All In

 

Devotion: All the Way In

Scripture Reading:
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." — John 15:7 (KJV)

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Reflection

When Jesus said, "abide in me," He wasn’t speaking only of casual acquaintance. The Greek word meno does indeed mean to dwell, to remain. But behind that Greek term lies a deeper Hebraic concept—gur—which gives us greater insight. Gur implies not just dwelling but turning aside from your own path and choosing to reside with someone else, to lodge in their presence, to live under their roof, according to their ways.

This was the call of discipleship in the first century. Disciples did not just listen to a rabbi once a week; they left behind family, careers, comfort, and independence to live and learn from their master. Their lives revolved around his voice. So when Jesus says, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you," He’s not suggesting a once-a-day devotion. He’s commanding a life-altering realignment—a surrender of our will to His.

This kind of abiding demands everything. It’s not about sprinkling a little Jesus on top of a self-centered life. It’s about diving fully into the life of Christ, soaking in His Word, saturating your heart with His truth, and living under His lordship.

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Contemplation

• Have you truly turned aside from your own way to dwell with Jesus?

• Are there areas of your life where you still retain control instead of submitting to His lordship?

• Does His Word find a home in your heart, shaping your decisions, desires, and direction?

• Can you honestly say you are “all the way in,” or are you standing on the edge, hesitant to dive?

Jesus’ promise—“ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”—is not for the casual churchgoer. It’s for the disciple who has given Him everything.

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Prayer

Father,
Thank You for calling me to abide in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to understand that true discipleship is not partial, but total surrender. I don’t want to merely visit You occasionally—I want to live with You, walk with You, and let Your Word dwell in me richly. Teach me to turn aside from my own way and find joy in lodging under Your authority. Strengthen me to walk the path of discipleship with full devotion, not withholding any part of my life. May my prayers rise from a heart aligned with Your will, and may my life bring glory to You in all things.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Challenge for Today

Find a quiet place today to reflect: Am I fully His? Journal the areas of your life you’ve surrendered—and those you haven’t. Then, pray through each one, asking Jesus to take lordship over every part of your heart.