The Way of Jesus - BE WITH HIM
How to Use This Devotional (Read Before Day 1)
This week is about one question that most of us avoid because it feels too close to home: When did doing for Jesus replace being with Jesus? Sunday’s message wasn’t about adding another habit. It was about exposing an illusion. This devotional is designed to help you slow down and let the Spirit search you.
Set aside 10–15 unrushed minutes each day. Read the Scripture slowly. Don’t skim. Let it read you. Reflect honestly—no church answers. Pray the guided prayer in your own words. Carry one phrase with you throughout the day.
The goal is not to feel inspired. It’s to meet with Jesus and let Him reorder your heart around presence.
Let’s begin.
Day 1 — When Busy Feels Like Faithful
Scripture (NIV): Mark 3:13–14
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.”
Reflection
In Mark 3, Jesus is at the height of pressure. Crowds pressing. Religious leaders plotting. Needs everywhere. If anyone had an excuse to stay busy, it was Him. But instead of maximizing momentum, He goes up the mountain.
Why? Not to strategize. Not to scale influence. To be with the Father—and then to call others to be with Him.
Before He sends them, He brings them close.
That order matters more than we realize.
Most of us live reversed. We feel valuable when we’re useful. We assume closeness equals output. If we’re serving, leading, producing—then we must be near. But activity can mimic intimacy. You can stay busy for Jesus and slowly drift from Jesus.
The illusion is subtle: If I’m doing a lot, I must be close.
But Jesus appointed them first to be with Him.
Not to impress Him.
Not to build something for Him.
To be with Him.
Presence precedes productivity. Intimacy precedes influence. When that order flips, joy fades. Prayer thins. Scripture feels mechanical. You don’t walk away—you just drift.
And drift feels normal because everyone around you is drifting too.
Ask yourself honestly: If my activity stopped tomorrow, would I still know how to be with Him?
Application
• Where has activity quietly replaced intimacy in my life?
• If I removed all ministry roles and responsibilities, what would remain of my relationship with Jesus?
• What would rearranging my life around presence actually change this week?
Guided Prayer
Jesus, I confess that I often measure closeness by productivity. I’ve confused busyness with faithfulness. Slow me down. Expose where doing has replaced being. Teach me how to sit with You without an agenda. I want to be with You before I ever try to be sent for You. Amen.
Day 2 — When Pressure Rises
Scripture (NIV): Mark 3:13
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.”
Reflection
The mountain isn’t random geography. In Scripture, mountains are places of encounter. Moses met God on a mountain. Elijah heard God on a mountain. Now Jesus goes up a mountain before appointing the Twelve.
When pressure rises, Jesus goes higher.
That confronts us.
When your schedule fills, when expectations stack, when life gets louder—what do you do? Push harder? Move faster? Multitask your spirituality?
We treat prayer like a luxury and hustle like a necessity.
But Jesus withdrew upward because life was intense—not because it was calm.
We assume slowing down will make us fall behind. Jesus shows us slowing down keeps us centered.
Here’s the deeper illusion: If I stop moving, everything will fall apart.
That’s not faith. That’s self-trust dressed up as responsibility.
Busyness feels powerful. Stillness feels vulnerable. Because when you stop moving, you feel what you’ve been avoiding. But that discomfort is mercy. God exposes what crowds have hidden.
Going “higher” doesn’t mean escaping life. It means returning to the center.
Application
• When I feel overwhelmed, what is my first instinct—withdraw upward or push harder? • What does my current pace reveal about what I trust?
• Where can I intentionally “go higher” this week?
Guided Prayer
Father, I run to movement when I feel pressure. I push instead of pause. Teach me the way of Jesus. When life gets loud, draw me upward instead of outward. Help me trust that being with You is not wasted time—it is the only way to stay aligned. Amen.
Day 3 — When You Feel Like You Have to Earn It
Scripture (NIV): Mark 3:13
“He called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.”
