To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:31-32

Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,’ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
— Jeremiah 2:19

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.’
— John 6:66-69

They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
— 1 John 2:19

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Abiding
By Jennifer Kane

Not in shadows, nor in fleeting light,
But in the Word that pierces night,
I set my heart, I fix my eyes,
On Christ, my hope, my only prize.

Belief is more than lips that speak,
More than the strong, more than the weak—
It is the root that clings below,
The vine in which my branches grow.

Through storm and fire, through loss and gain,
I trust His promise, not in vain.
For faith abides where love is sown,
And Christ makes dwelling in His own.

The world may falter, fade, and fall,
Yet true belief outlasts it all.
For I am held, and I am known,
By Him who reigns upon the throne.

So I will walk, though paths are steep,
The Shepherd’s voice my soul will keep.
In life, in death, in every breath,
I’ll rest in Him who conquered death.

~~~~~

Scripture Readings: John 8:31-32, Jeremiah 2:19, John 6:66-69, 1 John 2:19

Have you ever known someone who once seemed so full of faith, but later walked away from following Jesus? Maybe it was a friend, a family member, or even someone you looked up to spiritually. It can be heartbreaking to see. The Bible tells us this would happen—some will look like disciples for a time, but their walk doesn’t endure.

Even in Jesus’ own ministry, there were people who believed in Him for a moment but later turned away (John 2:23-24; John 6:66). Their faith was only temporary, not rooted in abiding trust. That’s why Jesus gives us this powerful reminder in John 8:31: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “If you abide, then you will become My disciples.” No—He says abiding is the mark that shows we are His disciples. Salvation is a gift we receive by faith, but real faith endures. Real faith abides. It clings to Jesus through the ups and downs of life.

False believers will give way as soon as they have entered into the course, or at least in the middle of it; but true believers persevere constantly to the end. In other words, true disciples aren’t perfect, but they keep returning to Jesus. They may stumble, but they rise again in repentance. They don’t just profess faith with their mouths—they possess it in their hearts.

So what does this mean for us today? It means that discipleship isn’t about a single moment—it’s about a life of abiding in Christ. It’s about leaning on His word daily, letting His truth shape our hearts, and allowing His Spirit to transform us.

The question isn’t “Did you once believe?” but rather, “Are you trusting Him now?” Because that’s what matters. Faith that abides is faith that saves.

Friend, keep clinging to Jesus. Keep abiding in His word. When you fall, return to Him. When you’re weary, draw near to Him. True discipleship is not about never stumbling, but about always coming back to the Shepherd who holds us fast.

~~~~~

Father God, Thank you so much for allowing me to perservere and abide in faith. Please continue to comfort and guide myself and others who desire to persistantly follow you to the end. I love you so much and am grateful for your continual reminders of your love and grace. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

October 3 2025