Jesus said you will know a person’s nature, their character, by their fruit.
With so much of our lives online, it can be easy to see only the good and to only want to show the good. It makes it hard to know the authentic person. It can also make it hard to be our authentic self. But we are reminded to look at someone’s life, at our own life. A person reveals themselves not by what they say, but who they are.
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. Luke 6:44
HE knows the truth. HE knows the person we are in the public and the person we are in private. HE knows the authentic person behind words and any false images. HE knows what is in our heart.
I love this verse for the great reminder to be aware and examine myself first. To think about the fruit I am bearing. I want to focus on bearing good fruit!
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:20
So this is a little project that can be that reminder.
Start with a plastic fruit (or in this case tomato) container/basket.
Clean out your container. Make sure it is dry and ready to paint.
I used white paint, but you could use any color. Paint the inside of the bottom and the inside of the lid. Painting the inside gives this a wonderful finished look through the plastic… almost like porcelain or something!
After the first coat you will be thinking that it looks terrible. Don’t worry. Wait for it to dry and give it another coat or two. You just want the paint to look solid through the plastic.
While this is drying, get an old container, blue paint and some small, blueberry looking, rocks. You can substitute blue marbles or blue glass beads for the painted rocks. You could also use red if you want your fruit to be cherries or raspberries.
Mix a little bit of water with the paint in the container and throw in your rocks. I did this in a few groups. Just shake them around. They coat very easily.
Take the rocks out of the paint with a plastic fork or spoon and lay on parchment paper or waxed paper. Roll them around as they dry so they dry on all sides.
This is a PDF file. Simply click on the image and you will have the option to download or save the file.
After you print your ‘By Their Fruit’ label, cut it out. I used double sided tape to attach it to the lid.
Next, fill the basket with your ‘berries’.
I used a few of the ‘berries’ to sit beside my basket in my kitchen.
This simple little fruit basket helps me to focus on the fruit I am bearing.
Do you like to have reminders like these around your home? What ways have you found to bring them in?
By Jennifer, StudioJRU
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So incredibly creative! It’s your worship–this deliberate art!
It is worship! Thank you Amy!
I love this Jennifer! Perfect for the red, white, and blue challenge too!
Julie, thank you so much!
Sweet project!
A rock etched with the word GRATITUDE. And jars and bowls and dishes of seaglass collected over the years all remind me of what’s important.
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2012/03/fully-appreciating-simple-moments.html
A life fully focused on giving thanks. And the reminder that beauty lies all around us, just waiting, just begging to be discovered.
Linda, those are beautiful reminders of the beauty that is all around us. I love how the sea glass looks in those jars. Beautiful!
I love practical object lessons. Thank you. This week I used a printable to remind my readers to take their thoughts captive. They say out of sight out of mind. These lessons we can make visual and practice remain. I can’t wait to share.
I love visual reminders like that, Melinda. Sounds like a wonderful project!
Cute! I love reminders like this. I have a few scriptures around the house {including the artwork of YOURS!} I also have a few pieces of canvas that I’d like to put some scripture on, but I haven’t gotten the nerve to try anything yet! & one of these days my mister will do the “Oaks of Righteousness” artwork for above the fireplace…I want my home to be filled with reminders of the Lord!
No nerve needed, Amy. Just do it! It is wonderful to have your home filled with reminders of the Lord like that!
Very cute, Jennifer. Love your creativity!
Thank you, Kerry!
Very cute and easy project! Thank you!
You are very welcome, Rachel. Thank you!
I love Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church (Colossians 1:10) that they might “be fruitful in every good work.” Apart from the vine, it is possible to do “good works” without bearing eternal fruit.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me, ye can do nothing.” Fruit is a natural product of remaning in Christ.
Love your thoughts, Jennifer. That is such a powerful verse and powerful reminder to us!
Great physical reminder! I love to surround myself with God’s word and believe it or not….your children notice it.
At least mine do.
It’s comforting and reminds them (us) we belong to HIM!
That is awesome that your children notice things like that, Wanda. So, so important!
Such a great tutorial, recycling and simple supplies + I love being able to put little verses around on home decor – simply like this, like just tucked in a corner because it is so perfect and normal there…and then it becomes a sweet reminder of His constant presence in our every day lives…
Exactly, Cindy. Love to put those little reminders around the house. Sweet, little reminders.
I read scripture daily and write down important ones on 3X5 cards. Each time I think about doing something or getting frustrated at work I remind myself of what the word says.
That is such a great idea, Beth! Love that!
So cute! I love that you made something beautiful from things that would otherwise be cast aside. Great job!!!
Thank you so much, Lindsay!
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I love this idea to have objects in your house to inspire and remind of spiritual truth. I’ve taught on prayer as “Inviting the Lord into your boat” for many years. It always seems to hit home with everyone. so I use and give small plastic boats to remember this truth. Here’s the link if you care to read my journey with this gospel story:
http://www.abranchinthevine.com/prayer-inviting-jesus-into-my-boat-part-1/
I love that, Jan! What a wonderful idea. I am sure it is a great reminder when they see boats now!
Love this idea! So cute for the fruit season in the kitchen 🙂 We have a frame with my favorite Joshua scripture above the door: “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Reminds us as we come and go that we are serving God both in and out of the home.
I should add, too, that I like to have at least one scriptural reminder in each room of the house, so that no matter where we are (or any guest that might be visiting can see), we are reminded that our home is dedicated to the Lord.
That is just wonderful that you do that with your home, Jen! I think that is awesome. That Joshua scripture is one of my favorites as well!
LOVE this project!!! Will do when I return from vacation. Also like Jen’s idea of keeping at least one scriptural reminder in each room in her home! Great way to let everyone know you serve the Lord!
So happy to hear that Kelly! It really is simple to add a simple scripture to each room in some way. A beautiful and simple thing we can all do!
I love visuals as well and they are extremely helpful to me! I have them all over my house and they act as prayer prompts, praises, convictions, encouragements etc to bring it each of those to the Lord…and this whole topic is very fresh in my life and others’ I’ve been fellowshipping with lately. You are correct! Awareness of what kind of fruit we are bearing or not, is essential.
However, I feel I need to respectfully disagree with the focus. I don’t believe that Jesus ever directed us to focus on our fruit. Yes, test ourselves, examine ourselves. But our focus is to be ON HIM. When we focus on HIM, live our lives as unto Him, fix our eyes on HIM, throwing off all that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, our lives will bear good fruit. Fruit that will last.
There are many verses and portions of the Word that speak of how we will reflect the Lord increasingly, and His glory, as we look to Him and live with Him intimately, not focus on what we do/not do/produce/ not produce.
Lovingly in Christ,
Deb
A little late in chiming in…I plan to paint soon and give a few of these fruit baskets away to friends. Such a cute, creative and simple idea to be reminded on Him. Thank you for using your gift of creativity to inspire others and remind them of Jesus.
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