Memoirs of Abiding

What does it mean to persevere through a trial? How do we know we have done it?

Luke 22 Jesus deeply troubled in garden of Gethsemane. Perseverance through a trial should look like Jesus did, translate my pain into your glory. That I grow more into the image of Jesus. That we trust him, and grow in our faith, that we can handle the next trial more comfortably. 

2 Corinthians 12:

What does the outcome and end result look like after a trial?

Romans 8 

What does this perseverance do for the life of an abiding believer in Christ?

James 1:

Reminiscing through the last 100 episodes: What’s been your favorite episode and why?

Part 2. The pain and trial:

Many times we experience tremendous pain and grief at the loss in our lives. 

Why do we want to avoid the pain?

Avoid sorrow, experiencing discomfort, stuck point to stay away from hurt

Luke 22- discipleship sleeping in the garden to avoid the sorrow.

Why doesn’t He always remove the pain from the loss or trials?

The Exodus

1 Peter 1:5-9

Romans 7

How can we experience the pain, but give it to the Lord?

Jeremiah-Lamentations 3:19

Part 1. The initial outlook:

Looking at loss in life can be difficult. There are many types of loss we may experience:

Loss of significant other, friends, jobs, clout, ability, financial stability, control, or even loss of self identity.

All these cause a varying level of grief in the life of the individual who is going through this. We understand this grief and can see it manifest in many different ways. It may come out through isolation, emotional outbursts, or in how we conduct ourselves each day. 

Any time we are in the thick of the situation it is hard to stop and see the potential for God’s work through it. He is there.

What are some ways to see God’s work in difficult situations?

Remembering who God is and what he has done; both in history and in our own lives.

What are some tools or activities we can do to make sure we don’t miss Him in it all?

What does this begin to look like in the life of an abiding believer?

Keeping the eyes and heart fixed on the things above and not on our situation or problems. 

We fill our life with the Word of God and life of God. Our new method of thinking becomes the mind of Christ. We start to look, speak, and act more like Jesus. 

Elisha and the servant (2 Kings 6:8-19)

King David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4-37)

Genesis 1:26

Many different descriptions for made in Our likeness. Many aren’t correct in their interpretation. THere are rules to understanding the Word of God, it isn’t a ragtag series of verses. We need to understand the context of the writings of that book, what would have been understood by the original hearers and readers. 

We don’t see God telling us what the image of God is. We do see Him give us a mission to do what he does. He Created, We procreate (creating in the world). We are his vice-regents. We are to rule in His Creation. 

Romans 8:29

We have been called to be predestined to this likeness in Christ. In seeing the perfect representation of the Father, Jesus walked this world, as the express image of the Father. When we see this illustration through the life and works of Jesus, living in everything to glorify God, in works and words, and so we become the illustration of Jesus in this world. As we abide in Him and in His Word, we show Christ through our actions and words. 

1 Corinthians 15:49

Earthly man is where we started, heavenly man is what we are becoming, since salvation. 

John passages:

8:28-29- Jesus doesn’t do things on his own initiative. 

12:49-50- I don’t speak on my own initiative

14:10- I don’t speak my words on my own initiative, but the Father in me.

2 Corinthians 3:18

We are truly being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Maybe your life doesn’t reflect that yet, just like the Corinthians weren’t. But stop and think about it. God’s glory is unveiling in us. The same truth applies to us as it did in Moses’ case, where he reflected the glory of God on his face. And as you understand this more, may your mouth drop at the illumination of it all. As Jesus abided in the Father’s Words and Works, we can in some aspect, see the same things in Him. 

Supplemental Scripture 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

The questions:

What does it mean likeness or image of God?

Why is this an important identity for the abiding brother or sister in Christ?

What do we need to do in order to look more like Jesus, become more and more the image bearers? 

Go deeper and deeper into the Word of God. You don’t have to know everything, to display the wonders and beauty of the Lord. The Thessalonians didn’t have much knowledge due to Paul being pushed out of Thessalonika after just about 3 weeks. But it was enough to shine and unveil the glory of God in their lives, and spread throughout the lands.

As a citizen of heaven we have been left here by God to represent the kingdom of heaven. As people then see us, then they see Jesus. 

Hebrews 11:13

If our hope is in our nation or government, in our citizenship here on this place we have very little hope. The world is falling apart, cultures are being destroyed and governments are being corrupted. If that’s truly our hope, we won’t find any strength. If our citizenship in heaven is our primary focus, then we can take strength and know our future is bright.

When one closely identifies with the conservative movement or progressive movement you will find they are likely not identifying with Jesus. 

Our attitude needs to be measured by how we are ambassadors for our savior. Are we tender hearted? Do we bash on the leaders? 

Many of us just want to live comfortably and not in the pain and heartache. Our desire for comfort is oftentimes greater than our desire for abiding in the Lord and his sufferings.

2 Corinthians 5:1-20

Philippians 3:20

1 Peter 2:11

There is a lot in a name, identity. It can give us a purpose, and meaning in life. We see that in the Bible in Cephas (peter), Abraham (Abram). In pop culture we see it in Lord of the Rings characters Aragorn, and in the Gladiator movie for Maximus. 

