The Joy Of Being Connected To The Vine

“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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

- Jesus, John 15:5-11

Our job as believers is to stay connected to the vine and trust God as He leads us and prompts us to bring His love and hope to our world. We are blessed to be a blessing. As we stay connected to Jesus, the Vine, we’ll represent the love of Christ to every person in our paths and our branches will reach the world one community at a time. Let’s bloom where God has planted us.

- unknown

A branch connected to the vine, especially a strong, healthy vine, will bear fruit. Disconnected, it will wither and die. It is how nature works.

Jesus is the True Vine! Being connected to Him, abiding in Him, produces fruit in our lives. Without Him, we can do nothing.

Abiding in Jesus means completely surrendering to Him, recognizing that the only sustaining power we have is His.

Through His life-giving strength, we are able to find hope in the midst of trials and peace in the midst of the storm. Through His power in us, we are able to provide hope to the hopeless, love to those who are unloved, and be a light to a dark world. Without Him, we become worthless and will be thrown into the fire and burned.

Too often, we try to find joy and happiness through the things of this world, only to realize that it is fleeting at best, and always discouraging and disappointing.

It is humbling yet exhilarating to realize how desperately we need Jesus. He is our lifeblood, He is the source of all hope, peace and love.

And, the good news… when we abide in Him, when we remain in Him, it is in no way drudgery or disappointing. In Him, and in Him only, is our joy made complete.

This Christmas, let us stop searching for happiness; let us stop seeking our identity in the fragile, fleeting things of this world.

May we connect to the One True Vine, abide in Him, for He will make our joy complete.

Pastor Ken

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