Summer Crop

17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [a]know them by their fruits.    Matthew 7:17-20 NASB 

In this scripture, there are three types of fruit trees.
1. Good fruit bearing tree-It does its job and serves its purpose of bearing good fruit that can being eaten. After the flesh is eaten, the seed remaining has the ability to multiply and grow good fruit.
2. Bad fruit bearing tree-It bears fruit, but it is bad. In the fruit tree world, this means it has poor quality fruit which could be a result of disease and/or growing conditions. These seeds may not multiply well or multiply poor quality fruit.
3. The last one is a fruit tree that does not produce fruit at all. This could be a result of being too young, growing condition, or disease. It has no purpose.

What is fruit?

1. It is a flowering plant. (Visual)
2. It is the ripened ovaries of flowers. (Fertile)
3. It contains seeds. (Future generations)

What stages allow fruit to grow successfully?

1. Flowering
2. Pollination (Need the bees)
3. Fertilization.

So, reflecting on this scripture, we must ask
ourselves, “Am I bearing fruit? If so, what am I bearing?”

1. From afar, people should first be able to visually see that I am flowering from having Jesus Christ in my life. They should be able to tell that in the future I will bear fruit for the kingdom. They should know that when the fruit is ready, they will be able to eat and enjoy it.
2. As a flower, am I attracting pollinators? Pollinators are partners in advancing the kingdom. Without them, an important stage is skipped and the ability to produce fruit and multiply is halted.
3. In the fertilization stage, do I sit still waiting and trusting as pollination occurs? Do I appreciate the mighty hand of God in bringing it all together? Do I realize how awesome it is that he creates the fruit, but allows us to bear it?

Parting Words

With summer around the corner, I encourage you to be in full bloom for Jesus Christ now. Let May be a month of pollination and fertilization. Come June, the people around you will be looking to enjoy a sweet, refreshing, juicy fruit.

Let that fruit be you!

To God be the Glory,
Erica

 

 

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