Hear The Word

Posted on October 21, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 161 – Luke 8:11-15 – Hear The Word – Growing As Disciples

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:11-15 (NIV)

Hear

How will you hear my word? I’m not exactly sure what you mean. I will ask you more questions so you will understand. What place will my word have in your life? Will my word be one good source among many other good sources of information? Will my word my word be material that you must thoroughly evaluate before you allow yourself to hear and receive it? Will my word have any authority over your life? What will you do when a thought or an opinion or a value of yours conflicts with my word? Will you attempt to reinterpret my word to make it conform to what you think or feel or believe? Will my word have any special place in your life? Do you get the sense of what I am asking of you? I do. Let me hear what you think I am asking you? You want to know if I would consider your word to be reliable and trustworthy. You want to know if I would be willing to allow my heart and mind and life to come into alignment with your word. You want to know if the final authority in my life will be me, and my thoughts, or you and your word. You want to know If I will accept your word as the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You want to know what priority hearing and retaining and putting your word into practice will have in my life. You want to know if I would be willing to put my full faith and hope and trust in you and your word. Have I captured what you want to ask me? Yes, very well. Here is my answer. You and your word are the final authority in my life. If a thought or opinion or value of mine conflicts with your word then it is I who must change, not your word. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will put my full faith and hope and trust in you and your word. I will hunger for your word. I will feast on your word. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will allow you to use your word to make me fruitful for you. How is that? That is very good.

Lord, I will listen attentively to your word. I will take your word deep into my heart, mind and life. I will meditate on your word daily. Change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life by your word. Allow your word to bear fruit in and through my life. Amen

Key Question… How has hearing and retaining and putting God’s word into practice helped you to bear fruit for Him?

Living It Out… Make every effort to hear, retain and put God’s word into practice so you can bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing, retaining and putting God’s word into practice will make you fruitful for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is bearing fruit in and through your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear and retain God’s word so your life will be fruitful for Him.

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

Promises – Day 161 – Luke 8-11-15 – Hear The Word – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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What Good Is It

Posted on October 20, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 160 – James 2:14-17-What Good Is It?- Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What Good?

What good is your faith in me? That seems like an odd question. I will ask you some more questions, so it does not seem so odd to you. How has your faith in me changed your life? How are you now different because you have faith in me? What are you now doing that you would not be doing if you did not have faith in me? Now, I understand where you are headed with this line of questioning. You could have asked, “How is my faith in you observable?” Or you could have asked, “How can others see that I have a vibrant faith in you because of the way I think and speak and act?” Yes, those are two very good questions as well. How will you answer my questions? I will tell you one thing without a doubt. What’s that? I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you if I did not have faith in you. Nor would I be writing about our conversation. So, I could also say, I would not be living in an intimate relationship with you if I did not have faith in you. Yes, that is quite true. What else? I can’t think of one thought or word or action of my life that has not been touched or changed or transformed because the life of faith I am living with you. You have changed the entire course of my life. My former way of thinking and speaking and acting is long gone. Those who knew me back then, before I came to have faith in you, would not recognize me today. Every day, as I have lived a life of faith in you, you have been molding and shaping my life. I’m as sure as I can be that you are not finished with me yet. No, my work in and through you will continue until the day you come to live forever in heaven with me. Well, that is another thing, I should mention. What’s that? You have continually asked me to go and do things for you. You have worked through my life so that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I know without a doubt, there is no sitting around, doing nothing, on this journey of faith I am on with you. That’s true. And I will keep on saying yes to you. I will keep on going and doing whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. So, what good is my faith in you? Living a life of loving and following and serving you is the goodness of the faith I have in you. Good answer. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want my faith in you to be living and active. I want others to be able to see my faith in you as I go and do whatever you ask of me. I want my faith in you to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use my faith in you in your service. Amen

Key Question… How can people tell that you have a vibrant faith in the Lord by observing what you do for Him?

Living It Out… Allow your faith in the Lord to be living and active as you go and do all that He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will cause your faith in Him to be living and active.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith in the Lord is living and active.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have a faith that is living and active that causes you to go and do good what the Lord asks of you.

