A TREE OF MANY FRUITS

Have you ever sat under the perfect tree? I mean it provided you with the right amount of shade, it was very comfortable to sit or lean against, the area around the tree was extremely pleasant and perhaps the tree even produced a favorite fruit or nut. 

I imagine myself sitting under a tree much like this one, in a green pasture, reading Scripture and not far away is a gentle flowing stream. I know there are many places on the face of the earth that fit this description, but I save the perfect location and conditions for my Happy Place - the mental setting I journey to for a variety of reasons - better attitude, de-stress, or just because I desire to be there.

There are some people who are like this tree. I find their company, presence and everything that surrounds them to be just what I need. Their humor matches mine, their serious talk matches mine, their goofiness matches mine and not needing to speak at all but relish each other's companionship is enjoyed. I believe we all need to be this kind of person or tree - if you will.

Jesus used this analogy of The Tree in Matthew 7:17-20. He said, "...every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 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." So, what kind of tree are you? What kind of fruit does your tree produce? Does your life attract fruit lovers?

Paul encourages us to be A Tree of Many Fruits. In Galatians 5:22-23, he lists many ingredients, characteristics or fruits that should flow from a believer's life. Joy is a wonderful fruit to bear in one's life, but our God is a God of Abundance! There are other fruits God desires us to share with each other - love, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness AND self-control.

The key to an excellent, fruit-producing, enjoyable, edifying tree and person is the Source of The Root System. Read what the Holy Spirit had David pen (Psalm 1:1-4) -

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."

Do you see the equation here? The one who is completely enthralled with God's Word and turns it over and over in their mind during the day and night is like a Tree that is -

1. well nourished by Living Water
2. produces its fruit at the proper time
3. preserved by God; our attractiveness (leaf doesn't wither)
4. and God's favor is upon their life.

Do your roots go to The River that never will run dry? If they do, you probably are A Tree Of Many Fruits.