Abide International
GOALS AND PACE
Imagine you decide to walk an entire day with another person. They have agreed that you can accompany them as long as you truly want to do what they do and you understand that they have a busy agenda and a determined pace. You accept the conditions and off you go toward their goals and at their pace.
At first it is easy, but as the day progresses you find that you are being continuously invited to leave the person with whom you are walking and satisfy some other need the way you normally would. Eventually you discover that walking with another person who has a very specific agenda and pace in mind means you must continually submit to their goals and pace or walking with them just will not work.
This is how Jesus walked with His Father. When Jesus said he always did what pleased His father He was describing what it means to walk in the Spirit. God’s goals were His goals and God’s pace was His pace at all times.
We either walk in the Spirit or we walk in the flesh. We either conform to God’s goals and pace in Christ through the Spirit or we conform to the old goals and pace of our flesh.
Over time it has become abundantly clear to me when I am in the Spirit and when I am in the flesh. The fruit just does not lie. The goals and the pace of Spirit are clear. The goals and pace of flesh are clear.
As the day moves along and the temptation comes back to fulfill your own desires first, just whisper the words “Jesus, I am entirely yours” and walk where the Spirit is leading at Jesus' perfect pace for you.
Today we can make the goal and the pace of Jesus our goal and our pace. When we do this the fruit is true Spiritual Life. To be spiritual is to let the Spirit set your goal and your pace to those of Jesus moment by moment. What wonderful goals and what a wonderful pace await all those who walk in the Spirit.
At first it is easy, but as the day progresses you find that you are being continuously invited to leave the person with whom you are walking and satisfy some other need the way you normally would. Eventually you discover that walking with another person who has a very specific agenda and pace in mind means you must continually submit to their goals and pace or walking with them just will not work.
This is how Jesus walked with His Father. When Jesus said he always did what pleased His father He was describing what it means to walk in the Spirit. God’s goals were His goals and God’s pace was His pace at all times.
We either walk in the Spirit or we walk in the flesh. We either conform to God’s goals and pace in Christ through the Spirit or we conform to the old goals and pace of our flesh.
Over time it has become abundantly clear to me when I am in the Spirit and when I am in the flesh. The fruit just does not lie. The goals and the pace of Spirit are clear. The goals and pace of flesh are clear.
As the day moves along and the temptation comes back to fulfill your own desires first, just whisper the words “Jesus, I am entirely yours” and walk where the Spirit is leading at Jesus' perfect pace for you.
Today we can make the goal and the pace of Jesus our goal and our pace. When we do this the fruit is true Spiritual Life. To be spiritual is to let the Spirit set your goal and your pace to those of Jesus moment by moment. What wonderful goals and what a wonderful pace await all those who walk in the Spirit.
Bud McCord . Abide International
A HUGE MISTAKE
I have made some big mistakes in my life and I have had time to correct many of them. I am so glad God is patient with us all as we live and learn.
One of the biggest mistakes I made as a Christian leader was to fail to point people to a fact about Jesus. That fact is: Jesus still personally teaches his disciples by the Holy Spirit.
In fact, Jesus never stopped teaching his disciples. The truth Jesus is and the truth Jesus continues to teach needs to come to us directly by the Holy Spirit and not by teachers who put themselves between us and Jesus. It is always a huge mistake to get between Jesus and one of His disciples.
It took me a long time to hear the words of Jesus and of his disciple John and let them correct my mistake.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”. John 8:31-32
“Therefore, 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 that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” I John 2:24-27
One of the biggest mistakes I made as a Christian leader was to fail to point people to a fact about Jesus. That fact is: Jesus still personally teaches his disciples by the Holy Spirit.
In fact, Jesus never stopped teaching his disciples. The truth Jesus is and the truth Jesus continues to teach needs to come to us directly by the Holy Spirit and not by teachers who put themselves between us and Jesus. It is always a huge mistake to get between Jesus and one of His disciples.
