13 / Wednesday
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” —Matthew 4:4
This is week 2 of Lent–our focus is humility through simplicity:
Warm-Up:
Pray:
“God, teach me how to humble my heart. Release me from the hold that things have on me. I want to be free and generous with everything You have given me! Keep the pride of life far from me. As I look to You, Jesus, I see Your humility and how You gave up everything for me. You didn’t hold anything back. Father, today I recommit my life to do Your will. Amen.”
Round 1:
Read 1 John 2:15-17:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Round 2:
The way we think can create damaging pride in us and work against the three internal convictions that drive the discipline of simplicity…
Write down the following thoughts and circle the one you struggle with the most:
“What I have is a result of my own work.”
“What I have is my responsibility to hold on to and protect.”
“I have a hard time making what I have available to others when it is clearly right and good.”
Round 3:
Look at what you circled in round 2. Set a timer for 1 minutes and ask god for help with this thought pattern.
Burn Out:
Today’s simplicity challenge (suggested by author Richard Foster): GIve something away
What if you started to develop a habit of giving things away? If you find that you are becoming attached to something you own, give it to someone who needs it.