Are You Plugged In? January 28th, 2024

Are You Plugged In?

January 28, 2024

“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 15:5 (NLT)

Have you ever stood in front of a coffee maker or toaster waiting and waiting only to realize that the machine wasn’t plugged in? With technological advancements cords are being a thing of the past, but even a cordless machine needs a power source – the battery still needs to be charged. While we aren’t a coffee maker or toaster that makes coffee or toast we still produce things. The Bible uses many different metaphors, but one that is commonly used is fruit. Humans produce fruit, not apples or oranges, but things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit is produced not out of strong discipline or sheer willpower, but it is produced by being connected to Jesus – by remaining (abiding) in Jesus. It is through Jesus that we have life and fruit is naturally produced through that relationship.

Questions to think about

Pruning is important for fruit trees. Proper pruning will keep the tree healthy and it means the next year’s fruit will be of better quality. The Bible uses the metaphor of God’s children being grape vines and God as the gardener prunes us. What does it mean for God to prune us? What might that look like?

Do you enjoy being pruned?

It’s not pleasant to be pruned so how can we keep an attitude of thanksgiving and joy during those times?

What does Jesus mean when he says that we will bear fruit? What kind of fruit does a Christian bear?

Why is it vital to keep our relationship with Jesus healthy if we want to have healthy fruit? What does a healthy relationship look like?

What does it mean to remain/abide in Jesus?

What will happen to those who don’t trust in Jesus?

While this passage contains a warning to what happens to those who are outside of Jesus it is also a passage of great hope and confidence to those in Christ. How does this passage give you hope/peace/confidence?

Related Scripture passages to meditate on this week

Hebrews 12:3-11

Matthew 25:31-46

Isaiah 5:1-7

Luke 13:6-9

Matthew 3:1-12

Galatians 5:16-26

The Real Thing - January 21st, 2024

Each Sunday morning we spend a couple of hours worshiping God together in a church building. I’m so glad that you came and we can worship together. Our walk with God is more than a couple of hours on a Sunday morning it includes our time at home, school, work, while playing or shopping, etc. It includes all the hours of our day. I have included some questions for you to think about at home. If you are married or have children I encourage you to discuss these questions with each other. Throughout the week look at one or two questions each day. If you’ve never had a devotion time with your family you can use this as a starting point. Reach the Bible passage and then discuss one or two questions each day either at the dinner table or before bedtime. Listen/watch the song from YouTube and close in prayer.

Colossians 2:6-7 – “Walk in Him” – song by Seeds Family Worship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLf-X966TW0

Questions to think about – Colossians 2:6-23 

What does it mean to walk in Christ?

What does it mean to be rooted in Christ?

How do you know something is real? What is reality?

Have you ever bought something that turned out to be counterfeit or fake? How did you find out it was fake?

Read Colossians 2:13-14

If it’s truly real that God made you alive with Christ and that He forgave all of your sins should that change how you live your life this week?

If yes, how does this reality affect your daily life?

A prayer from Philippians 1:9-11

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that I/we will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want (us) to understand what really matters, so that I/we may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May I/we always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in my/our life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.