Pre-Decide: Getting Closer To God

Jan 23, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Remaining Connected to Jesus as the True Vine

Life often feels disconnected and dry when we try to navigate it on our own strength. Jesus offers a beautiful picture of a vine and its branches to illustrate our need for Him. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays attached to the vine, we cannot live the life we were designed for apart from Christ. By predeciding to abide in Him, we ensure that His life-giving nutrients flow through us daily. This connection is not a one-time event but a continual dwelling in His presence. [10:12]

"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." (John 15:5)

Reflection: When you look at the "fruit" of your life lately—your patience, peace, or joy—where do you see signs that you might be trying to grow apart from the Vine?

Day 2: Grounding Your Life in the Truth of Scripture

The early believers made a firm decision to sit at the feet of the apostles and learn the ways of Jesus. Today, we have the incredible gift of God-breathed Scripture to guide our steps and correct our paths. When we predecide to be students of the Word, we are choosing to listen to the voice of the One who created us. This practice equips us for every good work and keeps us from being swayed by the shifting opinions of the world. Immersing yourself in the Bible is a primary way to maintain a close, vibrant relationship with your Savior. [18:03]

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)

Reflection: What is one specific time or place this week where you can create a consistent space to read Scripture, and what helps you focus best during that time?

Day 3: Finding Strength and Support in Christian Fellowship

We were never meant to walk the path of faith in isolation or total independence. The early church practiced koinonia, a deep sharing of life, resources, and encouragement that sustained them through difficult trials. By gathering together, we spur one another on toward love and good deeds, holding each other accountable in our walk. While technology allows us to connect in many ways, there is a unique power in face-to-face community. Predeciding to prioritize the family of God provides the spiritual safety net we all need. [21:36]

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Reflection: Think of a person in your faith community who might need encouragement right now; how could you "spur them on" with a simple act of fellowship this week?

Day 4: Centering Our Hearts Through the Breaking of Bread

In the busyness of life, it is easy to lose sight of the profound love demonstrated on the cross. The practice of breaking bread serves as a regular, intimate rhythm to bring our focus back to the sacrifice of Jesus. When we partake in communion, we are reminded that God’s care for us is proven and unchanging. This meal is a time of remembrance that strengthens our bond with Christ and with our brothers and sisters. Making this a priority helps prevent the feeling of spiritual disconnect that often creeps in. [26:29]

"and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

Reflection: As you reflect on the "breaking of bread," what specific worry or burden do you need to lay down as you remember Jesus’ complete provision for you?

Day 5: Cultivating a Life of Constant Conversation with God

Prayer is the ongoing conversation that keeps our hearts aligned with the Father’s heart. Rather than being an occasional ritual, it is an invitation to share our joys, anxieties, and needs with God at all times. When we predecide to pray continually, we exchange our heavy burdens for a peace that transcends all understanding. Incorporating gratitude into our prayers transforms our perspective and helps us see the world through God's eyes. He is always present and waiting to listen; we simply need to turn our attention back to Him. [31:09]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Reflection: In the middle of your busiest moments today, how can you practice "praying without ceasing" by simply acknowledging God's presence in a short sentence or thought?

Sermon Summary

Believers are invited to predecide the practices that keep them united with Christ so intimacy with God becomes a steady way of life rather than a sporadic feeling. Rooted in Jesus’ vine-and-branches imagery, the call is to remain—dwell continually—in him so that the branch receives life and bears fruit; apart from him, human effort produces nothing. The early church models a practical rhythm for remaining: devotion to the apostles’ teaching (scripture), intentional fellowship (koinonia), regular breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper), and persistent prayer. These four habits are not mere traditions but lifelines that sustain spiritual vitality, shape identity in Christ, and guard against drifting when difficulties, busyness, or temptation erode closeness to God.

