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Abide in Me

Abiding requires that we take up our cross.

Abiding requires that we take up our cross. The cross is that instrument of death upon which our self-life is crucified. As we take up our cross, we are cleansed of this carnal nature: this evil nature, this deception, this darkness, this love of Self which is dwelling in our hearts. It is a continual dying, for Paul said: I die daily (1 Cor. 15:31). Unless the Self in our lives is crucified, the abiding will be absent.

Abiding includes following, prayer and obedience. The life-blood of abiding is obeying. Without obeying God’s Word and praying to learn His will, we cannot abide. Following depends upon Self-denial and obeying every leading of the Holy Spirit. We follow by obeying the Word of God and by putting aside the weights and sins that so easily beset us, including fleshly attitudes and resentments. The spiritual law of following includes submission, surrender and attentiveness to the truth in the Word of God and from the Holy Spirit.

Abiding requires much petition and waiting upon God: But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; …they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isa. 40:31). In abiding there is no fainting, but there is enduring and perseverance: If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed (John 8:31). As we abide in Him, we discover a vast place 2 where we can be still before Him and listen to His voice. While we are abiding, we will be yielding and releasing all control of our lives to His guidance. This will in turn allow us to be able, by His presence and power, to live an abounding life.

When we abide in Him, our life is full of praise. Praising Jesus is the breath of trusting. Those who cease praising, cease abiding. The Apostle Paul said: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes. 5:16-18). In another place he said: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). Praise is a great part of abiding. It is getting alone and praising the Lord—just praising Him and honoring Him, giving Him glory and thanksgiving and gratitude.

In abiding there is no sin, but caution. Sins both of commission and omission are resisted when we abide, because Jesus comes in His holiness into our hearts. Abiding increases the fear of God; therefore we are unlikely to think selfish or critical thoughts. We become cautious of our behavior, our manner, our attitudes and our reactions. We respond to others with compassion. (Except taken from Reimar A. C. Schultze Call to Obedience "Abide in Me" PDF # 506).

God's Word

I can do all things...

When you say: “I cannot make it,” you are believing a lie from the devil. Remember what God has written: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13); ...all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23); No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper... (Isa. 54:17). As you live by God’s Word, you will not become bitten by fiery serpents and become infected with the venom of unbelief. Should you put your word above God’s Word? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar... (Rom. 3:4). What is this whimsical and whining spirit that moans and groans under the burden of unbelief and complains about the hardness of the journey, the scarcity of the water of life, the dryness of the bread from heaven, the dimness of the pillar of fire, the barrenness of the grace of God, the shortness of the arm of God, the deafness of the ear of God and the absence of God’s presence? This complaining, whimsical, whining spirit twists God’s Word to its own destruction and says: “His yoke is hard, and his burden is heavy.” This same carnal spirit complained of the lack of leeks, onions and garlic in the wilderness (Num. 11:5). This same spirit rose up against God and Moses and asked, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? (Num. 21:5).

You can become justified, no matter how unjust you have been. You can be cleansed, no matter how unclean you have been. You can be sanctified, no matter how often you have failed. You can be the instrument of His love in all situations of life, no matter how much resentment you have had. You can have life with no hurt feelings—the life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. You can become disciplined, even though you have been undisciplined all your life because It is written that you can. Everything that God wills for you to become is possible for you in your life. (Except taken from Reimar A. C. Schultze Call to Obedience "Is God’s Word Above Your Word? PDF "# 514).