Sunday, January 31, 2010

{Scripture Challenge 2} Challenge Word #3, Abide

Challenge Word #3: Abide

Are you passionate about living to please Christ? Do you long for a vibrant relationship with Him? Something we are focusing on this year in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is “Abiding in Christ.” What exactly does abide mean? Vine’s Concise Dictionary says “continue in, constant residence, to remain beside, to continue near, an abode.” Think of it as remaining fixed permanently on Christ in everything you do, say, think, etc. We should rely on Him for all things and draw our strength for all situations from Him. He should be at the forefront of a believers mind at all times. We should live less for our own desires and live for an eternal perspective. Abiding in Christ effects the way we think, act, and speak.

Filling our minds with His Word and truths is key to abiding in Christ. The more time we spend with Him, His presence begins to take over our lives. His Word takes root and changes our lives, reveals sin, and gives us a passion to live to please Him and serve others. Do you live to please your family, friends, and colleagues, or do you live to please Him?

As we abide in Christ, we will produce spiritual fruit. Sometimes we will see that fruit, and some of it we will not see until we get to Heaven. But you can be confident that as you serve Him and live for Him, He will use your service, actions, and life to His glory. I found this on the web as I studied this week--"Just as a branch draws its life-source from the vine, believers must stay connected to Christ for His life to flow through them and produce spiritual fruit.” I just love that!

John 15:1-9 says it perfectly--"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

My Life Application Study Bible notes say this about that passage “Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him, like a branch attached to the vine. Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful. Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ, the vine? If not, you are missing a special gift He has for you.”

He may have to do some rearranging in our lives but how awesome to know that the "rearranging" will make us more like Him and that He can use us for His great purpose!

As I studied this week, I looked at the words “remain” and “dwell” also. You may also search Bible Gateway for different versions of the same passage. For instance, I love the King James Version of 1 Corinthians 7:24. It says "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."

However, the NIV says "Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to."

Will you abide in Him in all things everyday so that you will be transformed to His image to produce spiritual fruit for His Kingdom? Will you make your abode (your home) in Him?

For my page today, the Layers of Color Gothic Crosses and Nature Walk stamp sets were perfect for this page! I embossed the cross and the leaves. Then I attached the leaves to the "vine" symbolizing my staying close and attached to Him. The patterned paper is by Bella Blvd, and I love that it had the trees, branches, and leaves. Again, perfect for my page.
Papers: Bella Blvd Little Buds, Bella Blvd Sugar Cone, Bella Blvd Easter Grass, Papertrey Ink CS
Stamps: Layers of Color Gothic Crosses, Layers of Color Nature Walk, JustRite 100 Year Dater
Stamp Ink: SU chocolate chip and close to cocoa, Ranger clear EP
Embellishments: Basic Grey milk chocolate chip micro-chip alphas, misc. ribbon, 7Gypsies ATC card, Making Memories safety pins


The scriptures I used are:
1 John 2:24 "See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father."
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Remember to use Keyword SCRC210 when posting in galleries. It will be easier for people to find your work if you use our keyword. Also, feel free to leave a link here for others to see using Mister Linky. I paid for an upgrade to a better version. I pray y'all find you like it. Using Mister Linky is truly the easiest way for others to view your work. :) Well, have a blessed time of study, and I will see you next time. In Him,



Photobucket

20 comments:

Elaina Weaver said...

Patter, I have been so anxious for this post. I just couldn't wait to see what our word would be this week. And what a great word. As soon as I saw it, my lo just popped into my head. I can't wait to study and focus on abiding this week.

Thanks again for hosting this challenge.

Blessed Ladybug said...

Hi Patter .. I'm hoping my layout is linked to the above link i sign in for.. please let me know.. thanks .. Barbara graves

Patter Cross said...

Barbara, it linked to your blog. :) You will want to add a direct link to your post when you create your page or card. :)

Janette Platt (Australia) said...

I just wanted to tell you that this is really uplifting my heart. Our talk on sunday at church was about abiding in the vain. Isn't that amazing.
I have been struggling to find my joy for a little while and this challenge is really helping. Thank you so much.

Janette Platt (Australia) said...

