Make Allowance

Posted on October 2, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Colossians 3:13-14 – Make Allowance – Growing As Disciples

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 3:13-14 (NLT)

Clothed With Love

I have been gifted in seeing the faults in others. I have been unable to recognize and see my own faults. I have been hurt and wounded by the offensive behavior of others. I have been unaware of how I have hurt and wounded others by my own offensive behavior. I have been unforgiving toward those who have hurt and wounded me. I have held on to bitterness and carried resentment. I have been nothing like you. How so? I have not loved others like you have loved me. I have not forgiven others like you have forgiven me. No, you have not.

What do you want from me? I want to be like you. I want to know you. I want to hear your voice leading me. I want to have your hand guiding me. I want to do your will. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to live the kind of life that you lived. I want to live as a bright and vibrant witness for you in the world. I want to go where you went. I want to do what you did. I want you to change my heart and transform mind. I want to think your thoughts. I want to do your will. I want you to remove any offensive behavior in me. I want you to clothe me with your love. I want to put on your love. I want to let go of bitterness. I want to stop carrying resentment. I want to love like you loved. I want to forgive others just like you have forgiven me. I want your love to be working in and through my life. Is that a prayer of yours? Is this what you are asking of me? This is the prayer of my heart. This is what I am asking of you. You want what I want. So, I will hear and answer this prayer of yours.

How will you know that I have heard and answered your prayer? You will use me to demonstrate your love. You will use me to bring health healing and hope to others. You will use me to bind up brokenness. You will use me to bring people together. You will use me to bring about unity where there has been division. You will use me to help others to live in harmony as your life and love are living in and through me. Yes, I will and that will be very good.

Lord, I know that I have my own weaknesses. I know that my behavior has been offensive to others. Help me to make allowances for other’s weaknesses. Help me to love and forgive others just as you have loved and forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… How are you loving and forgiving others just as Jesus Christ has loved and forgiven you?

Living It Out… Love and forgive others just as the Lord has loved and forgiven you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love and forgive others just He has loved and forgiven you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are loving and forgiving others who have offended you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love and forgive others who have offended you.

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

God’s Word – Colossians 3-13-14 – Make Allowance – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Spoke The Word

Posted on October 1, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Hebrews 13:7 – Spoke The Word – Growing As Disciples

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

Hear And Speak

I am taking time right now to remember my leaders. That’s good. I have a lot to consider. I have much to remember. I have abundant reasons to give thanks and praise to you for the many faithful leaders you have brought into my life. Yes, you do. They have taken time to hear your word. They have allowed your word to dwell in them richly. They have meditated on your word day and night. They have memorized your word. They have prayed your word. They have claimed your word. They have known the truth of your word. In every way, they have taken hold of your word as they allowed it to take hold of them. They have had hearts that were changed by your word. They have had minds that were transformed by your word. They have had lives that have been guided by your word. Your word has filled them with passion. Your word has sent them on a mission. Guidance from your word brought them to me. You gave them your word and they spoke it into my life. For that I am eternally grateful. That’s good. I would not be the person that I am today had your faithful followers not taken up your call to both hear and speak your word. That’s true. They heard your word and they spoke it to me. Yes, they did.

You are remembering. You are reflecting. You are taking a long look back at the people that I have used in your life. Yes, I am. You don’t do this very often. Should I do this more often? What do you think? Yes, I need to remember and reflect more on your activity in my life. There are a lot of lessons from the past that will guide my future. That’s right. What lessons are you learning right now? That is a very good question. I want to imitate the lives of your faithful followers that have gone before me. What do you mean by that? I want to do what they did. I want to imitate their lives. I want to hear your word just like they heard your word. I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. I want to take hold of your word as I allow it to take hold of me. That’s very good. What else? I want to faithfully and boldly speak your word into the lives of others. Your word is not meant to bless just me. Your word that is blessing me is meant to be a blessing to others. That’s right. Someday, I would like it if others were to imitate my life. I would like to be an example for them of someone who faithfully heard and boldly spoke your word. That will be very good. Someday, others will want to imitate the life that you have lived as one of my followers. Keep hearing and speaking my word. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have had many faithful leaders who have made every effort to hear and speak your word to others. I am joyfully remembering them. I would like to imitate their faithful lives. I want to clearly hear your word so I can faithfully and boldly speak it to others. Amen

Key Question… How has your life been blessed by both your hearing God’s word and speaking it to others?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are hearing God’s word so that you will be able to speak it to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make you able to hear His word and speak it to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and speaking the word of God to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak the word of God to others just as it has been spoken to you.

