We Have Peace With God

Posted on March 11, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 299 – Romans 5:1-5 – We Have Peace With God – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

Rely

That is a key word. That is a word for you to deeply consider. What word are we talking about? What word do I need to deeply consider? The word we are talking about is “rely”. I am your Savior and Lord. You have placed all your faith and hope and trust in me. You have turned away from your old sinful life in the world. You are now living the new life I have given to you. You are seeking to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. You want to go where I send you. You want to do what I ask of you. Am I correct? Have I said anything about you that is not true? No, you are correct. I want to live my life just as you have described. That’s good. So, what do you want me to do with that word, “rely”? Let me ask you a few questions? I’m listening attentively. I won’t miss a word. Who do you rely on when you go through suffering? Do you rely on me or do you rely on yourself? What is your attitude when you go through suffering? Do you whine and moan with a “poor me” attitude or do you consider suffering an opportunity to draw even closer and rely more fully on me? Is suffering something horrible to be avoided at all costs or is it an opportunity for me to develop perseverance and character and hope in you? Has suffering deepened your prayer life and made our relationship more intimate or has it caused your life to become frenzied and filled with your efforts to solve your own problems and meet your own needs? I see where our conversation has gone. I am getting your point. What is my point? You want me to rely fully on you. You want suffering to do its good work in me. You want me to draw near to you and ask for your help as I go through difficulties in life. You want me to stop relying on myself and start relying fully on you. Yes, I do. Will you rely fully on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. You are my Savior and Lord. I will allow you to fill my life with peace and joy even as I go through suffering in this life. Develop perseverance, character, and hope in me, as I rely fully on you in the difficulties of life. Amen

Key Question… When has going through suffering helped you to know the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?

Living It Out… Live a joyful life, filled with peace and hope, as you rely on Jesus Christ, even as you go through suffering.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that relying on God, as you go through suffering, will develop perseverance, character, and hope in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are always placing your faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have hope and peace and joy in the Lord as you rely on Him through all the difficulties of life.

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

Promises – Day 299 – Romans 5-1-5 – We Have Peace With God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing In Your Sight

Posted on March 10, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 298 – Psalm 19:14 – Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing In Your Sight – Growing As Disciples

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

Pleasing To You

That is what I want. That is how I want to live my life. That is the way that I want to think and speak and act. What do you want? How do you want to live your life? How do you want to think and speak and act? I want to think and speak and act in ways that please you. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to know and do your will. I want to think your thoughts. I want to speak your words. I want to take your actions. You have chosen a very good goal. You have a very good desire in you. What is your plan? How will you be able to live this kind of life? That is a very good question. I know one thing for certain. What’s that? I will never be able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you without your help. My own efforts will result in dismal failure. Only you can make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. That is true. How do you plan on relying on my help? I will turn my life over to you. You are in charge. You are my rock and my redeemer. You are my Savior and Lord. You have broken the power of sin over my life. I no longer need to think and speak and act in worldly ways. I am now dead to sin, the world and all its evil. You have made me alive to you. I have turned away from the world. I have turned toward you so I can love and follow and serve you. I will keep fleeing evil as I pursue you. I will draw near to you. I will enter your presence. I will meet with you in your word. I meditate on your word day and night. Your word will always be before me. I know that you will use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Yes, I will. You will use your word to help me to think your thoughts. You will use your word to help me to speak your words. You will use your word to help me to take your actions. Yes, I will. You have given me a completely new life to live. You are making my thoughts and words and actions pleasing to you. Yes, I am. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. I know that my mind is the battleground over how I will think and speak and act. I will meditate on your word. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Amen

Key Question… How is meditating on God’s word helping you to think, speak, and act in ways that please Him?

Living It Out… Meditate on God’s word so that your thoughts and words actions will be pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make your thoughts, words, and actions pleasing to Him as you meditate on His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your practice to meditate on God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your thoughts and words be pleasing to the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 298 – Psalm 19-14 – Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing In Your Sight – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By His Wounds We Are Healed

Posted on March 9, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 297 – Isaiah 53:4-6 – By His Wounds We Are Healed – Growing As Disciples

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)

