Abide with Christ

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 NKJV

Dwelling with the Lord Jesus isn’t a small thing.

Yet, the scriptures tell us it is possible and that those who are called by His name should be living daily with Him.

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21 NKJV

Jesus, told His disciples that their actions would prove what was in their hearts and promised to manifest Himself unto those who love Him.

He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 14:24 NKJV

Our love is shown by the choices we make, the priorities we set; whether we live for Jesus or not.

1 John 4:15-16 KJV — Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

This dwelling with the Lord begins at our surrender to Jesus and acceptance of His forgiveness for our sins.

But it doesn’t end there, rather it continues into each day.

For those who have believed, they exchange their allegiance to sin and Satan for the Lord Jesus.

As His servant, we should be continually going to the Lord for His will, obedience being the natural response for the heart devoted to their Savior.

If a person was to give their life to save yours, you would want to show your gratitude and no gift would seem to large.

Jesus Christ died to save us from sin and judgement, then He rose again, ascending into Heaven to prepare a place for those who would believe and accept His gift.

Along with these enormous blessings, He sent the Holy Spirit to reside in us, that we might daily become more like Him as we continually relinquish our lives before the One who paid the highest price for them.

It is no small thing to abide with Christ, but it is the promise to those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for these promises and truth. Lord, please continue to hone my heart that love might grow daily. Lord Jesus, thank You for abiding in me through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for teaching me to relinquish myself and walk in submission to Your Word. Lord, rebellion is choosing pain, suffering, and death and I don’t want any of that, ever. Lord, I want to live with You in beautiful fellowship and joy at Your commands. I want to be filled with gratitude no matter the circumstances. Lord, I want to trust You without a hint of doubt. Lord, thank You for teaching me so many things and for blessing me so greatly. May my life be a reflection of You. Amen.

Heaven

Proverbs 30:4 NKJV — Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?

God the Father, the great Almighty, LORD, and the list of names continues, but what is His Son’s name?

Jesus.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:11‭-‬13 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1‭-‬5 NKJV

Each of these verses is about Jesus.

He is the Word of God.

He is the Son of God.

He is salvation.

And He is in heaven.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9‭-‬11 NKJV

He shall return.

Matthew 25:13 NKJV — “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Heaven is where God the Father and the Son are.

It is a place beyond description.

Jesus Himself called it Paradise. Luke 23:43

John 14:3 NKJV — “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus told His disciples that He had to return to heaven, that He is there preparing a place for those that are His.

It is the confident expectation of every born again follower of Christ Jesus to live eternally with Jesus in the place He has prepared.

There are many other scriptures which describe the wonder and grandeur of heaven.

Heaven is a real place.

Jesus is there and one day shall return.

No treasure on Earth can match the glory of heaven.

Nothing of this world can offer anything like life forever with Jesus.

No one knows the moment of His return from heaven, but everyone can guarantee He is coming.

Will you be ready?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that You are preparing a place in heaven for those who accept Your gift of salvation. Lord, please let those who have yet to know You be ready and willing to hear and accept Your truths. Lord, help each one of us to see how temporary this life on Earth is and to cling to what is eternal. Lord Jesus, nothing compares to You. Your love, compassion, mercy, grace, and so much more are beyond anything I can comprehend. Truly You are great and mighty and worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. May the whole Earth be filled with the glory of You. Amen.