“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.” [AMP Bible].

Most of the time we go to Florida, we stop at one of our family ‘s favorite hotels in Tennessee, a place called Abode. Abode was founded with one goal in mind, that of offering weary travelers the comforting feeling of home, no matter where their destination might take them. Although I am fonder of the name than the actual place, my kids love it especially because it reminds them of brick apartments flats their parents grew up as children in Romania. For them it brings the awareness of a place far away that feels familiar, as we share stories of life in those homes.

One of my favorite words is “abide,” which means “to accept, tolerate, continue in a particular state, dwell, or remain in one place.” Abiding in Christ is very different from simply resting for a night at an abode. Just as Christ cannot be divided, our commitment to Him should not focus on one spiritual discipline while neglecting others. I invite you to explore the room of prayer—a vital spiritual discipline, especially at the start of the day when we need His power, wisdom, and joy for the activities ahead.

Next, enter the room of Bible devotion, where we attentively study His Word—whether a psalm, a chapter from the Old or New Testament—meant to become a blueprint for our lives. His Word inspires, disciplines, comforts, and guides us along a straight path, helping us avoid the heresies and emptiness of today’s culture. The joy and insight gained in these rooms won’t isolate you in self- centeredness; rather, they will draw you to the room of congregational worship and inspire you to serve others with joy and humility.

This is what a fruitful branch looks like. The fruit is never meant for the branch itself but for those who pass by, who see and long for the sweet aroma of a life poured out for Christ. Fruit that nourishes and blesses others also delights God’s heart and brings Him glory. Such was the life of David Brainerd, who remained in the room of prayer, weeping and carrying a heavy burden for the souls of Native Americans among the Delaware Indians in New Jersey. Living in isolation for months at a time, often sick and undernourished, he spent hours on his knees interceding for their salvation.Though his life lasted only 29 years, he witnessed the powerful fruit of his labor as hundreds came to faith in Christ.

I am also grateful for a remarkable Scottish man, Robert M. McCheyne who loved and devoted himself to God’s Word, diligently studying the original languages of the Scriptures, and preaching it for Christ’s sake with fervent passion, desiring that the Word be understood and take root in the hearts of his parishioners. It was in this room that he would come early each morning, eager to “hear what God would speak to him through His word”, and reminded us that “a soldier of the cross must endure all hardships, and regardless how busy he was the previous day, one hour with Christ is more valuable than a thousand with the sweetest society on earth or in Heaven”.. Through his faithful ministry, countless souls were brought to Christ, many becoming steadfast Christians and disciples of the Word.

And I am profoundly thankful for what God accomplished through the work or Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian Lutheran pastor. When he boldly stood up to “wash the shame from the face of Christ”, in a great Congress of Cults gathering, he was kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured and suffered horrific brutality at the hands of the Communists of that time. Yet, his love and forgiveness of both Nazis and Communists alike inspired thousands of Christians worldwide to stand firm in faith, cherish communal worship, and support one another through persecution when hopes of ever returning to a “normal life” seemed impossible. His fruit-bearing ministry began with many Russian soldiers and cruel Communists believing in the Jesus he preached, spreading to over 80 restricted nations that embraced and carried on his legacy.

My friends, as we abide in Christ, let’s remember that it is the Vine who promised to supply the sap and the nourishment that will ultimately produce lasting fruit. These three men, who blessed countless people through their ministries, across the centuries, and brought glory to the Vinedresser’s heart, understood the secret of abiding in Him as a permanent, unshakeable state.