One of the things I have enjoyed through
ministry is sitting with people who have been serving for many years. I have had the great honor to sitting with
and talking with some incredible people.
Some have been pastors who led their churches for a long time. Others have been part of churches and
ministries where they graciously served.
Understand
this point, we must learn from our elders.
Learn from the people who have sacrificed their time, energy and
resources to serve God and others. These
conversations may help us avoid pitfalls and heartache through the years we get
to serve.
Yesterday
I had the opportunity to talk with a friend.
He and his wife are about 40 years older than me and have been served
God for many decades. This man has done
jail ministry for years. Before that he
was a chaplain to truckers. His story
and testimony is incredible. I love to
hear how God has spoken to him and how God worked through him.
Something
that my friend Joe said yesterday hit me hard, and I wanted to share it with
you.
Yes, I am
the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
It is the last part of that verse. John wrote, and the words were in red because
Jesus spoke them. He said, “apart from
me you can do nothing.” My friend Joe
said you have to add two words to that sentence, “but fail”. He said, “apart from me you can do nothing
BUT FAIL.” That will preach.
We are headed toward failure when we disconnect our lives
from God. What we try to do on our own
sets us on a path to fail.
The older I get the more I hear and understand this great
wisdom from those who have walked this road much longer than I have. Joe has encountered failure, and his desire
is to keep me from doing the same. Wait. Really Joe’s desire is to help me and others experience
the presence and glory of God as he has.
I can listen to Joe’s stories for hours. My job is to learn and grow.
Without God’s help and staying connected to Him, I will
and you will fail. That is not what we
want. Nor is it what God intends for
us. So, remain connected to God and
produce much fruit.
“Apart from me you can do nothing but fail.”
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