The Meaning of Abiding in Him

As we approach the end of 2009, would you take a moment to read my "End of Year" report and consider a gift to America's KESWICK. You can give online (www.americaskeswick.org) or call 732-350-1187 to make your gift. Thanks for your consideration: http://www.americaskeswick.org/files/documents/brochures/yearinreview2009.pdf

The Meaning of Abiding in Him

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Today's devotional is another classic in helping you and me understand the meaning of victorious Christian living. It was written by the late Dr. Glyn Evans, former professor at Moody Bible Institute (Daily with the King):

Every disciple will pass through three levels of relationship with Jesus Christ, each one in response to an invitation. "Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28) is the first one. It is Christ's invitation to find rest and relief from the awesome burden of sin, the first and most necessary step in anyone's life.

The second is "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19), and invitation to a closer relationship, a relationship of servant and master. Christ needs workers to carry out His purposes for this age, and the second invitation is His plea for help.

The third is "Abide with Me" (John 15:4), and it refers to the deepest human relationship any human can have with Jesus. It is the KEY to victorious Christian living, and it is the greatest way in which we can glorify God.

What does it mean to abide in Him? I think it means three things:

1. A CONSCIOUS AWARENESS OF HIS PRESENCE AT ALL TIMES! That does not mean direct verbal communication with Him, but the feeling that He is there, as a child playing is aware of its mother's nearby presence.

2. A CAREFUL CONSULTATION WITH HIM ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT AFFECTS US. That consultation may be in direct prayer, or else in scanning the Bible indirectly for any message He has for us there. The important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with Him so that we are instantly ready to receive any message sent from Him.

3. A CONTINUAL ENJOYMENT WITH HIM AS A PERSON. That means He is a joy, a delight to us at all times; the very thought of Him fills us with pleasure.

Lord, help me to graduate up the scale from convert, to ambassador, to confidant. To abide in You is right the high places of the earth.

Brothers, are you ABIDING IN HIM today? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 29; Zech. 9-12; Revelation 20

Great Quote: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD. GOD ALMIGHTY! God's holiness is central to understanding who and what He is. Nowhere in Scripture is God called "love, love, love"; "eternal, eternal, eternal"; or "truth, truth, truth." "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:3). Whenever you see three words like this, you are reading an emphatic statement that shouts, "This is the centerpiece, this is key, this is something you don't want to miss." -- Dr. Tony Evans