Habits of a Healthy Heart – The Habit of Simplicity: When Less is Better

In new seasons, we often focus on what we should do more of. But sometimes, just need to simplify. In our series, Habits of a Healthy Heart, we’ll take a deep breath, make space for God, and allow Him to work in our lives.

Series: HABITS OF A Healthy Heart
Message 2: The Habit of Simplicity
When Less is More
Text: Acts 27:36, 38 NKJV
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, July 21, 2024

What if the stuff you have is keeping you from the life you want?

36Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. …
38So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. Acts 27:36, 38 NKJV

I have enough.

1. GOD, GIVE ME LESS OF WHAT DOESN’T MATTER.

19“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
21Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

If you want to change your habits, let God change your heart.

1… let us strip off every weight that slows us down …
2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus …
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

2. GOD, GIVE ME MORE OF WHAT DOES MATTER.

Better one handfulwith tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV

The most meaningful things in life are not things.

Because I have Jesus, I have enough.

12… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

This is the habit of the heart, the habit of simplifying.
· God, give me less of what doesn’t matter.
· And God give me more of what does.

Why?
Because your life is too valuable and your calling too great to waste your life on things that don’t last.

TALK IT OVER

Read Matthew 6:19-21. What stands out to you in these verses? What does it look like to “store your treasures in heaven”?

Talk about some of the most meaningful things you have in your life. How could focusing on these things help you believe that you have enough?

Is there anything in your life that you need to get rid of in order to more fully focus on Jesus? What steps can you take this week to let go of things that don’t matter?