Daniel Fast Day 3
FRUITFULNESS
Connection is the Key
We live in a world of super connectivity. There is a connection for everything. Internet connections, flight connections, business connections, relational connections, and so much more. Having the right connection is essential. With weak connections, things are not clear and it can be detrimental to our functionality. Several years ago, there was an ad from one of the cell phone companies that was based on whether or not your connection was good. Their slogan was “Can you hear me now?” The point is obvious: the better the connection, the smoother the communication. Spotty connections lead to compromised communication.
If you want to see people freak out in our modern world, disrupt their connections. Just tell people that there is no internet service where they might want to travel to, and it might change their travel plans. Observe people’s responses at an airport when they might have a potential missed flight due to a missed connection, and “hallelujah” is not what’s being uttered. We rely on connections every day of our lives! We carry connectivity with us everywhere we go. According to Pew Research, 97% of Americans own a cellphone of some kind, and 85% own a smartphone. In 2001 only 35% owned a smartphone. It’s not that we don’t understand connectivity, it’s that we are connected to everything except the One who truly can change our lives!
What does fruitfulness have to do with connection? Absolutely everything, according to Jesus. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.” John 15:4-6(MSG)
Connection to Christ Jesus is the greatest key to fruitfulness. This is not a coerced or forced connection but a willing, submissive, and intimate one. It is not a relationship that is held together by self-effort or manufactured loyalty. It is purely organic in nature because it is birthed from real love and affection that is rooted in truth. It is intimacy that is not based on feelings but rather based on God’s Word regardless of what we feel. Feelings are not a bad thing but they are not always a trusted thing. Feelings can tell me some things, but feelings fall short of communicating the complete picture. Truth is truth regardless of what we feel about truth. Let me explain. You might feel far away from the Lord but His Word says, “…I will never abandon or leave you…” Hebrews 13:5(GW) So what is the reality? Your feelings that say the Lord is far away from you, or His Word that says He will not leave you or abandon you?
One of the main reasons Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians was to address not only certain false teachings such as extreme Judaism, but also mysticism. Some among them erroneously taught that through self-denial, they have seen visions and that worshipping angels would add to their faith. “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.” Colossians 2:18-19(NLT)
Paul’s warning is clear: don’t be led by other people’s visions. Be led by Christ because he alone is Head over all things. He alone is worthy of worship. All visions and experiences must be subjected to Christ and His Word. Our connection is not reliant on a vision we see or on an experience we’ve had, it is based on our relationship with Jesus. Paul’s point to the Colossians was very clear, anyone or anything that draws us away from Christ, is not a real revelation of Christ. It is actually birthed in a sinful mind that is bathed in pride. Once we allow pride in our hearts, we show a disconnection with Christ. It is impossible for the body to receive a message from the Head when it is disconnected from the Head. Jesus is never in conflict with His body. Just the opposite, He holds it all together!
It does not mean we despise a prophetic word or quench the Spirit. It simply means, we test and evaluate all things. Paul reminds the church in Thessalonica when he writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22(ESV)
It is from this connection with Christ that we grow and become more fruitful because we are being nourished by God the Father. That does not mean we cannot experience God’s power and presence, it simply means we filter all things through the Person of Jesus and the Word of God. “But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.” John 15:7(MSG)
A life giving, fruit bearing, Christ honoring, God glorifying, and Holy Spirit empowered life is within our reach! Not because we have seen angels or experienced visions but because we are deeply connected to Life Himself, who is Jesus! Our connection to Christ is what catapults us to fruitful and victorious living.
Prayer and Reflection:
Thank You for grace when I fail, for truth when I need to be corrected, for joy when I am discouraged, and for gratitude in all things because it is Your will. Let me never despise what You say or in any way quench the work of the Holy Spirit, whether it is in me or through others. Give me a humble and discerning mind so that I may see clearly what You require of me.
Help me not to be drawn away through my own desires or blinded by my pride. I want to know You, love You, serve You, and honor You with a life of fruitfulness and devotion. Jesus, I love you! You are the One that holds all of us together and we will forever give You the glory and honor that is due to Your Name! Thank You Jesus for loving us before we ever loved or pursued You. May Your body express Your beauty and display Your goodness in the earth, until You return. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Connection is the Key
We live in a world of super connectivity. There is a connection for everything. Internet connections, flight connections, business connections, relational connections, and so much more. Having the right connection is essential. With weak connections, things are not clear and it can be detrimental to our functionality. Several years ago, there was an ad from one of the cell phone companies that was based on whether or not your connection was good. Their slogan was “Can you hear me now?” The point is obvious: the better the connection, the smoother the communication. Spotty connections lead to compromised communication.
