“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me.”
John 15:4-5 NIV
GETTING DISCONNECTED
Last summer was one of the hottest summers on record in the past 75 years so, it was still hot when we got to Braeside on Labor Day weekend. We arrived at 1am and opened the door to an overwhelming stench. I thought something died in the trailer but it was just the fridge.
The electrical plug to the trailer had somehow been disconnected from the pole. Shelby had been gone from the trailer for two weeks and everything she left in the fridge had rotted. Meat in the freezer was rancid. A bag of spinach had liquefied into a stinking black fluid. Frozen bananas were a reeking goo.
Stay Connected To The Power Source
When I read this portion of scripture in John I can’t help but remember the results when our fridge didn’t stay connected to the power source. I’ll remember forever the foul odors it emitted. They’re a great example of what happens to Christians when we don’t remain in Christ.
I know that when I don’t spend time with God daily my life starts to smell. Things go foul and the days just get all messed up. Often in the busyness of life we think that we don’t have time to read the Bible or meditate on it. We can get too scheduled to spend time in prayer, but the reality is, life’s too hard to live disconnected from God. Days go by much easier when we spend time in personal daily devotions.
Start this week off right. Take time to stay connected to the power source. Decide to spend daily time remaining in relationship with Christ, so you can live a fruitful life.
Prayer
Father…I’m overwhelmed with the thought that God who created the universe wants to stay involved with me. Help me never to take that for granted. Let me not get casual with Your love. May my life produce some juicy fruit as I stay connected to the power source; to you Lord and Your Word. In Jesus Name…Amen
[tweetthis]Life’s too hard to live disconnected from God.[/tweetthis]
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
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YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin
VIVID image! And as conscious as we’ve all become about charging phones and devices, we still forget that “without Him we can do nothing!”
Michele….EXACTLY!!!
Praying you stay connected to the vine.
~Sherry
xoxo
I’ve had some foul-smelling days because I wasn’t connected (or maybe I was loosely connected) to my Source. This is a great analogy and one I’m too familiar with. I could smell it in my memory. Have a great day!
Dianne,
So glad it caused that reaction 🙂 Praying it helps you stay connected to the vine.
~Sherry
xoxo
Sherry,
I’m laughing (just a little!) at the description of the spoiled food in your fridge — one we can relate to with the odors left from the hurricane here last week. We have rotting leaves and plants in muck (not pleasant) and all of our trash and debris waiting for garbage pick-up! I think we take power for granted, especially the source of our power that is God, to strengthen us for all of the difficulties of life. Sending love! xo
Valerie,
I’m so thankful you’re safe! You know you were in my prayers. Thankful the power of God downgraded that hurricane and saved lives. Have an awesome week 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Yes, a very vivid word picture you tell. I even caught a hint of the odor for a second 😉 Power has been a vital part of many lives in the midst of the storms that have hit our country in recent weeks. A living example of being plugged into the main source.
Debby,
Sorry for the smell, unless it helps you remember 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Love the imagery, Sherry, and the prayer reminder. “Father…I’m overwhelmed with the thought that God who created the universe wants to stay involved with me. Help me never to take that for granted.” Thank you for the reminders!
Deborah,
So glad you stopped by and were reminded of how God wants to stay connected with you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Great object lesson, Sherry. 🙂 — That happened to us once, when we were selling a house in another state. We came back to check on the house and had forgotten there were potatoes in the pantry. Oh the smell. What a sobering thought that that’s us apart from relationship with Him. Thanks for sharing. ((hug))
Oh Brenda I know that smell too. It’s putrid. We had that happen to a bag of fresh cut potatoes for fries at my parents race track. Hope the object lesson sticks in your mind 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
~Sherry
xoxo
A thousand times, yes. My life is so much better when my relationship with Jesus is on track!
Sarah,
Keep staying connected 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo