We Are God’s Workmanship

Posted on December 27, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study – Promises – Day 227 – Ephesians 2:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship – Growing As Disciples

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Molding And Shaping

You are my masterpiece. You are the work of my hands. I have molded and shaped your life according to my purposes and plans. You are the person that I have made you to be. I have designed you to join me in doing the work that I have prepared for you to do. What do you think about all of this? These thoughts are wonderful to hear. To think that you have taken the time and made the effort to mold and shape my life leaves me in humble thankfulness. To think that I might be inadequate to do what you have called me to do couldn’t be true. Why is that? You have not only uniquely prepared me to do good works but you are inviting me to join you in doing them. I am not alone. No, you are not. You are working in me and through me. Yes, I am.

I am not finished with you. What does that mean? I’m still molding and shaping your life. My work in your life will continue until the day we meet each other face to face. How does that sound to you? Well, I would rather be a completed work. Yes, I am sure that you would. Being a completed work sounds more comfortable to you doesn’t it? Yes, It does. You know that some of my molding and shaping of your life might make you uncomfortable, don’t you? Yes, I do. Tell me more about that. There is no “might” about it. Whenever you have molded and shaped my life you have always taken me out of my comfort zone. You don’t like that? Not too much. Would you rather that I stopped molding and shaping your life? Would you like to remain as you are right now? No, I don’t want that, not at all. What do you want? I am thankful that I am your masterpiece. I am grateful that you are continuing to mold and shape my life. So, you want me to continue to my work of molding and shaping your life, is that true? Yes Lord, it is. I would like to say more on this subject. What’s that? I welcome your ongoing work in my life. You might hear a groan or a sigh here or there. It might seem like I am protesting and that I want you to go no further, that I want you to stop molding and shaping my life. Do me a favor. What’s that? Ignore my groans and sighs. Disregard what may seem like a protest on my part. Know this, I want you to keep working in my life. I don’t want you to stop molding and shaping me until we meet each other face to face. I’m glad to hear this prayer of yours. You, know this, under no circumstance will I stop making you into the person I want you to be. Then we are in complete agreement. Yes, for the moment we are in complete agreement. There will be times and moments in the future I may remind you of this conversation. Will that be all right with you? Yes, I’m sure that I will need every reminder that you will give to me. So, here I am. Keep on molding and shaping me. Keep on working in and through me. Use me according to your purposes and plans. Help me to join you in the work that you have given me to do for you. Use me for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, I will.

Lord, thank you for designing and creating me as your masterpiece. It is so healing and encouraging and humbling to know that I am the work of your hands. It is my honor and joy to join you in doing the good works you have prepared for me to do. Amen

Key Question… How healing and encouraging is it for you to know that you are a masterpiece created by God?

Living It Out… As God’s masterpiece join Him in doing the work that He has designed and prepared you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as God’s masterpiece He has designed and prepared you to do good works for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has designed and prepared you to do good works for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you accept the fact that you are God’s masterpiece created in Christ to do good works with and for Him.

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

Promises – Day 227 – Ephesians 2:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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A Quiet Place And Rest

Posted on December 26, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 226 – Mark 6:30-31 – A Quiet Place And Rest – Growing As Disciples

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:30-31 (NLT)

