October Bell 2018

Apple Picking Time

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Wollaston,

It is the apple picking time! Every year, around this time, many people in New England enjoy the apple picking. I am a part of the crowd. I enjoy our family time at the Honey Pot Hill Orchard in Stow. The apple trees look healthy and fresh, and are full of the apple clusters. I bless the farmers who have taken care of them from the early spring until now. With their sweat and hard work, we enjoy the fresh fruits.

Even though I did not do a thing, I thank God for the abundant fruits and think of Psalm 1. It is a praise song of blessed men and women, who meditate the Word of God.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

I can imagine that the trees along the stream don’t seem to lack anything. The plenty of water and the clear sky make the tree even greener. When they bear the fruits in the harvest time, they look lush in everything. Praise the Lord!

Like the fruitful trees, our Lord wants us to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is not possible without Christ. In Him, we crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, which are the source of the sins.

On the other hand, if we bear the fruits of the evil desires, we may disobey the Holy Spirit or have not been born-again yet. If so, we need to repent and come back to the Lord. He calls us, “Come now, and let us reason together. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land.” (Isaiah 1:18)

I have heard testimonies from many members. They proclaim that they become healthy and are able to have the joy and peace on top of spiritual and earthly blessings as they believe in Christ. As we know, it is just a small part of abundant blessings in Christ. The ultimate consequence of our faith is the salvation of our soul.

It would not be possible without meditating on the Word of God and praying for each other. Let’s continue to please the Lord by bearing more fruits, meditating, and praying for each other. When He comes back, He will praise us, “You faithful servant, I am pleased with you!” Amen.

-Pastor David C.