walking in sync with jesus

My dear friend, Maggie, wrote this five day study to be used following the retreat and she has allowed me to share it with you.  We hope you enjoy it and that it brings you closer to God. 

This image of a tattered Bible reminds me of the condition of Maggie’s Bible, which has been studied and loved and devoured - literally.  If only I leaned on mine as much. 

If you love seeing this sort of material on our site, please leave us a comment.  Hopefully, we can talk Maggie into making a regular appearance. 

I am sharing verses from The Message translation in this study but, feel free to read from which ever translation you are most comfortable.  It might be useful to have a notebook handy to jot your thoughts and answer some questions listed below.

Day One:  Walking INSYNC with Jesus

Pray:  Jesus, I ask that you will show me something personal in my study today.  I want to hear you speak directly to me about my life and what you have for me.  I believe that you speak to those who believe in you and have a relationship with you.  So, today I open my heart, ears and eyes to your will.  Speak to me, Lord!

Read:  John 15:7-13 (The Message):
5-8“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

11-15"I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

Jesus is asking us to “take up residency” with Him and God.  He is asking us to become His friend…HIS FRIEND!  Amazing!  The God of the universe…the Creator wants to be our friend.  Stop and really think about that.  How disarming.  How wonderful!

Study:  Jesus wants us to “abide in Him and His word to abide in us.” 

What does it mean to abide?

abide; - verb
1.  to remain; continue; stay (to “remain, continue, stay in Him and in the Word)
2.  to have one’s abode; dwell; reside (to dwell and reside in Him and in His word)
3.  to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last (to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship with Him and the Word…to last)

Apply:  How do I abide with Jesus today?

How do we become someone’s friend?
- spend time with Him
- choose to open ourselves up to Him
- listen…really listen to Him
- do what He says to do

What does abiding with Jesus look like in your life?  Where is He already abiding?  How can you allow Him more space to abide in your life?

Jesus tells us “to keep His commandments means to do the things he commands or tells us to do.”  As we grow in doing what He asks of us, we get to be “intimately at home with His love.”  So, here is what Jesus is offering us:  The greatest friendship and security we could ever receive, simply by abiding in Him.  From that place of intimacy, He will share with us how to live.  By living the way He asks, we receive the same love that He shares with God the Father.  Amazing love! 

So…today, to abide in Him, we simply need to invite Him into our day…into our heart…TODAY.  Next, yield our ways to Him and ask for help and direction.  Then, we get to spend all day in His love.

Please take the time to jot your thoughts down in your notebook/journal and close your study in prayer.