Wandered Away

There is no doubt about that. There is no doubt about what? I wandered away from you. I went and did my own thing. I turned to my own way. I lived for my own comfort and pleasure. I did what I wanted when I wanted. I pursued all that this life had to offer. I lived solely for myself. I acquired things and used people and of that I am not proud. I followed my own counsel. I neither wanted or needed any advice, especially from you, or so I thought, at the time. Where did your life lead you? I thought my life led me on a path farther and farther away from you. Now, I know that I was incorrect. How so? The life I was living brought me pain and suffering. I was bruised and battered and broken by my own poor choices. To some, especially me, that my seemed like being farther and farther from you. But pain and suffering got my attention. Being bruised and battered and broken caused me to cry out to you. And you were not distant from me. You would not let me go. You relentlessly pursued me. You heard my cry because you were very near to me. It is true, without a doubt, that you are close to the broken hearted. Yes, I am. And that is where I was, at the end of my rope, stuck in the muck and mire of life, so to speak. I asked you to show yourself to me if you were real. Asked is an understatement, I shouted at you, in what I now know was the prayer of my heart. That was quite a prayer. I was crying out to you and asking for your help. I was asking you to rescue me from a life without you. Did I hear your prayer? Yes, you heard my prayer. You helped me to confess and turn away from my sins. You forgave all my sins and cleansed all my unrighteousness. You came into my life and filled me with your Spirit. Now, for all these many years you have been molding and shaping me. You have been leading me on the path of life as I love and follow and serve you. You have given me a fresh and new life to live now and forever. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. For that, I give all my thanks and praise to you for all you have done for me. That is very good.

Lord, I was like a stubborn sheep determined to go my own way. What a bruised, battered, and broken life I lived. But you sought me out. Like a good shepherd you came after me. You forgave all my sins and cleansed all my unrighteousness as I turned to you. Amen

Key Question… When did you confess and turn from your sins to receive forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord?

Living It Out… Confess and turn away from your sins so you can be forgiven and cleansed of all your unrighteousness.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will forgive your sins and cleanse your unrighteous when you turn your life over to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you a new life to live with and for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you confess and turn from your sins so you can receive forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 297 – Isaiah 53-4-6 – By His Wounds We Are Healed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Have Faith In God

Posted on March 8, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 296 – Mark 11:22-25 – Have Faith In God – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:22-25 (NLT)

Ask Me For Help

Will you do that? Will I do what? Will you ask me for help? Don’t I ask you for help? Haven’t I asked you for help? This are good questions. Let me ask you some more questions. I’m listening. When do you ask me for help? Am I your last resort before you have tried everyone and everything else? How do you ask me for help? Do you pray prayers that are filled with faith? Those are some tough questions. I can see what you are pointing out. What am I pointing out? You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to ask you for help. You want me to bring all my prayers to you. You don’t want to be my last resort after I have exhausted every other possibility or avenue of help. You want me to draw near to you in prayer, to pray faith filled prayers that you will hear and answer. You want me to live my life in a constant dialogue of prayer with you. Yes, you do understand what I am trying to point out. I stand ready to hear and answer your prayers. Don’t let anything stand in the way of your developing an intimate prayer life with me. What could stand in the way of my developing an intimate prayer life with you? You tell me. I will try, here goes. I could allow myself to become busy and so caught up in the activities of life that I fail to set aside time to pray. I could become so self-reliant and self-sufficient that I don’t think I need to pray. I could become proud and think that I can take care of all my wants and needs by myself. I could allow myself to become so filled with doubt that I couldn’t pray prayers that you will hear and answer. I could live a dark and sinful life that would crowd out any desire to come to meet with you in prayer. I could hold on to grudges and live a bitter, unforgiving, prayerless life. How am I doing? You have well stated reasons why you, or anyone else, could fail to develop an intimate life of prayer with me. What is the one reason you will develop an intimate life of prayer with me? I know that you love and care for me. You delight in hearing and answering my prayers. Yes, I do. Will you live an intimate life of prayer with me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I have something to confess. I have not always asked for your help when I have been in trouble. Often, turning to you, in prayer, has been a last resort. Forgive me. Now, I will continually pray faith filled prayers as I walk through life with you. Amen

Key Question… How are you learning to turn to God right away when you find yourself in difficult circumstances?

Living It Out… Immediately turn to God to ask for His help when you find yourself in trouble.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will hear and answer your faith filled prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been hearing and answering your prayers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May rely on God as you pray faith filled prayers to Him.

