The Seed In The Good Soil

Posted on October 13, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Word Centered Life – Day 18 – Luke 8-11-15 – The Seed In The Good Soil – Growing As Disciples

“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:11-15 (NASB)

Take Root

When will you make yourself available to meet with me in my word? I will set a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. I will make meeting with you in your word the priority of my life. Meeting with you in your word will be on my schedule. I will give you the best part of my day to meet with you in your word. How will my word take root in you? I will carry your word with me throughout the days of my life. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will keep your word in my heart and mind. Your word will guard the course of my life. How will you make sure that nothing thwarts the growth of my word in you? I will never let anyone or anything crowd you out of my life. What will you guard against? I will make sure that the worries and cares and pleasures and riches of this life do not divert my attention from you and your word. I will focus my heart and mind and life fully on you. What do you expect that my word will do in you, with you, for you and through you? Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will guard and guide through life. You will use your word to mold and shape my life. You will use your word to make me into the person you have called me to become. Your word will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Every thought I think will be formed by your word. Every step I take will be guided by your word. Every move I make will be directed by your word. I will live my life according to your word. That will be true as you allow my word to take root in you. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not let anything or anyone thwart the growth of your word in me. I will meet daily with you in your word. I will put your word into daily practice. Make my heart to be like rich soil so that your word will cause me to bear much fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… Why is it imperative that you set a daily time and place to meet with God in His word?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to dwell in you richly so that you will be able to bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word dwelling richly in you will make you able to bear fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to dwell richly in you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be receptive to the seed of God’s word growing in the good soil of your life.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Word Centered Life – Day 18 – Luke 8-11-15 – The Seed In The Good Soil – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Cast All Your Anxiety On Him Because He Cares For You

Posted on October 12, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 86 – 1 Peter 5-6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him Because He Cares For You – Growing As Disciples

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Problems

Problems. Whose got problems? I’m kidding of course. It is one of those terrible, no good days. I feel like I’m under attack. It was a day in which I was bruised and battered. I stood alone, or so it seemed. I know that you are with me. You will help me. You are for me. You are on my side. By that, I don’t mean that you have chosen sides and I am on the winning side. There were no winners today. In conflict, there are only losers. And I was a big loser, at least in my opinion. I have only one way to turn. I have only one thing to do. I will come to you. I will take refuge. In this storm, you are my refuge. I will take shelter in you. That is a very good decision.

Do you find it a little ironic that your verse for today so closely matches your experience? This was your verse, before your day even began, isn’t that true? Do you find that unusual? Do you find that a bit odd? Not at all. Why is that? You have gotten my attention. You are no doubt trying to teach me something. What am I trying to teach you? You want me to humble myself before you. You want me to learn to humbly rely on you. You want me to put all my faith and hope and trust in you. You want me to stop trying to solve all my problems by myself. You want me to ask you for your help. You want me to cast all my anxieties on you. Why would I want you to learn these things? You love and care for me. Yes, I love and care for you.

How would your life change if you did cast all your anxieties on me? I would have far less stress and anxiety. I would be happier and enjoy life much more as I did cast all my anxieties on you. I would be more joyful and be a brighter witness for you if I did cast all my anxieties on you. My life would bear more fruit for your kingdom and glory to your name if I did cast all my anxieties on you. Will you turn your life over to me? Will you humbly rely on me for my help? Yes, Heavenly Father, I will. That will be very good. Today’s lesson will be a very small price to pay if you truly do cast all your anxieties on me. I agree. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I have been proudly determined to solve all my own problems. I have been foolishly relying on myself. Forgive me. I will now bring all my problems and anxieties to you. I will rely on your help. Thank you that you love and care for me. Amen

Key Question… What problems and anxieties would you like to give to God right now?

