1 Corinthians 6:12 (CSB) “Everything is permissible for me," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me," but I will not be mastered by anything.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ²“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.³But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ⁵“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.⁶But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
¹⁶“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,¹⁸so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
You Like Me! You Really Like Me!
Third in a series, “A Diet of The Mind”

1) “Beware…” approval ratings and approval junkies
2)

*from John Ortberg, “Forget Yourself” 1/7/2018

accepted

known

Living at the top: becoming the “true you”
3) The spiritual discipline of secrecy

4) The reward of the Father
Key Verse for the Week
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:6
Questions for Conversation and Reflection
How much do you enjoy approval? Who has helped you become “the true you?” What do you imagine is God’s approval rating of you?
Possible next best steps for you
· Give up social media for the next two weeks.
· Review the list of Houston Project Grant recipients and choose one that speaks to you. Visit the organization’s website and find out how you can be involved in their mission.