Devotionals

I Can do nothing If Disconnected

by Robert [Bob] Schaetzle Sr. 
10/07/25
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    I Can Do Nothing If Disconnected
     By Robert Schaetzle

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV

Becoming weary and overburdened can be from attempting too many ‘good deeds.’ For sure, our Lord blesses us in caring to serve. Whether giving of your time to help a person in need, or other ministries outside the home.  Temptations are always before us to recognize and discern the ‘important’ over the urgent. My point is to recognize the needs are for God to choose for us. Not be burdened or allow our feelings, and others to determine the matter.  

The gift to ‘serve’ is a most precious blessing. But we must ask our Lord… “Is this something You want me to be part of?” I admire my wife, who was a public schoolteacher before we were married. She also had a ‘Spiritual Gift’ showing mercy. But with mercy, had the wisdom and courage to say…”NO!” When request after request upon her could have taken away the greater blessing and responsibility of being at home to care for our five children. And later years, as we both recognized the responsibility to care for both our parents. Seven years caring for my parents and six years her parents came to live with us. And being available for a younger sister with special needs.

The beauty and grace our Lord blessed Yvonne with, was to be strong in listening to God’s voice. More than listening to the voices of many petitioners. As the last portion of my opening verse proclaims… ‘far apart from me you can do nothing.’ If it is not by our Lord’s Spirit to prompt us, we must consider, “Does it honor God and bring Him the glory?”

Father, thank you for speaking to Yvonne’s heart, for apart from your leading me, I too… can do nothing.’

Robert serves in a sharing and Caring Ministry to encourage and strengthen God’s presence in us