Trust In The Lord

Posted on June 9, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 18 – Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Trust In Me

That’s a pretty weak thing to lean on. That will never support you. What’s that? It is a foolish mistake to lean on your own understanding. Why is that? You don’t have all the answers. You can’t see the larger perspective. You have no idea of what is just ahead. No, I don’t. Let me ask you a question. Go right ahead, I’m listening. You have my full attention. What has happened when you have relied on your own understanding? Well, sometimes I have fallen flat on my face. Not literally, but I’ve made some dumb decisions and some large mistakes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to retrace my steps, reverse course and go back to where I got sidetracked. You don’t need to tell me. Why is that? I already know.

I have another question for you. What’s that? How will you know if you are trusting in me or relying on your own understanding? You do want to trust me don’t you? Yes, I want to trust you. If I’m going to trust in you, I probably need to start by asking you for you wisdom and your help. You don’t sound to sure about that. No, I’m sure. Trusting you begins with praying to you and asking for your help. If I haven’t asked for your help it seems pretty obvious to me that I am relying on myself. Prayer is an acknowledgement that I am trusting you and not relying on myself. That’s right. What are some other indications that you are probably relying on yourself rather than trusting in me? Taking all the credit for what I have done in life is a sure sign that I have trusted in myself. It shows that not only have I not trusted in you but that I am thinking I am the one deserving praise for all I have accomplished. What do you think about that? That attitude is pretty disgusting. You are the one that deserves glory and honor and praise for all you have done in and through my life. Yes, I am. What else? One look at my path will reveal whether I have been trusting in you or relying on myself. How so? If my path is crooked, indecisive and meandering all over, then it shows that I have been trusting in the uncertainty of my own understanding. If you take a closer look at my path you will see that I have had to stop, turn around and go back to where I got sidetracked and wandered off the path you had laid out for me. Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. When you trust in me I will make your path straight. You will know where I want you to go. You will know what I want you to do. What else? When I have been wise in my own eyes, I have not lived in reverent fear of you. I have not run away from evil. Getting entangled in evil is just one more sign that I have relied on myself rather than trusting in you. Yes, it is. What is one sign that you really are trusting in me? When I’m trusting in you I have a sense of peace and well being in my life. I feel like you are bringing health to my body and refreshment to my bones. I have joy and delight in following you. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, it is.

Lord, I will trust in you with all my heart rather than on my own understanding. I will acknowledge you in all I think, say and do. I will reverently fear you as I humbly accept your wisdom. I will turn from evil and walk on your path as you refresh my life. Amen

Key Question… When has relying on your own understanding led you to wander from the path the Lord had for you?

Living It Out… Trust in the Lord with all your heart rather than leaning on your own understanding.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith to trust in the Lord with all your heart rather than leaning on your own understanding.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding.

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

Promises – Day 18 – Proverbs 3-5-8- Trust In The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

Looks Intently

Posted on June 8, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 19 – James 1:22-25 – Looks Intently- Growing As Disciples

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Freedom

Well, I certainly want that. You certainly want what? I want to live and walk in freedom. I don’t want to live in any kind of bondage. I don’t want the devil and all his evil to have any kind of foothold in my life. I want to live in all the freedom that you have secured for me. That is a very good desire you have in you. What will you be very careful to do if you want to live and walk in all the freedom, I have secured for you? What will make you able to live in freedom from any bondage? What will prevent the devil and any of his evil from gaining a foothold in your life? What will you certainly do if you want to live a life that I can and will certainly bless? You have asked a lot of questions for which there is only one answer. Let me hear your answer. I will look intently into your word and put it into practice. I will not only hear your word, but I will do what it says. I will not make the foolish and unwise mistake of hearing your word but failing to do what it says. Worse yet, I will not fail to hear your word all together. It will be my daily and consistent practice to look intently into your word and do what it says. I will not be like the person who catches a quick casual glimpse or hears a little bit here or there and forgets everything that was seen or heard. That would be like me getting a quick glance of myself in a mirror and completely forgetting what I looked like. What help or value would that be? None at all. So, I will take a long and deep intent look into your word. I will allow your word to guard and guide the entire course of my life. That will be very good.

