From: Steve Hill’s 1/16/14 devotion

With the Holy Spirit

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

There is such a danger in trying to make it on our own. When we move forward without the guidance of God, we are doomed to failure. The English preacher William Plumer (1802-1880) stated this truth well.

Our great error is in trying to do without the aid of the Holy Spirit. He is our guide; without Him we err always. He is our light; without Him we are in darkness. He is our strength; without Him we are as weak as water. He is our sanctifier; without Him we are wholly polluted. He applies to us the word of God for comfort, and for warning, and for cleansing, and for complete salvation. As He garnishes the heavens, so He beautifies the soul and adorns it with the richest graces. To all who receive Him, He is a fountain of joy, life, peace and purity.

We must remain attached to the vine; the life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit must be continually flowing through our lives. Then, and only then, will the promise come true: “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”

The problem with most Christians is self-reliance. They try to do things on their own. We must heed the words of Jesus, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

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