The Weekly Diner

Dear Weekly Readers! God’s Peace!


God’s wonderful creation is a proclamation and a reminder to us of His majesty! Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.>There are so many examples in God’s creation that we can learn from.

Below is an article of one such example, written by a guest author, a dear friend of mine. Please enjoy, and

May God Bless your week! JR

“By their fruits… ye shall know them”

A seed is planted in the warm moist earth. Days pass with no apparent change, until at the prescribed time, bent and crouching like a strong man lifting a heavy load, a tender plant, begins to emerge. The seedling slowly pushes its’ way upward, rolling away every obstacle, until standing erect, it points its’ face heavenward to receive the blessing of the summer sun.

What variety of plant is it that has just exhibited the marvelous transformation from seed to seedling? It is difficult to tell at first. Only as the plant matures, can one begin to identify its’ species by visual cues such as leaf, bark and bloom. With slightly rounded leaves of pale green and profuse blossoms of the purest white, laced with subtle pinks and rosy hues, one suspects this plant to be among that of a fruit bearing type. However, only when fruit is found among the branches, can positive identification be made. It is then that the passerby, upon tasting the bounty, knows assuredly that such flavor and texture belong only to the fruit borne of an apple tree.

It might be said at the time of harvest when the apple is gathered, that the tree has “spoken” by way of its’ fruit, making known to the world that it is a tree of such and such a species, ordained to bear fruit of a size, shape, color and flavor according to the Creators’ master plan. And this testimony will be confirmed each season, leaving no doubt to the observer as to its type and genus.

So the natural example of the fruit tree illustrates a similar picture found in the life of each child of God. The good seed of Gods’ word is planted in the soil of the heart, followed by the refreshing “water of life” that permeates the soil, causing the seed to germi-nate and grow. Attracted by the warm rays of Gods’ grace the seedling of faith bursts through the soil to prosper and develop into what Jeremiah the prophet calls a “noble plant.”

Our Good God, from the abundance of His heart affords this delicate plant every necessary grace and blessing, that would support its’ needs and prosper its’ growth. Such care and tending, in due time, strengthens the plant to bud and blossom forth to the Creators’ honor and glory.

But our Lord is not satisfied with vibrant leaves and swelling buds alone. His desire is to receive a fruitful harvest. So He instructs the keeper of the vineyard to dig about the plant and “dung it”, that no effort would be neglected or detail missed in the caring of this delightful sapling.

It is then we are told, that “the husband-man waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it.” “Until he receive the early and latter rain.”
It would be good for us to remember that the Lord has withheld no effort or expense concerning our spiritual birth, nourishment and care that would produce His desired fruit. For so we are told in His word that it is “good seed,” planted, in a “very fruitful hill” where the water of life is offered in liberal measure, to him that is “athirst,” with the invitation to “come” and take of this water freely.

How is it with us this day? Are we fruit bearing plants in the Lord’s vineyard? Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in our lives, or are we merely a religious type of ornamental shrub, pleasant to behold but void of fruit?

Jesus has told us in His word that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, (and) temperance.”This is the fruit that the Lord is seeking, and it matters much that He finds fruit among his plantings.

For a solemn warning is given to the fruitless soul and yet a wonderful promise to the fruitful, when He says, cut down the fruitless tree, for “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit (is taken) away, yet every branch that beareth fruit, (is purged) that it may bring forth more fruit.”Knowing this to be true, may we pray the “Lord of the harvest” that His efforts would not be in vain concerning our spiritual welfare, but that it may be said of us, by virtue of the fruit we bear and the testimony of our lips that we are the children of God. And like King David, we can say, “I believed therefore I have spoken.” “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”