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SIMPLIFYING YOUR LIFE
I. DO YOU NEED TO SIMPLIFY?
Psa 94:19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul.
1 Thes 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,
II. HOW TO BEGIN TO SIMPLIFY
Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Job 6:24 "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
Psa 25:4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psa 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psa 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. KJV
John 5:17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
III. WHERE DO WE SIMPLIFY?
A. POSSESSIONS
Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mat 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
1 Pet 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
B. TIME
Eph 5:16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (NIV)
Psa 31:14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
C. VALUES
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. KJV
The wrong question: "What is your will for my life?"
Proper question: "What is your will?"
Rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
2 Cor 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Love
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Forgive
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Build our homes
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Practice kindness
Col 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bless those who hurt you
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Share with the needy
Rom 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Be content with what you have
Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
V. PRACTICAL TIPS TO SIMPLIFY
VI. CONCLUSION
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