It took me a long time to hear the words of Jesus and of his disciple John and let them correct my mistake.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”. John 8:31-32
“Therefore, 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 that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” I John 2:24-27
Bud McCord . Abide International
JESUS, RISK AND LOVE
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." - Matthew 4:1
Everything Jesus said and did while living among us involved risk. Jesus did not get a pass on the risk of being human and loving in this world. Jesus as a human being had to make real choices that involved enormous risk to himself and to the human race. Jesus' temptations while loving us were real and risky. To love in a fallen world is to take a risk.
I loved watching all of my children compete in sports. Not all of them loved to compete but I loved to watch them in action. I remember telling them, "If you are going to make a mistake while playing in a game, risk making a big mistake because you were trying so hard to get it right.
Everything Jesus did was done while running the risk of having His love proven wrong or weak. He took this risk on purpose and He took it as a human being not as a Divine being who didn't have to face the temptations we face when we love.
Jesus entered the battle for the future of humanity as a man in whom the Father was living. He risked making earth shattering mistakes and I believe the risk was as real for Him as it is for us. Jesus did not get a pass on taking love's risks. Jesus had to get every detail of love right so He could truthfully say,
"He who seen Me has seen the Father."
Take the risk to love. The Father’s love will be seen in this world through you.
I loved watching all of my children compete in sports. Not all of them loved to compete but I loved to watch them in action. I remember telling them, "If you are going to make a mistake while playing in a game, risk making a big mistake because you were trying so hard to get it right.
Everything Jesus did was done while running the risk of having His love proven wrong or weak. He took this risk on purpose and He took it as a human being not as a Divine being who didn't have to face the temptations we face when we love.
Jesus entered the battle for the future of humanity as a man in whom the Father was living. He risked making earth shattering mistakes and I believe the risk was as real for Him as it is for us. Jesus did not get a pass on taking love's risks. Jesus had to get every detail of love right so He could truthfully say,
"He who seen Me has seen the Father."
Take the risk to love. The Father’s love will be seen in this world through you.
Bud McCord . Abide International
Questions About Me in the Light of Jesus
'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
'For to me, to live is Christ...' Philippians 1:21 'I am crucified with Christ; It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' Galatians 2:20 '...For Christ is all and in all.' Colossians 3:11 |
Do I live by my own faith or by union with Jesus' faith?
Do I live by my own hope or by union with Jesus' hope? Do I live by my own love or by union with Jesus' love? Do I live by His sacrifice or mine? Do I live by His resurrection or mine? Do I live by His life or mine? Do I pray in His name or mine? Do I preach in His name or mine? Do I lead others in my name or His? Do I draw others to me or to Him? Do I abide in my love or His? Do I love others with my love or His? Do I bear my fruit or His? Do I forgive with my forgiveness or His? Do I do my own works or His? Do I have all of the Christian life or do I add my part to complete it? Do I see my brothers and sisters in Christ as having all the Christian life in them or not? Bud McCord . Abide International |
RIVER OF LIFE
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
When a disciple believes in Jesus a river of life begins to flow from that believer’s inner life. Though the disciple enjoys and lives from this inner fountain of life, this living water is not only for the disciple. The river’s life is meant for others Jesus moves us toward in the world. |
Observe the life and behavior of a river. As soon as it is born from its original source it begins its movement through whatever terrain awaits it. It’s only choice is to move no matter what awaits it or how it is treated along the way.
The river moves because its source moves. The river of life exists to expand and make known the influence of its source. As long as its source moves, so must the river move.
Several rivers cut across the Metropolis called São Paulo (St. Paul) near where we live. Over 18 million people call the metropolitan area of São Paulo home. All the rivers that are forced by their sources into the city of São Paulo pay a heavy price. One of those rivers, the Tietê river, suffers the most.
For the most part this river that comes from pure mountain springs has a near death experience as it gives its living waters away freely to those who pollute it and mistreat it as it simply tries to move from its source.
