Live Sacrificially

Posted on August 4, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Compassionate – Day 259 – 1 John 3:16-18 – Live Sacrificially – Growing As Disciples

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. 1 John 3:16-18 (MSG)

Visible Or Invisible?

That is quite a choice. That will make quite a difference. What is quite a choice? What will make quite a difference? Will I choose to make your love visible or invisible in the world? My choice will make quite a difference to those in need all around me. Let me state what I understand. I’m listening. You love me. Yes, I do love you. You demonstrated your love for me by giving yourself sacrificially for me. There was nothing theoretical about your love for me. You came into this world, humbled yourself as a man, lived and died on the cross for me, as payment for my sins. Your love for me was costly. Your love for me was sacrificial. It cost your life to demonstrate your love for me and for all others who would come to know and love and follow and serve you. Yes, demonstrating my love for you was costly. Giving myself for you was the only way that you could be forgiven of your sins and cleansed of your unrighteousness. Giving myself for you was the only way that you could come to know and love and follow and serve me. My sacrificial giving to you made it possible for you to live in an intimate relationship with me. I made you to be a member of family. For that, I am thankful. Of that, I am certain. That is very good. Now, there is something else I know without a doubt. What is that? You want me to become like you in my thoughts, and words, and actions. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. Yes, I do. You want my thoughts and words and actions to make your love visible in the world. Yes, I do. That is the choice I will make. I will sacrificially give of myself to others who are in need all round me. I will follow your example. I will do what you did. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not have a blind eye to those in need all around me. I will allow you to use me to demonstrate your love to others in need. I will think and speak and act like you. I will sacrificially give to others in need so your love can be made visible in the world. Amen

Key Question… How will your choices make Christ’s love visible or invisible in the world?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to demonstrate His sacrificial love to others in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to demonstrate His sacrificial love to others in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are demonstrating Christ’s sacrificial love to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you practice real love by living sacrificially for others.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 259 – 1 John 3-16-18 – Live Sacrificially – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Above All Clothe Yourself With Love

Posted on July 29, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Compassionate Life – Day 258 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Above All Clothe Yourself With Love – Growing As Disciples

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Clothed

How will you be clothed? What will you put on? What kind of life will you live since I chose you to be my child? I will live a life that is pleasing to you. I will seek to know and do your will all the days of my life. I will follow the example you set before me. It is my hope and desire, dream and plan to think and speak and act like you. I know it is your will that I become like you. Yes, that is my will for you. Yes, I want you to live a life that is pleasing to me. I want you to become like me in all you think, and say, and do. That is entirely correct.

What are elements of clothing that you will put on? I will put-on tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I will always make allowances for the faults I see in others. I will always forgive others who offend me. Why is it especially important that you do these things? I have many faults. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to see my own faults. Nevertheless, I know that they are many and glaring. Why I can so easily see others faults but not see my own is beyond me. So, I will make allowances for others that I hope that they will make for me. I also need forgiveness for when I offend others. Again, my need of forgiveness is not rare and unusual or infrequent. So, remembering my own need of forgiveness, and how you have freely forgiven me, has set before me a powerful reason and example why I need to forgive others readily and freely. How could I expect to receive forgiveness from others or from you if I lived an unforgiving life? You could have no hope or expectation of receiving what you were unwilling to give to others. But I am ready and willing and able to forgive. I am determined to do for others what you have done for me. That is very good.

How else will you be clothed? What else will you put on? I will put on love. I will allow the love you have for me to flow through me to others so that they will be drawn to you. And what will be the sign that you are truly putting on my love? I will be living in harmony with others. I will be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I will be bearing fruit for your Kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I will be living the life you have called me to live. Yes, you will and that will be very good.

Lord, thank you for choosing me. I will remember that you have forgiven me so I can readily forgive others. Help me to make allowances for the faults I see in others that I cannot see in myself. Help me to put on love so I can live in harmony with others. Amen

Key Question… When has remembering that the Lord forgave you helped you to forgive others?

Living It Out… Clothe yourself with love so you will be able to live in harmony with others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with love so you can live in harmony with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making allowances for the faults you see in others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you clothe yourself with love so you will live in harmony with others.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 258 – Colossians 3-12-14 – Clothe Yourself With Love – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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You Did For Me

Posted on July 23, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25:34-40 – You Did For Me – Growing As Disciples

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

Do For You

On this, I don’t want to miss the mark. On this, I don’t want to fall short. On this, I don’t want to fail to do your will. What are you talking about? On what don’t you want to fall short or miss the mark? On what do you want to make very sure that you are doing my will? I know that you have richly blessed my life. I also know that it is your will for me to generously share with others what you have given to me. It was never your intent that I tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. It is your intent that I share the gifts and talents and abilities and resources you have given to me. You want me to help others in need. You are correct. You are wise in your thinking. You do know my will. It would be a tragic and foolish mistake for me to hold on to what I certainly cannot keep. I brought nothing into this world. The only thing I can take out of this world, is the fruit I bear for your Kingdom and the treasure I store up in heaven with you. Giving my life to you, by following and serving you, is the only way I can bear fruit for your kingdom, bring glory to your name, and store up treasure in heaven with you. If I help those in need, if I am doing good to others, I am doing good to you. If I am serving others, then I am serving you. Yes, that is also correct. It is vitally important that you both know and do my will.