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

Promises – Day 160 – James 2-14-17 – What Good Is It? – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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I’ll Be There

Posted on October 19, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 159 – Matthew 18:19-20 – I’ll Be There- Growing As Disciples

When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” Matthew 18:19-20 (MSG)

Gather Together

Do you think it is a good idea to try to live the life of faith in me, all by yourself, as a solitary individual? Do you think that I made you to live out your life of faith, all alone, by yourself? Do you have all the strength you need? Do you need no encouragement from others? Do you need no one to spur you on in your faith? Do you have no need for wise and godly people to speak into your life? Can you see everything that you need to see? Can you make course corrections without receiving and insight from others? Even more importantly, do your prayers need no support and guidance and encouragement from others? Have you not heard, do you not understand, that whenever two or more come together in prayer in my name, I will be right there in their midst? Have you not felt my powerful presence as you gathered together with others in prayer? I can’t recall you ever asking me so many questions at one time. You must really want to drive home a point with me. What is my point? You want me to stop living a self-reliant life of faith. I know that those words should not even coexist in the same sentence. Somehow, I have largely allowed them to coexist in my life. I have been trying to live a solitary life of faith. You think? Yes, I am getting the message. That’s good.

So, what course corrections will you make? I will gather together with fellow believers in prayer. I will gather together with fellow believers in worship. I will gather together with fellow believers in studying your word. I will allow you to use others to speak into my life. I will listen carefully to you as I listen carefully to others that you bring into my life. I will give and receive encouragement to others as we live out our life of faith together with you. I will no longer live as a lone ranger. I will live out my life of faith in you, firmly rooted and grounded in your body of fellow believers, your church. I will know without a doubt that you are in our midst whenever two or more are gathered together in your name. That will be very good.

Lord, I know you want me to live the life of faith, I have in you, in close fellowship with others. It is not your intent or plan that I live as some sort of self-sufficient lone ranger. So, I will frequently gather together with others to make my prayers known to you. Amen

Key Question… How commonly do you gather together with others to make your prayers known to the Lord?

Living It Out… Gather together with others to make your prayers known to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be in your midst as you gather together to pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have felt the Lord’s presence as you gathered to pray to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the Lord guide your prayers as you gather together with others to pray to Him.

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

Promises – Day 159 – Matthew 18-19-20 – I’ll Be There – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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I Appointed You

Posted on October 18, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 158 – John 15:9-17 – I appointed You – Growing As Disciples

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17 (NIV)

I Chose You

You know that I chose you. You did not choose me. You were well on your way on the road that led away from me, not toward me. I would not let you go. I sought you out. I pursued you. I was unwilling to let you live a life without me both now and forever. So, when you finally did cry out to me and ask me to come into your life, I was right there ready to hear and answer your prayer. But never forget that it was I that called you to come to me. It was I that drew you near to me. It was I that made you my very own. For that I am grateful and thankful beyond what my words could possible even begin to express. I will simply say that I love you with all my heart and soul and strength. It fills me with joy knowing that we are friends. It gives me great pleasure to know that you have a purpose and plan for my life. You have not kept your purpose and plan for my life a secret. What is my purpose and plan for your life? You want me to love you. You want me to love others. You want me to serve you. You want me to serve others. You want me to follow your example. You have called and appointed me to go and bear lasting, eternal fruit for your kingdom. You want me to bring glory to your name. Yes, this is my plan for your life. Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Yes, I will. It will be my pleasure to follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will remain in your love. Obeying your commands will be not be burdensome to me because I love you. Help me to love others just as you love me. Help me to lay my life down in service to others. Help me to bear lasting fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… What work are you now doing so that you can bear lasting, eternal fruit for Christ?

Living It Out… Go and bear lasting, eternal fruit for the kingdom of God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to bear lasting, eternal fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to bear lasting, eternal fruit for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and bear fruit for the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 143 – John 15-9-17 – I Appointed You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Give And It Will Be Given To You

Posted on October 17, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 157 – Luke 6:37-38 – Give And It Will Be Given To You – Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

Giving And Receiving

What will you give to others? What do you hope to receive from others? I know where this is headed. Where is this headed? There is a law of reciprocity in life. Tell me about it. If I judge others, I can expect that others will judge me. If I condemn others, I can expect that I will be condemned by them. If, I don’t forgive others, they will not forgive me. You are correct. But you can say more. I know that if I am to receive your forgiveness, I must also forgive others. That is also true. So, failing to forgive is not only a tragedy in this life, it is a tragedy in the next life as well. How so? I don’t want to live with the consequences of being unforgiving, judging and condemning. I want to live in your forgiveness both now and forever. And so, you will as you continue to show others the same kindness and mercy and love that I have shown to you. That I will do. I will follow your example. I will do for others, what you have done for me. I will allow your kindness and mercy and love to flow in and through me to others. That will be very good.

