Jesus lived among us, and He knows from first-hand experience that we as people are messed up! I am! Do you realize that you need help, too?

The prophet Isaiah put it this way:

“We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Jesus] the inquiry of us all” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV84)

Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon Himself. But He did something else, too. He made it possible for us to be connected to Him, so that we could live a fragrant life.

John the disciple, who was one of Jesus’ best friends while on planet earth, knew what it was like to be connected intimately to Jesus. He quoted Jesus as saying:

Those are bold words—“apart from me you can do nothing.” Do you believe that? Do you live as if it’s true? Our only hope for a fragrant life with our friends, our spouse, our kids, with our family, or with those we work with is connection to Jesus.

The first step to a changed heart (see my previous post on the heart) is to be connected to Christ daily. This leads to a life that is abundant and attractive to a watching world.

Is your life connected to Jesus like a branch is connected to the vine?

What little things can you do to begin to spend time with God every day – a little reading in the Bible, a little prayer?

If you want to change, the only way is connection to Jesus, because apart from Him you can do nothing.