Abide in Christ

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

I think it is easy to just focus on the second half of the verse.  But the words of Jesus clearly state that the condition for receiving whatever we ask of Him, is abiding in Him and His Word abiding in us.

What does abiding in Christ mean?

It means to fill our hearts, our minds and our will with, and according to His Word.  This can only happen if we have a very close and personal relationship with Christ.  When we are filled completely with His Word and with the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, we most assuredly know what His will is for us!

Therefore, as we come before Him and ask for things from Him, we naturally won't be asking for things that will not align with what He desires from us!  Because what we ask for, is what He wants for us, what we ask for will be done for us!  Now isn't that a wonderful thing for the believer?

The questions we need to ask ourselves now are whether or not we are filling our hearts, minds with the Lord's Word; whether or not the direction of our will is going the way the Lord wants of us; whether or not we are diligently studying and immersing ourselves with His Word?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, discipline us so we delight in your Word.  Empower us with your Holy Spirit daily so that we may yield our needs and desires to your will for us.  Forgive us when we allow our selfish desires to lead us astray.  Help us to abide in you and your Word to abide in us.  In your name, we pray.  Amen.