Faithfulness Of The Lord

Posted on April 20, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. Psalm 117:1-2 (NIV)

Thanks And Praise

That is on my heart, in my mind and on my lips. What’s on your heart, in your mind and on your lips? With all that is in me, I want to give you thanks and praise for all your faithfulness to me. I am so filled with thankfulness that I cannot contain myself. You have showered me with your love. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. You have shown me your kindness and mercy. You have allowed me to come to know you. You have guarded, guided and blessed my life with your promises. You have held on to me as I have held on to you. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. I can and will rely on you for all that I need. You hear and answer my prayers. You sustain and strengthen me. You revive and refresh me. You are my fortress and strength. You are my shelter in every storm. For all these things and many more, I give you all my thanks and praise. That is very good.

Is there something you want? Do you have a request that is on your heart and in your mind? What do you want to make known to me? You know me. You know my words before they come out of my mouth. Yes, I do. That is why I know that you want something from me. Make your request. Say it out loud. I want to know you more intimately. I want to love you more passionately. I want to walk with you more closely. I want to be used by you more powerfully. I want to serve you more boldly. I want to hold on to your promises more tightly. I want to live the life you have called me to live more fully. I want to bear more fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring more glory to your name. I want to shine more brightly as your witness in the world. You want what I want? Yes, I want what you want. Do you have any doubts about my hearing and answering these requests of yours? None, at all. That is very good. I will use you according to my purposes. I will fulfill my plans in and through you. You will live the life I have called you to live. Thank you, Lord. You have all my thanks and praise. That is very good.

Lord, I give you all my thanks and praise for your truthfulness and faithfulness. Your word is true. Your word is everlasting. Your word is reliable. I know that I can count on to you and your word. I will hold on to you and your word as I walk through life with you. Amen

Key Question… When have you clearly discovered the fruitlessness of going and doing what was not God’s will?

Living It Out… Make it your pattern and practice to seek God’s guidance on a daily basis.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will guide the course of your life as you seek and follow His guidance.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking God’s guidance on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what is the Lord’s will.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 51 – Psalm 17-1-2 – Faithfulness Of The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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The Lord’s Will

Posted on April 19, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 52 – James 4:13-17 – The Lord’s Will – Growing As Disciples

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:13-17 (NIV)

If

That is a critical word. What is a critical word? “If”, is a critical word. How is, “if”, a critical word? You know the answer to that question. You have no need for me to explain anything to you. Yes, that is true. Nevertheless, I would like you to tell me how the word, “if”, is critically important to you. I want to do your will. I have no desire to do something that is not your will. I have plenty of experience going and doing what has not been your will. I don’t like to sit around. I don’t want to waste time. I have this desire to keep busy. It is hard for me to sit still. All of these factors have combined in a way that has not been helpful to me. How so? Far too often I have hastefully launched off on a misguided course of action. I have not stopped to ask “if” something was your will. I have not said to myself that I will do this only “if” it is your will. Instead, I have gone and done what seemed right to me. Sometimes, I have gone and done something simply because I would be able to earn money and acquire materials possessions. I have not taken the time necessary to receive your instruction or follow your guidance. That is not good. Yes, I know.

What would you like to do differently? I would like to come and sit still before you. I would like to live in an intimate relationship with you. I would like to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to come to know you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want you to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans for my life. Those are all very good desires. Do you believe that I will show you what is my will? Do you believe that I will guard and guide your life? Do you believe that I will work in and through you? Yes, I do, without a doubt. Then come and sit still before me. Listen carefully to me. Yes, I will. Then I will only do something “if” it is your will. That will be very good.

Lord, I can’t tell you how many times I have foolishly followed my own guidance. I have pursued money and material possessions. I have wasted time and energy and resources. No more of that for me. Daily, I will seek your guidance. I will go and do your will. Amen

Key Question… When have you clearly discovered the fruitlessness of going and doing what was not God’s will?

Living It Out… Make it your pattern and practice to seek God’s guidance on a daily basis.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will guide the course of your life as you seek and follow His guidance.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking God’s guidance on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what is the Lord’s will.

