Day 2: I Must Become Less

Jesus must become greater.
I must become less.
John 3:30 NIV

Preparing the heart

As we begin our time of prayer & fasting, let us allow the words of Psalm 139:23-24 to speak to you:

139:23 - Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
139:24 - See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Take time to pause right now.
Do not hurry.
Breathe slowly.
Let the words speak to you.

Did the Holy Spirit point out a sin in your life? Confess it now before the Lord. Hold on to the faithful words of 1Jn 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

—

Dear God, nais kong mamalas ka sa mga sandaling ito. I long for you. I need you. I desire to meet You! Tulungan mo ako na mag-focus sa Iyo lamang. Mangusap ka sa akin o God. Maging personal ka sa akin o Lord. Bless me oh Lord with Your powerful and sweet presence.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Time of reflection

Fasting is one of the ways of intentionally engaging in a discipline where the self decreases. In fasting, purposefully at intentionally tayong nagbabawas partially or totally ng pagkain. We do this to hear more from God, to make our spirit more in tune to the Holy Spirit. And in doing so, we grow and increase in our consciousness and discernment of Christ. Fasting therefore is a good “habit” to include in our lifestyle that will help in the increase of Jesus in us. 

Fasting teaches us that if we want Jesus to increase in our lives, it is a must that the self must decrease. Both are inseparable. To have more of Jesus, there must be less of ourselves. “I must become less.” Yung sarili;  the I, Me and Myself- must substantially diminish overtime, for Christ to grow in us. 

Sa ating buhay, nadadagdag dapat si Kristo habang nababawasan ang mga bagay na makapansarili. At hindi puedeng paghiwalayin ang dalawang bagay na ito. It is impossible for Christ to increase in us without the self becoming less. The truth is the self is the biggest obstacle for Christ to increase in us! Ibig sabihin nito, in the 4 areas or domains [the head, heart, hands and habits] where we want Jesus Christ to increase, yung sarili natin ang obstacle. Tayo mismo ang nagiging hindrance for Christ to increase in us!

Pause & reflect

Let us humbly look into our hearts for us to discover how our self is hindering the growth and formation of Jesus in us. Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ways your “self” has become the hindrance to the formation and growth of Jesus in your life. Don’t rush. Wait. And as God reveals, write them down.

For Jesus Christ to increase in us, the self has to give up fighting against the Spirit of God. We need to surrender. Ating pigilan ang ating sarili na ipilit ang sarili nating kagustuhan. The self has to give way to Jesus Christ.

Now through a prayer, surrender to God the ways your self has become a hindrance to Jesus growing and increasing in your life.

Pray

Lift up leaders of this nation. Ask God to intervene, for the Holy Spirit to convict the leaders in our government of the selfishness in their hearts and for them to surrender instead to God and His righteous ways.

Prayer of commitment

Dear Lord, tulungan mo ako na maisabuhay ang mga bagay na ni-reveal mo sa akin. Gawin mong katotohanan sa aking buhay ang mga bagay na aking natutunan. Empower me oh Lord, that Jesus in me may increase as I decrease.

Amen.