Everyone is in search for meaning and purpose. Identity is the struggle our culture is facing these days. What everyone is looking for is the ultimate purpose and meaning, which is found in Christ. 

1 John 3:9-10

But wait, what if I do sin? Does that make me a child of God or am I not?

Romans 7:14-25

Romans 6:15-23

We are not just sinners, liars, or cheats. We are saints. We are holy through what Christ did

The more that we can stand on the identity that we have as a child of God, the less the hauntings of the past and old habits drive us. 

Galatians 4:1-7

1 John 5:1-4

1 John 5:20

It doesn’t take much to become a child of God. Through Faith in Christ we are ushered in through adoption into the royal family, to become children of the Most High. Have you trusted in Him?

Why is knowing our identity so important?

How does actually knowing our identity affect our life on this planet?

I’m a lot of things, isn’t Christian just another label?

The Contrast, before and after:

Romans 3:10-20-> Romans 8:14-17

Are we really children of the Most High?

1 John 3:1-2

Romans 8:15-16

John 1:12-13

Galatians 3:26

God uses us to comfort others, we are the hands and feet, eyes and ears. This is seen in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Walking with Jesus will nearly always bring us to a point of suffering. 

Many times we hear the idea that the best person to comfort you is someone who has gone through the same thing. That may not always be the wisest position. While this may not be wrong, but we know that person’s circumstances and surroundings were not our circumstances and surroundings. What we can be comforted in is any believer who has followed Christ and has gone through comfort through affliction. So those who have found rest in the Trinity through afflictions can now provide comfort. They’ve learned rest and can now help with comfort.

This happens when they share their testimony and the word of God through what they found comfort. So then through this they are sharing not just their own experiences, but sharing those things of above or the things of God. 

When we share our testimony of God’s comfort in our time of need, the scriptures He brought to us, or the realization of God’s promises in it, it can help others to see God in the process. 

How do we comfort others?

When you abide in Christ, you become more like him. The more we become like him, we talk like him, think life him, act like him. This then empowers us to reach out to others. 

John 15 Jesus talks about fruit of the vine. The fruit Jesus is talking about is looking like him. The way he bears fruit for the Father. So this then applies to us as we abide and bear the fruit of becoming more like Jesus. And all of this is because of our love for him. We don’t just comfort others because it looks good in their eyes, they need it, or that’s the things we are supposed to do, but it is because we love Jesus. Those 3 things may be true, but the real point is our abiding with the Lord. 

This is all a picture of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even with this picture of comforting those with the comfort we are comforted with from others who have been comforted with the comfort of God through the middle of affliction and adversity. 

What did Jesus do in the Garden of Gethsemane, he brought prayer and received comfort. What is Paul asking to the church in Corinth: to pray. 

What will we do when we comfort others? We will pray. This is seen in the gospels with how Jesus performed his ministry. 

People need rest, and God has the solution.

We see an example of this 2 Corinthians 7:5-7

Resting in God’s work

5 miracles of salvation bring us into a spiritual new life on earth. 

Adoption

Justification

Redemption

Reconciliation

Regeneration

Conclusions we can come to based on the word of God

1. IF there is sin, we can know trouble will haunt us. 

1. This is because of the consequences of sin.

2. This can either be due to ignorance or willful disobedience to God

2. Praying for relief of weakness, doesn’t always bring a healing.

1. There are physical weaknesses, injuries, sickness, or cancer that isn’t promised to be healed in the Word of God. This isn’t a promise. Yet God will sometimes answer this.

2. There are spiritual weaknesses, addictions, sin patterns, that CAN be healed. This is promised in the Word of God. 

We can understand this when we are abiding in the Lord and in His Word. 

We can begin to see why we are not getting the victory, because I am not depending on God in the right areas and I’m claiming promises of God that are never made. 

Once we are able to think abstractly and reasonably about the things of our past, we can begin to take the steps to healing. 

Looking at the right and wrong understanding of God’s works.

Many times we believe the removal of obstacles will help us to rest. But when we are looking at the situation it isn’t the obstacles bringing the conflict or lack of rest. We then find that our relationship with the Lord brings the peace, which allows us to find rest. The best representation is continuing to hide the Lord’s word in our hearts, then we would delight in Him, and as a result we see the child of God who looks like the image in Psalm 1.

-Barrier to resting

1 John 4:13-18 love can drive out fears

You can deal with your fears through abiding in His love. 

-How Fear can prevent resting in the peace of the Lord

People Pleasing

Worried that others could be offended

People always vying for their attention and time. Eventually no time for devotion, relax, allowing the brain to settle. 

perfectionism to find acceptance

Luke 22

-How can we stand on the promises of the Lord

1 Cor. 3:10-15

-Finding the promises of God

Through his word, by hiding it in our hearts.

-finding peace in the battles

Psalm 37:7

Psalm 23

Matthew 11:28-30

Sometimes we feel like we need to rest from our vacation. Rest with the Lord is about restoration. This doesn’t always require time away, but with our relationship with the Lord we can find rest in Him. This comes out with peace in our lives. 

As we continually come to Jesus, he continually gives us rest. The Lord produces it in us. 

-what does rest look like

Mountain top vs. Valley

Mountain tops are the spiritual highs of life. Valley living is the spiritual depression or conflicted times. 