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

Day 52 – Becoming Like Christ – James 4-13-17 – The Lord’s Will – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Our Citizenship

Posted on April 18, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 53 – Philippians 3:20-21 – Our Citizenship – Growing As Disciples

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Eagerly Await

That is what is on my heart and mind. What is on your heart and mind? Eagerly awaiting you, as my Savior from heaven, is on my heart and mind. Tell me more about that. Everything has changed about me since I have come to more fully realize that my true home is in heaven with you. I am just passing through this life. This life is not all that there is. This life is like a mirage. This life will quickly pass away. It is foolish to live for the things of this life. It is a tragic mistake to allow my heart and mind and life to be focused on this earth. You have given me an eternal focus. You are helping me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. You are giving me new thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. How so? I no longer am working for what will quickly pass away. That is not my chief endeavor. That is not my primary job. I will no longer be trying to store up treasure in heaven. What will you do instead? I will store up treasure in heaven with you. How will you store up treasure in heaven with me? I will listen to your instructions. I will follow your guidance. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I will be storing up treasure in heaven as I keep on going and doing your will. That is true.

How are you comforted and encouraged and inspired as you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me and your life forever in heaven? As I focus my heart and mind and life on you, I know that I am being changed. Day by day, moment by moment you are changing me. You are helping me to live the life you have called me to live. You are making me able to be the person you have planned me to be. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I am. However, what is also really exciting is that all the changes you are doing in me now will not compare with how I will be changed when I come to live forever in heaven with you. You will transform my lowly body into a glorious body, just like yours. That is comforting. That is encouraging. That is inspiring. Yes, it is. I will keep on passionately loving and following and serving you with all that is within me. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that my true home is in heaven with you. I am just passing through this life. I eagerly await the day when I will come to live forever in heaven with you. In the meantime, help me to passionately live my life as a bold witness for you in this world. Amen

Key Question… Why is it a tragic mistake to allow your heart and mind and life focused on the things of this life?

Living It Out… Be comforted and encouraged because you know that your true citizenship is in heaven with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your true citizenship is in heaven with Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are focusing your heart and mind and eyes on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be comforted and encouraged by knowing that your citizenship is in heaven.

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

Day 53 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 3-20-21 – Our Citizenship – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Proved Genuine

Posted on April 17, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 55 – 1 Peter 1:6-7 – Proved Genuine- Growing As Disciples

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

Trials

It seems like I have just left a trial, or I am just about to enter one. Why is that? You are asking me why there are so many trials in life? Do you think I know the answer to that question? That is a question, I would like to ask you. I asked you first and yes, I know that you know the answer to your own question. Well, this is a sin broken world that I live in. Sin has corrupted everything about this life. Sin has brought trials of every kind into this world. That’s correct. This world now functions in ways that are not according to your plan. This world is deeply under the influence of evil. Nothing about this world has been left untouched by sin and evil and darkness. That is also correct.

Am I unable to redeem and use trials to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? Is all lost? Is there no hope? Can nothing good come from the trials of this life? Certainly not. You can and do redeem and use trials to accomplish your purpose and fulfill your plans. There is much hope. Much good can come out of trials. Tell me about that. I can think of two great goods that can come out of trials. I’m listening. First, trials draw me closer to you. Trials cause me to cry out to you. If someone were to ask me when I have felt closest to you, I would tell them that I have felt closest to you in the midst of trials. You have not left me alone in the midst of my trials. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. You have shown me your kindness, mercy and love in the midst of my trials. You have helped me in my trials. You have sustained and strengthened me in trials. You have refreshed and revived me in trials. You have picked me up and carried me through trials. Most importantly, you have tested, refined, purified and proved my faith in you through trials. Yes, I have done all these things in, and for you in the midst of trials.

But that is not all you have done for me in the midst of my trials. There is more? There is much more. Tell me what more I have done for you in trials. You have taken my heart and mind and eyes off of this life. The pain of this life has caused me to ache for the life to come, forever in heaven with you. You have shown me that this is not all there is to life. This pain filled life is temporary and will very quickly pass away. My life, with you, in heaven will last forever. That is my future. That is my hope. That is my cause for great joy. One day I will come to live forever in heaven, with you. That will be very good. I look forward to that day. That day carries me through the trials of this life. That is very good.

Lord, you went through trials. There is no surprise that I will also go through trials. Test, refine, prove and grow my faith in you as I go through trials in life. Help me to keep my heart, mind and eyes firmly focused on you as I am in the midst of various trials. Amen

Key Question… When have you known that a trial was testing and proving the genuineness of your faith?

Living It Out… Endure trials with the knowledge that they will prove the genuineness of your faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that trials will help prove the genuineness of your faith.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how trials have helped prove the genuineness of your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you endure trials because you know that they will prove the genuineness of your faith.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 55 – 1 Peter 1-6-7 – Proved Genuine. – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide.pdf

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Endure Hardship

Posted on April 16, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 56 – 2 Timothy 2:3-7 – Endure Hardship – Growing As Disciples

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV)

Reflect

That is exactly what I will do. What will you do? I will reflect on what you are saying to me. I will take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. I will let your word guard and guide me. I will allow your word to teach and train me. I want your word to continually be on my heart, in my mind and on my lips. I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I want to think and speak and act according to your word. That will be very good.

What is my word saying to you? You want me to be fully devoted to loving, following and serving you. I am like a soldier in the military. You want me to be prepared and ready for the battles of life. You want me to follow and obey your commands. You want me to put into practice what you have been teaching to know and training me to do. Yes, I do. You don’t want me to allow my life to become entangled in civil affairs. Why is that? You want me to be focused and ready to go and do your will. That’s true. I am also like an athlete. How so? You want me to run the race that you have set before me. You want all aspects of my life to contribute to my running well. What will that require of you? I must enter into your training. I must put into practice everything you have taught me. I must keep on moving forward with you. My heart and mind and life must remain focused on you so that I will be able to run well and finish strong. That is also true. I am also like a hardworking farmer. How so? I will be planting seeds. I will do doing what is necessary to bear an abundance of fruit for you and your kingdom. I will be working in your field so that I can help bear a rich harvest for you. As I bear fruit for you, I will be storing up treasures in heaven. Yes, you will. Be a like soldier and an athlete and a hardworking farmer for me. Yes Lord, I will. It will be my joy and pleasure to love, follow and serve you in these ways. That will be very good.

Lord, I will endure hardship as your good soldier. I will follow whatever commands you give to me. I am living my life to please you. I want to go wherever you guide me to do whatever you ask of me. I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… How are you, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, avoiding being entangled in civilian affairs?

Living It Out… Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to endure hardship.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have endured hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 56 – 2 Timothy 2-3-7 – Endure Hardship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Find Rest

Posted on April 15, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 58 – Psalm 62:5-8 – Find Rest – Growing As Disciples

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

Sitting Down

I have a hard time doing that. You have a hard time doing what? I have a hard time sitting down. I like to be on the go. I want to be on the move. I want to go places and accomplish things. I want my life to account for something meaningful. I want to be productive. I want my life to have counted for something important. How does what you are saying sound to you? What I am saying sounds a bit off. Something about what I am saying doesn’t sound quite right. Can you identify what sounds a bit off and isn’t quite right? I’m not sure, maybe. I will try. Good. Let me hear your thoughts. There are a lot of “I” statements. Life doesn’t revolve around me. Not once did I ask what you might want. No, you did not. That is a huge problem. Yes, it is. What else can you identify as being problematic? I will never automatically know what you want me to do. Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Your ways are not my ways. Your thoughts and ways are so much higher and far beyond me. Without seeking your guidance and following instructions I am likely to be busy doing what is not your will. Being on the go and constantly moving from one thing to another will no doubt make it so I cannot hear your voice. Why is that? I won’t be listening. I will be chasing after the next great idea and fruitless project. Yes, you will.

What do you think I want you to do? I think that you want me to come to sit down in your presence. Why is that? You want me to come to know you. You want me to be changed. In your presence you will change my heart. In your presence you will transform my mind. You will give me your thoughts to think and words to speak. You will help me to know and do your will. You will make me able to do what is pleasing in your sight. In your presence you will revive, refresh and restore my life. You will be my fortress and strength. You will be my refuge in every storm. Finally, you will make it so I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. This is all true. So, what will you do? I would like to hear you say it one more time. I will make it my daily pattern and practice to come to sit down in your presence. I will be still before you. I will listen carefully to you. I will trust you. I will rely on you. I will allow you to work in and through my life for your glory. That will be very good. I wholeheartedly agree.

Lord, I will draw near to you, I will come into your presence. I will sit in silence and solitude before you. Speak to me so I can hear you. Guard and guide my life as I pour my heart out before you. You are my rock and salvation. I will place all my trust in you. Amen

Key Question… How have you found rest and refreshment and renewal in the Lord as you have sat in His presence?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern and practice to sit in silence and solitude before the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you rest, refreshment and renewal as you sit in silence before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are placing all your trust in the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be still before The Lord so you can find rest in Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 58 – Psalm 62-5-8 – Find Rest – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Perfect And Constant Peace

Posted on April 14, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 60 – Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect And Constant Peace – Growing As Disciples

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

Battleground

My mind has been like a battleground. How so? I have been bombarded with troubling thoughts from every corner of life. Like what? You know my thoughts. Yes, I do know your thoughts. I know your thoughts even before you think them. Then why are you asking me about the thoughts that I have been thinking? I would like to talk to you about your thoughts. Why is that? You tell me. Why is what you allow your mind to think so important? Everything that I will say or do throughout life will start off as a thought in my mind. That is true.

You said something interesting. You have gotten my attention. How so? You asked me about what I allow myself to think. Yes, I did. Do I have a choice about what I think? Can I control what I allow myself to think? Can I welcome or reject thoughts from coming into my heart and mind? What do you think? Every so often, I will have a dark and depressing thought come into my mind that I would rather reject than welcome, I can tell you that for sure. Sometimes, I have found it difficult to kick discouraging thoughts out of my mind. I have had very little success telling myself that I would not think certain thoughts anymore. I once heard someone say, “Whatever you resist, will persist”. That certainly seems to be the case with the thoughts of my mind. That’s troubling. Yes, it is.

Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. When you hear something unpleasant or unedifying on the television or radio what do you do? I change the channel. Do the unpleasant thoughts keep coming from the television or radio? No, they don’t. That’s because you switched the channel. You didn’t keep listening. You didn’t attempt to resist. That’s true. You can do something quite similar with your mind. How so? You tell me. I can take my thoughts off of one thing and place them on another. Yes, you can.

What would you like to place your thoughts on? I would like to place my thoughts on your word. I would like to place my thoughts on you. I would like to place my thoughts on your plan for my life. I would like to place my thoughts on living a life that is pleasing to you. I would like to place my thoughts on the future I have forever in heaven with you. Keep your thoughts on me and these things and you will live in my peace. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that my mind has been a battle ground. I have been bombarded with troubling thoughts form every corner of life. I have lived far outside your peace. Help me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I want to live fully in your peace. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you peace beyond your comprehension in very difficult circumstances?

Living It Out… Keep your thoughts on the Lord so you will be able to live in His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live in His peace as you keep your thoughts on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what has helped you to keep your thoughts on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your mind on the Lord so you can live in His peace.

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

Day 60 – Becoming Like Christ – Isaiah 26-3 – Perfect And Constant Peace – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Being Watchful

Posted on April 13, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 61 – Colossians 4:2-6 – Being Watchful – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

Every Opportunity

I want to see and take every opportunity that you give me to serve you. I want to walk through doors of opportunity that you will open so that I can faithfully do the work you will give me to do for you. I want to be able to boldly proclaim the good news of the Gospel to those who do not know you. I want to live wisely before others so that my life will serve as a vibrant witness for you in this dark world. Give me your words so that I will speak life giving grace filled words that will draw others to you. Let all my words be seasoned with salt so that I can add your flavor to everyone in the world around me. You have very good desires in your heart and mind. You want what I want. I am sure that these desires that are in my heart have come from you. Yes, these desires that you have expressed do come from me.

How will the desires that you have in your heart be fulfilled? That is a question that I would like to ask you. Well, that is a question I have asked you. If you have asked me a question you must want me to think about the answer or maybe I already know the answer. That’s right. I will do both. That’s good. Then tell me your answer. I will.

The desires that you have placed in my heart will be fulfilled as I remain watchful and thankful in prayer. As I pray, you will show me what you want me to see. You will show me doors of opportunity to serve you. Yes, I will. As I pray, you will help me to be a bold and fruitful witness for you in the world. Yes, I will. As, I pray, you will give me grace filled words to speak that you draw others to you, Yes, I will. As I pray, you will help me to live and speak a life seasoned with salt that will spread the flavor of you everywhere. Yes, I will. Will you continue to be watchful and thankful in prayer? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will be watchful and thankful in prayer. As I pray, help me to take every opportunity to serve you. Guide my prayers so I and others will have doors of opportunity to boldly serve you. Help me to live wisely so I will speak grace filled words to outsiders. Amen

Key Question… How has being watchful and thankful in prayer allowed you to see opportunities to serve the Lord?

