Luke 6:43–45 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

I’ve had a few issues with my garden this spring, but it has started producing. I had my first tomato this week, and several handfuls of strawberries already. We have had plenty of rain so far, but I have an automated watering system on my garden to make sure the plants are kept watered throughout the growing season.

I also have three small peach trees which all have fruit on them already. We’ll see if the birds get them again this year before I do.

You have to know where to find the fruit. I don’t go out to the cedar trees expecting to find peaches. I don’t look for strawberries on my cactus or irises.

Healthy plants that are properly fed and nourished produce good fruit. What comes out of you is what is in you. It won’t come out of you if it is not in you.

A person who had the love of God in his or her heart will let that flow through to others. That will be the kind of fruit he or she bears. When you are fed by God’s Word and sacraments, you have the assurance of forgiveness because of what Jesus has done for you. You know you belong to God and will live with Him forever. You will strive to be the person He has called you to be because you are grateful for the free gift of salvation He has already given to you.

A person who does not have this assurance in his or her life will have no reason to strive to bear good fruit.

What kind of fruit is your life bearing?