“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John15:5
a*bide [uh-bahyd]
verb, a*bode or a*bid*ed, a*bid*ing
1. to remain; continue; stay
2. to be held or kept continually
3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship; last
4. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting
5. to wait for; await
6. to accept without opposition or question
7. to pay the price or penalty of
I love this! For most of last year there remained on my white board in my office a list of synonyms for the word “ABIDE”. It has become a consistent them in my heart and in my life that in order to accomplish anything that God has called me to, or to equip anyone else to do anything that He is called them to do, there must first be an abiding heart within me.
I highly recommend “Abiding in Christ” by Andrew Murray for this process of exploring the abiding heart, and for further challenge seek out Carlo Walth, who wrote “The Sacred Art of Abiding” a 10 week study to compliment Murray’s writings. It’s amazing stuff.
I will definitely check those out. I’m thinking and praying through a series on abiding. It’s one of 3 things laid on my heart for FUSION this year (abide, discipleship, and community)
I just bought abiding in Christ. Thx for the reference. John 15 is my foundational chapter. I return to it regularly for my teachings and personal meditation.
I’m having a hard time finding The Sacred Art of Abiding. Where did you get it?