Episode 18 — Luke 3:9–10 — What Fruit Is Your Life Producing?

Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it is great to be here with you today. Today is January 18.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down
We carry so much around every day: financial worries, relational stress, anxiety about the future, and pressure to succeed.
Now is the time to set those things down for a few minutes and enjoy some time with Jesus.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it. Repeat this three times.
As you inhale, whisper in your heart: “God is near.”
As you exhale, pray: “Near to me.”
Do this three times, then sit in silence for a few moments.

Read
Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
The crowds asked, “What should we do?”  (Luke 3:9–10, NLT)

Notice
What are you hearing from God?
What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread
Let’s read the passage again slowly, being mindful of what God is wanting you to hear from Him.

Meditate
John the Baptist’s mission was clear: prepare the hearts of the people to hear God’s message.
He didn’t pull punches — he cut right to the heart and made people ask the hard questions.
He compared their hearts to fruit trees.
When you plant a fruit tree, you expect it to produce fruit you can enjoy.
If it doesn’t produce, it’s time to cut it down and start over.
The same goes for our lives.
If we are living in the Spirit, the fruit we should see is:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control(Galatians 5:22–23, NLT).
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
What is the fruit that my life produces?

Respond
Holy Spirit, I give You my life so that You can produce Your fruit in me.

Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Smoothie Run
Grab some fruit to eat or drink.
Make a smoothie with your favorites — maybe blueberries, mangoes, peaches, and bananas blended with Greek yogurt and honey.
As you enjoy it, remember the fruit the Spirit produces in your life:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Let it challenge you to let the Holy Spirit produce His fruit in your life.

That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard… and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.