Feed My Sheep

Posted on January 11, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 248 – John 21:15-17 – Feed My Sheep – Growing As Disciples

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (NIV)

Fed To Feed

I know your call on my life. What call do I have on your life? I have been fed to feed. That sounds interesting. I would like to hear what you have to say on this subject. You drew me to yourself. You turned my life around. You rescued me from a life without you. You helped me to turn away from my sin to begin a life of loving, following and serving you. You restored my soul. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You set me on your path of life. Yes, I did all of these things for you. When I first started following you. I had no idea what it meant to follow you as my Savior and Lord. I was completely helpless, almost like a newborn baby. I had so much growing to do. Yes, you did. You did not let me remain in this condition. No, I did not. You fed me. You taught me. You trained me. Yes, I did. How did I feed and teach and train you? You brought people into my life that you used as your instruments. Godly men and woman served as my example. They led me in prayer. They guided me in worship. They taught me your word. They worked alongside me in ministry. You brought a multitude of people alongside me to help me on every step of my journey of faith with you. That is exactly what I have done for you. To that, I would say I have been very well fed spiritually. That’s right. That’s true.

Now, it is my turn. I have been fed to feed. Just as I have been fed, so I will feed others. Just as I have been guided in prayer, so I will guide others in prayer. Just as I have been led in worship, so I will lead others in worship. Just as I have been taught your word, so I will teach others your word. And of course, I will work alongside others just as they have worked alongside me. In every way, I will respond fully to your call. Just as you have called others to feed your sheep, so will I, feed your sheep. That will be very good. Yes, you do know my call on your life. Thank you for calling me into your service.

Lord, thank you that others have heard your call and have engaged in feeding me spiritually. Where would I be without them? Now, I know that you are calling me to feed others spiritually. Lord, it will be my joy to go and feed your sheep because I love you. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lord calling you even now to go and feed His sheep?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to feed His sheep.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you a way to feed His sheep.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you opportunities to feed others spiritually.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to feed His sheep.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 248 – John 21-15-17 – Feed My Sheep – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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My Sheep Listen To My Voice

Posted on January 10, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 247 – John 10:27-29 – My Sheep Listen To My Voice – Growing As Disciples

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 (NIV)

Noise

This world is filled with noise. This world is clamoring for my attention. A voice shouts, “go there” another voice says, “come here”. Other voices demand that I do this or do that. If I were to listen to a thousand different voices, I suppose that I would walk a crooked path, living like a pinball bouncing from one endeavor to another. My life would have no purpose or meaning or direction. I certainly wouldn’t accomplish much. Trying to please a thousand different voices would be the certain way for me to misspend my life. That is not at all what I want. What do you want? I want to quiet myself before you. I want to draw near to you. I want you to draw near to me. I want to hear your voice. I want to follow your direction. I want to receive your guidance. I want you to guard my life. I want my life to have purpose and meaning and hope and focus that can only come from you. Those are all very good desires.

You need to know one thing. You will be greatly comforted and encouraged by what I want you to know. What do you want me to know? I want you to hear my voice. You were made to hear my voice. It is my plan that you will hear my voice. You are one of my sheep. I am your good shepherd. I laid my life down for you. I will lead you through life. I will guide you to where I want you to go. I will give you what I want you to do. You will not misspend your life. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Your future with me is secure. No evil can snatch you out of my hand. I will be with you to help you. My hand is on you. My favor will be with you. Does what I am saying give you comfort? Are you encouraged? Yes, I am. Keep on quieting yourself before me. Rest in my presence. Keep on listening attentively to my voice. Keep on following and serving me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, this is a noisy world. Voices of every kind are shouting for my attention. The world would like me to live my life according to its values, patterns and practices. I want none of that. I will listen to your voice. Guard and guide my life as I am attentive to you. Amen

Key Question… What have you done to quiet yourself so that you would be in a position to hear the Lord’s voice?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Lord so that He can guard and guide you through life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guard and guide you through life as you listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord guards and guides you through life as you listen to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord guarding and guiding you through life.

