Topic: HOW PERSONAL IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 22 November 2021
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ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL
BY: ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA
*MONDAY NOVEMBER, 22, 2021
HOW PERSONAL IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
John 15:4-6 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.
So many believers still see Christianity as a religion. They think Christianity is about certain ceremonial dos and don’ts. Christianity is not a religion, Christianity is Jesus living His life through you. Christianity is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, (John 17:3). If you don’t have this personal relationship with Jesus, you don’t have eternal life and you are deceiving yourself. You will not be fruitful as a believer and you cannot be victorious over the devil’s attack on your soul. You also cannot be an effective witness for Jesus.
Also Read: Open Heaven 22 November 2021 –Topic: ENVY IS EVIL
The sons of Sceva tried to cast out a demon in a religious way. They were using the Name of Jesus whom ‘Paul preached’ and they did not know this Jesus personally. They were mercilessly beaten by that one possessed man, (Acts 19:14-16). Attending church, having a title in church and looking like a Christian doesn’t mean you are a Christian. Christ has to be real to you.
After the woman by the well called everyone in her city to meet Jesus, they confessed that they believed in Jesus, not because of the woman but because they had heard Him for themselves and had confirmed that Jesus is the Christ and Saviour of the world, (John 4:42). To know someone, you must deliberately develop a relationship with the person. You need to abide in Christ by having your own consistent and intimate fellowship with Him as you continue to walk in His ways. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, (James 4:8). If you really believe in something, you should be ready to die for it. Let your relationship with Christ be so personal that you are willing to die and make great sacrifices for it. Also be ready to die and make great sacrifices for people to get saved and know Jesus for themselves.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I desire to grow in my relationship with you. Reveal Jesus more to me and help me to fellowship with you more.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 28:8-10