Why will my word make you able to live and walk in freedom? Why will my word allow you to resist temptation and stand against evil? Why will my word prevent the devil and all his evil from gaining a foothold in your life? I cannot remain the same as I look intently into your word. Looking intently into your word will change my heart and transform my mind. Looking intently into your word will allow me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. Looking into your word will help me to know and love and follow and serve you. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. You will use your word to mold and shape my life. You will use your word to make me able to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, my word will do all these things in and for you. Keep looking intently at my word. Keep putting my word into practice. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for your word. I will look intently into your word. I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will allow your word to guard and guide the entire course of my life. I will allow your word to make me able to live in freedom. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never regret the time you spent looking intently into God’s word?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to look intently into God’s word so you will be able to live in freedom.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that looking intently into God’s word will make you able to live in freedom.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group your practice of daily looking intently into God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you look intently into God’s word so you will be able to put it into practice.

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

Promises – Day 19 – James 1-22-25 – Looks Intently – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Our Inheritance

Posted on June 7, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 17 – Ephesians 1:11-14 – Our Inheritance – Growing As Disciples

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)

A Promise

You chose me, there is no doubt about that. I did choose you. You are correct. But what makes you so certain that I chose you? Well, it wasn’t my plan to choose you, that is for sure. I was walking on a path that led away from you, not toward you. I wanted to do my own thing. I wanted to live my own life. I had my own thoughts and plans and desires. You were not in any of them. I was determined to set my own course. My entire focus was on myself. I was self-centered, self-indulgent, and self-sufficient. I wanted no help. I would receive no counsel. One might say that I was living as my very own god. Me, myself and I was on the throne of my life, there is no doubt about that. That is true. That is how you were living. So, I deserve no credit in coming to you. No, you do not.

You allowed me to hear your word. You made me able to hear your Good News. At just the right time, you helped me to come to believe in the Gospel of your salvation. Yes, I did. What was right about the time? I had reached the end of my rope. I had hit rock bottom. The foolish and unwise life I was living left me bruised and battered and broken. I had nowhere to turn. I had nowhere to go. There was only one direction I could look. There was only one who could hear my cry. Which was? To you, you heard my cry. You answered my prayer. You had been pursuing me all along and I did not know it. You had been drawing me to you and I could not perceive it. Yes, I did pursue you. Yes, I did draw you to myself.

So, what happened to you? You turned my life upside down. You changed my course. You turned my life around. You helped me to come to believe in you and place all my faith in you. I confessed my sin. You save my soul. You made me to be your very own. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. Yes, I am. What else did I do for you? You filled me with you Holy Spirit. By your Spirit, you are now leading and guiding me through life. I am now following you to where you lead me and doing what you ask of me. I am now seeking to live a life that brings praise and honor and glory to you. I am now living the life of salvation you have secured for me. Yes, you are, and your life of salvation has begun and will continue on until forever because I have place and an inheritance secured in heaven for you. You have my Holy Spirit in you as a promise and a guarantee. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for helping me to hear your word, the Good News, the Gospel of my salvation. Thank you for helping to believe in you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for filling me with your Holy Spirit and forever securing my inheritance in heaven with you. Amen

Key Question… How did you come to put all your faith and hope in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?

Living It Out… Hear the word of God, the Gospel of your salvation, and believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you received the Holy Spirit as you have believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you came to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear the word of God, the Gospel of your salvation, and believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

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

Promises – Day 17 – 10 Versions – Ephesians 1-11-14 – Our Inheritance – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Prosperous And Successful

Posted on June 6, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 16 – Joshua 1:8-9 – Prosperous And Successful – Growing As Disciples

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)

Meditate

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean to meditate on your word? What do you think it means? I will tell you what it doesn’t mean for sure. What’s that? You don’t want me to empty my mind. You don’t want my mind to go blank. That’s true. You want me to carefully think about your word. You want me to take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. You want your word to dwell in me richly. You want me to hide your word in my heart. That’s right. What will my word do in you when you meditate on it? Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will guide my life. Your word will form and shape the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. Your word will help me to come to know and to love and to follow and serve you all the days of my life. Your Holy Spirit will use your word like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word will make me able to resist temptation and stand against evil. Your word will strengthen and encourage me. Your word will make me able to courageously move forward with you to wherever you lead me, to do whatever you ask of me. Your word will help me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Your word will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, my word will do all these things in you, with you, for you and through you.

When will you meditate on my word? How will you meditate on my word? I will meditate on your word day and night. I will read your word. I will study your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will proclaim your word. I will teach your word. I will even sing your word. Your word will always be before me. Most importantly of all, I will put your word into practice. I will allow your word to be the sure and solid foundation of my life. That will be very good. Keep my word in your heart, and on your mind, and coming out of your mouth and you will live a life that I can and will surely bless. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to meditate on your word day and night. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Help me to be careful to do everything that you ask of me. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… How is meditating on God’s word making you careful to do what is pleasing to Him?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to meditate on God’s word day and night.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will richly bless your life as you meditate on His word day and night.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group your strategies for meditating on God’s word day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so you can live a life that is pleasing to Him.

