Day 21: Remain | John 15: 4-5, 9-12 (NIV)

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:9-12 (NIV)

For Reflection:

The bright sunshine feels welcoming this morning. As I reflect on abiding, the rays reflect brilliantly on the snow that still covers the ground, casting light in all directions. A squirrel scurries across the yard, and as I watch it, a cascade of deep purple flowers on the window sill catches my eye. The orchid blooms are stunning in contrast to the backdrop of snow. I count six of them arrayed along a thick, dark green stem, with a seventh bud ready to burst open and stretch its petals. Another stem, once prolific, with its supporting stake still connected, extends in the opposite direction: dehydrated, faded and lifeless, its flowers long gone. I make note that I need to cut and remove it. I am moved by this picture before me of a life connected and nourished by the root and one whose connection has been disrupted.

Jesus is teaching His disciples how and why to abide, to remain, to stay connected with Him – deeply at the core—so that they and we may be fully alive and fruitful. In the upper room, knowing He will be taken away soon, Jesus uses this analogy of a vine and branches, with God as the gardener, to illustrate what I see in this orchid on my windowsill. He speaks also of love, joy, friendship, and loving one another. A promise here is when we remain in Him, we can become fully alive, grounded in His love and bear the fruit of His love in our lives, families, schools, workplaces, churches and the world we live in. All of this is rooted in our ongoing, deep connection in relationship with Him, and through this, He restores us day by day. I reflect on my relationship with Jesus. How would I describe it?

I think about my actions, thoughts, and interactions over this past week. Lord, what do you want me to see? Is there anything about this passage that makes me feel defensive? I talk with Jesus about that.

Abiding is so important to Jesus that He prays this for His disciples and us in John 17, just before they go the garden where He will be taken captive: ”…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us… Then, “…that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Do I feel the same urgency Jesus felt? What steps can I take to remain more deeply connected with and in Him as I work, play, study, or take care of children or aging parents, that His love, joy, and peace might flow through me to others?

Let us pray:

Jesus, I am blown away to know that you so deeply desire an abiding relationship with me that you prayed for this – for you and for me – even before you sacrificed your life... I sit in silence with you and listen for a moment… Lord, I want to learn to remain in you and you in me; will you show me and help me live in your grace and forgiveness, in peace, with joy, and share Your kindness and love nourishment that comes only from You. Help me to grow in relationship with you…to experience you, receive your love, fullness of joy, and peace… help me to see and live out your vision for ongoing connection between us—I in you and you in me… that from the core of my being, heart-to-heart with you, that I might live fully nourished and fueled by your wisdom, grace and love, forgiveness freely given to me, to guide all I am and do.

I pray along with Jesus: This prayer is not for me alone. I pray also for those all who believe and will come to know you, that all of us may be one. Holy God—Our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, just as you are One and are in me and I am in you, I pray that we may all be one… May the love you share be in us and that each of us, that I myself, would remain in your love as you remain in me, and each of my brothers and sisters in you.

I wonder what it could look like to remain in God more as I move through my day?

I wonder what fruit you would like to bear in and through my life?

I wonder what ways Jesus will restore me as I grow in relationship with Him?

Day 22: Abide, Remaining with God | Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

Moving forward from these 21 days, we pray Paul's prayer from Ephesians 3, as each of us seek to remain in God, abiding in His love, as He abides also in us.

Wondering about a next step? If you are looking for ways to continue growing and abiding in God, to cultivate a pattern of connecting with Him in His word each day, we have compiled a few resources and practices below focused on connecting in His word that you can integrate into study and prayer time.

Pay attention to your growing desire for God and His word! Find quiet moments, however brief, to connect with Him, to reflect on His word…independently and/or with others in Community. Draw near with the expectation and confidence that He is near. He promises it! He loves you and is with you; He remains in you as you remain in Him! 

Prepared content for Scripture and devotions:

  • Apps that provide daily devotions with scripture passages, reflections and prayers, Bible study plans and more. A few examples: Lectio 365 (with audio), You Version Bible App, The Bible Project App

  • Daily verses or devotions delivered to your Inbox. There are many! A few examples: Today Devotional (also includes audio), Faith Gateway, Bible Gateway daily verses. You Version also will push daily verses to your email if desired.  

  • The Bible Project website has a variety of resources and tools

  • Are there other Bible teachers, preachers, authors, or spiritual leaders whose blogs you read or podcasts, sermons you listen to? Check their websites, as many also may provide free subscriptions to daily devotions or other tools and resources.

  • Sign up to repeat these 21 Days reflections and prayers. See more details and the link at the end of this message.


Practices for Engaging Scripture With God

Read, Reflect and Pray (Psalms, Gospels): Read and pray through a psalm, or a few passages in one of the Gospels, Paul's letters, or from another book of the Bible each morning. This is something you can do independently, with family or a friend, or a small group. Some possible questions for reflection and prayer:

  • What word or phrases stand out to me in this passage? (Ask Him. Notice.) Remember, Jesus is near. He loves you, longs for relationship with you, and continues to pray for you.

  • Observe how it made you feel and reflect why. Ask: what might God be stirring me to notice in myself, my life, patterns, relationships, etc.?

  • What are the promises in this passage?

  • Are there commands? Warnings?

  • Is there an example that God is illustrating for me through His people in this passage?

  • Ask God questions, such as, "God, what would you have me see or to understand in my mind and in my heart? What would you have me do? When?

  • Reflect: What is God saying to me? What will I do about it?

  • Pray.

  • You may also wish to take notes and / or journal as you go.

Imaginative Prayer. Explore a Bible story through your imagination. (See Day 12 for an example that was shared during these 21 Days of Prayer.) Read a story or passage where Jesus is engaging with others. Read it a couple times to familiarize yourself with the story. Close your eyes, pray and picture yourself in the story. With Jesus. Let it play out in your mind...let your imagination carry you. Where are you in the story? Let your imagination take you through the story. Notice what you might see, hear, smell, feel. How does the story unfold? Imagine engaging personally with Jesus. What does He say?... Reflect, journal, and talk with God in prayer about the experience. 

Engage in Community Groups for Bible Study and Spiritual Growth. Winter groups begin rolling out this week and provide great opportunities to open and explore God's word together, pray and grow in relationship with Him and others. Find your place. Check our website for details!

 


Abide: Remaining with God | 21 Days of prayer | January 5-25, 2025

Abide: Remaining with God

Jesus invites us to connect our hearts with His. Let’s move into 2025 with intention as we seek to be with Him throughout our days. During this time, we will refocus our attention, intentions, and energy; remember His presence, promises, and where we have seen Him move; as He restores us in His way and timing. Passages and reflections are released daily beginning January 5th.

Day 8: Sunday, 9/15/24: Colossians 3:1, 8-10 NLT

Renewal In Our Relationships

As we enter Week 2, we pray seeking God’s renewal in our relationships. I pause and reflect on my close relationships. Where is there unity and connection? Where are pockets of angst, disunity, judgment, impatience, disconnection bubbling up? I ask God to open my perspective, to help bring renewal, healing and strength.