Issue 830 – Sweet Fruit? – August 19, 2022
The humble tomato finds its origin in Central and South America and Mexico. European explorers brought it back at some point in the 16th century, and it soon became a staple ingredient in the cuisine in many areas.
The earliest known written mention of tomatoes in what was then British North America was in 1710. By the mid-17th century, there were tomato plantations in parts of the Southern US.
Although we tend to think of the tomato as a vegetable, it is more appropriately classified as a fruit. Botanically, tomatoes are perennial vines, although there are short-lived annuals that have been developed that are grown as tender annuals.
The tomato is the edible berry of the plant Solanum Lycopersicum. There are thousands of varieties known with berries ranging in size from tiny “grape” sized or smaller to huge “beefsteaks” that cover a piece of bread with a single slice. Depending on the variety, ripe tomatoes may be red, yellow or even brown.
In a single pound of tomato seed, there can be as many as 150,000 individual seeds.
Some like them raw, fresh from the garden, or in salads and sandwiches. Others prefer their tomatoes cooked in seemingly countless varieties of dishes and sauces.
However you like (or don’t) like your tomatoes, they are an amazing fruit.
Like tomato vines, people produce fruit. There is a fruit that comes from walking in the flesh,
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
There is also spiritual fruit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers.
It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
Without the Spirit, even our so-called righteous deeds cannot produce good fruit.
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6
As believers, the Spirit dwelling in us develops good spiritual fruit and, over time, conforms us into the image of His Son.
Like tomatoes, the fruit in people’s lives may not all look exactly the same. It grows at differing rates and comes in varying sizes. God knows the harvest He wants to produce through us.
Look at your life. Praise God for any spiritual fruit you produce, humbly repent of the not-good fruit, and ask Him to continue making you more Christlike.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Never miss an issue. Subscribe to our email version today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
____________________________
#Gleanings #devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #love #joy #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #forgiveness #Holyspirit #pray #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #believe #dailybiblereading #dailybible #devotional #discipleship #scripture #gospel #hope #truth #worship #encouragement
#fruit #vegetable #tomato #fruit of the spirit