Abide

"'Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in Me'" (John 15:9, NASB). 

My roommate bought herbs the other day for our kitchen. She's doing a good job of taking care of them, isn't she? I was excited - I think fresh herbs can turn a good meal into a delicious one. When they are connected to the roots, their water source, they grow and flourish. 

In the 15th chapter of John, Jesus asks us to "abide" in Him. What does that mean? In the Greek language, the word for "abide" is "ménō." It's a word of action. It means to remain in, and it references a time, place or state. You can read more about it here. This is how I understand it:

• time - a continual sojourn - remaining on this journey with the Holy Spirit inside us
• place - where we walk - following where God leads 
• state - our identity in Christ as believers - forgiven sinners saved by His grace and devoted to Him

We can be like fresh herbs - as we stay connected to our water source. We can stay connected by keeping our relationship with Him - by learning more about Him and where He's leading in His Word, by listening to and communicating with Him through prayer, by living a life of worship to Him.  

Kelli Martin

So, let's abide with Him, as He abides in us by the Holy Spirit. 

Let us pray we see times to give credit to where our living water - our source of life - is from.

Some other verses about abide: 
John 15:1-10,  James 1:25, 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 3:24

A couple of songs:

• "Captivate Us" by Watermark - hear a cover of this song on YouTube here
• "We are Changed" by Sojourn Music - see the chords and lyrics here

Fruitful Faith

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, New American Standard Bible). 

I used to work with kids in arts and crafts often, which made for several great stories and memories. Some teachers and leaders above me helped me see the importance of not only providing materials for the art project, but also guiding the kids as they sought to complete the project. It gives the student a chance to possibly make a better craft, to learn more, and to hopefully trust the instructor more.

In a similar way, God is there to help believers when He talks about bearing "much fruit." He guides us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit that we receive as believers. What sort of fruit is this?  The "fruit" is the change God makes in our lives and in others' lives, as we abide in Him. The ultimate example of the kind of life that produces good fruit is Jesus, God incarnate, the One who died to save us.

As we put our faith in God, He helps us grow. He desires for others to grow closer to Him as well. We can share how that is just who God - the Lord who transforms lives like that - is, and He can produce the same goodness in others.

Lord, thank You for being there to save and transform us. Help us bear fruit with significance that honors You and draws more people to a restored relationship with You. Amen.

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (John 15:16, New American Standard Bible).

More verses on this include Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Peter 2:9, and Galatians 5:22-23.
Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.naparealestatematch.com/blog.