You have given me a powerful example to follow. You gave your life away. You were a servant to all. You want me to think like you thought. You want me to speak like you spoke. You want me to act like you acted. This is what I will do without hesitation. Use me to help others in need. Open my heart and eyes and hands to those in need all around me. Use me to do your will. I am at your service. That is very good.

Lord, you have richly blessed my life, there is no doubt about that. I know it is your will for me to share with others what you have given to me. I will generously share the gifts, talents, abilities, and resources you have given to me with others who are in need. Amen

Key Question… How is your heart and mind and hand and life wide open to see and help those who are in need?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to regularly use you to help others who are in need.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will regularly use you to help others who are in need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are helping others who are in need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to help others who are in need.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25-34-40 – You Did For Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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What Does It Profit?

Posted on July 17, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Compassionate Life – Day 256 – James 2:14-17 – What Does It Profit? – Growing As Disciples

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NKJV)

Take Action

My faith in you requires that without a doubt. Your faith in me requires what, without a doubt? My faith in you requires me to take action. What kind of action does your faith in me require of you? I’m not sure where to begin and where to end in answering that question. Actually, there is no end to answering that question. My faith in you requires something every day. That something is new and different and unfolding every day as I love and follow and serve you. To begin my journey of faith with you, I turned away from my old life of sin. I stopped living according to the principles, patterns, and values of this world. I traded in an earthly perspective for a heavenly perspective. I stopped trying to store up treasure on earth. I stopped living for the applause of the world. My focus was taken off myself and the things of this life. My heart and mind and life are now focused on you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. You have been molding and shaping my life as I have lived with and for you. You have given me new thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. You have placed new desires in me. What new desires have I placed in you? You have given me the desire to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am now at your service. My faith in you is living and active. I want to be able to know and do your will. What is my will for you? You want me to become like you. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to give like you gave. You want me to serve like you served. Yes, this is my will for you.

So now, my faith in you is taking action. I will no longer ignore those who are in need. I will no longer walk right on by those who are suffering. I will allow you to use me to love and serve others. As I take action, I know that I will be bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. As I take action, I know that I will be a bright and bold witness for you in the world. As I take action, I know that I will be storing up treasure in heaven with you. This is the desire you have placed in my heart and mind and life. This is the life you have called me to live. This is what faith looks like. It requires me to take action. Yes, it does. This is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, my faith is not theoretical. My faith is not simply accepting theological doctrines. My faith has turned my life around and changed my perspective. My faith in you has transformed my thoughts, words, and actions. Now it is my desire to help others in need. Amen

Key Question… When has your faith caused you to take dramatic action to help someone in need?

Living It Out… Make sure that your faith is alive and proved genuine by helping others who are in need.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your faith will lead you to want to help others who are in need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith has led you to go out of your way to help others in need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your faith be alive and cause you to do good works.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 256 – James 2-14-17 – What Does It Profit? – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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See That They Get Justice

Posted on July 11, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 255 – Luke 18:1-8 – See That They Get Justice – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!'” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

Persistent In Prayers

That I will be. What will you be? I will be persistent in my prayers. I will keep on praying. I will not grow weary. I will not become tired. I will not quit and give up bringing my prayers to you. Why will you be persistent in your prayers? That is what you have asked of me. If you ask me to do something, I’m not going to spend a lot of time analyzing it or debating you. If you ask me to do something, that is all I need to know. I will do whatever you ask of me even when I don’t completely understand all the “what’s” and “why’s” of your request of me. That sounds like taking steps of faith with me, doesn’t it? Yes, it does. If I had every answer and new all the details of what you asked of me, what faith would be required of me? I know without a doubt that you want me to place all my faith in you. Yes, I do. Being persistent in my prayers is one way, a very important way, of my placing my faith in you. Being persistent in my prayers also answers the question, “Do I really believe that you will hear and answer my prayer?” If I have faith, I will keep on praying. If I do not have faith, I will quit and give up. I will stop praying to you. That I will never do. That will be very good.

I have a new topic for your prayers. It is a topic that has not often been the topic of your prayers. It is a new arena of prayer that I would like you to enter. That sounds interesting. That sounds exciting. I am glad that you think so. You have my full attention. There is pain and suffering in the world around you. There is brokenness in the lives of people all around you. There is injustice everywhere you turn in the world around you. I want you to pray for justice in the world around you. I want you to pray for those who are experiencing injustice. I want you to intercede for those who are bruised and battered and broken. Will you do that? Will you pray these prayers? Yes, Heavenly Father, I will pray for the specific needs of those who are suffering injustice all around me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know you will hear and answer my prayers. I will be persistent in prayers. I will never give up and quit praying. I will keep on bringing my and others needs before you. Hear my prayers. Accomplish your all purposes and plans on the earth. Amen

Key Question… What specific prayers have you been persistently praying for quite some time?

