INVITATION TO COMMUNE #Abide #NewYearGoals

2021 waltzed right in as though it was eagerly waiting for 2020’s exit with great anticipation. I wouldn’t blame her, she must have already heard the shaking 2020 brought along and was ready to swoop in to inspire newness and hope ; It’s all we can pray for ! Happy New Year Friends!

New Year, Same Goal: To testify of God’s grace, the greatness and beauty of His gospel.

As we set our intentions for the new year (or goals as some would call it) I implore you to have the goal to commune with the Father as the top goal; as the center of everything else. Stability in our relationship with God will give meaning to all other goals we have, which ought to be inspired by Him.

REMAIN- (ABIDE)

John 15:1-10 Vs 4, “Remain (abide) in me and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain (abide) in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains (abides) in me and I in him bears much fruit because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain (abide) in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and withers…..vs 9 Remain (abide) in my love……”

This verse carries the expression of finality, an invitation and a promise. It is a reminder that outside of God’s cover we can do nothing and even in our insistent attempt to pursue, it will amount to nothing so long as He is not in on it. Whenever we read this scripture, we are often quick to desire the benefits of fruitfulness and how it preserves us from being cut off. But we forget what we are asked to first do: to REMAIN; remain in me… the one who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit. It’s an undebatable progression.

“How does the branch bear fruit? Not by incessant effort for sunshine and air, not by vain struggles. It simply abides in the vine, in silent and undisturbed union, and blossoms, and fruit appear as of spontaneous growth. How then shall a Christian bear fruit? By efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely given? No: there must be a full concentration of the thoughts and affections on Christ, a complete surrender of the whole being to Him, a constant looking to Him for grace.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

When we keep watch for the fruits because of our selfish pursuits, we get distracted from focusing on what truly matters: to remain in God, in His word and His love which invites a posture of dependence, which is the greatest expression of worship.  Stick by Him ,to Him, with Him and watch all the other things unravel as you depend on Him entirely by remaining in Him!

The fruit is not yours to focus on. Dependence on God will result in fruit bearing.

It can be a bit daunting when we look at the goals we have and we begin to feel anxious about how we will achieve them but the invitation to abide that comes with a promise remains extended to you.  (Matthew 6:33)

Abide in me and I in you

To abide is an act. It is a daily choice. To abide is dependence on the Holy Spirit for every move we make. It is trusting hour by hour and moment by moment and not assuming control of anything.

“To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him–to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend. To have His words abiding in us, is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories and minds, and to make them the guide of our actions and the rule of our daily conduct and behavior.” JC Ryle

So let our goals be centered around communion with the Father even as we look towards what the year holds for us in every area of our lives:

1. The Goal to Pursue Him; more than we pursue other things. In fact, He ought to be our only pursuit. (Jeremiah 29:13 ; Psalms 63:1 ; 1 Chronicles 16:11)
2. The Goal to Know Him (Jeremiah 9:23 ; Ephesians 1:17 ; 2 Peter 3:18 ;  Jeremiah 31:33-34)
3. The Goal to Meditate on His word and keep our thoughts on Him alone. (Psalms 1:3 ; Joshua 1:8; Psalms 119:97)
4. The Goal is to have Him as our counsellor through His word (Psalms 119:26) trusting only His report.
5. The Goal to spend every waking day seeking to be like Him (1 John 2:9)  “…..for the one who says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same manner as He walked”
6. The Goal to share the gospel unashamedly (Acts 4:19-20 ; Romans 1:16 ; Acts 20:22-24 ; Matthew 28:18-20)
7. The Goal to love Him (Deuteronomy 10:12) in adoration, honor, submission and through obedience (Deuteronomy 11:1)
8. The Goal to glorify Him (Matthew 5:16 ; Galatians 1:24 )

…..and more.

Let’s be Mary’s who are found at His feet. Seeking only THE ONE THING – the better part. Its the only thing to be concerned about.

In all your endeavors this year, may you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

You are light and you are so loved.  Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.