Saturday, January 9, 2010

ABIDE IN HIS LOVE

John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love...

As I read this simple, yet profound scripture this morning, my mind began to really dwell on how much is really packed sometimes into just a few simple words. I have such a tendency at times to just skim through the scriptures that I have become so familiar with over the years without letting my mind REALLY meditate on all it really has to say, that I often times miss the MANY blessings that are really there for me. So as I was pondering this scripture, I began to ask myself a few questions. What does it REALLY mean to "abide" in the Lord's love? I looked up the word in the dictionary, and here is what it said;

to wait for, to endure without yielding, withstand, to bear patiently, to accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed, to continue in a place..

So, as I began to let my head and heart get around what it really means to abide, I found that it gives me a very clear picture of the kind of love that first God the Father had for His Son Jesus, and then the kind of love that Jesus has for us, and finally the kind of love that we are to abide in. The Father's love for Jesus was of course perfect. And Jesus loves us with that same perfect, love. It endures no matter what. It accepts us without objection. That alone is enough sometimes to make me really wonder at the magnitude of His love. It really doesn't matter how much I've sinned, or what I may have done in my past, or what I might do in my future, He loves and accepts me period. He loves withstands and bears with me patiently as I wonder at times, and His love endures without yielding no matter I might say, do, or think. His love remains stable, fixed and continues always.

Jer 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love...

When my youngest son James was born his personality was sweet, outgoing, and extroverted. His zest for life and his enthusiasm for fun and laughter were downright contagious. He was almost 4 years younger than his older two brothers and 6 full years older than his little sister. So for a few years he was my constant little companion and buddy and I enjoyed him more than I could explain. Loving him was so easy. As he grew into a VERY active and busy young boy I began to dream about all that the Lord could do with the man I knew he could grow into being. But during his oldest teenaged years he decided to make things difficult on us all. He began to rebel and question everything we had labored to teach him. He began to experiment with a life style that would lead him down a road that no mother ever wants to see her child on. My heart was soo heavy for him as I began to fear where his choices might lead him. I can honestly tell you that no matter what was going on, my love for him NEVER wavered or faltered, but he was no longer in a place where I could bless him as I wanted to. I couldn't "help" him with money or assist him in any way that would have required trust on my part.   I also knew of course that there was no way for him to experience true joy in his life that can only come from a real relationship with the Lord, and that his life would definitely bring about only hardships and trouble eventually. This particular story has a happy ending in that at age 19 James not only gave His life completely to the Lord, but decided to go to Bible College. This decision helped his dad and I to again begin blessing him with all that we could to make his life easier and productive. We provided him with a car (old, but reliable) to get back and forth to school and work, and money to attend the college. He eventually went on to become the High School Pastor for Maranatha Chapel in San Diego, serving the Lord full time and living his life for Him.

Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

As Christians, we all at times of course make choices and decisions where we are no longer "abiding" in that perfect love of God, and move ourselves outside of that place where the Lord can bless us as He wants to. How foolish we can be. How wonderful is it that this PERFECT love is where I am to abide? A place where the Lord can bless me every day with all He has for me. I can't think of a better place to be.

To bless yourself with the other Spiritual Sundays posts click HERE.

21 comments:

  1. I really needed to read this so thank you for sharing it. Abiding in Him and being obedient to what He tells me to do is something I want to focus on in 2010.

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  2. Debbie, I have been down this road with my daughter. I always loved her and often thought to myself how the Lord loves us.I still thank the Lord to this day for bringing my daughter back to me. Thank-you so much for sharing this scripture with us today.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  3. Your love for God and for His children is evident throughout your blog. God bless you!

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  4. I love how you loved your son even though he went through a time of rebellion. You taught him well and he returned. Praise the Lord that He never lets us go.

    I too had such a time of rebellion. YOu might be surprised Deb. I didn't live my life in a way that was pleasing to God. And yet, He loved me through this time and I came back. For those of you with rebellious children, don't lose heart. I remember so many times knowing in my head what was right but doing my own thing. Keep praying and trusting God.

    Love you,
    Debbie

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  5. Great post. Your words of wisdom based on Scripture will bless the lives of many. Also by sharing this story from your heart you will give hope to some who have lost hope. Thank you for posting.

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  6. Hi Debbie,

    I can't imagine how hard that must be as a parent to feel like you can not help your child when they veer onto a path other than the one you have been guiding them towards. The way you described him when he was young sounded a lot like my Hannah. She has such a zest for life unlike anyone I've ever known. I will do my best to keep her on the right path in life, but I know sometimes things our out of our control.

    Glad your son found his "right" path again.
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  7. Beautifully written Debbie. Your son eventually found the right path and is now forever going the right way. Have a beautiful Sunday.

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  8. What a wonderful story you have to share of James' walk with God. How glad I am for you that he choose to follow Christ.

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  9. This is a wonderful testimony that for me speaks loudly today. Thank you so much for sharing the story of your son, and for giving us such a clear definition of the word abide and what it means for us.
    God bless.

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  10. What a blessing this son turned out to be. Unconditional love is powerful just like Jesus.

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  11. I think that is the advantage of Bible memory or Bible Meditation--makes you slow down and look and reflect on each word. I think it is very powerful when we do this.

    I also think it is such a blessing when we see how God works in each of our children's lives to bring about their walks with God.

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  12. Debbie - what a perfect example the story of your son is..as to how we limit God's being able to bless us. He does so love us but we so often put ourselves in a position where He cannot bless us. I so want to keep my relationship pure and unblemished with my loving Heavenly Father. I need His daily blessings -

    And what a beautiful testimony. God's redeeming grace is so wonderful. Funny how often we can see that so clearly in the lives and testmonies of others...and then easily allow the devil to convince us that our past or our mistakes just make us to unloveable (or maybe that's just me!)

    Beautiful post - and hope you are enjoying this special Lord's day! Have a great week:)

    Jennifer

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  13. Thank you for this inspiring post. I know it will help others who are going through trying times especially with their kids.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  14. Oh! Debbie, as always such a joy to read one of your post, and for your wisdom and insight into God's Word always amazes me.
    God has certainly gifted you with this, May the Lord bless you with all wisdom and knowledge , and may you continue to be obedient to the Spirit, as He leads you.
    With much love and lots of Hugs,
    Sue

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  15. I enjoyed your post! Praise the Lord for a happy ending to your son's story!

    Katherine

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  16. Hi Debbie,

    You do have a gift with the pen and to inspire. I am so glad your son chose the the path he did and you were able to share it with him.

    I have missed visiting your blog and I hope that now that things are a bit calmer in my life I shall be able to visit more often. Happy Sunday.
    Maryrose

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  17. I love this post. Love hearing how your son has turned his life around and now is serving the Lord.

    A preacher one said that the word abide means to stay. Stay with the Lord. Beautiful words! Enjoy your day!

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  18. Debbie,
    What a heartbreak it must be when a child takes their own path instead of the one you had trained them toward. I am so glad that your son came back to you and has blessed you and honored you. Thank you for visiting me and leaving such nice comments for me.


    Blessings,
    Jean

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  19. Amen,how he does love us! The way we love our children gives some an idea of how God loves us .I am glad the outcome of you son's rebellion was so wonderful.
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  20. What a wonderful story and very inspirational. You must be proud of your son and all he has accomplished. Standing by him through the tough times is proof of the love and patience God blesses us with when it comes to our children. Enjoy your week, Anita :)

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!