“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask
what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this
My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;
so you will be My disciples.”
(John 15:7-8)
Thoughts… Have you ever been around fruity Christians? Not the kind you are thinking. I’m talking about the believer who seems to enjoy more of God’s blessings than the ordinary Christian? They tend to get more prayers answered than you, live in a greater degree of Divine favor than you, appear to have more of an inside track with the Almighty than you, and definitely produce more spiritual fruit than you.
They’re fruity—their lives produce a lot of fruit.
Perhaps you wish you could live their kind of blessed life, but secretly feel a little selfish in asking God for it. Don’t feel selfish one second longer. God wants you to experience that kind of abundant life, too. In fact, Jesus said the God-blessed life is arguably the best proof that you are his disciple. Furthermore, he pointed out that your fruitfulness as his disciple is what brings much glory to his Father. The fruitier you are, the greater glory that goes to God. The more God answers your prayers, the more he receives the praise.
Wanting to live the God-blessed life is not selfish at all. It is no more selfish than God wanting to be glorified by giving you your blessings. It is simply the rule of God’s kingdom to ask for his favor and to live in his blessing.
That’s what God wants for you. So stop feeling weird about asking and start asking expectantly. What do you desire for your life? Ask for it. If you are connected to Jesus—and make no mistake, that is the key to receiving—the Father will allow you to bear not just a little, but a whole bunch of fruit. That what he wants for his disciples, and that includes you.
If you are not at the level of fruitiness that you would like to be, that ought to be your first prayer today.
Prayer… Lord, I want to bear much fruit. I want to glorify you by being abundantly blessed. Keep me plugged into the Vine and abiding in your Word so that Kingdom life will flow from the Father into me and produce the kind of fruit that brings much glory to you.
One More Thing… “Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” —Andrew Murray
After reading “Fruity Christians” I had mixed feelings. I want to have more of God’s blessing on my life, yes I do, although if I was not so spoiled I would realize I am already that person I wish I was and you talk about. I was thinking about my life yesterday and realized I do not NEED anything else! My goodness, I made it through almost 6 years in the Army and a trip to Vietnam with 42 air medals flying over enemy territory and, many years of travel on the road as a sales person, and I have 3 wonderful kids that are saved and doing well in ministry of some kind and 12 grandkids that are all doing well. For the things that really matter, I sure do not have any want. I have it all. I am very blessed. Sure I want more! I want gas to be able to drive my car and pull my trailer up to the mountains and beach – and the time to do it!
I also really want God’s blessing on my business. I am trusting God to help with my new business and I am sure He will bring it to pass in His time, but for now I am waiting on Him. I suppose in that I could be a little more “Fruity”! ha ha. This is the second year now for this business and I am wishing my wife did not have to support me as a dependant. It is humiliating in some ways for a man, but I am learning patience and also to Trust. I heard a def of Trust yesterday. Trust is something you cannot feel, it is something you DO. So I honor God by Trusting in Him to supply my needs in my business as I do my job every day of going out and believing in Him. It is my action, like James says that others can see I am a Christian and not sitting at home hoping that my business will take off and be blessed by God.
Thanks for the “Fruity” notes Ray. And thanks for being an example for many. I pray God will bring much fruit in your ministry and bless the sox off of all who come through the doors to serve Him and do His will. My you move go well and the transition continue easily as an example of His love and kindness to you and Linda.