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

God’s Word – Hebrews 13-7 – Spoke The Word – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Hearts Burning

Posted on September 30, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Luke 24:30-32 – Hearts Burning- Growing As Disciples

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:30-32 (NIV)

On Fire

I want what they had. What’s that? You opened the Scriptures to these two people. You helped them to see what they could not see. You helped them to understand what they did not understand. You helped them to think in ways that they were not thinking. You put all that they had been experiencing in a larger context. You helped to make sense out of the life they were living. You changed their hearts, transformed their minds and guided their lives. You gave them a new passion and purpose and a plan for their lives. They were set on fire to love, follow and serve you. I want all these things. I want you to open the Scriptures to me. I want you to help me to see want I cannot see. I want you to help me to understand what I do not understand. I want you to change my thinking. I want you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I want a passion and purpose and plan for my life that comes from you. I want to be set on fire to love, follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Are these the prayers of your heart? Yes, these are my prayers. This is what I am asking of you. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours.

I want more. What more do you want? You shared your life intimately with these two people. They got a chance to know you. They heard you describe your will and your ways. They were sent on a mission to go where you guided them to do all that you asked of them. This encounter on the road was just the start of their walking with you. This was just the beginning of their life of faith with you. What are you trying to say to me? I want to know you. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want you to send me on a mission. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to do what is pleasing to you. Are these also prayers from your heart? Yes, these are my prayers. This is what I am also asking of you. I will hear and answer these prayers.

Is there anything else you want from me? I want what you want. I want you to give me what you want to give me. I want to receive all that you have for me, that I could not ask for or even imagine. I don’t want to leave anything undone. I don’t want let anything go unfulfilled. I want to live the life that you have always had in mind for me. These are also very good requests. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours as well. Lord, thank you for your blessing on my life.

Lord, many times I have been unaware of your activity in the world around me. As I sit down and make time to meet with you, I ask you to open my eyes to see all you want to show me. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord opened your eyes so you could see what He wanted to show you?

Living It Out… Meet with the Lord so that He can use His word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your heart will burn with passion as the Lord opens His word to you.th that God’s word has the power to bring health and healing to your whole life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has opened His word to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May meet with the Lord in His word so He can open your eyes to what He wants you to see.

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

God’s Word – Luke 24-30-32 – Hearts Burning- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Life To Those Who Find Them

Posted on September 29, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word- Proverbs 4:20-22 – Life To Those Who Find Them – Growing As Disciples

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV)

My Words

How about I start out talking. That would be fine with me. What would you like to say to me? I have set apart a time and place to meet with you. A day does not go by that I haven’t made it a priority to hear from you. I’ve noticed that about you. You are consistent. You are determined. You are relentless. I am paying full attention to your words. I am listening very carefully to everything you want to say to me. I am remaining still before you. I am being quiet in your presence. I am focused. I am eager. I am expectant. I am straining to hear every one of your words. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than hear from you. Those are very good desires that you have in your heart. I know that these desires in my heart come from you. You are fanning the flame of my desire for you. Yes, I am.

What has my word done for you? Your word has guarded and guided my life. Your word has steered me away from danger. Your word has guided the course of my life. Your word has helped me to know and do your will. Your word has helped me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. Your word has helped me to stand against temptation and evil that is in the world. Your word has helped me to do what is pleasing in your sight. You word has filled me with joy. Your word has made me glad. Your word has given me hope. Every good thing that I have received now and will receive forever has come to me through your word. Your word has healed what was once a bruised and battered and broken life. Now, your word has brought health to my body and healing to my entire being. I am so thankful for your word. That is very good.

What will you never stop doing with my word? I will never stop listening to your word. I will never stop putting your word into practice. There will never be a day that I don’t need to hear from you. There will never be a day that I will stop needing to know your will. There will never be a day when I don’t need to put your word in practice. I will always hear your words. I will also do your will. Speak to me Lord. I am listening. Yes, I know that you are.

Father, I will pay attention to your word by listening closely to whatever you say to me. Your word will not leave my sight. I will keep your word in my heart. Thank you for helping me to hear your word. Your word has brought life and health to my whole body. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word brought health and healing to your entire life?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to penetrate deeply into your heart, mind, and soul so that you may experience His healing.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word has the power to bring health and healing to your whole life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been bringing health and healing into your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pay attention to God’s word so that it penetrates your life and brings health to your entire being.

