If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  John 15:10 

 

If abiding is the key to unlimited abundance, why do so few of us seem to achieve it? Because of two misconceptions: (1) We think that abiding is based on feelings. No – communion with God is a relationship, not a sensation. That’ll probably come as a relief, if you think you must have an emotional rush when you spend time with God. You won’t always, and you don’t need to. We understand this in our marriages. Abiding is an act of faith - it says you value God’s Presence in your life more than any immediate sensation. If you think you must always have strong feelings in order to know you’ve been with God, you’ll go away disappointed and conclude, ‘Abiding isn’t for me.’ (2) We think we can abide in Jesus without obeying Him. Jesus said, ‘If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love’’ (John 15:10). Disobeying creates a breakdown in your relationship with God. You can enjoy an emotional worship experience on Sunday, but if you pursue a sinful lifestyle during the week, you’ll never succeed at abiding. One of the greatest pictures of abundant living is this snapshot of what the spies found in the Promised Land: ‘They came to the Valley of Eschol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grape, and they carried it on a pole between two [of them]’’ Have you ever heard of such abundance? Keep that snapshot in mind! Remind yourself constantly that it belongs to those who hear and obey God’s Word!