ABIDE IN ME
Wednesday – February 26, 2020, Adar 1, 5780
Greetings to all our precious friends and partners, sons and daughters of the Most High God. Welcome back to this illuminating and empowering Bible Study of the Book of John. Of course, it is only illuminating and empowering if we choose to hear, see, and implement these Anointed Words into our thoughts, words, and ways. Our God is so good and He is nothing but good! The featured picture today is a winter scene, yes, it is still winter. This picture is presented courtesy of Little Moments Photography. Our granddaughters Little Moments Photography Page can be found on Facebook. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to give us feedback and expand the reach of this Ministry. Now let’s prepare to dive into our lesson by first reading aloud our primary Bible text.
John 15:3-6 (KJV)
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 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.
Is there any difference in abiding in Jesus and abiding in the Word? No, none whatsoever. In fact, one cannot abide in one without the other, they are inseparable. This word “abide” can mean to stay. When we choose to stay with Him, Jesus chooses to stay with us. This does not mean that God is not present but it does mean that there will be no manifestation of Him in our life. Sin or corrupted word (traditions of men and doctrines of devils) do not bring the manifestation of God into our lives but the manifestations of the curse. Those who are living by the traditions of men and the doctrines of devils are not abiding in the Word of God or in Jesus. They may be saved and on their way to Heaven but a terrible witness for the Kingdom of God, walking in one defeat after another. They are like the rebellious sheep that wanders away from the herd and the protective umbrella of the shepherd and is wolf of lion bait.
1 Peter 5:6-8 (KJV)
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Humbling ourselves under the Hand of God and abiding in Jesus are intertwined. Other words or synonyms for “humble” are meek, deferential, respectful, submissive, self-effacing, unassertive, unpresuming, and modest. We are not to lift ourselves up but in our submission to the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, He will lift us up. The work of the Kingdom is our focus and those things of life which are distractions (the word care in our 1 Peter text) are to be cast upon Him. The routine things, obligations and joys of life are ours to discharge for He has given us all things to enjoy. However, the distracting things that take us away from our core responsibilities and the work of the Kingdom are to be cast or thrown onto Him. The devil will bring a constant barrage of distractions to take us away from the work of the Kingdom of God and away from our natural life responsibilities according to the Word of God. This is a part of spiritual warfare, imaginations, ideas we are tempted to elevate above the Word, and thoughts which are contrary to the Word.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Let us decide right here and now that we are going to make every imagination, every high thing, and every thought subject to Scripture. Scripture, the Word, is first by a country mile in every part of our lives. In this way we abide, continue, stay in, and with Him. Notice the word “may” in 1 Peter 5:8, this is a word of permission. Who gives permission for the devil to devour us? We ourselves give that permission. So, whenever there is stealing, killing, and destroying in our lives we ourselves have opened the door and given permission to the thief, the roaring lion, the serpent to do his will. When we make those decisions God will not prevent the devil but, in His mercy, He will give us ample warnings but ultimately, we choose. You may be thinking that someone would be crazy to allow the devil into their lives. Yes, one would not be in their right mind but a deceived, darkened mind. Avoid the traditions of men and the doctrines of devils and prove every Word of God and every one of our own words. A terrible deception in the Church is that everything is in Gods’ Hands which is akin to the horrible lie that God is in control of everything. Just look at all the “ifs” in this chapter alone. There can be no “if” or “when” if God is in control of everything. We and we alone determine our present and our future. Determine right now to get into or continue in the Hand of God and stay there by our thoughts (His thoughts), our words (His Words), and our ways (His ways). Abide in Him.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name! Quit asking God to bless you, you are already blessed, you have the Blessing, give Him something to do by the words of your mouth. Once you know the will of God, decree the thing (Job 22:28, Isaiah 45:11, Mark 11:23). (The Blessing is the Holy Spirit) We have left God way to long with nothing to do in our lives.
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
