Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word
Help is always on the way. And He is full of truth about Jesus.
25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: “They hated me without a cause.”
26 But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
John 15:25-26
We’re memorizing these verses this week of September 22 – September 28. Will you join us?
Even though Jesus personified Love, He wasn’t always loved in return. Not then, not now.
23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. John 15:23-24
Once we’ve seen Him and His works, the choice to love or hate rests with us. Let’s choose wisely as we memorize and meditate on these words this week of September 15 – September 21.
Knowing Jesus or not does make a difference–in ways we can understand and often in ways we can’t. And when we do know Him, we can rest assured we are in good company, regardless of what happens from those who do not know Him.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
John 15:21-22
Whether you’re memorizing with us or just reading along each week, these are two verses to be praying over this week of September 8 – September 14.
Have you memorized any verses with us this summer from John 15? This week, September 1 – September 7, we’re not adding anything new, but reviewing previous verses. Use the time to solidify what you already learned, or play catch-up, or just take a breather!
As the world treated Jesus back then, so it will treat His followers now.
Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John 15:20
Think about this verse daily August 25 – August 31. See how it plays out in your own life. If you’d like to share, we’d love to hear what you think.
Jesus had enemies when He was here in the flesh. Now that He lives in us, He still has enemies here. But take heart: we’ve been chosen to rise above, just as He did.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19
We invite you to memorize this verse with us this week, August 18 – August 24. Leave a comment here with your thoughts and visit our Facebook group for more conversation.
What is important to Jesus? That we love one another. Over and over we read it in His words. As we memorize John 15, we see it again in this weeks’ verses, as well as a foreshadowing of why we’ll need that love.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:17-18
Remember school days when sports team captains would choose, one by one, the members they wanted on their team? It was agonizing waiting for your name to be called. Or thrilling if it was called early.
Fast forward to now–Jesus calls your name first! He has the perfect position for you to play in your life. Rest in that calling, knowing you can bear fruit that will stay because the Father will equip you with the skills you need.
Stay near these words of Jesus’ this week, and watch how they’ll lift up your heart.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:16
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“Jesus picked me! I can live with purpose. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-31N Memorize John 15:16 @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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The ultimate love is the ultimate sacrifice.
Rarely are we called to die for our friends, but daily we are called to lay down our phones, lay down our “me” time, lay down our schedules, etc., for our friends.
What will you lay down this week? Whether or not you’re memorizing with us, keep these words of Jesus close to your heart the next few days. His love is the ultimate.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
John 15:13-14
Want to share?
You’ll be asked to lay down something this week. Will love win? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-30M @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord
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More beautiful verses to memorize this week:
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:11-12
Jesus spoke often about joy and love for us and from us. Such good commandments He asks us to keep!
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Jesus invites us to full joy and amazing love. John 15:11-12 http://wp.me/p1Su7F-30G @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord
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Important words here! Even if you’re not memorizing John 15 with us this summer (details here), please read this week’s verses right now and soak in the love of Jesus for you.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
John 15:9-10
Isn’t this amazingly good news?
If you’d like to share it with others, tweet this:
“Jesus loves you like God loves Him (John 15:9-10). http://wp.me/p1Su7F-302 @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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Is there an area of your life where you especially need Jesus’ love? Please share if you’d like prayers.
Today is our Summer Link-Up!
Please share below YOUR posts on scripture memory and/or John 15!
What is Jesus speaking to you in these verses?
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:7-8
We’re continuing to memorize John 15. If you’d like to join us, here’s how: Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.
It’s time to link up!
Please share below posts from your blog on anything related to scripture memory and/or John 15. Visit and leave comments on others’ posts as you have time!
Here are some suggested topics:
Want to spread the word?
“How to glorify the Father, John 15:7-8. Memorize with me this week. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2YH @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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Take a minute to read these two verses. What message do you hear for you?
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
John 15:5-6
We’re memorizing John 15 this summer. It’s not too late if you want to jump in. Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.
NEXT MONDAY, June 23, we’ll open our Summer Memory Link-Up. Will you write something on your blog about scripture memory in general or about John 15 specifically?
Here are some suggested topics:
We look forward to seeing what you’ll share!
Want to tweet about this week’s verses?
“Apart from Jesus? Nothing. Abide & memorize John 15:5-6 with me this week. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2XY @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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Are you memorizing with us? How is it going so far?
Read these two verses. Pray over what Jesus is saying to you. Ask how He wants you to abide in Him this week.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:3-4
We’re memorizing John 15 this summer. You can, too, one verse at a time. Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.
In two weeks (Monday, June 23), we’ll open our Summer Memory Link-Up. Be writing your blog posts now about scripture memory.
Want to tweet about this week’s verses?
“Want to abide more in Jesus this week? Give memorizing a try. Join us in Jn 15:3-4 @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2XT #HideHisWord”
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What helps you abide in Jesus? Please share.
Today we start memorizing John 15! We pray this will be a growing season for each of you who are participating.
But even if you don’t plan to memorize, read a couple of verses each Monday morning with us from John 15, meditating and praying over what Jesus is planting into your life this week.
Take a minute to slowly pray over these words straight from Jesus, really listening to what He’s saying to you.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2
It’s not too late to register to receive our every-other-week eNewsletters with verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group. We’d love to have you along for the journey.
If you’d like to share:
“Words of Jesus to pray over this week: Bear fruit, John 15:1-2. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Vz @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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What has pruning looked like in your life? Did you see fruit? Please share.
If you think you’ve lost your memorizing skills, remember this: We remember what we value and what we repeat.
We’d love to help you exercise your memory skills over the next few months. But for a higher purpose: to abide more fully in the true Vine, Jesus; to better love one another; and to bear more fruit that lasts.
We’ll keep it as simple as 1-2-3.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
But even if you don’t memorize with us this time, we pray you’ll still benefit each Monday morning here at the blog by reading the verses and perhaps using them for study or for journaling during the week. (You’re welcome to still register to receive the eNewsletters as well!).
Scripture memory is only one of many ways to help us abide in the Lord. If this is a way you’ve never tried, OR tried unsuccessfully and want to try again, OR tried and know it works for you, please join us.
We’re not aiming for perfection, just abiding.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:4
Register now and download free printables.
Want to tell others? Please share however you’d like. Try a tweet:
“Think you can’t memorize? Let’s try together. Join us for John 15 @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Vx #HideHisWord”
click to tweet“We’re not aiming for perfection, just abiding. Let’s memorize John 15 @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Vx #HideHisWord”
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