A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Dare to Believe   CURRENT TV SERIES Dare to Believe

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season….                                              --Psalm 1:3 As believers, we’re to be productive in our Christian lives. The fruit mentioned above is the fruit of the Spirit, or Christ-like character. It’s what Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-23 when he says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Remember in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cursed a fig tree that produced nothing but leaves. He cursed it because it bore no fruit. And God is inspecting our lives for spiritual fruit. I want to challenge you to be a reproducer...a reproducing believer in Christ. Because a healthy body reproduces! And a healthy Christian will reproduce spiritual fruit: the fruit of character and the fruit of bringing people to Christ. A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

The Path to Victory

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Corinthian 9:24–27

The famous football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, was known almost as much for his quotable sayings as for his victories on the field. One of his most powerful remarks was often used in coaching clinics and seminars. Bryant said, “It is not the will to win that makes the difference. Everyone has that. It is the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” He was pointing out the truth that while everyone prefers good results, most people are not willing to pay the price of achieving those results. They will take them if they happen to come, but they will not expend the effort and make the sacrifices to rise above the normal.
If we are going to be successful in the race of life, then we must be disciplined. Paul recognized that this was not a one-time event but a lifelong process that had to continue in order for him to remain in the race. There are many who have served Christ for a number of years only to fall by the wayside later in life. These failures happen because individuals decide to stray from the path of victory. Perhaps they have grown tired of the discipline required to continue to do right—of denying their selfish interests and appetites. But the loss of self control is the first step on the road to destruction.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Unless we are willing to discipline ourselves, we will never be true victorious champions for Christ.