SCRIPTURE MEMORY CHALLENGE for September~ John 15:1-8

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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (Jn. 15:1-8) 

What does it really mean to A.B.I.D.E?

Acknowledge the Father’s gracious hand that removes the undesirable to bring forth “more fruit" (15:2). He lovingly initiates the purging process to rid His children of sinful habits that have hindered their spiritual growth.  His new-each-morning mercy helps us avoid what sin deserves and replaces it with blessings, when we acknowledge His sovereignty.

Be still and rest in the fact  that Jesus Christ is the True Vine (15:1)and those who remain disconnected from Him can accomplish nothing of eternal value (15:6). Even Believers who become more reliant upon self and others, instead of their Savior, will miss out on what only God can do in their life. The Lord desires His very best for us. Scripture promises that we may be cleansed through His Word (15:3), grow in grace (2 Pt. 3:18) and remain fruitful. Only then can we experience His supernatural rest and peace within our soul. (Ps. 46:10)

Intentionally Cling to the Savior (15:4, 7). Not just going through the motions or checking a box but drawing near through prayer, searching the Scriptures for instruction and genuine devotion. (Jas. 4:8) 

Depend upon His Power and Presence (15:5). His Holy Spirit provides what is essential for sustenance and growth. Nothing else is sufficient. Jesus Christ is our source of life and He promised to provide His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide each of His followers. He alone can nourish our soul and restore what sin has destroyed.

Expect Growth as a result! This abiding is active and intentional; bearing spiritual fruit. Fullness of joy in our Christian walk comes as we are consistently abiding in the love of Jesus Christ. (Ps. 16:11) 

The only way to experience this wonderful abiding with the heavenly Father is by way of a personal relationship through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The act of abiding is not physical or intellectual, it begins with spiritual birth. We do not have the strength or wisdom within  ourselves to hang in there or figure out the mind and ways of God. It is the power of the Holy Spirit of God the draws, convicts, and illumines sinful hearts. You must respond to His invitation, receiving by faith His free gift of salvation. If you have any questions or prayer requests, we would love to hear from you! ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor. 10:3-6)

Which of your thoughts are in conflict with God’s wisdom and omniscience? Anything that “exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Cor. 10:5) Those things which go against biblical principles and neglect known truths within God’s Word.

This internal conflict is not uncommon. We all have them from time to time. The longer we entertain them (whether it is an attitude, a craving, or temptation), the greater the possibility we will give in. The important thing is what we do about them. Do you cast it down? (2 Cor. 10:5)Just ignoring it will not make it go away. There must be divine truth that removes and replaces the lie. The devil is the enemy of our souls. “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (Jn. 8:44b) So, don’t be surprised when he attacks, distorts, and attempts to discount God’s Word as truth. Be on guard and armed with Truth in the most important place that matters, the heart. “Keep your heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23)

Sometimes we must counsel our own heart, which can be humbling, but necessary. If we know there is something in our heart and life that goes against what scripture says, we must repent of it (I Jn. 1:9); renew our mind (Rom. 12:2); commit our way/walk to the Savior, Jesus Christ (Ps. 37:5). By the power of His Holy Spirit we can walk in victory, if we allow Him to lead. This can be easier said than done, at times, but never impossible once saving faith is placed in Christ (Gal. 2:19-21). If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, please don’t wait. We would love to hear from you! ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.” (Psalm 121:1-5)

We are blessed with many promises all throughout Scripture. Here in this passage we are promised help and being kept by a faithful and attentive Lord. This guarantee of the Lord's keeping us is the same emphasis as preserving as stated in verse seven. "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul."

There are important requirements to claiming these promises.