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

Promises – Day 16 – Joshua 1-8-9 – Prosperous And Successful – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Battle Is The Lord’s

Posted on June 5, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 15 – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – The Battle Is The Lord’s- Growing As Disciples

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

Battles

I have had my share of those. You have had your share of what? I have had my share of giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles. How have you responded to giant problems and unwinnable battles? Many times, maybe most times, I have responded in two very unwise and unsuccessful ways to giant problems and unwinnable battles. I’m listening. I have run away from giant problems and unwinmable battles. Why is that? I am not a huge fan of conflict. I am also not the boldest and most courageous person you will find. So, in the face of giants and unwinmable battles, I have turned to run away from them as fast as I can. How do you feel about running away from giant problems and unwinnable battles? It has never felt very satisfying. It feels more defeating than if I had stayed and fought and lost. At least staying to fight would not leave me feeling like a cowering coward. How else have you responded to giant problems and unwinnable battles? My second most common response has been to fight to the bitter end, with my own strength. How has that worked out for you? Relying on my own strength to fight losing battles has left me discouraged and defeated and depressed. So, neither of your approaches has given you any kind of victory? No, not at all.

How do you want to respond to giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles? What would you like to do differently? I don’t want to run away. I don’t want to rely on my own strength. I have had far too much experience to know that those are both losing propositions. I know that it is not your plan for me to live in defeat. What is my plan for you? It is your plan for me to rely on you. It is your plan for me to ask for your help. It is your plan for me to allow you to fight with me and for me. And the emphasis has to be on your fighting for me. That’s right. Have I fought with and for you? Have I led you to victory over giant problems and in unwinnable battles? Yes, many times. What has happened to you when I have led you to victory? My faith in you has grown. My heart has been filled with joy and thanksgiving. My life has overflowed with praise and honor and glory to you. Why is that? You have fought with and for me. You have done in and through me only what you could do. You have allowed me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Would you like me to continue to lead you in victory? Yes Lord, I would. Then keep on relying on me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have faced giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles. Many times, I have mistakenly and unsuccessfully tried to fight them with my own strength. Now, I know better. Now, I will rely on you to help me to face giant problems and unwinnable battles. Amen

Key Question… When have you faced what seemed to be an insurmountable giant and an unwinnable battle?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to fight with and for you in all the battles of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will fight with you and for you in the battles of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has fought with and for you in the battles of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to fight with and for you in the battles of life.

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

1 Samuel 17-45-47 – Promises – Day 15 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Humble Themselves

Posted on June 4, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 14 – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble Themselves – Growing As Disciples

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Pray Right Now

I don’t want anything to hinder my prayers. I don’t want something to cause my prayers to go unheard and unanswered. I want to be able to pray powerful prayers, according to your will, that can and will be heard and answered. Those are very good desires that you have within you. Do you know that it is my delight to hear and answer your prayers? Yes, I know that to be true. That’s good. You have richly blessed my life. You have showered me with your kindness and mercy and love. You have allowed me to taste of your goodness. You have given me far more than I could have ever asked for, dreamed of or even imagined. Yes, I have richly blessed your life. It is good that you are thankful and grateful. Let’s talk more about your prayers. I’d like that.

What could hinder both your desire and ability to pray? If I were to hold on to sin and maybe even cherish it in my heart, that would certainly hinder both my desire and ability to pray. Yes, it would. I certainly will not receive answers to prayers that I have not prayed. It is true, that at times, I have not received because I have not asked. Yes, that is true. Unconfessed sin is more likely to make me want to hide from you, rather than pray to you. That’s right. So, what will you do about that? I will turn from my sin. I will confess my sin to you. When will you turn from sin and confess it to me? I will turn from my sin and confess it to you as I become aware of it. That’s good. How will you become aware of your sin? Every day, I will include a time in my prayer where I will acknowledge, confess and ask for forgiveness of my sins. In this time, I will ask you to point out any sin that is in me. I will ask you to forgive and cleanse me of all my sins. That will be very good. I will certainly forgive and cleanse you of your sin. Then nothing will hinder your desire and ability to pray. That’s great. Yes, it is.

What will be the desire of your prayers? It is my utmost desire to know you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. So, above all, I will seek to know and love you. I also want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Following and serving you will be a consistent subject of my prayers. I want to be able to pray prayers according to your will. I want to pray prayers that will accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. This is very good.

What prayer do you want to pray right now? I want you to heal our land. By land, I mean our earth. Right now, a virus is plaguing the earth. I’m praying that this crisis will cause us all to humble ourselves before you and ask you for your help. I’m praying that we will all turn from our sins and confess them to you. I’m praying for a great revival. I’m praying for a rich harvest. I’m praying for a multitude to come to give their hearts and minds and lives to you. I’m asking that millions upon millions will ask you to be their Savior and Lord. Is this a prayer I will hear and answer? Yes, it is. You are correct. Keep on praying this prayer. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will humble myself before you. I will confess and turn away from my sin. I will seek your face and pray. Thank you for forgiving my sins and hearing and answering my prayers. Heal our land. Bring health to our people as we draw near to you. Amen

Key Question… Why is it critically important to start your prayers with turning away from sin and confessing them to God?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to humble yourself, turn from your sin and seek His face, as you pray.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will hear and answer your prayers as you humble yourself, turn from your sin and seek His face.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are now praying for health and healing in our land.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself, turn from your sin, seek God’s face and pray.

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

Promises – Day 14 – 2 Chronicles 7-14 – Humble Themselves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Present Your Requests To God

Posted on June 3, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 13 – Philippians 4:4-7 – Present Your Requests To God – Growing As Disciples

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Anxiety

I know what that is like. I have experienced plenty of that. You have experienced plenty of what? I have experienced plenty of anxiety and worry. One might say that I have been a gifted worrier. Is that a gift? No, it is not a gift. What have you worried about? You name it, I have worried about anything and everything. I have worried about real problems. I have worried about imaginary problems. I have worried about what would soon come my way. I have worried about what would almost certainly never end up happening. I’m sad to say that I have often allowed my life to be filled with anxiety and stress and worry. It is not fun. It is debilitating and defeating and discouraging and depressing. It has been very difficult to move forward with you when I have allowed myself to be overcome with worry. How so? Well, it is difficult to follow you to where you are leading me to do what you are asking me, if I am paralyzed with doubt and fear and anxiety and worry. There is no doubt about that. I know.

What would you like to do differently? How will you overcome doubt and fear and anxiety and worry so you can keep on moving forward with me? Those are good questions. Do you have any answers? Yes, I do. I will rely on you. I will draw near to you. I know you will draw near to me. Yes, I will. I am already very near to you. I am right alongside you. I am always ready to help you. With that in mind, I will bring my doubts and fears and worries and anxieties to you. With a joyful and thankful heart, I will turn all my doubts and fears and worries and anxieties into prayers to you. That will be very good. Why will you have a joyful and thankful heart? I will have a joyful and thankful heart because you are near to me and ready to help me. I am certain that you will hear and answer my prayers. You will fill me with your supernatural peace, even in the midst of worrisome situations. You will guard my heart and mind and life in Christ Jesus. You will keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I will, you can count on me. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, I have been a worrier. I have allowed myself to be filled with anxiety. That is about to change. With a thankful heart, I will turn all my worries into prayers to you. Fill me with your supernatural peace. Guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus

Key Question… When, with a thankful heart, have you turned one of your worries into a prayer to God?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to, with a thankful heart, turn every one of your worries into a prayer to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have peace from God when you, with a thankful heart, turn your worries into prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you supernatural peace in worrisome situations.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, with a thankful heart, turn your worries into prayers to God so you can live in His peace.

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

Promises – Day 13 – Philippians 4-4-7 – Present Your Requests To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Conformed To The Likeness

Posted on June 2, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 11- Romans 8:29-30 – Conformed To The Likeness – Growing As Disciples

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 (NIV)

Like Him

I have a plan. I have had it from the very beginning. For most of your life you would have never been able to guess my plan. For the same length of time you would not have believed in my plan. For many years of your life you would have wanted no part of my plan. You would have laughed off my plan. You’re not laughing now are you? No, I am not. Now you don’t need to guess. You know what my plan is for your life. Yes, I know your plan. What is my plan? Your plan is that I will become like your Son, Jesus Christ. Yes, that is my plan. You will mold and shape my life everyday so that I will conform to the image of your Son. Yes, I will. How do you feel about my plan? I like the plan that you have had for me from the beginning. I want what you want. I want to become like your Son more than anything else in all of life. Then we are on the same page. We both have the same goal in mind. Yes, we do.

