AbideExplore what it means to Align to Abide in the presence of God. We discuss how this impacts our daily lives. Join us as we examine scripture and share personal stories of hope and renewal. Discover practical ways to embrace faith and let the resurrection guide your journey.
Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca/ and the Creative Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Check out https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to salign abideubscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
Listen to How to Align to Abide
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Do you know that we become like what we worship?
Maybe it’s better said “We become more like what we put our trust in.”
Look at where I get this from
*Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
It’s a spiritual principle that we become like who we worship, or become like those we trust in.
The more we spend time with God, the more we become like Him. Technically, God makes us more and more like the Son He loves—who is the exact representation of the Father.
If you want to grow any fruit of the spirit, you need to spend time with God, who will grow Holy Spirit’s fruit in you.
What does living in the light of His resurrection mean to you?
For me, it’s abiding with Him, so I become more and more like Him.
When do you spend time with Him?
How do you spend time with Him?
I’ve noticed for me, it changes over time.
In this current season of you’re in what does it look like?
Before we get into all that…
Can I pray for you?
Pick a Rhythm to Abide
Seek Him Always, Seek Him and find Him, Seek Him and Live
Over the better part of the last year I have felt Holy Spirit drawing me to seek Him always, to seek Him and find Him, to seek Him and live.
What did that look like in the day-to-day-of-my-everyday?
Options for Rhythms to help Abide
Was it remembering Him in the times-between-times? The monks in the Middle Ages called this Statio. They’d come early to events just to have time to be aware God was already there.
Maybe that was how I could seek the Lord?
Maybe it was to have to praise breaks? Moments of Selah. David wrote he will praise God seven times a day. Seven is the number of completeness so it’s a poetic way to say “I will always praise you”. But I did have a time in my life where I set 7 alarms up on my watch and whenever they sounded I’d praise the Lord…it led to awkward and interesting conversations.
Maybe that was how I should seek the Lord?
What about Exemen? Exemen is a Jesuit prayer rhythm where at the end of the day you think about how you’ve been with God. Be thankful for that, but figure out where you failed and confess and repent so you can do better tomorrow. There may have been some mental flagellation—or self-flagellation for that matter—involved, but I didn’t think I needed to go there.
What I decided to try to Abide
I set my Reminders for different times in the day to remember to do all of these rhythms…
But I knew He wanted me to set the best part on my day apart for Him.
So my main focus was on—what I started calling—the Align to Abide Prayer. I developed it over that time. I found a prayer wheel that had 12 sections of 5 minutes each to make up a complete hour and I worked my own out of that.
Pick a time to Abide
I found I needed to do the prayer wheel first thing in the morning—after I stretched and took my morning meds. So I started getting up earlier so I’d have time on days I have early morning meetings. I’ve had to set my clock to 5:45 AM—I’ve trained myself so most days I can be up by then.
While I have the structure of twelve five-minute sections for one hour, some have permanently lengthened and others rarely take that long. On mornings I don’t have meetings, I can go longer than an hour. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not set, it’s a fluid time. I need to have grace for my self and commitments.
I’ve taken to calling this the Align to Abide Prayer Rhythm because it helps times of Selah and Statio and Exemen to naturally happen. I find when I align in the morning, it’s easier to be aware of His presence throughout the day and I naturally use those tools when I’m do.
The difference between religion and relationship
You can do what you do out of religion or relationship - motives matter. Maturity determines where you naturally default to…but all of us can slip anytime. Don’t think when you start doing something out of relationship that you don’t start doing it religiously.
I’ve often found the people who pride themselves on not being religious are the ones to act the most religiously. They hate it when I point it out to them. So I’ve learned to ask questions and tell my own stories.
For example:
It’s easy for me to tell when I’m doing something religiously or when I’m doing it to build my relationship with God.
When it doesn’t fit into my schedule to do something—that I’m doing religiously—I feel like I’ve failed, that I’ll never get it right, that I’ll never measure up.