Practical attention is given to baptism as the initiating act that clothes one with Christ, after which the four practices maintain union and fruitfulness. Scripture is presented as the authoritative, God-breathed means of instruction and formation; fellowship is shown as the cooperative, sacrificial life that shelters disciples amid persecution and temptation; the Lord’s Supper is portrayed as a weekly, formative meal that reorients memory, gratitude, and devotion; and prayer is advocated as continual communion, a transformative habit that replaces anxiety with peace. The invitation is both pastoral and pastoral in tone: those not yet baptized are encouraged to take that step, and those who have slipped are urged to recommit to the predecisions that will restore intimacy with the Father. The ultimate assurance offered is that God has not moved—any perceived distance is corrected not by searching for God’s presence but by returning to the practices that sustain it.

Key Takeaways

1. Predecide daily spiritual habits Sustaining intimacy with God begins by deciding ahead of time what spiritual practices will be non-negotiable. Choosing a time, place, and plan prevents drift when life gets busy or temptations arise. Habitual disciplines create a rhythm in which devotion becomes more likely than guilt-driven attempts at revival. This intentionality turns faith from an occasional high into a steady communion. [08:50]
2. Abide in Christ as vine Remaining in Christ is relational and continual, not intermittent moralism. The branch receives life and fruit only through persistent connection to the vine; separation guarantees spiritual impotence. Abiding reshapes motivations, reorients desires, and anchors identity in union with Jesus rather than performance. This is the core soil from which all Christian fruit grows. [09:31]
3. Practice the early church's rhythms Devotion to scripture, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer formed the early church’s life and kept them resilient. These practices function together: teaching grounds truth, fellowship sustains accountability and care, communion renews memory and gratitude, and prayer keeps ongoing communion. Reclaiming these rhythms repairs the common ways believers grow and bear witness corporately. Living them recreates the community Jesus intended. [15:41]
4. Sustain constant prayer and thanksgiving Prayer is meant to be ongoing conversation, not occasional crisis management; thanksgiving reorders anxious hearts toward God’s faithfulness. Bringing worries to God with gratitude transforms perspective and invites the peace that guards heart and mind. Regular, simple prayer disciplines make dependence on the Father habitual and life-changing. [31:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:10] - Opening illustration and series reminder
[08:50] - The predecide principle explained
[09:31] - John 15: The vine and the branches
[11:47] - Acts 2: Context of the early church
[15:41] - Devoted to four practices (overview)
[16:22] - Apostles' teaching: scripture’s authority
[19:52] - Fellowship: shared life and support
[24:25] - Breaking of bread: the Lord’s Supper
[28:33] - Prayer: continual conversation with God
[33:36] - Recommit: baptism and union with Christ
[38:26] - Invitation, application, and closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

Acts 2:42 (NIV)
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Observation questions

According to John 15:5, Jesus uses the illustration of a vine and branches. What is the specific result of remaining in Him versus being apart from Him?
In Acts 2:42, the early believers "devoted" themselves to four specific practices. What are these four habits that shaped their daily lives? [15:41]
The sermon defines the word "remain" (or abide) in a specific way regarding our connection to Jesus. What does this definition imply about the nature of our relationship with Him? [10:42]

Interpretation questions

The concept of "predeciding" suggests that we should make choices about our spiritual habits before we are in the middle of a busy or difficult situation. How does deciding ahead of time prevent us from drifting when life gets chaotic? [08:50]
The early church practiced koinonia (fellowship), which involved sharing life and resources, especially amidst persecution. How does this deep level of shared life act as a spiritual shelter compared to just attending a service once a week? [19:52]
Paul instructs believers to present requests to God with thanksgiving to combat anxiety. How does the specific act of gratitude reorder the heart and mind when we are feeling worried or depressed? [31:09]