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

Promises – Day 296 – Mark 11-22-25 – Have Faith In God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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It Was By Faith

Posted on March 7, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 294 – Hebrews 11:7 – It Was By Faith – Growing As Disciples

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7 (NLT)

Never Done Before

I know that you will ask that of me. What will I ask of you? You will ask me to go and do what I have never done before. Why would I do that? How can you be so certain that I will ask that of you? Not only that, but you will often ask me to go and do what is exceedingly difficult and demanding. Oh, why would you do that? Why am I so certain? You have already asked me to do what I have never done before. You have already asked to go and do what is exceedingly difficult and demanding. Do you resent my asking you to go and do what will require your very best effort? Do you resent my asking you to go and do what will cause you to rely on me? Do you resent my asking you to go and do what will demand you place all your faith in me? No, I do not resent you asking anything and everything of me. I am at your service. I am at your disposal. I am ready and willing to serve you. I will go wherever you send me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Sometimes, it doesn’t sound like that is true. Sometimes, you seem quite reluctant to go and do whatever I ask of you. Yes, I know. At times, I have wavered. At times, I have been slow to get going. At times, I have had a “poor me” attitude. Forgive me. You are forgiven. I am certain you would not want me to ask you to go and do what was simple and easy. You would not want me to ask you to go and do only what you could do in your own strength. You would not want me to ask you to do what did not require you to rely on and place all your faith in me. You want to know that I am powerfully working in and through you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. You want to be able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Am I correct? Is all this true about you? Yes, it is my hope and dream and desire to be used by you. So, I will take on any assignment you give to me. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. That is very good.

Lord, it is no surprise to me that you have and will ask me to go and do what is difficult and demanding. Not only is that true, but you often ask me to do what I have never done before. By faith, I will rely on you. By faith, I will go and do whatever you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How much faith has been required of you to go and do what the Lord asked of you?

Living It Out… By faith go and do what the Lord asks of you so you can bear fruit for His kingdom.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to go and do what He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are going and doing what the Lord asks of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you by faith go and do what the Lord asks of you.

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

Promises – Day 294 – Hebrews 11-7 – It Was By Faith – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Reckless Words Pierce Like A Sword

Posted on March 6, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 293 – Proverbs 12:13-19 – Reckless Words – Growing As Disciples

An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:13-19 (NIV)

Wise Words

That is what I want to speak. What do you want to speak? I want to speak wise words. I want life giving, healing words to come out of my mouth. That’s good, we both want the very same thing. Is there a problem? Yes, there is a huge problem. What’s that? I’m not wise. Wise, life giving, and healing words don’t naturally flow out of my mouth. If I am not exceedingly careful, I can and have spoken reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. It isn’t easy for me to overlook an insult. It is very difficult for me to hide my annoyance with someone who has mistreated me. I see. Yes, I am sure that you do see. What do you need from me? I need you to change my heart and transform my mind. I need you to help me to think and speak and act like you. I need a loving and forgiving heart. Stifling rash actions and reckless words that are in me, will never work. If they are in my heart and on my mind, they are certain to come out of my mouth. That is true. So, basically you want a heart transplant, is that correct? Yes, that is correct, without any doubt. So, you are not asking me to do cosmetic changes to your life? Absolutely not! I want the total makeover. I want the complete overhaul. I want you to mold and shape my life. I want to be able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. That is a very good desire. That is an excellent prayer. That is a very good hope and dream and desire. Do you believe that I will change your heart and transform your mind so that you will be able to think and speak and act like me? Do you believe that I will make you able to speak life giving words that will bring healing into the lives of others? I am certain that you will hear and answer my prayer. I am certain that you will make me able to speak life giving words that bring healing to others. I am certain that you will make my speaking rash and reckless words a thing of the distant past. Yes, I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have not always spoken wise words that brought healing to others. Instead, I have sometimes spoken reckless words that pierced like a sword. Forgive me. Give me wise words to speak so that the words of my mouth will bring healing to others. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you speak wise words that brings healing to others?

Living It Out… Make it your desire, goal, and practice to speak wise words that will bring healing to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can speak wise words that will bring healing to others

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been able to speak wise words of healing to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak wise words that bring healing into the lives of others.

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

Promises – Day 293 – Proverbs 12-13-19 – Reckless Words Pierce Like A Sword – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Create In Me A Pure Heart

Posted on March 5, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 292 – Psalm 51:10-12 – Create In Me A Pure Heart – Growing As Disciples

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)

Pure Heart

That is what I want. This is a hope and dream and desire that I have within me. This is how I want to live my life. Before you go any further, say more clearly what is your hope and dream and desire. I want to have a pure heart. I want to live a life of pleasing you. I want to love and follow and obey and serve you with all that is within me. I don’t want to hold anything back. I don’t want to keep anything in reserve. I want to live a life that is, “all in” for you. I want to be fully devoted to you in all I think and say and do. Is that clear enough? That is quite clear.

