📖 Faithful Friday — Stay Close

Sometimes we approach spiritual growth like a self-improvement project.

I need to pray more.

I need to do better.

I need to be stronger.

I just need to try harder.

But in John 15, Jesus gives us a different picture.

He doesn't tell the branch to try harder to produce fruit.

He says: “

Abide in Me.”

Stay close.

Stay connected.

Let His life work in you.

Prayer matters. God's Word matters. Worship and obedience matter. But none of those are ways we manufacture spiritual life for ourselves. They continually draw us back to the One who IS our life.

💭 Today's Truth

Becoming more like Jesus isn't about trying harder. It's about staying closer to Him.

And today's Five More Minutes has a little something special at the end. Noah and Owen joined me to share “Abide,” and I can't think of a more fitting way to close this week than worshiping together around the very truth Jesus gives us in John 15.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for the times I've tried to live faithfully in my own strength. Teach me to abide in You. Draw me closer through Your Word, through prayer, through worship, and through obedience. Produce in me what I cannot produce on my own. Let Your life shape my attitudes, my words, my choices, and my relationships. Make me more like You as I learn to stay close to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If these words express your heart, pray them with me today. Or find your own words and spend a few moments talking honestly with the Lord.

As you head into the weekend, don't simply ask: “How can I try harder?”

Ask: “How can I stay closer to Jesus?”

Let's walk with Him today.

🎙️ Five More Minutes is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.