Living It Out… Give your problems and anxieties to God so you can rely on Him for His help.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you with your problems and relieve you of anxiety when you bring them to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you with problems and relieved your anxieties.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly rely on your Heavenly Father to carry your burdens and relieve your anxieties.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 86 – 1 Peter 5-6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him Because He Cares For You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Humble And Gentle

Posted on October 11, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 -Ephesians 4-1-3 – Humble And Gentle – Growing As Disciples

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT)

My Calling

I want to live that out. I don’t want to fall short on that score. I don’t want to miss the mark on that goal. What do you want to live out? In what way do you not want to fall short? What goal do you want to be on target and sure to accomplish? I want to live out my calling. That is a very good desire. That is very good goal. You will be doing very well if you live out your calling. How can you be certain that you will never fail in living out your calling? First, I need to acknowledge who has called me. Then I need to understand the nature of my calling. You have my full attention. I am excited to hear what you have to say about your calling. It is you who has called me. You called me to come to you. You called me to leave my old life of sin. You called me to love and follow and serve you. You called me to live my life with and for you. You called me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You have called me to live a new and different life. It is your desire to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. You have a very good understanding of your calling. You have been teaching me. You have been training me. I have been listening to you. That is very good.

You have more to say on this subject. Yes, I do. Tell me how you will be certain to live out you calling? If I keep my heart and mind and life focused on you, I will never fail in living out my calling. If I allow you to change my heart and transform my mind as I continually draw near to you and live in your presence, I will never fail to live out my calling. Why is that? Well, to be clear, it is my calling to become like you. I want to think and speak and act like you. I want to live as you lived. I want to be humble as you were humble. I want to be gentle as you were gentle. I want to patient and loving, making allowances for other’s fault just as you have made allowances for all my faults. As I continue to draw near to you, I will become like you and then I will never fail to live out my calling. You are correct. In my presence you will be transformed. You will become like me. You will live out your calling. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I need all the help I can get. I want to fully live out my calling. I want to follow your example. I want to be humble and gentle and loving towards other. Help me to be patient, making allowance for other’s faults. Help me to live in peace with others. Amen

Key Question… What kind of behavior is worthy of your calling as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Make every effort to live out your calling by being humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be humble, gentle, and patient, allowing your love to make allowances for other’s faults.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

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I Will Turn Aside To See

Posted on October 10, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Sacramental Life – Day 336 – Exodus 3-2-4 – I Will Turn Aside To See – Growing As Disciples

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV)

Turn Aside

That does not come naturally to me. That is not something I am in the regular habit of doing. What does no come naturally to you? What are you not in the regular habit of doing? I do not naturally or regularly, set aside what I am doing, to turn aside to notice your activity in my life. More often than not, I am too busy. I am engaged in the activities of life. I am focused on the task at hand. I am preoccupied and distracted by what lies just before me. That is not good. Yes, I know.

What would you like to do differently? What changes will you make in your life so that you can hear from me? I will make hearing from you the priority of my life. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. I will be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. How will this be possible? What will assure that this will be true of your life? I will set aside a daily time and place where we can meet together. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will walk through life with you. I will allow you to develop within me the heart of a listener. That will be very good. What do you expect to hear and see from me? I expect that you will lead me to where you want me to go. I expect that you will give me what you want me to do. Beyond that, I can hardly predict what you might say to me. Your words will certainly guard me. Your words will certainly teach and train me. Living in an intimate relationship with you will certainly make me fruitful for your kingdom and make me able to bring glory to your name. So, I will be watching and listening with great expectation and anticipation. It will be my joy to turn aside to be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. I will listen to you. Be sure of this, I will certainly speak to you as you turn aside to listen to me. Thank you, Lord. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not be preoccupied and distracted. I will be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. I will turn aside to listen to you. You have my full attention. I will listen to you. Refocus and redirect my life. Lead to where to go. Give me what to do. Amen

Key Question… When are you taking time to turn aside from the activity of your life to listen to God?

Living It Out… Make it your regular pattern and practice to turn aside to listen to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will speak to you as you turn aside to listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are turning aside to listen to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn aside to be watchful and attentive to God’s activity in your life.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Sacramental Life – Day 336 – Exodus 3-2-4 – I Will Turn Aside To See – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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I Am The Bread Of Life

Posted on October 9, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Sacramental Life – Day 335 – John 6-35-40 – I Am The Bread Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:35-40 (NIV)