Where did this hope and dream and desire come from? It certainly did not come from me. I can take no credit for this hope and dream and desire being in me. This hope and dream and desire has come from you. You placed it in my heart. You have given it to me as a gift. So, we both want the same thing. You want a pure heart. I want you to have a pure heart. How have I made it possible for you to have a pure heart? That is a very good point. That is a very good question. Only you have made it possible for me to have a pure heart. You sent your Son into this world to live and die for me. He paid for my sins. He secured my forgiveness and cleansing. He broke the power of sin over my life. You made it possible for me to receive Him as my Savior and Lord. It is His blood that has washed away my sin. He has made me pure and white and clean and fresh in your sight. You have set a new course for my life. I have left my old and sinful life behind. I am now living the new life you have given to me. Keep on fanning the flame of my desire to live my life with and for you. Keep on helping me to distance myself from anything that would attempt to corrupt and pollute my heart. Guard and protect my heart as I love and follow and obey and serve you. That I will do. That you will do. That we will both do together. How does that sound? Wonderful, beyond what I could ever hope for, dream of, or even imagine. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, only you can create a clean heart in me. Only you can give me a fresh start. I will confess and turn from my sins. I need forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Give me a pure heart filled with the joy of my salvation in Him. Amen

Key Question… When have you confessed and turned from your sins and asked God to purify your heart?

Living It Out… Confess and turn from your sins and receive the gift of salvation available through Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will create a pure heart within you as you confess your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the joy you have because Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you confess and turn from your sins so you can receive forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 277 – Psalm 51-10-12 – Create In Me A Pure Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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The Counselor, The Holy Spirit

Posted on March 4, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 291 – John 14:23-27 – The Counselor The Holy Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:23-27 (NIV)

Counsel

Well, I certainly need that. You certainly need what? I certainly need your counsel. Why do you think you need my counsel? To start with, I am not all that wise. Without your counsel, I have and will likely continue to stumble through life, bouncing from one meaningless endeavor to another. Not only am I unwise; I can’t see the future. Sometimes, maybe quite often, the decisions before me appear to be equal, although that is rarely the case. I need you to guard and guide the course of my life. I need you to keep my life on track. I am no fan of taking missteps that I would need to retrace so I can start over. Doing that has wasted a lot of my time and energy. That is true. Why else do you need my counsel? Life is difficult. Life is demanding. Life is disconcerting. As you already know, and I am sorry to say, it does not take much for me to become discouraged and depressed. I wish that I was stronger and more resilient than I am. I need you to be my strength. I need you to fill me with your power. I need you to revive and refresh and restore me when I become weary and worn out. Then you need me quite often? Yes, I need you working in and through my life, every moment of every day. It is good for you to acknowledge that you need my help. Can I make a suggestion? Yes, of course, I welcome anything you have to say to me. What is your suggestion? Ask for my help. Ask for my power. Ask for me to work in and through your life throughout all the moments of your day. Rely on me to help you. Stop relying on yourself. Will you rely on my help? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Why else do you need my counsel? In this world, my mind is constantly under attack. My mind is a battleground. The world is constantly bombarding me with its thoughts and opinion and values. Without your help, I am likely to think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. What would you like me to do for you? I would like you to take your word and use it like a sword to fight in me, with me and for me so I can resist temptation and fight against evil. I want you to use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. This sounds like the prayer of your heart. It is. I will hear and answer this prayer. I will do all that you are asking of me. I will be your counselor and comforter, guard, and guide, and helper as you walk through life with me. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit fan the flame of my desire to follow and obey Jesus Christ. Teach me so I will know the will and ways of God. Remind me of everything I have been taught. Powerfully use the word of God to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Amen

Key Question… How is the Holy Spirit teaching you so you can understand the will and ways of God?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort and counsel, guard and guide you through life as you love, follow, and obey Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will be with you to help you, to follow and obey Christ throughout your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has been with you to help you throughout your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Holy Spirit to be your comforter, counselor, and helper as you love, follow, and obey Christ.

