The Transformed Life Bears Fruit

The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to “give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” So no man is to live unto himself. The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls.

There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ,—the spirit of unselfish love and labor for others,—you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 67.

It is His plan, by conforming His servants day by day to the image of Christ, by making them partakers of the divine nature, to cause them to bear fruit abundantly.

He desires His people, through actual experience in the truth of the gospel, to become true, solid, trustworthy, experimental missionaries. He would have them show results far higher, holier, and more definite than in our day have yet been revealed.—Testimonies for the Church 8:186
With God at Dawn p. 181
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will give the doctor wisdom in Annie’s case as she has an appointment with him tomorrow. Also pray for our pastor who has covid. Rose
—-Please pray for Jake. He is 40 years old, in ICU recovering from a heart event followed by organ failure. It was not a heart attack. He is considered a miracle by the doctors because with all that is going on they thought he would not live. He is improving on a daily basis, but prayer is the power connection that will assist him to recover. He is in good health. unknown reason for these problems. He and the family will appreciate prayer. Joyce
—-David and his family need your prayers. Pray that he will be willing to take medication for his mental condition. Buck
—-Please remember me in your daily prayers. I have inflammation from covid. I’ve had it 2 confirmed possibly 3 times. . . . I cannot breathe well and have struggled all day. Please pray Gods heals any damage. I need to work and take care of my grand baby. Lola
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago after we had come home from church, Ronnie Jay, a friend of his, Eileen, and I decided to go walking in a nearby park. I thought we were going to the area of the park that has nice cement walkways, so I wore my church clothes. As we were driving to the park, Eileen asked if we could go to the wilder side. Now that area has tiny dirt trails. I said, “Well, I’m not dressed for it, but I like that area better too, so let’s go there.”
After we had started down the trail, I realized that few people had been there since a flood in that area almost a year before. There were places where the path had been washed away and other areas where it was barely visible because grass and thistles had grown over it. To add to my troubles, it had rained the night before, so most of the way was muddy. Church shoes, nylons, a good drees, and mud just do not go well together! I slipped and slid along the trail and almost fell a few times.
Still, the walk was enjoyable. We saw many kinds of birds, a couple of deer, and the ever-present insects. As we neared the end of the walk, the trail was no longer visible. It was completely covered with grass. That does not sound like a problem, but here in Kansas the wild grass is over six feet tall! That’s about a foot taller than Eileen and I. We felt like we were in a jungle. If the trail had not been going fairly close to the tree line, we would have become completely disoriented. That stand of trees was our guide. (Ronnie Jay and his friend were far ahead of us. They had no trouble since the friend was tall.) Finally the trail was visible again and soon we were back to the car.
As I was sliding along, I began thinking how much like life our little walk was. We each have to choose one of two paths. One path is broad and smooth: the other is narrow and has many difficulties along the way. Jesus says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14
Which path are we traveling? The easy path seems like the best choice, but if we choose that one, we will perish. The difficult trail will take us through sorrows and heartaches and many trials, but these are the very things that help to shape our character. Praise God! We do not have to walk that trail alone! We have a Guide Who has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Heb 13:5; Ps 32:8 Moreover, He gives us His Word to guide us just as the tree line guided Eileen and me. David declared, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 119:105; 19:7-11
May we choose the steep and rocky path to the Heavenly Kingdom even though it is difficult at times. May we ever look to our loving Savior for the help and guidance that we so much need every step of the way. May we listen to His gentle voice through His Holy Word as He bids us, “This is the way, walk ye in it” when we are in danger of straying off from the path. Isa 30:21
Rose