ABLE - Week Two

The word for this week is "Able".  God has certainly proved Himself able in my life in so many ways.  He has proved food when my family and I have needed it.  He has provided cars when ours had gone kaput. He has opened doors we never dreamed possible.  He has proven himself fully able in our lives.  I hope the same is true for you.  Enjoy these short thoughts on "Able".

ABLE

“Now unto him that is able…..” Ephesians 3:20 

“He’s able, He’s able, I know he’s able. 

I know my Lord is able to carry me through.”

         This is not a Scripture, but a song.  God is able.  Where we get frustrated; where we see restriction and hindrance; where we lose hope, God is still able.  With God, nothing is impossible.

         He can use stones to preach                Matthew 3:9

         He can meet financial need                  II Chr. 25:9

         He can deliver us from enemies            II Cor. 32:14

         He can deliver us from fire                   Dan 3:17

         He can humble the proud                    Dan 4:37

         He can heal                                        Matthew 9:28 

         He can make us to stand                     Romans 14:4

         He can give ample grace                      II Cor 9:8

         He can save our souls                         James 1:12  

         He can keep our souls                         II Tim 1:12 

         He can keep us from falling                 Jude 24

         Yes, He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we think or ask…”  Ephesians 3:20.  So, why do we pray so small?  Why do we live so small?  We are told to come boldly before the throne of grace.  We are to live in full faith of the power that works within us.  He is the one that is able.  Philippians tells us that we can do all things through him.  He is able.  So…I can: live a godly life, serve faithfully, have victory over sin, grow spiritually, be a witness, control my thought life, be kind, control my temper, and do whatever God asks me to do…not because I am so powerful and great, but because He is able and He lives within me.

ABLE

“May be able to comprehend…the love of Christ…..” Ephesians 3:18,19

Wow!  I can be able to comprehend the love of Christ: this amazing love that gave all for me?  Yes!

Verse 18 goes into a description of just how much there is to understand about the love of Christ.  It has breadth.  It is broad and spacious with room for all. It has length.  It is long.  It will endure.  It has depth. It is deep.  So deep we will never get to the bottom of it.  It has height.  It will lift us up to the summit where we can see that the sky is the limit to His glory and power.  And it passes knowledge.  There is no knowledge more beautiful or more worthy of our consideration than the love of Christ.

Yet, the promise of the verse is that we might be able to comprehend this love.  How is that possible?  The secret is in the preceding verse.  “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love…”  (Eph 3:17)

That takes us back to abiding, doesn’t it?  If we are dwelling or abiding in Christ and solid in the fact of his love for us, then our knowledge or comprehension of the immensity of his love will be able to grow within our lives and we will continually be learning new aspects and experiencing a variety of facets of his love.

The better we get to know a person, the more of their personality we discover.  It is the same with Christ.  The more we know of him, the more there is to know.  The knowledge we seek lies in him, not in ourselves.  But through his power and his involvement in our lives, we can, or are able, to know the love of Christ.  He wants to share himself with us….do we want to know him better?

ABLE

“…the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee

 wise unto salvation……..”

II Timothy 3:15 

My grandfather was often warning me not to be a smart-aleck.  I guess I was a bit mouthy or something as a kid!  But, you know what?  God wants me to be a smart-aleck.  Not in a haughty way, but in a confident way: confident that I know my Bible and have applied the teachings to my life.

It is the Scriptures that give me the wisdom necessary to bring me to salvation.  Paul recorded that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) In other words, faith comes by the hearing of God’s word.  There is life in the Scriptures.

Timothy had been taught these Scriptures from a young age.  We must remember that the Scriptures he learned were those from the Old Testament.  And yet, God said that these Scriptures would make him wise unto salvation.  So, Christ can be taught from the Old Testament.

We have the entire Word of God.  All we need to find salvation is contained in our Bible.  Have you found salvation? 

Romans 10:9 & 13 says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved….For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  These verses alone reveal God’s plan of salvation.  Man must recognize his sinfulness and confess it to God believing that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient.  Man must then call out to God asking for his forgiveness and restoration.  God will not turn the humble heart away.  Call upon him today.

ABLE

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament….”

 II Corinthians 3:6

 

I remember some of the ministers in the little church where I grew up.  One in particular stands out in my mind.  He was a jolly, round, little man with a Scottish surname – McClanahan.  He seemed to really enjoy ministry.  He had a ready smile and a positive outlook. I don’t remember any of his sermons, but I do remember his demeanour and a portion of his testimony as he described kneeling beside a large old log and giving his heart to Christ.

