Abiding with Christ
OPENING PRAYER:
As I enter prayer now, I choose to be still and remember that you are God. Lord, I slow down and return all my attention to you. Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of my heart and illuminate my mind with understanding as I pray today. I pray this for all those who join me in prayer and fasting in the KC Underground family.
CONSIDER:
In 1864, Andrew Murray wrote a 31-day devotional book called, Abide in Christ. In his preface to the reader, he writes, “During the life of Jesus on earth, the word He chiefly used when speaking of relations of the disciples to Himself was, “Follow me.” When about to leave for heaven, He gave them a new word, in which their more intimate and spiritual union with Himself in glory should be expressed. That chosen word was: “Abide in me.”
It is to be feared that there are many earnest followers of Jesus from whom the meaning of this word, with the blessed experience it promises, is very much hidden.
While trusting in their Saviour for pardon and for help, and seeking to some extent to obey Him, they have hardly realized to what closeness of union, to what intimacy of fellowship, to what wondrous oneness of life and interest He invited them when He said, “Abide in me.” This is not only an unspeakable loss to themselves, but the Church and the world suffer in what they lose.”
READ: John 15:1-12
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like 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 wish, and it will 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.
REFLECT:
Ask, “Jesus, what do you want to highlight for me from this passage?” Journal your response.
CONSIDER:
Murray writes, “Abiding in Jesus is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, and in us, and through us…Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has engaged to perform.”
PRAY, LISTEN, AND JOURNAL:
Take some time today to pray the following three prayers, then sit quietly for a few moments and listen. Journal any impressions you have that the Spirit might be highlighting for you.
Jesus, are there any places in my life where I have not yielded completely to your will and your ways so that you might produce fruit in me?
Jesus, are there any places in my life where I have not trusted you completely? Will you show me where I am still clinging to my desired outcome instead of yours?
Jesus, are there places where I have been impatient and run out ahead of you?
CONSIDER:
The passage promises us that when we abide in His love, His joy will be in us, and our joy will be full. This is great news for our lives. It’s what Jesus desires for us and guarantees when we yield, trust and wait.
PRAY, LISTEN, AND JOURNAL:
As you finish today, spend some time thanking and praising Jesus that He not only desires your greatest joy, He promises to give it to you. Ask HIm, “Jesus, what is one practice I can engage in today that can become a healthy rhythm in my life to help me daily abide in you?”