Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Encouragement In Bearing Fruit

John 15:16-17
Encouragement In Bearing Fruit

     “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 of the Father in My name, He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” -Jesus

     I really want to encourage everyone this week that God will bless every action and every prayer that you make on behalf of your family, your neighbor, or your friend. He will bless your efforts to draw them into the Kingdom of God. Jesus says that He has appointed us to bear fruit and that the fruit will remain. He is encouraging us to earnestly ask for their salvation and to step out in faith that He will answer. Every little seed of truth that you sow into their lives will come up and bear fruit. I know that we all get discouraged when after years of praying for someone we don’t see any changes in their life. We have an enemy that wants you to give up in your prayers for that person and he will do anything he can to discourage you from praying with your whole heart, for he knows that God will answer if you persist.
     This is a great word of encouragement for those of us who have been asking the Lord for years on behalf of others and going out of our way to draw them into God’s kingdom. It seems like we can go forever and still see no good coming from it. But let us look at the example that Jesus has left us with. When He hung on the cross all of His disciples had deserted Him and the Jews whom He had tenderly cared for and ministered to were crucifying Him. There was no earthly hope of seeing any good fruit from all of His work. He was staring at a total loss even of His own body and yet, the day He died, all of the seeds He had planted started to come to life! His church grows bigger by the day and there will be no end to the fruit for which He has labored. So for us – we need to take courage from this example He has left us with, and not despair or let go of our prayers for people or stop going out of our way to draw them to God even when we see no fruit. Jesus has promised that there will be fruit!
     So let us step out and start thinking of what kind of seeds we can be planting. There are seeds of action like visiting neighbors or nursing homes or going out into our local communities and helping out. We could be writing letters to friends and family in which we share the love of God with them. We can hand out tracts or join a group that is spreading the Gospel in our communities. I just want to encourage you that anything you can come up with to do for someone, will grow and bear fruit. So let us seek God earnestly today that He will give us new ideas for what we can be doing to spread His kingdom so that we will have fruit for our labors at the end of this age and that the fruit will remain for all of eternity.           God bless you all!



11 comments:

  1. Following are two questions that commenters were asked to answer after reading this message.
    1) What kind of person are you?
    Person 1 - the kind that prays
    Person 2- The kind that people are praying for
    Person 3 - the kind that plants seeds
    2) On a scale of 0-10 how "fruitful" are you when it comes to going out and planting the seeds of action that paragraph 3 is talking about?

    THE REASON I APPROACHED EVERYONE with these questions is because I felt this message is mainly directed to the Saved Children of God and in order for me to find them amongst 100s of strangers, I had to reach out to everyone .Also, I felt I had to do something that would get the unsaved to also want to read this message. I felt the participation of answering questions would do it.

    Following are answers they gave to the two questions above.

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  2. 1. RONALD - WTBY
    PRAYING How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8

    2. ERIC - WTBY
    THE KIND BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10?

    3. AMY - WTBY (Done prior study/ies)
    ONE THAT DOES THE PRAYING . How fruitful on scale 0-10? 2

    4. RAFELINA - WTBY
    ONE THAT IS BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6


    5. ANNONYMOUS
    ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS How fruitful on scale 0-10? 10

    6. TONYA - WTBY
    Encourage everyone.

    7. JESS - WTBY
    I do love Jesus. I choose him for a reason to forgive my sins.
    How fruitful on scale 0-10? 7


    8. KAREN - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    Great people and spread the word of God.
    How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8

    9. HENRY - WTBY
    THE KIND THAT PRAY AND PRAYED FOR .
    How fruitful on scale 0-10? SPREAD GOSPEL ON GREEN.

    10. ALBERTO - WTBY
    BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 5








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  3. 11. TSIAH - WTBY
    I AM A BELIEVER. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I AM AN AVERAGE FRUIT.

    12. LEROY - WTBY
    CHRIST LIKE LIVING. WHENEVER THE LORD OPEN THE DOOR TO SPEAK.

    13. ANNETTE - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 5

    14. BRANDON - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    15. ERIC - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    16. JENNIFER - WTBY
    I have faith so I won't give up and keep trying.
    How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8

    17. DHALIA - WTBY
    THE ONE THAT IS BEING PRAYED FOR..
    How fruitful on scale 0-10? I would be a 5.

    18. AARON - WTBY
    A FRUITFUL PERSON. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 10



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  4. 19. KEVIN - WTBY
    I WOULD SAY I'M THE FIRST (ONE THAT PRAYS) BECAUSE THAT DESCRIBES ME BEST. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I would say 7 becaause I do it but not as much.