Hunger And Thirst For You

That is what I had within me. What did you have within you? I had a hunger and thirst within me. Tell me about that. I wanted something more. I wanted something else. I wanted something far different. I felt empty without hope in the world. I felt lost without any sense of purpose. There was this indescribable void within me that I could not identify. I know a few things for certain. What’s that? I was not happy. I lacked direction. I was making stupid mistakes. I was living a sinful life that brought me pain and suffering. I felt bruised and battered and broken. I was discouraged, defeated, and depressed. What happened to you? As if, you don’t know. I do know, but it is good for you to express what drew you to me. Well, I had enough of my old life. I was ready to give up on being self-reliant, self-indulgent, and self-centered. So, I cried out to you. I asked for your help. I asked you to come into my life. I told you that I would leave my sinful life in the world to live the new life you wanted to give to me. I had no idea what that meant. But somehow, I knew that I wanted you. Somehow, I knew that the hunger and thirst in me was for you. Somehow, I knew that only you could fill the void of emptiness that was within me. On that day, when I cried out to you, you became my Savior and Lord. On that day, when I cried out to you, you forgave my sin and cleansed my unrighteousness. On that day, when I cried out to you, you filled me with your Spirit and gave me a completely new life to live with and for you. So, would you say that I have fed your hunger and satisfied your thirst? Yes, I would. But there is something else I know. What’s that? I have a continual hunger and thirst for you that you keep on satisfying as I live out the life of salvation you have secured for me. My hunger and thirst for you and your feeding and satisfying me are both great gifts from you. Yes, they are. Keep on coming to me and I will keep on feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I do believe and have come to you. You are my Savior and Lord. My eyes are intensely focused on you. Help me to live my life with and for you. Feed my hunger and satisfy my thirst for you. Help me to live the life of salvation you have secured for me. Amen

Key Question… How has Christ been feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst as you live your life with and for Him?

Living It Out… Keeping on coming to Christ, living your life with and for Him, so He can feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst as you come to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to Jesus Christ, the bread of life, and allow Him to feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Sacramental Life – Day 335 – John 6-35-40 – I Am The Bread Of Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation

Posted on October 8, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 83 – Mark 14-38 – Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation – Growing As Disciples

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NIV)

Watch And Pray

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will watch and pray. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will be vigilant. I will remain on guard. Why is this important? This is a sin broken world filled with temptations seemingly at almost every corner. Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. Temptations come in a variety of forms. Name a few temptations that you find most dangerous. There is the temptation to be proud. It is easy to think of oneself more highly than one ought. Out of pride flows a multitude of deadly temptations. Like what? There is the temptation to be seif-reliant and self-sufficient. There is the temptation to be self-satisfied, self-indulgent, and self-centered. That is the nature of pride, it makes one the center of their own universe. Everything revolves around a prideful person. A prideful person is so focused on themselves that they have no defense against temptation. Why is that? A humble person knows their limits. A humble person dares not foolishly rely on their own power and strength to resist temptation. They know that such an effort will certainly fail. What then will you do to resist temptation? I will submit myself to you. I will draw near to you. I will humbly rely on your power and strength. I will keep my eyes on you. You will help me to resist temptation. You will help me to fight against evil. What else will you do to resist temptation? I will steer clear of temptation when I see it approaching. I will flee temptation as it comes near me. I will run away from temptation as I run to you. You sound urgent, why is that so important? Nothing is more foolish than to hang out and linger around temptation. Temptation is alluring. Temptation is enticing. Temptation is powerful. I will not allow myself to remain in tempting situations. I will not allow anything to feed temptation in me. In every way I watch and pray so that I will not enter into temptation. That is very good. Rely on me, I will watch over you. I will guard you. I will protect you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will draw near to you. I will remain in your presence. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. Help me to be prayerfully watchful so that I will not fall into temptation. Help me to quickly exit tempting situations when I see them approaching me. Amen

Key Question… How is being prayerfully watchful helping you to keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord?

Living It Out… Draw near to the Lord and be prayerfully watchful with Him so you do not fall into temptation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prayerfully watchful as you draw near to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how drawing near to the Lord has helped you to be prayerfully watchful.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you watch and pray so you do not fall into temptation.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 83 – Mark 14-38 – Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Stored Up In His Heart

Posted on October 7, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 209 – Luke 6-43-45 – Stored Up In His Heart – Growing As Disciples

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)

