"WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING." May our Lord's words speak to us. By nature we are without Christ and are far from Him; by grace we accept His invitation, and come to Him feeling our need of Him. We are given to see that nothing but union to Jesus can make us safe and happy; and to give up ourselves to Him, praying to be holy in Him; He receives us, sheds abroad His love in our heart, and we become members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. He then bids us abide in Him, which we do by living in absolute dependence upon Him; by cleaving to Him in love as our Saviour, God, and Friend; by openly professing our attachment to Him, and expectations from Him, by walking in daily fellowship and communion with Him, and by identifying our cause with His. Beloved, we must abide in Jesus if we would have our flesh mortified, our graces nourished, our lusts subdued, obtain victory over the world, prove a match for Satan; and obtain all necessary supplies. Abiding in Jesus will give us a pure and focussed eye, a burning zeal for God, and holy ambition and power to seize all opportunities to glorify His matchless name.

For Meditation:
Hail, gracious Saviour, Lord divine!
Life-giving ever living vine,
In Thee abiding may I live,
Abundant fruitful service give;
Then may my witness shine for Thee,
From envy, pride and malice free.