An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Most people know that eating fruit is good for you. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” and all that.

Fruit is full of vitamins and minerals. It can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. It can enhance digestion and lower blood pressure. It can even improve your skin and hair.

Hopefully, you’re eating lots of good fruit. But are you producing it?

Our goal at FBCA is to develop fruitful followers of Jesus who are making a positive impact on the world around them. The imagery we use is the Psalm 1 Tree.

Psalm 1 Tree

Your “roots” are reflected in your core identity. Who are you? What are your main convictions and beliefs? Do you love God and take him seriously?

Your “trunk” is reflected in your personal growth. What are you focusing on? What are you learning? What kind of person are you becoming?

Your “branches” are reflected in your influence on others. What kind of family member, friend, classmate, or co-worker are you? How are you impacting the people around you?

To determine the kind of tree you are… look at the fruit you’re producing.

“Every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:17-20).

The Bible describes the different kind of fruit that people produce. When your life is controlled by your sinful nature, you produce bad fruit like jealousy, hatred, lying, stealing, selfishness, drunkenness, and sexual immorality (Galatians 5:19-21).

Good Fruit Comes From Knowing Jesus

Good fruit comes from knowing Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit take control. As God changes you from the inside out, you produce fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I remain in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).

It’s not about looking good. It’s about being good.

Too many people are concerned about their image and appearance, rather than their character and substance. Social media – for all its benefits – promotes an artificial façade. Eventually, you realize that your spiritual life is your real life!

Good fruit grows naturally from a Psalm 1 Tree. Be that!