Abiding in the Lord 

“Do you want to get well?” 

January 5, 2025   Micah Walker

Jesus knows our history better than we do. 

                        “Do we want to get well?”     

John 15: “I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; For without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gathered them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; So, you will be my disciples. As the father loved me, I also have loved you; Abide in my love. 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.” 

True healing begins when we learn to abide in the Lord.  

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may abide in you and that your joy may be full.” verse 11.

That's a joy this world cannot take away from us. Because it is not given to us by the world. It's given to us through our experience and relationship with Jesus. 

His love is faithful, his love is unconditional and will never fail. 

                    Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

What is there to gain by abiding in Jesus? 

•  Healing we never thought possible. 

• Joy the world can’t take away. 

• A relationship we can’t find anywhere else. 

• Identity is found only in Jesus. 

So how do we know when we are abiding in Christ? 

• We start looking at ourselves differently. We no longer see ourselves as a screwed-up mess, or unworthy. We start forgiving ourselves, and those that hurt us. We start giving others grace because we have learned how much grace has been shown to us. We find ourselves having more patience with ourselves and with others. We become more compassionate and empathetic to those who are hurting or are less fortunate than we are, and we find ourselves loving others just as we love ourselves.