Storing Up Treasure

How do I do that? What does that mean? What are you asking me? How do I store up treasure in my heart? Oh, I am quite certain that you can answer that question. Are you sure? Quite sure. I will help you out. I will ask you questions that will point you in the right direction. I will ask you questions that will help you to formulate your answer. What do you treasure? What treasure could possibly be stored in your heart? What treasure in your heart will change the way that you think and speak and act? What treasure will mold and shape your life? What treasure will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? What treasure will guard and guide the course of your life? What treasure will last for all eternity? Now, I am understanding. Now, I have some clarity. I treasure your word. I treasure your promises. If I take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life I will be changed. Your word, doing its work in me, will mold and shape my life. Your word, dwelling in me richly, will change my heart and transform mind. Your word will change the way I think and speak and act. Your word will mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. You word will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Your word will guard and guide the course of my life. All that I now see, all that I can now touch, will one day pass away. Your word will never pass away. Your world will last for all eternity. There is only one thing worthy of being stored in my heart. Your word is like hidden treasure, more valuable than silver or gold, and is worthy to be stored in my heart. That I will do. That will be very good. Then the goodness of my word, stored in your heart, will come out in your life. What is hidden in your heart cannot stay there. The goodness of my word will overflow and spill out of your life. Then you will be powerfully used by me. Then you will be a bright witness for me in the world. Then the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life will be fully pleasing to me. This is my desire and hope and prayer. I will store up your word within me. That will be very good.

Lord, I will store up good things in my heart. I will store the promises of your word in my heart. Help my life to bear good fruit for you. Help my life to bring out the good that has been stored in it. Use my life to bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you storing good things in your heart?

Living It Out… Store up good things in your heart so that they will be able to be brought of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be able to bring forth the good things that have been stored in your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up good things in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you bring out good things that have been stored in your heart.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here

The Virtuous Life – Day 209 – Luke 6-43-45 – Stored Up In His Heart – 10-6-2021 – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Use Whatever Gift

Posted on October 6, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Compassionate Life – Day 267 – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Use Whatever Gift – Growing As Disciples

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

Powerfully Used By Me

Have I richly blessed your life? Have I given you many gifts and talents and abilities and resources? Yes, you have richly blessed my life far beyond what I could have hoped for, dreamed of, or even imagined. For all that you have given to me I am thankful and grateful. You have lovingly and lavishly poured out your kindness and mercy and love upon me. It is good that you are fully aware of how I have richly blessed your life. It is even better, and very good, that you are exceedingly grateful and thankful for how I have lovingly and lavishly poured out my kindness and mercy and love upon you. Now, there is something still yet better. What could that be? Let me ask you a question. I’m listening attentively to you. Have I richly blessed you with gifts and talents and abilities and resources solely for your own benefit? That is a very easy question to which I would say, certainly not. Why is that? It would not be pleasing to you if I were to tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. What do I want you to do with all the gifts and talents and resources and abilities I have given to you? You want me to share them with others. You want me to lovingly, and lavishly, serve others with all that you have given to me. You want others to know that they are experiencing the grace of God by how you are working in and through me. You want others to see your light and life shining and living out through my life. You want me to be your hands and feet. You want me to think and speak and act like you. You want others to be drawn to you through my life. You want me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name as I serve others with all that you have given to me. Yes, I do. What do you want? I want to live to please you. I want to know and do your will. I want to someday hear you say that I did I good job loving and serving you and others. I want to know that I have been powerfully used by you in this life that you have given to me. That is very good and so you shall know that you have been powerfully used by me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know that my time on this earth is short. Someday soon, I will be with you in heaven. I would like to give a good report. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Help me to lovingly and lavishly use all my gifts to serve others. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never regret using all the gifts God has given you, to serve others?

Living It Out… Use all the gifts God has given to you, to serve others, so that you can bear fruit and bring glory to His name.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has given you gifts with which you can lovingly and lavishly serve others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your gifts to lavishly serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use all the gifts the Lord has given you, to serve others.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here

The Compassionate Life – Day 267 – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Use Whatever Gift – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Given You An Example

Posted on October 5, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 210 – John 13-12-17 – Given You An Example – Growing As Disciples

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:12-17 (NLT)