There is more to talk about regarding this law of reciprocity. Yes, I do have more to say. I’m listening. You want me to be generous with what you have given to me. You have richly blessed my life. You have blessed me so I could be a blessing to others. That is true. You do not want me to be tight fisted and closed handed with those who are in need. You want me to give freely just as you have given freely to me. Yes, that is exactly what I want and what I expect of you. But what else do you know? I know that I can’t outgive you. As I continue to give and be generous with others, you will continue to give me more so I can continue to keep on blessing the lives of others. I have found it to be abundantly true that with the measure I give will be the same measure with which I will receive. If I give very little, I will receive very little. So, will you keep on generously giving to others what you hope to receive? Yes Lord, I will keep on giving and receiving so I can bless the lives of others, just as you have blessed my life. That will be very good.

Lord, I will generously give to others what I hope to receive back from them. I will give out forgiveness and kindness, mercy and love. I will give out understanding, encouragement and compassionate. Help me to freely give out what you want me to receive back. Amen

Key Question… How are you continually giving out good things that you would like to receive back from others?

Living It Out… Freely and generously give to others what you hope to receive back from them.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to give to others what hope to receive back from them.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have received back from others what you have given to them.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give to others what you hope to receive back from them.

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

Promises – Day 157 – Luke 6-37-38 – Give And It Will Be Given To You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Said To Themselves

Posted on October 16, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 156 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Said To Themselves – Growing As Disciples

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:1-8 (NIV)

Entertain Thoughts

What will you allow your mind to think? What thoughts will you entertain within you? Will you entertain thoughts that are good and right and true? Will you entertain thoughts that are helpful and healthy? Will you entertain thoughts that are pleasing to me? What is the alternative? Some don’t even realize that they have a decision to make about what they allow their mind to think. Some allow all the thoughts and opinions and values of the world to be entertained in their mind. Some allow their minds to be filled with dark and evil thoughts of the sinful nature. Some allow the thoughts of their mind to be far from me. Not only do they think evil thoughts, but they speak evil words and take evil actions. They live a life filled with very kind of evil. That is the natural and automatic result of entertaining evil thoughts in the mind. That is not the life that I will live. I want my mind to think thoughts that are good and right and true. I want my mind to think thoughts that are helpful and healthy. I want my mind to think thoughts that are pleasing to you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. That is very good.

How can I think thoughts that are pleasing to you? That is a very good question. Entertain thoughts that are pleasing to me. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Allow my word to do its work in you. Allow my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. Allow my word to powerfully work in and through you. Then you will think thoughts, speak words and take actions that are pleasing to me. Then you will bring honor and glory to me. That is what I will do, I will entertain thoughts in my mind that come from you. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for forgiving and cleansing me of all my sins. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so all my thoughts, words and actions are pleasing to you. Use your word to powerfully work in and through me for your honor and glory. Amen

Key Question… How is meditating on God’s word changing the thoughts you allow your mind to think?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to transform your mind so you can think thoughts that are pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use His word to help you to think thoughts that are pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is changing the thoughts you think.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use His word to transform your thoughts so they will be pleasing to Him.

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

Promises – Day 141 – Matthew 9-1-8 – Said To Themselves – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Understands And Knows Me

Posted on October 15, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 155 – Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Understands And Knows Me – Growing As Disciples

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

Priority

What is the priority of your life? What will you seek? What will be your desire? With what will you be satisfied? Those are all very good questions. Do you have an answer? Yes, I have an answer. I would first like to say what I will not seek or desire. I would like to be clear about what will not satisfy me. I’m listening. I will not seek human wisdom. I have no need or desire to be considered wise by people in the world around me. I don’t need their approval or recognition or applause. The thoughts and opinions and values of this world mean nothing to me. The wisdom of the world will amount to nothing. All the wisdom of the world will one day pass away. So, seeking or boasting about human wisdom will not be a priority in my life. That’s good.

