Monday, March 21, 2022
By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. -I John 4:13
We need to know and may know that Christ is abiding in our hearts by faith, and that we are abiding in Jesus by faith. Jesus says, “I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” Now listen to the conclusion of the verse: “For without me ye can do nothing.” From this you can see how our Lord Jesus Christ regards unsanctified, human ability. We may have an education in the sciences, we may have all the knowledge in the world, and yet if it is not sanctified, if it is not brought under contribution to God, if we are not depending upon his merits every moment, if we are not continually drawing from Christ, we cannot live the life of Christ; we can do nothing worthy of his name. We want to hear the voice of Jesus and invite his presence.
We should open the door of the heart to Christ, and invite him to come in. He says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” Is it because men work without Christ that we see so many efforts made without accomplishing any good? Is it because man depends upon his own efforts, and his own power, and thinks that he can do great things of himself? I know that this is why the Lord can do so little for man. He uses the gifts of God as weapons to destroy himself. We want Jesus simply, Jesus who offers himself to us as a free gift; and if we accept the offering with the whole heart and soul, we shall praise God at every step, we cannot help it, because he has given us this manifestation of his love and condescension. What we want is Jesus, and the power of his grace; and may God baptize us with his Holy Spirit. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” {RH September 27, 1892}
Heart Questions: Are you inviting Christ to come into your heart and abide with you daily? Do you want Jesus and the power of His grace and to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
- Pray that we will become faithful to God and get to know Jesus and that He is abiding in our hearts.
- Pray for the church members living in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Pray that there would be church growth, increased commitment to God and service, as well as punctuality and consistency in attendance
- Pray for selfless love and giving to be the life of church members worldwide. Pray that those who have more resources would reach out and share with those who have less.
- Pray for the 100,000 discipleship Programs to bring awakening for evangelistic skills and techniques.