🕊️ PRAY HERE Devotion 🕊️ A Real Relationship Changes You

Scripture: John 15:4–5 (KJV)

“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.”

Devotion: Have you ever had someone tell you they were your friend, but you hardly ever heard from them?

They never called.

Never checked on you.

Never spent time with you.

Never wanted to know how you were doing.

But every now and then… they needed something.

😂 Whewww!

Most of us would probably say,

“That’s not much of a relationship.”

Relationships require time.

Communication.

Commitment.

Growth.

Yesterday we talked about people who have a routine relationship with God. They go through the motions but their hearts are far from Him. Today, Jesus shows us what a real relationship looks like.

Let’s look at today’s scripture.

Jesus says,

“Abide in me…”

That one word is powerful.

Abide means to remain, stay connected, dwell, and continue with Him.

Not visit Him on Sundays.

Not call Him only when life falls apart.

Not acknowledge Him only when you need a blessing.

Abide.

Whewww!

A real relationship with God changes you because you spend time with Him.

Think about the people you spend the most time around.

Over time you start talking like them.

Thinking like them.

Laughing at the same things.

Even picking up some of their habits.

Why?

Because relationships influence us.

Shouldn’t spending time with Jesus do the same thing?

My, my, my!

If I’ve been abiding in Christ…

Why am I still the same person I was five years ago?

If I’ve been walking with Him…

Why is there no growth in my patience?

My forgiveness?

My faith?

My love for people?

A real relationship produces real fruit.

Jesus said,

”…He that abideth in me… bringeth forth much fruit.”

Notice…

He didn’t say,

“He brings forth church attendance.”

“He brings forth Bible knowledge.”

“He brings forth religious activity.”

He said,

Fruit.

That fruit is visible change.

People should be able to see Christ working in us.

Not perfection…

But progress.

Whewww!

Let’s make this practical.

A husband who truly abides in Christ should become a better husband.

A wife who truly abides in Christ should become a better wife.

A parent should become more patient.

A church leader should become more humble.

A believer should become quicker to forgive.

A gossiper should begin speaking life.

A worrier should begin trusting God more.

If my relationship with Jesus never changes the way I live…

I need to ask myself a hard question.

Am I abiding… or am I just visiting?

Whewww!!

Then Jesus says something that humbles every one of us.

”…Without me ye can do nothing.”

Not some things…

Nothing.

Every victory.

Every answered prayer.

Every act of obedience.

Every good work.

Every bit of growth.

It all comes from staying connected to Him.

That’s why a real relationship isn’t about checking off a religious checklist.

It’s about daily walking with Jesus.

Talking to Him.

Listening to Him.

Reading His Word.

Obeying what He says.

Allowing Him to change us from the inside out.

Today, don’t ask yourself,

“Did I spend time with God?”

Ask yourself,

“Did my time with God change me?”

Because that’s what a real relationship does.

It changes you.

God bless you!

Reflection

Take a quiet moment today and honestly ask yourself:

Can people see that I’ve been spending time with Jesus… or do they only know I go to church?

A real relationship with Christ should be evident in the way we live.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for inviting me into a real relationship with You. Forgive me for the times I have settled for routine instead of truly abiding in Your presence. I don’t want to simply know about You; I want to know You. Help me spend time with You daily through prayer, Your Word, and obedience. Change my heart, my thoughts, my attitudes, and my actions until I look more like Jesus. Let the fruit of my life reflect that I have been with You. Teach me to depend on You in everything, knowing that without You I can do nothing. Lord, let my relationship with You be real, growing, and life-changing every single day.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏🏼🕊️