ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Continuous Communion

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; 

abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

The Father was in constant communication with Jesus. He showed His beloved Son all the things that He, the Father, was doing in heaven, so that Jesus could manifest those things in the earth.

Remember that Jesus had to learn how to live as a human being. He grew in wisdom, and He learned obedience through the things that He suffered. The earth life was completely different from what He knew in heaven.

As such, Jesus dared not start His day without first seeking the Father’s will concerning it. He would not go out on a mission unless it was directed by the Father. He would only heal those whom the Father directed Him to, and He would only speak the words that the Father gave Him to speak. He didn’t do things just because He felt like it, or because He was moved by His emotions. Since He was in constant communion with the Father, Jesus manifested the Father’s will perfectly.

• Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” John 5: 19,20
• But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”  John 5:17
• I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30
• Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34

THE SON LOVES YOU

Jesus is in constant communication with you. He sent His Holy Spirit to show you what the Father is doing in heaven, so that you could manifest those things in the earth. That is why He taught us to pray that God’s Kingdom would come, and that His will would be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Without the Father Jesus could do nothing; without Jesus you can do nothing.

• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

David knew the importance of God’s word. In Psalm 138:2 he declared, “You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” ‘Word’ here is translated as ‘utterance, speech, saying, promise or command’.

It stands to reason, then, that when satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted the Word of God.

It is imperative that you know what God says to you personally through the Scriptures, so that with every temptation you face you will give an appropriate response from the Word of God.

• But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh. When you abide in Him, and He in you, then He, the Living Word, gives you all that you need. Jesus Himself is your daily Bread.

• And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35
• Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

It is also imperative that you know how to discern the voice of God as He speaks directly to you, Spirit to spirit. He also speaks through you, spirit to Spirit.

• But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
• Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Jesus never had a bad day and He never experienced failure. I believe it is because He remained in constant communication with the Father who was His closest Friend. The Lord, in His love, desires that you have that same kind of success each day. He sees the big picture and He also knows the intimate details, so He has a specific plan and strategy for you to follow every day. 

Learn to discern when He is prompting you to come to Him. It is different for each person. Don’t get stuck in repetitious prayer! You wouldn’t want someone saying the same thing over and over to you would you? Why, then, should Jesus accept it from you? He wants intimate relationship, not routine.
 
Observe how young children communicate. They are constantly asking questions, talking about what they observe and how they feel. Jesus wants you to come to Him with that same kind of innocence and openness. 

Too many believers commune with the Lord when they awake in the morning, but leave Him out of the rest of their day. Best friends are in constant communication, and Jesus wants to be your best friend. I believe that He also wants you to be His best friend. We’ll discuss this further in an upcoming article.

At the beginning of your day ask Him what He would have you think, say and do. I even make it a habit of asking the Lord what He wants us to wear when I’m preparing to go out. I am aware that He is in me, and I am in Him, and that everything should be a reflection of who He is, including my apparel.

During the day be sure to keep tuned in to the Spirit’s frequency so that you can discern what He is saying to you moment by moment. He will guide you into all truth, and will show you what you need to know. Talk to Him, even about seemingly unimportant things. Practice communing with Him while you are going through your day. Tell Him what you are thinking about. Tell Him when you are anxious or angry or excited. Learn to thank Him promptly. Ask for His help when you’re uncertain. (When I’m doing a sudoku puzzle and can’t find the answer, guess Who I ask!) He is interested in every aspect of your life. You aren’t required to assume a religious posture and close your eyes. You can be in a crowd and still commune with the Lord intimately. I enjoy having silent, secret conversations with the Lord when others are around. That’s what best friends do!

Before you go to bed commune with the Lord again. Thank Him for being with you, and be specific about the things that He did for you on that day. Evaluate your day with Him. Practice open, honest sharing with Him……….after all, He already knows! Talk with Him about the successes you had, the challenges you faced, and the changes that still need to be realized. He loves this kind of interaction and it will build greater intimacy between you.

Practice continuous communion with the Lord and you will abide in His love!