Intentional 21 Devotional: Day 8 - Fabienne Casseus

Obedience as Worship: A House of the Heart

Scripture: John 15:4–5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine...”

God’s call to deepen our relationship with Him is not always gentle or gradual. At times, it comes abruptly—and it demands a response. When doors close and seasons end, clarity may fade, but obedience remains—steady and faithful. Obedience may not always bring understanding, but it brings peace. Obedience is worship: it forms familiarity with God, and that familiarity matures into a life of remaining.

Remaining in Him is a way of life, rooted in trust and presence. It is not passive but a daily choice to stay close to God, to listen, and to trust, even when understanding is incomplete. This is the lifelong practice of abiding and yielding:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine” (John 15:4).

In the stillness of remaining, our hearts are revealed to Him. God sees the inner rooms of our souls, and in these open, sacred spaces, His presence begins to move. Every room belongs fully to Him and is prepared as a space to encounter His presence.

As we surrender these rooms, they become fertile ground. What may seem empty or broken is not wasted space; it is sacred soil where our past selves fade, old labels lose their hold, and abiding in Him deepens our devotion. What feels like death is often both a burial and a wedding.

When we fast and turn to Him, we hand over the inner rooms of our hearts and let the Spirit empty each room of anything that doesn’t belong, making space for Him. In this process, our hearts become His dwelling—full of His Spirit, overflowing with His glory, and ready to bear fruit. He who began this work will faithfully complete it. Today, we are invited to stay connected and let His presence fill every room.

Fábienne Casseus

Engagement:

1. Create daily space: Replace one mealtime with time in God’s Word, intentionally choosing to feast on Him rather than food. Let it remind you that fasting is about choosing His presence, not just skipping a meal.

2. Ask and listen: “Father, which inner room of my heart needs Your presence today?”

3. Surrender intentionally: Let go of an expectation, habit, or distraction, and offer your heart to God in honest worship.

Prayer:

Father, we invite You into every room within us. Search us and reveal what no longer belongs. Where obedience has cost us, meet us with Your assurance, for You are faithful to complete what You began. As we fast, we choose surrender over control, presence over routine, and obedience over understanding.

We choose to remain. Amen.