One Apple Tree Alone

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)

My apple tree stood alone this year during bloom time. Lots of pretty blooms covered the tree but no baby apples grew. We had to cut down the two trees that stood on each side. They were rotting and produced poorly. I intended to replant but it just didn't happen. Apple trees need one another to pollenate and produce apples. 

Churches need their members to produce fruit. They need people to faithfully do the necessary jobs of preaching, teaching, disciplining, singing, making music, and just faithfully encouraging one another. If the members forsake meeting together, who will invite, who will greet, who will instruct, who will sing and make a joyful noise? Who will encourage us? How will the church produce the fruit of the next generation? 

Maybe we can start here.

• Pray for those we noticed who weren't there this week.
• Let others know they are missed by sending a card, visiting, or making a call or text.
• Reach out to co-workers and friends who do not attend a church. 
• Volunteer to do something, sing, play an instrument or put together a family night.
• Volunteer to teach a class.
• Clean the bathrooms (everything is an important job).

Just like apple trees, to produce fruit, we need one another. May I encourage you to go stand beside someone at church this week?

Heavenly Father, help us to encourage one another by inviting others to your house, by participating, volunteering to do the scary and necessary jobs. Please help me to be present to greet those who have come to worship you. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

What kind, or encouraging words can you share with others? How can you be helpful at church, at school, and in your neighborhood?

Even a child is known by his deeds,

Whether what he does is pure and right.

~Proverbs 20:11 (NKJV)

Even a young person can do many of the things in the bullet list above. How will you stand with others to help your church produce fruit?