Spiritually Simplifying: Building Your Daily 20 with Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Give Cheerfully, Not Under Compulsion

God desires that our giving comes from a place of joy and freedom, not guilt or pressure. When we give, it should be a response to what Jesus is doing in our hearts, not because we feel forced or manipulated. True generosity flows from a cheerful heart that delights in participating in God’s work, trusting that He will lead us in what and how much to give. If you ever feel pressured or burdened, pause and seek Jesus’ guidance, remembering that your value is not measured by your gift, but by your willingness to follow His lead. [27:13]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Reflection: Is there any area in your giving where you feel pressured or guilty? How can you invite Jesus to lead you into joyful, willing generosity today?

Day 2: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money

Jesus makes it clear that our hearts can only have one true master. Money is a powerful force that can easily take first place in our lives, subtly shaping our decisions and priorities. But Jesus calls us to let Him lead, to trust Him with our resources, and to put Him first above all else. When we surrender our finances to God, we experience freedom from anxiety and the joy of knowing that He is in control, not our bank accounts. [28:30]

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: In what ways does money compete for first place in your heart? What is one step you can take today to put Jesus first in your financial decisions?

Day 3: The Power of a Daily 20 Minutes with Jesus

Setting aside just 20 minutes each day for face-to-face time with Jesus can transform your spiritual life. Just as meaningful relationships grow through intentional, uninterrupted time together, your relationship with Jesus deepens when you give Him your focused attention. Whether it’s prayer, reading Scripture, or simply sitting in His presence, these daily moments become the trellis that supports spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Don’t measure your spiritual health by how perfectly you keep this routine, but by the connection and fruit that grows from it. [43:53]

Mark 8:36 (ESV)
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Reflection: What time and place could you set aside today for 20 minutes of undistracted time with Jesus? How might this change your day or week?

Day 4: Spiritual Practices: Pouring In and Pouring Out

A healthy spiritual life is built on rhythms of pouring in—prayer, Scripture, solitude—and pouring out—surrender, community, compassion. Each season may call for a different focus, but the goal is always deeper connection with Jesus and living out His love. Sabbath provides space for these practices, but simplifying them into daily moments helps sustain spiritual health throughout the week. Choose one practice to pour in and one to pour out, and let Jesus guide you in this season. [51:08]

John 15:5 (ESV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Reflection: Which spiritual practice do you sense Jesus inviting you to focus on right now—either to pour in or pour out? How will you make space for it today?

Day 5: Generosity as a Journey of Discipleship

Generosity is not just about money—it’s a journey of discipleship that reflects what Jesus is doing in your heart. Whether you’re moving from nothing to something, from something to repeated, or from prioritized to surrendered and visionary, each step is a response to God’s work in your life. Your giving becomes a trellis that supports the growth of your faith, your church, and the impact you have on others. Ask Jesus where He is leading you in generosity, and trust Him to provide what you need to take the next step. [56:03]

Acts 20:35 (ESV)
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Reflection: Where are you on your generosity journey? What is one new step of generosity—big or small—that you sense Jesus inviting you to take in this season?

Sermon Summary

Coming off a powerful season of prayer, there’s a sense of anticipation for what God is doing among us as a church family. Today is a unique moment—one that invites each of us to listen for Jesus’ voice and respond as He leads, especially as we consider our role in the ongoing Ask and Imagine project. This is not about pressure or compulsion, but about cheerful, Spirit-led participation. The heart of giving is not guilt or obligation, but joy and obedience to Jesus, who alone deserves first place in our lives. We’re at the halfway point of a two-year journey, having already seen God’s faithfulness through 90% of our commitments, resulting in tangible impact: expanded ministry to children here and in Peru, facility improvements, increased church planting, and a 25% growth in our congregation. Volunteers have been the backbone of these achievements, showing that every contribution—of time, talent, or treasure—matters.

Looking ahead, the final 10% of our goal will unlock new opportunities: a fuller vision for family ministry, further facility upgrades, and the ability to say “yes” to new church planters. If God provides beyond our goal, we’ll dream even bigger—expanding our reach, strengthening our reserves, and ensuring sustainable ministry for years to come. The commitment card is simply a tool to help us plan wisely and steward what God entrusts to us.

But the deeper invitation today is to spiritual simplicity. Just as Sabbath offers a weekly reset, we’re called to bring that same intentionality into every day. The challenge is to carve out a “daily 20”—twenty minutes of undistracted, face-to-face time with Jesus. Just as twenty minutes of focused presence can transform a marriage, a friendship, or a parent-child relationship, so too can it transform our walk with Christ. This isn’t about checking religious boxes or measuring ourselves by our “trellis” (the spiritual structures we build), but about nurturing the living connection with Jesus, the true Vine. The trellis supports the fruit, but the focus is always on the life that flows from Him.

To make this practical, consider when and where you’ll meet with Jesus, what environmental cues help you focus, and which spiritual practices (prayer, scripture, solitude, surrender, community, compassion, Sabbath) are most life-giving in this season. Generosity, too, is a trellis—moving from nothing to something, from something to repeated, from repeated to prioritized, from prioritized to surrendered, and from surrendered to visionary. Each of us is invited to discern where we are and what step Jesus is calling us to take, trusting that as we each listen and obey, God will provide all that is needed for His work among us.

