As I studied John 15, I received a spiritual recharge compared to a cell phone connected to its charger. Only I did not have to wait for the timely process of being fully charged. Human Effort: For 2021, my mindset is different. The expectation is that I will receive the blessing of total restoration from God. And what a difference that has made in my outlook on life. God does not make us wait, the spiritual recharge happened immediately. Divine Intervention: During prayer, I received the reassurance that Jesus is Lord, and as long as I stay connected, I will experience the never-ending joy and peace that comes from serving God.
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:9-11 NLT
In this chapter of John, Jesus was instructing and encouraging His disciples because of his pending death. We are Jesus’ disciples, and He has given us the answer to possessing constant inner joy: Stay connected to Him through faith, trust, and obedience to God’s commandments. And the reward is: Yes, your joy will overflow!
Staying connected is the only way to be energized with the peace, joy, and reassurance that comes from faithful commitment to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and Lord. Jesus obeyed His Father even unto death. Remain in me, and I will remain you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4. Daily prayer, praise, and study of the Bible indicate our desire to worship and dedicate ourselves to God.
Serving God is a guaranteed mood stabilizer and frees us from the bondage of fear. Doubt, depression, sadness, anxiety, and worry are fruits of fear. We cannot have fear and faith. Staying connected requires faith. Staying connected requires that we expect to receive a spiritual recharge every time we worship God.
In praying, we ask God for many material blessings, begin to ask Him for an increase in faith, and to give you the desire to serve Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind. You will receive joy, peace, and contentment, despite the presenting circumstances. We should not be living on empty when we serve the Most-High God. Jesus paid for us with His life. And because of His sacrifice, we can receive spiritual recharges any time of the day or night.
Jesus is the True Vine. It is impossible to succumb to the adversities in this life when we are connected to the vine. 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 15:4
God, we have not done our part in staying connected to you, and for this, we ask forgiveness. Thank you for the gifts of love, joy, and peace. We commit to serving you with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.
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