ICS Daily Devotions
Bear the fruit of God

Ephesians 2:2-3 In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

There is a course of this world that is influenced by the prince of the power of the air. The course of this world in these days is that your significance is determined by your success and status in society. Therefore, we grew up with only one purpose and that is to be successful at all cost. We are driven to own our first house, a brand new or luxury car and have lots of cash. The rest is really immaterial. The course of this world has this form and determines these so-called top values that we should adopt in life or else we are nobody. The course of this world tells us to associate with the rich and famous. When circumstances in life turn for the worse, however, all our valued friends think that we are nobody.

The course of this world tells us that only woman with a nice figure and a pretty face is good, attractive and should be lusted after instead of focusing on the good character and great personality. The course of this world tells us that being liberal and relevant to the society of today is important, therefore forget about the ancient book called the Bible. It tells us that it is acceptable to live together and that committing fornication is alright. The influence of the media and society tells us that there isn’t a need to commit to a marriage when we know that it will not last.

We think that it is good to go with the flow rather than being rejected and ostracized by our peers. However, when we are dumped by our partner, we are left alone to either carry out an abortion, or raise the child single-handedly and continue to live with the disillusion, rejection, dejection and guilt on our own. Some have even taken their own lives and their children lives because they became disillusioned.

Some have drowned their sorrow and pain with hard liquor and designer drugs. This is what the course of this world is telling us and it is influenced by the prince of the power of the air! This is the futility of the mind, the deception of the devil and packaged as cool to destroy, kill and steal from our lives!

Perhaps we may start off becoming successful because of the favor of God in our lives and we also know the Word of God so well that it becomes part of us. However, as we become more successful, our career demands more of our time, our attention and gradually we shift our focus on the success of our career and status instead of on God and His word.

There is nothing wrong with being successful but we have to think of the cost that comes with it, especially if it costs us our relationship with God. God’s will for us is to be successful in all aspects of our lives but not at the expense of losing our relationship with Him! We need to constantly go back to the Word of God and be reminded that He is the source of our favor, opportunities, and provision. Everything that we need is from Him!

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

When our success is based on His blessings being poured out into our lives, He adds no sorrow to it and our lives become a testimony of His glory! Out of that outpouring of His blessings, our lives can also become a blessing to others around us!

John 15:4-5, 7-8 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

It is only when we abide in Him, we will bear much good fruit in Him and our Father shall be glorified!

Sermon series: Inner Man