    20. ZAIRE - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I am 8 in fruitfulness because I give tithes, and make god well known in my life.

    21. PHILIP WTBY
    THE ONE WHO IS BEING PRAYED FOR . How fruitful on scale 0-10? 2

    22. STA - WTBY
    GODLY. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8

    23. VICTOR
    ALL OF THEM . How fruitful on scale 0-10? 9

    24. P.GALLAGHER - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    LOVING , CARING, HONEST. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 10

    25. JIM - WTBY
    I believe that I'm a good person. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. I'm human. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 4

    26. DENIS
    PRAYER. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 7-8

    27. FALLON - WTBY
    I'm a greatful person and love God. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8 I love to help people and pray alot.

    28. ANNONYMOUS
    THE PERSON THAT DOES THE PRAYING. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 5

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  5. 28.5 THE GO-ER
    I noticed some commenters when asked what kind of person they are ( one who prays,one who is prayed for, or one who plants seeds of action) answer with , "I'm an honest person" or "I'm a caring person", "I'm a good person", ect. I ask myself,"how come they are not picking from the 3 kinds of persons I told them about? Then the thought occurred to me. "What if they feel none of those persons describe them? What if they are not one that prays. What if they believe no one is praying for them. What if they are not one that knows of this fruit Jesus talks about. Maybe that is why they answered the way they do to question 1.
    I am speculating. I could be wrong.

    29 BRITTANY - WTBY
    I'M A PERSON THAT IS PRAYING FOR SOMEONE. How fruitful on scale 0-10? On a scale of 0-10 I would say I'm a 0.

    30. KRIS - WTBY
    ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 110%

    31. CHAD
    ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 7.

    32. JENNIFER - WTBY
    I am a kind hearted person. I love helping people if I can. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 10

    33. THOMAS - WTBY ( Did prior study/ies)
    I'm a relaxed person. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 2

    34. KATLYN - WBY
    THE ONE THAT DOES THE PRAYING. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    35. ANGIE - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    ONE WHO PRAYS. I believe and put forth all effort to remain faithful, and trust. It's all I got. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 0 . Although I must admit. I plant seeds though and pray. I don't go out into the world and share my beliefs.

    36. ANNONYMOUS
    AGNOSTIC. ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS.

    37. STEPHANIE - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? ? 5

    38. TIA








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  6. 39. C7 -WTBY
    ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    40. EARL - WTBY
    WHEN I SEE THE NEED. How fruitful on scale 1-10 ? 5

    41. HENNESSEY - WTBY
    I am a caring person but I do sin at times and I also ask for forgiveness.
    How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? 1. I AM NOT VERY FRUITFUL.

    42. CHRIS - WTBY
    I am an understanding and caring person. How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? 8 because I can do more.

    43. STEPHANIE - WTBY
    ONE WHO PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? 5

    44. JOHNTAN - WTBY
    I would say I am the kind of person that will always put others before myself. How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? I'm a 7 for now as to what seed I plant toward the impact my life.

    45. QUANA
    THE PERSON BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? 5

    46. STAR - WTBY
    PEOPLE PRAY FOR ME. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I would say 10 but to me it has nothing to do with God!

    47. JOSE - WTBY
    BOTH. How fruitful on scale 0-10 ? 3




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  7. 48. ALI - WTBY
    I AM BOTH. THE ONE THAT DOES THE PRAYING AND THE ONE BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    49. TYISHA - WTBY
    THE ONE THAT DOES THE PRAYING. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 4

    50. TASHADA - WTBY
    An honest person. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 4

    51. MARLENE - WTBY
    THE ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6

    52. BKY - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 6- Could improve.

    53. JOHN
    Question #1 ______. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 7

    54. MYSHELLA - WTBY
    PERSON BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? Fruitful sometimes.

    55. MIKE - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    I BELIEVE I AM BOTH A PERSON THAT PRAYS FOR OTHERS AND ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. I pray for my loved ones, and friends. I also plant seeds by establishing myself into the work force.
    I am not very "fruitful" with going to places however, I try to help others around me, even them being strangers. Give back what you're like to receive.

    56. GEORGE -WTBY
    PRAYS FOR PEOPLE. How fruitful on scale 0-10? Tell people about Jesus.

    57. CYSHIL
    AM ALL THREE. PRAYING FOR OTHERS, BEING PRAYED FOR, AND ONE WHO PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I am at least an 8.