A Quiet Place

Is there somewhere you would rather be? Is there something you would rather do? No, there is no place I would rather be. No, there is nothing I would rather do. I have made this choice. I have left the busyness of life far behind me. I have gladly entered this quiet place to be with you. You have my full attention. I have no distractions. My heart and mind and life are focused entirely on you. That is very good. What has happened as you have left the busyness of life to enter a quiet place to be with me. I am not primarily talking about right now. Over time what has happened to you because you have chosen to meet with me nearly every day over many years? What hasn’t happened to me? None of my life has been untouched by your hand as I have rested in your presence. Yes, that is true, but it will be beneficial for you to say out loud what has happened to you as you have drawn near to me. I agree and I am ready to answer your question. Go ahead, I am listening. In your presence, I have grown to love you with all my heart and mind, and strength. In your presence, I have come to know you and follow you and serve you. In your presence, you have revived and refreshed and restored my soul. You have brought your healing to me. You have healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You have made me whole. Yes, I have done all these things for you as you have quietly and attentively rested in my presence. What else? You have guarded and guided my life. You have given me a hope filled future. You filled me full of your Holy Spirit so I can shine like a star in the universe for you. Others have been drawn to you because they have seen your life being lived out in and through me. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Is that it? Certainly not, I am only scratching the surface describing what you have done, are doing and will do as I withdraw from the busyness of life to quietly meet with you. That is correct, without a doubt. Will you keep on meeting with me in a quiet place? Yes Lord, with a joy filled heart that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have worked myself ragged and run myself weary. I have failed to take a break to leave the busyness of life, to go to a quiet place to rest in your presence. Help me to withdraw daily to meet with you. Fully revive and restore my soul in your presence. Amen

Key Question… How has leaving the busyness of life to meet with the Lord made you able to receive guidance from Him?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it will be well worth your time and effort to leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you leave the busyness of life to go to a quiet place to rest in the Lord’s presence.

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

Promises – Day 226 – Mark 6-30-31 – A Quiet Place And Rest – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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What Do You Want?

Posted on December 25, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 225 – Matthew 20:32-34 – What Do You Want? – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. Matthew 20:32-34 (NLT)

Want And Need

Ask you what? What do you want and need from me? What can I do for you? Just like that, I can ask you for what I want and need? You will hear and answer my prayers? Yes, I will hear and answer your prayers. Yes, you can make your wants and needs known to me. Really? Yes, really. Would it surprise you to know that you often have not, because you ask not? That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Why is that? I am sure that you have wanted me to come to ask you for what I want and need. For some reason, unknown to me, I have seldom made my wants and needs known to you. Yes, I know. But that is about to change. How so? I will make it my daily practice to bring my wants and needs to you. That will be very good. Do you think that I will hear and answer every prayer that you pray? Well, no, I am sure that I have prayed plenty of prayers that were not according to your purpose and plan or will for my life. I can think of some very misguided and unwise prayers that I have prayed over time. I reflect with gratitude that you have not answered every prayer that I have prayed. You are somewhat mistaken on this point. How so? Many times, the best answer I could give your prayers was “no” or “net yet”. At other times, I have answered your prayers in ways that you could not have possibly hoped for, dreamed of, or even imagined. Sometimes, your prayers have been tested. How so? I have asked you to be persistent and passionate in your prayers. Sometimes, I have required you to ask in faith, over great lengths of time, for what you have wanted or needed. In this way, your faith and hope and trust in me has grown. In this way, you have come to rely on me more fully. Don’t I know that! That does remind me of my highest and best prayer. That brings to the front of my heart and mind what I want and need most from you. What’s that? I want to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. If you were to do only one thing for me, this is what I would ask of you. You can be certain that I will do this in, for and through you. I will answer this prayer far beyond what you could ever ask for, dream of, or even imagine. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know I have not always brought my wants and needs to you. Why that is, I don’t know. That is going to change. I will bring all my wants and needs to you. I will make my prayers know to you. With faith, I will ask you for what I want and need from you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord often filled your wants and needs in unanticipated ways?

Living It Out… Make it your faith filled prayer to ask the Lord for what you want and need from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can ask the Lord what you want Him to do for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you are asking the Lord to do for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask the Lord for what you want and need from Him.

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

Promises – Day 225 – Matthew 20-32-34 – What Do You Want? – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Acting As True Children

Posted on December 24, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 223 – Matthew 5:43-48 – Acting True Children – Growing As Disciples

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

Act Like A Child

That’s a good thing? That is how I should act? What are you talking about? How should you act? Should I act like a child? I know what you are thinking. What am I thinking? You often heard, during your younger years, that you should grow up and stop acting like a child. I can’t tell you how many times I heard that as I was growing up. And now, I am being told that I need to act like a child. That sounds confusing, I know. But there is a huge difference between acting childish and acting like a child. You are going to need to clarify the difference for me. We’ll see about that. Let me ask you a couple questions first. Alright, I’m listening. How would you describe childish behavior? Childish behavior is self-centered and self-indulgent. A child is focused on one person. Who is that? A child is focused solely on themselves. That’s true. What else? A child is focused on one thing. What’s that? A child is focused solely on their wants and needs. If a child does not get what they want, when they want it, look out, a tantrum is on the way. That’s also true. You can be sure that I do not want you to behave in these childish ways. I have no doubts about that. That’s good.