The abundant life in God is not just heaven, but is now. 

When we go through difficulty or conflict, we can rest assured we have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in our lives. 

John 16

We will go through conflict, because we live in a troubled world. 

James 1

Pain does not have to be absent in our lives in order to experience rest and peace. We can experience both at the same time. Until we understand that then we can’t understand the premise that only then can we experience rest and contentment. Peace and pain walk hand in hand. 

Take it easy, and restored

Sometimes the greatest moments of rest are just sitting with the Lord and talking about the day or current events in our lives. Just to feel listened to can be refreshing. 

We want to make sure the word of God is resonant in our soul. Then God will take the Word stored up in our lives, illuminate his word in our lives. 

Many think this is extra-biblical stuff.

We have to look at and start with the physiological or biological position first. An individual who is addicted needs to know there are different options to help them to get back to a position where they can think straight again. Rehabilitation, medical aversive therapy, or other similar organizations can be options, though rehabs usually have a very low efficacy. In other words, many people return multiple times throughout their lives. 

Start with getting everyone together, those who are important in their lives and make sure everyone is on the same page. Ultimately, for those who are addicted, or those who want their loved ones to break free of addiction, when we look at how to set them up for success. If the person can’t think rationally, they can’t get clean. Locations that are similar to Honeylake.clinic or missionhouseministry.org.

We need to look at the social positions for a person; Mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, relational. 

How does the addict begin to experience the love of God to such an extent it overcomes the desire for the addictive substance?

Start to see if there is an attachment to the addictive behaviors with a trauma or thought? Sharing these thoughts with a safe person who is a part of your accountability. 

We need to have the body of Christ there for accountability, but walk in a loving manner towards them. They can help remind them of the darkness and bringing the light. You will want to be able to invite your family to partner with you. A good book that shares this idea is Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening by Brenda L. Wolfe and Robert J. Meyers 

1. Having family and friend support for the loved one. Support can be in multiple ways, helping with chores, giving resources.

2. Finding the root of the addictive behaviors. Confessing to the Lord (meaning to agree with the Lord and truth about who you are)

3. The living with dependence on the Lord, to allow him to sustain through

4. Ask the Lord then to rewrite our triggers, horrid thoughts, allowing us to live as called for by the Lord. When we know we are identifying with the Lord and not with the trauma and the addiction, we can truly start to see a massive change. 

Abiding in the Word of God can bring us through in a situation where we have interaction with an addict. We can see this through the reading of John 12-18.

Even through all of this we may find anxiety and angst each day when it comes to dealing with this person. And for the co-parent it can be worse because children are involved.

How then can we abide through this? What are some areas we can see this.

1. Pray to the Lord throughout the day. Don’t just hold it to morning devotions.

2. Pour the passages of scripture that are pertinent to abiding to God’s Word and God’s Love. (Psalm 119, John 14,15, )

Remember then that the scripture you find can even be memorized so you always have it available. This can lead to wisdom and knowledge coming to you in times of difficulty. 

Many times we see platitudes used, but we as christians haven’t done a great job of teaching how. “Just depend on the Holy Spirit,” one leader might say. But when it comes down to the how, it isn’t described. This is where we can open the word of God and see this described by Jesus. 

The more we pour the Word of God into our heart, the more we set ourselves to have the Father/Son/Spirit to recall to our memory. This isn’t just our mind recalling this information. This is in our spirit illuminated by God Himself. This builds a true relationship with God. 

Now as we encounter someone with an addictive problem, we don’t come to it with our own strength, but with the strength of God in our life. With the joy of God in our life. It transforms us to become more like Jesus. Now we can be assured, calm, and know everything will be ok because we are walking side by side with God and the Holy Spirit. 

Our emotions can sometimes also drive us to unhealthy habits in dealing with those addicted individuals. This can drive us to enable. This can also lead to letting down boundaries. A good example of this is forgiveness. Forgiveness is about forgiving the other person’s debt, not about how I feel. This has nothing to do with enabling. It doesn’t mean we act like they’ve never done anything. It isn’t forgive and forget. Forgetting leads to more harm and hurt. We need to draw boundaries around the behaviors. They no longer get to lay the roadmap of our lives.

Start with Genesis 3. Our search for meaning and purpose drives us to need something to identify with in this world. Outside of God it comes from what we experience or our family/friends. This comes from a combination of our personality or temperament, and the environment they grow up in. 

James 1

No one wants to be an addict. They become a slave to whatever the addiction is. Their will is subordinated or lost, and given to someone or something else. 

Examples of fear taking supremacy over faith:

Abrahm and Sarai with the pharoah and king was to create a lie to protect himself. His desire for safety drove his fear to lie. Instead of trusting in God’s words. 

Jonah’s anger was so great his desire was to avoid preaching repentance to Ninevah. This desire was so great it overrode the obedience to the Lord. 

In this episode we review the use of a concordance and a bible dictionary.

For this we use the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, keyed to the KJV.

For the dictionary we use Vine's Concise Dictionary of the Bible. These are just 2 of the resources available to a Christian nowadays to dive in and study the Word of God in Depth.

