STAYING CONNECTED
John 5:5-8
"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. 6 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. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
My younger brother loves to fish and goes north into Canada each year to pursue walleye, Northern pike and other fish. When he was in high school, he and his friends would fish the river by my parent's house.
I remember once his friends telling me that my brother had tied a bobber to the end of his line and cast his line out all day. When asked why, he said that he wanted to fish... he just didn't want to be bothered by the fish.
That's an interesting way to look at things. We all have days like that, however, if we wanted a meal of fish to eat, we will never be successful if we are not connected to a hook and bait.
On November 8, 1904, Harvey Hubbell patented the first detachable electric plug in the United States. Prior to this time if you wanted to get power to an electrical appliance you had to connect the wires directly to the wiring running into the house. It was a dangerous system, but if you wanted to connect, it was the only way. We've got it much better today.
So, the scripture above shows us the importance of staying connected. Being connected with Jesus Christ is our lifeline to all things good and especially to an eternal life with Him in heaven.
A friend asked this morning about prayer life. I look at it this way. When we've accepted the gift of what Jesus Christ offers we become the children of God. You see Christ did die for all... but until we come to the place where we believe that He did and that that belief is what saves us from an eternity in hell, His death was wasted on us.
Now consider if you have a young child or grandchild... don't you want them to come to you for their wants and needs? Don't you want then to come just to tell you about their day and to thank you for what you've done for them.
Being connected to the "Vine" is the acceptance of what Christ offered... staying connected is remaining in close connection with Him.
A life without Christ and a daily walk with Him is like having a beautiful house, chandeliers throughout the house, TVs in every room... but never having your breaker box connected to the power source outside. It's useless.
God wants you and I to come to Him each day. That's the connection that we have available to us.
Stay connected
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