If I asked you to behave like a child, but not any child, but my child, what would you think? That puts a completely different thought on behaving like a child. If I am to behave like your child, that means I would want to become like you. As your child, behaving like your child, I would want to think and speak and act like you. I would want to do what is pleasing to you. I would want to love you, just as you love me. I would want to love others, just as you love them. I would want to follow your example. I would want to go and do what you did. Now, you are understanding how I could ask you to act like a child, my child that is. Yes, I understand. That’s good.

Now, I am asking to act like a child, my child, in a very specific way. Do know what I am asking of you? Yes, I do. You want me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Yes, I do. Will you become like me in this way? Will you love others, just as I have loved you? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, it is my desire to become like you in all that I think and say and do. Help me love like you loved. I will love my enemies and I will pray for those who persecute me. Help me to live like one of your true children as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never be a bright witness for Christ in the world if you only love those who love you?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to become a true child of God by loving and praying for your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to become a true child of God by loving and praying for your enemies.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are loving and praying for your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as a true child of God by loving others just as He loves you.

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

Promises – Day 223 – Matthew 5-43-48 – Acting As True Children – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Depended On God’s Grace

Posted on December 23, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 222 – 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 – Depended On God’s Grace – Growing As Disciples

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (NLT)

Depend on Me

Will you do that? Will I do what? Will you depend on me? Of course, I will depend on you. Who or what else would be worthy of my trust? Who or what else could I attempt to rely on? Those are good questions. Many depend and rely on someone or something other than me. Like what or who? You tell me. I thought you might say that. It will be a good exercise for you to consider and eliminate the alternatives that some choose to follow. Alright, here goes. I could depend and rely on the wisdom of the world. I could allow my thoughts and words and actions to be guided by the ideas and opinions and values of the world. I could be guided the winds of popular opinion. I could conform to the world so that I would think and speak and act like all everyone in it. If I take no action. If I just go with the flow. I will be just like very one else in the world. I would be conformed to its pattern. I would be shaped according to its mold. That would not be good. No, it would not. Or I could choose a slightly different alternative. Like what? Instead of following the wisdom of the world. I could simply do what is right in my own eyes. I could rely on myself. I could depend on my own wisdom. I could follow my own path. I could set my own course. I could make my own rules. Would that be good? Would living by either alternative make you able to live the life that I have called you to live? Would you be able to live a Godly life? Would you have a clear conscience? Would you have any confidence that you were doing what is pleasing to me? Would you be a witness for me in the world? Would you bear any fruit for my kingdom? Would you bring any glory to my name? There is nothing good or right or true in relying on the wisdom of the world or depending on myself. So yes, I will depend you. I will on you to guide my life. That will be very good. You will make me able to live the life that you have called me to live. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will not rely on myself or my own thinking. Nor will I rely on the wisdom of the world to guide my thoughts and words and actions. Instead, I will rely on you. I will depend fully on your grace to make me able to live a wise and Godly life for your glory. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never be able to live a Godly life by relying on your own human wisdom?

Living It Out… Depend on the grace of God to enable to live a Godly life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that depending on the grace of God will enable you to live a Godly life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are depending on God’s grace to live a Godly life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you depend on God’s grace to help you to live a life of wisdom.

