CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT THAT REMAINS

John 15:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

You may think you woke up one day and just decided to start drawing nearer to God but that's not the case. The bible says he chose us not that we chose him and that no person can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Holy Spirit. It is God that decides to draw you. You simply respond to the call of him. If you're thinking about him and if your mind is constantly considering drawing near to him, it is because he is calling and wooing you to draw near. He's gently encouraging you to yield your steps and walk in his direction.

We also need to know we are chosen by him to be fruitful. That means increasing in every area of our lives; whether finances, emotions or growing in him in spiritual maturity. Fruit is also described as the characteristics of God, i.e., joy, love, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, & patience. Fruit is also described as being growing in the knowledge and likeness of God; growing in your relationship with him as well. Remaining fruit means his Word takes root in your heart and produces fruit that will grow outwardly and last. In addition, you bear fruit by adding people to his kingdom through both your life and your outspoken witness (testimony) of him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is something that spreads. It's not a fairy tale or a figment of imagination but a true story that is alive and carries great promises. The bible is the world's top seller and the story & life of Jesus that many tried to squash and put down is the greatest story of all time! It's the gospel message that is not only true but has the power to change lives and give eternal life. It sounds to good to be true but the truth is it's beyond and better than our minds can imagine.

The scripture says it is his desire that you bear fruit that remains. God doesn't want us to come to him, believe him, accept Christ and stop there. He doesn't want his work in our lives to be temporary but he wants our fruit to remain. This means he wants to do both an enduring work in us and an enduring work through us. He doesn't want us to be fruitful for just a moment in time. Just as Jesus expected to see fruit on the fig tree as he was passing by, he wants to see fruit in us; fruit that remains throughout our lifetime and is also effectual in the lives of others.

Many come to Jesus but then fall away at the slightest trial but true increase only comes over the long haul. Let's not fall away at trials but let's through our trials grow stronger and even more fruitful!

For those that have slipped into complacency and barrenness, it's a new day. It's never too late to make a new commitment to him.

Know for certain that you were chosen to be born, chosen to be in relationship with him and chosen to bear fruit! He's chosen you for purpose and as we walk in relationship we grow! He's called you for a purpose which is highly valuable!

Let's make a commitment to be fruitful! Amen!

Let the Church Examine Herself

Let the Church Examine Herself

I hear a lot of people say the some people don't come to church because the presence of god is too strong and they're too convicted and don't want to turn from their sin.

I say, "Could it be that when they do come they see religion and hypocrisy?" Maybe they see a lot of competition and backbiting; a lot of selfishness and striving. Maybe they see the division among denominations and witchcraft manifested in control and manipulation. Maybe they've had preachers manipulate them into giving, just to see their face plastered across headlines for immoral behavior. Has it ever occurred to us that maybe we should take a look at ourselves and read the whole bible and make sure our own lives are conforming to the cross before we start bashing others for their sin? I'm just saying.....

It is time for judgment to begin with the house of the Lord. It seems to me Jesus was more concerned with sin, religious appearance without conformance, jealousy, strife and envy within the religious crowd than he was the clothing of a sinner or the drinking of the tax collectors!

If we're going to unleash on sinners, let us first examine our own tree for each and every piece of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:

Gal 5:17-26
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,

20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),

21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. (Amplified)