A message by Greg Johnson www.LovingGodFellowship.org
The Christ follower does the same thing in the bad times as they do in the good times – they bear good fruit. They continue the ministry of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. They minister at the point of need. They make a difference in their day.
Find encouragement today from God’s Word. (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV) ""But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
The Christ follower lives by faith. Their trust is in Jesus, the One they follow. They realize that Jesus is the author of their faith and He is continually perfecting their faith as they follow Him from earth to glory. (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The Christ follower is rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Just as a tree by a stream is rooted and grounded in a fashion to draw strength and refreshment from the stream, the Christ follower is rooted and grounded in God’s Word. They read it. They study it. They listen to it preached. They listen to it taught. They memorize it. They hide it in their heart. The Christ follower draws strength and refreshment from the water of the Word. When the heat intensifies, they don’t wilt and whither, because they are rooted and grounded in God’s Word.
The Christ follower does not live in worry or fear. They learn to release all of that to God in their place of prayer. They continue to trust in the One they follower. He is their Good Shepherd. (Psalms 23 NIV) "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. {6} Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
The Christ follower bears good fruit. No matter what goes on around them, the Christ follower bears good fruit. In the good times and in the bad times, in the hot and in the cold, on the mountain top and in the valley, in the dessert and in the oasis, the Christ follower never fails to bear good fruit.
What does a Christ follower do in a recession? The same thing they always do. They bear good fruit. They can do this because they live by faith in Jesus, they stay in God’s Word and they refuse to live in worry and fear. And God blesses them with more of His amazing grace and shows the world around them that His grace is truly all sufficient.
Be blessed today as you trust in Jesus. Amen!
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson
www.GAJohnson.org
www.LovingGodFellowship.org------------------------------------------
Another great message Greg. Keep flooding the internet with God’s Word.
Bob Lipsys
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