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

Promises – Day 222 – 2 Corinthians 1-12-14 – Depended On God’s Grace – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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On Your Feet And On Your Way

Posted on December 22, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 221 – Jonah 1:1-3 – On Your Feet And On Your Way – Growing As Disciples

One day long ago, GOD’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.” But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from GOD. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from GOD as he could get. Jonah 1:1-3 (MSG)

Assignment

Will you do this for me? Will I do what for you? Will you get up off your feet and be on your way to go and do what I ask of you? Will you take the assignment I want to give you? Before you answer me, you need to know that I do know your thoughts. So, don’t try to pull on over on me. Alright, I will confess that two words came into my mind about taking on an assignment from you. Let me hear those words. “That depends” came into my mind when I thought about taking on unknown assignment from you. Why is that? I’m not saying that I am proud of that response. I am also not saying that I will allow those two words to be my final answer to you. Just because those two words popped into my mind does not mean that I will grab a hold of them and make them my own. What you are saying is true. What you are saying is also being evasive. Why would the words, “it depends” pop into your mind when I ask you to go and do something for me? What thoughts are behind those two words? I do know that you like to give me a difficult and challenging assignment. You want the difficulty of my assignment to cause me to draw near to you. You want me to ask for your help. You want me to rely on you. You want to grow my faith as I go and do what you ask me. Yes, I want all these things for you. But the truth is, I don’t like to be uncomfortable. I don’t want to be inconvenienced. I don’t want to leave my comfort zone to take on a difficult and demanding assignment. You are making an honest confession. Yes, I am. That’s good. But none of what you have said is your final answer to me, is it? No, it is not. What is your final answer to me? I will take on any assignment you give to me. I want you to work in and through me. I want to be used by you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. So, my final answer will always be yes to you. That is very good.

Lord, I will accept any assignment you give me. I will not run away from you. I will not bail out on any difficult task you ask me to do for you. Fully use my life. Accomplish your will, purposes and plan in and through me. I am at your service, ready for your use. Amen

Key Question… How have you tried to avoid going and doing something that the Lord asked of you?

Living It Out… Get on your feet and be on your way to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life and the lives of others as you go and do what He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has blessed lives as you have done what He asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you get on your feet and be on your way to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

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

Promises – Day 221 – Jonah 1-1-3 – On Your Feet And On Your Way – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Humility Procedes Honor

Posted on December 21, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 219 – Proverbs 15:31-33 – Humility Precedes Honor – Growing As Disciples

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 15:31-33 (NLT)

Will You Listen?

Will you listen? Will I listen to who? Will I listen to what? Those are two very good questions. Let me ask you two more questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Who would you be unwilling to listen to? What would you be unwilling to hear? Those seem like harder questions. Why is that? I might start off by saying that I am willing to listen to anyone and everyone. I might also continue to say that there is nothing that I would be unwilling to hear. But those statements might not be true. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. I suppose that there are some people that don’t have my ear. Yes, there are people that I have been unwilling to listen to. What else? I have not always been willing to hear and receive and accept what others have had to say to me. Like what? I have not always accepted constructive criticism or what you might call a “life giving” rebuke. Has that been wise? What has sometimes happened to you because you failed to hear constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke? What have been the consequences of failing to listen to those who have had something important to say to you? I have suffered some pain and suffering and loss because I have pridefully and foolishly rejected wise counsel from others. So, you are willing to admit that wisdom often comes to you as constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke? Yes, I am. So, are you now much more willing to listen and hear what others have to say to you? Yes, I am. That’s good. I will tell you a little secret. What’s that? You can’t be a prideful and foolish and stubborn in your listening to others and be a wise listener to me. What will prevent you from receiving wisdom from others will prevent you from receiving wisdom from me. I’m starting to get that. I am beginning to understand. I will tell you another little secret. What’s that? I will often send people your way to speak into your life so that you can receive wisdom from me. So, be ready and willing and able to hear and receive and accept what others have to say to you. In pridefully and foolishly rejecting constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke from others, you may be rejecting an important word from me. So, I will ask you again, “Will you listen?” Yes Lord, I will listen attentively to you and to others you bring into my life. That will be very good.

