inspiration & reflection
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abide in me
by Joyce Camp
Joyce has been a longtime dedicated member of American Baptist Women's Ministries from her local church to the National level for decades.
Along with her dedication to the Lord, she had dedicated herself to the service of others as a nurse and caregiver.
Joyce can be seen at every convention and board meeting always supporting the vitality of American Baptist Women everywhere.
One of her more unique ministries is the persona of "Aunt Maude," that has both a unique and hilarious personality at many events.
I was very blessed by attending the 2025 ABWM Convention in Binghamton and felt the Holy Spirit leading me to clean out some of my “ stuff” and clear my desk of its usual clutter! As I proceeded to do this, God really led me to some teaching that I want to pass along. Most of the following is taken from a devotional book, Abiding in Christ by Cynthia Heald, with some additional thoughts from me. If this sounds familiar, it may be because I have used it in previous Bible studies and titled it, “ ABIDE IN ME”. The scripture we will be referring to is John 15:1-5 (please turn there in your Bible).
Jesus is gathered with His disciples in what will be their final evening together. He knows that the time for fulfilling His mission is near, and so these last few hours with His disciples are precious. He wants to impart to them His very heart; He wants to leave them with truth that they will never forget.
Imagine now with me that we are sharing this intimate encounter with Jesus and His disciples in the upper room. As we quiet ourselves to hear these precious words and let’s respond with our hearts to His teaching. Jesus leans forward and earnestly speaks this wonderful truth: “I am the Vine and you are the branches”.
Do you ever respond as I sometimes do? “Lord, how easy it is for me to confuse our relationship! I tend to act as if I am the vine. I try to live life in my own strength instead of depending on You for guidance, nourishment, and grace. No wonder the FRUIT in my life seems to dry up and disappear at times.”
Jesus continues to explain this important relationship to His beloved friends: “ Your responsibility is to abide in Me and to let Me abide in you.”
“But Jesus ( I hurry to answer) You are asking me to take time to stay in Your presence, to allow You to live continuously in me. This seems very hard to do. Yet somehow I feel that it is as simple as consistently and regularly sitting at Your feet with a desire to obey.”
Jesus lovingly continues, “ The key to fruit bearing is to stay connected to the Vine.” (Vs. 4)
Now my heart is touched, and I begin to think carefully before I answer, “ Lord, You have said that apart from You I can do nothing. The only way to be fruitful, to become like YOU, is to stay united to You. I don’t want to live a fruitless life, but that’s what happens when I try to bear fruit with just my own efforts. Perhaps this is why I struggle so often to live the victorious Christian life. Instead of striving and straining, my greatest need is just to be still and abide in You.
Jesus tells His followers, “ You can do many things without depending on Me, but one thing you cannot do is bear fruit by yourself.”
I do wish to be a “fruitful Christian” so I quickly respond, “Lord, you say that whoever abides in YOU will bear “much” fruit—this what I desire! To do this I know that I must give up my selfish independence. I surrender myself to Your Power to transform me according to Your likeness. I yield my life to bear the priceless fruit that is the product of abiding. “
Jesus lovingly reassures us with these words (Verse 9), “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved You. Now remain (ABIDE) in my love.”
By surrendering to Him I realize that’s what life in Christ is all about—abiding in His Love. It is not the fruit-producing that is so important—it is the ABIDING! The producing comes from the Vine; the branches are only the fruit “carriers”. To be an abiding branch is to be a faithful branch. The fruit will come and the fruit that is borne, whether it be large fruit or small, abundant or not so abundant, is all HIS doing. My role (and yours!) is to be attached to the Vine, to fit into the place He gives us –TO ABIDE!
Please pray with me:
Precious Lord, Please help me to understand that I don’t need to strive and strain in my walk with You. You are the Vine; I am the branch. You want me to rest in You, to share Your life, to allow You to produce fruit in my life.
I want to be like you, Dear Jesus, and I want to bear much fruit of abiding. Give me Your grace and help me to ABIDE IN YOUR LOVE ALONE. AMEN.