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

Day 247 – Becoming Like Christ – John 10-27-29 – My Sheep Listen To My Voice – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Withdrew To Lonely Places

Posted on January 9, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 246 – Luke 5:15-16 – Withdrew To Lonely Places – Growing As Disciples

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)

My Priority

That is my priority. What is your priority? It is my priority to meet with you. Tell me more about your priority. Notice, I did not say that meeting with you is my first priority. Yes, I did notice that. Why did you not say meeting with me was your first priority? I did not want to convey the idea that any other priority came even remotely close to my priority of meeting with you. That’s good. How will you be certain to establish your priority of meeting with me? That is a very good question. I know one thing for certain. What’s that? You will not receive my leftover time. I will not let a busy schedule or the demands of life crowd you out of my life. I will not meet with you only when I get around to it. Why are these thoughts of yours so important? In the past, I have had very good intentions of meeting with you. But I never actually carved out a time and set a specific place to meet with you. I never put our meeting together firmly on my schedule. I know putting meeting with you on my schedule sounds so formal and maybe even artificial. But when I haven’t put meeting with you firmly on my schedule as my utmost and highest priority then it has never happened. Days and weeks and even months went by without my meeting with you. My meeting with you was nothing more than hit or miss. That is no way to live in an intimate relationship with you. Is that your desire? Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, that is the desire of my heart. I want to know you intimately. I want to love you passionately. I want to serve you completely. I want my heart and mind and life to be fully devoted to you. That is very good. Daily, I will meet with you in prayer. Daily, I will meet with you in worship. Daily, I will meet with you in your word. Daily, I will meet with you as I go and do all that you ask of me. In every way, I will be listening attentively to you. My entire life will be focused on you. I will allow you to guard and guide my life. Then you will be able to receive all that I have for you. Then you will have all that you want from me. Then I will be the priority of your heart and mind and life. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, I will withdraw daily to a quiet and lonely place to meet with you in prayer. I will not let a busy schedule crowd you out of my life. I will not leave our meeting to chance. You will not have my leftover time. You are the priority on my schedule. Amen

Key Question… Why must you never allow the demands of life to crowd out your time in prayer with your Heavenly Father?

Living It Out… Make it your daily ongoing practice to withdraw to quiet and lonely places to pray to your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will meet with you as you withdraw to quiet and lonely places to pray.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you are withdrawing to quiet and lonely places to pray.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw to a quiet place so you can be alone to pray to your Father Heavenly.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Luke 5-15-16 – Withdrew To Lonely Places – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Parable Of The Sower

Posted on January 8, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 245 – Matthew 13:18-23 – Parable Of The Sower – Growing As Disciples

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV)

Abundant Fruit

That is sort of the bottom line. What is the bottom line? I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I don’t want my life in you to be choked off by the worries and cares of this world. I don’t want to wilt under heat of the troubles and trials of this life. I want to be able to fight against every evil and withstand all temptation. I want to be able to endure any persecution. I don’t want to get caught up and entrapped by wealth and the pleasures of this life. I want my heart and mind and life to be entirely focused on you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. You have good and right and pure desires in you. Well, they did not originate in me. Any good and right and pure desires in me certainly come from you. Yes, they do.

How will you be able to live a faithful and fruitful life that is good and right and pleasing to me? How will you be able to know and do my will? How will my good and right and pure desires that are in you, be fulfilled? Not by my own strength, that is for sure. Not by my trying harder, of that I am certain. What then? Only you can make me faithful. Only you can make me fruitful. How will I make you both faithful and fruitful? You will use your word to make me both faithful and fruitful. I meet with you daily in your word. Then and there, you will plant your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. Yes, I will. You will use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Your word will accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans in and through my life. I will allow you to use your word to do your work in me. That will be very good. Then your life will bear abundant fruit for my kingdom and glory. Thank you, Lord.

Heavenly Father, I will meet with you daily in your word. I will listen carefully and make myself attentive to what you want to teach me. Plant your word deeply in my heart, mind and life. Allow your word to flourish in me so I can bear abundant fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… How has the growth of God’s word in you made you able to bear abundant fruit for Him?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word on a daily basis so He can plant His word deeply in your heart and mind and life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will bear abundant fruit for God as you take it deep into your heart and mind and life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to be planted deeply in you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to plant His word deep into your heart and mind and life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 245 – Matthew 13-18-23 – Parable Of The Sower – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Go

Posted on January 7, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 244 – Jonah 1:1-3 – Go – Growing As Disciples

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

Say Yes

That is what I always want to say to you. What do you always want to say to me? I always want to say, “yes” to you. Will it always be easy for you to say “yes” to me? It is the desire of my heart to always say “yes” to you. That is my hope and plan. You have a good desire and hope and plan. But you haven’t yet answered my specific question. Yes, I know. I’m thinking about your question. Tell me your thoughts. I know that I have not always said, “yes” to you. Sometimes, I have ignored your requests. Sometimes, I have delayed responding to your requests. Other times, I have run away from what you have asked me to do for you. Why would you ever run away from a request of mine? Your requests are not always easy. Sometimes you have asked me to leave the familiar to do what is uncomfortable. In fact, using the words, “sometimes” or “uncomfortable” or “unfamiliar” might be a bit of an understatement. Why is that? You often ask me to do things that are beyond my ability. Why would I do that? Sometimes, your requests have seemed outright scary to me. How could my requests scare you? You want to grow my faith as I rely on you to work in and through me. You want to do in and through me what only you can do. Do you have a problem with that? No, I don’t generally have a problem with that. I will confess that I have not always gone and done the difficult, unfamiliar and uncomfortable assignments you have given to me. Forgive me for that. You are forgiven.