I wanted to thank you so much for this challenge it is really uplifting my heart. Our talk on Sunday at church was about abiding in the vine. How amazing is that.
I have been struggling to find my Joy for a little while and this challenge is really helping.

pitje said...

Hi Patterson,

It is exciting to see how God works.
When I started with the word hope I finished my journaling with the question how do I remain in Christ. At the word temptation I realized that my greatest temptation is to do it myself instead of letting Him do it. In those 2 weeks, I read a book by Kirsten Heitzman in which the main character received every time the phrase I am the true vine, and then after a while the phrase remain in me. That Sunday the sermon also got me closer to an answer. Yesterday (Sunday) was the sermon about salt and the pastor also said the phrase remain in me!
This morning I shwitshed on the radio in the car and I heard again: "I am the vine, stay in me .... amazing is it not?
I am really looking forward to where the Lord is going to lead me this week. It is clear to me He wants me to know something.
Pitje

pitje said...

sorry about the name, i use google translation and it made patterson. just see it now.

Vanessa said...

Abiding .... what a wonderful word to ponder!!!
Thank you for your encouragment to us all!
:) Can't wait to work on it!
Have a great day!!
~Vanessa

Anonymous said...

Patter,

I look forward to reading your remarks and sharing for the Scriptural Challenge and in general. You make it very easy for me to relate the word or thought back to my life.

I want to publicly admit that I have not done one page yet! I have my list. I have sticky notes all over it with thoughts and verses, and paper chosen and paperclipped together. I guess the first step I can do to abide in Him, is to put it all together, so that I and my grandchildren will be able to look back on this, and remember and maybe add new thoughts over the years. I commit to getting caught up by our next Sunday's challenge. (2 weeks.) I do this publicly, so that I don't cheat to myself. I hope this makes sense. I apologize to everyone. You have shared your work openly. I have not shared anything.

One more thought, Patter. I love how you automatically SEEM to know what your page will look like. The pages so wonderfully represent the word/thoughts/phrase.

He Is Able,
Traci S.

Vanessa said...

Tracie S, you're not the only one!! I ALSO have not completed one page yet ... only a list and thoughts as to what I will do.
Tracie S., I'll commit to getting "caught up" by next Sunday's challenge with you!
In our weakness HE IS STRONG!!
~Vanessa F. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the incredible word this week and the awesome artwork sample. I have just posted my link to my blog post where I have included words 2 and 3. God Bless

Anne-Marie said...

Thankyou so much Patter for all you share, both - your words of wisdom and you beautiful art. I really like the ribbon draped around the cross.

Anonymous said...

Vanessa F.--

Thank you for your support and encouragement. Sadly, I did not realize we were going to Maryland next Friday for several days, and I will be unable to work on the project. I apologize and am giving myself until March 1st, to be done with everything I missed, and everything between then and now.

You have a compassionate heart!

He IS Able,
Traci S.

Patter, is there a way to make sure she gets this message?

Vanessa said...

Tracie S.
I did see your post! :)
I look forward to seeing what you were able to do - around March 1. Hopefully I can share what I'm able to get done, as well.
Have a great trip to Maryland, Tracie, and be refreshed in His Grace!
Thanks, Patter, for this uplifting challenge!
Blessings to all,
~Vanessa

Nancy said...

I really love the word "abide"! I've been singing or humming the old hymn "Abide With Me" since this word was first posted...what a beautiful song. I finishd my page and posted it today. Now I'm going to write out the words of the hymn too and add that to the back of my page. Thanks Patter, for another great word from the Lord this week!...Nancy :o)

Debra said...

This was an interesting study. My NIV version doesn't use this word, so I had to dig a little. Thanks for the great study, Patter.

Jonia said...

What a great study. All I could think about was God's Dwelling place. A Home and do I make myself a place where God would feel welcome. Thanks so much for the insight.

Rosemary D said...

Thanks, again, Patter for a great devotional! Little did I know on Sunday that I would need to abide in the Lord so much last week! Knowing I could put some troubling situations in his hands gave me such peace!! Blessings to you and this study!

Gwen said...

Whew, just finished my page and then opened my email to find our next word! Enjoying this study!

Vicky said...

Just linked my Abide layout in 2peas. Patter, love this study challenge! It's very rewarding for me :)

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