February 28, 2023 - 1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NLT

Lord, it is so easy to set our eyes and heart on things of this world. We often don’t even realize we are doing it. Even after we get saved it can be hard to fully change our way of thinking from the way of the world to the way of your kingdom. We live surrounded by the world and can so easily view their way of thinking as so normal we don’t even question what might be wrong with it. We want to have hearts and minds that are yielded to you and very open for you to come and work within us to bring change. Show us where we are living or thinking in the ways of the world. Do your work in us and change us. We don’t want to tolerate anything in our lives that isn’t of you. Forgive us for any place we have done this.

Also, forgive us for the places in our lives where we have surrendered to physical pleasure. Forgive us for the places that we are surrendering to greed or craving what we see. Forgive us for the times that we have taken pride in our achievements that are set on a worldly standard or pride in our earthly possessions. Lord, we praise you for the talents, skills, and possessions that you have blessed us with. We want to use them for your glory and not our own. Show us if we have placed those things above you and your desires for us. Help us change our thinking and actions to line up with your ways. We want to live every area in a way that is pleasing to you.

In Jesus name, amen.