How do you want to live your life? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you want to live with fear and doubt? Do you want to accomplish little or much? Do you want to have great or little faith? Do you want your life to bear much or little fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring a little or a lot of glory to my name? I see where all your questions are headed. I understand their meaning. I have only one answer. I want what you want. I will say “yes” to you. I will do and do whatever you ask of me, with all the power and strength you will give to me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know you will ask me to go and do things for you. What you ask may be uncomfortable and unfamiliar or difficult and challenging. Help me to always say yes to you. I want to be able to both give and receive your blessings as I serve you. Amen

Key Question… When have you wanted to run away from something that the Lord asked you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Go and do what your Heavenly Father asks of you so you can both give and receive His blessings.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father 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 have gone and done what your Heavenly Father asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what your Heavenly Father asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 244 – Jonah 1-1-3 – Go – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Listens To Advice

Posted on January 6, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 243 – Proverbs 12:13-18 – Listens To Advice – 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. Proverbs 12:13-18 (NIV)

Listening

I have a growth opportunity of that I am sure. What is your growth opportunity? As you know, I have often been strong willed and opinionated. I am also one of those that is energized by the heat of a good debate. There is no doubt about that. I have not developed great skills at listening. I am afraid that I have often sent off signals that I am not always ready and willing and able to receive and act on wise advice whether it comes from you or from some wise person you have brought into my life. I know one thing for certain. What’s that? A person who fails to listen to wise advice is a fool. A person who cannot receive or act on wise advice lives in constant danger. They live with warnings never received or acted on. They think foolish thoughts, speak foolish words and take foolish actions. They suffer the natural pain and suffering of thinking and speaking and acting foolishly. I don’t want that to be me. It won’t be you, trust Me. I have more to say. I’m listening. In the little more distant past, I have also been easily annoyed and unlikely to overlook an insult. Yes but, you have allowed me to work in you and through you so that now you are more likely to ignore and overlook an insult. I am thankful for all the progress you are making in me. That’s good. I am also thankful that I am still your work in progress. Yes, you are my work in progress. You will never stop molding and shaping me into the work of your hands. Yes, you are my masterpiece. I’m sure that you have a lot of work yet to do in me. That’s true, but don’t be impatience or discouraged, my hands are on you. My favor rests on you. I will make you able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. It is hard to think of myself as your masterpiece. Try harder. I will. That’s good. So, I will make listening my goal. I will be listening well to you. I will be listening well to wise people you bring into my life. I will receive and act on all that you want me to hear and do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have not always listened well. I have been strong willed and opinionated. I have sent off strong signals that I have not been ready or willing or able receive and act on advice. Forgive me. I will listen attentively to any wise advice you want to give me. Amen

Key Question… How does your life send signals that you are ready and willing and able to listen and act on advice?

Living It Out… Be ready and willing and able to receive and act on wise advice from the Lord and those He brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord and others He brings into your life will give you wise advice to receive and act on.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are ready and willing to receive and act on wise advice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be ready, willing and able to receive and act on wise advice.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 243 – Proverbs 12-13-18 – Listens To Advice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Asked For This

Posted on January 5, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 242 – 1 Kings 3:10-12 – Asked For This – Growing As Disciples

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 1 Kings 3:10-12 (NIV)

Request

I know that you delight to hear my prayers. I know that I can bring any and all my prayer requests to you. I know that there is no prayer that is too small or too large to for you to hear and answer. I know that you want me to live my life in a constant and ongoing dialogue of prayer with you. I know that, you want to me to know you intimately and follow you passionately. Yes, I want all of these things for you. That’s good and for that I am very thankful.

