Re-Center Around God
1 Corinthians 4:5
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” ~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
"If you judge people,
you have no time
to love them."
~ Mother Teresa
This is the type of reviewing and re-centering period that can reveal some hidden prejudices. Be on the lookout. It doesn’t take much effort to mistakenly put oneself in the place of God and become a judge of other people.
Review
Review the week. Do I display a non-condemning spirit toward others, even those I disagree with? Do I pre-judge people? Could I be rightly accused of being prejudiced toward certain people or people groups? Do you want to know for certain? Ask around. Have I left judging in the hands of God?
Repent if Necessary
Ask God to forgive you for any harsh or condemning attitudes that you have allowed to linger, be it for months or years, or even only hours or minutes.
Return (as necessary)
Ask God for a heart of love – or even of greater love – toward others where your heart has to this point (or recently) has been lacking.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 1:1-6
- Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, - but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. - That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. - Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away. - Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. - For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Read the verses 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
Malachi 3:2-3a
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
The Promise
Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Pondering Point
As a tree in God’s orchard, what might prospering look like in your plot of dirt? What changes could you make to foster another nuance of prospering?