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

Promises – Day 276 – John 14-23-27 – The Counselor The Holy Spirit- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Prepare Your Heart

Posted on March 3, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 290 – Job 11:13-19 – Prepare Your Heart – Growing As Disciples

“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. Job 11:13-19 (NLT)

Prepare Your Heart

Would you like your face to be a brightful expression of joy that is in you? Would you like to be so filled with courage and strength that you have no need to fear? Would you like your problems to be downsized so they are forgotten like water that has gone under a bridge? Would you like your life to shine like the brightness of noonday? Would you like even dark days to seem bright as morning to you? Would you like your life to overflow with hope and courage? Would you like to be protected so that you can rest in safety? Would you like to lie down without fear so you can rest securely? Would you like others to look to you for help because they see all that you have in me? Wow, wow, wow, yes of course, I want all these things to be true in my life! How can these things be true for me? What must I do If I want to live this kind of life? You have asked very good questions. It is wise for you to know that you have a part in receiving all these things from me. You must do these things if you want all this to be true in your life. You have my full attention. I am listening attentively to you. Prepare your heart before me. Confess your sins to me. Leave your old sinful life in the world behind you. Focus your heart and mind and life on me. Live the new life that I have secured for you. Love, follow and serve me as your Savior and Lord. Allow me to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life. Let my word remain in you. Remain in my word. Let my word form the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life. Live your life in an intimate relationship with me. Meet with me in prayer. Meet with me in worship. Pour your heart out to me. Make your wants and needs know to me. Will you do these things? Yes Lord, I will. I will prepare my heart before you. I will confess my sins and leave my old sinful life behind me. I will pour heart my heart in prayer to you. These things I will keep on doing as I love and follow you as my Savior and Lord. That will be very good. Then all these things will be true in your life. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will prepare my heart and surrender myself to you. I will confess my sins and leave them behind as I love, follow, and serve you. I will rely on you as I lift up my hands to you in prayer. Thank you for helping me throughout every twist and turn in life. Amen

Key Question… How are you guarding your heart and allowing it to be fully surrendered to the Lord?

Living It Out… Guard and prepare your heart so it can be fully surrendered to the Lord as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you through every twist and turn in life as you remain fully surrendered to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a life that is fully surrendered to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you guard and prepare your heart, so you be fully surrendered to the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 290 – Job 11-13-19 – Prepare Your Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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I Have Worked Harder

Posted on March 2, 2024 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 289 – 1 Corinthians 15:10 – I Have Worked Harder – Growing As Disciples

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NLT)

Working Hard

What will working hard accomplish? That all depends. That all depends on what? What working hard will accomplish depends on who I rely on. That is an interesting answer. That is the only answer that has come to me. Tell me what you mean, explain yourself. If I rely on myself and my own hard work, I will accomplish nothing. By myself, apart from you, I can do nothing. On my own, I cannot bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. My own efforts will never bear fruit for all eternity. I could work myself to the bone, I could run myself ragged, I could use every bit of my energy and yet my efforts would amount to nothing without you. How do you know this to be true? Is the voice of your experience? Have you learned this by trial and air? Yes, this is the voice of my experience. Yes, I have learned this by trial and error. Yet, neither of these alone would have been enough to teach me the error of my ways. It is your word that says apart from you I can do nothing. I have done quite a bit of that. I have accomplished a lot of nothing. Then you have learned some very valuable lessons. I wish I had not been such a slow learner. At least you have learned. There is something that I do want you to hold on to. What’s that? Your desire to work hard in serving me is not a bad thing. It is a very good thing. My call on your life will require some very hard work on your part. It is my grace that has given you both the desire and ability to work hard in serving me. And now you know that you must rely on my grace and power to work in and through you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Yes, I do. That is very good.

I want you to take hold of another thought. What’s that? Relying on me will not come easy. Relying on me will not seem natural. Learning to rely on me will also be very hard work. How so? You must work hard to keep your heart and mind and life focused on me, as you serve me. You must work hard on listening attentively to me. You must work hard on receiving my guidance and following my instruction. Will you work hard on relying on me as you work hard in serving me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know the futility of working hard without relying on you. So, I know two things. I must rely on you completely as I give my full and best effort in serving you. Thank you, for your grace that is teaching me to do both. Use me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… What has God’s grace and power accomplished in and through you as have worked hard in serving Him?

Living It Out… Rely on the grace of God to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans as you work hard in serving Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the grace of God will help you to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans as you serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what God’s grace is accomplishing in and through you as you serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the grace and power of God as you work hard in serving Him.

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

Promises – Day 289 – 1 Corinthians 15-10 – I Have Worked Harder – 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: March 2024

We Have Peace With God

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Meditation Of My Heart Be Pleasing In Your Sight

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By His Wounds We Are Healed

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Have Faith In God

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Create In Me A Pure Heart

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The Counselor, The Holy Spirit

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Prepare Your Heart

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I Have Worked Harder

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