“How to Stay in Love with God”

• Above all, remember and appreciate that God sent His Son to save us, to die for us, and one day, to return for us.

• At first, as new Christians we see Jesus everywhere.

• But, as time goes by, the world creeps back in and slowly takes over that joyous feeling we had those first few weeks or months.

• We give less credit to God and more to ourselves, and before we know it, we're back to begging God for help only when we're struggling, or mad that He isn't doing what we want, when we were seeing Him everywhere a just a few months or years ago. Create a daily pattern that includes prayer and a few mmoments of scripture throughout the day to maintain a connection with God. Also, talk to God. He is listening all the time, ready to feed us, like the nutrients a vine gives the branches.

• John 15, 1-14 15“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser(gardener)

• 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

• 3 You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. 

• 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

• 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 

• 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

• 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

• 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

• 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

• 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

• 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 

• 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

• 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

• Do not be like a power strip where you're plugging into yourself, rather plug into God, the source of all power and get true strength from Him.
  

Don't be an “absent-minded Christian” that lives like you believe in God, yet live as if God doesn’t exist.

• Spiritually speaking, where do you live? Do you live in fear, worry or anger, or do you live in Hope and  Encouragement, with faith? Live in Jesus, just like He lives in you.

• 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

• John 13:35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. By this shall all people know that you are my disciples: that you love one another.”

• Staying connected to the vine includes prayer, fellowship, bible study, Sunday School, church attendance, constant relationship with Christ, talk to Christ, walk with Christ, pray to Christ.

• Through a daily life with God, He will give you all you need when you ask. Pray with an open mind and spirit for guidance. Be prepared for answers that may be different from your prayers, for He knows exactly what you need

•  Listen to God and look for God, so He can direct your lives