by Gail Rodgers
We sat around our backyard fire. As we watched the stars come out we talked about how to walk our faith out on a day - to - day basis. We discussed what the Bible had to say about business ethics; raising kids; dealing with church politics or prickly people. At the end of many of our discussions Jerry would say, “It really all comes down to abiding.”
I still keep coming back to that. It truly is the answer to walking out our Christian faith where the rubber meets the road…and it affects our praying.
John 15 describes so well the picture of what abiding is. The picture is clear of the branch attached to the vine and producing much sweet fruit.
Jesus explains the picture and reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches. It is only when the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us that we are able to touch lives with His love. A life changed by Jesus’ love is the fruit produced. Apart from Him we are able to do nothing of any eternal value.
Then Jesus goes on to say something truly amazing…
“If you remain (abide) in me and my words remain (abide) in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15: 7 & 8 ).
Suddenly it is very clear. My abiding in Christ will even affect my prayers. In the original Greek this word “abide” means to “continue to be present”.
* If I “continue to be present” with Christ and make time in His presence a priority, I abide in Him. As I seek Him throughout my day, in each decision I encounter, I abide in Him.
* If I let His Words of truth from the Bible “continue to be present” in my life, applying them to my heart and my actions, then His words abide in me….and even my prayers will be effective.
This, in turn, will make my God renowned. It will show the world around me just who my God is and others will be drawn to Him.
When God’s Word is a continuing presence in my life, guiding my thoughts, actions and attitudes, then my prayers will be different from the self centered requests I often beg God for. The results will be for eternity.
Our fulfillment in this life comes as we bear fruit for the next life. Keep God’s Word central in your heart and in your life. Let His words “continue to be present” as you walk out your faith in front of a world that needs to know “who my God is”!
~Father God,
Fan the desire in my heart to read Your Word. Make it clear to me so it will guide my thoughts and my actions. Reveal to me the treasures in Your Word. Cause me to pursue it more than silver or gold or any other thing, for Your words are life to my soul. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Learn more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/gail-rodgers/
Going Deeper
Consider these questions: What one thing can I do to continue in God’s presence as I walk through my day? How do you practically translate the term “abiding in Christ” in your life?
Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat
Related reading
Enhancing your prayer life: http://christianwomentoday.com/prayer/enhance.html
12 Comments
Feed for this entry
Trackback Address
January 25th, 2007 at 4:09 am
WOW, this is a great devotional today. ABIDING IN GOD, having HIM in everything and action and word we do or say.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:18 am
This is what I want . . . to abide in Christ every minute of every day . . . help all of us, Lord, to covet being in You throughout all of our day. Annie
January 25th, 2007 at 7:46 am
I want so much to be able to abide in His Presence as I struggle through the daily battles of life. I need to know how to abide when I’m battling the school system for my sons resources from Special Education Dept? I have to fight for every resource he receives. As I demand his needs to be met, I have to wade through red tape because of polital agendas, and money. I’m known as the sqeaky wheel, instead of a good mother. Am I abiding when I have to take a stand? What about the battles I fight with my high schooler’s rebellion towards studying or basicly anything I say. When I have to argue the importance of academics with a 15 year old who can’t see past the next ESPN update am I abideing?
These are my minutes, I want to abide. I just don’t know how.
Bea
January 25th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Continuing to be present with Jesus (remaining in His love through obedience to His Word) is the secret to bearing fruit in plenty- the fruit of love, joy ,peace, patience,kindness, goodness,trustfulness, gentleness and self-control….Lord, help us to be present to you all day and set our hearts on Your way of doing and being, so that we will not give in to self-indulgence but keep in step with Your Spirit.
January 25th, 2007 at 8:04 am
This is the lesson we had a church last night. So fitting for today. In a world where there is so much badness, people need to see Christ. We as Christians have been given a great gift. We need to let our light shine. Don’t fit in with the world, be different from the world. Make it a point each day to witness to someone. Pray for that. God will go before you and prepare the way. Just think, if each one of us led someone to Christ, how awesome that would be. Blessings to all of you, Maranda.
January 25th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Today’s message fits so well with two challenges that have been presented to me this week already.
There are two kingdoms, which are you spending your time in? If you are praying for household salvation, victory even in worldly things as mentioned by Bea, of other needs they can only be found in one kingdom!! “Set your minds on things above.” Colossians 3:1-3
Learn to speak the language of heaven. (Revelations 4-7) If we make a practice of saying Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty before the throne (4:8) or begin our questions before God by ackknowledging his severeignty (6:10) it will affect how we meet the challenges of our lives and our ability to trust our God is all things.