When one sees the Tietê or smells it for that matter, it is a mistake to think the river Tietê is dead. As long as it is still moved by its source, it is alive. The proof of this permanent life is seen 60 miles beyond the Metropolis of São Paulo when one visits the banks of the Tietê. Once it has left its pollution and pain of São Paulo behind, its sparkling life reappears. The once filthy river is clean again and freely delivers its life giving waters again. It moves on as if it has lost nothing by giving so much.
So it is with a disciple in whom the fountain of Jesus’ life emerges as the disciple believes. Jesus, the fountain of life, will send us out into the world to give our life away and He tells us we will survive whatever is thrown at us in the process. As we flow we give away freely what He has given us. We know that how we are treated here is not the end of the story. What moved us in the beginning will take us all the way home to the purity of the Father again.
As disciples we should see ourselves as a river of life which is birthed in us by true faith in Jesus. We never stop to fight for our own rights as we flow. We flow from Jesus’ love to move forward and give life away as it is given to us in Jesus.
Bud McCord . Abide International
The river moves because its source moves. The river of life exists to expand and make known the influence of its source. As long as its source moves, so must the river move.
Several rivers cut across the Metropolis called São Paulo (St. Paul) near where we live. Over 18 million people call the metropolitan area of São Paulo home. All the rivers that are forced by their sources into the city of São Paulo pay a heavy price. One of those rivers, the Tietê river, suffers the most.
For the most part this river that comes from pure mountain springs has a near death experience as it gives its living waters away freely to those who pollute it and mistreat it as it simply tries to move from its source.
When one sees the Tietê or smells it for that matter, it is a mistake to think the river Tietê is dead. As long as it is still moved by its source, it is alive. The proof of this permanent life is seen 60 miles beyond the Metropolis of São Paulo when one visits the banks of the Tietê. Once it has left its pollution and pain of São Paulo behind, its sparkling life reappears. The once filthy river is clean again and freely delivers its life giving waters again. It moves on as if it has lost nothing by giving so much.
So it is with a disciple in whom the fountain of Jesus’ life emerges as the disciple believes. Jesus, the fountain of life, will send us out into the world to give our life away and He tells us we will survive whatever is thrown at us in the process. As we flow we give away freely what He has given us. We know that how we are treated here is not the end of the story. What moved us in the beginning will take us all the way home to the purity of the Father again.
As disciples we should see ourselves as a river of life which is birthed in us by true faith in Jesus. We never stop to fight for our own rights as we flow. We flow from Jesus’ love to move forward and give life away as it is given to us in Jesus.
Bud McCord . Abide International
KNOWING
Imagine a small woman named Maria who has lived her entire life in a remote village along the Amazon river. All she knows about life is that the river is the key source of everything she needs to live. She is illiterate but she knows how to read the river and live from the river. Maria knows the river. Maria loves the river.
This woman accepts Jesus. He becomes life to her inner world just as the river is life to her outer world. She is deeply in love with Jesus. She knows Jesus.
Far away in the great city of São Paulo is a world famous professor who has studied the rivers of the world and their impact on ecosystems. He is considered the most knowledgeable person in the world when it comes to river systems. Of all the rivers he most admires and studies the Amazon river. He, too, is a believer in Jesus.
One day this professor comes to the tiny village where Maria has lived her entire life.
As the professor speaks with Maria he begins to realize that to her the river is life. To him the river has been a fascinating subject and a challenge to dominate. He has known the river but he has never lived the river.
Who really knows the river best, Maria or the professor? The person who depends upon something to live truly knows. Maria knows the river. The professor knows about the river.
Even so, Maria hangs on every word the professor says. She has always wanted to find out all the facts about the river. Where does it begin? Where does it end? Why does it rise and fall always in the same months. Why has it never stopped? Who started it?
Maria already loves and lives the river. In reality the professor should hang on her every word. She knows what he does not yet know. If he could humble himself and let Maria teach him about the river, he would begin to live the river, too.
