Thrive In ’25: Day 17🙏🏾

A Message from Our Leader

Bishop Jefferson reminds us that this is a time of divine separation, a time to humble ourselves and seek God’s face with a spirit of expectation. As we do, we can trust that God will meet us in a profound way, healing our hearts, renewing our minds, and positioning us to carry His fresh anointing into the next season of our lives. Let this be a time where we set aside every weight that so easily besets us, where we turn away from distractions and press into the presence of God with fervency and faith. ✨

Intercessor: Evangelist Connie Russell Memphis, TN

Scripture:“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”(Galatians 5:22-23)

🙏🏽Prayer Topic: Fruit of the Spirit 

📚 Prayer Focus: Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in your life.

Reflection: The Essence of the Fruit of the Spirit 🌟

Evangelist Connie Russell began by emphasizing the singularity of the term “fruit” in Galatians 5:22-23, explaining that the fruit of the Spirit is love 💖, and all other attributes—joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are byproducts or attributes of love. This teaching reminds us that true spiritual growth 🌱 starts with love, as love embodies and supports all other virtues.

Unlike the works of the flesh (which are products of human effort 💪🏾), fruit is cultivated and grown by God 🍇. Evangelist Russell likened the fruit to an apple 🍎, where each part—skin, meat, seeds, and core—contributes to the wholeness of the fruit. Similarly, each attribute of the Spirit flows from God’s perfect love.

Key Points and Personal Testimony 📖

1. Love as the Foundation

   • True love requires forgiveness without repeatedly bringing up past offenses. 🤝
   • Evangelist Russell shared her personal testimony of forgiving her father after years of hurt and hatred. She explained how God revealed her own heart and replaced bitterness with love, transforming their relationship.

2. God’s Guidance in All Things

   • “We thank You for closed doors 🚪 because You saw the ending.”
   • Sometimes God’s “no” is a protection, and Evangelist Russell encouraged us to trust His foresight 🕊️.

3. Cultivating Holiness in Action and Response

   • She prayed for holiness in how we respond to challenges and interactions, calling for purification from the inside out:
     • “Clean us up on the inside, and the outside will align.” 💧

4. Overcoming Sin and Distraction

   • Evangelist Russell prayed fervently for God to “take away the curiosity and pleasure of sin” 🛑, reminding us to focus on righteousness 🌟.

5. Long-Suffering and Patience

   • “If I get impatient, I can lose my soul.” Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that helps us navigate life’s challenges with faith and endurance ⏳.

Prayer Highlights 🙌🏾

Evangelist Russell’s prayer was a powerful blend of gratitude, supplication, and declarations:

• Gratitude for God’s Protection:

  • “We thank You for the closed doors because You saw the ending.”
  • She praised God for protecting His people even when His answers don’t align with our desires.

• Love in Action:

  • “Jesus, help us to show love and kindness to those who hate us.” 💞
  • She called for unity and prayed against division in the church.

• Intercession for Healing and Deliverance:

  • “Deliver the mind 🧠 and regulate racing thoughts.”
  • “Heal all over, Jesus!” 🩺

• Declaration of God’s Power:

  • “You asked, ‘Is there anything too hard for You?’ and You answered before You even asked the question.” 🔥

Application: Living the Fruit of the Spirit 🌱

1. Love Without Limits: Forgive and move forward without revisiting old wounds 💕
2. Holiness in Action: Let your responses reflect God’s righteousness ✨
3. Patience in Waiting: Trust God’s timing, even when it requires enduring challenges ⏳
4. Gratitude for Closed Doors: Praise God for His protective “no” as much as His “yes.” 🙏🏾
5. Unity and Service: Work towards unity within the church and serve others as Christ did 🙌🏾

Closing Reflection 🌟

Evangelist Russell’s prayer and teaching were a call to embody the fruit of the Spirit in every aspect of life. As we cultivate love, joy, peace, and patience, we grow closer to God’s nature and reflect His glory to the world.

Let us remain committed to living lives that bear the fruit of the Spirit, trusting in God to grow and sustain what only He can.

🌸 Action Step: Reflect on where the fruit of the Spirit is most evident in your life 🌿 and ask God to cultivate growth in areas where it is needed.