Connected

I love being connected to other people. I love my family and my extended family.  I love being connected with deep friendship. I love being connected with my church family. I believe that the Lord “hard-wired” us for connection – especially to Him!

Jesus is teaching His disciples and His time to be crucified is close. He is giving them some last-minute instruction and encouragement. He reminds them of the importance of connection. Check this out….

¹“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³ You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5 NLT)

I want to stay connected to Jesus. He is the Source of my Peace and Joy. My connection with the Lord gives proper perspective on all other relationships. He is the Giver of all good things. I want to keep a strong and in-depth connection to the Lord.

He gives me instructions on how to stay connected – it’s simple, yet hard. I must be obedient to Him. When I stay connected to Him, I’m connected to the very Source of Life. With a fruit tree, the fruit is connected to the root system that receives nutrients from the soil. The nutrients travel all the way to help produce the fruit. The connection to the source of life is what produces the fruit.

It can be tempting to take credit for something I’ve said or done. I can’t say anything apart from the Lord. I’m connected to Him. If my life is bearing fruit (and I certainly hope so), it’s all because of Him.

I can stay connected to Him in multiple ways. The most powerful connection for me is His Word. He speaks to me when I read His Word. He speaks to me through others. I stay connected by be part of the church. I can grow through deep spiritual connection with people of faith.

I’m so grateful for my family connections.

I’m grateful for my church connections.

I’m so grateful for my work connections.

I’m so grateful for my community connections.

I want to stay closely connected to the Lord and let Him lead me in all my other connections.

Pressing On!

Dwayne