In this parable, Jesus uses the word abide to talk about our relationship to him. Abide, in this setting, is a rich word meaning to stay in fellowship or union with Christ. The metaphor of the vine and the branch helps to drive this message home. Grapes can only grow and bear fruit if connected to the vine.

What does abiding mean for us? For me, it is a reminder that I need to ask Jesus for help, not just when things are hard, but at all times. It is a way of connecting faith with action.

I have been told I am too self-reliant. For this reason, I am loath to ask for help. This is true from handyman chores around the house to my faith. Too often, I find myself believing that I have all the tools I need, in faith, to accomplish much for God. When these feelings bubble up to the surface, I start feeling a little too proud of myself for something I did, in the name of Jesus, and what results have happened. Then I remember this verse and realize the fruit of the results would not have happened without Jesus’ help. Then an even more sobering thought comes to mind. Would the harvest have been better if I had asked for help from God and others? This, I remember, is what it means to abide. Sadly. The answer is almost always yes. To abide, to be in fellowship with God and others, means having an awareness that I need help and asking for it.

The other day, a situation happened to drive that point home. A light switch needed to be replaced. I knew how to do it, but I didn’t have all the tools necessary for accomplishing the task safely. I knew my son had what I needed, which I asked to borrow. He said, “Don’t worry, I will be over in a few minutes and replace it.” As he was accomplishing the task, I had to admit to feeling unsettled. I didn’t like feeling like I needed help. I wanted to do it myself. But, as he finished, he turned and smiled and said, “Glad I could help.” I realized just then I had given him a gift. He felt blessed to be able to help. In asking for and receiving help, something more than a light switch was fixed.

I see God relating to us in much the same way. When we let go of our need to be in control and turn and ask for help and guidance, God rejoices, for now we are abiding in God. Our faith, our work, and God’s love and direction come together, and something better happens. Others get involved, and the Kingdom of God expands in love and joy.

So remember, you don’t have to go it alone in faith or in life. Ask for help, see how you are connected, abiding with others and with God, and rejoice at the fruit those connections bring.

Loving God, we do want to abide in you, to be in a deep and fruitful relationship. Remind us that to do this, we need to humble ourselves and ask for help, and for guidance, for it is only then that you are at the center of our lives and we find the way to produce abundant fruit for you and the world. AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the...

We Christians are not perfect.

We Christians are all sinners.

But the thing that sets us apart is our Faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He came to Earth, was virgin born into a human body, and lived a sinless life. When His time on earth was done, he calmly offered Himself up to die on that cross. He rose up out of that grave three days later, and before he ascended to heaven, he visited his closest disciples and gave them courage with his parting words:

These words serve us, his followers, as our commission, instructing us to spread his message and His teachings throughout the world. And in his own words, the greatest commandment, the most important, is that we LOVE God, and LOVE our neighbor as we LOVE ourselves. We must demonstrate that LOVE of God and neighbor by helping our earthly neighbors – loving them.

And as today’s verse reminds us, it is by Grace we have been saved. No matter how many good works we do, we cannot earn our way into God’s LOVE. God’s LOVE is already ours, and His Grace is endless. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught the concept of three expressions of God’s Grace.

• Prevenient Grace, the Grace we receive even before we know we need it.
• Justifying Grace, the Grace we receive at the moment we ask for forgiveness.
• Sanctifying Grace, the lifelong work of the Holy Spirit, shaping us into the likeness of Christ.

No matter how hard we work to be good and do good things, we still can’t work our way into God’s precious Gift of salvation. The only way to that Gift is by faith in Jesus Christ. Only by faith in Jesus can we receive the free Gift of Grace – forgiveness for our wrongs, our errors, our sins! It is too beautiful to fully comprehend. God loves us – all of his human children – so much that he freely gives Grace before we even know we need it!

The joy of knowing this Gift should inspire us all to freely give of ourselves to help our fellow humans in every way we can. We should help, not as works to earn God’s favor, but as gifts to thank God for his unlimited Grace and salvation!

Thank you, Lord, for all your generous Grace! Help me to be as generous with my fellowman as you are with me. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.