If you want to see people freak out in our modern world, disrupt their connections. Just tell people that there is no internet service where they might want to travel to, and it might change their travel plans. Observe people’s responses at an airport when they might have a potential missed flight due to a missed connection, and “hallelujah” is not what’s being uttered. We rely on connections every day of our lives! We carry connectivity with us everywhere we go. According to Pew Research, 97% of Americans own a cellphone of some kind, and 85% own a smartphone. In 2001 only 35% owned a smartphone. It’s not that we don’t understand connectivity, it’s that we are connected to everything except the One who truly can change our lives!
What does fruitfulness have to do with connection? Absolutely everything, according to Jesus. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.” John 15:4-6(MSG)
Connection to Christ Jesus is the greatest key to fruitfulness. This is not a coerced or forced connection but a willing, submissive, and intimate one. It is not a relationship that is held together by self-effort or manufactured loyalty. It is purely organic in nature because it is birthed from real love and affection that is rooted in truth. It is intimacy that is not based on feelings but rather based on God’s Word regardless of what we feel. Feelings are not a bad thing but they are not always a trusted thing. Feelings can tell me some things, but feelings fall short of communicating the complete picture. Truth is truth regardless of what we feel about truth. Let me explain. You might feel far away from the Lord but His Word says, “…I will never abandon or leave you…” Hebrews 13:5(GW) So what is the reality? Your feelings that say the Lord is far away from you, or His Word that says He will not leave you or abandon you?
One of the main reasons Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians was to address not only certain false teachings such as extreme Judaism, but also mysticism. Some among them erroneously taught that through self-denial, they have seen visions and that worshipping angels would add to their faith. “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.” Colossians 2:18-19(NLT)
Paul’s warning is clear: don’t be led by other people’s visions. Be led by Christ because he alone is Head over all things. He alone is worthy of worship. All visions and experiences must be subjected to Christ and His Word. Our connection is not reliant on a vision we see or on an experience we’ve had, it is based on our relationship with Jesus. Paul’s point to the Colossians was very clear, anyone or anything that draws us away from Christ, is not a real revelation of Christ. It is actually birthed in a sinful mind that is bathed in pride. Once we allow pride in our hearts, we show a disconnection with Christ. It is impossible for the body to receive a message from the Head when it is disconnected from the Head. Jesus is never in conflict with His body. Just the opposite, He holds it all together!
It does not mean we despise a prophetic word or quench the Spirit. It simply means, we test and evaluate all things. Paul reminds the church in Thessalonica when he writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22(ESV)
It is from this connection with Christ that we grow and become more fruitful because we are being nourished by God the Father. That does not mean we cannot experience God’s power and presence, it simply means we filter all things through the Person of Jesus and the Word of God. “But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.” John 15:7(MSG)
A life giving, fruit bearing, Christ honoring, God glorifying, and Holy Spirit empowered life is within our reach! Not because we have seen angels or experienced visions but because we are deeply connected to Life Himself, who is Jesus! Our connection to Christ is what catapults us to fruitful and victorious living.
Prayer and Reflection:
- How desperate are you about connecting on a continuous basis with Jesus?
- How is your connection with Christ? Is it vibrant or spotty at best? Be honest in your assessment.
- How aware and intentional are you about your relational connection with Christ? Is it the first thought at the beginning of your day and the last thought at the end of your day?
- Feelings are not a good substitute for truth. Where in your relationship with Jesus are you more focused on feelings than on the truth of His Word?
- What can you do to help keep your connection with Christ vibrant and fresh?
Thank You for grace when I fail, for truth when I need to be corrected, for joy when I am discouraged, and for gratitude in all things because it is Your will. Let me never despise what You say or in any way quench the work of the Holy Spirit, whether it is in me or through others. Give me a humble and discerning mind so that I may see clearly what You require of me.
Help me not to be drawn away through my own desires or blinded by my pride. I want to know You, love You, serve You, and honor You with a life of fruitfulness and devotion. Jesus, I love you! You are the One that holds all of us together and we will forever give You the glory and honor that is due to Your Name! Thank You Jesus for loving us before we ever loved or pursued You. May Your body express Your beauty and display Your goodness in the earth, until You return. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Posted in Daniel Fast 2024