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

God’s Word – Proverbs 4-20-22 – Life To Those Who Find Them – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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His Feet Do Not Slip

Posted on September 26, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Psalm 37:30-31 – His Feet Do Not Slip – Growing As Disciples

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31 (NIV)

Wise Words

I know that every word that comes from you is good. I know that every word that comes from you is wise. I have made hearing and putting your word into practice a priority in my life. I have set aside a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. It has been my delight to hear you speaking to me from your word. Your word has been molding and shaping my life. Your word has been making me able to know your thoughts and walk in your ways. Your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has given me a firm foundation on which I can stand. Your word has kept my feet from slipping. Your word has kept me on the path following you. Your word has been my counselor and guide. Your word has kept me from running ahead of you or lagging behind you. Your word has kept me from wandering away from you. I have hidden your word in my heart.

There is more work that I want to do in you with my word. What do you have in mind? I want my word to make you wise. I want my word to make you just. My word will fill you with my wisdom. My word will make you able to speak what is true and right and just. I want my word to speak to you, in you and through you. My word will enable you to be a bright and shining witness for me in the world. When you open your mouth, I want my words of wisdom to come. I want you and others to know that I am speaking into and through your life. I want the words that come out of your mouth to be worth listening to because they will have come through me. Would you like me to speak in and through your life? Would you like me to help you to think and say and do what is true and right and just? Yes, I want to think and say and do what is wise and true and right and just. How can this become true in my heart and mind and life? Keep on meeting with me in my word. Keep on listening to all that I have to say to you. Keep on putting my words into practice. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Father, your words are continually in my heart and on my mind. Mold and shape my life with your word. Help me to speak your words of wisdom and offer your wise counsel to others. Thank you for helping me to walk justly as you protect my feet from slipping. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word prepared you to be able to offer wise counsel to others?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to give you a firm foundation on which you can speak wise and just words of wisdom.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will make you able to speak wise and just words of wisdom.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s has given you wisdom and kept your feet from slipping.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to help you to speak just words of wisdom.

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

Gods Word – Psalm 37-30-31 – His Feet Do Not Slip – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Pruned And Purified

Posted on September 25, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – John 15:1-4 – Pruned And Purified – Growing As Disciples

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4 (NLT)

Pruning

You have not been a fan of pruning. You haven’t liked it when I have pruned the dead wood out of your life. You would have preferred to remain comfortable and untouched, is that right? You are right, I have not been a fan of pruning. Pruning is no fun. Pruning has caused me some real pain and great discomfort. It would never be my choice to go through pruning. I doubt that. Why do you say? I know you don’t like the pain of pruning. I know that you would like the alternative far less. What’s the alternative? That’s a good question.

Let me review what I have heard you say to me. I’m listening. You have said that you want to know me intimately. You have said that you want to know my will and walk in my ways. You have said that you will leave your old life behind so that you can live a completely new life with and for me. You have said that you want to be on fire to passionately serve me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. You have said that you want me to use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. You have said that you want to shine brightly as a witness for me in the darkness of this world. Have I heard you correctly? Have you said these and many similar things? Yes, I have said all these things. I want to fully live the life that you have called me to live. Well, none of these things would be possible without some pruning in your life. Does that surprise you? No, I know that I am far from perfect. There is a lot of dead wood and barrenness in my life. I do need pruning.

So, if you want to move forward with me, your life will experience some pruning. Not a day will go by that I won’t be molding and shaping your life. Day-by-day I will be pruning you. Day-by-day I will be purifying your life. You know that you have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your righteousness. Yes, I do. You have been made righteous because of all that my Son has done for you. You have been made new and fresh and clean in Him. You now have a new life to live. Day-by-day, I will help you to live fully for me as I prune and purify your life. Every day I will be working in and through you to make you to be more and more like my Son. Will you welcome my work in your life? Will you allow me to prune and purify your life as you love, follow and serve me? Yes, Heavenly Father, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for pruning and purifying my life. I know you will continue to prune and purify my life so I can produce fruit I will remain in Christ and rely on Him so I can bear abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…What has God removed from your life as He has pruned and purified you with His word?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to continue to use His word to prune and purify your life so you can bear fruit for Him

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will continue to use His word to prune and purify your life so you can bear fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what fruit your Heavenly Father has made you able to bear for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you welcome God to continue to use His word to prune and purify your life so you can bear fruit for Him.