Do you think it is a little strange that you now passionately want to become like my Son? I don’t know if it is strange. It is definitely a miracle that only you could accomplish. Why do you say that? You pointed out to me that I would not have guessed, believed in or wanted your plan. Yes, I did, do you think I was right? Yes, you were right, there is no doubt about that. What happened to you? What caused your desires to change? I can’t believe that you are asking me what happened. I’m sure that you know. That’s not why I’m asking you what happened. Why are you asking me what happened? I want you to take time to think about what happened to you. I want you to know why your desires have changed. I had enough. Of what, did you have enough? I had enough of myself. I had enough of my self-centered, selfish life. I had enough of all that the world had to offer. I had enough of my own sin. I had enough of my own pain and brokenness. I wanted more. Of what, did you want more? I couldn’t articulate it at the time. I cried out to you. It was more like a scream, wasn’t it? Yes, it was. I asked you to show yourself to me. Did I, show myself to you? Yes, you did. Obviously, I was empty. I knew that there was a void in my life. There was an emptiness that only you could fill. Now I know that the “more” I wanted was you.

You put this desire for “more” in my heart, didn’t you? Yes, I did. It was your plan that I would want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul. Yes, it was. It was you who has filled me with this passionate desire to know you. It is you that has made me hunger and thirst for you. Yes, I did. It was you that has given me great joy in my wanting to become like your Son. It is you that has given me delight in doing what pleases you. Yes, it is.

Heavenly Father, I like the plan that you have had from the beginning. I want what you want. I want to become like Jesus Christ. Mold and shape my life according to your plan. Do your work in me and make me to be like Him. Amen

Key Question… How can others tell from your life that you are related to Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Allow God to do His work in you so He can make you to be like Christ and bring His work to completion.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make you to be like Christ and bring to completion His work in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what God is using to make you to be like Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to make you like Christ and bring to completion His work in you.

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

Promises – Day 11 – Romans 8-29-30 – Conformed To The Likeness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Demolish Strongholds

Posted on June 1, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

Strongholds

This world would like nothing better than to take captive hearts and minds. This world is filled full of strongholds of evil that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I need to be on guard against strongholds of evil. I must not let my heart and mind be taken captive by the thoughts and values and principles of this world. What are some examples of strongholds of evil? What types of thoughts and values and principles are taking hearts and minds captive? What specifically do you need to be on guard against? First, of all I need to be on guard against any thought or idea or value or principle that sets itself up against you. Strongholds of evil do just that. Strongholds of evil will prevent many from coming to know and love and follow and serve you. Strongholds of evil can even hinder your followers from coming to live fully in the freedom you have secured for them. Nothing will be more depressing or discouraging to one of your followers than to be held captive by a stronghold of evil. Nothing will be more defeating to one of your followers than to allow themselves to be made unproductive or unfruitful, because they are ensnared in a stronghold of evil. Would you like me to name some strongholds of evil? Yes, I would. Strongholds of evil come in a wide variety of types. Fear and doubt, greed and lust can and often are strongholds of evil. Pride and envy and anger can and often are very powerful strongholds of evil. Any one of these can take a heart and mind captive. That’s true.

Where is the battle fought against strongholds of evil? The battle ground is in the heart and mind. What are the weapons that are used in the battle against stronghold of evil? Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit fights against strongholds of evil. How so? Your word changes hearts and transforms minds. Your word is continually changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has pushed worldly thoughts out of my heart and mind. Your word has strengthened my heart and mind so that I can take every thought and make it captive to you. That is true. That is right. That is good. But I am not alone in this fight. No, you are not. Your Holy Spirit takes your word and uses it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit tears down strongholds, they have done so in my life, that is for sure, without a doubt. So, I will continue to allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to tear down strongholds in my life and in the lives of others. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want anything to be a stronghold that has control over any portion of my life. I want to live in all the freedom you have secured for me. I will allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to take my thoughts and make them obedient to you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord broken down a stronghold that once had control over a portion of your life?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit to break down any stronghold that has control in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will break down any stronghold that has control over a portion of your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has broken down a stronghold over your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to help you to take every though captive and make it obedient to Christ.

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

Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 – Demolish Strongholds – 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: June 2023

Trust In The Lord

Trust In Me

Like this:

Looks Intently

Freedom

Like this:

Our Inheritance

A Promise

Like this:

Prosperous And Successful

Meditate

Like this:

The Battle Is The Lord’s

Battles

Like this:

Humble Themselves

Pray Right Now

Like this:

Present Your Requests To God

Anxiety

Like this:

Conformed To The Likeness

Like Him

Like this:

Demolish Strongholds

Strongholds

Like this:

Trust In Me

Share this:

Like this:

Freedom

Share this:

Like this:

A Promise

Share this:

Like this:

Meditate

Share this:

Like this:

Battles

Share this:

Like this:

Pray Right Now

Share this:

Like this:

Anxiety

Share this:

Like this:

Like Him

Share this:

Like this:

Strongholds

Share this:

Like this: