1 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:15,974 Welcome to the divine five one five pod 2 00:00:16,454 --> 00:00:18,875 podcast. Here is this week's devotional. 3 00:00:21,894 --> 00:00:25,275 Hello, and welcome to divine five one five. 4 00:00:25,975 --> 00:00:26,475 Today 5 00:00:27,255 --> 00:00:28,795 ends our series 6 00:00:29,335 --> 00:00:31,114 of building stronger relationships 7 00:00:32,190 --> 00:00:35,229 by talking about how to maintain intimacy with 8 00:00:35,229 --> 00:00:36,690 God in busy seasons. 9 00:00:37,950 --> 00:00:39,329 I wanna start the conversation 10 00:00:40,350 --> 00:00:43,969 by addressing how busyness doesn't destroy relationships overnight, 11 00:00:44,484 --> 00:00:48,024 but rather it slowly replaces intimacy with routine. 12 00:00:50,005 --> 00:00:51,704 Remaining requires intention, 13 00:00:52,565 --> 00:00:53,065 especially 14 00:00:53,604 --> 00:00:54,825 in everyday life. 15 00:00:55,844 --> 00:00:58,265 Intimacy with God doesn't just 16 00:00:58,780 --> 00:01:00,960 happen because we believe in him. 17 00:01:01,740 --> 00:01:04,880 It grows because we choose to stay connected. 18 00:01:05,819 --> 00:01:08,859 And our key scripture today, John fifteen and 19 00:01:08,859 --> 00:01:09,359 four, 20 00:01:10,694 --> 00:01:13,655 scripture says to remain in me. This is 21 00:01:13,655 --> 00:01:14,155 Jesus 22 00:01:14,615 --> 00:01:15,115 expressing 23 00:01:15,814 --> 00:01:16,635 the strategy 24 00:01:17,334 --> 00:01:19,515 on the ultimate connection. 25 00:01:20,694 --> 00:01:22,935 He says no branch can bear fruit by 26 00:01:22,935 --> 00:01:23,435 itself, 27 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,700 but you must remain 28 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:28,140 in me. 29 00:01:31,079 --> 00:01:33,420 That isn't just a spiritual 30 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:34,459 metaphor. 31 00:01:35,719 --> 00:01:36,780 It's actually 32 00:01:37,079 --> 00:01:38,299 a daily reality. 33 00:01:39,604 --> 00:01:42,104 When we rush through mornings without pausing, 34 00:01:42,724 --> 00:01:44,584 react to stress without praying, 35 00:01:44,965 --> 00:01:46,504 or making decisions 36 00:01:46,884 --> 00:01:48,104 without seeking him, 37 00:01:48,644 --> 00:01:50,905 we start to feel the dryness. 38 00:01:52,799 --> 00:01:54,019 It's where we 39 00:01:54,399 --> 00:01:54,899 respond 40 00:01:55,439 --> 00:01:57,060 in crisis mode 41 00:01:57,439 --> 00:01:59,219 instead of faith mode. 42 00:02:00,959 --> 00:02:02,899 Not because God moved, 43 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:05,539 but because we did. 44 00:02:07,974 --> 00:02:10,235 Intimacy with God looks practical. 45 00:02:11,094 --> 00:02:14,155 It's whispering a prayer while driving to work. 46 00:02:14,775 --> 00:02:15,275 It's 47 00:02:15,655 --> 00:02:18,074 pausing before responding in frustration. 48 00:02:19,254 --> 00:02:21,754 It's thanking him while folding the laundry. 49 00:02:23,020 --> 00:02:25,760 It's asking for wisdom before sending 50 00:02:26,139 --> 00:02:27,520 that difficult text. 51 00:02:28,780 --> 00:02:30,080 James four eight 52 00:02:31,419 --> 00:02:34,379 reminds us to draw near to God, and 53 00:02:34,379 --> 00:02:36,800 he will draw near to us. 54 00:02:37,824 --> 00:02:38,724 That drawing 55 00:02:39,344 --> 00:02:41,844 near doesn't require a perfect setting. 56 00:02:43,344 --> 00:02:45,525 It's always the perfect opportunity 57 00:02:45,824 --> 00:02:46,884 because it requires 58 00:02:47,185 --> 00:02:48,324 a willing heart. 59 00:02:49,985 --> 00:02:52,245 Life is full of busy seasons, 60 00:02:54,330 --> 00:02:55,629 but it should never 61 00:02:56,090 --> 00:02:57,389 cause us to eliminate 62 00:02:57,770 --> 00:02:58,270 intimacy. 63 00:02:59,930 --> 00:03:00,750 Those moments 64 00:03:01,129 --> 00:03:02,189 test our intentionality. 65 00:03:03,689 --> 00:03:04,189 Even 66 00:03:04,490 --> 00:03:07,849 short, sincere prayers throughout the day keep our 67 00:03:07,849 --> 00:03:08,669 hearts aligned. 68 00:03:09,335 --> 00:03:10,715 When we remain connected, 69 00:03:11,495 --> 00:03:13,194 the fruit Jesus promised, 70 00:03:13,735 --> 00:03:14,235 peace, 71 00:03:14,534 --> 00:03:15,034 patience, 72 00:03:15,414 --> 00:03:16,235 and gentleness 73 00:03:16,935 --> 00:03:19,594 begins to show up naturally in our tone, 74 00:03:20,775 --> 00:03:21,594 our relationships, 75 00:03:22,375 --> 00:03:23,354 and our decisions. 76 00:03:24,549 --> 00:03:25,849 But when we disconnect, 77 00:03:26,789 --> 00:03:27,769 even temporarily, 78 00:03:29,430 --> 00:03:30,250 we experience 79 00:03:30,789 --> 00:03:31,849 feeling unsettled 80 00:03:32,150 --> 00:03:34,569 because we were never designed to function 81 00:03:34,870 --> 00:03:36,169 apart from the vine. 82 00:03:37,805 --> 00:03:40,764 The secret to thriving in everyday life isn't 83 00:03:40,764 --> 00:03:41,584 doing more. 84 00:03:42,284 --> 00:03:43,985 It's staying rooted. 85 00:03:44,925 --> 00:03:46,865 Connection with God fuels 86 00:03:47,245 --> 00:03:48,305 everything else. 87 00:03:49,959 --> 00:03:50,699 Let's pray. 88 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:53,580 Heavenly father, 89 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,080 help me remain in you when life feels 90 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:57,580 full. 91 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,620 Keep my heart anchored in your presence. 92 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:02,860 Let prayer sustain 93 00:04:03,239 --> 00:04:03,979 my intimacy 94 00:04:04,599 --> 00:04:05,340 with you, 95 00:04:06,495 --> 00:04:08,415 and I will give you the honor, the 96 00:04:08,415 --> 00:04:10,034 glory, and the praise 97 00:04:10,735 --> 00:04:12,034 in Jesus' name. 98 00:04:13,855 --> 00:04:15,955 If this March series 99 00:04:16,415 --> 00:04:19,394 is strengthening your walk, your relationships 100 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:23,680 with others and with God, 101 00:04:24,139 --> 00:04:26,540 take ten seconds right now and hit follow 102 00:04:26,540 --> 00:04:29,360 divine five one five so you never miss 103 00:04:29,660 --> 00:04:31,120 what's coming up next. 104 00:04:31,980 --> 00:04:34,699 And if this episode encourages you, share it 105 00:04:34,699 --> 00:04:35,360 with someone 106 00:04:35,904 --> 00:04:37,204 because growth multiplies 107 00:04:37,504 --> 00:04:38,884 when we invite others. 108 00:04:39,824 --> 00:04:40,644 And remember, 109 00:04:40,944 --> 00:04:42,725 regardless of what you're going through, 110 00:04:43,185 --> 00:04:45,524 there's always room at the throne.