Bible Verse of the Day Tuesday April 16th 2024

 John 15:7-8 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

God's glory is the visible reality of who He is. God shows Himself around us, in nature, our lives, and the Spirit within our hearts. Glory is simply the essence of something his children observe; God's glory is something we participate in when we observe and see God. And we participate when we abide in the vine that is Jesus and thereby show God to others by living in obedience.

When we adopt a proper perspective, we experience glory. It surrounds us like a swimmer diving in the ocean, running through us like a marathoner chugging a drink. He is the living water, the well that never runs dry. We show others God's glory by making decisions that honor His truth. That, in turn, shapes who we are. No circumstance can disqualify us from this opportunity. God's promise shines through every opportunity. Sometimes it isn't exciting. Sometimes, it is just a glimmer. Sometimes, it is so brilliant we cannot look directly at it.

The greatest need for Christians today is to develop a higher spiritual discipline of abiding in Christ and His word. Many studies show that around 5% of those who make decisions at evangelistic crusades continue in their walk with Christ five years later. Some lament that even though church attendance holds steady at around 40% in America, personal holiness is on the decline, as are morals.

As followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we need to find ways to incorporate a greater quantity and quality of private prayer, small group prayer, congregational prayer, fasting and prayer, praise prayer, confessional prayer, requisition prayer, intercessory prayer, healing prayer, and institutional prayer for our schools, seminaries, and training institutes. We must all abide in Him and allow His word to abide in us.

The best way to allow Jesus to abide in us is by allowing His word to fill our minds, hearts, souls, and emotions with His perspective. Often, this means being creative. Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing and making melody in our hearts, and whatever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Col. 3:16-17).

There is something special and private about our walks with the Lord every day as it helps us step back and remove ourselves from all the distractions of the office, the TV, and the phone. Try it, and you will find a richer dimension added to your abiding relationship with Christ.