Day 289 Fruit Bearing

   

10/16/2026

"There's a difference between work and fruit in the Christian life: 

a machine can do work; only life can bear fruit."  

Daily Walk 

 

Just for fun I decided to google myself! It turned out to be an adventure, as I am no one and certainly not a name to be searched for, but finally the perseverance was worth the effort, as I approached the search from different angles. In reviewing some of my earlier posts about 10+ years ago, I  discovered that in the past I wrote some pretty good stuff. It made me begin to wonder what happened?! If I'm so terrible at expressing my thoughts or writing meaningful literature, why are so many people looking at my blogs? I don't have any advertisements nor do I post for pay, so how is my stuff being seen, and by whom? I see the stats, and honestly, it is baffling. So whoever you are, could you please do me a favor and let me know what you find so interesting or appealing about my posts?! And feel free to make a comment.

Perhaps I should think seriously about doing things differently, but the whole reason I began to blog was because I felt compelled to do so. Actually, I heard God's voice saying to "write the story," the story I am still trying to figure out. So, in obedience to God's word to me, I began doing something. Recently, however, I have taken strides towards finding the time to devote to writing what I know I am to share, other than the content in these blogs. And, I have prepared a spot for writing, but I have to reorganize some things in my spare bedroom first. Thanks to little Fae, the kitten, who decided she'd dig in the dirt in my flower pot holding my Christmas cactus, I have dirt to remove from my desk. Fortunately she was unable to move enough dirt to leave me any small surprises. I am  grateful. My male cat Alex, who prefers outdoors living, however, decided to leave me the remains of a bird he killed earlier in the day. He often leaves me "gifts" of his love - a half dead mouse and a snake, so I have to have another chat with him. I'm always careful not to injure his pride or hurt his feelings with ingratitude. I do honestly appreciate his love for me, but I just wish he would express it differently. I've decided that we need to spend more time together, so I plan on pitching a tent outside on the lawn where we can camp out together. I hope he'll accept my invitation and stick to my menu for meals.

The messages I am receiving from church services continue to lift my spirit and excite my soul, even though Holy Spirit continues to press me about motives. It's not because I have impure or sadistic motives, but He is pressing the need to stay on guard with regard to forgiveness of others in the days ahead. In my group study we are now examining the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, and how we are to walk in the Spirit as God's ambassadors to others. Sometimes I wonder if I even "fit" anywhere in service within the church, as I do not belong to a church here formally, meaning I do not hold a membership - yet. I have mentioned before that I did join a fellowship when I first arrived, but I may have done so hastily, or perhaps not. These are things I am seeking an answer. Please don't misunderstand, as nothing is wrong with the fellowship I joined. My call to Israel and the daily Zoom calls after 10/7/2023 interfered with attendance, so I began to attend local services across the highway where my parents attended. Both bodies teach the Word of God, and the churches are growing, and the fellowship with friends I grew up with at my parents' church has been very rewarding. 

I love the New Living Translation of Luke 6 where Jesus is teaching the Sermon on the Mount. Luke is paraphrasing a portion of the sermon regarding love for enemies, showing compassion to all men, and not judging others for faults when we ourselves have many more. I always laugh when I hear the jokes about people looking for a perfect church, because there is no such thing. If we feel we have found one, it will quickly change when that person joins, as we are all flawed humans working out our salvation with fear and trembling. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and we will continue to remain in this human flesh with fleshy thoughts until Christ returns and takes us home as the spotless bride. So we need to lighten up and show grace to each other, just as God gave His grace to us.

In verse 43-45 Jesus says: "A tree from good stock doesn't produce scrub fruit nor do trees from poor stock produce choice fruit. A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thorns, or grapes on bramble bushes. A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech."

This is why we are told to guard our speech and our hearts, choosing to eat of the Word of God, and satisfy ourselves in His teachings. Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Living Word, and it is through Him all men can be saved. We will all stumble and slip from time to time, but the Word brings life and God says when we are tempted He's provided a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 warns us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, not of the flesh, and they are powerful in pulling down thoughts that are not in line with God's words. Philippians 4:8 is a great verse to remind us how to protect our thought life:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

 Seems like wise counsel to me! Shalom!