It probably does not need to be said but I will not be seeking physical strength. Why is that? It is obvious to all, including me, that I am not physically strong. I will never be confused with someone who is a muscle man. I will never be in danger of boasting about my great physical strength. That’s good. Even the very strongest of men will one day become incredibly week. All the strength in this world will one day pass away. So, seeking or boasting about physical strength will never be a priority in my life. That’s good.

What about riches? Have you ever wanted to be rich? Have you ever wanted to live in luxury? Have you ever wanted to acquire the best that this life has to offer? Have you wanted to live in a complete comfort? I would be lying if I said no to any of these questions. I have been tempted with every one of these desires. Yes, I have wanted the best that this life has to offer. But now I know that worldly riches will not satisfy. Worldly riches are here today and gone tomorrow. No one will take worldly riches with them when they leave this life. So, seeking or boasting about worldly riches will not be a priority in my life. That’s good.

I do know what is now and will continue to be the priority of my life. What’s that? It will be the priority of my life to understand and know you. Only seeking you and finding you will satisfy me. Only coming to know and love you intimately occupies the desire of my heart. Only living my life with and for you will be my pursuit. Only following and serving you will be my goal. Will I ever be able to be able to boast that I understand and know you? Certainly not. Why is that? Only you can make me able to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart. You will make me able to understand and know you. So, I will boast in you and all that you have done for me as I make seeking you the priority of my heart and mind and life. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not boast in human wisdom, physical strength, or worldly riches. To do so would be foolish. All these will one day be of no value. Instead, it will be the priority of my life to come to understand and know you. Help me live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… What has helped or hindered your ability to come to understand and know the Lord?

Living It Out… Make coming to understand and know the Lord the priority of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that understanding and knowing the Lord is worth being the priority of your entire life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to come to understand and know Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make understanding and knowing the Lord the priority of your life.

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

Promises – Day 155 – Jeremiah 9-23-24 – Understands And Knows Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Cast All Your Anxiety On Him

Posted on October 14, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 154 – 1 Peter 5:6-11 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him- 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. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV)

Cast

What would it take for you to cast all your fears and worries and anxieties on to me? Two things would need to be true for me to cast all my fears and worries and anxieties on to you. I’m listening. First, I would need to know that you love and care for me. I would need to believe that you would hear and answer my prayers. I would need to be certain that you would come to my aid when I am in distress. That’s number one. Do you know that I love and care for you? Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Are you certain that I will come to your aid when you are in distress? I can give you an emphatic yes to all your questions. I have no doubts about your love and care for me. I am certain you will come to my aid when I am in distress. That is very good.

What else must be true for you to cast all your fears and worries and anxieties on me? I must be willing to humble myself before you. I must stop trying to rely on myself. As long as I continue to pridefully think that I can and should be able to take care of myself, I won’t be turning all my fears and worries and anxieties over to you. As long as I pridefully think that I can and should be self-sufficient and self-reliant I won’t be placing all my faith and hope and trust in you. That’s not good. I know. What has happened to you when you have lived a prideful self-sufficient and self-reliant life? I have been filled with fear and worry and anxiety. I have been easy prey to attack by the devil and all his evil. I have not allowed you to help me to be on guard against him. I have not allowed you to help me to be firm in my faith so I could stand strong, firm and steadfast. As a result, I have experienced discouragement and defeat. That is not good. I know.

Will you believe in me? Will you rely on me? Will you trust me? Will you cast all your care on me? Yes Lord, I will. Will you stop living a prideful, self-sufficient and self-reliant life so I can help you to stand strong and firm and steadfast in your faith? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know you love and care for me. Therefore, I will give all my fear, worry and anxiety to you. I will humbly rely on all your help. Help me to be on guard against the devil and all his evil. Make me strong, firm and steadfast as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How is knowing that God cares for you helping you to give all your fear, worry and anxiety to Him?

Living It Out… Cast all your fear, worry and anxiety on God because He cares for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can cast all your fear, worry and anxiety on God because He cares for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are casting all your fear, worry and anxiety to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you cast all your fear, worry and anxiety on the Lord because He cares for you.

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

Promises – Day 154 – 1 Peter 5-6-11 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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The Lord Is With Me

Posted on October 13, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 153 – Psalm 118:5-9 – The Lord Is With Me – Growing As Disciples

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:5-9 (NIV)

On Your Side

I am on your side. I like the sound of that. Nothing could be better news to me. That’s good, because it is true. I am always near to you. I am always ready to hear and answer your prayers. You can cry out to me. You can come and lay all your troubles before. None of your prayers are too small or too big for me to hear. I am never too busy. I am never preoccupied. I have no greater delight than when you draw near to me in prayer. It is then that you will realize how close I really am to you.

