Fruit?

Given September 2017 

Recently, our pastor, Wayne Hager, preached on fruit.  He talked about what fruit is, how we produce it, and how it appears.  “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” (Luke 6:44).  But, how do we display our fruit?  When we walk down the sidewalk, in the aisles of a store, at a ballgame, at work, at home, at church…how would people see our fruit?  I say by DOING!  “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)  We show what our fruit is by doing things.

The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5: 22-23).  Could this be a checklist of the FRUIT we’re supposed to be showing?  I think so.  What if we would pray each time we’re around people, “Lord, let me show/do one or more of these nine fruits.”

So, what are some ways we can bear visible fruit?  1. Our treasure, our money, or our resources. We can DO something with what we’ve been blessed with to show our fruit.  2. Our talents.  We’re all good at DOING something so use your talents to help someone.  3.  Our time.  We all have time.  What do we DO with our time?  Think of ways we can SPEND, (doing), our time for the benefit of the Kingdom and God’s people.  Look back at the list and think of ways you can be fruitful this week.  God is watching and when you DO one of these things, He will smile and maybe say, “Now, that’s what I’m talking about!”

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can DO nothing.” (John 15:5)  If you are not saved, you’re bearing rotten or no fruit.  Get attached to the Vine today and begin producing, showing and distributing God fruit!