As we begin this New Year, in a world that is forever changing, one thing that we know for sure is that our God never changes (Malachi 3:6). The Jesus that we read about in Scripture is the same mighty Master for us today as He was 2,000 years ago (Hebrews 13:8).

God’s design for mankind from the very beginning was that we be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). Jesus told His disciples that He chose them and ordained them to be fruitful (John 15:16). In order to be fruitful, we must first realize that the production of fruit stems from abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:1-5). Apart from Jesus Christ, I can be religious (2 Timothy 3:5), but I cannot be fruitful in the Biblical sense.

As we look at the fruit of the Spirit today, and come to the communion table, may our hearts be freshly stirred to draw closer to our Father this year than ever before (James 4:8). May we be diligent in our pursuit of our God this year (Hebrews 11:6). May we be a church that moves forward in the things of the Lord as we give ourselves diligently to prayer this year (Isaiah 56:7).