Productivity is what makes things go! It’s what separates Nations and economies one from another. Some countries are developed and some are not. Much of the reason can be traced to the freedom with which people are permitted to produce! Communist countries for example are lagging behind in technological advancements because the spirit of productivity is squelched. The governments need to control things hampers ingenuity from springing forth!

Let me go back and pull from the thought I touched on in chapter one about the Declaration of Independence and slavery. … all men were created equal and they are “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The idea of Liberty is the one I want to focus on. It takes liberty to produce. It takes freedom to give life all that you’ve got. The Declaration of Independence that was signed on July 4^th 1776 was good but let me give you one better. Jesus of Nazareth declared our eternal independence over 2000 years ago when He said “it is finished”! (St. John 19:30)

This death defying statement was the declaration of the human family in that the ultimate price of our freedom was now paid for! As a result of our freedom we are now free to PRODUCE at the highest levels. We can produce results in every dimension of life. spiritually, physically and even financially.

Take a moment and listen to the words of the Apostle Paul.

Phi 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It is hard to miss interpret the meaning behind these words. All things means just that. All things! What a thought! We can discover further truths as we look at this text in its full context. Paul was speaking about his posture for success in every kind of circumstance he found himself in. He had found that place where he couldn’t be stopped! No matter what. Paul said that he was unstoppable! He knew how to adjust! He could do all or he could endure-all things!

What excites me the most about this is that he let us in on the secret to his success. He made it clear that it was Christ that strengthened him! It was through Christ that all of this confidence was derived!

Wait a minute! It gets better! As we back up a few verses to the 8^th verse, Paul makes an incredible claim that is loaded with insight for living. This man is telling us that we can govern how we “think”! Can you imagine!! Get ready to be changed forever!

Phi 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This verse unlocks the commonly shared theory that Thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings lead to actions. Actions lead to results. If this is the case then we can trace our results back to our thoughts.

How important is it for you to produce at a high level. How you think about this will no doubt affect your approach to being a productive person or a slacker shall we say. The good news is however that even if you formerly put the “S” in the word Slacker, you too can change.

One way to do so is to stay connected to the Vine.

Mat 13:3 Using the boat as a pulpit, he [JESUS] addressed his congregation, telling stories. "What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed.

Mat 13:4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it.

Mat 13:5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots,

Mat 13:6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.

Mat 13:7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds.

Mat 13:8 Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

(Mar 4:14) The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others. (NLT)

The primary objective in life is for the seeds of God’s word to produce within our spirit, soul and body everything that it is intended to produce. When this happens on a consistent basis, we will undoubtedly unlock the spirit of the champion within us that life will often cover in a dust cloud. Get ready to go on a journey that will increase your understanding concerning this incredible opportunity that you and I carry as individuals. This incredible opportunity as well as awesome responsibility is to produce fruit that remains in every area of life.

From a biblical perspective, I believe the notion of “fruit bearing” has been discussed in ways that are far too limited. If we are expected to produce fruit, the question is what kind of fruit? This question holds the key to understanding the power and principle of productivity. We are designed by God to produce spiritual fruit as we all physical, intellectual, social and even economic fruit.

Of course most people in our day rarely use “fruit” as a common way to describe what the Bible is talking about. We would be much more inclined to say something like “results”. If you think about what it is that most people desire to bring about more of, the word results is a sure fit!

It’s always an interesting study to take a quick glance at the root and origin of a word. This word produce for example has Greek roots that mean “ to be fertile”

Wow! What an incredible thought! Imagine what the world would be like if everyone of us realized that we are deigned to be fertile in every area of our life! What if we really understood that no aspect of our life should be barren or unproductive as we live and grow in Christ while on earth.

I’ll go further by asking the questions; “What purpose does bareness hold”? Who can benefit from bareness? We are designed to be fruitful and this is the hour in which we need to be focused and committed to producing the results that we are designed to produce! Let’s go for it together!