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

God’s Word – John 15-1-4 – Pruned And Purified – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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I Ate Them

Posted on September 24, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Jeremiah 15:16 – I Ate Them – Growing As Disciples

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)

Devour

Now that is I word that I want you to think deeply about. What’s that? I want you to think deeply about what it would mean for you to be devouring my word. What would it look like for you to be devouring my word? What do you think of when the word devour comes to your mind? I think of someone that is starving hungry. I think of someone that hasn’t had a decent meal for a very long time and suddenly a feast is placed before them. I like the sound of that. Have you been starving hungry for my word? In the past, have you gone like stretches without feeding on my word? Have you ever been famished for my word? Yes, I have been famished for your word. Yes, in the past, I have gone long stretches without feeding on your word. Do you believe that a feast has been placed before you? Do you know that you have an opportunity to meet with me in my word to hear what I want to say to you? Yes, I know that a feast has been placed before me. I know that you want me to meet with you in your word. I know that you want to speak into my life. I want to devour your word. I want to hear whatever you want to say to me. That’s good.

You have been devouring my word. You have hungered and thirsted for my word. You have been meeting with me in my word. You have taken my word into your heart and mind and life. You have allowed my word to guard and guide your life. You have allowed my word to feed and sustain you. You have allowed my word to establish and strengthen you against temptation and evil that is in the world. You have allowed my word to change your heart and transform your mind. You are thinking my thoughts, speaking my words and doing my deeds. Keep on meeting with me in my word. Keep on feasting on my word. Make it your daily pattern and practice to devour my word. Yes Lord, I will feast on your word. It has become my joy and delight to find and devour every one of your words. Keep on speaking to me. I will keep on listening to you. That will be very good.

Lord, it is the joy and delight of my heart to find and devour your word. Your word has changed my heart, transformed my mind and guided my life. Thank you for your word. You speak to me through your word. You provide me all I need through your word. Amen

Key Question… How are you finding a passage from God’s word to devour each day?

Living It Out… Make your daily habit to find a passage in God’s word to devour.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will become the joy and delight of your heart as you find and devour it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how finding and devouring God’s word has become a joy and delight.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you find and devour them God’s word so that it will become the joy and delight of your heart.

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

God’s Word – Jeremiah 15-16 – I Ate Them – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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In My Heart

Posted on September 23, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Psalm 119:11 – In My Heart – Growing As Disciples

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Hide It

You don’t want to sin against me, is that true? It’s true, I certainly don’t want to sin against you. You want to be able to stand against temptation and resist evil, is that also true? Yes, it is also true that I want to be able to resist temptation and stand against evil. Do you have any idea how you will be able to stand against temptation and resist evil? I’m not sure. That’s not good. You need to be sure. Tell me what has not worked in your efforts to stand against temptation and resist evil? Standing against temptation and resisting evil with my strength alone has not worked out so well. Obviously I cannot stand against temptation and resist evil under my own power. No you cannot.

You do know how you will most likely be temptation. You are not usually taken completely by surprise by temptations. You can usually predict with great accuracy when, where, how and why you will be tempted. Have I said anything that is not true? All your statements are true. Can you remove yourself from people, places, and situations in which you will be tempted? Yes, I can. That would be a very good start. That will not be enough however. You will never be able to completely remove yourself from every person, place, or situation that will tempt you. If even that were possible you will not be able to resist temptations and evil by the strength of your will alone. I know that to be true.

Does my word speak to how you have and will be tempted? Yes, it does. Has my word given you strength to stand against temptation and resist evil? Yes, it has. How so? As I have hidden your word in my heart it has been working in me. Your word has been changing the thoughts of my mind. Your word has been changing the desires of my heart. Your word has given me new thoughts to think. You word has given me new desires to feel. I want to think your thoughts. I want to do your will. I want to love and follow and serve you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. The thoughts and desires I have to live my life for you are overpowering the power of temptation and evil that comes against me. As I draw near to you in your word, and resist temptation and evil, it flees from me. Yes, it does. Your word is working your victory in me. Your word has set me free to live my life for you. Your word is working in me, with me and for me as I hide it in my heart. Yes, it is. Continue meeting with me in my word. Continue to hide my word in your heart. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to hide your word in my heart. Your word is changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word is fanning the flames of my love and devotion to you. Your word is helping me to not sin against you. Amen

Key Question… How has hiding God’s word in your heart fanned the flames of your love and devotion to Him?

Living It Out… Make it you daily practice to hide God’s word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hiding God’s word in your heart will help you to not sin against Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how hiding God’s word in your heart has helped you to obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hide God’s word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him.

