Want to listen to this post instead of reading? Play the audio recording below.
John 15:5 (NIV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
From the above verse, it is clear that without God we can do nothing. God is our very life. God is the One who empowers us. God is the One who equips us. God is the One who gives us what we need to carry out the work we have to do.
As believers, we have to be careful that we are living lives away from God. How is this possible, you might ask? It is simple. It happens when we allow the things of this world to distract us. To pull our attention away from God.
John 10:10 (NIV) states: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
A strategy of the enemy – the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy – is to lull us into thinking that we can put our spiritual lives on hold because God understands we are busy. That we have goals to attain. Or even because our “work for the Lord” leaves little time to spend with God. Do not believe the enemy!
We must make time for God every day. For example, we must:
Pray
- Luke 18:1 (NIV) states: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Read and study the Bible
- Psalm 1:2 (NIV) states: but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Obey God’s Word
James 1:22 states: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Listen to hear what God has to say
John 10:27 (NIV) states: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Be on guard. The cares of this world have the power to diminish the importance of our spiritual walk. The cares of this world have the power to rob us of the time to do the very thing that is most important. That is, growing our relationship with God. Do not just settle for looking like a “good Christian”, where our spiritual tanks are empty because we have ever so slowly stopped drawing close to God to be filled.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) states: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If you have strayed in your walk with the Lord, humble yourself and ask God forgiveness. And then get back on track, daily pursuing and following Jesus Christ as a priority.
1 John 2:16 states: For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
