Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 October 2026 John 15:4a.
John 15:4a. Abide in me, and I in you.
As the world turns, it’s Sunday once again my people, another beautiful, sunshiny fall day! That means it’s time to gather in God’s sanctuary to fellowship with other believers, while giving thanks and praise to our great and wonderful God! And it’s also of the utmost importance that Christians fellowship with one another so that we can encourage and lift up each other. The author of Hebrews rightly reminds us of that fact when he writes: ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:25)
Yes friends, believers ought to get together on a regular basis and worship Almighty God. As the scholars say: It involves the entire worship of Christ, and is an outward indication of an inward condition. The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening and the stirring up that can be gained from one another (cf. Col. 3:12-16). It consists of participation in worship and fellowship. The church is a body interacting (1 Cor. 12:14-27); it is not merely a dispensary of spiritual food and medicine.’
And now that we’ve heard the argument for gathering in fellowship, let’s turn to our song of worship for today. It’s a popular gospel song encouraging believers to stand strong in faith and perseverance and is simply titled ‘Stay with God.’ It’s sung by the well-known Jamaican gospel artiste Judith Gayle, from her 2016 album ‘The Winner In Me.’ And we’re going to offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, mid-tempo, heartfelt version, showing that we truly believe what we’re singing.
So, singing: ‘I know the mountains get so high sometimes I know the valley seems so wide It seems this journey, it will never end And you keep asking the question: God why? I know the road it gets so rocky at times, Ah, I know the heartaches are severe Oh, It seems like life will never change its tide But there’s an answer to all of life’s cares. (Chorus: Stay with God In spite of what you see or feel Stay with God In spite of how things may appear Come on, Stay with God It doesn’t matter what may come our way There is only one place we are safe Stay with God.)
I know the way you feel says give up now I know you feel you can’t hold on You’re not the only one who is carrying your load Remember He said to cast all your cares on Him. I know you cry and tell everyone you meet Because you feel that will ease the pain But if you just believe your life is in God’s hands Then today I tell you your mountains have to disappear. (Chorus 2) Ooh yeah You got life in Him There is hope in Him There’s a bright future Just stay with him yeah just stay with him yeah Oh he’ll never leave you He’ll never he’ll never never forsake you no Just cast all your cares upon Him
Don’t give up now Don’t give in no Whatever may come your way God is always there, Stay with God In spite of what you see or feel Stay with God In spite of how things may appear Stay with God It doesn’t matter what may come our way There is only one place we are safe Come on, Stay with God Stay with Jesus Stay with Jesus Stay with God Eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God yeah Stay with God…Stay with Jesus…Stay with God…right until the end…Stay with God…’
Oh my people there could be no better advice than that: Stay with God, because He’s the eternal, immortal, invisible, only wise God that there is! And as this Overview tells us: The message of the song, is that ‘It encourages listeners to hold on to faith, stay in prayer, and trust God even when walking through difficult valleys, high mountains, or severe heartaches. It reminds believers that they are not carrying their burdens alone and the God never forsakes them.’ And that is a perfect message for these evil and ungodly times.
The question then becomes; how do we stay with God? Simply put, it’s as the message of the song says, by holding on to our faith, while staying diligent in prayer and remembering we’re not alone, neither will our God ever forsake us. So, we keep on believing, trusting God to do what’s right, when the time is right, being rooted and grounded in the scriptures so we can learn God’s promises, and place all our heavy load on Him, as He desires us to do in His Great Invitation: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matt. 11:28) And as Peter wisely says: ‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (1 Pet. 5:7)
Then, as this other Overview tell us: ‘The Bible teaches that staying connected to God – often described as abiding, walking with God, or drawing near – is essential for spiritual life, peace, and fruitfulness.’ And there are numerous scriptures that deal with those subjects, so let’s look at a few. In the gospel of John, Jesus says it quite clearly: ‘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. 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.’ (John 15:4-5)
Now, that’s Jesus telling it exactly like it is! Without Him playing a major role in our lives we cannot do much of anything, especially bear worthwhile fruit. Then James is also very explicit, when he says: ‘Draw near to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you.’ (James 4:8a) And through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord clearly states: ‘Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto (listen to) you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:12-13) There you have it friends, the onus is on us to seek God with all of our hearts, if we desire to stay close to Him.
And we’ll end with this beautiful and very reassuring promise from God to Joshua, and consequently to us: ‘Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:9) And that’s from the Lord God Almighty Himself, so it must be the glorious truth, for our God does not lie. So, this Sunday, as we meet and greet and fellowship with our fellow believers, let’s keep all the sentiments we’ve expressed first place in our hearts, for then we will live a blessed, peaceful, spiritual and fruitful life as our God desires! Much LOVE!
…the best way to stay with God is…through constant prayer…diligent Bible study…regular fellowship with other believers…and humble service to others
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