My prayer for you this year is that you may have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is vibrant and growing. Jesus tells us in John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”

Jesus lets us know that by abiding in Him our lives will be transformed and will produce good fruit. Abiding is not something that automatically happens in the life of a follower of Jesus. In a workbook entitled “Disciples Prayer Life the authors write “Abiding is an act of the will.”

The authors reference people in scripture who continually trusted in God. They stayed focused on their relationship with God even as they asked God to work in their lives. Zacharias and Elisabeth desperately wanted a child. From the time they first asked God for a child God had answered their prayer. But the timing of the birth of their son had to wait. This birth needed to occur right before the birth of Jesus. This couple was past child bearing age when Elisabeth delivered a baby boy. Luke tells us that this couple was righteous before God. No bitterness had crept into their lives towards God or other people because of the delay.

Your spiritual root system is developed by “much prayer, much attention to the biblical directives and much cleaving to the Lord Jesus.” Your trust in God grows each day as you make the effort to read God’s word and talk with Him each day. There are no shortcuts to spiritual growth and maturity. The result of abiding is a deep, growing confidence in the Lord and trust in His ways and timing in your life, even when you must endure long periods of waiting.

Daniel was a mighty prophet of God. In Daniel 10:2-14 Daniel asks God to help him understand some horrifying visions that Daniel was given. The answer to Daniel’s request was given immediately. However, Daniel had to wait 3 weeks before getting the answer. God’s messenger had been delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. Evil forces such as demonic powers can be the agents of delay. However, we learn that when evil attempts a delay, God intervenes.

How do you do this “abiding?” Is it difficult? No, it is not hard but it does require effort. To abide in Christ means you are growing in your relationship with Christ. To facilitate growth:

1. First, read God’s word each day. If you are not sure where to start let me recommend to you an online devotional that I use. Simply go to www.blackaby.org. On the right hand side of the homepage there is a scripture passage and short commentary. Use this to start reading God’s word and applying God’s truths to your life.
2. Second, take time to be with God. Through Jesus Christ you have open and immediate access to the Father. He delights in you spending time in His presence.
3. Find someone that will pray with you on a regular basis. You could ask this person to also be your accountability partner. They could help encourage and hold you accountable to read God’s word each day and spend time in prayer.

Right now I am trying to lose about 10-15 pounds. My doctor is sending me to a health coach to focus on lifestyle changes to facilitate losing weight. The Health Coach is my accountability partner. This coach will hold me responsible for regular exercise and eating wisely,. The coach will be an encourager to celebrate small victories and to exhort me when I need it.

Ask someone that you know, who is a mature Christian, to be your prayer partner. You could meet once a week on the phone, at a home, at church or even in a restaurant. The main idea is that you have someone who will encourage you and help you develop good habits of abiding in Christ. There is no better way to go through 2011 than with a strong dependence upon Jesus Christ.

The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: "'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain." (Deuteronomy 1:6)

There are times in your relationship with Christ that you wish would never end. It might be a time of spiritual renewal that you wish could go on indefinitely. Perhaps it is seeing God at work in your life and his blessings are being poured out on you. Maybe it is simply a devotion time in which God speaks powerfully through his word and the Holy Spirit. Those are the times that renew, encourage and strengthen you for the journey.

If God allowed us to live on the “mountaintop,” we would not experience trials, but neither would we achieve any victories. How could the Israelites proclaim to the other nations that Yahweh was indeed God Almighty if they stayed at the mountain? How could they enter the promised land if they stayed at the mountain?

The Israelites gathered at the base of Mount Horeb while God spoke to them and gave them His law. This was a very powerful experience for God’s people. Fire and smoke covered that awesome mountain; lightning flashed, and loud trumpet sounds pierced the air in a deafening crescendo! The ground at the foot of the mountain shook, and the people trembled in fear (Exod. 19:16–25).

These encounters with God are important but God doesn’t intend for us to stay at the mountain of renewal. As important as it was for God’s people to have this inspiring encounter with Him, their Lord did not rescue them from Egypt in order for them to settle around a mountain in the wilderness. The Lord did not bring them out of Egypt for them to sing Christian praise songs around the campfire forever. God delivered them so that they could conquer the Promised Land. God wanted to demonstrate His power to the Israelites so that they would trust Him in their conquest of Canaan. Finally, God announced that they had been long enough at the mountain; it was time to take the promised land.

The mountain is an enticing place to set up camp. Peter, James, and John were prepared to reside on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. But their Lord knew that a demon-possessed boy needed their assistance down below (Matt. 17:4, 14–18). There are times when you need spiritual renewal and God delights in you spending time with Him. He will refresh you for the journey. These times come in many settings: during your time alone with Him, at a Christian conference, by reading a Christian book, or at a prayer meeting. You may wish you could spend the rest of your life basking in the glow of your encounter with God. But remember, these mountaintop encounters are God’s way of preparing you for the journey and challenges that await you.

There are people in your life that may need encouraging. Some may be struggling with a life issue and need some direction. Others may need to know that Christ really does love them and wants to give them a new life. But you cannot influence anyone if you stay at the mountain of renewal. God tells us that as we go through life we are to be attentive to those he puts in our path. God will renew you so you will be able to manage life and become his hands and feet to others who are bruised and broken. God has graciously placed you in their life at this strategic moment for you to share His love and mercy with them.

Take time each day to read God’s word and pray. Spend time in God’s presence. Then you will be ready for the assignments God will give you. You will be prepared to share God’s love with those who you interact with today. Many people today are struggling and need to know someone cares. You have been to the mountain of God for renewal. Now it’s time to go into the valley and live for God In doing so you will become the hands and feet of Christ to someone in need.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

We are living in troublesome times. The dear people of Haiti have experienced a crisis that is beyond description. Terrorism continues to take innocent lives around the world. Our nation faces many challenges. Perhaps you have faced hard times from a job loss, family crisis or some other stress.

