John 15 Study: Abiding In Christ, 5of10, Evans Olang

John 15:9-12, “9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”

In my experience in the last 15 years or so, songs about God’s love in different genres have been heard and sang. What I found strange is that majority of the lyrics left out the words like “God, Jesus, Son of God etc.) and you were left to somehow figure out if they were Christian God’s love song or not. Even some of the popular worship songs sound like thinly disguised teenage crush songs. When we think of God’s love, are we to think of boy/girl type of love type (hold me, kiss me, etc.)? Most of these songs are pampering love. God’s love is perfecting, persevering love. The disciples preached the love of God by preaching Christ crucified.

Jesus said, John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” We cannot be anything apart from Him, therefore love starts with the Father who loves His Son who extended that love unto us through His son,  1John 4:8, 1John 4:16. The Father the gardener loves the Vine (His Son), and the branches He prunes, He does it to align with His love for the Vine (His character, nature).

The Warrior Is A Child, Evans Olang

Psalm 61:1-8, “vs. 2…From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I…”

We often get overwhelmed with daily responsibilities. Sometimes when you are still working on this, here comes another one. While trying to work on another one, here comes a new one. Everything has its season and how we deal with situations during certain seasons may determine the outcome. The overwhelming situations can choke out peace, confidence and courage, as weeds do choke good plants if they remain active in the same field with good plants. You may be dealing with overwhelming situations both at home and work, let us see what the Lord has for us.