Graphic by Kerry Messer   

This Week’s Topic at the LOFT: “Intimacy with Jesus” (What does that look like for you? How do you abide in the vine? . . . )

How do I abide? Only by the Grace of GOD! I have said it more than once: If I were GOD I would have killed me a long time ago. And yet I’m still here – can only be His GREAT GRACE and His EXTRAVAGANT LOVE! It took a long time for me to come to the place that I was willing to admit to Him and to myself that I was a hell-deserving sinner but when I did, HE set me free! Owning (only by His grace) my innate depravity passed to me from Adam and Eve enabled me in a moment of saving faith to receive JESUS’ righteousness – His gift to me and the greatest happening in all my life. This fact, this knowledge, this knowing HIM keeps bringing me back to obedience again and again; to that state of abiding in Him – Intimacy with Him.

Prayer, Scripture and obedience are my keys to sanity, peace, and joy. Prayer, Scripture and obedience to Scripture is the only way I know to ABIDE in JESUS. And when I am faithful to Prayer, Scripture and Obedience, His Presence is more real to me than breathing. Please don’t get me wrong, even in periods of slack, He is always with me. I am confident of that but when I am faithful to prayer and Scripture Obedience, we enjoy each other’s company a WHOLE LOT MORE.  It’s good. Very good to enjoy His Company in the little things and the big things! I must always, always be mindful that HE IS GOD but I am also blessed to know He is my BEST FRIEND; and I am learning to be His Friend. 🙂

James 2:23 And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend.  via James 2:23 AMP;CJB – And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled – Bible Gateway.

Day 308 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie