Review and Re-Center Around God
Review
The review this week is not just about fruit that you're bearing, but about fruit borne by those who have sway and influence over you.
This could be roles within your family or work, church, media, and social influence; consider how you allow friends, acquaintances, and even TV personalities to influence you.
The fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
This is not about perfection in yourself or others; we all have flaws; you are looking for what is consistently produced.
Journal Prompts:
Pick one of the fruits of the spirt:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control;
How do you show that spirit?
How would you like to improve that
spirit?
Repent (if necessary)
You can't make someone else repent, but you can repent of allowing others to bring about ungodly behavior in you. Who (or what) negatively influences your life choices, producing fruit out of line with the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
You may need to ask a friend or God Himself to help you consider – and reconsider if necessary -- who you've chosen to follow, look up to, or allowed to influence your train of thought and emotional state. Ask God to prune or downsize the influence of these relationships.
Return (as necessary)
Ask yourself, “who could I put myself under that is currently maturing spiritually and could help me grow? Who would encourage me to stay connected the vine Jesus? Who do I know that is producing the fruit of the Spirit, someone I can align with to build spiritual strength and stability?” Then pray for God to nurture those relationships.
Bonus questions (or journal prompts):
- Who are good influences on me?
• To whom am I a good influence?
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 27:7-14
7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart lean not on your own understanding…
Proverbs 3:6
... in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Use this as a prayer: Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path; Amen. Pray it multiple times thinking of different arenas of your life: Home, church, work, friends, neighbors, personal choices.