December 26, 2025

BECOMING GOOD FRUIT

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3:7-9 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Christmas is over. The decorations are coming down, and our attention is shifting toward the New Year. This is the season where we naturally ask ourselves, "What should I do differently? What are my goals?"

In Luke chapter 3, three different groups—the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers—asked John the Baptist that exact question: "What should we do?"

But John didn't give them a gentle self-help strategy. He had just broken 400 years of prophetic silence, not with a whisper, but with a roar. He warned them that relying on their heritage ("We are children of Abraham") was useless if their lives didn't match their labels.

There is a profound lesson here for our New Year’s resolutions. It is easy to make lists and set goals that sound good on paper but change nothing in our hearts. We can’t just say we want to be better; we must produce "fruit in keeping with repentance."

Instead of asking, "What goals should I set to benefit myself?", perhaps we should ask, "Who do I need to become to be useful to God?"

The ax is already at the root. God isn't looking for good intentions this year; He is looking for good fruit. Let’s move beyond shallow resolutions and ask the Holy Spirit to align our future with His will.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

God, I want the goals I set to reflect my love for You. Keep me from making empty promises. Instead, align my plans with Your mission. Open my heart to more than just what I want to achieve; open my hands to the work You want to do through me. Let my life bear good fruit this year. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”