1. If possible, do this first thing in the morning to shape your thoughts for the day, and last thing at night so it settles in your heart as you sleep. A great app to help you do this is Lectio365, which has options to do this in the morning, at midday, and at night.
2. Put aside all distractions so you can fully focus on God. If you are using a Bible app on your phone, put it on Airplane Mode.
3. Open your hands and rest them in your lap as a sign of surrendering your will to God’s will and your willingness to entrust your worries, fears, and cares to God.
4. Choose one or two verses and read them out loud slowly, intentionally, and repeatedly 3 to 5 times.
5. Ask yourself three questions:
   1. What does this passage teach me about God? – Focus on God’s character, promises, or actions.
   2. What does this passage teach me about myself? – Consider how it reveals my attitudes, behaviors, or heart posture.
   3. How should this passage change the way I think, feel, or act? – Apply it personally to your decisions, relationships, or daily choices.

1. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God.

   When should we pray?

   “…on all occasions…” Ephesians 6:18

   What should we pray about?

   “…in every situation…”  Philippians 4:6

   How should we pray?

   “…with all kinds of prayers and requests…”  Ephesians 6:18

   “…by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6

   A.C.T.S.

   • Adoration: An expression of love.

   Take a moment to acknowledge who God is.  What are some of the qualities (or characteristics) of God? 

   • Confession: Admitting.

   Take a moment to be honest with God about the sin in our lives.  Those things that we are saying, thinking, and doing that are going against God and His word. What do I need to be honest about?

   • Thanksgiving: Gratitude/Praise.

   Take a moment to give thanks to God.  Thank him for the small things and for the big things.

   • Supplication: To ask.

   Take a moment to express a need to God.  What are the things that are on your mind you need help with?

   -Share your praises and prayer requests with us!  Our prayer team loves to be praying for you, and with you, during the week.

   -Come to our Pause Prayer events.  A safe, quiet place for you to have a conversation with God.

   -Check out “Everyday Prayers” devotional by Scotty Smith.

1. Treat the Sabbath as essential, not optional. Therefore, schedule the Sabbath before the week schedules you.
   • When it comes to the specific day you choose, remember there is freedom here. As Paul writes in Romans 14:5: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”
   • A full 24-hour day may not be realistic at this point in your life. Choose 12 hours, 4 hours, or even 2 hours, rather than not embrace The Sabbath at all. 
   • Remember: While the Sabbath is no longer a law we are commanded to keep, it is a gift God invites us to receive. Don’t let the busyness of life rob you of this gift.
     
     
2. A helpful way to approach the Sabbath is to follow the three R’s: Reflection, Rest, and Renewal.
   • Reflection: The goal is to realign your heart with God and others.
     • Pause and reflect on God’s character and all the ways He has blessed you.
     • Take an inventory of your shortcomings from this past week and confess those to God.
     • Consider your closest relationships and ask God to reveal where you need to forgive, reconcile, or grow.
   • Rest: The goal is physically, mentally, and spiritually stopping so you can recover from the week’s demands.
     • Take a nap or go to bed earlier.
     • Take a walk outside, breathe fresh air, and simply enjoy the moment.
     • Avoid checking emails or social media.
   • Renewal: The goal is to engage in activities that you enjoy that will help you recharge and refresh your soul.
     • Spend quality time with your family or friends.
     • Go to a movie, a ballgame, or a show.
     • Make a delicious meal at home or go out to your favorite restaurant. 

The discipline of simplicity is a little harder to spell out in exact steps than the others because all of us have different incomes, responsibilities and seasons of life. So, instead of giving specific principles to follow, here are four questions, along with practical steps, that will help you identify how God’s calling you to take the next steps towards a life of simplicity.

1. Does my budget say, “I need more to be satisfied,” or “I am satisfied with what I have”?
   1. Practical Step: Go home this week and look at your last 60 days of spending. Identify anything that was driven more by desire than need, and prayerfully choose one way to scale back for the next month.
2. When I have extra money, is my first instinct to upgrade my lifestyle or to be generous?
   1. Practical step: The next time unexpected money comes in (bonus, gift, tax return), give a portion away before spending any of it.
3. Is my home filled with things I once wanted but no longer need?
   1. Practical Step: Give away one item you value but don’t truly need to someone who could use it.
4. Do I find myself feeling jealous, envious, or restless when I see what others have?
   1. Practical Step: The next time that feeling rises up, stop and immediately thank God out loud for three specific things you already have.