In this podcast we look at the grammatical context of main clause and subordinate clause. We dive into Matthew 28:19-20 and look at the main point.

We also look at the letter to the church in Philippi. We dive into looking at an epistle within the context of its original meaning. How to distinguish Main and sub points.

Making Observations, then bringing questions based on the observations can help us to look deeper at the Word of God.

John 3:1-8

As a good Bible Student looks at the questions, how does one start to understand what all these words mean, Born Again, Kingdom of God. We can find these explained within the scriptures throughout the new testament. 

Noting the observations and getting the questions answered, is similar to a detective or a scientist, and is a great study technique for the christian.

By getting our observations and questions answered or starting to look at these questions we find we can develop an interest in the outcome or the final answer. 

Not only does learning the Word of God bring excitement when we dive into our observations, but we want to use our brains and critical thinking when we build our faith on His promises. Our faith should be rooted in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. We shouldn’t just believe something without seeing where God says it, and how he says it. 

Job 28:20 Wisdom comes through Fear of the Lord. To shun evil is understanding.

Proverbs 3 tells us wisdom and understanding and knowledge should go together. 

Reading the word shows us how consistent the books of the Bible really are. 

We see a parallel between John 3 and John 5, but vs. 5 gives more information. 

Born again

Water- Ezekiel 36

John 4, 6, 7

Making Observations, then bringing questions based on the observations can help us to look deeper at the Word of God.

Sometimes when we don’t look at the deeper context or wider sections of scripture we miss the character of God. Or maybe we come up with different theological points not based on the Scriptures. Or it can lead to a life without the transformation, both in perspective and action. It might make us feel good, but it may not be leading to transformation and change. 

Your belief in who you are, and seeing others, but also our perspective towards horrible situations and traumatic moments. 

You can have incredibly strong faith and love for God, but still not know how to read the Bible. And when we truly learn to read the scriptures we can get the fullness of the promises in scripture. 

John 3:1-8

In order to get a true context of a text within John 3 we would need to read the gospels. But this doesn’t mean we have to read everything first to understand. To really understand a passage in its depths we need to have read all the Gospels, and many other books of scripture. We should dive in and relish the Gospels as Christians. 

When the whole of the bible is unraveled as we read it can change our heart. What if we start out with a lack of desire to read the word. That’s a problem with the heart. So the solution is actually found in the Word. The more we read it, and study it, and hide it away in our hearts, the more we want to open it. 

As a good Bible Student looks at the questions, how does one start to understand what all these words mean, Born Again, Kingdom of God. We can find these explained within the scriptures throughout the new testament. 

Noting the observations and getting the questions answered, is similar to a detective or a scientist, and is a great study technique for the Christian.

By getting our observations and questions answered or starting to look at these questions we find we can develop an interest in the outcome or the final answer. 

How to Study God’s Word

Context; 

Historical, 

What did this mean to the times?

What was known by the people originally reading this?

From Creation to the Cross, Albert H. Baylis

Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, 

Grammatical, 

What is the tense of the wording?

Is it literal or figurative?

within greater narrative

Looking at the larger text’s topic or theological position

Why is abiding important in the daily life of a person?

Have to be careful to describe abiding in a terminology people can understand, and not into phrases that many may not fully understand. 

How can I have a relationship that is measurable as your (Peter’s) relationship was with Christ? 1 John 3

If what John said was true, it is everything for us. 

How does this change my thought process, my emotions, my perceptions?

John 14, shows us this relationship with a comparison between him and the Father, and Him and us. 

Through our relationship with the Lord, there is a hope for deliverance.

Psalm 147

Companionship with God, is what Abiding means during the hard times. He can be the hope we fall back on during times of trouble.

What makes a Biblical discipleship

Matthew 28:19

-One who learns and follows

Helping people to be fully devoted followers of Jesus

Looking out for false teachers

Bible vs books, what to watch out for in the group

Applicability

Openness and honesty, transparency with the mentor

Discipleship in Victory – Jehovah Nisi

Exodus 17: 8-15. The Lord is our Banner, meaning God is the one that brings our victory. Today we interview Alison, aka “uno”.

Additional Scripture discussed: Psalms, Romans 8:18, John 15: 9-10, Job, 2 Chronicles 35: 20-24, Judges 7, James 4:3

Alison has grown up in the church. She has attended countless sermons, Bible studies, youth groups, small groups. She shares her experience of surrendering the fight to God. She reflects on how she handled the battles prior to the discipleship, and now after walking 2.5 years with her group. She shares the consistent battles she experienced over the past year and half. In that time, her flesh wanted to fight. Her flesh wanted to run to old coping mechanisms to survive. She became exhausted, but God remained faithful. She shares that faithfulness, and the growth that has come from being in this time period.

Question asked: Why does God not always give us the positive outcome that we want?

Reflection: If He always rescued us, then we would miss out on a lot. The hardships are often what help us grow in our faith. Chris reviews Job who was very blessed but lost everything. It was a tough journey, and Job wanted God to end it. Eventually, God brought him out of the hardship and doubled his blessings. Alison saw this increase in richness of her faith throughout this time.

Biblical example of not trusting God, is the boy king Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35:20-24. He took a battle into his own hands instead of deferring to God. He had made some great reform in his time, and who knows what he would have done had he trusted God rather than fight on his own.

