Prayer Calendar Archive

by Lisa Hall, global prayer coordinator

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” - Ephesians 2:6

Roommates. As you read that word, you may be smiling or grimacing as you recall some of your past living situations. Some roommates become the best of friends, while others rarely speak and simply share the same space.

But dwelling with God is different. Our Father longs for a real, vulnerable, intimate relationship with us in which he can play a vital part in every area of our lives.

There are so many truths within the Christian life that are both mysterious and wonderful. One of those truths for me is that God’s Spirit dwells within us and that we dwell “in Christ” in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6). Isn’t that amazing! The God of the universe has invited us into this most intimate and holy relationship with him. Yet, in order for this reality to be ours, we must actually both believe this and live it out.

Because we are “in Christ,” having access to everything that Jesus’ blood purchased for us, we have all that we need to live a godly life (2 Pet. 1:3). When we embrace living “in Christ,” we are acting on the truth that God lives us in and we live in him. Jesus describes this life in John 15 as “abiding in him.”

As we abide in the Father, Son and Spirit, we can access God’s power to live a godly life and actually see his characteristics begin to develop in us. As we draw near to him, surrendering and purposefully choosing him and his ways, God’s power can mold, shape and mature us to be transformed into his image.

The abiding heart is one that is living in God, watching for him, listening to him and living in obedience to his ways. When we abide in God, everything in our lives is viewed through the perspective that we dwell in him and he dwells in us.

Friends, can we ask ourselves, “Are our hearts abiding in God?” and “What difference does it make in our everyday lives knowing that we dwell together with God?”

Recently someone shared with me that they begin each day by saying, “God is here.” It is a simple but profound declaration that God’s presence is always with us. I had to face two consequences of believing this truth.

First, if “God is here,” then God is present with me every time I sin. I suddenly saw how offensive my sin was to a holy God. God often talks about our relationship with him in terms of a marriage covenant, and he equates our idolatry as unfaithfulness to him. It broke my heart to realize that when I allow other people or things to take God’s rightful place as the first love of my life, I am in essence, committing adultery right in front of him. That is a sobering thought.

But understanding God’s presence with me has also bolstered my faith. I’ve learned to understand that the promises and truth that I read in Scripture are spoken to me from the heart of God, who is right by my side. God is not some faraway father. His presence and power are with us, calling out for us to engage with him. Once we realize that God is always present, does it change the way we think or act?

As we embrace truly abiding with the Father, being “in Christ” and being united with his Spirit, we can discover the abundant life that God offers those who dwell with him. Can we embrace this truth and ask God to develop in us hearts that truly abide with him?