Real Fruit, Not Fake Smiles: Growing From the Inside Out

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're walking into the car with a juice box, buckling in with your backpack on your lap, or you're still brushing your teeth. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. Let me ask you something. Have you ever seen someone try to tape or glue something onto a tree, like maybe fake apples to an apple tree? I know that sounds kinda weird, but you know, holidays, everyone's decorating, do some wild stuff, but we know that's just not how it works. Fruit doesn't get taped on. It grows from the inside out because the tree is healthy, strong, and rooted. And in your life it's kind of like that too. Jesus said in John 15:5, I am the vine. You are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit. So what does that mean? It means when you stay close to Jesus, your life starts growing good things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more. But when you try and fake it or pretend on the outside, it doesn't last. Jesus shared this with his disciples just before he went to the cross. They were walking past grapevines, so he used something they saw every day to teach them something powerful. He wanted them to know, you don't have to grow by trying harder. You grow by staying close to me. In those days, vineyards were everywhere. People understood that fruit only grew from a healthy branch that's connected to a vine. You know, if Jesus were sitting right next to you in the backseat, I think he might say, you don't have to force it. You just stay with me. I'll help you grow. You want to be kind? I'll grow you in that. You want to be patient with your siblings? I'll help you stay close. You want to love when it's hard? I've got you. Jesus isn't asking you to be perfect. He's asking you to stay close and let him do the work from the inside out. So how do we grow real fruit in our lives? Here's a few simple ways. Read God's word every day. Maybe it's just one verse. That's totally fine. Talk to Jesus when you're feeling big feelings. Say, Jesus, help me. I need you to stay close to me today. Choose one thing to grow in this week. Maybe it's kindness to your siblings or to your parents, or patience with your homework, or joy when you're tired. He wants to grow real lasting fruit in your life. Not fake smiles, not pretending, but real joy, real peace, real love, and it starts with sticking with Jesus every day. So this week, stay connected and watch what starts to grow. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Parents, if you love today's podcast, share it with some parent friends so they can discover carpooling with Jesus too. Before you go answer this question together, what kind of fruit, actions or attitudes, do you wanna grow in this week? I'll see you tomorrow on carpooling with Jesus.