Abide in Him So That…

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Abide in Him So That…

We need  to have good reasons  for doing  what we do.     If we don’t have a good reason  for being  the way we are,  we lack a purpose  in life.     The apostle John knew that  and wrote instructions  for Christians  to use as a guide  in their lives.     What John wrote is  what he learned  from Jesus,  so we can all be confident  in living  the way God wants us  to be.

We have all these instructions  for how we should be.     Now we need  a good reason  for living this way.     Why bother?

John tells us why  we need  to put forth this effort  to live  according to his instructions.     It’s in 1 John 2:28-29.

And now,  little children,  abide in Him,  so that  when He appears,  we may have confidence  and not shrink away  from Him  in shame  at His coming.

If  you know  that He is righteous,  you know  that every one also  who practices righteousness  is born  of Him.

Since God has proven  that He keeps His promises  over thousands of years,  we can be very certain  that He will keep  His promise  to return  for a Judgment Day.     How do we want  to feel  on that day?

If we know  “all about God”,  and yet,  have belligerently refused  to live  according to His word,  Christ’s coming  will be a time  when we will shrink away  from Him  in shame.     Other scripture verses tell  how those people  will wish  the mountains could cover them.     All of the rebellious  will be condemned.

That is a very good reason  for us  to pay attention now  and humbly obey  in love  —  just because  we have been dearly loved  —  and we know it  —  even though we might not want to admit it.     Christ gave His life  for us.     Such a pure  and holy love needs  to be respected  and responded to  with love  in return.     Christ’s love  is the very reason why  His children really want  to live  according to His word.

How do we  want to live?     Do we have  a good reason  for what we want?     Are we ready  to meet our Lord  with joy?     Time flies  when we’re having fun.

As we abide  in Christ  day by day,  we will learn the joy  of living  in His heart.     Then,  when He returns,  our joy will be full and complete.

As we have the peace  of abiding  in Him  and knowing the tenderness  of His love  for us,  we can tenderly say,  “Hallelujah!     Come,  Lord Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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