ABIDE WITH ME

My earthly Father's work has been the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of people. He has worked for The State of North Carolina in providing a plan for developmental children as his main job for the majority of his life. He has also cared for the mental state of adults by being a Christian Counselor in a private psychiatric practice. Now, he is an Associate Pastor at River of Life Church - being a fellow shepherd and teacher of Christ for people's souls in this area. He has impressed me greatly with his balance of work and home-care over the years. He has touched me with his love and compassion for people, especially children. However, what has inspired me most is what I have found to be the key to his success - dwelling with his Father God.

The key to protection and all other blessings in Psalm 91 is first dwelling with God. In Psalm 23, we get a picture of us as sheep first resting or dwelling in green pastures, beside still waters where our souls are refreshed. Jesus says to His disciples about the children nearby to allow them to come and dwell with Him. Jesus says to those burdened with anything,  “Come to me, [dwell with me] all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) 

One of the prominent verses about dwelling with God is stated by His Son, Jesus - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4) Some versions say "remain", but either way the message is clear - by dwelling, abiding or remaining you are staying in the presence of God to give Him what is deserved and receive what you need.

Another place dwelling is prominently mentioned, as I have stated before, is Psalm 91. "The Hebrew word for 'dwell' is yashab, which means to sit down, to remain, or to settle. So the very thing that God wants you to do to enjoy His protection is to rest. His protection, peace, love, and other blessings flow in your life when you are in a place of rest." (The Prayer of Protection, Joseph Prince, p.4)

As I have witnessed, daily dwelling with Father God awas and still is vital to my Dad's successes. I am not convinced The Lord is looking for a "drive-by" or "sit-by" dwelling. In fact, I don't think you can call that dwelling at all. So, I encourage all of us every day to sit down for extended, quality time with God. Remember - Christ is the Vine; we are the Branches. If we remain/abide/dwell in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit; apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)