Page 2 - Good News May 2010 paper

USYNESS OR FRUITFULNESS? That
is the question. It is easy to be invol-
Bved in many different efforts and
good causes, but the truth is busyness does
not guarantee fruitfulness. It also does not
confirm that we are in God's will. It is the
quality of what our lives produce that
determines whether we are truly fruitful.
Is your life full of meaningful accom-
plishments or just busy activities?
Jesus said that He chose us so that we
would bear much fruit (John 15:16). One
good way to help determine if you are being
fruitful or just busy is by asking yourself
some questions, such as:
¦ Am I spending my time doing what helps
fulfil my life's purpose?
¦ Am I doing what I really desire to do?
¦ Am I using my God-given gifts and talents?
¦ Am I being controlled and pressured by
circumstances and expectations of others? In order for you and me to avoid this trap, we need to "learn to
¦ Do I see tangible results - good fruit - from sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and
my busyness? of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and
If you and I want to be fruitful, we need to distinguishing the moral differences]" (Philippians 1:10). We
make spending time with Jesus our number need to look to God and ask Him to give us the grace to make
one priority. wise choices concerning the things we should or shouldn't be
doing.
THE SOURCE OF FRUITFULNESS
Being fruitful begins with putting God first. ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR LIFE?
As we spend time with Him, He will direct us One Biblical way for us to know if we are bearing good fruit is to
and give us peace about what we should be examine the actual fruit our lives are producing. If we are in
doing. Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the God's will, following His Spirit, we will produce the fruit of His
branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him Spirit - "love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper,
bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithful-
from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] ness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control" (Galatians
you can do nothing" (John 15:5). 5:22-23).
In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Martha Another way you and I can know we are being fruitful, is that we
and Mary. Martha was very busy serving, will have a sense of accomplishment rather than frustration. I
even serving Jesus. She got angry because spent many years being out of balance - busy but not fruitful,
her sister sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him under pressure and frustrated. Thankfully, God has taught me
talk instead of being busy helping her serve. how to live a balanced life. As you and I learn to direct our time
Jesus' response to Martha was that Mary and energy toward the things God has given us to do, we will
had chosen the best thing to do at that time - enjoy our lives more and experience a true sense of accom-
sit and listen to Him. plishment that only comes from being fruitful.
Years ago, I was constantly busy like If you really want to know if you are operating in the fruit of
Martha, and eventually it had a bad effect on God's Spirit, ask a trusted friend or family member what kind of
my relationship with God and others - things they see operating in you.
especially with my husband. I didn't know
how to relax and have fun, so it made me DESTINED TO BEAR FRUIT
very angry when others did! I had to learn God's plan for you is to fulfil your destiny, which is to bear much
not only how to enjoy life, but also to make fruit. But if you are too busy to spend time with God and the
enjoying time with God the most important people around you, you are TOO BUSY! That's when you need
thing in my life! to seek God for the grace and wisdom to
make the needed changes in your life. He
GOOD VERSUS BEST will help you make wise decisions each day
I believe that Satan uses the pressure of and set your priorities right - BEGINNING
busyness to keep us from fulfilling God's WITH THE PRIORITY OF SPENDING TIME
purpose for our lives. In many cases, we WITH HIM.
become distracted by things that are good, As you learn to keep God first and exercise
even "Christian activities", but are not God's Godly wisdom in decision-making, you will
best for us. We can get so busy we don't bear much fruit and glorify your Father in
even recognize the things we should be Heaven.
doing that is really important. [From: Be Your Best, Joyce Meyer, 2008]

Elria van Potch, 082 521 8093, skryf:

Voor 'n interkerklike vrouekamp het die Here
aan ons 'n droom en 'n gesig gegee. Die
droom was van 'n klomp dames bymekaar
vir 'n bruilofsgeleentheid. Daar was egter nie
'n bruid of bruidegom nie. Iemand vra toe
waar die bruid is en al die dames steek hul
hande op en sê gelyk: "Ons is die bruid!" Toe alle bindinge losgekom het.
word hulle bedien met 'n bord met Sommige vroue het opnuut 'n oorgawe aan
verskillende broodjies, deur "Iemand" wat die Here gemaak. Ander het mense vergewe
nie sigbaar was nie. So het ons op die kamp en hul bitterheid begrawe. Nog ander het die
beleef dat Jesus Sy bruid met die Woord doop in die Heilige Gees ontvang.
bedien het. Die gesig was van 'n vrou wat Die Here se wonderlike Teenwoordigheid
geboorte geskenk het met die naelstring om het die spreekster, beraders, en toehoor-
die baba se nek. Die Here het die naelstring ders verkwik en geseën. Al die vrouens wil
laat afval. By die kamp was daar 'n jong God eer en loof vir Sy Teenwoordigheid en
meisie wat tot bekering gekom het en van guns!