    58. MCDANIEL - WTBY
    A PERSON WHO PRAYS FOR ANOTHER. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 4-5

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  8. 59. STEPHANIE - WTBY
    I PRAY FOR PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE PEOPLE PRAY FOR ME. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8 I talk about Jesus alot with my friends and family.

    60. JADIAH
    ONE PRAY FOR ANOTHER. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8.5

    61. TODIANAE - WTBY
    I AM THE TYPE THAT PRAYS FOR PEOPLE BUT I ALSO BELIEVE PEOPLE PRAY FOR ME. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 5

    62. BEN - WTBY
    I PRAY FOR OTHERS AND GET PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? Help in community.

    63. BARBARA - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 0-1

    64. MARY - WTBY
    BOTH. ONE THAT PRAYS AND ONE BEING PRAYED FOR. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 8

    65. RAY - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    ONE THAT PRAYS FOR ANOTHER. How fruitful on scale 0-10? I VISIT CHURCH FUNCTIONS, HAND OUT TRACTS, SPREADING THE WORD!

    66. JAMES - WTBY
    THE ONE THAT PRAYS FOR OTHERS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 3

    67. THE GO-ER
    Pray for a mom who read this message while finishing a joint and with her two teenage daughters sitting next to her. They also read this message and did the questions. All three acknowledged Jesus and expressed a love for Him. Pray for them to have an overflowing thirst to really know Jesus and for Jesus to get them out of the drug atmosphere and ....( I thank the Lord for protecting me at this time. Right after I hand them all a copy of this message, I turn my back towards the road and I see a cop driving right by us. At first I thought, I can get arrested with these three if the cop sees them, but I was amazed how a calmness, a peace came over me. I felt God wanted me to continue doing what I'm doing and not to fear. Again, I was so amazed how calm I was in this situation!

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  9. 68. NATASHIA
    ONE WHO PRAYS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 2

    69. DERICK - WTBY
    ONE WHO PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 4

    70. DIANTE - WTBY
    I AM THE PERSON ONE PRAYS FOR. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 8

    71. JEN - WTBY
    I AM A PERSON ONE PRAYS FOR . How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 8

    72. VALERIE
    I AM A PERSON A PERSON MAY PRAY FOR. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 0

    73. ANGIE - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    Personable, friendly and love to spread the Gospel. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 9

    74. JAKE - WTBY (Did prior study/ies)
    I'm a nice person. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 7

    75. DAVID - WTBY
    I AM ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 4

    76. NADIA - WTBY
    A person that likes to help anyone, and give to who don't have anything. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 6

    77. WAYNE - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS FOR OTHERS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 10

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  10. 78. CHELSEA - WTBY
    I BELIEVE I AM THE ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 7. I want to improve.

    79. CLAUDIA - WTBY
    ONE THAT PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 5

    80. JUANE
    I PRAY FOR OTHERS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 6

    81. J2 - WTBY
    PLANTS SEEDS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 5

    82. NICOLLE
    I PRAY FOR SOMEONE AND I KNOW JESUS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 8. I talk to my friends about God.

    83. ASHLEY - OAKVILLE
    I AM ONE WHO PRAYS. How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? I do whatever I can to help the community and to give back.

    84. RAPHEL - WTBY
    ONE THAT PRAYS . How fruitful on a scale of 0-10 ? 10

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  11. 85. REGINA - MERIDEN
    ONE WHO PRAYS FOR OTHERS AND ONE PEOPLE MAY PRAY FOR.
    How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 4

    86. SHIRLEY - MERIDEN
    ONE THAT PRAYS . How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 0

    87. LEO - MERIDEN
    ONE SOMEONE PRAYS FOR. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 7

    88. TAI - MERIDEN
    THE ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 5

    89. ANNONYMOUSS
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 0

    90. PAT - MERIDEN
    ONE THAT PRAYS FOR ANOTHER. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ?0. Not as much as I should.

    91. TASIA
    ONE THAT PRAYS FOR PEOPLE. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 4.

    92. MICHELLE - MERIDEN
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? O

    93. TONESHA - MERIDEN
    PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 10

    94. HANNAH - MERIDEN
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale 0-10? 5

    95. GLENDAD - NEW BRITAIN
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10 ? 5

    96. NELL - N.H.
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10? 0

    97. ED - MIDDLETOWN
    ONE THAT PRAYS. How fruitful on scale of 0-10? 4

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