It can seem overwhelming at times. Where do we find hope? In this one verse in I Peter we are reminded of a wonderful truth. When you give your life to Jesus Christ you become a child of God, a disciple but also a priest. As a member of the royal priesthood you have constant access to the King. When you see a need in someone’s life or in your own life, you don’t have to find an intermediary or enlist another priest in order to gain a hearing from the King. Your position as a royal priest allows you direct access.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 625-34 not to worry about all these things. Yes, you are going to be concerned. But Jesus says you don’t have to live your life in constant anxiety and fear. In Matthew 7 Jesus encourages us to “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

As a priest you have unlimited, 24/7 access to God. Jesus encourages you to come into his presence and pray for others and for your own needs. Every day you can enter the presence of God and talk with Him. He wants to listen to you and He wants to share his heart with you.

Always be aware of the danger of rushing through your day without spending time with God. Whatever your responsibilities may be, through Jesus Christ you are first a child of God and a priest before God. When you ignore the Lord in your life you do so to your own detriment.

Often in times of crisis people realize they are not self sufficient. Today, remember who you are in Christ Jesus. You are a child of the King. You are a disciple. You are a high priest before God. The Lord wants to carry your burdens and replace anxiety with peace and weakness with his strength.

Rest assured that as you come before God that you will be heard and God promises to work in your life. Don’t let the enemy rob you of spending time with God. In Christ you are a priest and you have access to the Lord who loves you unconditionally.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 16:25)

These are challenging times. Our economy is on shaky ground. All of the efforts of government to stimulate it may or may not work. People are losing jobs and concerned about their future. In the midst of all this chaos and uncertainty it is easy to become self absorbed.

It is easy, especially during times of crisis and high anxiety, to make quick decisions that seem right and seem logical but may in fact take you to a destination you don’t want to arrive at. Sometimes taking shortcuts to get a job by putting things on a resume that are not true or exaggerating your skills in an interview may seem like the way to get hired. But in reality it may be the quickest way to kill your opportunity.

Henry Blackaby writes: “Things are not always what they seem. Proverbs warns that we can be deceived into believing we are going down the right path and yet be heading toward death, the opposite direction from God’s will. People do not naturally seek God or pursue righteousness_(Rom. 3:10–18). Only as the Spirit awakens our hearts to the Person of Christ are we able to desire God’s will. If we make decisions apart from the guidance of the Spirit of God, we will be like a ship trying to sail without a compass. We will do what makes the most sense, based on our own wisdom. But what looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most profound human thinking is mere foolishness to God_(1 Cor. 1:18–20). Only God knows the way that leads to life, and He wants to lead us to walk in it (Matt. 7:13–14).

Don’t assume every opportunity that arises is from God. Satan will disguise himself as an “angel of light,” and his invitations will seem to be in your best interest (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet his way leads only to death (John 8:44). The word of God will be like a light to your path, guiding you in the ways of righteousness_(Ps. 119:105). It can be perilous to follow a path that seems right without first consulting the Holy Spirit for guidance_(John 16:13). Take time to seek the Holy Spirit’s direction when you face decisions. He knows the full ramifications of your choices. The Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Trust Him as He leads you.”

You will never be disappointed by following Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your actions. You can trust God to be at work for good in your life even when circumstances are difficult and challenging. I know because I have lived through the storm and God asked me to do some things that didn’t make sense. Yet I learned that by trusting God and doing things his way led to greater opportunity and God’s work in my life in ways that wouldn’t have occurred without following Him.

Is it easy to always do things in a way that honors God? Of course not. Jesus never promised us an easy life. He did promise to be with us. God will be at work in your life. Trust Him. Don’t give in to the temptation to take short cuts. Follow the direction of God’s Holy Spirit. You will experience God’s care and grace in ways you never imagined.

Perspective. It really can make a difference in your life. Our church had the privilege of being a host site for the “Town Hall For Hope” with Dave Ramsey simulcast. It was a great evening and Dave helped put into perspective the economic turmoil our nation is in right now. He offered hope to all those impacted by our current national economic crisis.

It is important for you to know that Dave is also a very committed Christian who believes that our ultimate security is not found in bank accounts, the stock market or bond funds. As we have also learned recently, those things do not provide 100% security.

In Matthew 6, Jesus cautions against focusing on these things. “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.” (Matthew 6:19 The Message) So what do we do, where do we really find hope during troubled times? All your stuff really can disappear overnight, like people’s retirement accounts which have lost as much as half their value. Jobs can be eliminated without warning.

A little latter in his teaching Jesus says “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matthew 6:33 The Message)

The Lord says keep your focus on Him. Don’t look around at the chaos and confusion. Spend time with Him each day. Read his word and reflect on it. Talk with Him throughout the day. You can rest in knowing that God holds you in his hand.

As you focus on the Lord Jesus you will find assurance that He is at work in your life. He will take care of your needs. My problem is sometimes confusing what I really need with what I want. I can cast all my anxiety and needs on the Lord with the confidence that Jesus Christ is going to be at work in me and in my life.

Certain hope comes from knowing that Christ is my security; not people, bank accounts, retirement funds, or anything else. Certain hope comes from knowing that in the midst of this turmoil that God is working for good in my life (Romans 8:28).

Keep your focus on Jesus Christ. Saturate your mind with God’s promises. You will find new hope for living each day. You will begin to see life from God’s perspective.

And perspective really does make a difference in your life.