Abide is not a commonly used word these days. However, if you spend much time at all reading the New Testament, you are likely to come across it. Due to it's prominence, it is obviously something we should consider and understand.

Being a Christian does not mean you are abiding. Becoming a Christian grafts us to the vine but it takes effort to abide there. An effort that is much more than attending church on Sunday and checking off our daily list of "Christian To-Dos." Abiding insinuates a permanent state.

"If God really knew me, there’s no way He could love me." This is likely a train of thought we have found ourselves in a time or two. Thankfully, our standing is not based on our own merit , because our righteousness is as filthy rags. Our standing is based on His merit and we have been counted as righteous and seated in heavenly places.

We are known by our fruits. A Christian that is not bearing fruit should examine themselves and determine the cause. Perhaps the soil has not been properly prepared. Perhaps thorns have made there way in and choking out the good fruit. Perhaps we are not abiding in the vine.

Whatever the reason, we need to address it because God is looking for and desires fruit from our lives. We should have this same desire because, we are known by our fruits and a “tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

It's easy to say "I believe in Jesus," but our we living a life that backs this statement up or a life that is contrary.

God is looking for faithfulness. When things are going good, faithfulness is easy. It's when life happens, when things get a little more real, faithfulness is tested and proven.

Will you stand before Him and hear "Well done good and faithful servant" or "depart from me you who practice lawlessness." It's a sobering consideration, but one that is definitely better to consider now rather than later.

The joy at the time of salvation is undeniable. Unfortunately, that new found joy, a joy that feels like it could never go away seems to dwindle as we face a few trials and are knocked down a couple of times. The good news is that our joy can be maintained and/or rekindled. When we switch the source of our joy from what He has done for us to what He has in store for us, no longer will our joy level be determined by our circumstances.

To say that love is the motivating factor behind everything God has done, is doing, and will do for us is not saying anything we haven’t heard before. However, when we reflect on the things He has done for us out of love, we have a desire to share that love. When we share that love, when we allow others to encounter that love; lives are reached, lives are restored, lives are revived.

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Restoration is a process. Like any other process; it may be daunting at times, we may become discouraged and lose hope in the middle of it, or it may be more challenging that we anticipated. One thing to help propel us through the process is to have a vision of the end goal. When we are able to cast a vision and cling to the promise of our complete restoration, we will be able to endure the process of getting us there.

As with many things in life, vision should not be taken lightly. If our vision does not align with God’s, we will find ourselves of course in our daily lives. The longer we pursue a vision that is not in proper alignment, the further off course we will end up.

Before we start casting vision for our lives, we need to be sure we are aligned with Him. Then our plans will align with His plans. Our purposes will align with His purposes. Our vision will align with His vision. Our lives will align with His will.

A life without purpose is a life lacking worth. If you find your life today lacking purpose, cast a vision for tomorrow. “A vision is a picture of a preferred future that stirs passion and steers purpose” (Chip Judd).