We Must Bear Fruit to the Father’s Glory

How does a Christian bear fruit? If, as believers, we pursue goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, we will be fruitful no matter where we are called.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (Joh 15:8 NIV)

I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God. (Phil 1:11 CEB)

I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:5 ISV)

When we bear fruit, we bring glory to God the Father, and we prove ourselves to be the Lord’s followers. The key to fruitfulness is abiding in Christ and being aware, moment by moment, of His presence and His love at work in our lives.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23) Every GOOD tree bears GOOD fruit. (Mt 7:17) Each and every believer is a good tree, and every believer has been given the fruit of the Spirit.

The Lord tells us clearly in John 15:5:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We must abide in Christ always, because without Him, we are powerless and can accomplish nothing. But with Him, nothing is impossible! Hallelujah!

Contend for Your Faith

CONTEND means to maintain, keep up, or to sustain something. We are reflecting upon the Bible’s exhortation to us to contend for our faith in the Savior and Messiah.

We need to work diligently on holding tightly to our faith because life’s circumstances and the work of the enemy will try to separate us permanently from our faith.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3 KJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:12 NKJV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:7 ESV)

The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel . . . (Phil 1:27 ISV)

So how do we ‘fight the good fight of faith’? There are a number of healthy, spiritual habits that we should form in order to stay connected to our faith and to the Word of God. Here are some ideas:

Flee from sin: literally, fly away from sin! God will show you a way out of it. (1 Cor 10:13)
Pursue righteousness. (Mt 5:6)
Get to know God and lead a godly life. (2 Pet 3:11)
Put your confidence [trust] in God and in His Word. (2 Cor 5:7)
Operate in love. (1 Cor 13:13; Mt 22:39)
Be humble and gentle. (Eph 4:2)

We must make choices every day of our lives to pursue God’s will, to obey Him, and to live by faith. This requires perseverance and steadfastness. God’s grace will supply us with His ability to hold fast to our course. God bless you.

What’s Your Decision?

Whom would you rather serve? You would do well to read our last blog titled Two Paths. It will shed light upon this article.

Every human being on earth must make a decision whether to serve Jesus, the Son of the Living God; or to serve satan, known as the accuser of the brethren. (Rev 12:10)

What does the Bible say about Jesus? I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10b NKJV)

The Scriptures warn us to “make our election sure.” The Lord tells us in His Word how each and every believer may confirm and safeguard his future in eternity:

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:5-11 NKJV, emphasis added)

After we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, we do well to submit ourselves to the cleansing that comes to us through daily reading and meditation upon the Bible. Read for yourself the truth of this statement:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:25-27 NKJV, underscoring added)

Also, the Holy Spirit will teach us and lead us into all truth as we read the Word of God regularly. (Joh 16:13)

Trust the Lord to teach you and to guide you. Allow Him to make changes in your life day by day, year by year, and decade by decade. In so doing, you will bear fruit and make your calling and election sure! God bless you.

Two Things That Can Never Be Changed

God’s promises and God’s vows are two things that can never be changed. What a firm foundation for faith this fact provides for us!

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. (Ps 33:11 NKJV)

So when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. ¹⁸God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. (Heb 6:17-18 CEV, emphasis added)

The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand. (Isa 14:24 NKJV)

The Bible tells us in various passages and in different language that God cannot and will not lie. (Tit 1:2; Isa 40:8) You can count upon and rely upon the promises of God. His Word is tested and true. Let’s see what else the Bible says about this.

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. (Pro 30:5 NASB)

Your word has been tried and tested; your servant loves your word! (Ps 119:140 CEB)

Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. (Ps 145:13 CEV)

We must stand upon the truth of the Word of God and rely upon His promises to us. God is the One who guarantees that His Word will most certainly come to pass, and all that we need is faith and perseverance. Don’t give up and don’t watch the clock or the calendar! Focus upon God’s nature and His faithfulness. Focus upon His love for you and upon His past blessings upon you. Meditate upon all of the answered prayer that you have received, and remember that God hasn’t changed.

God is the only Being who is the very definition of reliable. Praise the Lord most High!

Inner Strength

God gives inner strength to every person who trusts in Him and in His salvation. Here are several Bible passages on the topic:

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10 NKJV)

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves . . . (Eph 3:16 GNT)

. . . strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy . . . (Col 1:11 NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13 NKJV)

This is one of the blessed benefits of our salvation—to receive inner strength and perseverance from God, our Savior. Whenever we face difficulties, challenges, sorrows, or calamities, we may cry out to the Lord in our trouble and He will deliver us. Take note of these Bible verses:

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. (Ps 107:6)

. . . persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Tim 3:11, emphasis added)

What a loving and mighty God we serve! Look at just some of the blessings that He pours out upon each and every one of His people:

He is always with us and will never reject us.
He upholds and sustains us.
He gives us grace to enable us to serve Him and to fulfill our callings.
He provides health, healing, reconciliation, and mercy continuously.
He justifies us and grants us peace with our Father God.
He loves us perfectly
He has given us a salvation that will provide us with joy in the presence of the Lord now and for all eternity.