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

God’s Word – Psalm 119-11 – In My Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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So I Say Live By The Spirit

Posted on September 22, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Galatians 5:16-18 – So I Say Live By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Feast And Famine

Do you want to live your life for me? Yes, I want to live my life fully and completely for you. What must I do since I want to live my life for you? You know the answer to your own question. You tell me. I must do two things in living my life for you. That’s right. I must live by your Spirit. How will you live by my Spirit? I must listen to you. I must follow you to where you lead me. I must do all that you ask of me. How will you go about listening to me? How will you receive guidance from me? I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you in your word. I will allow you to speak your word into my life. I will let your word dwell in me richly. Your word will do its work in me. How so? Your word will change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, it will. Your Spirit will take your word and use it as a sword to fight in me, with me, and for me. Your word will make me able to stand against temptation. Your word will strengthen my desire to live by your Spirit. Your word will give me a hunger to know you and a desire to walk in your ways. Your word will make me able to resist the desires of the sinful nature. Say more about that.

I mentioned that I must do two things if I want to live my life for you. Yes, you did. I have talked about living by your Spirit. At the same time that I am living by your Spirit I must also refrain from gratifying the desires of the sinful nature. Living by your Spirit and gratifying the desires of sinful are in opposition to each other. Yes, they are. How will you refrain from gratifying the desires of the sinful nature? In answer to your question I think of two words. I think of the words feast and famine. I will feast on your word and the new life in the Spirit that you have for me. I will put gratifying the desires of the sinful nature on a famine diet. How will you do that? As I am living my new life in the Spirit I will separate myself from anything and everything that feeds the desires of the sinful nature. Then I will live my life fully and completely for you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will separate myself from whatever feeds temptation and sinful desires within me. Instead I will take part in what helps me to live by the Spirit. For example, I will allow the Spirit to use your word to help me to stand against temptation and sinful desires. Amen

Key Question… When have you made a decision to live by the Spirit rather than to gratify the desires of the sinful nature?

Living It Out… Make a choice to live by the Spirit so that you will not be gratifying the desires of the sinful nature.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you live by the Spirit you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how living by the Spirit has kept you from gratifying sinful desires.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live by the Spirit so that you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

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

Guidance – Galatians 5-16-18 – So I Say Live By The Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Many Advisors

Posted on September 21, 2025 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Proverbs 11:14 – Many Advisors – Growing As Disciples

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Wise Counsel

Do you want to be able to make wise decisions? Do you want to spare yourself the pain of making dumb mistakes? Do you want to know what wise people might have to say about a decision you are going to make or a course you are going to take? How many times have you seen someone about to make a bad decision that would most likely end in disaster? When have you known someone, who thought they knew it all and needed no wise counsel from others? When have you watched a stubborn person fail to benefit from wise counsel and make dumb decisions and stupid mistakes? That sounds a lot like me. I have not been the best listener. I have not been entirely open to wise counsel from others. There have been many times when I felt completely capable of making my own decisions without any help and advice from anyone. I thought I knew it all. I thought I had considered every possibility. I thought I had accounted for every eventuality. I felt so confident and sure that I was making a good and wise decision. How has that worked out for you? I was wrong. I could not see what others could see. I did not know what others already knew. I had only my perspective. That has not been enough. I needed help. I needed counsel. I needed advice. I didn’t want it. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t receive it. So, I have made many dumb decisions and stupid mistakes that have been costly in life. I’ve noticed.

What have you learned? What have your dumb decisions and stupid mistakes taught you? What will you do now that you would not do before? I have learned that it is my pride that has made me unwilling to ask for and receive wise counsel from others. It has been my pride that has told me that I could make all my decisions alone without help from others. It has been my pride that has made me so falsely confident and unreasonably sure. What will you do with your pride? I will set my pride aside. I will acknowledge that I need all the help and wisdom I can receive from others. I will know without a doubt that I do not know it all. That’s good.

Do you know that I want you to be able to make wise decisions? I want to counsel you. I want to guide you. I want to guard you from the pain that stupid decisions and dumb mistakes has caused you. You must listen to my counsel. You must receive counsel from wise advisors that I will bring into your life. Will you listen to me? Will you listen to wise counselors that I bring into your life? Yes Lord, I will listen. You have my full attention. That is very good.

Lord, help me to listen to the wise counsel you want to make available to me. Protect me from making quick decisions before I consult with you. Guide me by your word as well as fellow believers that you have brought into my life. Amen

Key Question… When has God given you wise counsel through fellow believers?

Living It Out… Be willing to receive counsel from wise advisors that the Lord brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God does speak through wise advisors that He has brought into your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group a time when you have received wise counsel from another person?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to counsel from wise advisors that God brings into your life.

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

Guidance – Proverbs 11-14 – Many Advisors – 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

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