Abide, live or dwell with. Continue in His word. A disciple
is simply a student, a learner. Jesus message to His disciples, His followers
was the truth that He had been taught by God the Father. That truth is to do
God’s will, that which is good, acceptable and perfect. No one can be “perfect”
except Jesus—but we can strive to live a life of holiness—pure and unblemished
before the Lord. Jesus also taught that we are to honor God…by following the
greatest commandment:
One of the scribes…asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of
all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS
ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH
ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The
second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other
commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
That is the truth that will set you free…that and a
believing faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your own personal savior.
The truth will set you free. Free from what? From want…from fear…from eternal damnation? From what
do you need to be set free? If it is
just from worry…then focus on Jesus red letter words in these verses today.
"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we
eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' ...
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each
day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31, 34
"But when they hand you over, do not worry
about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what
you are to say. Matthew 10:19
Fear is complicated and some people choose activities like
roller coaster rides that give them momentary fears—and they love it! Others choose to read scary
books, knowing that the story is make-believe and yet they are safe where they
are as they read the frightening tale. There is a well known verse from Psalm
23 that can help you face fear. Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for
You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Fear
of “evil” is justifiable, but Jesus is always with us, so even though we are
afraid, we don’t have to be overcome with fear. Some fear is healthy—to keep us
on our toes so that we don’t walk into a dangerous situation. Think before you
go somewhere that can be dangerous.
Free from want—that is covered by Psalm 23, too. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1. I’ve recently read several books about people living through the
Depression in the 1930’s and many families then were in real want…or actually in “need.” Children, as
well as their parents, went to bed hungry. Where was God then? He was right
there with them—and in a lot of cases, He was proving for needs. When we go
through such trial God uses those circumstances to make us stronger, to build
our character. I’m sure you are thinking, I don’t want to have to go through anything
like that to strengthen my character! That is my thought, too. We don’t get to choose
the trials we go through…we just have to face them one step at a time and know
that God is with us. He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us
(see Hebrews 13:5). So no matter what you are facing…want, fear, or worry, know
that you are not alone.
Thank you, Jesus, that
You are always with us. Help us as we continue in Your word that we would understand
the truth and apply it to our lives so that we can be free…from want, fear,
worry or whatever.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard
Bible (NASB).
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