Become aware of and use the inner strength that God has given to you. Study these blessings and benefits of our salvation in order to support and to sustain your inner strength. Blessings upon you!

Encourage & Build

Have you ever heard this saying? “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” Such a person is an ENCOURAGER!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thes 5:11 NIV)

There are at least thirteen passages in the New Testament alone about encouragement. Encouragement means inspiration, reassurance, and support. Encouragement is a combination of all three. It has great potential for fostering and advancing critical moments in a person’s, a church’s, and or a nation’s history.

But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see. (Deu 3:28 NKJV) As this verse in the Bible demonstrates, encouragement is able to strengthen a person’s soul (mind, will, and emotions) and help them to push ahead to accomplish their goal. Thanks to encouragement and God’s grace, Joshua accomplished great things for God.

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (Acts 11:23) This is when Barnabas visited the church at Antioch: He supported them in their faith in God and emboldened them to continue in it.

Here is something interesting to know about Barnabas

“Barnabas” wasn’t his birth name (it was Joseph); Barnabas was his nickname meaning “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). This rather obscure Bible character was so encouraging that it became his name.” ~ Source: https://www.leadershipresources.org/who-is-barnabas-in-the-bible-10-things-to-know.

. . . that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ . . . (Col 2:2) These words of the Apostle Paul’s are inspiration to the church of his day—as well as to us. He is nurturing our unity, our faith in and understanding of the Gospel, and our perseverance in faith.

. . . and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith . . . (1 Thes 3:2) The Apostle Paul is writing from Antioch about sending Timothy to confirm, reassure and to strengthen the faith of the Thessalonian church during persecution.

As these passages reveal to us, encouragement is powerful! It has the potential to build (develop, shape, and foster) a person’s faith in God as well as a confidence in their calling to such an extent that they are enabled to accomplish mighty deeds and to produce pivotal moments in history.

Boldly encourage someone that you care about today. Blessings upon you!

Unjust Suffering

The Bible gives us notice in numerous passages that followers of Jesus Christ will experience unjust suffering. We are told that any suffering that we go through is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us! (Rom 8:18)

Christ suffered for us, and He left us this as an example, so that we would follow in His steps—being forewarned. (1 Pet 2:21)

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. (1 Pet 2:19 NIV)

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. (1 Pet 3:14a)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (Joh 16:33)

In all situations of life, we can never be separated from the love of God for us. (Rom 8:35) God promises to comfort us in all of our troubles. (1 Cor 1:3-4) These passages of the Scripture are meant to support us and to encourage us when we suffer.

Our perseverance in suffering, holding on to our faith in Christ, proves the genuineness of our faith according to the Word of God. (1 Pet 1:6-7)

We are told to count it a joy when we face many and various types of trials. (Jas 1:2-4, see also Rom 5:3-5)

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹²Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5:10-12)

Prepare your heart, mind, and will to follow Jesus in every circumstance; and when you arrive in eternity, you will be filled with rejoicing and extreme thankfulness that you did.

In the Race

Did you realize that we are born into a race? We all run in the “race of life” which not only involves this life but eternal life, as well.

And, as you would expect, every race has its own rules and guidelines as well as its rewards. The same is true in the “race of life.”

The Bible reveals everything to us about life and godliness. (2 Pet 1:3) It tells about the guidelines for our lives, and discloses the nature and power of our weapons. (2 Cor 10:4) Here are some of truths that we all need to understand about the race in which we are engaged.

Training –

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Cor 9:25 NIV)

A prize –

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (1 Cor 9:24 NKJV)

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (Jas 1:2)

. . . and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Pet 5:4)

Rules –

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Tim 2:5)

Perseverance Needed –

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10)

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Rev 3:11)

Application –

Think about the nature of your own race, and how you can run it with more wisdom and power. Blessings upon you!

Are You an Overcomer?

What does the word overcomer mean? It is synonymous with conqueror; victor; champion; or winner.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Joh 5:4-5)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:37)

The verses above imply a battle, a war, or a competition of some kind. But where is the battleground and over what do we fight? The Bible teaches us that the world is the battleground. The battle is for the souls of men, women, and children.

On a day to day basis, overcomers are followers of Christ who hold fast to faith in Christ under all circumstances. Whether their challenge is financial, physical, mental, or emotional, the believer trusts in God and in His Word. He/she will find Scripture verses that address the trial that they’re facing and such verses will cause their faith to grow stronger and firmer.

God doesn’t leave us defenseless in this world. He has given us the armor of God to equip us in battle. (See Eph 6:11-17) This armor is available to all believers.

We come through trials by the power of the Holy Spirit, and by perseverance in faith.

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . . (Heb 3:14) Steadfast means constant, stalwart, and unwavering.

Hold on firmly and resolutely to your faith in Jesus Christ. He will not fail you. You ARE an overcomer!

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