Daily Encouragement Net
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Cherry Hill orchards store
The Cherry Hill Orchards store displays our area's abundant fruitfulness with its many varieties of fruit, vegetables and baked goods.
Click to enlarge

"Fruit That Will Last"

Message summary: One of the common words used in the Bible to describe the healthy life of a faithful believer is "fruitfulness" so let's consider the blessing of spiritual fruitfulness today.

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"This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples" (John 15:8). "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last" (John 15:16). "That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10).


One of the blessed sights of summer is a basket full of fresh locally grown fruit or vegetables. Above is a photo of an abundant tomato harvest from our home garden several years ago when the tomatoes were overly abundant. One day Brooksyne actually picked 200 tomatoes from our small garden of eight plants and we couldn't find enough people to spread the blessing.

This morning we are having friends over for tomato pie, one of Brooksyne's favorite meals to prepare throughout the summer when tomatoes are readily available right from our own garden or local roadside stands. We never heard of it till we moved to Lancaster County and had some at the Tomato Pie Cafe in Lititz. It's not a dessert type pie but rather a main entrée.
Plate of tomatoes

There are many uses for tomatoes, another of our favorites is a plate of sliced fresh tomatoes, spread with a layer of pesto made from our plenteous basil, topped with a thin slice of mozzarella cheese and lastly a sprinkling of shredded basil and bacon crumbs. Sometimes Brooksyne grills the tomato slices a couple minutes. Not only does it please the palate, the sweet succulent smell of basil/bacon blended with the roasted tomatoes and melting cheese fills the air with insatiable aroma. Prepare me a plate of these tomatoes and I am quite happy! No guilt feelings since the calories are minuscule and the health benefits are excellent.

Not only is it a great sight to see large, colorful, juicy fruit hanging from a healthy fruit tree or vine or prepared on a plate, but it is also inspiring to observe a believer who is fruitful in their Christian walk both in word and deed. One of the common words used in the Bible to describe the healthy life of a faithful believer is "fruitfulness" so let's consider the blessing of spiritual fruitfulness today.

There are basically three senses of spiritual fruitfulness in the New Testament:

1) Fruitfulness in the sense of impacting others to follow Christ and discipling them, which we may refer to as being the fruit of one's ministry. Paul used this sense in writing to the Romans (1:13): "Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles." One of the great joys of ministry is the observation of seeing healthy fruit in the lives of those we have served through our years of ministry.

2) Fruitfulness in the sense of developing Christ-like characteristics in our lives: John the Baptist stated, "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance." In Galatians 5:22,23 Paul wrote concerning the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.)

3) Fruitfulness in the sense of good works. We are not speaking of good works to earn salvation but good works as a result of salvation. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). "That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10).

Today let us consider these questions for self-examination.

* In my life am I bearing much fruit (abundance)?
* Am I bearing fruit that will last? (endurance)?
* Am I impacting others who are staying true to the Lord and bearing fruit?
* Is the Fruit of the Spirit progressively developing in my life?
* Am I bearing fruit in every good work?


Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until You call me heavenward or until the day of Christ's return. I willingly submit my will to yours and want to quickly obey Your voice so that I will bear much spiritual fruit. I pray that the Fruit of the Spirit will characterize my life as I faithfully yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Colossians 1:3-8 which is one sentence in the NASV. "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit."

Trivia note: Fruit is referenced in both the first and last chapters in the Bible, Genesis 1:11 and Revelation 22:2


Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"I Am Resolved"   Watch on YouTube   Reawaken Hymns

"The Love Of God"   Watch on YouTube   Selah

Tomato Pie Cafe, Lititz, PA

Crossroads ABF teachers
Yesterday we had a group of teachers and leaders from our Crossroads ABF class (Sunday School) over for a planning meeting. We are all 70+ and share the teaching duties.
Click to enlarge

Finally today:

Roadside stand money container
Last week we shared a message about our many unmanned roadside produce stands, often on Amish farms, which rely on the honor system. That is, they depend on honor in not stealing the produce, the money or both. Yesterday I purchased some tomatoes from my neighbor Eli and this is his family's money container right out by the road. In the message I shared they are having trouble with people stealing from these stands on the other side of the county.

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Our ministry in daily encouragement is primarily for those who have placed their faith in Christ but we are aware there may be those who come across these messages who may not know or understand the plan of salvation. Here's a site with a good explanation. How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/ 



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How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/ 



Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.



Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."



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