It’s Just Not Taught as Important as It Really Is
This topic is so very important to talk about, mainly because it does not seem all that important or necessary from a glance.
It is true. You can go through your whole life not reading the Bible or not talking to God through every thought or action, every season of life… & still get by.
And if it was not modeled growing up, maybe you’ve even seen that it wasn’t all that important to your parents either, & they seem to be doing just fine—as you would expect, because hardships come no matter what.
Despite this broad lack of understanding of the importance discovered in ABIDING, it is THE MOST important piece of your entire life (aside from turning to Jesus to pay your sins, obviously).
When the Subtlety of God’s Power in Our Lives–Discovered through Abiding in Him–Becomes Not So Subtle
Something MAJOR has changed in me over the past several years… something I can’t really explain in a way that seems to make any logical sense.
I have been reading the Bible every day, thinking over it throughout the day, encouraged to sing praises to God when my life flips upside down, & taking a second to ask for God’s help with every wrong thought or attitude, bowing it to Him. I have been striving to ABIDE IN HIM.
My peace has grown versus everything knocking me around. My willingness to be gracious versus bitter & frustrated has grown. My sense of direction in life has grown, vs. feeling like it’s all one big guessing game.
I have begun to turn to God for help much more readily as my gut response versus my last resort.
I See God More… I Turn to Him More Readily vs Relying on Myself
And sure, some of it is maturity as I grow older (proud to be in my 40s here!), but I can tell it isn’t all that.
How do I know, you ask? Because a lot of the time, those good responses & habits are not my INITIAL heart response.
I still have anxiety hit me off my feet. I still get frustrated & clench-fisted when someone is mean to me. I still feel lost at times. I still find my flesh fighting back, wanting my way.
But when I pray, I have seen more quickly my need, my wrong, my struggle against Him & against the truth my heart needs, vs being blind to it. I have become more aware of my need to lean on God for help, to seek His Truth, to understand that God is in control, not me.
My mind is being renewed… refreshed… nourished, the more time I spend reading the Bible & the more I turn over to Him for help.
He Renews Our Minds & Our Hearts as We Abide in Him
His thoughts are more quickly becoming my thoughts. My wrong behavior, thoughts, & attitudes are becoming something for which I become more quickly aware of & turn over to God in surrender & repentance. I more easily see His perspective & my need of Him.
I more quickly turn to Him as my help.
My mind & heart are being renewed & restored because my spirit is being nourished regularly with the Word of God & spending time in His presence.
The Bible Is Not Just Another Book of Wise Sayings… It Is THE Word of GOD
It’s not just a book. It’s not just wise sayings. It’s not just biblical history. It’s not just words on a page.
They are the Words of GOD. They have power. They nourish our soul. They provide rich nutrients to our spirit. They are steady, secure, faithful, TRUE words. They are TRUTH. They contain the promises of God & reveal the character of God. They are life-giving words… Because they are words directly given by God, through men who wrote on His behalf.
They are “God-breathed” words.
You Give & You Serve… But Are You Nourished? “Abide in Me”
If you are a believer who constantly feels frazzled, stressed, anxious, thrown to & fro, frustrated, angry, at their wits end…. Do you read your Bible daily? Do you toss up a prayer every single itty bitty time that one of those things threatens your calm or peace? Are you ABIDING in HIM?
Where is your hope? Your efforts? Your “trying harder”? Your “I just need to be better next time”?
Or in His Word & in His presence?
If the former, no wonder you feel frayed & frenzied. You were not meant to do this life by sheer willpower, but by the power of God working in you.
Submit it to Him. Cry out to Him. Lean on Him. Glean from Him. Turn to HIM. ABIDE in Him.
And if you feel major pushback from it, GOOD—that means Satan knows how much you need it & is trying to do everything he can to stop you! But you know Someone greater! So don’t you dare let him win.
ABIDE IN HIM–God Knows You NEED Him
God doesn’t NEED you to read your Bible or talk to Him. Take that pressure of others’ standards OFF YOUR BACK. God gains nothing from it. But He knows YOU DO.
AND ANYTHING He asks of you, you can be 100% sure He will help you do it as you ask for His help in it. Do you bother to ask?
Abiding in Him is purposeful, but it is also a muscle. Start small if you are intimidated. But do not allow your intimidation to keep you away from that which your soul needs above ALL ELSE: God’s WORD & God’s PRESENCE.
Are you abiding in Him?
You give & you serve… but are you NOURISHED? “Abide in Me… for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)
Abide
“How to Do the Things We Know We Should Do, But Just Can’t”
“Talking about Jesus Is Not the Same Thing as Abiding in Him”
On my website, @: MichelleHydeOnline.com, you can find resources under the “Resources & Recommendations” tab that may help you grow in your abiding in Him. They are completely free, no strings attached, & I hope they may be a blessing to you as you seek to love & honor God with your whole heart.
Shine HOPE by abiding in Him vs. just serving Him. He wants your heart more than He needs you to DO for Him. Don’t neglect one for the other.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***
***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***
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Coming Next Week
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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
A Note from Michelle:
(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Bourne Beach Tote w/ Seaside Bag Charm, Handcrafted in India!
Create the opportunity for women in India to earn a dignified income when you shop and carry the Bourne Beach Tote.
Perfect for a trip to the market or as your go to pool or beach accessory, this tote has room for everything you need to carry with you! Each ethically made tote includes a zipper closure, interior zipper pocket, front slip pocket, and is perfect for your everyday essentials!
When you purchase the Bourne Beach Tote, you also receive the adorable Seaside Bag Charm. Each bag charm is created in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage in India by creating fair paying job and shows of the craftsmanship of our talented artisan partners in India! Each bead is hand-sewn onto the charm to create this pair of adorable friends, a seahorse and crab.
***SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!***
How Can You Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support MichelleHydeOnline.com?
#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!
Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!