What comfort do you have in knowing that I am near to you? What encouragement is yours because you know that I am on your side? I know one thing for sure. What’s that? With you on my side I have no need to live in fear. I have not been, nor will I ever be walking through life alone. You are with me. You are near to me. What can man do to me if you are with me and on my side? You are my helper. You are my deliverer. You will lead me in triumph. You will give me victory. I can take refuge in you. You are my fortress. You are my strength. You will calm me in every storm. Yes, I have been and will continue to be all these things for you. I love and will take care of you. I know something else. What’s that? My future with you is eternally secure. No matter what twists and turns and up and downs I go through in life, my story, our story, ends only in one place. Where is that? One day I will come to live forever in heaven with you. That is true. That is right. That is sure. So, I will wisely take refuge in you. No one else and nothing else is worthy of faith and hope and trust. You alone are worthy. All my faith and hope and trust is in you. Never forget, always remember, I am on your side. That I will never forget and always remember. That will be very good.

Lord, I have cried out to you in great anguish. I have laid all my troubles before you. I have asked for your help. I know that you have heard and answered my prayers because you are on my side. You are always near to me. You love and care for me. Thank you! Amen

Key Question… How is the nearness of God to you keeping fear far from you?

Living It Out… Pour your heart out in prayer to the Lord because you know that He is on your side.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is on your side and will hear and answer your anguish filled prayers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has heard and answered your anguish filled prayers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May knowing that the Lord is on your side keep fear far from you.

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

Promises – Day 153 – Psalm 118-5-9 – The Lord Is With Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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The Lord Will Fight For You

Posted on October 12, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 152 – Exodus 14:13-14 – The Lord Will Fight For You – Growing As Disciples

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)

Be Still

Can you be still before me? Can you come and rest in my presence? Can you sit quietly before me? Can you wait for me to act on your behalf? I know one thing for certain. What’s that? Being still, resting in your presence, sitting quietly before you, and waiting for you to act is much harder and more difficult than it would seem. Why is that? It takes real discipline to be still before you. It requires significant effort sit before you. Resting in your presence does not come easily or naturally to me. All my natural inclinations are to be active, to stay busy and be on the move. Those same inclinations become even stronger when a battle is before me. In the past, it has been almost impossible and irresistible for me to quickly engage in a fight to try to win the battle that is before me. I am sad to say that asking for your help and relying on you to fight my battles has been far from my thoughts and actions. I have nearly always fended for myself in fighting my battles in life. I can now see how mistaken my thinking has been. Forgive me Lord. You are forgiven.

What has happened when you have fended for yourself in fighting your battles in life? I have usually made matters worse. I have hardly ever won a battle that I have fought alone, with my own strength. I have certainly been filled with anxiety and worry and stress when I have attempted to fight battles with my own efforts alone. I have most often lived in defeat because I have neither asked for or relied on your help. That is not good. I can see that now. That is good.

What do you think will happen to you as you rely on me to help you fight battles in life? I will come to know you more intimately. I will live and walk more closely with you. My faith and hope and joy in you will become strong. I will know that you are with me to help me. I will know that you will fight for me. I will learn that you will bring me through every battle in life. You will lead me in victory. You will help me to overcome. Yes, I will. Will you be still before me? Will you quiet yourself in my presence? Will you allow me to help you? Will you keep moving forward with Me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, at one time I thought that all my battles were mine alone to fight. What mistaken thinking. My fighting often only made matters far worse. Now, I know that I can be still before you. I can rely on you. You will help me. You will give me victory over battles. Amen

Key Question… When have you been still and allowed the Lord to fight battles for you?

Living It Out… Be still before the Lord and allow Him to fight battles for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring you victory as you allow Him to fight battles for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you victory in a battle.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be still and allow the Lord to fight for you.

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

Promises – Day 152 – Exodus 14-13-14 – The Lord Will Fight For You – 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 2023

Hear The Word

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What Good Is It

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I’ll Be There

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I Appointed You

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Give And It Will Be Given To You

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Said To Themselves

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Understands And Knows Me

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Cast All Your Anxiety On Him

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The Lord Is With Me

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