COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

I’M THANKFUL FOR GOOD FRUIT

Only God!

Only God can produce good fruit, as we (the branches) abide in the Vine (Jesus Christ). He produces the fruit; we simply bear the fruit.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. - John 15:8-9

It takes time to bear fruit. Sometimes, it takes a lot of time! And, sometimes, it takes a long, long time for the fruit to be manifested. Sometimes the seed remains in the soil a long time before it sprouts.

The Bible refers to the word of God as seed, and also refers to the sons of the kingdom as good seeds. In truth, the sons of the kingdom bear the Seed, the living Word of God. We have this treasure in earthen vessels. Here’s our latest testimony:

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We received an email a few days ago from Debby in New York. We haven’t seen or heard from Debby in 38 years. She was thirteen when we lived in her neighborhood. Here are just a few of her words:

Through my entire life, I've always remembered spending time at your house and the feeling of love and peace and fellowship there ... a very comforting time. It was the spirit of the Lord.

So today, I'm thankful for our reunion, that took place due to a God thing. I'm thankful that He has always been there with me.

In His love, Debby

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I will get to see Debby when I speak in a church in Buffalo in a few weeks. We will have lunch together. It has been much of my lifetime - most of hers- since she was a part of our extended family. She has now rededicated her life to Jesus Christ.

I am thankful today for the encouragement that comes with the bearing of good fruit!

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

- Psalm 92:13-15