Did you know that we can continually bear fruit in our lives and be a blessing to others no matter what season we are in, what our physical location is, or what circumstances we are facing?

God Has a Plan

Perhaps you find yourself in a very tumultuous season of your life right now. Maybe you are in a time of struggling with your identity and feel far away from God. Maybe your child who has grown up in the ways of the Lord has turned his or her back on the truth and has chosen a lifestyle contrary to the plan God has chosen for them. Be assured that God has not abandoned you and still wants to use your life to bring glory to Him and affect others positively. He has a plan to bring you (or your child) back to the place of blessing He has intended for your lives.

Yielding Fruit

Like many of you, it has always been a desire of my heart to lift up, encourage and strengthen those I come in contact with. Romans 12:8 (TPT) tells us that if we have the grace-gift of encouragement (exhortation), then we should use it often to encourage others. God’s Word promises us that “the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord will be like a tree planted by waters, that he will not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor will he cease yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8 AMPC)

In John 15:5 (TPT), Jesus stated that “as you live in union with Me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you.” It is the Father’s heart that we will always bear fruit and real joy comes when we abide with Him and bear much fruit.

I recently have been believing for a supernatural healing from the Lord. Even while in the hospital, it has brought me joy to know that I can offer encouragement to others by speaking words of life and hope. Proverbs 15:4 (TPT) assures us that when we speak healing words, we offer others fruit from the tree of life. It has also been a great opportunity to exhort others through emails and notes (who doesn’t get excited about receiving a written note in the mail)? I also got to participate in my most relaxing pastime by crocheting gifts to give to others!

Bearing Fruit in Every Season

During one of their darkest hours, Paul and Silas were severely beaten, had their feet bound, and were thrown into prison in Philippi. Acts 16:25 (TPT) says that undaunted, they prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God. As a result of their praise, an earthquake rocked the place, the whole jail was profoundly touched, and the jailer and his family all came to know the Lord. Now that is bearing fruit in every season!

In an article entitled, “Epistles: Joy, Hope, and Love: Paul’s Letter from Prison,” Ronald Kelly and Paul Kroll give us more insight into the life of Paul and his ministry of encouraging the church to have hope, joy and peace. They write: “Paul wrote four letters that survive in our New Testament. They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These four letters are among the most hopeful and encouraging Paul wrote.” Remember that it was Paul, while facing many adverse circumstances, that said: “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, AMPC)

So, we can be confident in the fact that God wants us to bear good fruit in every season of our life, and He is well able to make that happen. “For in your presence they will still overflow and be anointed. Even in their old age they will stay fresh, bearing luscious fruit and abiding faithfully.” (Psalms 92:14 TPT)

Janet Boynes founded Janet Boynes Ministries in Maple Grove, MN in 2006. She authored the books: Called Out: A Former Lesbian’s Discovery of Freedom, God & Sexuality and her latest book God & The LGBT Community. She challenges individuals and the church to reach out with a message of hope and restoration to those who struggle with identity issues. Her life is proof that the love of God has the power to heal and restore the brokenness in our lives. It’s been over twenty years since she was called out of the lesbian lifestyle. Janet is an ordained minister under the Assemblies of God and travels the U.S. and overseas sharing a message of redemption. Her desire is to bring hope through the power of Jesus Christ.