Protestant Women of the Chapel

This brought me to the point that I made a commitment to God. I committed to read His Word each day, talk to Him, and listen for His guidance, basically, to abide in Him. Even though I had always acknowledged Him throughout my day, I was not always reading His Word to put into my heart to guide me each day. I also made a commitment at this time to pray for my family and all those around me every single day. I had always prayed, but not with the diligence I wanted to pray.

I can’t begin to tell you what a difference this has made in my life. God draws near to those who seek Him and I can tell you abiding in Him has changed me drastically. My actions and speech are even different when I respond to people. When my day begins now, I know Who is guiding me. I know when I make a decision, He is in control.

In John 15:4, Jesus says: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."  John 15:7, says: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

So why am I telling you all this? I want us to all abide in Him and seek His will for this year in PWOC.

To abide in Christ is to be in the 'being' mode. We still are doing the things that God has called us to, but we are doing it in His strength. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The relationship is more important than the things we do or don't do. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will be faithul. We will hear His voice clearer, not be works oriented, and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.   I pray this year 2011-2012, we will experience His presence individually and corporately as Yokota PWOC.  May God bless you richly.

Cathy Smith, President 

Yokota PWOC