Abide In Me – Purpose

ABIDE IN ME is a companion blog to THE GOD WHO SEES ME – A Devotional Prayer Journal at http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/  a through-the-Bible devotional site, beginning with Genesis 1:1.

ABIDE IN ME will post primarily New Testament entries, along with miscellaneous thoughts from time to time. Both devotional sites focus on the lives of real people who lived in Bible times. The decisions they made impacted themselves and those they loved, with consequences that are with us even today.

Our lives are no less important in God’s sight, and we would do well to look closely at the examples He has given us in these stories. Living a life of godly influence in this generation and the next requires earnest prayer that takes God at His Word.

An Old Irish Hymn

In our church we seldom sing the old hymns. But this Sunday, our worship team led us in the 8th century Irish Hymn “Be Thou My Vision.” It had been years since I had heard it, but the words, along with the irish melody were such a blessing to my heart. I thought I would share it with you.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Nought be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word,
I ever with thee and thou with me Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight,
Be thou my armour and be thou my might.
Thou my soul’s shelter and thou my high tower
Raise thou me heavenward
O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE

Read: John 2:13–21; Mark 11:15–19

“Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Mark 11:17 NIV

* * *

On these two different occasions–at the beginning and end of His ministry– we are told that Jesus physically exhibited anger. The Jews had turned the temple into a market place, carrying on dishonest business in a house of worship. In anger, Jesus drove the merchants out of His Father’s house. The Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:18–19) The temple He spoke of was His body, which they would seek to destroy on the cross.

* * *

Although our churches today are not the same as the Jewish temple, we should still honor them as places of worship. Most of all, as believers, we should remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

* * *

Lord, I want to take good care of the body You have given me and dedicate it for the purpose of glorifying You. Help me to avoid anything that would compromise that purpose.

* * *

After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:22 NIV

THE FIRST MIRACLE

THE WEDDING AT CANA

Read John 2:1–11

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4–5 NIV

* * *

Once again, Mary’s soul is pierced. When Jesus was twelve, she wasn’t quite ready for him to be teaching in the temple. But now that He’s thirty, she must be wondering when He is going to reveal His identity–both times Jesus gives her a soft rebuke. At twelve he said; “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:49–50) At thirty, he says, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?…My time has not yet come” (John 2:4)

Mary realized once again that she must quietly wait on God for His perfect timing—In fact, it was God’s time, because Jesus honored his mother by performing his first public miracle at her request.

* * *

Lord, Mary is such a wonderful example of humility and love. I want to be a patient, loving mother who knows when to speak and when to be silent. I also want to wait on You to work out Your perfect plan for our family and each individual family member.

* * *

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:11 NKJV

LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

SHE WHO WAS FORGIVEN MUCH

Read Luke 7:36–8:3

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NIV

* * *

Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. A woman of the streets came in and she stood behind him weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (7:38) The Pharisee thought to himself that Jesus did not know what kind of woman this was.

Not only did Jesus know all about the woman, he also knew what Simon was thinking. He gently told a story to Simon that concluded with, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (7:47)

Just following this scene we are given the names of other women who had been forgiven much. These women helped to support the ministry out of their own means, showing their deep gratitude for deliverance from evil spirits and diseases.

* * *

Lord, may my life and generosity reflect the forgiveness I have received in my life as well. What a Savior, who honored women far above the culture of His time.

* * *

The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1b–3 NIV

A FIRM FOUNDATION

THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK

Read: Luke 6:39–49

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.” Luke 6:47 NIV

* * *

After appointing the twelve apostles, Jesus came down from the mountain and began to speak to a large crowd of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. His message was different from any they had heard before – He told them, “love your enemies,” “do to others as you would have them do to you,” (vv. 27, 31) “do not judge,” “forgive, and you will be forgiven.”(v. 37) He finished with, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (6:46) – they looked for healing and He looked for a life change.

If there is going to be lasting change in my life that can withstand the storms, I must spend quality time getting to know God’s Word and applying it to my everyday circumstances.

* * *

Lord, Thank You for the timeless principles You have given in Your Word. Help us to understand and apply this wisdom to our lives and to teach them to our children so that our home will have a firm and lasting foundation.

* * *

“He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it …” Luke 6:48 NIV

A NIGHT OF PRAYER

CHOOSING THE APOSTLES

Read Luke 6:1–16; Mark 3:7–19

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12

* * *

Prior to this night of intense prayer, Jesus had withdrawn with his disciples to the sea. Such huge crowds followed him that “He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him.” (Mark 3:9 NKJV)

* * *

Now, Jesus goes alone to a mountain to spend the night in prayer. The next day He would call his followers to him and from them choose the twelve apostles. These men would be sent out to preach and heal and cast out demons. This was the Kingdom of Heaven confronting the kingdom of Satan. No wonder He spent the entire night in prayer for them.

* * *

Lord, if You felt it necessary to get away by yourself to pray, then surely I need to make time for extended prayer. Help me to remember to carve out time from my busy schedule to find time alone with You – particularly when we are facing important decisions.

* * *

When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Luke 6:13 NIV

MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR

Read Mark 2:13–17

When the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:16 NKJV

* * *

Matthew was a tax collector, a Jewish man who worked for the Roman government. The religious leaders saw a traitor–Jesus saw a man who needed a Savior. Jesus could look into a man’s heart, because He was the Son of God. In fact, Jesus had no problem eating with sinners, because He knew that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…(Romans 3:23)

A few of the religious leaders came to realize this, but most did not. This is why the first message Jesus preached was “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 NKJV) Repentance required admitting their sin, and receiving God’s Son, the promised Messiah.

* * *

Jesus not only saw Matthew’s heart, he saw his potential. He later chose Matthew as one of the twelve apostles. Lord, help me to understand the hearts of my children and envision their potential. I know that is not completely possible, but I can trust You to know their hearts and work all things together for their good.

* * *

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32 NIV

THE FAITH OF FRIENDS

WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?

Read Luke 5:17–26

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20 NIV

* * *

In this story, some determined men brought their friend to Jesus to be healed. They removed some tiles from the roof of the house and lowered him right in front of the Lord. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (5:20) The Pharisees thought to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (5:21) and because Jesus was God, he knew what they were thinking. So He said, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?“(5:22)

* * *

There is nothing that we can say or think in our hearts of which Jesus is not aware–He knows our every thought. Lord, I want to pray, as David did, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)

* * *

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Luke 5:22–23 NIV

FOLLOW ME

FISHERS OF MEN

Read Luke 5:1–11

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”… Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:8–10 NIV

* * *

Simon Peter had seen Jesus heal his wife’s mother. He had watched as demons came out of people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” (Luke 4:41) Then one day, Jesus went fishing and they caught so many fish that the two boats began to sink from the weight. This was the miracle which convinced Peter that Jesus was no ordinary man – He was the Son of God. From then on, Peter, James and John left their fishing business and followed Jesus.

* * *

Dear Father, You said, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9) You knew what Peter needed to bring him to faith, and You knew what I needed. Lord, give me the words to share with others in a way that is meaningful to them. Speak to the hearts of our children to inspire them in a walk of faith throughout their lives. Make us “fishers of men.”

* * *

He and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners… So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:9–11 NIV