So it is with the poor of the world who know Jesus. Those of us who have made Christianity a fascinating subject and a challenge to dominate would do well to listen to the Marias of the world. Those of us who have only studied Jesus would do well to grow quiet in the presence of those who live Jesus.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
This woman accepts Jesus. He becomes life to her inner world just as the river is life to her outer world. She is deeply in love with Jesus. She knows Jesus.
Far away in the great city of São Paulo is a world famous professor who has studied the rivers of the world and their impact on ecosystems. He is considered the most knowledgeable person in the world when it comes to river systems. Of all the rivers he most admires and studies the Amazon river. He, too, is a believer in Jesus.
One day this professor comes to the tiny village where Maria has lived her entire life.
As the professor speaks with Maria he begins to realize that to her the river is life. To him the river has been a fascinating subject and a challenge to dominate. He has known the river but he has never lived the river.
Who really knows the river best, Maria or the professor? The person who depends upon something to live truly knows. Maria knows the river. The professor knows about the river.
Even so, Maria hangs on every word the professor says. She has always wanted to find out all the facts about the river. Where does it begin? Where does it end? Why does it rise and fall always in the same months. Why has it never stopped? Who started it?
Maria already loves and lives the river. In reality the professor should hang on her every word. She knows what he does not yet know. If he could humble himself and let Maria teach him about the river, he would begin to live the river, too.
So it is with the poor of the world who know Jesus. Those of us who have made Christianity a fascinating subject and a challenge to dominate would do well to listen to the Marias of the world. Those of us who have only studied Jesus would do well to grow quiet in the presence of those who live Jesus.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
Bud McCord
Abide International
Abide International
Intercession
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"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 The Message
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It has become common to hear people criticize people who respond to tragedies like hurricanes or fires with the promise "I am praying for you!" The critics accuse the person of doing nothing if all they do is pray.
I suppose we should be patient with people who obviously do not value prayer as having anything to do with reality. We may even learn from them that prayer is best in private with God and should not simply be a post on facebook for others to see. Jesus warned us about public prayers!
Even so, I know how important intercession has become for me. Whether someone is interceding for me or I am interceding for them I have literally felt deeply the impact of their prayers.
I have been touched by the intercession of others across great distances and I have touched others across great distances by intercession. Intercession truly works for the good of all involved.
So, I believe in intercession.
When we intercede we are most likely to sense what is the most important things that are at stake in another's crisis. As we intercede we see God's point of view and we see the hurting person as God sees them. In the process we also understand what we can do in a practical way in order to help. People who truly intercede are happy to act once they see clearly how to act.
When I intercede I am involving myself personally in another's spiritual life. As I become involved through intercession, I feel a growing responsibility to act on their behalf in practical ways as well.
Living here in Brazil we are so far away from all of our family members in the USA. I have found that intercession closes the distance and informs me what my next step of love should be toward each family member.
On many occasions over the years I have felt a lift in my spirit coming from somewhere other than my own mind, emotions and will. After feeling this lift in courage, faith, joy or hope, I have often received this question from someone who loves us and prays for us: "On such and such date and at a certain time did you go through a really difficult experience? I felt an urge to intercede for you that day and at that time."
When I check the date and the time and it matches the date and time my spirit lifted I have been reduced to tears seeing that at that moment I was facing something I felt I could not face alone.
If you intercede for people you love, do not stop. There are things going on in all of our lives we should not face alone.
It would also be good to intercede for the critics. They, too, need a lift in spirit that comes from someone who intercedes for them.
I suppose we should be patient with people who obviously do not value prayer as having anything to do with reality. We may even learn from them that prayer is best in private with God and should not simply be a post on facebook for others to see. Jesus warned us about public prayers!
Even so, I know how important intercession has become for me. Whether someone is interceding for me or I am interceding for them I have literally felt deeply the impact of their prayers.