I also remember vividly one lady in the church where I grew up.  She never had children and was married to man many years her senior, but she was a gentle prayer warrior and gracious person.  I was privileged to have her as a Sunday school teacher once.  I was so happy to be in her class because I knew she really knew and loved God and I learned from her how to respect God’s Word and to pray.

An able minister is not necessarily the pastor of the church.  An able minister is one who uses their life to influence others for Christ.  Their spirit brings spiritual life to others by the way they love and the way they give.  This is the heart of the New Testament.  It is a life of grace, not law.  It is life of spirit, not death.  It breathes hope into those around and generates beauty and love.

God makes us able ministers.  It is not our sufficiency or abilities, but the grace of God working in our lives.  So it begs a couple of questions: just how much grace is working in our lives?  Are we yielding to the Spirit of God and allowing Him to make us to be able ministers bringing life and godly influence to those around us?

ABLE

“…being fully persuaded that, what he had promised,

he was able also to perform.”  Romans 4:21 

I just love this picture.  Here is poor old Abraham after many years of journeying still clinging to this promise of a son.  In Hebrews 11 God records that Sarah too “judged him faithful who had promised.” They haven’t given up hope.  They are fully persuaded that God is fully able to keep his promise.

Growing old is not so easy.  We see our skin tone changing; we feel the weakness creeping into our muscles.  We come face to face with the fact that time is growing shorter and we wonder what the end for us will be like.  I can barely imagine all of these things happening and yet living with the hope of a baby.  Where in world would I get strength to raise another child!

Yet, Abraham and Sarah truly believed that God was able to perform whatever was necessary to keep his promise.  There was no doubt in their mind.  They were living each day in expectation.

Hum?  So, when I read Philippians 1:6 and God says that he will continue to work in my life: I can believe it.  Or, when I read that God will supply all my need; I can believe it. Or, when I read that God will make all things just in the end: I can believe it. 

Why? - Because God is able to perform all of his promises. God is able.  That is the crux of the matter.  God is able.  Say it over to yourself.  In any circumstance, God is able.  Living by faith as Abraham and Sarah did means that I truly believe God is able and I live in expectation. 

“I had fainted, unless I had believe to see the goodness of the Lord….wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:13, 14)

Wait and believe that God is able.

He Abides

The abiding presence of the Lord is such a comfort.  As I abide in Him and He in me, there is sweet fellowship, a calmness and peace that can only be given by His Spirit. I am loved.  I am valued.  I am understood.  There is no need for pretense and no need for fear because He is there.  Any failings or weaknesses in my life are covered by the blood and I stand with Him and before Him wholly forgiven and accepted.  Yes, as the old song says, "The comforter abides with me..."

With such assurance I can go forward into life.  I can move securely and confidently toward His plan in my life.  I can no that no matter what tomorrow holds, He is already there!

Abiding - Week One

 Fifty Bible Words is my first attempt at a completed work. Each week I will post a group of five short devotions from various Scriptures all centered around a specific Bible word.

  

ABIDING

“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?  Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?”  Psalm 15:1

An abode is a place.  It may be temporary or permanent, a tent or a house, tangible or intangible.  Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives twelve variations for the meaning of abide or abiding.

 

The first definition has the idea of continuing, not only in a place, but also for a time.  The further definitions indicate that the place may call for perseverance and constant resistance.  Steadfastness, longsuffering, and persistent loyalty are all qualities that define the word “Abide”.

In John chapter fifteen the Bible speaks of us abiding in Christ.

When we compare this to the indicated qualities derived from the definitions we can see that abiding in Christ is not merely

sitting in his living room.  It is a place of action, a place of conflict and of supreme devotion.

To abide in Christ may be illustrated by considering what we actually do when we abide, what we have around us in our abode, how we care for our abode and the qualities that are a part of the action of abiding. These qualities reveal our attitude and determine the benefit we derive from the action of abiding.

If we are actively abiding in Christ we will have an inward desire to be with Him. There will be excitement with great anticipation to get home to Him if we are away. We will have assurance of comfort and a warm familiarity that will bring joy and peace.  We will agree and act upon the old adage, “There is no place like home.”

Does that describe your relationship with Christ?

ABIDING

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…”  John 15:7

Let’s take a look at what is around you. What do you have? Creature comforts?  Family heirlooms?  Significant others?  Things that define you?  Treasures you hold dear?  Extra stuff?  Cluttered closets?  New and used furniture?  Etc.

Now, consider: if it all disappeared what would remain?  Are you truly defined by the household things around you, or do you have intangible, eternal treasures?

Our life on earth is temporary, very temporary.  It will pass away.  For all the effort and love put into making the place you call home, it is not eternal.  On the other hand, you are eternal.  Your soul will live forever.  The “home of the soul” is not only a place, but also an eternal time zone.