Reflection
“Those He wanted.”
That phrase is tender.
They didn’t apply. They didn’t volunteer. They didn’t earn their spot. Jesus wanted them.
Before preaching.
Before miracles.
Before loyalty.
Before understanding.
He wanted them.
That exposes another illusion: God is pleased with me when I perform.
We project our work world onto God. If I’m consistent, He’s near. If I struggle, He’s distant. If I serve well, He delights. If I fail, He tolerates.
But Mark says He wanted them before the work ever started.
That’s grace.
Identity before assignment.
Relationship before responsibility.
And notice—“they came to Him.” He initiates. They respond.
Nearness requires response. Grace is free, but presence is chosen.
Some of us know we’re forgiven, but we don’t live like we’re wanted. We show up spiritually defensive. We brace for correction instead of expecting delight.
But Jesus doesn’t recruit volunteers. He reclaims sons and daughters.
Application
• Where do I still believe I have to earn God’s nearness?
• Do I approach Him as someone tolerated or someone wanted?
• What would change in my prayer life if I believed He delights in me?
Guided Prayer
Jesus, I confess that I often approach You like an employee instead of a son or daughter. I assume I need to prove something. Thank You that You wanted me before I ever did anything for You. Help me respond to Your call and come near—not to earn love, but because I already have it. Amen.
Day 4 — When You’re Spiritually Tired
Scripture (NIV): John 15:4–5
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me… Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Reflection
Branches don’t try harder to produce fruit. They stay connected.
But we treat spiritual growth like a performance plan. More effort. More discipline. More structure. And when we feel dry, we assume we need to work harder.
Jesus says apart from Him you can do nothing.
Not less.
Nothing.
That’s not an exaggeration. It’s dependence.
Some of you are spiritually winded. Still functioning. Still serving. Still showing up. But flat. Irritable. Thin.
That’s what happens when doing replaces abiding.
You don’t collapse. You wither.
The illusion here is subtle: If I try harder, I’ll feel closer.
But trying harder is not the same as coming closer.
Abiding is relational attention. Not multitasking worship. Not rushed devotion. Attention before action.
You don’t earn oxygen. You breathe it.
Application
• Where am I running on spiritual fumes?
• Have I been adding effort instead of restoring connection?
• What would it look like to prioritize abiding over achieving this week?
Guided Prayer
Jesus, I’ve been trying to produce fruit without staying connected. I’ve treated Your presence like an extra instead of everything. Teach me to remain. Restore oxygen to my soul. Keep me close. I don’t want to strive—I want to abide. Amen.
Day 5 — Breaking the Illusion
Scripture (NIV): Luke 10:41–42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Reflection
Martha wasn’t lazy. She was distracted.
The word means pulled apart. Fragmented. Divided.
She was serving Jesus but missing Jesus.
And she assumed He must agree with her urgency. “Don’t You care?” Performance always starts questioning God’s care.
Jesus doesn’t shame her. He reorders her.
“One thing is necessary.”
Necessary. Not helpful. Not ideal. Necessary.
The illusion says: What I’m doing is essential.
Jesus says: Being with Me is essential.
Mary chose the better portion. Not morally superior. Foundational.
Some of you need to stop defending your pace. Stop justifying your hurry. Stop hiding behind productivity.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about clarity.
Doing a lot for God doesn’t always mean you’re close to God.
So here’s the decision: Will you reorder your life around presence?
With Him.
Then sent.
Not reversed.
Application
• Where have I been “Martha” while calling it faithfulness?
• What one practical change would reflect that presence is necessary, not optional? • Am I willing to reorder—not tweak—my life?
Guided Prayer
Lord, I’ve been worried and pulled in too many directions. I’ve called urgency obedience. Show me the one thing that is necessary. Help me choose the better portion—Your presence. Reorder my heart. Bring me back. I want to be with You. Amen.
You were not appointed to impress Him.
You were appointed to be with Him.
With Him.
Then sent.
