Day 13: Colton Troop

“I am the vine and you are the branches whoever remains in me and I in him, he is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) This is my favorite verse and I love this message and the lesson it teaches us, which is when you don’t put your trust or give your life to Jesus you are basically useless and helpless. This verse has taught me a lot about my need for Jesus everyday. The gospel has changed my life ever since I came to believe it.

I wrote a song a few days ago about how the real gift of Christmas is not what presents you get under you christmas tree. The real gift of Christmas is the gift Jesus gave to everyone and all we have to do to get it is trust that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on a cross. He died to save us from death from our sins just like Romans 6:23 says. Here is the full song: 

The real gift of christmas is not under the christmas tree

The real gift of christmas is what God gave to you and me

Everyone thought a king wouldn’t be able 

To come down to earth and be born in a stable

Jesus came down for you and me 

And later in His life He would set us free

So we would not have to live in sin any longer

And when he rose death was defeated and conquered

My life has had lots of twists and turns but the Lord has helped me. For example, my family has fostered for a while and we have had to say goodbye to two different toddlers which was very hard. When you get so close to a child and they get taken away from you it can be tough. But my family has trusted the Lord and He has helped us with those hard times. Abiding with Jesus like John 15:5 says helps me to keep going with fostering like God has called my family to do and trust that He's always with us. I’m thankful that the Lord walks with me everyday and will never leave me.


REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. What does abiding with Jesus look like in your life?

  2. How are you challenging yourself to be uncomfortable, thus needing to be connected to the vine?

  3. How can you increase your relationship with Jesus during the holiday season?