Effie Darlene Barba

Galatians 6 (AMP)  Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.

² Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and ^[a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete ^[b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

³ For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

⁴ But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [^[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

⁵ For every person will have to bear (^[d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [^[e]little] load ^[f][of oppressive faults].

Pride is a huge problem and Paul the apostle (recognizing that fact) warned the Christian over and over again.  So often within our hearts there is the tendency to compare ourselves with others.  We tend to look upon someone else’s failures with a self pride and in that frame of mind we say that "I would never do that"  Beware, Caution; you are most likely about to fall into that same sin.  The only way that we can help another person who is struggling with a particular sin is to forever remember our own vulnerability to sin.  We need to lovingly, gently point them toward the joy that they can find in Christ.  Experience tells me that there is no joy when sin is reigning in my life; and, that is true of any Christian.  Pride would stand in the way of helping the other because we find ourselves secretly enjoying their failure because it makes us look better.  As Christians we must reach out to guide others when they are slipping away.  We should teach them gently, remembering our own frailty.  That does not mean that we are not to meekly confront them in a heart of love that truly wants to help them.  We are not to just look the other way either; because that is saying "I don’t care".  Remember that any maturity or level of spirituality that you may have attained has come to you by grace alone and not of your own doing.  Remember Peter?  He had been privy to many miracles and even was there at the mount of transfiguration.  He had walked with Christ and was the first to declare with great revelation that "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God"  Yet, pride entered in and he even declared that Christ would not be killed–he, Peter would not allow it.  He declared with all of his heart, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." (Matthew 26: 35)   Still it was Peter who denied Christ three times.  God knew that if Peter were to become the preacher that he needed to be to lead the early church, pride would have to be destroyed.  It was a broken, contrite hearted Peter who then stood on the shore with the resurrected Christ as Peter was given his commission to teach and spread the gospel of Christ.  I must never forget the fact that without Christ, I am nothing.  If by some chance of Grace I have ever done something good or have helped someone; I know that it Christ in me and not me.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1R5c3d7KPQ

Below is an excerpt from the Chapter "Peter’s Restoration" from my book A Broken and Contrite Heart  for those who want to read further. 

"Peter had seen the resurrection of Christ and was thrilled with the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection; yet, as you note—He returned to fishing.  “After all, Christ has said nothing about the denial; perhaps, I cannot be used in His service”, thought Peter.  “I blew it!! What can I do?  I witnessed a miracle beyond any miracle and I met the Savior, the Messiah.  What an honor I have been blessed with.”   So with that mentality, Peter went back to the fishing.  That was the only occupation he knew and certainly he did not believe he would ever be good enough to return to Christ’s service.   He had failed Christ at a crucial moment, all his bragging about love and devotion had been nothing more than a lot of worthless hot air.

            Peter had fished all night and even then failed to catch any fish; perhaps, even in this he felt a failure.  As the morning dawned there was Christ standing on the shore.  In fact, the disciples did not recognize Him; perhaps, they weren’t looking for Him at that moment—they were not certain what role they now played in the Kingdom of God.  In fact, for Peter, he had gone back to his former life, why would Christ appear now? Peter, I daresay, doesn’t recall the prayer and promise of Christ that when he was restored to strengthen the brethren.  Instead, Peter took them fishing.  In fact, Peter was fishing in the nude as he had formerly done.  Then Peter realized that this was Jesus Christ as He had commanded them to throw the nets in and pull up an overflowing catch of fish; just like in the beginning.  Peter grabbed his coat and jumped into the water.  Oddly, that he would throw on a coat to swim when swimming is much simpler in the nude.  Yet, Peter wanted to try to cover his own shame for his lack of faith in Christ’s ability to use him and for his denial a few days, weeks prior.  When Peter and the disciples reached the shore Christ was already cooking fish so as to provide a meal to His disciples.  He attended first to their physical need of hunger before stepping into the important work of restoration.  That would be just like Jesus; he would attend to the physical needs so that there would be abundant energy to go about the task at hand.  Sometimes in the Christian walk when we awaken in that same position as Peter in which we feel we have failed so severely that we could not be used ever again.  At that moment, many times God sends forth just the right song or sermon or person to fill our hungry heart before He begins that work of restoration.  Once his hunger had been met, Christ invited Peter for a private walk along the beach.  We know this private because while they are talking, it is noted in verse 20 “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following”  They had to be walking a few steps ahead and speaking softly.

