Page 9 - My Faith Mag MARCH 2016 web

And the secret to being fruitful is simply to have a close, personal relationship with God.

John 15:5 (AMPC) says, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from
Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.”

No matter what you have to do to make time with God your top priority, you are never going to regret doing it. There is absolutely no better way
to spend your time than to pray and study God’s Word. It will bring you peace, joy, confidence, wisdom and understanding. You’ll be encouraged.
You can be healed. There’s just no end to the good things that can happen in your life when you put God first.

You may have to wake up extra early or stay up later at night, but I encourage you to set aside time daily to spend with God. And when you do,
listen for His voice.One reason people feel pressured and under so much stress is that they’re listening to every voice around them except the
voice of God.

Matthew 11:28-29 (AMPC)says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease
and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will
find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.”

Even Jesus spent time alone with God before He went out into the world to do ministry, and He only did what God put before Him to do. He
didn’t let other people determine His schedule. If we will do the same, then our lives can be peaceful and purposeful as well as fruitful.

Are you living purposefully or just being busy? Have you ever had a day when you were busy all day long but couldn’t tell what you accom-
plished at the end of it? We don’t have to live that way.

God wants to encourage us through His Word to live as people of purpose, making the most of the time we’re given.

John 15:8 (AMPC) says, “When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true
followers of Mine.”

Following God can sometimes sound like a huge, impossible task.But you can be a great witness for God just by being productive and resting in
His presence as you go about your daily life.

When you feel like you’ve lost your balance again and things are getting busy, don’t just drag yourself through the day. Make time with God your
priority. He will give you the strength you need to live each day with peace and purpose as you accomplish everything He’s calling you to do.

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s three-CD teaching series Are You Resisting or Assisting the Devil?

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and
The Mind Connection (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide.
For more information, visitwww.joycemeyer.org

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