First, we must look to Jesus Christ, in faith and trust that leads to salvation. Maintaining focus on the Savior is crucial to walking within His protection and preservation. If our gaze and attention is anywhere else, we risk missing what is most important - communing with the Savior and receiving all that He has for us to hear. This is where we learn what He desires and  how He works in our life. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Ps. 139:14)

Our heavenly Father sees the distress when our heart is hurting. No one can remove the ache within our soul as He can. Once we are His through faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, He desires to move obstacles and act on our behalf. This divine help is motivated by His love and mercy that was ultimately demonstrated at the cross of Calvary, but visible throughout history as recorded in the pages Scripture for our learning and admonition. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) We must make these truths a part of our heart and soul. We commune with the Savior, through reading and meditating upon Scripture. Only then can we, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, know His mind and the desires He has for us. Only after knowing can we act on these truths, by applying them to our lives and whatever situations we face. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2)

Meditating upon the principles of God’s Word is how we keep our focus on the Savior, Jesus Christ. Following His will for our life, requires we hear/read and receive it by sitting under biblical preaching and teaching, as well as personal time of devotions. None of this happens accidentally, we must set our hearts upon communing with the Savior and doing what pleases Him. Nothing pleases Him more than our submission to His will and living a life that glorifies the Father. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” (Jn. 15:8-9) 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

No one and no thing is able to bring peace unto the depths of our soul as God can. He alone is our peace. Offered in the person of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself sacrificially, that we can have peace from the dominion of sin and fear of eternal damnation. Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, born again by faith in His sacrificial work on the cross, we have access to the Heavenly Father. Because of our relationship, we are at peace with God and no longer enemies. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

Through salvation we are spiritually secure in Him and He is in us. By His indwelling Holy Spirit, we can now abide in His peace. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15). His presence in our life brings peace with the Father and our obedience to His Word affords us the lasting peace that nothing in this world can offer. We forfeit personally experiencing His peace when we live as if He is not our life, our love, and our Savior. He lovingly waits and desires to draw us back unto Himself. (see Jas. 4:6-10)

Are living a life experiencing the peace of Jesus Christ? If not, what prevents you from having His peace right now in your life? We would love to share with you some helpful scriptural resources. Let us know how we can be a blessing to you and pray with you.   ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com

 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Pt. 3:14-18)

To be found of Jesus in peace comes first through a personal relationship with Him as your Savior (Rom. 5:1). Only then can we walk in obedience to His Word (I Pt. 1:14). Not spotted by the wickedness of the world but led by His Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13-15), being sensitive to His prompting and correction. By His indwelling power we can remain faithful to the Savior and quickly repent whenever we give in to temptation.             

Not only do we need to be faithful to obey His Word, but also in proclaiming it. That also means sharing in love without ‘wresting’ it by forcing it to convey what God never intended. As followers of Christ, we must remain faithful servants and students of the Word, that we may be good stewards of all that God entrusts to our care. The management of rightly dividing His Word must be a high priority (2 Tim. 2:15-16). Such spiritual instability leads to error and confusion, which garners destruction, not growth in grace. Jesus calls His followers to grow in grace and knowledge of Him (2 Pt. 3:18). Understanding and experiencing the greatness of His love and mercy helps us desire to express it to others in sincerity.

If you are reading this and would like to learn more about how to grow in your faith, we would love to send you some helpful resources. Jesus loves you sacrificially and His Word provides the answers you need. Please send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible. ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com

31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (Lk. 24:31-34)

The risen Savior walked with the weary discouraged pair on the road to Emmaus (see Lk. 24:13-29), just as He walks with us by His indwelling Holy Spirit today. He listened to their heart of despair and counseled them from the Word of Truth. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:..and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God..."(Isa. 9:6). We too, as Believers in Jesus Christ, have that wonderful privilege. He expounded the written Word as only the Living Word, Jesus Christ, could do. "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding to the simple" (Ps. 119:130). His Spirit will also make known to His own, what His Word says and how we must apply it to our lives personally and purposefully. "Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it" (Lk. 11:28).  As we commune with Him and search the scriptures, we too can say: “Did not our heart burn within us?” When we make knowing Jesus and walking with Him our priority there will arise within us a burning desire to know Him more; a yearning to commune with Him more; and an eagerness to proclaim all the more to those around us that “The Lord is risen indeed!”

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.    (Rev. 21:3-5)

Our Eternal Hope: JESUS CHRIST!

Life can be hard and the world around us is often a mess. But God… He has provided the hope that is eternal and tangible for all who come to Him by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We can have this hope, experience it when things become difficult, and give it to those around us that are hurting.

· Hope now – is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. He dwells with us and desires to commune with us. We must be intentional and make time to read what He has for us from His Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) His Word and Holy Spirit are necessary to grow and to be built up spiritually when we face life’s challenges and temptations. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pt. 3:18).

