In the early NES console years, gamers looked to Nintendo’s consoles to replicate our experiences with the games we played in the arcade, but because the 8-bit platform lacked the power to produce identical graphics and gameplay, we received titles that were similar in name but played like a weak knock-off of the real thing. I wanted to bring home the action from games like Double Dragon or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game, but the NES versions of these titles played like a watered-down version of the real thing because the platform lacked the power to perform in the way I expected them to.

Christ’s followers are called to demonstrate His love and accomplish His purpose on this planet through the power of His Spirit in us, and any attempt to perform these functions in our own power and strength will fall flat. We can’t simply attempt to emulate other’s relationships with the Lord or even our own previous experiences and expect a positive outcome. We are called to be living conduits for the Lord live-streaming His love, mercy and grace… not a mimic or a weak imitation. Authentic fruit only comes from an intentionally connected relationship with the Lord, so let’s unplug that emulator so we can powerfully demonstrate the living God in our real world… real power requires a real connection.

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. 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. John 15:4-5

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

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