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The Fruit of the Tree
2014
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The Fruit of the Tree
We have a lot of apples this year. A friend of mine gave me a bag of them that she picked off her tree and I made some apple bread. I am planning to bake another one to take to my friend. My husband has enjoyed eating apples like the zestar and honey crisp. On a recent walk, even some wild apples tasted alright. They'd be good in a cobbler.
This past weekend, the color in the trees was at peak. Awesome! When the sun hits the colorful leaves, it is amazing! It was a great weekend here in central New York.
But yesterday, the leaves began to fall like snow. As I watch their graceful descent, sometimes in packs and droves, I know it is only a matter of time before the whole fall scene will give way to the bleak, cold winter. The sun will shine, though, as it does every season, and will surely make the snow sparkle.
Today's poem is about the harvest and recognizing fruit. It is based upon Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is against fruiting these nine things. They're always correct! You know, sometimes we would like a letter from God to tell us how to be or do or what to do.
Well, we have one...the Bible! And in this one verse, there is a lot of wisdom: helping us know how to be, how to do and what to do. Because of God's graciousness to us, we can extend graciousness to others.
Here is another verse, which contains the words of Jesus:
We have a lot of apples this year. A friend of mine gave me a bag of them that she picked off her tree and I made some apple bread. I am planning to bake another one to take to my friend. My husband has enjoyed eating apples like the zestar and honey crisp. On a recent walk, even some wild apples tasted alright. They'd be good in a cobbler.
This past weekend, the color in the trees was at peak. Awesome! When the sun hits the colorful leaves, it is amazing! It was a great weekend here in central New York.
But yesterday, the leaves began to fall like snow. As I watch their graceful descent, sometimes in packs and droves, I know it is only a matter of time before the whole fall scene will give way to the bleak, cold winter. The sun will shine, though, as it does every season, and will surely make the snow sparkle.
Today's poem is about the harvest and recognizing fruit. It is based upon Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is against fruiting these nine things. They're always correct! You know, sometimes we would like a letter from God to tell us how to be or do or what to do.
Well, we have one...the Bible! And in this one verse, there is a lot of wisdom: helping us know how to be, how to do and what to do. Because of God's graciousness to us, we can extend graciousness to others.
Here is another verse, which contains the words of Jesus:
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:18-20
Like a beautiful fall day at peak, God couldn't be clearer. There is no vagueness with God or His Word or His creation. It is not too difficult for Him to tell who is bearing good and who is bearing bad...or, who has chosen to believe in Christ and who has not. Hear the words and put them into practice, like the wise man who built his house upon the rock.
PRAYER is a good practice!
PRAYER is a good practice!
I hope you can enjoy this vivid fall season and get out and pick some good apples! You might be finding yourself giving a few away!
Pray that God would help you bear good fruit and grow in faith!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
The Trees of the Field will clap their hands!
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah Chapter 55.
Today's poem is based on verse 12, but one should read the whole chapter to get the great impact. There's a lot of punch in only a few words!
How do I tie in today's poem with a word about prayer?
One thing is in our changing fall season, we can be sure that God doesn't change. We know He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can go through life's changes with a constant friend. 'Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild restless sea'...do you know the old hymn? People of faith have a lifeline! This keeps prayer from being just a bunch of words, which is what prayer is to a person lacking faith.
Another thing is our changing fall season reminds us of God's love to us. The brown, red, orange and yellow leaves all have something to say...truths, facts, God's sovereignty, God's Son, God's gift, God's grace, God's love. The Painter of Eternity paints clear, vivid images...nothing is vague. It is amazing that God, the creator of our known universe (and by just speaking it into existence...talk about power!), loves me and you! This propels me to follow, to pray:
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah Chapter 55.
Today's poem is based on verse 12, but one should read the whole chapter to get the great impact. There's a lot of punch in only a few words!
How do I tie in today's poem with a word about prayer?
One thing is in our changing fall season, we can be sure that God doesn't change. We know He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can go through life's changes with a constant friend. 'Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild restless sea'...do you know the old hymn? People of faith have a lifeline! This keeps prayer from being just a bunch of words, which is what prayer is to a person lacking faith.
Another thing is our changing fall season reminds us of God's love to us. The brown, red, orange and yellow leaves all have something to say...truths, facts, God's sovereignty, God's Son, God's gift, God's grace, God's love. The Painter of Eternity paints clear, vivid images...nothing is vague. It is amazing that God, the creator of our known universe (and by just speaking it into existence...talk about power!), loves me and you! This propels me to follow, to pray:
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray continually.
There are many other passages in the Bible about praying...do you know them? (If you don't, you'd better get reading that Bible of yours.) (I include me in that too.)
A final thing that can be said today, on this first day of October, is a word about promise. People of faith love God's promises. Isaiah 55 speaks of promise. The whole Bible is filled with promises! It is only to our benefit to know them. This, too, propels us to pray (and study God's Word).
Do you hear the trees clapping their hands? Do you hear mountains and hills bursting into song? Would you like to hear those sounds? I would! Do you know joy and peace? Do you go out in joy? Are you led forth in peace?
And to all that, I say:
God is able.
His word will not return to him empty but will accomplish what he desires and achieve the purpose for which he sent it. You can count on Him.
Enjoy our colorful, joyful fall season and maintain your faith!
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