Living It Out… Be watchful and thankful in prayer so that you will see and take every opportunity to serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you opportunities to serve Him as you remain watchful and thankful in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you have seen as you have remained watchful in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be watchful and thankful in prayer so you will use every opportunity God gives you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 61 – Colossians 4-2-6 – Being Watchful – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Like Minded

Posted on April 12, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 62 – Philippians 2:1-4 – Like Minded – Growing As Disciples

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)

Attitude

I know that’s vitally important. What’s vitally important? The attitude that I have is vitally important. How so? My attitude will determine my perspective in life. Give me some examples. I could have a self-centered attitude. I could live as if the world revolved around me. With this attitude, I might come to expect that others would cater to my whims and meet my every need. I would live to be served. This would be a pathetic attitude to hold. Yes, it would be pathetic. Name another undesirable attitude. I could have a self-sufficient attitude. I could think that I don’t want or need help from anyone. With this attitude, I might live an isolated life that is quite distant from others. I would certainly not ask for or receive any help or wise counsel from anyone. I would likely make huge mistakes and take many gigantic missteps as a result of relying solely on myself. This would be a dangerous attitude to hold. Yes, it would be dangerous. Name another undesirable attitude. I could have a self-righteous attitude. I could think that I could do no wrong. I would never be at fault. I would never be in the wrong. Never would I say I was sorry, nor would I ever ask for forgiveness. This might be the most dangerous negative attitude of all. Why is that? With this attitude, I might never admit my sin to you. I might never ask for your forgiveness. With this attitude, it would be unlikely that I would ever welcome you into my life as my Savior and Lord. That would be a dangerous mistake that would offer tragic consequences both now and forever. Yes, it would.

None of these attitudes are yours. No, they are not. What attitude is yours? I want to humbly love and follow and serve you. I want to become like you. I want to follow your example. I want to think like you thought. I want to speak like you spoke. I want to act like you acted. I want to count others as better than myself. I want to take on the form of a servant. I want my life to be filled with love and tenderness and compassion towards others. I want to love others just as you have loved me. Instead of just looking to my own interests, I want to look out for the interests of others. To sum it all up, I want to live a life that is good and right and true and pleasing to you. That is the attitude that I want you to help me to maintain as I live my life with and for you. That will be very good. I will help you to have this attitude in you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I welcome you to completely change my life. Give me new thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to become like you. Help me to love, follow and serve you with all my heart and mind. Amen

Key Question… How does your new life in Christ look different than your old life in the world?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to change everything about you as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Christ will help you to live a completely new life in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your values have changed as you have followed Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to change everything about you as you love, follow and serve Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 62 – Philippians 2-1-4 – Like Minded – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Overcome Evil With Good

Posted on April 11, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 63 – Romans 12:19-21 – Overcome Evil With Good – Growing As Disciples

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

Revenge

That is such a bad idea. What is such a bad idea? It is a bad idea to take revenge. Why is that? It is one thing to be hurt and mistreated by an enemy. That is bad enough. That is evil. That is obviously no fun at all. No, it’s not. What is worse is to let evil overcome me. How so? If I think of elaborate ways to seek revenge or actually take revenge that is simply allowing myself to be overcome by evil. Why is that? Allowing my heart and mind and life to be focused on repaying evil with evil is not your will. You do not want my life to be focused on something so unhelpful and unproductive. Why is that? If I have a revengeful heart and mind and life, I will never be a witness for you in the world. I will never be able to bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. Getting caught up in revenge is just one more trick and trap of the devil to thwart the work that you want to do in me. Yes, it is.

I will tell you something that is far sweeter and more gratifying than taking revenge on an enemy. What’s that? Being kind to an enemy is far sweeter than taking any kind of revenge. How so? Nothing is more fun and joyful than to see a former enemy become a friend. By friend, I mean not only my friend, buy your friend. You want the kindness with which I treat enemies to draw them to you. I will never be a brighter witness for you than when I treat enemies with your love and kindness. That’s true. No one, except your followers, does that. The world expects every wrong to repaid with some form of revenge, whether it be small mistreatments or large unkind acts. So, loving my enemies with your love is one way I will be your witness in the world. It will be my regular pattern and practice to love my enemies with your love. I will pray and believe that one day they will become my and your friend. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been hurt and mistreated by enemies. I must confess that I have allowed myself to become overcome by evil by thinking of elaborate ways to seek revenge. Forgive me. Now, I will do good to every former enemy. Turn them into to my good friends. Amen

Key Question… When have you gone out of your way to do something nice for an enemy?

Living It Out… Make it your regular pattern and practice to express kindness to enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you as His witness in the world as you express kindness to enemies.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to express kindness to an enemy.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not be overcome by evil, rather overcome evil with good.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 63 – Romans 12-19-21 – Overcome Evil With Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Growing As Disciples

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

Monthly Archives: April 2023

Faithfulness Of The Lord

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