Think about it.  If you paid as much attention to the quality and care of your soul as you do to your temporal abode, would you not be abiding in Christ in a fuller fashion?  Would you not enjoy deeper fellowship and joy?  Would not the inward abiding be reflected in your outward abode?  It is really odd to live inside out.  Better check.  If your heart is outside your soul, you are unhealthy and in real danger.  See Matthew 6:21

However, if you can recognize that the tangible things around you are temporal and that your physical home is not your true riches, you are is a much better state.  The qualities of love, peace, joy, security, contentment, God’s Word hidden in the heart and a working knowledge of your stand in Christ are much firmer foundations for abiding and much richer treasures than the ornaments around you.

Where are you abiding in a temporal house, or in an eternal home?

ABIDING

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…”  John 15:7

This form of abiding has to do more with action than with a place.  The word, “if”, indicates that it is a choice.  We choose to “abide in Christ”, or, we choose not to.

The action of abiding is illustrated again by our own lives.  To abide in the active form means that we live in a place.  We eat there.  We sleep there.  We dream there.  It is the place where we retreat and find refuge.  Abiding also means that we care not only for the furnishing of the abode, but for the attitudes and actions that happen within that abode.

If we apply this to our “abiding in Christ”, we will see that our choice to abide necessitates our activity with Christ.  Either he dwells with us, or he does not.  If he is invited to be a part of our lives we will involve him in our decision, in our joys, in our sorrows, in all that makes up our abiding.  Christ will be the central theme of our lives.

The abiding is also mutual.  If we will choose to abide in Christ, he will choose to abide with us.  “He that abideth in me, and I in him…” (Verse 5)  Christ will not force his way into our lives.  We must initiate the invitation. He stands at the door and knocks.

Have you invited him in?  He is the only way of salvation. 

Are you abiding in him?  He is the only way of sanctification. 

ABIDING

“…He that abideth in me…bringeth forth much fruit.”  John 15:5

The Bible has many illustrations about how a person cares for their home or farm or life.  If we apply these to “abiding” we can see some examples on how we should abide.

The woman in Proverbs 31 looked well to the ways of her household.  She put in the long nights.  She prepared herself and anticipated the difficulties ahead.  She knew the value of a well run home.  She was very involved with her abiding.

The husbandman also puts in the long hours of ploughing and planting.  He watches the weather and harvests in the right time and stores his grain for the future.  His abiding is organized and deliberate.

The parable of the woman who lost a coin shows that she swept her house until she found the coin that was so valuable to her.  Her diligence produced rejoicing.

These three examples alone show that we must put ourselves into the process or activity of abiding in order to be productive.  Remember the definitions from the first devotion?  “…the place may call for perseverance and constant resistance.  Steadfastness, longsuffering, and persistent loyalty are all qualities that define the word “Abide”.”

There is actually hard work involved in abiding.  And why should we be surprised? Anything of real value has a price.

So, are you willing to do your spiritual homework? Are you keeping your spiritual abode garnished and clean?  Do you place real value on it?  Do you see it sparkle and shine or are there some dusty mirrors and cobwebs in the corner?

ABIDING

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…”  John 15:7

What do you do in your abode?  Eat, sleep, laugh, cry, retreat, rise up and lie down, work, sing, play, dress, prepare, etc.? 

From our abodes we do life.  So, should it be in our spiritual life, and not to divorce the two, for both are a part of the other.  Acts 17:25 & 28 “…seeing he giveth to all life, and breath and all things…for in Him we live and move, and have our being…”

So to abide in Christ is to be drawing from the source of life to empower us to live.  We feed upon His Word.  We rest in His promise.  We rejoice in His love.  We pour out our heart before Him.  We find solace.  We begin the day with Him and end the day with Him.  We serve.  We sing.  We even play knowing recreation and restoration of spirit are His gifts.  We put on the full armour of God and stay vigilant and prepared to stand and to serve.

Colossians 1:10-12 & 16-18 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father…For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible…all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head… that in all thing HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.”

Christ is our life.  And if we abide in him the promise of John 15:7 is….”ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Do you abide close enough to claim the promise?

Opening Comments

It is almost the end of the first day of 2013.  My sister is busy celebrating her birthday and we are here in Virginia visiting our daughter.  Tomorrow Tom and I fly back to England and back to our ministry. 2013 is a blank page waiting to be filled.  I am excited to see what God has in store!

This blog is a part of my attempt to reach a personal goal.  It isn't a resolution, but a goal.  I want to write.  This is my last real desire of my life.  Whether I am any good at it or not, that is not the point.  I want to say some things.  I want to be used to encourage.  I want to share some of life's lessons.  I want to record God's faithfulness and work.

If you are starting this journey with me, I thank you.

Gail