· Hope eternally – this eternal hope is kept by the power of our heavenly Father and purchased with the sacrificial blood of His Son, Jesus Christ; and sealed by His Holy Spirit. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:13). The hope of one day being free from sin, pain, fear, and death will become reality for the child of God in eternity. So, when the enemy attempts to discourage and defeat you, look to the promises of the Savior…this is not the end and He has made all things new for those that are His. “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you” (I Jn. 2:25-26).

If you are reading this and this eternal hope escapes you, we would love to send you some helpful resources. Jesus loves you sacrificially and eternal hope is available only through Him. Please send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible. ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (I Jn. 4:7-11)

The Incomparable Love of Jesus

Jesus loves sacrificially. He has expressed His love for us on the cross and continues with the presence of His Holy Spirit to:

· convict us to live rightly in order to receive the blessings of the Father (Ps. 1; Heb. 11:6)

· instruct us through His Word that we may know Him more intimately, know His will, and have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16; Rom. 12:2) 

· enable us to face trials and temptations victoriously by His power (Eph. 3:20; 2 Pt. 1:3)

Jesus loved first. This love is available to all (Jn. 3:16-17), but must be received by faith in response to His grace. Upon receiving Him, His indwelling Spirit enables us to love Him in return. In our natural man we are not capable of loving God as we should, but with His presence and power our love is expressed each time we surrender our will to His, and as we grow in His grace we grow in our love for Him and those He has in our lives.

Jesus’ love compels us to love others. The love we are able to express for others, especially those we don’t think deserve it, can be supernatural. Those we are close to and enjoy in our life are easy to love. But, since God calls us to love our neighbor (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; I Jn. 4:21), we must be willing to love even the unlovely. This requires His supernatural presence and power to forgive and love to honor our Savior. 

May we each day consider His incomparable love and seek to honor Him with our life. The glory of Jesus Christ must be our motivation, and His love must be dwelling within our own heart. This will compel us to walk in His joy as we remember that the love of Jesus Christ is also inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39). 

If you are reading this and this eternal hope escapes you, we would love to send you some helpful resources. Jesus loves you sacrificially and eternal hope is available only through Him. Please send us an email ministry@hisplanandpurpose.com. 

16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. (Psalm 66:16-20)

The Lord desires to hear and answer the prayer of His children, but we cannot walk contrary to His word and will for us, while  expecting Him to hear and answer our prayer. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps. 66:18) We must humbly approach the throne of God with a repentant heart, naming and forsaking that which we know to be in opposition to His Word and will for our life. “If we confess our sins, He (JESUS) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I Jn. 1:9) 

Our love for Him requires obedience, which equates to trusting Him, no matter what our emotions tell us. Why would we pray to someone we do not trust? If we trust Him, why wouldn’t we obey Him? Mostly because our flesh is weak and we are not fully relying on His indwelling Holy Spirit. Too often we fall back into relying upon our own strength, our own understanding or perception of a situation, our emotions and worldly wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. This most certainly leads to burnout, defeat, and discouragement. God never intended for His children to live in such confusion and instability. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” (I Cor. 14:33) 

Know this assurance, that our trust in God’s ability and willingness to keep us can override the fear of the ‘what ifs’. Praise God!! His strength to uphold and restore  never fails. When looking to Him for love and acceptance, He won’t let me down. His continual grace renews day-by-day and because of His mercy I can know that I am eternally secure. In this, I “shall not want any good thing.”  Because He has satisfied my soul in a way nothing or no one else can. “O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him…but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (Jn. 3:16-21)

God gave that we might enjoy fellowship with Him. Jesus came that we might experience all the goodness of God in this life and eternally. Jesus gave His life that we may gain life eternal. He left His Holy Spirit and His Word so that we can learn of Him and walk in His wisdom. All of this is for the fulfillment of the Father’s will and His glory. This is the fundamental truth of the Christmas Season, and the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ is to be our principal focus. Our prayer is that you experience this gift personally and share it faithfully.

Before His crucifixion, Jesus said to Pilate: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice." (Jn. 18:37) May you hear and receive all that the Savior has for you.