So, what are you doing to get through the times we’re living in now? Are you entertaining your appetites or using the time wisely? Are you using the time to become new, improved and fruitful? I love to hear your comments.

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love football. I am a fanatic. I watch football every game day and night; NFL Red Zone, NFL Network, and all the replays. Recently, NFL Game Pass gave free service to watch many games. I thought I was in heaven. I said, “wow, I can sit here on the sofa and watch football. I found something to do with my time or at least I thought. You know where I am going with this … right?

God said, “No, my child I have other plans for you.” Well, thus far, I have only watched ONE game. God spoke, I moved.

Hey, I know it is very easy to sit back and do all things you like to entertain yourself, but what about challenging yourself to some intimate time with God. Make it fun. Maybe you could memorize scripture or pick a bible story that relates to you and how you’re feeling. Get the family together and make it a trivia game with scripture. Just a few ideas.

I got my butt off the sofa. I have been lavishing in the amazing voice of God. He spoke to me about my life, my direction, my vision and the steps to prosper. It starts with baby steps. One day at a time. The key is the time you put into it. Just like the time you put into your earthly job. Some people are passionate and in love with their occupations. They are motivated and driven. We should have that same drive and motivation in seeking God. It develops the hunger and thirst for Him, His Word, and His way of life.

So, back to my previous questions, “what are you doing with your time? Are you fruitful or unfruitful? Are you making a difference in your home, community, or workplace? Are you salt and light to the world?

Let’s talk a bit about fruit. I was not fruitful sitting on the sofa for hours watching football. Of course, it is okay to have some leisure time, but with balance. When God said to get up, He made me fruitful. I was obedient and He used me. I am sitting on my butt in a chair, at my desk, writing this message to you. How awesome is that! It brings me great joy to heed His call and to listen to His voice.

There were many bible persons who moved when called by God. God told Abraham to “Get out of your country….to a land I will show you.” Abraham was obedient, “So Abraham departed as the LORD had spoken to him.” Moses, (though reluctant or more like feeling insecure), heeded the call from GOD, and all through the new testament we see the word “immediately”. The disciples “immediately” left the work they were doing and followed Jesus when he called.

First, let’s look at the unfruitful Christian. They profess to be Christians but have no evidence of a relationship with Christ. They’re spiritually dead. They can’t bear fruit because there is a lack of knowledge, lack of wisdom, lack of the Holy Spirit. NO RELATIONSHIP! They may not be saved because the religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced. Jesus has called us to bear fruit.

What is fruit? The bible states in Galatians 5:22, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the characteristics of an authentic Christian who possess the Spirit of GOD. If you’re walking in Christ, then the Holy Spirit will produce these qualities in you.

John 15:5 states “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Being fruitful requires faithfully abiding in God. We have a responsibility to daily depend upon Him for all things. This means to have communion with him daily. If we are not fruitful we are useless. We can’t follow Jesus on our terms. It is a commandment from God, that we bear fruit. We are chosen to bear fruit. God purges us, meaning he cleanses us. He takes away all the junk that hinders our growth so we may bear more fruit. Fruitfulness brings glory to God and by our fruit, we draw others to Christ.

The process of being fruitful: We start as babes in Christ, we mature, we grow toward adulthood. We may have some bumps or stumble along the way, but we learn, grow and be stronger. As we do this, we bear some fruit, more fruit, much fruit. As believers, we have this awesome relationship with GOD. He lavishes us with His care. The benefits we enjoy are joy, answered prayer, and peace.

If you have broken away from the care of God, you’re not capable of bearing fruit. The worse thing a believer can do is break away from the vine – that close fellowship with the FATHER.  Won’t you come back, be renewed and commit. Now is a good time.

While we’re at home, why don’t we honor Him, live in His Word and pray, obey His commandments, keep ourselves clean through His Word. In doing this we will bear more fruit. Let’s become fruit, new and improved.