I am thinking a related but different thought. I’m listening. You asked Solomon what he wanted from you. Yes, I did. If you were to ask me what I wanted from you, I have an answer. If you were to give me the answer to one very large request, I know what I would ask of you. I like where you are headed in or conversation. So, you want me to make my request? Yes, absolutely. Make your request. I am listening to your every word. Well, my words will not be eloquent. My request won’t be complicated. But here goes. I want to know you. That’s it? Yes, that’s it. Now, I should clarify my request. Yes, say more. I don’t want to know you a little bit. I want to know you intimately and follow you passionately. You already know that I want that for you. Yes, I do. I am affirming that I want what you want. That is very good. We are in agreement. Without a doubt. Do you believe that I will hear and answer this prayer of yours? Yes, I do, with all my heart. You are correct. This is a prayer that I will hear and answer. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

There is much more that you know that you are not saying. That is true. Tell me what is on your heart and in your mind. If I come to know you, I will also come to love you. If I come to love you, then I will also follow and serve you. If I follow and serve you, I will also bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. All of this adds up to me living a life that is wise and good and right and true and pleasing to you. I will be able to know and do your will. Yes, it does. Yes, you will. So, I have no greater request or no more passionate desire than to come to know you. That is my prayer. That is my request. You have made a very good and wise prayer request to me.

Heavenly Father, I know for certain that wisdom does not come naturally to me. Left to my own thoughts, I will make dumb decisions and foolish mistakes. It will be my continual, ongoing prayer to ask you for wisdom so I will be able to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked God for wisdom so you could know and do His will?

Living It Out… Make it your continual and ongoing daily prayer to ask God for wisdom so you can know and do His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will give you wisdom so you can know and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you wisdom to know and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask your Heavenly Father for wisdom so you can know and do His will.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 242 – 1 Kings 3-10-12 – Asked For This – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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God Intended It For Good

Posted on January 4, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 241 – Genesis 50:19-21 – God Intended It For Good – Growing As Disciples

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV)

Unique Position

Here I am. I’m right here. I could have never predicted that I would end up in this place. My life has taken so many twists and turns and up and downs to arrive in this unique position. Do you have any comments to make? Not at the moment, right now, I’m enjoying listening to what you have to say. I will continue then. That will be very good. For a very long time I could not figure out what was going on in my life. How so? My course had changed and not entirely by own choosing or liking. I particularly did not like the bumps and bruises I experienced along the way. My attitude was not always positive and pleasant. That sounds like an understatement to me. I suppose so. I was crabby, wasn’t I? That’s true. I don’t like to be uncomfortable. I don’t like to be inconvenienced. I particularly don’t like to be misused, abused or mistreated. How about undervalued? Yes, I especially don’t like that much either. Another understatement. That’s for sure. Anyhow, in all of these twists and turns and ups and downs in my life it was hard for me to recognize when and where and how you were working in my life. Sometimes, I may have doubted that you actually were working in my life. I don’t know if I did or not. I will tell you one thing for certain. What’s that? My faith wasn’t strong. I was filled with doubt. I felt a little like Joseph must have felt. How is that? He had one setback after another. He was misused, abused and mistreated. He was certainly undervalued. He was literally in a dungeon of darkness. His dreams must have seemed like a distant memory. He must have asked, “Why me?” He must have wondered what he did to deserve what He was going through. There is no record of him thinking or speaking in these ways. I’ll bet he did on occasion. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. There is one point of which I am absolutely certain. What’s that? At some point he recognized that your hand was on him. He came to know that all the adversity he had gone through had not gone to waste. He came to understand that you had been preparing and placing him in a unique position to serve you. Have you come to realize these things for yourself? Yes, I know that your hand is on me. You want to use me. You have been preparing and placing me in a unique position to serve you. I could not have arrived where I am today without traveling the course you have laid out for me. Looking back over my life I can see that you have never left me. You have always been with me to help me. You held on to me. You helped me to hold on to you. Yes, I have done all of these things for you. Now, I have only a couple of things to say. What’s that? Thank you, for how you have been working in and through my life. Use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I have not understood what was going on in my life. I wondered where and how you were working in and through me. Thank you, for helping to look back over time to understand how you have uniquely placed me to be used by you. Amen

Key Question… Where has God uniquely placed you to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans?

Living It Out… Allow God to use you, in the unique position He has placed you, to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has placed you in a unique position to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group where God has uniquely positioned you to be used by Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use you in the unique position He has placed you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 241 – Genesis 50-19-21 – God Intended It For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Sacrifice

Posted on January 3, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 239 – Genesis 22:2 – Sacrifice – Growing As Disciples

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Genesis 22:2 (NIV)

