Abiding in Christ

[Valerie Ann Hammond]

Hey everyone! This is my first official blog post-so here goes! Lately, the Lord has been speaking to me about abiding in him. I think of the habitual lifestyle I have developed of trying to do good myself. Itseems like such a simple concept, but it wears me out, because I try to be good on my own. Many times I have had to reach rock bottom to get to the point where God himself can work through me. I think of how I want to do right but when I try myself I just get frustated and irritated! So, the Lord is calling me (literally) to spend time with him in prayer and especially in his word. To believe what his word says about him, myself, and others. It seems so easy to say, but when certain things happen, fear arises and I revert to old ways. I know there is a place in Christ where I can cease from my labors and dead works and rest in the things he has already ordained for my life. What helps me the most is knowing the Lord's love for me, and that all the days of my life have already been written in his book, and I just need to learn to walk each day into what has already been established for my life by him! I am realizing more and more that living a life that will please and glorify God requires a mind that believes and acts upon the word of God which is above all opinions, powers, circumstances, and people. The only thing I know to do now is read and pray and cooperate with God in what he is doing for me right now, walking by faith. Again, sounding so simple, yet a place I have not reached yet in alot of things! I also know that God will work within me to will and do his good pleasure! I am so glad I don't have to work anything up myself-he is the initiator and finisher of my faith. This is what I am thinking of these days! Anyway, I hope everyone has a good evening, and thanks for reading my blog!

[Valerie Ann Hammond]

Yvonne,
I will be praying for you, and I appreciate your prayers as well. Thank you for sharing!

[Sarah Goebel]

I am so with you Valerie. It is like the fly story where the fly abiding in my car went further faster and with no effort just by abiding in my car. When we find ourselves abiding in Christ, we are able to go further in Christlike transformation and in fulfilling all that God has planned for us without wearing ourselves out. It is amazing! Learning to abide in Him is a process of learning while training ourselves unto godliness and hopefully we are abiding more and more as time passes by. I just know that in the end, it is God who perfects us. We are His workmanship! Yeah! Thanks for sharing with us! Love you!