January 25th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Thank God for today’s message. He gives us what we need right at the time we need it most. This was confirmation for my spriit….. To continue to REMAIN/ABIDE in God as His Word will REMAIN in me, and all the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous will avail.
January 25th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Bea asks a great question, How do we abide in the day to day when we face challenges and conflict? For me it has been a learning process over the years. Let me share how it works for me… In the morning I offer myself to God to be filled with His Spirit. I ask Him to take control of my mouth and to stabilize my thoughts with His peace and wisdom.
As I walk through my day and face the challenges and conflicts that arise I breath a prayer to give me widsom and patience, or whatever it is I need.
If challenges are intense as Bea describes, it is good to get alone with God and pour out your heart with the frustrations and exchange your weakness for His strength.
It’s the life flow of the Spirit into our thoughts and actions as we invite Him.
It doesn’t mean life will be a bed of roses and conflicts will melt away, there will still be times we need to ask God to forgive our impatience and outbursts… yet as we beome aware of drawing on His strength in each aspect of our day He will enrich our lives, give wisdom and bring peace to our hearts even when the circumstances are not peaceful.
It doesn’t mean we are not abiding if we take a stand on an issue or face a conflict, it does mean we will do it in the power and strength of His Spirit.
It’s something we grow in as we practice it and as we take His word, the Bible, as our foundation to stand on.
Micah 6:8 gives us good advice: “He has showed you, “O Bea” what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This is the essence of abiding… walking in fairness to one another with a heart of compassion and mercy and with a confidence in our God rather than in ourselves.
Blessings as you walk.
Warmly,
Gail
January 25th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Bea,
Having been in a school system position for 30 years, I know exactly with what you are dealing.It is very difficult and I feel for you. I don’t have any concrete answers, but
what I learned to do was to pray quietly for the people I would be talking to before each known encouter, ask the Lord to give me the right words to speak to the person(s), and then keep God’s smile on my face throughtout the meeting if I could. Just know that God is with you in every situation and ask for His help. I am adding you to my prayer journal and will pray for you, your children, and all the people with whom you must work. God bless you, Annie
January 25th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Bea, I have learned from experience as Gail has to start my morning off with prayer. I pray that God will guide me with His wisdom, and power, to say and do the right thing in all circumstances during the day. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto you oh Lord…my rock, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14) When there are serious conflicts, I get on my knees, and pour them out to the Lord. I talk to Him as though he is my friend…and He is. Then I get off my knees believing, and knowing He has taken care of the conflicts, and He has.
“Be anxious for nothing, but take it to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving, and He will give you peace beyond understanding.” (Phil 4:6,7). Praying for you, your children, and your conflicts. Peace and blessings to you!
January 27th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom. And for the obedience all of you showed by reaching out to me. The day I wrote this blog was the first time I’d ever shared on this site or any other. I just started receiving the devotionals, and as always God knew which devotional I needed first.(abiding)
When I went back and read my blog after I’d received several responses I was shocked that I shared so openly about this difficult place in my life. I felt very vulnerable and exposed expressing the difficult time I was having abiding, because I beleived abiding to a christian should come naturally.
But the honesty from my heart was met with your love and openess to your own process of abiding. Thank you again for touching me with His heart of assurance. As I contiue my journay I’m thankful for the resources God has lead me to in way of this site. How hopeful and comforted I am today, but more importantly I’m equipped, from your sharing of God’s Word and experiences in your practice of abiding, I am Blessed.
Thank you;
Bea
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:26 am
Luke 9:57-62
[57] As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
[58] Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
[59] He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
[60] Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
[61] Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
[62] Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus Christ comes before everything. Nothing in my past life gave me any lasting peace or satisfaction. I was always looking, searching; all my vain attempts to be noticed, appreciated, loved, or respected, ended in ashes. I’ve had it all – marriage, kids, house, car, & job security - & lost it all through, sin. My purpose in life is to proclaim the kingdom of God, without looking back on my past life. I am a sinner who deserves to go to hell but Jesus has delivered me from my inequities, through his death on the cross. His love lasts forever. I was lost but was found by Jesus. I love Jesus, so much. Oh! Merciful Jesus! Praise the Lord!!
Peace Be With You
Patrick