Abiding in Jesus

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4, NKJV)

Jesus tells us that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser.  (John 15:1)  He also says that we are the branches.  (John 15:5)

Are you abiding in Jesus?

According to Dictionary.com, the word 'abide' is defined as 'to remain, continue, stay'.  If we are abiding in Jesus, we are remaining with Him. We continue with Him. We stay with Him.   It also means 'to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship; last'.  Therefore, we continue in our individual and personal relationships with Him.  

How do we do it?

We stay in God's word.  We continue seeking Him.  We keep spending time with Him. 

There are benefits for remaining in constant communication with Him.  For one, we bear much fruit which means we are productive within the Kingdom of God.  (John 15:5)  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."  (John 15:7-8, NKJV)

There are also consequences for not staying in relationship with Jesus.  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..."  (John 15:2a)  We cannot and will not do anything really worthwhile without Him.  (John 15:5)  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."  (John 15:6, NKJV)

When we abide in Jesus, we also abide in His love.  (John 15:9)  The only way we can truly abide in His love is by keeping His commandments.  And, the only way we can really keep His commandments is by abiding in Him and staying in His word.  (John 15:10)

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Counting Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings is an old hymn that is sung in many churches around the world.  I grew up singing the song in church.  I am sure that many others who grew up in church also are familiar with the song.  Have you ever really listened to the words of the song?  Just listen here and now...

 

"Count your blessings...Name them one by one...Count your blessings...See what God has done..."

Those are just a few of the words to the old hymn, Count Your Blessings.  Sometimes, it is easier said than done though.  There may be times when you get down or discouraged about a situation in life.  It is just easier to see the negative and natural circumstances sometimes.  However, our Father God wants us to praise Him in all circumstances.  David who went through a lot of difficulty in his life knew that he needed to praise His Lord at all times.   

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."  (Psalm 34:1, NIV)

The Psalmist in 119 also knew that he needed to praise God.

"Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws."  (Psalm 119:164, NIV)

God our Father wants us to truly know Him.  He wants us to see and know His goodness, His love, and His faithfulness in every circumstance in our lives.  He definitely wants us to praise Him.

How do we do it?  We get our eyes off of our natural circumstances and put our eyes on Him.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)  Then, we praise Him for what He has already done for us in our lives.  We praise Him for what He is doing 'behind the scenes' in our lives.  We praise Him for what He will do for us in our future. 

Start praising Him right now where you are...I am sure that you can think of something to praise Him and thank Him for in your life.  Begin with some of the basics like your home, your family, your food, your clothing, and whatever else.  If you need to go back to the above song, there are some hints and reminders in it.  All of your blessings come from God the Father!  (James 1:17)  Therefore, count your blessings!  Then, see what God has done!

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Jesus Loves You!

You just viewed a video of Whitney Houston singing 'Jesus Loves Me'. After her death earlier this year, there was a television special about her and her life. I remember part of it where Whitney was stating that Jesus loved her. However, to me, that kind of statement seems ironic and contradictory given her history of drug abuse and the coroner's ruling as to the cause of her death.

If Whitney really understood...if she got a true revelation...of Jesus' love for her, she would have had a much different and better life while she was here in this world. Her premature death would not have happened either. Her death also would not have been caused by drugs or anything similar.

You may say...How do you know? Why would you say such things?

How do I know? I know from personal experience as well as from God’s word. I know that when people get a true revelation of Jesus' love for them they live for Him. His love for them causes them to live for Him! They die to themselves! (Matt 16:24, Col 3:3) He is everything to them! Their life becomes more holy, pure, and righteous.

It is not part of a religious checklist. It is a by-product of their relationship with Him. Jesus' love for them makes people desire to live for Him. It makes them want to be more holy, pure, and righteous. As a result, their lives become more holy, pure, and righteous. Jesus also takes away any desires that are not of Him. He takes away any earthly and worldly cravings. He fills any voids in people's hearts and lives.

Unfortunately…based on Whitney's behavior, life, and death...she did not comprehend the magnitude of Jesus' love for her. It is also really unfortunate and sad that she did not understand fully His love for her because her behavior, life, and death would have all been different. Whitney would have had a much better outcome in life and ultimately in death.

However, I hope that by her example it causes everyone to look at themselves and their lives. I hope that it causes everyone to seek Him. (Matt 6:33) I hope that it causes everyone to comprehend the magnitude of His love for them. (Rom 8:38-39)

Why do I say it? Once you really understand and get a true revelation of His Love, He will ultimately change you and your life for the better.

Do you really know deep down inside of you that 'Jesus Loves You'?


Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Where is Your Treasure?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, NKJV)

Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?

Are you more interested in people or possessions? Are you available for people in their time of need? Are you living superficially in this life? Do you want to have and keep all of the material things of this world? Which means more to you...people or things?

"but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20, NKJV)

“...For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV)

First, God desires for us to love Him! (See Mark 12:30) Then, love one another! (See John 13:34-35) Do you love people? Are you showing love to them?

How do you love others? How do you show love to them? Well, one way is to imitate the Father (See Ephesians 5:1). Also, walk in love as Jesus Christ did and gave Himself for us (See Ephesians 5:2).

Are you walking in love? Are you imitating Jesus Christ? Jesus gave of Himself! He gave people His time and other resources. He taught them lessons. He listened to them. He shared with them. He endured hardships! He suffered for righteousness' sake! Ultimately, He laid down His life for everyone (See 1 John 3:16)!

Which means more to you...people or material possessions like money?

"No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24, NIV)

If you had a choice of helping a person financially or otherwise, what would you do? Would you keep the money or other material possessions for yourself? Would you help the person? Which is more important to you? Which do you really love?

God does not bless people with His resources in order to be selfish, self-centered, greedy, or hoarders. He has freely given, so we should freely give too (See Proverbs 11:24). He also loves a cheerful giver (See 2 Corinthians 9:7).

Our Father asks us, "If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him—how can God's love reside in him?" (1 John 3:17, HCSB)

Later, His instruction, "Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth; that is how we will know we are of the truth, and will convince our hearts in His presence, because if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things." (1 John 3:18-20, HCSB)

What will you do the next time someone needs a helping hand? Will you deny their request? Will you walk away? On the other hand, will you show the love of the Father? Will you show the love of Jesus Christ?

Afterall, the righteous are never forsaken and God's children are never begging for bread. (See Psalm 37:25) For God feeds, clothes, and provides for all of our needs. (See Matthew 6:25-33) Therefore, should not we do the same? If we are really imitating Him, should not we also do for others? Let us actually show His love to others in obedience to Him and from our hearts.


Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.