However, when I use that same form to enhance my relationship with God—and I can’t do it for a day or even a season—I simply make space to do it or look forward to next time I can do it. It doesn’t matter if I do everything on the list or focus on a particular piece on any random day.
It’s like this—I need to stretch everyday. When I don’t have time to stretch or forget a particular stretch, I will feel it in my body at some point in the day. When I feel it in my body, I make sure to stretch as soon as I can. Like this morning I forgot to stretch my shoulders and arms, so I did it in the office before the service. I don’t beat myself up about not stretching.
In the spiritual, I need to spend my best and first time of my day with God. When I miss it, or rush through part of it—like I forget to exchange my problems for his peace—I will notice it. I will feel it in my spirit and make sure I do that as soon as I can. I don’t beat myself up about it. His grace is sufficient. I apologize—sometimes confess and repent—and move on.
Working out of religion brings shame. Working out of relationship brings life.
Don’t get overwhelmed with Align to Abide
What I’m going to share today please realize I’m not saying, “This is what you need to do”.
I’m offering you tools to help you Seek Him Always. Seek Him and find Him. Seek Him and live!
Please don’t get overwhelmed by everything I’m going to tell you today. What I’m sharing with you has grown over the better part of a year.
I started with a this form and realized I’ve been in this dance with God for several years and was so excited to see how this piece fit that piece and how that tool supported this discipline and how this element really was that rhythm.
And my prayer lists have turned into praise and thanksgiving organically over time—if I showed you my petition and intercession lists you might think it’s ridiculous. But again, they’ve grown organically, over time as I’ve spent time with God he’s turned my heart towards people and situations. They get on the list.
My walk is not your walk, your walk is not my walk. We walk together the same path, but He directs our steps different.
And so in your notes you’ll find a lot of links. Please don’t get overwhelmed with them. These are available for you to fit into any part of your own rhythm.
So how do you walk in the light of His resurrection?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
Let’s get into Align to Abide
Prepare to Abide
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Prepare your space
I start with music. I use an app…options…option coming
Why? See 2 Kings 3:15 Elisha said: "But now bring me a harpist." And while the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came upon him.
Prepare your mind
Never forget
Every Kingdom movement starts with prayer. —John Smed “Prayer Revolution”
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1. Centring prayer
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1–2
My prayer
Lord give me the capacity to do the things that need to get done, the awareness of your presence to know I’m doing what you have for me to do, the assurance to know you empower me to accomplish every good work prompted by faith.
And the grace for myself if I can’t see everything I’d like to get accomplished in the time I’d like it to be done. I know and trust Your purpose for me will be fulfilled, so help me act and pray like I trust that you will finish your good work in me.
And help me have the grace for others—knowing that since you’ll finish the good work in me, you will finish the good work you started in them—so I can think of them ahead of myself. Thank you that You do all things well.
This ending piece is what I’d recommend:
My eyes are open and expectant for every treasure you have for me to find today. Thank you for being God with Us. Help me be with you today.
2. Daily Reflection
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4
Random reflections https://revtrev.com/reflections/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that when I call on you that you answer me and show me remarkable things I do not know Jeremiah 33:3
3. Give thanks and praise
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 104:1
Give thanks with your whole heart
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1
Give thanks with your whole heart Tool https://revtrev.com/feel-gratitude/
Turn your thanksgiving to praise:
Thank you that you are worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you I can always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Your will for me because I belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
4. Be Still and know He is God
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24
To Abide you need to be still. Here’s a the BE STILL Tool https://revtrev.com/be-still/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that you understand so I can say: But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? Psalm 56:3-4
5. Confession and Repentance
* Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,O God of Israel. Psalm 69:6
Two questions
Is there anything I’ve done or not done that would make those closest to me ashamed or humiliated—more than them just rolling their eyes?
Is there anyone I need to forgive?
TURN https://revtrev.com/turn/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you for your promise that you will give me a new heart and put a new spirit in me; that you will remove from me my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh Ezekiel 36:26
6. Pray Scripture
All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. Colossians 1:10b
Lectio Divina Tool and Verses https://revtrev.com/pray-scripture/
Thank you that the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
7. Ask Petitions
Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. James 4:2b
Pray from Identity Matthew 7:9-11
Your identity is that you have a good Father who knows what you need, so you don’t have to keep babbling like the pagans because He enjoys giving good gifts to his children, but he wants you ask for what you eat and drink and wear because He wants you to know He takes care of you like the flowers and birds.
A. Remember to ask for…
If I have to work for it, I need to pray for it.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5
The possible stuff done His way is path the feeling his presence and pleasure.
B. Family’s Future
God’s will - have not because you ask not.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
Example:
Health and strength for myself and all my family members—may we all have strength for all of our days.
Give us hearts to know you and your hope and our inheritance in Christ and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, which is available to us. May we always learn to know you better and better.
Bless the work of our hands. Empower every good work prompted by our faith. May all our plans succeed for your glory. Lead us in your ways.
I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. Draw them to Yourself. Cover them in the shelter of Your wing. May our children and their children return to their own borders. Settle them back in their own lands. May they find their boundaries lines are in pleasant places. Turn what the enemy meant for evil for good. Redeem them—they are yours. They have been bought with a price. They belong to you. The promise of the Holy Spirit is for us and our children and all who are far off. Don’t let them ignore your promise.
May our children and their children and their children—and all who believe because of them—receive the inheritance of our father and mother. You are with them in their coming and going and in their sitting and rising. Thank you that Your kindness to them will lead them to You.
May they seek Your face always. May they seek You and find You. May they seek You and live!
C. Commit my Plans
Dream with God, Stay on track with what He’s prompted me to do and for what I’m responsible for.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalms 57:2
This verse realigned my perspective. I knew God would fulfill his purpose for me…He’s God. But that means I need to cry out to Him
My books, courses, resources, websites, social media strategies, book marketing strategies… He directs my steps - for example. I know I need to get the courses done first and then the books will help market them.
D. Commit my Commitments
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Kingdom Way
5 Prayers to Praying For....
- Believers would have a passion for the lost Luke 19:10
- Believers would have a desire to return to Church Hebrews 10:24-25 and corporate times of worship ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Believers would experience the release of God’s glory in their personal, and corporate times of worship ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18, Psalm 22:3
- Pre-believers would be drawn into the church because they feel God’s presence
1 Corinthians 14:24-25 - Believers would passionately desire to serve Matt 9:37-38
MCare
1 million souls by 2030
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that you gave us parables so that we’d always pray and never give up Luke 18:1
8. Cast Cares
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
CAST Your Cares Upon Him Tool https://revtrev.com/cast/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that You promise that You will rescue those who love You and that You will protect those who trust in Your name. Psalm 91:14
9. Intercession
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Pray from authority Matthew 28:18-19
Our Authority comes from Christ having all authority and teaching us to pray His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven
A. Our Family
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1
Our family, extended family, all the kids and significant others and future spouse, by name and by need.
Helps me remember names and conversations. Absolutely a benefit I didn’t expect.
B. Who God puts on my heart…
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Colossians 1:9
For friends, work, and church by name and by need
C. For our Country
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
I will pray God helps them. I will intercede for them. And give thanks for them.
Nations - Nation - Province - City
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that the prayer of someone—you’ve made righteous—is powerful and effective. James 5:16
10. Meditation
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15
Soul time app https://www.soultime.com/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart can be pleasing in your sight. Psalm 19:14
11. Bible Reading
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
100 Promises of God https://revtrev.com/promises/
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank you that your promises are my my armour and protection Psalm 94:1
12. Journal with God
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Habakkuk 2:1
Journal with God Tool https://revtrev.com/journal
Abide with thanksgiving:
Thank You that You make known to me the path of life and you fill me with joy in your presence. Psalm 16:11
Final Abiding with Thanksgiving
Thank you I can be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. For you have enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people, who live in the light. Colossians 9:11b-12
Conclusion of Align to Abide
I know this works. I feel His presence and want to be in His presence and have His peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation.