I have been touched by the intercession of others across great distances and I have touched others across great distances by intercession. Intercession truly works for the good of all involved.
So, I believe in intercession.
When we intercede we are most likely to sense what is the most important things that are at stake in another's crisis. As we intercede we see God's point of view and we see the hurting person as God sees them. In the process we also understand what we can do in a practical way in order to help. People who truly intercede are happy to act once they see clearly how to act.
When I intercede I am involving myself personally in another's spiritual life. As I become involved through intercession, I feel a growing responsibility to act on their behalf in practical ways as well.
Living here in Brazil we are so far away from all of our family members in the USA. I have found that intercession closes the distance and informs me what my next step of love should be toward each family member.
On many occasions over the years I have felt a lift in my spirit coming from somewhere other than my own mind, emotions and will. After feeling this lift in courage, faith, joy or hope, I have often received this question from someone who loves us and prays for us: "On such and such date and at a certain time did you go through a really difficult experience? I felt an urge to intercede for you that day and at that time."
When I check the date and the time and it matches the date and time my spirit lifted I have been reduced to tears seeing that at that moment I was facing something I felt I could not face alone.
If you intercede for people you love, do not stop. There are things going on in all of our lives we should not face alone.
It would also be good to intercede for the critics. They, too, need a lift in spirit that comes from someone who intercedes for them.
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Bud McCord
Abide International |
Paying Twice or Paying Forward
It is very frustrating to discover we have paid twice for the same service. What frustrates even more is to have someone argue with us that the double charge is somehow justified.
We have all learned to live with hidden costs, extra charges, double taxation and special fees. We simply cannot seem to keep up with all the ways mankind invents to siphon off more from us all. We know paying twice happens, but we don’t have time to argue with it.
Christianity is meant to be different.
We have all learned to live with hidden costs, extra charges, double taxation and special fees. We simply cannot seem to keep up with all the ways mankind invents to siphon off more from us all. We know paying twice happens, but we don’t have time to argue with it.
Christianity is meant to be different.
Christianity is meant to be freely offered since Jesus has made Himself the full payment for everyone and everything Christian. Even so, history is filled with second payment plans invented by Christian religious leaders and organizations. In some nations Christianity has even been funded by government taxes. Imagine that!
Wouldn’t it be great if the one place we could count on free service is in Christianity? As hard as that is to imagine the entire Christian experience was designed by Jesus to be given away freely by those who receive it freely.
Wouldn’t it be great if the one place we could count on free service is in Christianity? As hard as that is to imagine the entire Christian experience was designed by Jesus to be given away freely by those who receive it freely.
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“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
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Can you imagine how much we could charge for these specialized services? Check out the size of the homes of faith healers and you will get an idea. Jesus’ freely giving plan does not mean that no one pays a price for this system to work. Jesus knew that His followers would freely and voluntarily pay the price of free love in His name so others could freely receive.
Christian organizations should raise funds by focusing believers on Jesus’ generosity and abundance. There is no other plan that is truly Christian.
In a church community that is abiding in Christ, those who know they are freely receiving all from Jesus will freely give so others can freely receive as well. Funding for love is only a problem when a Christian community doubts Jesus’ past and present generosity.
When we freely give as disciples we are paying forward out of Jesus’ generosity. We are not paying twice. We are not the source of what we give; Jesus is.
Christian organizations should raise funds by focusing believers on Jesus’ generosity and abundance. There is no other plan that is truly Christian.
In a church community that is abiding in Christ, those who know they are freely receiving all from Jesus will freely give so others can freely receive as well. Funding for love is only a problem when a Christian community doubts Jesus’ past and present generosity.
When we freely give as disciples we are paying forward out of Jesus’ generosity. We are not paying twice. We are not the source of what we give; Jesus is.
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Start giving forward from this fact. “Christ is all and is in all.” Col.3:11
Stay away from those who argue one must pay twice for Christianity. |
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Bud McCord
Abide International |
Nothing and Something
"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it". I Timothy 6:7
We come here with nothing. We leave here with nothing.
