Fresh Fruit: Seeking Jesus for His Goodness

Fresh fruit is a staple in my household. My son especially loves it! But, one thing this Mama has a hard time with is how quickly fruit rots. I buy so many varieties that by the time we have tried a bit of all, we find rotting has begun with the remainder.

Take a carton of strawberries, for example. Once one has molded, the strawberries that surround it begin to mold as well. Interestingly enough, the opposite side of the strawberry that is touching the non-moldy ones still appears in good condition.

However, it is said that once the mold has begun they are no longer safe to eat and must be thrown out. Even if half of it still appears good, the whole is not considered good to eat.

I pondered the implication of this imagery with the condition of my heart. Imagine, if my heart touches the heart of the world that’s full of sin, I, too, reflect that sin nature.

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”- Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV) [emphasis mine]

But, if my heart touches the heart of God, then I’m healthy, full of goodness, and safe.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.- John 15:5 (NLT) [emphasis mine]

On my own I am merely self-righteous or an appearance of good. But given time, one may see the true reflection of a heart that touches a world full of sin is no different.

However, a heart that touches the heart of God produces the fruit of ‘goodness’ by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). And what does this goodness look like? It’s definition says this: uprightness of heart and life.

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.- Psalms 25:8 (NKJV)

Though, imagine it’s said that, I, too, must be thrown out if my heart has started to decay from touching a world of sin.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.- John 15:6 (NKJV)

It’s a stark realization. But living for Christ is a wholehearted commitment. It is daily dying to self and surrendering both heart and life to His righteousness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.- 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

Thank God for His mercy and His grace to accept us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!- Romans 5:17 (NIV)

A life found in Christ is certainly like finding and consuming the freshest fruit. May we continually seek Him and touch hearts with His. For in Him is true goodness— uprightness of heart and life!

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Likewise, 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.- Matthew 7:17‭-‬20 (NIV)

 

Provision & Fulfillment

I enjoy being an observer of nature. In my home, we have a window above our kitchen sink that shows our backyard. There’s a tree just a short distance away where we hang three bird feeders. I typically open the blinds while doing dishes to watch birds come and go.

The other day, I was doing just that. While watching, it began to downpour rain. It happened without warning or indication that this was going to take place.

Various birds had been eating. Many took flight at the onset of the downpour. But to my amazement, a handful actually stayed to feast.

Now, normally I would have felt sorry for the birds that stayed behind in the rain. However, God gave me a completely different perspective this particular day. He revealed that the birds who took flight were dwelling on their circumstances and left feeling hungry and empty. But, the birds who stayed to endure the weather continued to receive provision and fulfillment.

I began to think back on storms in my life. I pondered how many times I had taken flight, dwelt on the circumstances, or missed out on what was right there in front of me. Or, had I exhibited faith to be fed and satisfied- had I stayed to receive my provision and fulfillment.

Scripture tells us in Romans 5:3-5 (NLT), “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we have faith and put our hope in God through our trials, He will not allow us to feel hungry and empty. In fact, our promises rest in these scriptures:

• It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.– Isaiah 55:11 (NLT)
• God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.– Matthew 5:6 (NLT)
• …how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!– Romans 5:17 (NIV)
• Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!– Luke 1:45 (NIV)

Those birds who stayed in the downpour of rain had faith they will be fed and they took joy in their feast. With faith, we should take joy in receiving the abundance of God’s provisions and fulfillment through our trials. 

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“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

Preparedness

When it comes to necessary supplies for our family I’m a bit overly prepared. I took a look at some of our household goods and thought to myself I had better get a shopping list ready for a trip to Walmart.

You may look at this picture and see enough supplies to last us another couple weeks (or more) yet. But to me, it’s time to restock! A trip to the store for a few supplies can be a bit burdensome, especially when you have to bundle up a baby and a diaper bag to drive 20 minutes away. Can anyone relate?

It’s a pet peeve of mine to run out of such necessary items. Any of my close relatives know I have a small stockpile in a storage closet for similar must-have items.

Many of you may procrastinate getting supplies, and trust me when I say I procrastinate too when it comes to other things. You aren’t going to be chastised if you’re not a well prepared person!

There’s something utterly wonderful that can be taken away from my extreme preparedness. We should seek this very thing from Jesus for our minds, bodies, and spirits. But what are the necessary supplies we need to restock in order to meet this state of readiness?

Think of how important fruit is for our bodies. In the same respect, there are fruits needed for our spirit that are just as significant. Galatians 5:22-23 says,

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

When we offer up any of these fruits toward others we aren’t to be choosy with whom to distribute, we aren’t to hold onto these fruits to save them for another day, we aren’t to allow the supply to run out.

If you’re feeling low on these fruits, no matter how much or little, it’s time to talk to Jesus and ask Him to replenish them today! If you don’t know where to start or how to ask, I have provided a prayer for you already:

Father God, My supply regarding your fruits of the Spirit seems empty. However, I know you are the same God who takes care of me. You will supply all of my needs from your glorious riches, which have been given to me in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). May you continually remind me to share these fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to everyone that I encounter. I ask all of these things in your name. Amen.

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“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.”- Matthew 12:33 (NLT)