Do you feel settled? Are you settled? When we remain in God, we will feel settled. What does remain mean? In the Greek text, the word remain is meno. It means “to stay, to continue with, to abide.” Now, look at the Latin word for maneo. It is the root word for the English words mansion and home. So why is this important to know? Well, when Jesus asked us to remain in Him, He was inviting us to settle our souls into His life-giving presence as a permanent resident. This is where we get to live forever.
Read Psalm 107: 35-38. This is about some restless, wandering, and troubled people. What are the changes mentioned in these verses? In what areas of your life do you need God’s help to get settled into the sheltering goodness of His presence and favor? Does anyone in your life come to mind when you think of the words “restless, troubled, or unsettled”? Take a moment and pray for them.
How does one remain in Jesus when tested and strained to stay connected to Him in real life? Jesus is a wonderful example to us in this area. Jesus remained to tend the connection to His Father constantly. Jesus constantly spoke about His Father and to His father. Read the following verses that show and describe the ways Jesus showed a persistent connection with His Father. Matthew 26: 39; Luke 5: 16; 10:21; 22:19; 23:46; John 5:17-19; 8:49, and 10:15.
Jesus withdrew into a solitary place to meet with God. He was always abiding in God. This is how it must be with Jesus and us. Remaining in Jesus means arranging our life so that there is never a day when we give ourselves a chance to forget Him. It is not a check off a list of rules or daily practices.
Six practices that help us to live a persistent in a Jesus is:
- We think about Jesus.
- We talk to Jesus
- We talk about Jesus
- We love Jesus and let Him love us.
- We trust Jesus and believe what He tells us.
- We engage meaningfully with others who love Jesus.
Read Matthew 28:20 and Hebrew 13:5. What promise is contained in these words from God’s heart to yours? Write a response to God over these words.
One of Jesus’ titles is Immanuel, meaning God with us. He came to earth to be with us. He has no plans of leaving us or abandoning us. He is right smack in the middle of our lives. He remains strong. Settle your soul into the One who never goes.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being with us and not abandoning us. I pray that we will choose to abide in you and stay connected to you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
