouraging and helping, plus he is always pointing people to Christ.

Joy—An abiding Christian is joyful as they follow the Lord. Joy will bubble up and out of them in their daily life.

Peace—An abiding Christian is contented and at peace they are in God’s will.

Patience—An abiding Christian is patient as they await the answers to their prayers, be it a week, month, or years.

Kindness—An abiding Christian encourages and treats mankind as they want to be treated.

Goodness—An abiding Christian’s goodness springs unselfishly from the heart as they serve their family and fellowman.

Faithfulness—An abiding Christian believes the one who calls them is faithful; that the seed planted will come to fruition. They keep on keeping on.

Gentleness—An abiding Christian presents the truth not with a preachy tone but with gentleness and boldness of spirit.

Self-Control—An abiding Christian will not let negative emotions trip them up, but will burrow in the Word and stay intimate with the Lord.

Is it always easy to abide? No, in our humanity, we need encouragement. Although we need to learn to turn to God first for our encouragement, we need each other. I once heard about a little girl who was afraid of the dark. Her mother told her not to be afraid, that God was with her in the dark.

The little girl replied, “But Mommy, I need someone with skin on.” Thus it is with all of us, and that’s why joining with other believers is helpful in learning to stand firm and abide. What will you decide? Choose now to let the Holy Spirit’s fruit blossom in your life, abide in HIM and join with other believers? Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. Hebrews 10:25 GNT

Exercise your faith and watch for those sprouts of fruitfulness. Stay in the Word and don’t forget to pray. Live a fruitful life. Make your time on earth count.

                                                                                                               

FLIPPING HOUSES & DRY BONES

He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

I said, "Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

Ezekiel 37:3 NIV

            Flipping houses has long intrigued me. I love watching Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s hit show “Fixer Uppers” and all the other shows where someone takes an old house and breathes new life into it. Even in the small town where I live, people are starting to take a structure down to the studs and do a few do overs. I’m always wowed! The outcome is mind boggling. People who do this seem to have a sixth sense regarding transformation. They see something unique in the bones of the house.

            I’ve seen this valuable asset in the encouragers of life. They can sense the potential in others and they encourage them—whether the individuals are in a valley or just beginning their journey—to step up to the challenge, go the extra mile, and do whatever it takes to live the best life they can.

            In the biblical book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven, God allows Ezekiel to have a vision of dry bones in a valley. We can assume that if there are dry bones, the skeletons are really dead.

He asks Ezekiel can these bones live again? 

            I would have probably been like Ezekiel and shook my head, muttering, I don’t know. Then he tells Ezekiel to start prophesying to the bones, saying listen to what the Lord says.

            But the story is about Israel whose hope is gone. They are the dry bones in this vision.

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the

people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and

our hope is gone; we are cut off,’ Ezekiel 37:11 NIV

            The vision is symbolic as God assures Ezekiel that yes indeed, new life can be breathed into Israel. God could see Israel’s potential, just as he can see each person’s potential. He can breathe new life into you, and you, and you. If your hope is gone, he can restore it so don’t give up. And that lost individual you’ve been praying about, God loves them even more than you do and it is not his will that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Just keep praying and trusting. God can see down to the bones and he can make dry bones live again!