Advancing into the Kingdom of God is like that of the growth of a baby. It is well known in My Word that I feed my children milk before they are ready for strong meat, but also, like that of a baby, the growth does not develop properly until the baby begins to trust. He will not step out in faith unless he knows and believes that someone will be there to catch him if he should fall. The baby will search for his mother’s eyes, smile and toddle in the direction that he sees her. He will hear her voice and turn to her with a smile or run giggling in the opposite direction, knowing full well that he will be chased and caught up into her loving arms.

So it is when my children look to Me for acceptance, love and nurturing. One look into My eyes and they know they are safe. Listening for My voice, they are comforted when I call. When they fall, I pick them up. If they run away, they know full well that I will pursue them.

But, there comes a time when…

• The child must grow up.
• Must launch into the deep.
• Must not depend, but deepen.
• Must eat strong meat.
• Not seek to be fed, but seek to feed others.

Childish ways must be set aside, for maturity and usefulness to emerge. Just as a mother’s love never diminishes as the child grows into the man, neither will my love wane, but intensify.

This is my command

Abide in Me.

Abide in My Love.

Love one another.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.”  Jn.  5:4-17