Devotional:

Abiding always sounds so peaceful, but in practice it’s really hard to do. Why? because remaining in Him means no longer remaining in everything else we’ve been depending on - our habits, our escapes, our self-strength, our need to control.

We drift easily.
We cling to our own plans quickly.
We try to produce fruit without staying connected to the Vine, and then wonder why we’re exhausted, inconsistent, or spiritually numb.

Jesus isn’t asking for occasional moments of connection; He’s asking for continual dependence.
To abide is to surrender the illusion that you can live spiritually apart from Him.

Scottish Minister, Oswald Chambers said,

“The battle is not for your devotional time; the battle is for your abiding time.”

Meaning:
It’s easy to give God a moment.
It’s costly to give Him the rhythm of your life.

Branches can’t “occasionally” be connected.
They only live if they remain.

Sometimes the heaviness we feel in our spiritual life comes from this simple truth: We are trying to bear fruit without staying close enough to Jesus for Him to sustain us.

Abiding is less about trying harder and more about staying nearer.
And this nearness demands consistency. It thrives on honesty, humility, and intentional choices.

Today, Jesus isn’t saying, “Try more for Me.”
He’s saying, “Stay with Me - even when it’s not easy, even when you’re tempted to go your own way.”

The reality is - remaining is the real work of discipleship.

Reflection:

Where have you been trying to live in your own strength instead of staying connected to Jesus? What would returning to Him look like today?

Carry This With You:

A branch disconnected only withers. Stay close to the Vine.