Alison shares when she asked God about His promise to deliver us in Psalm 91. She read it as a promise here on earth, and wrestled with this as she knew God is the promise keeper. When she took it to God, He showed her that He will deliver her. It may happen on this side of heaven or once in heaven, but God will deliver us.

We encourage you to find a mentor to dive in deep in your faith. You can also reach out to us at memoirs of abiding with any questions.

Discipleships in Healing

Guest: Ricki Brooks and Allison H.

Allison has been in one of the abiding discipleships for 2.5 years, and she shares her journey in

the abiding discipleship. When she began in the group, she was already a Christian. However,

she was at rock bottom emotionally and spiritually and knew something had to change. She

desired the fruit of the relationship with God that she saw in others around her.

Allison notes that abiding wasn’t an instantaneous process, rather it was and is a journey with

mile markers. Her commitment to showing up each week, discussing and learning with her

community, even in the hard times, have led to true transformation.

Background:

Allison grew up in the church, but didn’t become part of bodies that were more theologically

sound. She participated in Bible studies, was faithful to attend services, and she read the Bible

for information. However, she relied more on what others told her about God and His

character. When Allison turned 5 and two weeks later, her sister died of a terminal illness. The

tragedy that struck their family, left her to navigate the emotions internally. Her mechanisms

developed to turn her hatred, anger internally on herself. Not God, not her family, but herself.

She didn’t know the security of what love can really do as a result. She shares her discovery of

her sin patterns and the result of running to these mechanisms, which was despair and

depression. However, her time with God in the abiding discipleship has changed her viewpoint

in all these aspects. She finds grace and hope when she slips to a pattern briefly. She doesn’t

live in the pattern cycles, rather lives in her new identity in Christ.

The abiding discipleship allowed her to understand, process, walk, and uncover God’s word in

community. After two and half years in discipleship, her circumstances are still there (kids,

family, singlehood), but her perspective has changed drastically. How she handles the situations

are different, as well as she rests in His strength and assurance. God has shown her that she can

depend on Him repeatedly.

Allison shares that she has learned through that NOTHING can satisfy and fill the hole within

her apart from God. She has learned to give her wounds to God to heal, and He has done just

that. She reminds us that our relationships are not linear, we each have our own journey with

God. She has learned what it means to be a believer after being saved, to truly walk with God. 2

Peter 1:3: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life godliness, through

the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. “

Jesus is the Master that is leading and teaching Ricky, Chris, and Allison. Jesus is building their

faith. Jesus is upholding the promises in scripture, and her faith is building as a result. God can

change your heart.

What’s the end game with Jesus and the 12 disciples?

His time with them wrapped up with showing what it looks like to abide. 

Christian growth, maturity in Christ is great. Yet the Motiff Jesus showed the disciples the night before the crucifixion shows the focus to be the relationship with the Father. His words and His actions.

John 15:5-10

Jesus’ joy in the father is complete. And he has invited us into this circle of abiding with him. This is bearing the fruit of abiding. This leads to us thinking and acting like Jesus. This gives us the dreams and purpose of Jesus. 

This is important for us to overcome our stuck points and defense mechanisms. 

The more I rely on God as my source, the more I look like God. Instead of working hard to be more like God. p

The fruit of abiding: 

We develop a trust in God through abiding as we develop a dependence on another. In the same way a parent many times causes a child to grow independent of them when it is a positive thing to rely on another. 

Other resources:

Howard Hendricks: Living by the Book (2007)

John Piper: Finally alive (2009)

Lewis Sperry Schaeffer: He that is spiritual (1918)

Needham, David: Birthright (1979)

The case of victory, what does it look like?

-Victory in Christ allows us to live in peace regardless of the events in our lives

-to live with Yes to self, is to say yes to my true self (The Spirit born identity that came at salvation)

We are called to many more Yes’s than No’s in this life with Christ. 

In abiding we find we walk with him in agenda harmony and purpose, while making the members of our body slaves to righteousness. 

Discipleship, is it important?

Discipleship is modeled by Christ Jesus himself as the method of walking with and teaching. IT allows us to see the product of what we are being taught. It is not meant to be a few weeks, but rather years in the making. Discipleship should comb through scripture, seeing what truth is in the Word of God, while focusing on how to apply it to our lives (for Transformation). By having a biblical mentor walk us through the Bible, and the practicality of God’s Word in everyday life we can grow unparalleled in our faith and walk with Christ. 

Needham, David. 1979. Birthright: Christian, Do you Know Who You Are?. Portland: Multnomah Press

Why would we want intimacy with the Lord?

• Feeling loved

• Feeling supported

• Belonging

• Feeling of being accepted

• Thinking of David’s Prayers and praises from the Psalms

• 18:1-3

• 27:4-5

• 26:8

Why is this so different from modern christianity? 

We see there are counterfeits to biblical abiding christianity.

• Legalism

• Secular/Flesh-driven Christianity

• Self-defeated Christian (the toxic shame version of works based)

We were once enslaved to everything outside of God. Romans 6 shows us this life. Paul uses the word slavec to represent that complete surrender of will because we know God has our best interest in mind, increase in Holiness and Righteous living. 

