“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father.” John 15:1 TPT
“So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.” John 15:4 TPT
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED
1. I need to ask the right questions
- Am I connected to the Vine?
“He cares for the branches connected to me…I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.” John 15:2, 5 TPT
- Am I bearing spiritual fruit?
“He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you.” John 15:2-3 TPT
“Lifts up the fruitless”
“Prunes the fruitful”
- Am I staying connected to the Vine?
Signs of spiritual disconnection:
We stop fellowshipping, praying, reading, sharing, serving, giving.
2. I need to actively maintain a vital relationship with Jesus
- Consistently read His word (Colossians 3:16)
- Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Do what He says to do
“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love. John 15:9-10 TPT
- Stay connected to your church family (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Exercise your faith
“You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you!” John 15:16 TPT