            So they begin this walk, Peter hardly able to contain himself with the thoughts most likely running through his mind.  It was the first time they were alone and Christ wanted to talk to him.  Then came the piercing questions in a series of three; just like the denial had been a series of three so too the restoring questions are a series of three.  Peter prior to the incident was so confident that he loved Christ better than the other disciples and that he would go to prison or death because of his love for Christ.  Yet, Peter, came to realize that his own love was not perfect; instead he needed to rest on the assurance that Christ’s love was all sufficient.  So it is that Christ asked Peter “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?”  Note that Christ once more is calling Peter by his human name and not the spiritual name he had been given.  Another point of great interest is the word “lovest”,  In the latin languages, there are various distinctly different words that refer to love.  One type of love is “agape” love.  This is an unconditional, never failing, God like love.   The other word for love that is used in these verses is phileo love (this refers to a general brother-like love) and would be considered a good type of love; but certainly, with limitations and flaws.  It is more like an affection rather than a steady burning, unconditional love.  Therefore, the conversation went something like this.  Christ said, “Simon, do you love me with a burning, unconditional agape love?”  Peter’s response is “yeah Lord, I love you with an affectionate, brother like Phileo love.” Christ commands Peter to feed his sheep.  Remember once more this is the same Peter who had previously swore his love to be greater than anyone’s and now he hesitates in his own description of his love for Christ, doubting the depth and sincerity of it.  . So, Christ again asks Peter, “Simon, do you love me with a burning, unconditional agape love?”  Peter’s response again is “yeah Lord, I love you with an affectionate, brother like Phileo love” Christ commands Peter once more to feed his sheep, as demonstration of that love and devotion—He is calling Peter into service again.  Then on the third question, Christ asks; “Simon, do you love with an affectionate, brother like love?”  What a grievous question.  Peter must have quickly thought as I have at times thought, “Lord is my ability to love you so flawed that I cannot even attempt to demonstrate it, does it not even show?”  Yet, very humbly, Peter now replies:  “Lord, you know all things, look into my heart Lord and You will not need to ask such a question.”   Once more the Lord calls Peter into service with “Feed my sheep” 

            Peter had come to realize that he, himself was nothing and had nothing to boast of except for Jesus Christ.  He came to realize that in the power of his own love, he would fail. His self-righteous spirit was broken completely.  His heart had been broken for Christ and now restored was a humble heart that recognized that unless it is Christ’s love and work through him, there was no work at all.  Now with all self pride stripped away, Peter was ready to become the preacher he needed to be.  He found his own central core of hope in future grace set firm in Jesus Christ and Christ Alone-“the hope for Glory”  As Peter writes in I Peter 1: “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” No longer could Peter’s hope and faith be in himself or even his ability to love Christ; rather, he depended and rested upon the love of God to sustain him and to work out this faith through him.  That is why Peter was able to preach at Pentecost where 3000 were saved.  It was no longer Peter’s boisterous voice; but Christ’s voice through Peter.   God did not cause Peter to fail; but God did allow Satan to sift Peter and God took Peter’s failure and used it for Peter’s growth, the increased intimacy with Christ for Peter, and for the good of the kingdom.  What an amazing God of Grace and Mercy and Love.  God knew that the only source of joy, hope, strength and peace for Peter was an intimate relationship with God.  Prior to Peter falling deeply with a broken spirit, broken heart and contrite heart; Peter’s pride stood in the way of this intimacy.  Peter sometimes had trouble hearing the truth as he was caught up in his own desires.  This was not the case with the restored Peter."

^{Luke 22: 40} And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

⁴¹ And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

⁴² Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

⁴³ And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

⁴⁵ And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

⁴⁶ And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Hebrews 2: ⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings…….

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 3; ¹² Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God

…¹⁸ And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

¹⁹ So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Christ who was God and who created all of Heaven and Earth chose to take on flesh that He might be worthy to be the High Priest and once and for all pay the penalty of man’s sin.  In His fleshly form, He suffered pain, sorrow, rejection, temptation just as we would, only without sin.  In this form, He was not exempt from the great depths of sorrow and pain.  In addition He knew that His greatest pain was yet to come; that of being separated from His very own soul (the Father) and His Spirit (the Holy Spirit).  It would be necessary to take on the penalty and full wrath that Perfect Justice and Perfect Righteousness would demand.   Do not think that because this was Christ, His suffering was less; if anything, it far exceeded anything that you or I would ever face.  Yet, in that act of obedience and suffering; He became compassionate and has full empathy for our sufferings.  Since He paid the penalty for all off mankind; then, what is the sin that can now condemn anyone?  It is the sin of unbelief.  If you hear the voice of God drawing you to Christ; do not run the other direction or close your ears to the Servant King who became your Great High Priest.  Never again would we need an Earthly Priest to intercede, for it is Christ who is our intercessor. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrQiLEO4D5s

 

Matthew 7: ⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Deuteronomy 31:

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalm 103: ¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].

¹⁴ For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.

What are your worries today?  Are they how are you going to pay this months bills?  Is it how are you going to face this illness? Are you worried about where your next meal is coming from or if you are going to lose your house?  What is your worry today?  Are you afraid to go ask your Heavenly Father for help; because you know that the mess you are in is your own fault?  Had you just prepared better, put him first or had been a better child then maybe you wouldn’t be in this mess.  Do you love your Father with all your heart and soul?  This is a matter of the heart.  Are you seeking to find His will in your life?  Do you revere, worship and stand in awe of Him?  Then trust Him, lay all your burdens at His feet and know that His love will perform whatever is the best for you. He paid the greatest price that could ever be paid to show His love for you when Christ came to pay your sins upon the Cross and He will not forsake you know.  Do you believe that cast away your sin as far as the east is from the west (His east from west which goes beyond all the galaxies)?  Lay all your sins, your guilt, your fears, and your needs at the foot of the Cross and trust in God’s promises.  Then rise up in confidence, hope, and joy to follow Him where ever He leads you.   You can always vow that today you will serve Him, tithe to Him in love your time, your heart, and your things.  He is right there waiting to hear from you. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7psLMLE_r8&NR=1

For my English only friends below the best translation that I can place.  The internet translation all missed the spirit of the song; so I had to tweak their translations.  My Spanish can tell me if I got it right. 

Sometimes I failed you, but you were faithful, 
Your Grace lifts me up, your love is all I need, 
eternal God, your light will shine forever brilliantly
And your glory, incomparable Never ending. (Intro) Lord, let your will reign eternally, I want to lose myself in adoring you, eternal God, your light will shine forever And your glory, incomparable Never ending.   From my heart I give you control, consume all my heart, Let me embrace Your Justice and Your Love, Father, Lord, I love you from my heart. (+ intro + verse 2 pre-chorus) Eternal God, your light will shine forever, And your glory, incomparable never ending. The deepest cry of my being is to be with You With all my being, heart, and soul this is my Pleading Cry.

Romans 13: ¹¹ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

¹² The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

I Corinthians 15: ³⁴ Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God

Psalm 57: Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Romans 6: ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

What grave have you buried yourself in?  Are buried by worry, guilt, shame, fear, sin’s power, hopelessness, or anxiety?  Then arise from that grave unto new life in Christ.  He died to conquer sin, once and for all.  Have you fallen into a dull sleep just passing day into another day, never feeling the abounding joy that you could know in Christ; then awaken out of your sleep.  Awaken His Glory in You.  Awaken with harp and song.  Have you given up and decided that sin will forever get the best of you and that you might as well just go on in sin; after-all, grace covered it at the cross–so why fight it any more, you are saved and heaven will be yours.  Awaken and realized that the the night is far spent and there are so many who do not know Christ and you may be the only one who can show them Christ today.  I know the closer you grow to Christ and the more you proclaim His name to others, sometimes the harder the battle with inner sin becomes (Satan always wants to destroy your testimony. Awaken to the battle–put on your armor provided by God and do just that battle against those thoughts of self, covetousness,  and pride.  Die to covetous heart so that Christ might reign and shine forth through you.  Awaken your song of praise.  Awaken your love for Him who died to pay your penalty for sin and who rose again victorious.  Seek Him, Treasure Him, and Love Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IExdrZGQVeI

 

Chapter 10: Abiding In Christ 

John 15 ^“1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ⁹As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

How do I find a way to abide in Him so that I might be fruitful and by being fruitful bring Glory to God? How do I continue in His love that His joy might remain in me and my joy might be full? I have spent many days meditating on this very scripture because I see in it so many truths that must be told. There is locked within it so many treasures that are key to our Christian Walk. Christ has said that He is the true vine, the sap—the energy flows through Him into the branches. No branch has any life without the life-giving power of the vine. It is of no coincidence that Christ gave the illustration by talking about the grape vine. Each of the branches have smaller outshooting branches which must be guided, combed, and sometimes cut off so that the main branch is allowed to develop the fruit. The branch at times must be pinched so that it grows in the proper direction. Grapevines require intense labor to allow for fruit bearing branches. If left unattended, grapevines can become unruly, and fruiting will be poor. So it is necessary for God continually to be pruning the branch throughout its lifetime. He has to remove all those desires, actions, thoughts and fruitless side shoots which may develop.

The branch of its own has no energy, no fruit bearing, and no life. It must rely on the vine to provide life and to develop the fruit. A branch that is not connected to the vine cannot produce any fruit and will wither and die. Christ so amazingly chose the grapevine to demonstrate the Christians growth toward fruit bearing. Grapevines tend to be unruly and send forth shoots in many unwanted directions if not carefully managed by the husbandman. We, so often, are much like the branches of a grapevine. We take the energy provided us by the vine and willfully shoot off in many directions of our own. Sometimes we are hurried to become fruit bearing and want to do this for Him; yet, we take off in our own direction and our own strength. Like, the two year old child who defiantly stands and says; “I do it myself” while spilling the entire carton of milk onto the floor and counter. We then cry and throw a temper tantrum because we didn’t get it right. We are angry and pouting when we need to be trained, groomed, and pruned.

He reminds us that we are cleansed by the word. Our salvation did not come from our struggling to become more. We were not able to work our way into the vine of our own doing. We had to be grafted into the vine by God. It was not our labor that paid the price for our salvation. We are cleansed by the Word, that Word being Christ Himself. John 1: “¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ..¹²But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” My Salvation, my justification did not come of my own works; so, how is it that I now want to produce fruit from my own works. In order to rest in and abide in His Salvation, I must remember this. The only part in my Salvation that came from me was my faith to believe that He is God who is worthy of all my praise and to be Glorified for all eternity. Even that I could not have done had God not removed the veils from my eyes that I might glimpse at His Glory and desire it, seek it, cherish it as a treasure above all other treasures.

Then how do we ever learn to abide in the vine. Is it a hopeless dream that I will ever become a fruit laden branch for God? Can this regenerate, willful branch ever learn to be fully submitted to Him and quit trying to prove itself by trying to do the work for God? Will I ever reach that point that I do not weep over the pruning when God so wisely removes those desires I am clinging so tightly to; in order that I might wholeheartedly seek the only true treasure which is God, Alone. He must continually cut away those counterfeit joys in order that I might seek and savor the only true joy which I can find in Him. Ever so gently He has provided me with glimpses of His Joy and His Glory; knowing that the magnitude of His Wondrous Glory, Love and Joy are too great for this human heart to fully comprehend. Yet, I have felt His Joy just enough to know I want and desire it with all of my heart and soul. I have seen just enough of His Glory to know that I hunger and thirst after Him as the greatest treasure. Still there are moments when life with all its trials, sorrows and demands seem to blur my vision. The depth of sorrow that comes is even greater in those moments because I have tasted of His Joy and His Glory. I hunger and thirst after Him. Like David in Psalm 27: ⁴One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. ..⁸When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

As we come to realize that His beauty, His Glory is greater to be desired than anything we have ever imagined; we seek Him and savor Him. We begin prizing Him, cherishing Him, loving Him above any other treasure; yet, this does not mean that our sorrow is completely gone while we are yet in this world. We are never beyond the battle on this earth against negativity even within our own hearts. We do however battle for joy in the midst of all this sorrow. We may be broken heartedly clinging tight to that joy which we now have seen glimpses of and hold very tightly to it; because nothing else on this earth can ever compare to it.

2 Corinthians 6: ⁴ in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; ⁶By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, ⁷By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; ¹⁰As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

When Moses asked in Exodus 33 to be able to see God in all His Glory; God responded that no man could see the full Glory of God and live. So He hid Moses in the cleft of the mountain and passed by so that Moses could only glimpse at God; but could not see His full Glory because it was more than man could stand. When Moses came down from the mountain, His face shone so brightly that the people awed. Oh, that I might see just enough of His Glory that His light might shine forth to a darkened world! 2 Corinthians 3: “¹⁸But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Dimly, through a glass, I see the Glory of the Lord; while the Holy Spirit transforms me into that image from glory to glory—step by step-little glories to add to more little glories until one day I will mirror Him and reflect His Glory back to Him.

So, abiding in Him is learning to rest in His Arms knowing that one day I will stand before Him and all Glory will be known. I can trust that every time He prunes me that He does so with Love so that I may bear more fruit which Glorifies Him more; magnifying His Beauty ever more within my heart. As I through contrition, praise, faith and obedience abide within His arms of Love; I bear more fruit. That fruit Glorifies Him more, magnifies His Beauty and thus brings more joy and hope in my heart as I gaze upon His ever increasing, breath taking Beauty. To Abide in Him, we lay down everything to trust Him—no matter what. Though my heart’s greatest desire is to be standing before His throne; I do not want to go without an abundance of fruit to lie before His feet. For that reason, I must abide in Him by trusting Him with all my Heart and Soul. When storm clouds crowd around me I must continue to battle for joy in Christ even while here upon this earth. I must revel in the moments that He does allow those glimpses of Overwhelming Joy and to see His great Glory before me. I must hold tight to Future Grace which will continue to sustain me into eternity. Trust, my soul in Him; rest my heart within His love, and forever let me seek His face with each step of this my life until my dying breath.

Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omnipotent and that He will not allow anything into my life that is not for my edification and for my ultimate joy. He only removes those things which get in the way of my seeing Him. Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omniscient and that He sees me as the Glorified, Justified, Perfect final product that He is molding. Like the artist envisions the final portrait as he steadily adds, erases, covers and transforms the canvas into his final completed work; God also sees the completion of His work in me. Abiding is trusting in the truth that my Heavenly Father loves me. Abiding is trusting that He is able to speak and stop whatever storm may have arisen; yet, in love has chosen not to—so that I might be blessed and He might be glorified. Abiding is casting aside all this pride which desires to show God that I can do it myself and realizing that I can only do it when He does it through me. Abiding is acknowledging the truth that He is on His throne and rules over the just and the unjust. Abiding is clinging to hope in Future Grace as He has provided. Abiding is letting go of Counterfeit treasures that I might obtain the Greatest Treasure which is God. Abiding is knowing that God gave His greatest treasure (His Son) that He might suffer, die and be risen so that a regenerate, guilty heart might be declared righteous and thus be able to share in the Beauty, Love, and Joy that is found in the Triune God. Abiding is knowing that 2 Corinthians 4:” ⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” And abiding understands that in this world, we may have tribulations; but our joy flows only as we allow the life sustaining nutrients of the vine to flow forth through us. 2 Corinthians 4: “⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”