Living in defeatest hole in the heart, the only answer to this is intimacy with Jesus. Good works, service, church, biblical scholar not the answer to this. Instead we can only fill that through intimacy in Christ. 

What does this do for the level of devotion and faith of the Christian?

• God becomes real in my everyday life

• No longer just wanting the ticket to heaven, but awaiting daily bread

• Makes the Christian excited to seek God, to learn about Him, to find him at work in the small things

Describe the typical prayer life of a church congregant?

Not a lot of corporate prayer over righteousness, holiness, the great commission. 

Lots of prayers over supplications, for their needs, desires, etc.

People say: it is hard to pray, feel awkward when I pray, don’t know what to say. I don’t feel the presence of God, I don’t ever think of praying. I don’t pray regularly. 

Fewer occasions where people are excited for prayer life. 

Why is prayer not a deep desire for most Christians?

Luke 2

John 8:28-29

John 10

James 4

Many times we pray for things out of selfish ambition or desire. 

The closer we get in our relationship with the Lord, the more we pray. This is what abiding is about. Many times this might even change our outlook and perspective, which may inevitably change what we focus our prayers on. Communication with God doesn’t have to feel burdensome, difficult, or awkward. It can be an enjoyable experience. But it takes a change in our hearts and minds to deepen our faith and hope in God, and then to live that out in how we communicate with him. Don’t feel condemned if it is awkward or confusing, difficult or short. Continue to dive into his word, pray his word, talk to him, and his Word will resonate in you

Desires of the Heart: Reading Scripture

What’s the normative view of scripture by the layman?

-Have to read to be better

-Wisdom for living right

-Rules for living righteous life

-Required each day

Struggle to understand the wording, without today’s language. 

Scripture is seen as a vital role in discipleship, but individuals don’t follow up with it. 

Bar has been set too low. A simple devotion page is good enough for the average Christian. Christian leadership has taken a well-intentioned idea, daily devotion, and failed to teach principles of good Bible reading. 

These daily devotions can lead to a weak faith and knowledge of faith. We end up with this problem where people aren’t taught well how to read the Word of God. So then when they try to grow in their faith and they open the one day devotion, they find at the end they haven’t actually grown in their faith. 

The Bible is a big book. 66 books with 40 authors, covering a big theme. But if you read a section over 365 days you won’t really remember genesis by the end. How much will you remember about John at the end. 

Some people see reading God’s word as a way to earn God’s favor. Alison shares this was how she felt when she was younger. 

What is the value of scripture in the life of a believer?

Gaining truth and grounding you in peace. Learning who God really is. Learning about your identity. Life was miserable for Alison with her self-worth when she just read it as a check off item. 

Matthew 4 Jesus responds to Satan in the desert. Jesus showed us that he makes the claim that scripture is equal to sustenance like bread and water in the life of an individual.

The second and third temptation satan misinterprets and twists the intent of the scripture. Jesus corrects him using the proper context. 

Psalm 119: We can make it through our afflictions by studying the word. 

How should I read it?

In Psalm 119 we see the Psalmist use the action words and not passive words about reading God’s word, law, precepts. We have the soak in the word and meditate on it throughout the day. It can’t just be a reading and then move on.

Separate Beliefs

1. Theological beliefs differing between congregants

Separate Goals:

1. Music/Lights/Ministry focus/Bible study/Outreach/Tithe/Church Government

1 Corinthians 13

Strong personality types

1. Some pastors or lay people become very outspoken, and tend to lead things in the direction they want. These individuals can be very charismatic and can lead to a rift in the church. This can cause some to feel like they must choose a side.

Spiritual Abuse within the Church

1. What does spiritual abuse look like? 2 Corinthians 11

2. How is this different from reproach or correction?

3. With many stepping away from church because of this or feeling like this, what is the proper response within an abiding relationship with the Lord?

Separate Beliefs

1. Religious beliefs differ between parents, or siblings, or spouse, or children.

1. How do we overcome these by abiding in the Lord? 

2. Who’s job is it to change their hearts? 1 corinthians 3 (Apollos vs Paul vs God)

3. What then is our purpose in this? (Matthew 28:19-20)

2. Political/ideological/philosophical beliefs between the same above

1. How to not get involved with the idolatry or elevation of one idea over another?

2. Sticking to the word of God as our source of doctrine, and not a political candidate or philosophical position. (Phil 4:2-7) (1 Cor 6?)

3. When between a child and parents, or parents and a child, how to stay respectful, but honor God in obeying the truth? (eph. 5-6)

4. When between siblings, how to witness the truth without condemnation?

5. When between spouses, how to stay committed to the marriage, even when the other refuses to believe politically, or theologically what the other believes.

Separate Goals:

1. Parents for child, what they should become in life; Doctor, Lawyer, Military, etc

2. How they should go about living their life; marriage vs not, out with people vs inside, traveling vs staying at home, moving out vs continuing to live at home. 

3. When other’s expectations for me do not match my own position, and it is not a Gospel centered point, how can I proceed without hurting or alienating others, but still walking in my own life? Managing expectations, and communicating those to others.

Do you really believe that God can do all these things in your life? Do you believe you can do these things in the way Jesus did?

Conflicting ideologies

Conflicting theologies

Conflicting personalities

John 15:9-10

Let’s focus on these four areas.

As I abide in the Lord I may find my position to be at odds with those around me. 

Ideologies:

Teachers within schools

Medical Professionals

Peace officers

Government employees

Judicial employees/Counsel

How do we continue at our jobs, when we find our current employer, or other employees, differ from us ideologically/politically? 

Hebrews 10:25

James 4:17

Theology:

Pastors

Administrators

Schools

How do we reconcile our differing opinions of religious doctrine? 

Major disagreement vs Minor disagreements in scripture or belief

Am I the weaker brother? Will working for these individuals affect my spiritual foundation in Christ? Will it lead me away? If it will then it isn’t tenable. If not, on the other hand, I will find it difficult to work there. 

Personality

Conflicting with other personality types, introverts, extroverts, hard workers, slothful workers, workaholics. Some can come into conflict on company vision or mission statements. How do we reconcile this as we abide in the Lord?

Philippians 2:5

What does this look like on the micro level in a society that has a free vote?

Christians line up with the values of the society that they are living in. They don’t search the scriptures, but instead accept their political or philosophical position that lines up best with them in society.

If we are foreigners on this planet, then we should live as foreigners. We should do the best we can to obey the laws of the land, but our focus is representing our citizenship, Heaven.

As we get closer to Jesus, we become more like him, then we respond as he did.

When we find things that are clearly against God’s Moral will we should stand against it, but we should also be prepared to accept the consequences. The apostles showed this as they were told they could not speak about Jesus, they chose to continue that and ended up in prison.

Do we have the faith in God to carry us through the consequences, or is my faith not strong enough in the Lord that I need to depend on the Lord?

How could abiding affect the change vs mass protests, rioting, or revolution? Will the poles ever bisect?

Abiding will bring us to a place where our love shows the world we are God’s disciples. This can keep us from getting involved in the affairs around us.

What is our purpose or obligation as a christian on this earth?

Matthew 28:19-20

To glorify God through the great commission. Going throughout all the world and making disciples, introducing people to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 15 fruit of abiding in Him is fully in harmony of agenda in Him as He was fully in harmony of will with the Father.

We begin to look more like Him, and we will do more like what he did. p

What then is our obligation as a christian in America or in a nation where I have civic duties to vote or speak out against poor governance?

Regardles of time or location, the purpose remains the same. We are children of God, before being citizens of a nation.

According to God’s Word we are to be submissive to our ruling authorities. While there are times when this may not be the case, this should be normative.

When can we stand up against the government and revolt, like the American Revolution?

When we look at Acts, we see lack of rights and entitlement by them even during the reign of Nero and other tyrants who sought to destroy them all and scripture. When we look through Jesus’ teachings, Paul’s, Peter’s, John’s teachings, we see a drive towards faith in God’s Sovereign will and plan. Yet there are still times when Civil Disobedience is required. These are when we are told that we must follow policies or actions that violate God’s Word.

When we disobey the earthly leadership, we must be prepared for the consequences. The apostles showed that obedience to God in action being more important than following man’s law can result in imprisonment or other consequences.

The role of a Christian is not to fight for my “rights”.

Biblical Themes:
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Luke 10: Martha and Mary

Jesus' words in John 14 and John 15

We compare and contrast what Joy looks like when Abiding with what Joy looked like in the temporary realm. We look at how it changes as we draw nearer to Christ. 

Joy in the Discovery

Review joy vs. happiness:

Review the idols in our lives that are the joy stealers.

Joy in the discovery is learning who God is. He is not the deistic God who created and left. He is not the non-active God who did the salvation thing but left us on our own to fight out this planet.

Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13 NIV

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

The joy of learning that God is not only loving and intentional, but active in our lives brings a hope that allows us to get through many of the difficulties we face.

Analogy paycheck to paycheck, Thursday is here waiting on Friday. You know Friday will bring provision so you can get through Thursday with the hope of what’s coming.

God is not the magic genie that gives us what we want, but he is a loving Father who knows what we need. His provision is based on his knowledge not our desires. But when that first struggle goes through, and we see him work, or the knowledge of him working in other’s lives, or reading in his word how he will continue to walk through the dark valley with us, through the proverbial (and even literal) flames with us gives us a hope unmatched. This hope builds the joy in our lives.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What are idols?

Objects or ideals which we elevate to equality with our relationship to Christ. Something we put in front of God

How do Idols steal our joy?

John 15: Look at the language and imagery we see Jesus talking about with the vines. This is about surrendering. This is about us finding out source in him. A branch can bear no fruit apart from the vine. The vine is connected to the root and brings the nutrients to the branches. So everything that we need comes from Him. When we subvert that relationship, or try to find our source from someplace else we end up losing that connection.

Joy comes from source in God, Source somewhere else results in uneven moments of pleasure or happiness, but not complete joy as Jesus describes in John 15:11

Idols in the Word:

**Samson- Idol of relationship 3 different times Judges 15-16

Ananias and Saphira- Idol of status (Acts 5

Israel- Idol of golden calf Exodus 32

Israel- Idol of comfort (plague of serpents) Numbers 21

What does Happiness look like?

having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with (a person, arrangement, or situation)

Situational based on the current events

What does Joy look like?

a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

Continues even through the difficulties that happen. This isn’t based on circumstances, but is based on the presence of God in our lives. Is based off a positive experience.

