Abiding In Jesus, a.k.a. Wrapped in the Heart of Jesus.  By Sara Cain.

Jesus is so kind and gentle to us when we are confused or hurting. The picture with this blog is a photo I took of a small memorial area I made to honor my grandson after his passing.

The last year of his life, Jordan had struggled, and his life was not pretty.  A week before his passing, he left town to go to a residential rehab. I prayed for him, not just daily, but every time he came into my thoughts. A week in, I didn’t know what more to pray, and I found myself simply saying each time he came into my thoughts,  “Hold him to your breast, Jesus, hold him to your breast.” After a week of praying this, I received the heartbreaking news of his passing, and even worse, he had passed a week before, but had only just been found and identified. I was devastated, and a lot of ugly thoughts tried to crowd into my mind. I worried about his eternal home because the last months of his life did not illustrate a life bound for heaven, at least not to the physical eye.

And then with gentle compassion, Jesus helped me understand that he had given me those words to say when I didn’t know how to pray. Jordan was already gone even though I was unaware; the words I’d normally pray for him were irrelevant at that point.

A few days later I was shopping on Amazon when a sculpture popped up on my feed like ads tend to do, and it stopped me in my tracks. It was the heart-within-a-heart sculpture that you see in my photo. I broke down and cried. And then my spirit danced with joy because Jesus had just confirmed to me that Jordan was abidng with Jesus in heaven, heart to heart, in Jesus’ embrace. Jesus was indeed, holding Jordan to his breast! .

This is the faithfulness of Jesus and His promises. He does not let anyone snatch His sheep away from Him.

The very last lesson Jesus taught his disciples before going to the cross was about the necessity of abiding in Him.

Abiding (Greek menō) means to remain, stay, or live in a place.

It is a relational, continuous, and sustaining connection, not a temporary experience.

It is the act of trusting in Christ’s love and words, functioning as a branch does to a vine.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  – John 15:5

JESUS is the life-sustaining vine; we need to stay attached to Him so that we can bear fruit.

Fruits of the Spirit are the Christ-like character gifts we receive through Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The fruit of our labor is our life testimony and good works in the name of Jesus that bring people to Him and grow the Kingdom of Heaven. If our legacy is to live a life worthy of Jesus saying “well done, good and faithful servant” we must remain in Jesus. When we are saved, we receive Holy Spirit, but we also must intentionally make time and effort to keep our connection to Jesus or we will wither (live in a state of defeat) and die (forfeit our spiritual inheritance).

What Abiding in Jesus looks like:

1. Spending time each day reading the bible and meditating on God’s Word so that we know how to obey and please Him.

• Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”

2. Praising and worshiping God each day. God is worthy of worship just because He is God, but we also praise Him because of all the wonderful things He gives to us and does for us. We thank Him for His unconditional love and unending mercy. Remembering His goodness to us in past times helps to build our faith that He will take care of our future, too.

3. Praying each day for our spiritual growth. Take time to both self-reflect, and to ask God where we need to grow and change, perhaps be forgiven for something we carry in our heart, whether ever spoken or acted on.

• Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there be any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!”

4. Listening and letting God affirm our identity: YOU are the chosen and beloved Daughter of God!

• • • John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
    • I John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
    • John 15:16  “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”

This 24/7 awareness of our Oneness with Jesus empowers us and holds the enemy of our soul at bay.

Expect God to lead you through your day in a way that will bring victory in your life and glory to Him. Starting your day with these intimate moments with Him confirms to your spirit that you are joined with Jesus through Holy Spirit, and He is with you every moment of your day.

However, some days life has a way of tripping us up even when you start your day with Jesus. When this happens, the moment you feel your peace leaving and the flutter of panic setting in, revisit these steps in reverse to affirm to your heart and mind that Jesus is WITH you and IN you. Let Him take the lead in meeting the challenge.

• Remind yourself that you are chosen and loved by God.
• Ask God to search your heart and lead you into making the right decisions.
• Thank God for the answer to your situation even as you ask for it.
• Recite scripture to feel God’s comforting presence and remind you of His promises.

At the end of the lesson, Jesus gave the perfect farewell gift. John 16:33-

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When we obey His teaching, we reap benefits and blessings. Besides His unconditional love and gift of eternal life, what could be of more value than His peace as we navigate this chaotic world!

Lastly, He prayed for the disciples. Read his prayer in John 17.

Be sure to take notice of verse 20:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,” 

Do you see it?  He is praying for YOU. We are included in His prayer as “those who believe in me through their message”. We were in Jesus’ thoughts even before we were born!

Picture your heart secure within the heart of Jesus.

Now read verse 20 aloud and imagine hearing Jesus pray for you personally.

How will you respond to Him?