Bearing Fruit March 23, 2016

Psalm 1:1-6     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,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 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.

4 Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV)     We are what [God] has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Fruit-bearing trees and bushes are a gift that inspires me. Just as God designed these plants to produce fruit, God calls me to bear fruit. God has a purpose for my life. As I mature in my relationship with God by studying the Bible, praying, and working in community with other Christians, I discover and fulfill that purpose.

Our reading for today encourages us to root our faith in God’s word. Then we will be like trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in season (v. 3) — “good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” When we read God's word, believe it, and obey it, we produce fruit and bring glory to God.

Thought for today: Am I producing fruit or am I dormant?