Let no unwholesome
word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the
need of the moment, so
that it will give grace to those who hear. ~ Ephesians 4:29
The phrase I can’t is
coming out of my vocabulary. I’m eliminating
it. Dictionary.com defines it as a “verb
expressing incapacity, inability...” When I say, “I can’t,” I’m really saying, “I
lack the ability and/or the capacity.”
Philippians 4:13 disagrees: I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Jesus said, “I am the Vine; you are the
branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.
However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing,”
(John 15:5). So Philippians says that I can and Jesus says that in Him I can, but when I’m apart (separated)
or cut off from Him, that’s when I can’t.
When and why do we live apart from Christ? When we buy
into the lies and pretensions [claims of importance or merit] spoken by the
enemy. Jesus said when we live apart
from and do not dwell in Him, we wither and are burned (see John 15:6). Reflecting over the times in my life when I’ve
tried to make through the day or week without having that closeness to God, I
felt like I was withering away. But we
don’t have to stay separated.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take those thoughts
captive and to make them obedient to Christ.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing by eliminating I can’t. And honestly, if I
don’t eliminate I can’t, it will
eliminate me from God’s blessings, because apart from nourishment—apart from
abiding in Christ—I can’t live and I want
to live!
If you live in Me
[abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to
live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified
~ John 15:7-8
©2013 Heather Potts
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