Abide – Part 1

John 7:37-39 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been givenbecause Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) 

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life 

Matt. 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

Most promises of God are conditional  

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; those who abide in Me and I in them, they will bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 

Abiding brings… 

  1. Soul nourishment  

Isaiah 55:1-3 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. 

Matt. 4: ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 

Psalm 1:2-3 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.  

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  

  1. Fellowship with God  

1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ

  1. Power over sin  

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  

Ps. 119:9, 11 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word… I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

  1. Growth in Godly character    

Discipleship is movement 

Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have put off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  

1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation 

Abiding brings…  

Soul nourishment 
Fellowship with God  
Power over sin  
Growth in Godly character  

Pick a Daily Time, Any Time 

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. 

Create Hungry Habits  

Regular Time & Place 
Start Small  
Relax Enjoy  
Ask God