My Example

I have given you an example to follow. What will you do? How will you respond? What course of action will you take? I want to know and do your will. Is my will a mystery to you? Have I hidden my desire for you? Must you be very wise to understand what my will is for you? No, your will is not a mystery. No, your desire for me is clear. I don’t need to be wise to know your will. However, my doing what you desire and living out your will does require wisdom. Is that all that doing my will requires of you? No, doing your will require many things from me. Like what? My doing your will requires faith. I must believe that you love and care for me and that you have a purpose and plan for my life. My doing your will requires humility. I must not be proud and think that I have a better, more perfect, way of thinking, and speaking, and acting. My doing your will requires obedience. It would do me no good to simply know your will but to fail to do your will. That would be foolish. Yes, it would be foolish. I have more to say about doing your will. I’m listening. Doing your will require strength and endurance. It may not always be easy to do your will. It will require strength and endurance for me to keep on doing your will. What will be the source of your strength and endurance to do my will? That is the best part, you will help me to do your will. You will give me all that I need to do your will. You will keep on helping me to do your will as I keep on relying on you. Yes, I will.

We have gone a little bit ahead of ourselves in our conversation. What do you mean? You haven’t told me what you understand my will is for your life. It is so obvious; it didn’t get stated. State it now, for me. It is your desire that I follow your example. You have given me an example to follow. You want me to become like you in all I think and say and do. You want me to live the kind of life you lived. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to give like you gave. You want me to serve like you served. Is that it? I am sure that there is much more. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to live a life of prayer. You want me to hear your voice. You want me to receive your guidance and follow your instruction. Day by day, you want to guide the course of my life. Yes, I do.

What will happen to you as you follow my example? God, my Heavenly Father, will bless my life. His favor will be with me. His hand will be on me. I will live the life that I have been called to live. Yes, that is true. Will you follow my example? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for giving me numerous examples to follow. I will humbly serve others. I will sacrificially give away my time and talent and resources. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. I will gladly follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… How is it the priority of your life to follow Christ’s example in your thinking, speaking, and acting?

Living It Out… Follow the examples Christ has given to you so God will be able to bless your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be blessed as you follow the examples Christ has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are following the examples Christ has given to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example of serving others.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here

The Virtuous Life – Day 210 – John 13-12-17 – Given You An Example – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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The Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing

Posted on October 4, 2021 by growingasadisciple

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Meditation

That is what I will do. That will change my heart. That will transform my mind. That will help me to know and do your will. That will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. What will do all these things in, for, and through you? Meditating on your word will do all these things in, for and through me. Tell me more about what you have in your heart and on your mind. If I take your word deeply into my heart and mind, I will not be left unchanged. Your word is living and active. Your word is powerful. If I meet with you in your word, you will use it to mold and shape my life. Your Holy Spirit will take it and use it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word will help me to resist temptation and fight against evil. Yes, my word will do all these things in, for, and through you.

I do have more to say. I’m listening. I know that this world would like me to think, and speak, and act according to it’s patterns and practices. If I do nothing, my mind will conform to the world. I will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. Why is this true? My mind is a battle ground. What will I think? Will I think worldly and sinful thoughts that are displeasing to you or will I think heavenly and godly thoughts that are pleasing to you? I really have only two choices. That is correct. I have made my choice; I will think heavenly and godly thoughts that are pleasing to you. Making that choice alone will not be enough, however. Why is that? It is your word, working powerfully in my heart and mind that will change my heart and transform my mind. So, I have also made the choice to meet with you daily in your word. That is when and where and how, you will help me to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Yes, it is. Keep on coming to me. Keep on drawing near to me. Keep on meeting with me in my word. I will make you able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know the world would like me to think, speak, and act according to its patterns, and practices. Which would not be pleasing to you. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so I can think, speak, and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… What specifically from God’s word has helped you to think, speak, and act in ways that please Him?

Living It Out… Allow your heart to be changed and your mind transformed by God’s word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to help you to think, speak, and act in ways that please Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to think and speak in ways that please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the meditation of your heart and the words of your mouth be pleasing to the Lord.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 82 – Psalm 19-14 – The Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guides To Help You Grow As A Follower Of Christ

Monthly Archives: October 2021

The Seed In The Good Soil

Take Root

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Cast All Your Anxiety On Him Because He Cares For You

Problems

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Humble And Gentle

My Calling

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I Will Turn Aside To See

Turn Aside

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I Am The Bread Of Life

Hunger And Thirst For You

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Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation

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Stored Up In His Heart

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Use Whatever Gift

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Given You An Example

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The Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing

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My Calling

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Turn Aside

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Hunger And Thirst For You

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Powerfully Used By Me

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