Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by its own fruit.

In our yard is a tree.
It’s actually two trees that seem to come from one trunk.
One is a flowering pear and the other is a fruiting pear.
Both bloom within a week of each other.
Both have fruit, although the flowering fruit never gets larger than your thumbnail.
The flowering pear has more blossoms and is more beautiful than the other.
In the fall, its leaves turn a vibrant red.
The trunk and bark seem in better shape and appearance than the other.
But it does not have fruit like the real one.
There is nothing to gain and eat from it.
Don’t be fooled by flowery words and looks.
It is the fruit of a person that matters.
You will know them by their fruit.
And you are known by your fruit.

Luke 5:5-6 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Have you ever felt like giving up?
I can relate when it seems like you don’t get any results.
But imagine where we would be if Thomas Edison had given up.
We would still be in the dark.
Or if Peter had given up.
He would have stayed a fisherman.
However, the greatest encourager came by and asked Peter to launch back out and fish a bit longer.
Peter and his coworkers had fished all night with no results.
That quickly turned around at the word of Jesus.
They caught so many fish the net began to break and they had to call for help.
Their boats began to sink because of the incredible weight of the fish.
Peter would leave fishing for ministry and, although, he had some ups and downs, he ended up becoming the preacher of Pentecost with about 3,000 accepting Jesus as savior.
So when you are sinking low with self-worth remember this lesson of Peter and Jesus.
He wants to bless you and encourage you to press on and push on through.
Your next blessing is just below the surface.

Luke 2:36-37 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Years ago, I was called to start a church, which, with the help of my wife and many others, we did.
I remember a man came to our church a few times and one day he told me he felt led to start a church in an abandoned building in the next town.
He wondered if I thought it a good idea.
I told him, “You must do what God is leading you to do!”
He never started a church, the building is still abandoned, and that was fifteen years ago.
You have a purpose for God.
But you are the only one that can fulfill that purpose.
Anna stayed at the temple and served God.
Other women kept house, raised children, played with the grandchildren, and met with the women of the village.
Not Anna.
She was elderly and had been a widow for many, many years.
She did what she felt God was leading her to do.
And she did it faithfully.
Her reward was being at the temple when Joseph and Mary brought in baby Jesus for His dedication.
She was able to hear the proclamation of Simeon and to see with her own eyes the Lord’s Christ.
Pray and seek God and find out your ministry and then do it!