I love that question from Dan Reiland! I believe it is a great coaching question, as well as a great question to use in examining our own lives and ministry from time to time.
It is so easy to get in a rut and to keep doing the same things the same way week after week, month after month, year after year – without looking to see what the results are.
It is so easy to get in a rut and to keep doing the same things the same way week after week, month after month, year after year – without looking to see what the results are.
Jesus said, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me” John 15:1-2, 4-5 (CSB).
Are you seeing fruit for your labor or are you only producing more vines? Are you producing fruit of eternal value – sowing Gospel seed, planting churches, seeing salvations, seeing disciples making disciples, encouraging the discouraged, and investing in and sharpening leaders as iron sharpens iron?
When it comes to joy, is that even on your radar? Do you – and those around you – see joy in your countenance, in your attitude toward ministry, toward your pastors, toward your churches, and toward your God? Is the joy of the Lord your strength (Neh. 8:10)?
Pray with me: Lord Jesus, please give us fruit for our labor as we remain in dependence on You each day. Forgive us for trying to handle life and make ministry plans in our own strength. Prune us as You see fit that our fruit may increase for Your glory. May the joy of the Lord be our strength. Forgive us for following the news of this world so much that we sometimes lose our joy and trust in You. May we spend time in Your Word and in prayer daily to such an extent that we experience You and Your joy, and it overflows to those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: Ask people,“What’s it like to be on the other side of me?” Jeff Henderson as quoted by Carey Nieuwhof, 6.24.18
Are you seeing fruit for your labor or are you only producing more vines? Are you producing fruit of eternal value – sowing Gospel seed, planting churches, seeing salvations, seeing disciples making disciples, encouraging the discouraged, and investing in and sharpening leaders as iron sharpens iron?
When it comes to joy, is that even on your radar? Do you – and those around you – see joy in your countenance, in your attitude toward ministry, toward your pastors, toward your churches, and toward your God? Is the joy of the Lord your strength (Neh. 8:10)?
Pray with me: Lord Jesus, please give us fruit for our labor as we remain in dependence on You each day. Forgive us for trying to handle life and make ministry plans in our own strength. Prune us as You see fit that our fruit may increase for Your glory. May the joy of the Lord be our strength. Forgive us for following the news of this world so much that we sometimes lose our joy and trust in You. May we spend time in Your Word and in prayer daily to such an extent that we experience You and Your joy, and it overflows to those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: Ask people,“What’s it like to be on the other side of me?” Jeff Henderson as quoted by Carey Nieuwhof, 6.24.18
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