Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Abiding Believer
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love" (John 15:10, NKJV). Jesus faithfully obeyed every commandment of his Father, and he called that abiding.
Some Christians think they can pick and choose which commandments of Christ to obey. If they don't like what is commanded, they ignore it or explain away their disobedience with, "I just don't see it that way." If someone does not like a pastor's call to be holy, they leave and look for a pastor who will accentuate the positive. That is why the terrible plague of apathy is sweeping over the church today.
How is it possible for a branch in him not to abide? Jesus said, "If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6).
Abiding includes rest and responsibility. It is possible to be in him, connected to the vine, and not have a flow of life that produces fruit. Abiding has to do with absolute obedience to the commandments of Christ because every branch has free will, a life force in it.
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). The Word is the Father's pruning knife. How can any branch bear fruit if the Word of the Lord is ignored, unknown, or neglected?
We see the fruits of dryness springing up all over the Lord's vineyard: adultery, fornication, drinking, and drugs. Many Christians today do not know the Word of God because they do not read it. It is impossible to bear the fruit of righteousness without God's Word abiding in you. Neglect of the Word is causing barrenness and bringing a terrible withering to God's people.
Beloved, the Word of God is a two-edged sword. The abiding believer loves and fears God, hungers for the Word, and trembles at its power of conviction. He delights in having the Word prune away all hindrances, prays that Christ's very life and likeness will ever increase in him, and grows increasingly mature in obedience and love.
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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