Very sobering. Even so, between these two nothings there is something. There is something we do here and leave here between these two inescapable nothings. We all leave proof that we were here and the impact of that proof does not lie.
Someone has called the something we leave behind the "dash between the dates."
For centuries grave stones carried one's date of birth and one's date of death. The date we came with nothing and the date we left with nothing. Between the two dates there was a small mark called a "dash". A dash said we were here. We each fill in our own dash and that is what we leave behind as our proof of life.
Jesus, as a human being, came with nothing and left with nothing. But what He left behind is a dash of uninterrupted, perfect love. His something was perfect love which lives in all who believe in Him and live His presence in this world. In us His something remains in the world. We are still living His perfect "dash".
We all come and leave with nothing, but the something we found here in His perfect love allows us to leave more of His love in this world . The perfect love He left for us we, too, can leave when we leave.
May the something you leave here be more of the perfect love of Jesus.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:16-17
Very sobering. Even so, between these two nothings there is something. There is something we do here and leave here between these two inescapable nothings. We all leave proof that we were here and the impact of that proof does not lie.
Someone has called the something we leave behind the "dash between the dates."
For centuries grave stones carried one's date of birth and one's date of death. The date we came with nothing and the date we left with nothing. Between the two dates there was a small mark called a "dash". A dash said we were here. We each fill in our own dash and that is what we leave behind as our proof of life.
Jesus, as a human being, came with nothing and left with nothing. But what He left behind is a dash of uninterrupted, perfect love. His something was perfect love which lives in all who believe in Him and live His presence in this world. In us His something remains in the world. We are still living His perfect "dash".
We all come and leave with nothing, but the something we found here in His perfect love allows us to leave more of His love in this world . The perfect love He left for us we, too, can leave when we leave.
May the something you leave here be more of the perfect love of Jesus.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:16-17
Bud McCord
Abide International
Abide International
Getting Close to Jesus
Who can get close to Jesus?
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Would you risk answering this question?
I have learned over the years that it is always best to let Jesus answer the questions in His own words. So, let's listen to His answer in Matthew 11:25-30 1. The little children can come close. At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." Let's consider the "little children" as those who could easily say to Jesus: "I am not, but You are!” 2. Those who do not know Him on their own can come close. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Let's consider "those who do not know Him" as those who could easily say to Jesus: "I do not know, but You know!” 3. Those who are weary and burdened can come close. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Let's consider those who are "weary and burdened" as those who could easily say to Jesus: "I cannot, but You can!” According to Jesus, little children, people who don't have all the answers and the weary and burdened can come close to Him. Jesus decides who gets close to Him. Thank God He made it clear in His life and at Calvary that He wants us all to come close just as we are. We come small, without all the answers and tired of the way things are and He receives us. Bud McCord Abide International Read and ponder Matthew 11:25-30 and realize the significance of the above. |
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Forgiveness
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Forgiveness in the kingdom of God is not optional. Forgiveness is to relationships what oxygen is to life. Forgiveness opens up space in us for relationships to continue just as surely as exhaling already used air creates new space for fresh, life giving air in our lungs.
