We are writing reflections based on the scripture passage, John 15:1-15 and its theme, Abiding in the Vine. We are taking one verse per week and invite you to join us in first meditating and digesting this passage slowly using lectio divina and then read the reflection. Our writers will be sharing testimony of how this scripture has impacted their lives personally.
For those new to our community, lectio divina is a traditional monastic practice of engaging with Scripture not just for intellectual understanding but to allow the Word of God to speak to the heart and transform our lives. It involves prayerfully reading the scripture four times, pausing to notice the following:
- Read the verse and listen for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights for you.
- Read the verse and ask the question, how is my life touched by this word? What in my life needs to hear this word?
- Read the verse and ask what is my response to God because of what I have read and encountered? What am I feeling, talk to God about it, listen to Him, feel His uninterrupted love and attention toward you and follow His lead in any way He is prompting you to respond.
- Read and rest in the Word and resolve to live it out.
Listen:
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NLT)
Reflect:
A body separated from its head, has no chance of functioning for its intended purposes. The head and body must willingly agree to be joined in order to execute all life’s processes. In the bible, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and through abiding in Him one receives the blessing of being the Head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13), fully representing Him and fulfilling God’s plan on earth.
When you give your life to Jesus Christ, it becomes God’s Life and ceases to be yours through a relationship of abiding in Him. After that decision, one can freely make known their requests to God with an assurance of being heard by Him with a subsequent response. Christ followers have a responsibility to fully surrender to God through following every instruction according to God’s purposes.
This scripture is a call to abiding in God’s sovereign plan as a means through which He shall supply all one’s needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In confidence, ask of anything you desire knowing that God dwells in you, guiding you daily in His sovereign plan where we have everything that we need according to His will and perfect plan for your life.
When I reflect on my own life and everything I own, I consider who has given it to me. What was its Source? Was it God or other indulgences and self-will. If the answer is God, it is an assurance that I have chosen to totally abide in Him and am being provided for by Him in everything. If anything looking back at me is not sought from the Lord, its most probably time to return to abiding in God, asking Him to steer my life with new insights of making my requests known to Him and receiving from Him.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, Thank you for your word that abides in us daily without ceasing. We desire to stay devoted fully to you and we invite you to continue to instruct us and help us to remain obedient to you wholeheartedly. Teach us how to experience the wholeness and fullness that comes from daily abiding in you.
When we face pressures and crisis of belief drawing us away from You, Lord remember Your mercy and revive us to return to your word and your sovereign plan . God we have everything when we abide in You. God you provide us with all things and truly guide us to what is best for us. In Jesus name we pray! Amen.
Questions to Ponder
- Does the Word of God abide in you fully?
- Do you have faith to trust God and His word over all life situations?
- Are you at peace with making your requests known to God and is God dependable in responding to meet your needs?
Breath Prayers:
Inhale(Breathe in): God, my life is Yours to lead
Exhale(Breathe out): Your Word abides in me always
Inhale(Breathe in): My life is yours, Lord you are in control
Exhale(Breathe out): You give me everything I ask of You
—Submitted by: Lucy Alupo
Lucy lives in Uganda and is an alumni of LSM Uganda thanks to her connection with For-Grow ministries who introduced her to Lifesprings’ ministry. She is an author, counsellor and currently involved in Tax Consulting.
Photo: Walking the Labyrinth in Chartres France, by Terri La Brie