This is a plan that lasts the duration of a week, so that we can keep the proper mindset and heart as we go about each and every day. Remember to begin each devotional in prayer, with a heart of gratitude towards God.
Day 1: Love
1 Cor 13:4-7, 1 Pe 4:7, Mt 22:34-40
We must never forget the love God showed us by sending His one and only son. Let’s reflect on the heart of love we should have towards our brothers and sisters.
Day 2: Forgiveness
Mt 6:14-15, Mt 18:21-35
We have been forgiven of the greatest debt, our sins, with the sacrifice of Christ, so it doesn’t make sense for us to be unwilling to forgive our brother or sister. Use this time to reflect on people whom I’ve had a difficult time forgiving.
Day 3: Humility
Mt 18:1-5, 1 Pe 5:6-8, Phil 2:3-5, Lk 14:8-11
Within the world, every person has the desire to raise themselves and to be acknowledged as the best. We have to remember the kind of heart that Jesus told us to have, in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven, which is one of humility. Think of how we can become more humble.
Day 4: Contentment
1 Tim 6:6-8, Phil 4:11-13
Everyone’s desire is to keep up with the Joneses, constantly seeking the next great thing to upgrade and match our outdo their neighbors and friends. Our eyes tend to seek after the material things that money can buy, but our heart should be to become more and more content, no matter how much or how little we have. Reflect on if I’ve leaned more towards greed or contentment this week.
Day 5: Patience
Eph 4:2, Ps 37:7-9, Gal 6:9, Pr 16:32
We all want to be patient, but this flies out the door when someone who walks at a slower pace is in front of us, or when a person cuts us off on the freeway. It begins with the little things, though. Practice patience and think of situations where you were impatient, and how it can be corrected for the future.
Day 6: Gratitude
Ps 107:1, 1 Thess 5:16-18
We should put forth effort to not just give thanks to God when things are going great, but even when things are not going great. Think of a time you were going through a hard time, and how you can find a way to give thanks, even finding joy in that situation as well.
Day 7: Self-control
Pr 25:28, Titus 1:8, Rom 12:1-2
The concept of self-control can be difficult, even lacking in something as simple in our desire to hit snooze in the morning instead of getting up at the first alarm. Meditate upon these verses with the desire to make a change.