Application questions

Sustaining intimacy with God begins by deciding ahead of time what spiritual practices will be non-negotiable. [08:50] What is one specific spiritual habit (time, place, or plan) you need to "predecide" this week to ensure you don't drift when things get busy?
We are called to be students of the Word, engaging deeply with the "apostles' teaching." [17:06] What is your current rhythm for reading Scripture? Is it feeling like a checklist, or is it a time where you are truly listening to the Father?
True fellowship involves sharing life, meals, and struggles, not just sitting in a row on Sundays. [22:51] Who are the people in your life that you are truly "breaking bread" with? Are you currently allowing others to support you, or are you trying to walk out your faith in isolation?
The Lord's Supper is described not just as a ritual, but as a relational meal that restores our memory of Jesus' love. [26:29] When you take communion, does it tend to feel routine? How might you approach the next opportunity to break bread with a fresh sense of gratitude and remembrance?
Prayer is meant to be a continual conversation that replaces anxiety with peace. [31:09] What is a specific worry or anxiety you are carrying right now? How can you practice turning that worry into a prayer of thanksgiving today?
God hasn't moved; if we feel distant, it is often because we have drifted from the practices that sustain intimacy. [37:47] If you were to be honest about your current spiritual state, do you feel like a branch firmly connected to the vine, or do you feel a bit disconnected? What is the very first step you can take to "return" to the position of closeness?

Sermon Clips

27s

#PreDecideToAbide

“``I think a lot of times we we feel like we're just not close with God. We're not really living the life that God wants us to. And I think that's true for Christians and non Christians alike. We feel sometimes a disconnect from God. And what we're gonna be talking about today is how we can make a decision, pre decide to be close to God, and what that looks like if we pre decide that's what we wanna be doing with our lives.”

36s

“So we know different situations are gonna come up, and then we can already pre decide before we get into that situation how we're gonna respond, how we're gonna act, what we're gonna say, what we're gonna do. Well, if we're feeling disconnected from God and we wanna be closer to God, then we can pre decide. Here's what we're gonna do when we start feeling that way. And scripture gives us some clear easy to follow instructions, to understand at least they're easy. They're not always easy to carry out, but they're easy to understand and we can pre decide we're gonna do these things.”

23s

“So so I want you to think through this. Jesus is saying, he's using a a real life illustration here of a probably people would think a grapevine in that day and time, and and they have the the grapevine. The vine is what connects to the soil, the nutrients come through the vine, and they flow through to the branches so that the branches can then bear the fruit that they are designed to bear.”

23s

“So he says, here's how this is gonna work. As long as you abide in me, we're the branches. He's the vine. If we could keep our branches connected to the vine, we'll have the resources we need to produce the fruit, the fruitful life that God wants us to live. But if we get disconnected from the vine, he says, apart from me, you can do nothing.”

23s

“You see, that's where the disconnect can come. If we don't continually abide where God wants us to abide, remain, dwell where God wants us to dwell and fellowship with him and communion with him and relationship with him. That's what he wants from all of us. It's for us to be in that relationship with him where we're so close that we are being fed by him.”

33s

“Jesus is the word made flesh. If we're gonna be close to Jesus, if we're gonna stay connected to Jesus, he's gone on to be back at the right hand of the father, but he has breathed into scripture the revelation of who he is and what he wants for us in our lives. So if we want to have that relationship with Jesus, a huge part of maintaining that closeness with him will be to be devoted to the apostles' teaching, to the teachings in scripture.”

28s

“So how are they gonna survive? They worked together. They worked in fellowship with each other. They would visit with each other in each other's homes. They would eat together regularly. They would spend time together doing the the learning that they needed to do to grow in their knowledge of scripture and and what it meant to follow Jesus. They did that for each other. They took care of each other's needs and they did it through the local church.”

39s

“Friends, as we're trying to live out this Christian life, if we've pre decided to be close to god, here's an intimate thing that god has revealed in his word that can help us maintain that close relationship. You see, when we come together to partake of the Lord's Supper together as the family of God, having this meal together with your brothers and sisters, there is something that makes our relationship stronger when we do that. It's like a family that sits down and has a meal together, and maybe they invite some other friends to join them for the meal. There's something about coming together for meals together that enhances the closeness and the fellowship of those relationships.”

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