Lord, I will humbly accept constructive criticism. I will also welcome your corrective discipline in my life. I will not be proud. I will not be stubborn. I will walk in humble awe of you throughout my life. Teach me your wisdom. Give me understanding. Lead my life. Amen

Key Question… Why is it a prideful and foolish mistake to fail to listen to and accept constructive criticism?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use constructive criticism and corrective discipline to make you wise.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use constructive criticism and corrective discipline to make you wise.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you the Lord is using criticism and discipline to make you wise.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly receive constructive criticism and corrective discipline so you could be made wise.

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

Promises – Day 219 – Proverbs 15-31-33 – Humility Precedes Honor – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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At Work In You Who Believe

Posted on December 20, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 220 – 1 Thessalonians 2:13- At Work In You Who Believe – Growing As Disciples

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)

Receive The Word

Are you receiving my word? I’m not positive that I know exactly what you mean. But I think that I am. Tell me what it means for you to receive my word? I had a feeling that you were going to ask me that question. Receiving your word begins with an attitude in my heart and mind. My attitude toward your word demonstrates the value I place on it in my life. To me, your word is more valuable than silver or gold. What do you mean by that? I spend a lot of time taking your word into my life. I meditate on it. I memorize it. I pray it. I think about your word all the time. The value of silver or gold or money does not rival or remotely come close to the value I place on your word. Why do you place such a high value on my word? Your word is how you speak into my life. I want to hear from you. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to follow and serve you. None of this would be possible without your word. No, it would not. Can you say more? Your word is what you use to change my heart and transform my mind. I know that my thoughts are not your thoughts. I know that my ways are not your ways. Your thoughts and ways are so much higher and better than mine. As I meditate on your word you are using it to work in me. How so? Your word changes my thoughts. Your word brings my heart and mind into alignment with you. If I discover that one of my thoughts or ways is not consistent with yours then I know that it is time for me to change my thought or way. Is that all? No, there is much more. Not only does your word show me your thoughts and your ways, it also gives me the power and strength to follow and obey you. Your word helps me to withstand temptation. Your word gives me strength in trials. Do you know why my word is able to strengthen you against temptations and makes you able to stand in trials? Yes, I do. Your Holy Spirit takes your word and uses it to fight in me, with me, and for me. Your word is like a sword in the hand of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it is.

What am I doing in you with my word right now? You are using your word to bear fruit in and through my life for your kingdom and your glory. How am I doing that? You are allowing me to tell others about you and your word. You are using me to proclaim your word. Just as you have allowed me to hear your word, so also do you want others to be able to hear your word. Yes, I do. Keep on hearing, receiving and accepting my word as you proclaim it to others. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to hear, accept and believe in your word. Continue to do your work in me with your word. Keep on changing my heart and transforming my mind with your word. Mold and shape my life according to your word. Amen

Key Question… What must you do with God’s word if you want it to change your heart and transform your mind?

Living It Out… Make it your daily priority to hear, believe and obey God’s word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will be at work in you as you hear, believe and obey it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has worked in you as you heard and obeyed it.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear, believe and accept God’s word so that it can be at work in your life..

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

Promises – Day 220 – 1 Thessalonians 2-13 – At Work In You Who Believe – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Jesus Is The Son Of God

Posted on December 19, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 210 – 1 John 5:1-5 – Jesus Is The Son Of God – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 (NLT)

Believe In Me

Well, do you? Do I what? Do you believe in me? Yes, of course I believe in you. What does it mean to believe in me? Does believing in me mean that you believe a set of facts about me? At one time, that is all I believed about you. I only believed a set of facts about you. Did believing a set of facts about me change your life? Did believing a set of facts about me alter your course Did believing a set of facts about me cause you to want to love and follow and serve me? I am sorry to say that believing a set of facts about you had no impact on my life. I did not think or speak or act any differently because I believed a set of facts about you. My life was not changed. My course was not altered. I did not love you more because I believed a set of facts about you. Then, what you are describing is not truly believing in me, is it? No, it is not. When did you truly come to believe in me? I came to believe in you when I desperately needed you. My life was bruised and battered and broken. My own sin had brought me pain and suffering. I had reached rock bottom. I had nowhere to turn but to you. I cried out to you. Really, I shouted at you. I demanded that you show yourself to me if you were real. Did I hear and answer that prayer? You are calling what I did, a prayer? It certainly was a prayer. Well, you answered my cry. You heard my prayer. You brought me to you. You helped me to confess my sins to you. You helped me to receive your forgiveness and cleansing. You turned my life around. I left my old life behind. You filled me with your Holy Spirit, and you gave me a completely new life to live. Now, nothing about me is the same. No part of my life has been left untouched by your hands. Day by day, you have been molding and shaping my life as I follow you. Now, all my thoughts and words and actions are different. Now, because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, it is not burdensome for me to obey your commands. In fact, it is my joy to live a life that is good and right and true. It is my pleasure to do what is pleasing to you. With me working in and for and through you, what have I also given to you? You have given me victory over the world. The world has lost its grip on me because I am holding on to you. Now, you truly do believe in me. Yes, I do. That is very good.

