Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God Chose The Weak

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - God Chose The Weak - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – God Chose The Weak – Growing As Disciples

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

Powerfully Used

I want to clear up one thing with you right now? What’s that? I have chosen you to bear fruit for me. You need to hear that and take a hold of it with all your heart, mind and strength. Don’t ask me why. We both know why. You have had a setback. You have suffered a humiliating defeat. Those are your words not mine. You are so embarrassed that you would rather pull the covers up over your head and stay in bed than go out that front door. Do I have the picture right so far? Yes Father, you do.

Your confidence has been shaken. You’re wondering how could I ever use such a weak vessel as you. Your thoughts are beyond wondering and firmly rooted in doubt. You’re telling yourself that I can’t possibly use you, is that right? You know that it is. How long do you want to wallow in this depressed self-pity that you are feeling? How long can I? I see that you still have your sense of humor.

Did it ever occur to you that you are in a very good place to be? No, it has not. That’s not really the truth is it? No, it’s not. You just hate the idea that you are so weak don’t you? Yes, as a matter of fact my weaknesses are a real pain in the neck. Sometimes I have even loathed myself for being so weak.

What would happen if I powerfully worked through you, in spite of all your weaknesses? Have you ever seen me do that in someone else before? Yes, I guess that you have a long history of using weak people to powerfully serve you. Why don’t you name a few just to make sure that we are on the same page? Would Moses, David and Paul qualify as weak vessels that you were able to powerfully use? Yes, they would.

Now, would you rather be weak or strong? I would rather be weak. Why is that? I know that you will make me strong so that you can work in and through my life. Yes, I will. Now, do you really understand why your recent set back has brought you back to a good place? Yes, I once again know how weak I really am. I know that I will need to trust you and rely on your strength so that you can powerfully use me to accomplish your purposes. Yes, that’s right. Will you rely on me completely so that I can work in and through your life? Yes Father, I will.

Father, I thought I was strong. Thank you for allowing a setback to come into my life to show me how weak I am. I know in my strength I can accomplish nothing. I will rely on your strength to accomplish all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… When has a set back of some kind caused you to return to rely on God the Father for His help?

Living It Out… Rely on your Heavenly Father to give you all that you need to be powerfully used by Him to bear fruit for His glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will give you all that you need to be powerfully used to bear fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on God to give you all you need to serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… Lord, show me how I can live today as your good seed in the world, bearing fruit for your kingdom and glory.

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

God The Father – 1 Corinthians 1-26-31 – God Chose The Weak – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                               Copying not permitted                                      http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Boast In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 46 - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - Boast In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – Boast In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

Nothing To Boast About

That is obvious to me. What is obvious to you? I have nothing to boast about. Why is that so obvious to you? Before I came to know you, I was nothing special. I did not stand out from the crowd. Far from it, before I came to receive you as my Savior and Lord, my life was bruised and battered and broken. Anyone taking a close look would have said that my life was a mess. In fact, some did say exactly that. So, I know that everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be has and will come from you. You have showered me with your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. You have withheld no good thing from me. Have I always gotten what I wanted? No, but, I haven’t always wanted what was good for me. You have given me gifts of value that are beyond compare. Like what? You have given me your salvation. You have given me your forgiveness and cleansing. You have become my righteousness, holiness and redemption. You have adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You have made it so I can come to know and love you. You are helping me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You are helping me to follow and serve you. None of things have come from myself. None of these things have been earned or merited by my efforts. You have given all of these things to me as a gift. That’s true. But you have given me even more. What else? You have given me your Spirit. You have made me alive in you. You have given me an inheritance in heaven. You have a place in heaven prepared for me. Yes, I do. For all of these things I am thankful beyond words that I can adequately express. That is very good.

What would you like to do now? I would like to brag about you. What? How can I contain myself? How can I remain silent? How can I not go and tell others about your goodness, kindness, mercy and love? I cannot remain silent. I must speak up. I want to be your witness in the world. I would like others to receive all that you have given to me. I want others to be able to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I want you to be able to do for others all that you have done for me. That is very good.

Lord, I was not wise, special or outstanding when you drew me to yourself. You took me off my dark path. You became my Savior and Lord. I give you thanks and praise for rescuing me from a life without you. I will testify to your goodness, kindness and mercy. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a pattern in your life to give thanks for all that the Lord has done for you?

Living It Out… Humbly give thanks for and bear witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord chose you and has become your righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are bearing witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly give thanks and bear witness to the goodness, kindness and mercy of the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – 1 Corinthians 1-26-31 – Boast In The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com