I am not a New Years Resolution maker. I do feel that there are obvious things to learn from the years that have past.
This year, I have decided to come up with a word that I can just think of to help remind me of my priorities. That word is REMAIN.
John 15:4-17
Commonly preached scripture. The Vine and the Branches. I am remaining in Christ so that means that I am to produce the qualities of Christ. I am to glorify God in ALL that I do. In order to do that, I am to remain in him and stay close to God. God will nurture me to blossom in his direction and at the right moment for his glory.
I choose to follow Jesus, because he is my friend.
Love. I have spoke about love before. And will continue to! Christians will continue to get hate from the world. We are called to LOVE each other. Support each other. Jesus commands it and will give us the strength to do so. We need to stand firm together. Find other believers to stand firm with.
Told you I would keep speaking of love.
"..now these three remain:
faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Love is an attribute of God himself. Love involves some of the most UNselfish motives. It SHOWS someone that you truly care. Love is an action! When you have faith and hope in line and in focus with God, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves.
I've said it before. Love is one of the hardest thing for me to show. I have gotten better. Such a daily prayer for me. It is easy to show towards my family. But, lots to get over myself in order to truly love strangers.
"If we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself."
2 Timothy 2:13
Jesus is faithful. He will stay by our side even when we endured so much and seem to be alone. He IS there!! I am not of this world, so I do feel alone at times. I just remind myself that this isn't where I call home. I will one day be called home. That is what I am living for now. And those lonely times I have here on Earth, I can be reminded that Jesus remains faithful to me, his follower!
"...You remain the same, and your years will never end."
Hebrews 1:12
Christ remains the same. He is changeless. The hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand" really reminds me of Christ's never chaining state.
"...the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not meed anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things as that anoint is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him."
1 John 2:27
We can put our total trust in him, rely on him for guidance and strength, and live as Christ wants us (me) to live. Life long personal relationship with Christ.
This all circles back to the beginning. John talked about this exact thing with Christ as the vine and his followers as the branches.
To stay true and discern the truth we must be in the word. Remaining in Christ.
Happy New Year to you!
Many Blessings To YOU!!!