Lord, I believe in you with all my heart. You are my Savior and Lord. I love you with all that is within me. Loving you makes obeying your commandments not burdensome. Help me to follow and serve you. Help me to love others. Give me victory over the world. Amen

Key Question… How has loving Christ with all your heart made it not burdensome for you to obey His commandments?

Living It Out… Believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord so you will joyfully and wholeheartedly love, follow and serve Him

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord will give you victory over the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how believing in Jesus Christ has changed the entire course of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May believing in Jesus Christ give you victory over the world.

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

Promises – Day 210 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Jesus Is The Son Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Pray And Never Give Up

Posted on December 18, 2023 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 218 – Luke 18:1-8 – Pray And Never Give Up – Growing As Disciples

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

Persistent In Prayer

Will you do that? Will I do what? Will you be persistent in prayer? Will you keep on praying until you have an answer from me? Yes, I will be persistent in prayer. Yes, I will keep on praying until I have an answer from you? You do have a few questions about prayer, don’t you? Yes, I do. Go ahead, ask me. Why are not all my prayers answered immediately? Why must I sometimes wait a great deal of time before a prayer of mine is answered? Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening. Is “no” an answer to prayer? Yes, “no” is an answer to prayer. Why might I say “no” to one of your prayers? I may be asking for something that is not helpful or healthy for me. I may be asking for something far less than what you want to give me. You might have something completely different or better in mind for me. So, a “no” from me is not just an answer to your prayer, but it is a very good answer to some of your prayers. I get that, I understand. That’s good. I have another question for you. Is “not yet” or “wait” an answer to prayer? Yes, “not yet” and “wait” are both answers to prayer. Why might I say, “not yet” or “wait” to one of your prayers? The timing is not right. I may not be ready to receive what I am asking of you. Other circumstances may need to come into alignment to make it to be the right time for my prayer to be answered. Yes, those are real and true reasons why I haven’t answered some of your prayers immediately. Have I ever answered one of your prayers in a way that you could have never dreamed of, asked for, or even imagined? There is no doubt about that. Has it sometimes taken you quite a while to realize that I had in fact answered your prayer without you even noticing it right away? There is no doubt about that either. Now, for the hardest questions. Have I ever asked you to keep praying because I wanted to grow your faith and develop your persistence in prayer? Has waiting and being persistent in prayer caused you to rely more fully on me? Has waiting and be persistent in prayer caused you to draw nearer to me and made our relationship more intimate? Yes, and that is no doubt better and more important that what I was praying for anyhow. It pleases me that you know this to be true. Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your varied answers to my prayers. I will keep on being persistent in prayer. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, with a heart filled with faith, I will be persistent in my prayers. I will not lose heart. I will not give up and quit. Help me to be persistent in my prayers. Do your good work in me so that you will find me full of faith when I meet you face to face. Amen

Key Question… What prayers have you been praying with great persistence over a very long time?

Living It Out… With a heart filled with faith may you remain persistent in your prayers until an answer comes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that answers will come as you remain persistent in your prayers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what answers have come as you have been persistent in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always keep praying and never give up until an answer comes.

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

Promises – Day 203 – Luke 18-1-8 – Pray And Never Give Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Growing As Disciples

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