The culture today often seeks followers over fruit. Emphasis is placed on the tax bracket, not the sacrifice. People are celebrated for their gender, not their surrender. People often hesitate to speak the truth because of a fear of hate. We must remember that God is always talking to us, and He is saying. “I am with you always. I shall never abandon you. I call you My friend.” Today Truth is a threat to the programmed system of hate. The Liar benefits by the narcissistic noise on the airwaves. The enemy of our soul attempts to stop us with a thought. “They won’t like you for telling your testimony.” It is time to defeat the devi and boldly give God all the glory for what the blood of Jesus has accomplished. We must choose to rejoice in the rejection! “For He who dwells within is greater than the liar!” Jesus told us that He only said and did what the Father asked Him to do. We, too, pick up our cross, and speak the truth, no matter the cost of a dislike! Unfortunately, many say they follow Jesus, but they never talk to Him. In the midst of hardship, who do we call on? Friends on social media, or Jesus?

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matt 3:8 Father, forgive me for not walking in faith. “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matt 3:10 Yes, we are saved by grace and not our good deeds, but a life lived without love, joy, peace, patience, discipline, faithfulness, or gentleness — did not the life of Christ dwell in them? Who did they listen to? God or the noise? Did they listen and obey the Holy Spirit within?

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does NOT bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them.” Matt 7:18

“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” John 15:4 It is wisdom that compels us to speak to our Father when we are being tempted to be silent. “If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.” Luke 13:9

“This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.
If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:8-11 So what does this mean?

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for 3 years, I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:28