To withhold forgiveness is like holding one's breath hoping our offender will faint. Offenders will be more impressed by our freedom to breathe out forgiveness than by our ability to hold our breath in anger. Jesus told his disciples to forgive 70 times 7. In others words, He instructs us to breathe. Holding our offenses within is not a strategy for survival. As Jesus was dying on the cross He breathed out forgiveness for us all. [Luke 23:42-43] He breathed forgiveness then and he breathes forgiveness now. Breathe your hurts out in the presence of God and be filled with fresh mercy from the One who has forgiven you so many times. The giving of forgiveness creates space for God's mercy to flood into us. Breathe! |
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Bud McCord
Abide International
Abide International
The Only Way—From There to Here
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
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In the world there are hundreds of religions led by well intentioned people. Even so, good intentions cannot save us because they start from here trying get there. Good intentions fuel man’s attempts to reach God from here and this will never take us there. Salvation can only come when God’s intentions reach mankind from there to here. The Way is from God to man and not from man to God. The way starts in God and not in man. The Way to there came here in Jesus. Christianity is not man seeking God but God seeking man in Jesus. Human pride does not like this there to here arrangement. Man wants to create his own way, truth and life from here to there but this will never take us there. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the Way from there to here and back to God. Religion is always from here to there. Forget here to there. There came here! Jesus is the Way! Say this: “The Way found me here and I am on the Way to there!” |
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Bud McCord
Abide International
Abide International
~ ~ ~ Hope ~ ~ ~
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Hope is essential to life and to love. A person without hope is suffering from a debilitating and deadly disease. Hopelessness is a silent killer that makes death look more attractive than life. The restoration of hope in humanity figures prominently in the mission of Jesus. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. Among the Devil's works hopelessness stands out as a universal and deadly malady. Jesus came to be for us and in us the cure of our hopelessness. The Apostle Paul describes in I Corinthians 13 three critical areas of Christian life and experience which are faith, hope and love. The greatest is love and the beginning is faith. Hope is the essential bridge between faith and the delivery of love. Hope is essential. Hope is fragile. Hope is precious. Hope is powerful. Hope is beautiful. We cannot live or love without hope at the center. For this reason these beautiful words ring so true. "Christ in you the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27 The mystery of hope is solved. It is Christ in us. May hope in Christ be our greatest treasure. Cultivate hope in Christ so love can arrive in our world. Bud McCord Abide International |
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EQUALITY |
My friend Bud McCord leads the Abide International ministry in Brazil and writes these devotionals we share.
“The desire for equality is a noble goal. Perhaps it is the most noble of human dreams. The search for it, however, has led to millions of deaths and great sacrifice. No matter how many deaths and how great the sacrifices, the dream of equality still seems far away. Whether the path chosen to equality is the non-violent approach of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr or the radical violence of Lenin and Mao, time reveals just how hard equality is to produce or sustain. In all of human history has anyone shown us the way to equality? In all of human history only Jesus had the courage to call Himself the way to human equality. He was neither an activist nor an armed revolutionary. He was something altogether new. He claimed to be equal with God and and He invited humanity to be one with Him and the Father as the basis of equality. He said all who accept Him are instantly brought into the equality mankind longs to find. Jesus said being in Him would make us equals.” Rachael Saint and now Saint Teresa of Calcutta both understood this about equality and reflected Jesus in their compassion and caring for those who need to know this Jesus, the Son of God. You can read more about these these two Saints in the September 2016 David's BLOG. |
The Words of Jesus The words of Jesus must be heard as the definitive words in the life of a disciple. His words must not be heard as optional suggestions or insights for life improvement.
His words are the final words on human life and experience. They must be hears as the words that end all debate, quiet the soul and bring true joy. The words of Jesus are the words that fulfill the intent of the entire Old Testament. Jesus’ words combined with His perfect life fulfilled everything God intended for mankind to know and receive. We may comment on His words so we help others value them and embrace them, but we must never alter His words for ourselves or for anyone else. Every word that came from the mouth of Jesus defined forever the destiny of mankind. He wasted no words and said only what the Father wanted Him to say. Hear Him. Fall in love with words of Jesus. RELATED VERSES: "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me." John 17:6-8 Bud McCord |
Abide International is an organization dedicated to helping Christ-followers worldwide understand and experience true satisfaction in Jesus as a moment by moment reality.
At Abide International, it is our desire to see believers worldwide, abiding in Jesus the true Vine...so they can bear fruit to the glory of God. We want to see believers constantly enjoying Jesus as the true source of satisfaction and becoming completely satisfied in Him. We want to see believers glorifying God by enjoying Him every day. |
REACHING PEOPLE FAR FROM GOD
2010-2024
2010-2024