Houston Devotional//Cultivating the Abundant Harvest of the Holy Spirit

Each season holds a special meaning—whether it’s tied to the weather, a cherished holiday, or a long-anticipated event. In Houston, I find comfort in the mild winters, a welcome reprieve from summer’s relentless heat, and in the spring’s gentle transitions, preparing us for the return of the heat. I also enjoy the explosion of Texas wildflowers, painting the landscape with breathtaking color and drawing admirers from miles away. For farmers and gardeners, seasons do more than showcase the land’s beauty—they dictate the rhythms of planting, growing, and harvesting.

We rarely consider the seasonality of food as we browse the grocery store aisles, where produce appears abundant year-round. Nature tells a different story. My visit to a strawberry farm, expecting to fill my basket, was met with empty fields—an undeniable reminder that fruits belong to times and seasons. Those who walk in faith with Jesus Christ, however, enjoy a fruit that never shrivels with the seasons: the fruit of the Spirit.

I find one of my greatest joys in vocational ministry in teaching Scripture and helping others apply truth to their lives. This journey begins with my commitment to living out the truth and striving to be a credible witness for Christ. It requires conducting periodic self-examinations, or what I call “fruit inspections” to determine if I am cultivating a Spirit-led life that produces an abundant harvest.

Here are five steps to personal “fruit inspections.”

1. Pray and ask God to guide you through the process.
2. Examine yourself and your life and ask, “Am I living by the Spirit?” In Galatians 5, Paul admonishes believers to walk by the Spirit (5:16). This means that we are to strive to submit our lives to the Holy Spirit. Our conduct and actions are to be guided and controlled by the Spirit. Submission is not a one-time experience but a daily process.
3. Don’t ignore the “But” at the beginning of Galatians 5:22. Paul describes a flesh-led life in verses 17–21.
4. Meet with your accountability person or someone who knows you well and shares your faith in Jesus Christ. Read Galatians 5:22–23 together and ask for an honest assessment of their experience with you as a believer.
5. Identify growth opportunities.   

Galatians 5:22–23 lists nine character traits of a person living a life that reflects submission to the Holy Spirit. 

1. Love: Unconditional and selfless affection for others.
2. Joy: Not fleeting happiness but a deep sense of contentment and gladness.
3. Peace:  Not just the absence of conflict, but inner calm and tranquility, even in challenging circumstances.
4. Patience: Endurance, perseverance, and long-suffering in the face of trials.
5. Kindness: Compassion and benevolence toward others.
6. Goodness: Moral integrity, virtue, and genuine righteousness.
7. Faithfulness: Loyalty, trustworthiness, and commitment.
8. Gentleness: Characterized by considerate and tender interactions with others.
9. Self-control: The ability to control one’s impulses, desires, and emotions.

These qualities are fruits because they naturally emerge as a byproduct of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to work within us, these virtues flourish and shape our character. There is no law against characteristics that contribute to a transformed life of spiritual abundance and fulfillment.

The year 2025 has been another turbulent year for many as we navigate life’s complexities and strive to demonstrate behaviors that reflect the character of Christ. Through years of ministry, I have learned to listen attentively to those who share their life challenges with me. Sometimes, they need guidance; at other times, they need someone who is living for Christ to hold them accountable. Regardless, they always need to be heard and loved. Today is a good day to begin a “fruit inspection”!