Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 1 – James 4:13-17 – You Ought To Say – Growing As Disciples
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17 (ESV)
I’m Listening
I have made so many mistakes. How so? I have raced through life. I have run from one thing to another. I have headed a thousand different directions. I have dabbled a little bit here and a little bit there. I have bounced from one priority to another. My life has lacked focus. I have lacked direction. I have misspent time. I have wasted resources. What has been the source of your lack of focus and misdirection? That is an easy answer. Really? I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. I have allowed myself to get caught up in the noise and busyness of life. My life has been a fast-paced blur and flurry of activity. My life has been a frantic attempt to go and do things that I thought would be of great value. How has that worked out for you? I have worn myself out. I have become weary. I have been unfruitful. That’s not good. No, it is not. Have you identified the only problem? No, I am not finished yet. Keep going, this is getting good. I have lived my life as a “know it all”. How so? I have thought that I could adequately guide and direct my own life. I have listened to my own counsel and followed my own advice. I have gone and done whatever seemed best to me. How has that worked out for you? I have learned that I need help. I am not wise. I am not all knowing. I don’t even know what the next day or even the next hour will bring. Do you want help? Are you willing to admit to me that you need help? Yes, I desperately need help. Yes, I want all the help you will give to me. I want to be fruitful in serving you. That is very good. What are you prepared to do so that you can hear from me and receive my guidance? I will slow down. I will stop. I will quiet myself before you. I will meet with you in your word. I will listen to all that you have say to me. When will you do this? I will set aside time every day to meet with you. That will be very good. What else will you do? I will put into practice whatever show me. I will go and do your will. How do you think this will work out for you? I will be able to know and do your will. You will lead me on a good path. I will be fruitful in serving you. Yes, you will. Thank you, Lord. Guide my life as I listen to you. You can rely on Me. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. That will be very good.
Here I am Lord. I have slowed down. I have withdrawn from the busyness of life. I have come to a complete stop. I have set aside this time to be with you. I want to hear from you. I want to walk through life with you. Help me to hear and follow your direction. Amen
Key Question… Why is it dangerous to live your life as a stubborn “know it all” who is unwilling to receive guidance?
Living It Out… Make it your consistent daily practice to quiet yourself before the Lord so you can listen to Him.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guide your life as you slow down and stop to listen to Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been guiding your life as you listen to Him.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you quiet yourself before the Lord so you can hear from Him.
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