Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Ephesians 4:17-19 – Futility Of Their Thinking – Growing As Disciples
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)
Mind, Heart And Life
What have I done with your mind? How have I changed your thinking? You have transformed my mind. You have changed all my thoughts. How so? Your word has been like a scrub brush in my mind. At one time, I was darkened in my understanding. I was futile in my thinking. I was living a sensual and impure life that continually lusted for more and more that was not pleasing in your sight. I was living for my own comfort and pleasure. My life was separated from the life that you wanted me to live. But you rescued me. You saved me. You helped me to turn my life over to you. You forgave and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness and put your Holy Spirit in me. Yes, I did. Your Holy Spirit has given me a hunger and thirst for you and your word. It is my delight to sit in your presence to be taught by you. As I consider your word and meditate on it day and night you are washing my mind. All the old garbage that was on my mind and in my thoughts is being replaced by new thoughts that you have given me to think. I believe that I am thinking your thoughts. Yes, you do have a different mind.
What have I done with your heart? How have I changed your desires? As you are transforming my mind you are also changing my heart. I once had an ignorant and hard heart. I was self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-absorbed and just plain selfish. I didn’t think I wanted or needed anything from anyone. My life revolved around myself. I was the center of my own universe and my own god. No one could teach me anything. I thought that I knew it all. How about now? None of that is now true of me. I am relying on you and not on myself. I need all the help that I can get from whoever is kind enough to help me. I am living to serve you and others. I want to be used for your kingdom and your glory. I don’t want or need credit for whatever you want to do in and through my life. I am not my own. I am yours to use however you see fit. I welcome you to use me. I don’t know it all. It is my delight to sit at your feet to be taught by you. Yes, you do have a different heart.
What have I done with your life? How have I changed your future? In the past I had no hope. I was living just for all that this life had to offer. I had no meaning and purpose. I had no goals or plan. I was living a bruised, battered and broken life caused by my sin. I was being paid the wages of my sin, which is death. But, that all changed. With the transformed mind and the changed heart that you are giving to me comes new meaning and purpose. I do have a future and a hope. You are my future and my hope. Yes, I am. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You want me to serve you now and bear fruit for all eternity. Yes, I do. One day I will come to live with you forever in heaven. Yes, you will. You have made everything new for me. I have a new mind, heart, and life all because of what you have done, are doing and will do for me. Yes, you do.
Lord, my mind was darkened in understanding. I did think thoughts that were futile. I was ignorant. I did have a hard heart. I was living a life separated from you. You rescued me. You saved me. Thank you for transforming my mind and changing my heart. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Life – Ephesians 4-17-19 – Futility Of Their Thinking – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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