They were getting me ready to leave the ward after my Cardiac Ablation Surgery and two nurses—I had gotten to know—were changing the dressing on each side. The one on the right was done and left. The one on the left was holding pressure on a possible hematoma when he noticed I had sprung a leak. He asked Karen the leave, put pressure on the right side and called the other nurse back. She took over and pressed harder and I started to feel like I’d be sick or pass out. They put me back on a drip and gave me some orange juice, so I started feeling better.
And I felt appreciation for this nurse. She was working overtime to make sure I could make it home as soon as I could. So I thanked her—she had been holding pressure the whole time. She replied “You’re far too positive for the situation you’re in right now.” I was lying in a pool of my own blood. I laughed and said, “I’m just glad it happened here and that you could help me rather than at home.”
It wasn’t a delusional laugh. I was at peace. I had His joy. I knew He was going to use this for His good.
It’s not my natural state...but is my supernatural state
I don’t get to that place naturally but I’m learning to get to it easily. I do that because I’m learning to abide in Him. Every day I’m making space to be with Him and hear from him.
It was the Wednesday before the procedure and in my quite time with God I had to confess I was concerned about “complications” from it all. I was asking AI about what to expect and asking God why I so concerned about such low numbers.
It turns out I had to confess I was trusting in a whole lot of other things instead of trusting in him. He reminded me of other times I have been through the fire and not been burned and through the flood and not been swept away and through deep waters and not been drowned because HE was with me. I felt him ask me if I would trust him regardless of complications? I decided I would—with his help. I think prayed “When I am I afraid, I’ll trust in you.”
I don’t get to that place naturally but I’m learning to get to it easily.
I don’t get to that place naturally but I’m learning to get to it easily. I need his presence always, so I seek His presence intentionally. I do it in the morning and it’s easier to feel His presence all day.
Since we live by the Spirit we need to keep in step with the Spirit. How do you let love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and gentleness and self-control grow in you? We cannot keep this as an idea in our head or a sentiment in our heart, we need to work out its implications into every area of our lives.
We can’t spout truism if it’s not true in our lives. Bumperstickers telling people the hope we have can be real pretentious if people don’t see the hope we have. Bible verses on walls are great, but if those promises aren’t lived out it becomes religion. Religion brings rules. Relationship brings life.
Our relationship with the resurrected Jesus means we need to abide in him.
People need to see the hope that we have. In His presence is fullness of joy. The God of all hope fills us with peace and joy as we trust in Him so that we can overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit. I don’t get to that place naturally but I’m learning to get to it easily.
The time I spend with Him—every morning I can with Him helps me to seek Him in the time between times. And praise Him in the moments of awe I see every day. It helps me to put all my plans into His hands. And keeps me on the path he has for me.
What will you do to be more aware of His presence in your life?
Has your heart said “Seek His Face”?
Have you replied, “Your face, oh Lord I will seek”?
Do you now how you’ll seek him in this season?
He’s is seeking for hearts that are totally devoted to him.
Application to Abide
Maybe there’s something you can add to your prayer time that will revive it for a season?
Maybe you’ve already thought “I used to do that, why did I stop?”
Maybe you heard something exciting you’d like to try.
All the tools are at all the links I gave you in the notes. If you go to the church webpage—after I have this message posted—all those links will be live. If you book mark it on your phone, you can work through whatever tool you’d to use.
Challenge to Abide
You really need to hear what God is saying to you. Don’t do what I’m doing because I told you about it.
Maybe God wants you to spend an hour each day?
Maybe you should set a time?
Maybe it’s a season to go deep in one aspect we’ve talked about.
If you ask Him, He will tell you. You will feel His pull. He’s seeking for you.
Seek Him always. Seek Him and find. Seek him and live.
Can I pray for you so you can Abide?
Lord give us ears to hear, hearts to know and hands to obey what you’re telling us to do. In the next few moments speak clearly and speak live.
Thank you you’re always with us. Help us be with you.
Listen to Holy Spirit’s voice.
What is He calling you to?
