GREETINGS beloved nation, in the name of Jesus Christ. We are living in an increasingly complex world, with pressures and demands from our social lives and workplaces keeping many people busy and preoccupied.
Many are consumed by school runs, homework, house chores, business ventures, ministry work and the daily hustle; the list is endless.
Amid all this busyness, many people struggle to maintain a meaningful and intimate relationship with God. Often, time spent with God is rushed, occurring in the early hours of the morning.
I have spoken before about the spirit of distraction and how the enemy seeks to keep us occupied, leaving no time for communion with God. Anyone can claim to be a Christian, but not everyone can genuinely say they have a relationship with God. There is a significant difference between being religious and having a relationship with God. A religious person may perform religious acts but remain distant from God. In contrast, a person with a relationship with God is always deeply connected to Him.
Beloved brethren, as the world grows wicked and darkness envelops the earth, we cannot afford to be disconnected from God. Spiritual disconnection leads to a loss of focus and direction, making us easy prey for the enemy, who roams around seeking whom to devour. The Bible reminds us in John 15:1-5, where Jesus states, “I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the words that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.”
Jesus’ command to “abide” in verse 4, serves as a reminder to the disciples. It is possible to be busy with ministry work, church programs and service to the poor while still not truly abiding in Christ.
Working for Christ does not guarantee that we are being fruitful if we neglect to abide in Him. But how do we abide?
We do so by staying connected to the one true vine. God’s promise is clear and straightforward: “If we abide in Christ, He abides in us.”
Abiding implies dependence. The branch relies on the vine for sustenance, while the vine is never dependent on the branch.
Without the vine, the branch is lifeless and powerless. Just as the branches of a vine obtain energy from the trunk to bear fruit, we, as believers, must stay connected to Christ to nurture our spirits and effectively serve Him.
We are reminded that apart from Christ, we cannot do anything.
The word “abide” also connotes the act of remaining, staying, or continuing. Thus, dependence on Jesus and a commitment to abide in Him will lead to spiritual growth and fruitfulness. I want to share two key ways to stay connected to God:
1. Staying connected through prayer
Like any relationship, connecting with God requires effort. The Bible encourages us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (James 4:8). It is impossible to connect with someone you don’t communicate with. Prayer is the act of talking to God and it should be an integral part of our daily lives. God desires a deep connection with each of us, and for that connection to flourish, we must first reach out to Him through prayer.
Prayer is incomplete without a response from God. We must connect with Him through faith, as it is impossible to please Him without it. When we pray, we must believe that we will receive, as stated in Mark 11:24. Additionally, praying the word of God back to Him is powerful; He delights when we return His promises. Consistency in prayer is crucial; Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Lastly, we must seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to remain focused in our prayers, as stated in Romans 8:26.
2. Staying connected through the study of the word
Psalm 1 tells us, “Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His law day and night.” By staying connected to God through His word, we become like trees planted by streams of water, firmly rooted and nourished.
When we delight in and meditate on His Word, we will remain unwavering, even amidst life’s challenges.
Christianity does not guarantee an easy life, seasons of drought will come. However, those who are planted by the rivers will not wither but will flourish and remain fruitful.
I invite you to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that He is Lord, and you will be saved. God bless you all!
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