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Seeds of the Kingdom

Hot Water Bottle or Electric Blanket?

by Tanya Person

2 February 2014

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I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5, NIV

My husband bought me a hot water bottle for Christmas. It’s a very nice one with a fleece cover, and I’ve been so impressed with how long it stays hot! Even in the morning it’s still radiating heat. I love it! I realised that our lives, as Christians, can be like a hot water bottle. We have a great time in God’s presence and get really hot for God, but over time we lose heat and need to be reheated.

Then, I was reminded of our verse for today and realised that being connected to the vine would be more like being an electric blanket, always connected to the power source so that we’re constantly available to be switched on, and can be consistently radiating a steady heat that doesn’t wane with the passing of time. This served as an encouragement for me to check my connection. I want to be connected to the vine so that the life of Christ can be flowing through me consistently. This way, I can bear fruit for the kingdom.

In 2 Corinthians 3:13 it says, ‘We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away’. In the previous verses, Paul is talking about the glory that we have, which remains because of the ministry of the Spirit that brings righteousness, and this gives us a boldness!

We can see from this that Moses was like a hot water bottle, but we’re now in Christ, so we can hope to be like the electric blanket, connected to the source. As Paul says in verse 18 of the same chapter, ‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever- increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit’.

Let`s stay plugged into Christ so we can be transformed into His image and be ever hotter for Him!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to stay firmly connected to You as my source of life. Please forgive me for the times I`ve looked elsewhere for life. Help me to be more like an electric blanket rather than a hot water bottle, so that I can be a consistent witness for You. Amen.

Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.

 

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