The Words of Jesus in John 15 come immediately to mind as I read this Scripture, especially verses 4 – 5 + 7, which say, “Abide in Me (Live in Me, Jesus), and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We read these powerful Words in John 3: 27: which say, “John (the Baptist) answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from Heaven.” I could try to worship the Lord in my own strength, without having Jesus as Lord of my life, but the Lord tells us in John 4: 24: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Hebrews 13: 15 + 20 – 21: attests that it is only through Jesus that acceptable praise is offered, saying “Through Him (Only) then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His Name. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the Blood (that ratified, sealed) of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip (strengthen, complete, perfect, and make you what you ought to be) you in every good…