Your Promises

I know something about your promises. What do you know about my promises? I know that your promises are true. I know that your promises are reliable. I know that your promises are trustworthy. I can place all my faith in your promises. You know some very important things about my promises. Can you say more? I know that you made a promise to Abraham. Yes, I did. You promised that out of Abraham you would make a great nation. You said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him. You said that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore. Yes, I promised all of this to Abraham. This tells me more about your promises. What does this tell you? Sometimes, my belief in your promises will be tested. How so? Why do you come to this conclusion? If Abraham didn’t have a son, it would be impossible for your promises to come true for him. If he did not have a son, then he would have no descendants. His descendants would not be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand of the seashore. That’s true. Yet, you tested his faith in you. You tested his belief in your promises. Yes, I did. So, I ask myself these questions, “If you tested Abraham’s faith in you and his belief in your promises, will I not also be tested as I love, follow and serve you throughout my life?” “Will I not also need to place my faith in you?” “Will I not also need to rely on your promises?” Those are all very good questions to ask yourself. What is your answer to these questions? My faith in you and my belief in your promises will certainly be tested. I will need to place all my faith in you when I go through dark and difficult days. I will need to come to fully rely on your promises. Why else do you know this to be true? It was not only true in Abraham’s life. It has been true in the lives of all who have followed you. It has already been true in my own life. I have had days where all I could do to move forward with you was to place my faith in you and keep on believing in your promises. That is true. How has that worked out for you? You have never left me all alone. You have always been with me to help me. I have never regretted placing my faith in you and relying on your promises. That is very good. Yes, you and your promises are very good. For that you have my never-ending thanks and praise and worship. Keep me moving forward with you. Keep helping me to hold on to you and your promises. Yes, I will.

Heavenly Father, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am fully devoted to you. All my faith is in you. I will hold on to your promises as I go through dark and difficult days. I know you will accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. Amen

Key Question… When has one of your God given hopes and dreams and desires faced adversity?

Living It Out… Rely on the promises of God as you go through dark and difficult days.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will fulfill His promises to you as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the promises of God has you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the promises of God as you go through dark and difficult days.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 239 – Genesis 22-2 – Sacrifice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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That They May Have Life

Posted on January 2, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 238 – John 10:10 – That They May Have Life – Growing As Disciples

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

Abundant Life

Not one day of my life has been the same. What are you taking about? Your life has never been the same as what? Not one day of my life has been the same since the day that I came to know you as my Savior and Lord. I’d like to hear more about this from you. My life was a complete and total mess before I gave my life to you. I was bruised and battered and broken. I was discouraged and depressed. It seem like my life was one long stream of disastrous misadventures. If something could go wrong, it did. If I could experience any more pain or suffering or loss, I did. I don’t know how I could have felt more hopeless. I may be exaggerating. Maybe, I am being melodramatic? No, I don’t think so. I agree with you, your life was a mess. So, would you also say that I had reached rock bottom? Yes, your life was at rock bottom, on that we have agreement. That was a very good place for you to be. Why do you say that? It didn’t feel like a good place to me. I would like to ask you a couple of questions to help you to answer your own question. I’m listening. Would you have cried out to me if your life had not reached rock bottom? Would you have asked for my help? Would you have been willing to turn your life over to me? Would you have told me that you wanted to follow me as your Savior and Lord? Certainly not, I was a strong willed and independent person. I thought I didn’t need or want anything from anyone, including you. I wanted to live my life, my way, all by myself. No one could tell me anything. I was absolutely full of myself. Being at rock bottom stripped me of my prideful independence. Being at rock bottom caused me to cry out to you to ask for your help. Being at rock bottom showed me that I wanted more and something else. I now know I wanted you. I wanted to know and love and follow and serve you. I wanted to live my life with and for you. So, being at rock bottom was a good place for you to be after all? Yes, it was a very good place to for me to be.

So now, I am thankful beyond measure. You have given me a completely new life to live. You have helped me to come to love you with all my heart and mind and strength. You have given me a passionate desire to know and do your will. You have made it my joy to walk with you through life. You are the focus of my life. You are at the center of all that I think and say and do. That is why I can confidently say that my life has never been the same since you became my Savior and Lord. That is very good. Yes, it is unimaginably good. You have given me an abundant life to live with and for you. Yes, I have. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for giving me fullness of life. You have forgiven me and freed me from my old life. You have accepted and adopted me into your family. You have filled my life with hope and meaning and purpose. You have given me a bright future now and forever. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord given you a life that is filled with hope and meaning and purpose?

Living It Out… Live out the fullness of life that the Lord has given to you both now and forever.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live the fullness of life that He has given you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to live the fullness of life He has given you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live out the fullness of life that the Lord has secured for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – John 10-10 – Have Life – 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: January 2025

Feed My Sheep

Fed To Feed

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My Sheep Listen To My Voice

Noise

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Withdrew To Lonely Places

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Parable Of The Sower

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Go

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God Intended It For Good

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Sacrifice

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That They May Have Life

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