Re-Center Around God

We introduce a new wrinkle to Immersion: Review and Re-center on God. The review day is placed on Thursday as a midpoint of the week knowing many of us mentally begin our week on a Monday. It's also kind of midway between trips to Father's house on weekends to worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

This makes it a great time to look at your week and re-center around the Lord and His will.

This wrinkle consists of three parts: Review (your day or week), Repent (as necessary) and Return (if necessary).

Review

As you review your life, you will likely recall sins that you did not want to commit or situations in which you failed to act in a godly fashion.

Repent if Necessary

Acknowledge the sins as such; then let Jesus forgive and free you from the guilt and shame that stem from these choices.

Return (as necessary)

Put away idolatry and self-focus that caused the sins. As you return to God, return God to His rightful place at the center of your heart and life. In doing so, see yourself being renewed described in Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Tomorrow we extend our review and re-center into a discipleship point built around the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. For your prayer prompt today, review your past week as a follower of Jesus, repent as necessary, and return God to His rightful place as center of your life. Then adjust your schedule and attitude where appropriate and prepare for the last half of your week.

Bible Project PODCAST Addition: As a Jewish rabbi, Jesus was immersed in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament for us), which tells the story of God working with ancient Israel to bring about his Kingdom. Jesus claimed that God’s Kingdom was at long last arriving in Him.

https://bibleproject.com/podcast/hebrew-bibles-connection-sermon-mount/

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Read the versus of the Psalm.

Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.

Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.

Teaching or Command of God

2 Corinthians 1:20-22

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

The Promise

Luke 12:37

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Pondering Point

Who/what do you see as enemies in your spiritual journey? Who/what might the Holy Spirit define as your enemies? How are you preparing to handle them daily?