The other day, the Lord put John 15: 1-17 on my heart to read. I have read this passage so many times before, but I knew this time would be different. His word is alive and active and no two readings of it are ever the same.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15&version=NIV 

As I began to read, I couldn’t help but notice how many times I kept saying certain words over and over and over again. So I got really curious and began to do a word count. Here’s what I found:  Remain (mentioned 10 times), branch (6 times) , fruit (7 times) , love (9 times), commandments (5 times), produce (6 times), Father (6 times), and so on.

My mind was blown. Jesus literally repeated himself stating particular words so we would get the main point of this passage: A call to to trust our heavenly, to bear fruit in times of testing when things are cut off, a call to love one another, and the main focus to remain in Him! The word remain is mentioned in the Bible about 120 times and it means:

“to abide, to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continue on, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure, to survive, live, to stay together as one”

I was blown away as I read these powerful definitions. I believe that God was so intentional to remind us to remain, because often times in opposition and uncertainty, our fleshy brain struggles to remain at peace in Him. In times of testing we are tempted to complain instead of remain. In times of the unknown we tend to refrain instead of remain. In times of frustration we tend to blame and become drained instead of remain. In these moments we must refuse to give into fear and frustration, we must choose to resist the devil and his distractions, & we get to decide to reflect on all that God has done & is still able to do. This is how we remain. Remaining is a radical act of trusting the very one who is the keeper of our soul. Remaining is an act of obedience and resilience. We are a resilient people! We will not be shaken. 

I want to declare these words over each of us as we walk out this waiting season of the unknown.

Though we don’t know what tomorrow holds, we know the One who holds tomorrow and He loves us so deeply. 

Speak this over yourselves as often as you need to and reach out to those closest to you as a support system during this time ♥️

Speak this over yourself out loud: 

“I will Remain still. I will Remain sane. I will Remain calm. I will Remain at peace. I will Remain strong and courageous. I will Remain prayerful. I will Remain kind. I will Remain giving. I will Remain present. Lastly, I will remain unified as one in the body of Christ.”

For the Christian, we don’t have to worry, but thankfully we get to remain still and know that He is Lord! God is faithful and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Remain in His love beloved. I love each of you with the sweet love of the Lord. Be encouraged during this time of waiting and remaining. This too will pass In Jesus name  ♥️

Anchored in His Love,

-Amy Isom