It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others.  There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others.  Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season.  I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.

This is day six in the final week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”.  This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.

Serving God:
Go and Bear Fruit

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.“
John 15:16 (NIV)

Is your life producing anything good?  How do you know?  What type of fruit should your life be producing?  What is the source of this fruit?  How likely are you to bear good fruit if you are not living connected to the source of all things good?  How do you feel about bearing eternal fruit everywhere that you go?  Are there places you go on a regular basis that you have not thought at all about how you could serve the people there in a way that would bear much fruit?  What will you do?

Jesus said that if a tree doesn’t bear good fruit, it is eventually cut down and burned.  Sometimes we believe, and perhaps are even taught, that our relationship with Jesus is all about us and Him.  Yet the Bible makes it very clear that we are saved for the purpose of doing the good works that God created in advance for us to do.  When we live attached to the vine of Christ, it is our responsibility to bear fruit wherever we go. 

As you pray, ask God to remind you of the connection you have to Christ.  Pray that your life would be one that produces good fruit wherever you go.  Pray that you would take seriously your responsibility to serve others as you trust God to produce the fruit that He desires in their life.

In prayer,

Tom