Key Takeaways

1. Giving is an act of joyful obedience, not compulsion. True generosity flows from a heart led by Jesus, not from guilt or pressure. When we give as He directs, we experience freedom and joy, and our resources become a means for God’s purposes to flourish in and through us. [27:13]
2. Spiritual simplicity is found in daily, intentional presence with Jesus. Just as relationships thrive on focused, undistracted time, so our souls are nourished by a “daily 20”—twenty minutes of face-to-face connection with Christ. This practice is less about rigid routines and more about cultivating a living, responsive relationship with Him. [43:53]
3. The “trellis” of spiritual practices supports, but does not define, our spiritual life. Practices like prayer, scripture, and solitude are structures that help us abide in Jesus, the true Vine. The goal is not to measure ourselves by our routines, but to focus on the fruit that grows from our connection with Him. [46:19]
4. Generosity is a journey of discipleship, moving through stages from initial giving to visionary impact. Each stage—whether starting to give, giving consistently, prioritizing generosity, surrendering deeply, or leveraging influence—reflects a deeper surrender to Jesus’ leadership in our lives. The invitation is to discern where we are and take the next step He calls us to. [56:03]
5. Sabbath is both a weekly rhythm and a daily posture. Setting aside one day a week for rest and worship is foundational, but we’re also called to infuse the other six days with moments of spiritual renewal. The “daily 20” is a way to bring Sabbath’s rest and focus into everyday life, anchoring us in God’s presence and purpose. [54:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:36] - Introduction to Commitment Card
[27:13] - The Heart of Giving: Cheerful, Not Compelled
[28:30] - Jesus’ Teaching on Money and Leadership
[29:41] - Ask and Imagine Project Overview
[30:17] - Impact So Far: NextGen, Peru, Facilities
[31:33] - Volunteer Contributions and Facility Upgrades
[32:47] - Projects on Hold and Future Vision
[34:00] - Dreaming Beyond the Goal
[35:14] - The Importance of Financial Reserves
[36:28] - Understanding the Commitment Card
[39:37] - God’s Provision and Our Faith
[40:49] - Spiritual Simplicity: The Daily 20
[43:53] - The Power of Focused Presence
[46:19] - Building Your Spiritual Trellis
[49:55] - The Seven Practices of a Disciple
[54:07] - Sabbath and Daily Renewal
[56:03] - The Generosity Journey
[59:37] - Visionary Generosity and Next Steps
[60:53] - Preparing to Respond and Pray

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) — > Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) — > “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Mark 8:36 (ESV) — > For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 9:7, what kind of attitude does God desire when we give?
In Matthew 6:24, what does Jesus say about serving two masters, and what are those two “masters”?
The sermon described several ways the church has already seen impact from generosity (children’s ministry, Peru, church planting, facility upgrades, 25% growth). What are some specific examples mentioned? [[30:17]]
What is the “daily 20” and how is it described as different from just checking a religious box? [[43:53]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God cares so much about the attitude behind our giving, rather than just the amount? [[27:13]]
What does it look like in real life to let Jesus have “first place” over money or other priorities? [[28:30]]
The sermon talks about “spiritual simplicity” and the importance of a daily, undistracted time with Jesus. Why might this be more transformative than just following a routine? [[43:53]]
The “trellis” is described as a support for spiritual growth, not the focus. How can spiritual practices become a help rather than a burden? [[46:19]]

Application Questions

The “daily 20” is about spending twenty minutes of focused, face-to-face time with Jesus. What time of day and place would actually work best for you to do this? What environmental cue (like a chair, blanket, or candle) could help you make it a habit? [[47:35]]
When you think about your own giving—of time, talent, or treasure—where do you see yourself on the “generosity journey” described in the sermon (nothing to something, something to repeated, repeated to prioritized, prioritized to surrendered, surrendered to visionary)? What is one step you sense Jesus inviting you to take? [[56:03]]
The sermon says, “Giving is an act of joyful obedience, not compulsion.” Have you ever felt pressure or guilt around giving? What would it look like to give out of joy and freedom instead? [[27:13]]
Sabbath is described as both a weekly rhythm and a daily posture. How could you bring a sense of Sabbath rest and renewal into your everyday life, not just one day a week? [[54:07]]
The “trellis” of spiritual practices (prayer, scripture, solitude, surrender, community, compassion, Sabbath) is meant to support your connection to Jesus. Which one of these practices feels most life-giving to you right now? Which one do you want to try or return to? [[49:55]]
The church has seen real impact from people volunteering and giving—expanded ministry, facility improvements, church planting, and growth. Where have you seen your own contribution (big or small) make a difference, or where would you like to get involved? [[31:33]]
The sermon challenges us to listen for Jesus’ voice and respond as He leads, not out of obligation. What helps you discern when Jesus is prompting you to act, give, or serve? How can you make space to listen this week? [[40:14]]

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