Living It Out… Be persistent in your prayers and never give up praying to your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will hear and answer your prayers as you keep on praying to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the prayers you are persistently praying to your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be persistent in your prayers and never give up praying to your Heavenly Father.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 255 – Luke 18-1-8 – See That They Get Justice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Do The Same

Posted on July 1, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 254 – Luke 10:30-37 – Do The Same – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37 (NLT)

Who Is My Neighbor?

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. How will you love and give and serve others? What will you do differently? I will have my heart and eyes and hands open and ready to help my neighbor. Who is your neighbor? My neighbor is anyone in need. My neighbor is anyone I can help. Yes, that is true. You are correct. You have answered well. What might it cost you to love your neighbor? I’m not sure how to limit that answer to only loving my neighbor. What are you thinking? I am thinking that my love for my neighbor is part of my loving you. I cannot separate loving you from loving my neighbor. Loving you causes me to love my neighbor. Loving you causes me to go and do what you have asked me. What have I asked you? You want me to love my neighbor. Loving you and my neighbor is how I can be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Loving you and my neighbor is how I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Loving you and loving my neighbor is how I can store up treasure in heaven with you. Yes, this is all true. Then when you ask me what it might cost to love my neighbor, I can only answer by saying loving you and my neighbor will cost me everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be. Is that cost too high? Is that price too much? No, it is not. With your help, I will pay that price. My life is in your hands. I am at your disposal. That is very good.

Lord, I will not ignore and walk right on by those in need. I will have my heart and eyes and hands open to those who are in need. I will love my neighbor by helping them when they are in need. I will love like you loved even when it costs me a great deal. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord given you opportunities to love a neighbor by helping them with a need?

Living It Out… Demonstrate your love for your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are loving your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love your neighbor by helping them when they are in need.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 254 – Luke 10-30-37 – Do The Same – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble

Posted on June 25, 2021 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Compassionate Life – Day 255 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 – We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

Suffering

This should come as no surprise to you. What should come as no surprise to me? This is a sin broken world. This world does not function according to its original design. This life is full of pain and suffering. I suffered. I felt pain. I suffered loss. So will you. So, don’t think that something foreign or strange has uniquely come against you. If I was ever surprised by pain and suffering and loss, I certainly am not now. Why is that? I have had my sharing of pain and suffering and loss in this life. Yes, that is true.

Although, I am no fan of pain and suffering and loss. I would not seek to erase it from my life. Why is that? It is the adversity of pain and suffering and loss that drew me to you. In my most painful moments, in my darkest hours I have run to you. I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. Yes, that is true. In my pain and suffering and loss I have come to know your kindness and mercy and love. I have come to experience your compassionate comfort. Would I have sought you if I had a pain free life? Would I know you less intimately if I never experienced any adversity? Would I love you as I do if I never need your healing or help? I don’t think so. Suffering has drawn me to you. So, I can be grateful for the work that suffering has done in my life. You have learned very valuable and important lessons from suffering. There is no doubt about that.

But there is more that suffering has done in and for and through me. Like what? As I have received comfort from you, I have been able to comfort others with the same comfort that you have given to me. You have used me to help others because I also have suffered and been comforted by you. That is also true. And there is even more. What else is there? Suffering has strengthened me. Rather, you have strengthened me, in the midst of suffering. I am stronger and have more endurance in my faith because I have walked through adversity with you. Yes, it is easy to see why you would never want to erase pain and suffering from your life. Keep on relying to me as you go through adversity. Keep on receiving my comfort. Keep on comforting others with the comfort you receive from me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been crushed by adversity. I have suffered. I have been in pain. My heart has been broken. I have suffered loss. In these moments you have never left me alone. Thank you for your comfort. Help me to comfort others just as you have comforted me. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord used you to comfort someone with the same comfort, you have received from Him?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to comfort others with the same comfort you have received from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to comfort others with the comfort you have received from Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to comfort others who were suffering.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you comfort others with the comfort you have received from the Lord.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 255 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 – We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guides To Help You Grow As A Follower Of Christ

Category Archives: The Compassionate Life

Live Sacrificially

Visible Or Invisible?

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Above All Clothe Yourself With Love

Clothed

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You Did For Me

Do For You

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What Does It Profit?

Take Action

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See That They Get Justice

Persistent In Prayers

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Do The Same

Who Is My Neighbor?

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Visible Or Invisible?

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Clothed

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Do For You

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Take Action

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Persistent In Prayers

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Who Is My Neighbor?

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Suffering

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