Have you traveled any this summer? There is a lot of preparation that goes into taking a trip and a lot of work that goes into coming home. One of the biggest issues when taking a trip is making sure you pack everything you need and don’t leave anything behind when you pack to return home. When we were checking out of a hotel recently, the gentleman helping me with our luggage said, “Don’t forget your phone chargers” as he walked out the door. Without a phone charger, your phone will eventually run out of power and die. When that happens it becomes useless until you find a way to charge it.
How do you think hotel guests would respond if instead of “Don’t forget your phone chargers” he said “Don’t forget your Bibles”? We are all so quick to pack everything we need for our electronics when we travel, but how many of us pack our Bibles? If we do pack them, how many of us actually use them on vacation?
John 15:5 says “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Have you ever seen a grapevine? The branch and the vine are seamless, as if one. They don’t have a place where one plugs into another and can easily be removed like a phone charger to an outlet. We were designed to remain connected to the Lord at all times so we don’t run out of power and become useless. We weren’t intended to take a vacation from Jesus. In fact, vacation time, when all of the worldly distractions are supposed to be put on hold, should be a time when we connect even more with Him. Yet, it takes effort to make time for Him on vacation when people are ready to go out to breakfast or head to the beach.
This summer when you travel don’t forget your Bible and don’t forget to open it. Your Bible is like a present, it may look pretty on the outside, but the good stuff is inside.

Friends, I will be out of the office Tuesday, 7/19, through Friday, 7/22, visiting my parents. I will meet you back here on Monday, 7/25. Until then, dive into the Word and see what you discover. You’ll be blessed!