"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 (NIV)
Treasure the Secret Place
There is a profound, undeniable truth that the Lord is highlighting for His people in this season: we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit apart from Him. It’s not just a simple teaching—it’s a lifeline. We live in a world that constantly pulls us away from the place of abiding, a world that celebrates busyness and self-reliance. But we are called to something radically different. The key to living a life of spiritual fruitfulness is found in the intimate, secret place of communion with Christ.
The truth is, apart from Him, we are weak. We cannot manufacture love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control on our own. Without Christ, all our efforts will fall short, because the fruit of the Spirit is a supernatural outflow of His presence within us. What we naturally bear—if we are honest—is often selfish, weary, and far from the holiness and beauty of the Father. But in Christ, we have access to a life-giving source. We are called to abide, to remain in Him—intimately, daily, and consistently.
2025: A Year to Develop the Secret Place
In 2025, I sense a deep and intentional work that the Lord is doing in His people: the development of our secret place with Him. This is not just a one-time encounter or a fleeting moment of inspiration, but a lifelong journey. The secret place is where we are to live, where we dwell in His presence, knowing that our true transformation comes not from outward efforts, but from being with Him.
The Lord is calling us to treasure this time in His presence—quiet, hidden, and unhurried. Just as the vine’s branches are utterly dependent on the vine, we are to remain in Him—finding our strength, our joy, and our identity in Him alone. The secret place is where we come face to face with the heart of God, where our spirits are renewed, where our hearts are recalibrated to His desires. This place, hidden from the eyes of the world, is where revival begins.
Hunger, Wonder, and Childlike Faith
As we continue in this journey of abiding, there is a hunger stirring in our hearts—a hunger for more of Him, a hunger for His presence. This is a hunger that only grows when we taste and see that the Lord is good. But it’s also a hunger that must be nurtured through daily communion, through seeking Him with all our hearts. When we enter the secret place, we are invited to experience the wonders of His holiness and love. And just as children eagerly run to their father’s arms, we too are called to approach Him with childlike faith—trusting, expecting, and believing that He is good.
This is the place where revival begins to bubble up in our spirits. As we dwell in His presence, our hearts begin to burn with the fire of His love. We are awakened to the beauty of His holiness, the power of His Word, and the call to live as His witnesses in this city and beyond. The year ahead is filled with promise—a city destined for revival, a people destined to bear much fruit. But it starts in the secret place.
Imagination for What is Required
God is inviting us to dream and imagine what He desires to do in us and through us. "Imagination is needed for what is required." This is not a call to human creativity alone, but a call to see with the eyes of faith—the vision of God’s heart for the world. What does it look like for you to bear much fruit in your life, to live with the fullness of His Spirit? What does it look like for revival to break out in your heart, your family, and your city? Let your imagination rise as you seek Him in the secret place, knowing that what He reveals to you will be far greater than what you could ever ask or think.
Living in the Secret Place Until We See Him Face to Face
The truth is, the secret place isn’t a passing season—it’s where we are to live until the day we see Him face to face. This is the most profound, sacred calling we have. Our relationship with Christ is to be our everything—our foundation, our joy, our strength. The revival we long for isn’t just an event—it’s a life of abiding in Him.
So, let us press into that sacred space today. Let us hunger for His presence, marvel at His wonders, and come to Him with childlike faith. As we do, we will see Him move powerfully in and through our lives. The fruit will come naturally—not because of our striving, but because we are connected to the Vine.
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for the call to abide in You. We recognize our weakness, and we confess that apart from You, we can do nothing. Yet, in You, we find all that we need. We long to dwell in Your secret place, to be transformed by Your presence, and to bear fruit that brings You glory. Stir in us a deep hunger for Your Word, a wonder at Your greatness, and a childlike faith that trusts in Your goodness. We believe that You are bringing revival to our hearts, our families, and our city. Help us to stay rooted in You, to abide in You daily, and to walk in the fullness of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection:
How is the Lord inviting you to deepen your time in the secret place?
Are there areas where you have been relying on your own strength instead of abiding in Him?
Ask the Holy Spirit to stir up a fresh hunger and wonder in your heart as you draw near to Him today.
Engagement:
Set aside a specific time today to spend in the secret place with the Lord. Take a walk, sit in quietness, or simply be still and listen. Invite Him to reveal His heart for you in this season and imagine what He wants to do in and through you as you remain in Him.
Britnee Beilstein
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