I have been met with a smirky little smile several times when I have quoted, “Without Me you can do nothing.”
Sitting in my office one day, interviewing a couple a pastor had referred, I made a wrong assumption. Since they were Christians, I thought we must be on the same page about our need for Jesus’ strength if we were going to accomplish good things. The couple had a broken relationship that lacked warmth and friendship. The husband was an “I don’t need anyone” type of guy. This attitude left the wife feeling unneeded, and their problems spiraled from that lack of being needed.
The husband had written a book and was having it published in the near future. I was happy for him and mentioned the Lord’s gracious help. He didn’t want to hear about Jesus. He felt he had done the good things of life by himself and was as proud as a peacock. Thus, his smirky smile.
The husband didn’t realize the truth of what Jesus said about vines, branches, and fruit. He didn’t realize that without Jesus, God’s children can bear no lasting kingdom fruit. I don’t think he cared. All a peacock wants is to spread his tail and strut.
JUST ONE THING: Billy Graham said many times that the greatest pleasure he had during his long and blessed life was his daily sweet and restful personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus was everything to him.
JUST ONE THING BLESSINGS BRING: Facing each new day with the guarantee of a productive day lying ahead is a treasure. What would the world give to have a guarantee that each new day would be successful? Many would give all they own, but often they don’t desire to possess a humble attitude before God. A branch that rests in union with its vine is productive.
Keep things simple. Remember, just one thing is all you need: abiding in Christ. You are guaranteed to produce kingdom fruit.
(Photo courtesy of morguefile.)
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The Rev. Dr. Bob Segress served as a licensed psychological clinician for twenty-five years. Upon retiring, he served for fifteen years as a prison minister. Retiring again, he began writing full-time after a period of boredom. He has written: The Biblical Approach To Psychology while serving as a college educator, The Shelton Series, and, in 2012, Ten Years Inside Shelton Prison. Currently, he writes for several publications such as Halo Magazine.