Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Abiding in His Love 8/27-9/3/26 (08/27/26)
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TITLE: ONE WORD DID IT | Previous Challenge Entry
By Evelyn Alexander
09/03/26 -
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Ray, their home Bible Study leader responded. Yes Shyra?
I hate to sound obtuse, but I’m not quite getting it. How can we, “Abide in Christ and His love?” Whenever you say that, I keep picturing in mind somehow jumping into Jesus’ body, and I know that “ain’t right”, she jokingly finished as the others laughed with her at the thought.
Still smiling at the image Shyra had painted, Ray agreed that’s not what it means. However, he added with a grin, it can be a creative way to remind ourselves of what we’re to do, after we better understand practical ways we can do what the scripture says, “Abide in his love”.
So, Shyra—“How is it possible?” That’s a good question. Turning to the group, he said, I’m sure many of you have some good thoughts that can help answer the question for her, so why don’t we start there.
John, I remember you and I explored this very question about a year ago. And you told me something seemed to help it click with you. Would you mind sharing first with us, what that something was?
Caught by surprise, John cleared his throat as he sat up a little straighter. Well … he started, while collecting his thoughts. It personally helped me when I started thinking of what it means to have a home I could safely “abide” in. Before, I had aways thought of the word as simply meaning to live or stay in a place. But now I know there’s so much more to it than that.
John then glanced at Ray and saw he was intently listening and slightly nodding his head, yes. It encouraged him to continue sharing from his heart, what God had shown him.
He continued. If I‘m “abiding” in my perfect home, I’m going to make it my forever home. No one can kick me out, or force me to move, he added with a grin. His eyes grew thoughtful again as he continued.
When I’m tired, I can get my best rest there. When I’m confused … tempted … or need some good advice, Jesus is right there for me to talk to, for He’s told me he loves me and will never leave me or forsake me.
Giving another grin, John added, I guess you might say Jesus and I are pretty tight roommates for life!
The group shared a good laugh with the thought, along with Ray. He thanked John and told him … I think you’ve helped us better understand what it means to abide with Christ and his love. Do you agree, Shyra?
Still caught up with John’s description, she gave a big smile with her confident, “Yes”.
But Ray wasn’t finished yet. He knew that Shyra, as a relatively new Christian, needed to have a solid understanding of HOW we abide in Christ. And then he remembered the perfect verse.
Turning to Shyra, he told her there’s one last important thing to look at, that clearly tells us HOW TO abide in God. Then asked her, “Would you mind looking up, 1 John 3:24 for us?
Thanks to her Smart Phone, she was able to find the verse quickly, then read, “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him.”
Ray could tell by the way Shyra’s face seemed to light up, she got it. She had her answer as to how we can abide in Christ and his love: We keep his commandments.
For the rest of the meeting, she couldn’t get the thought out of her mind, of Jesus staying with her for the rest of her life—no matter what. And that He was the friend who sticks closer than a loving brother.
The thought brought Shyra a lot of comfort. “Abide” … she thought to herself. I will never see the word the same ever again.
She then smiled to herself—suddenly realizing SHE would never feel the same either, as she learned to walk in faithful obedience to Him.
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