In a walk with Christ all we need for joy in our life is to experience the love and presence of the Lord.

Sometimes when we as christians don’t feel joy it can be due to us not experiencing his presence. This can come easily when we don’t actually know what his presence feels and sounds like.

How do they differ?

What are the circumstances that brought about the emotion? In society they are synonymous because everything is about temporary circumstances. Man/Woman of dreams, lottery, dream house, dream job, raise at work.

How “change” can cause a loss of the earthly joy?

Looking at this idea, is there anything in this world that can’t/won’t change?

Looking at the circumstances that change we see many can change. Dream job laid off. Money dries up. Kids move away. Star athlete gets an injury.

Only thing that doesn’t change, The LORD.

EVen finding joy within self, loving yourself so you can love others, we have to understand we are temporary. We can fail ourselves. This is why the only thing we can depend on, including ourselves, is God.

How can we maintain joy, even through difficulties?

Good news that the reverse is true. The traumas are temporary in that they don’t have to control us forever. The sorrow that they bring can be overcome through something that is constant.

The triggers and the identity attached to these can be temporary. The trauma can never be erased, but the defense mechanism and the copy skills can be overcome.

How did the early church Christians walk in joy even in the midst of getting killed?

New Testament believers living out the true joy. They just understood what the Lord’s presence truly was.

Paul with his thorn was content because he knew the presence of God. He could walk through this life and know everything was in the Lord’s hand and he was communicating with us. p

Joy in the scripture

John 15:11

Philippians 4:1-3

2 Corinthians 12

Acts 6-8 Stephen

John 17:24

With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.

Psalms 119:10‭-‬16

Even though princes sit and talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.

Psalms 119:23‭-‬24 NASB1995

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Psalms 119:33‭-‬37 NASB1995

Stress and Anxiety:

So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.

Psalms 119:44‭-‬45 NASB1995

Affliction and trial:

Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Psalms 119:66‭-‬67 NASB1995

It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Psalms 119:71‭-‬72 NASB1995

How do we receive it? How do we respond to it? How do we take it to where it needs to go?

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Isaiah 50:10-11 Stay in the trouble time.

Psalms 119:98‭-‬104 NASB1995

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105 NASB1995

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NASB1995

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:12 NASB1995

Opposing God’s will and our efforts to live it out

Ephesians 5:15–21

Samson and Delilah: Judges

Not abiding in the Lord, having clear and present sin in their lives presuming they know God’s Will. Even when living in sin, God will still bless me.

Why might we oppose God’s will and accomplish our own will?

Lack of faith for him to do it

Lack of faith in God’s timing

Lack of comprehension of the Bible

Believing I make better choices for my life than God

What will likely be the result of our efforts?

Luke warm faith

Not seeing God’s movement

Not feeling the presence of God

Falling out of unity with God and his church

Conflict and Strife

Brokenness and hurt

In this episode we dive into some of the counterfeits we might find in our lives to God’s true will. We address the freedom of the individual within the moral will of God to determine with wisdom and discernment where they are to walk. In this episode we dive into the following examples of scripture:

Genesis 3

Thorn in Paul’s side 2 Corinthians

Isaiah 54/55, my ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts

Philippians

Psalm 51

Have you ever wondered what God’s will was for you in your life? Was it to take this job, marry this person, move to this city? How can we know His will, or be certain we are in it? We talk about the Will of God broken into 3 parts: Sovereign Will, Moral Will, Personal/Individual Will. In this podcast we discuss the current thought about discerning God’s will prevalent in the Church today. We also discuss why this may not be biblical when we look at the context of the Word of God. Join us and see if it bring you back to God to reconcile His will.

We talk about how trauma can affect us and can define us. Is something that you had done earlier in life still haunting you? What about something someone did to you, driving your identity in what you believe in yourself? How big of a role in our walk with Christ does our identity truly play? Join us and see how we relate our identity or what's been done to us vs what Christ has done.

We dive into the perspective shift of looking for God each day in not just the large miracles, but the small things. We address what this would do to the believer, to their perspective, but also seeing God's work in each moment. What does this do to those who say God doesn't speak or work in their lives?

We talk about the Biblical context of how God answers us. Do you feel like you never "Hear" from God? In this episode we address the fact that you may be hearing him, but you just don't recognize it. 

We dive in and talk about the what if question of "What if... we were as excited to Read God's Word as we were to attend a Worship Concert?" Join us in our discussion by visiting our instagram at memoirsofabiding.

We look at Matthew 3 and 4 seeing the Wilderness. We jump into the life and ministry of Christ to see the times God's word was used in his own life and how important having the words of the Father were compared to his own. 

Continuing through illumination into the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul

This week we jump into looking at the illumination that came to Moses and Joshua. We continue the month talking about how God speaks to us through His written word.

Seeing Jeremiah give a great example of Illumination in his Lamentations

We discuss the idea of God communicating with us. Through this we discover what are commonly misunderstood methods of communication and how God’s word is the ultimate method to communicate with us, through the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit