Abide in Jesus

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. // John 15:4

I've been soaking up all this time without school to grow. To start 2013 off right and intentionally. Watching Passion 2013 pretty much all day and all night for the first four days of 2013, was so good for my spirit. It cracked me open. It revealed to me how deprave and unholy my heart and life is. How I'm focusing my identity on who I try to be/look like, instead of who God tells me I am. This heart change is good y'all. So hard, but so good.

One of the main convictions I had is how many days in 2012 WEREN'T started off in His presence or went without the thought of "How can I glorify Christ today?" running through my head. I would open up my computer before the Word, I wouldn't pray before I made a decision or started a meeting. If I want my life to flourish spiritually, I need to start my days out in God's presence. Point blank.

Satisfy us in the MORNING with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
// Psalm 90:14

Let me hear in the MORNING of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. // Psalm 143:8a

O LORD, in the MORNING you hear my voice; in the MORNING I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. // Psalm 5:3

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the MORNING.
// Psalm 59:16a

(emphasis mine)

I need to throw myself out of bed (yes) and get into His presence. I need to spend sweet time alone with Him reading the Bible, praying, meditating on scripture. To be fully satisfied, content, and filled with joy. That's the only way that my soul will be satisfied, nothing in this world can fill that void.

The whole passage of John 15 is utterly beautiful, but this verse stands out to me because it's solely focused on abiding in Christ. We can't bear fruit, we can't live life, without abiding in Christ. How can you live life without knowing the ONE who made you? Without knowing your purpose on this earth is to glorify Him?

We can't grow spiritually on our own. The branch can't grow fruit on it's own, can it? We can't force ourselves to grow spiritually. It has to be you setting aside time in your life and in that time surrendering it to the Holy Spirit's power to grow you.

So as today starts the first full work/school week, abide in Jesus in the morning, in every waking hour. Go to bed half hour earlier to wake up a half hour earlier. It is possible :) Don't let another year pass by without spiritual growth in Christ. It will be your biggest regret of all.

xoxo Bethany