“After curbing my appetites for so long, I’ve discovered “Fasting helps us develop mastery over the competing voices in our heads that urge us toward more, toward indulgence” “After curbing my appetites for so long, I’ve discovered my appetites have changed.” - Jen Hatmaker

where has God been speaking Of these 7 areas, where has God been speaking to you about the need for “simplifying” in your life?

Just practicing disciplines such as fasting & simplicity is not the point. These are just tools to help us better honor God during our daily lives.

1 Timothy 4: 7-8 7 “… train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 Strict, focused, & ruthless training is needed in our spiritual lives so that we can finish the “race of life” well.

for someone to become excellent or a “master” at it. It takes about 10,000 hours of practicing a task or skill for someone to become excellent or a “master” at it. Becoming Christ-like takes time!

(New Living Translation) 2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

testifies with our spirit Romans 8: 16-17 16 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”

1 Peter 2: 4-5 4 “As you come to Him, the Living Stone… 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

------------------------------------------- We often want the blessings of God without Him doing the necessary work of “breaking” our sinful habits. ------------------------------------------- The Breaking comes before The Building.

Allow God to “rebuild” how you see: Your Eating Habits Your Entertainment Your Time Your Job/Vocation Your Money Your Possessions Yourself & Others The World Your Role as a parent/spouse/role model