Dear brothers and sisters,

I have been able to work early in the garden this morning, before the heat of the sun baked everything. I am delighted to get my hands in the dirt again. I seem to learn so much while planting, tugging on weeds and seeing the life of every seed planted. This always causes me to wonder at the glories of God. Before the sun gets too hot, I water everything real well and it sorta gives me closure for the hard work I put in. Then, I rest.

We will continue today to weed, feed and water our souls in the Word of God. Find your rest. I am so thankful for His Continual Presence and His Constant Love! How wonderful to call Him my Beloved and know that I am His. We will see the word abide several times in the passage today. Can you count them?

Begin with 1 John 2:24-27..."As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise which He Himself made to us; eternal life. these things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you, and as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."

I had to look it up, but here are words like abide. Obey, accept, tolerate, endure, dwell, stay, reside. Like when planting seed in the ground, you have to expect to feel the dirt under your nails. Then watch for a good harvest. I will accept that my hands will get dirt on them as I serve others, as unto the Lord. I will tolerate the unkindness of others and keep on being kind, just like Jesus. I will endure insults, ingratitude and injustice, and keep loving, just like the Father loves me. I will dwell in the shelter of His love. I will stay close and not head off in my own understanding. I will reside with Jesus and make Him a home in my heart. All of my expectations for the future are found in abiding close to the Father through reading His Word. We are anointed with this sacred appointment and we can know that He abides permanently in us. We have the discerning power of the Spirit of Jesus to know what is true and what is false. But, we must abide in Him (live in Him, never depart from Him). We are rooted in Him and knit to His own heart.

Are you sure of your position in the Lord? Verses 28-29 says, "And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him." Again, are you sure of your position in the Lord? Believe it!

Jesus absolutely conformed to the Father's will in purpose, thought, and action. We are being conformed to the divine will of the Father. What an awesome privelege! Do you want to see what abiding looks like? Read the gospels, the daily grind of walking with Jesus. He always put His Father's will first. Our first calling. Take time today and think about what you have heard from the beginning. Then position your heart before the Lord and trust Him to do a finished work of beauty and grace. Be the garden He plants, will you?

Until we meet again, God bless you and always let Jesus occupy the places of your heart. You are so very loved! In the name of Jesus, amen. You are in my prayers, love Patricia.

Abundance is...I am loved