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Understand What The Lord’s Will Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Understand What The Lord's Will Is - Ephesians 5:15-21- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Understand What The Lord’s Will Is – Ephesians 5:15-21- Growing As Disciples

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21 (NIV)

Be Filled

Watch your step. Be very careful how you walk. Why is that? The times that you live in are filled with evil. You must be wise about how you live. I want you to make the most of your time. How will I do that? You can know my will by meeting with me in my word as you have been doing. I will show you my will and my ways as you study and pray through my word. The truth that is in my word will set you free so that you can serve me and bear fruit for my glory. I will show you the next steps that I want you to take in life. I will guide you to where I want you to go. I will give you all that you will need to follow and serve me. That’s exactly what I want and desire above all else.

Make sure that you think and act wisely. What do you have in mind when you say that to me? Don’t waste and misuse your time. What do you consider to be time wasters? I’d like you to answer that question for me. I know that I have wasted a lot of time when I have relied on my own wisdom, strength or guidance. I have gone off in the wrong direction to try to do what I was not called or gifted to do. Yes, you have. How did that feel to you? I felt very frustrated, discouraged and weary. I also felt weak and alone in all my efforts. But, you made a very important discovery didn’t you? Yes, I did. Tell me about it. I learned that it is very unwise for me to try to take charge and be in control of my own life. Yes, it is. Who then should be in control of your life? You are the one that I want to be in control of my life. I want to be filled with your Holy Spirit. I can’t live the life you want me to live unless I am filled with your Spirit.

What do you mean by that? If I’m not filled with your Holy Spirit I don’t feel like singing at all. Why is that? I’m too tired and worn out because of all my self-effort. Who wants to sing because they can hardly breath? If I’m not filled with your Holy Spirit I don’t feel very thankful either. Why is that? Instead of being thankful for all the great things that you have done through me, I’m more likely to be proud of my small and pathetic accomplishments. Oh and this very same self-centered pride makes it very difficult for me to be submissive to others in any way. So, what are you asking of me? I’m asking you to fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can wisely live the life that you have called me to live for you. Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayer? I know that you have been answering and will continue to answer my prayer. Yes, you are right about that. 

Lord, help me to live and walk carefully in this world so that I am making the most of every opportunity that you give to me. Fill me Holy Spirit so I will be able to encourage others and give thanks to God for all that I have been given. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 5-15-21 – Understand What The Lord’s Will Is – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Lord’s Will

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Ephesians 5:15-17 - The Lord's Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Ephesians 5:15-17 – The Lord’s Will – Growing As Disciples

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) 

Every Opportunity

Are you being very careful how you live? I’m sure that I’m making mistakes and that I could be much more careful. Yes, you are and yes, you can. What kind of mistakes am I making? You tell me. I’m sure that you are aware of some of your mistakes, right now. Yes, I am. Let’s talk about them.

I’m making the mistake of losing perspective. I forget what is most important and of ultimate value.  Can you give me an example? Yes, I can. Sometimes I live with an earthly rather than heavenly perspective. An earthly, “this is all there is” perspective measures everything with today’s value.  With this perspective, how I am treated, matters a great deal to me. If I’m wronged in some way, I’m likely to react negatively. Setting the record straight or seeking justice for myself becomes a primary concern to me. I’m sure that some of my reactions relate to my expectations. What are you expecting?  I’m expecting that I will be treated with kindness, honor and respect.  Does that seem like a realistic expectation to you? No, not really.  Why not? This world is broken and corrupted by sin.  Yes, it is. People don’t think and speak and act as they should.  No, they do not.

What kind of perspective do you want to have? I want to have an eternal perspective. I want to be aware of the fact, that I am living in a broken world that is corrupted by sin.  What will you do differently with that perspective in mind?  I won’t expect to be treated with kindness, honor, and respect, that’s for sure.  So, I won’t get all bent out of shape when I experience mistreatment. What will you do instead? I will look for every opportunity to do good and be a witness for you in this world, even when I’m being mistreated.  Why will you do that?  This world and this life is passing away.  Life on earth is very temporary. I want my life to be used by you. I want to be a witness for you in this world. I want to bear fruit for you, that will last for all eternity. How will you do that? I will do good, even in response to evil. Doing good in the face of evil will stand out. It will get noticed. People will wonder why someone would respond to evil by doing good. They will ask questions. Yes, they will. What will you tell them? I will tell them about you. I will tell them that I am simply following the example that you have placed before me. They will see that I am loving like you loved. They will see that I am giving like you gave. They will see that I am living like you lived. They will see that you have given me a completely new life to live. They will want the same kind of new life that you have given to me. They will be drawn to you. They will want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, they will because they will see that you are taking advantage of every opportunity to love others with my love. They will see that you are both knowing and doing my will. That will be very good.  

Lord, help me to make the most of every opportunity to serve you in this world. I want to live my life as your witness in the world. Help me to love like you loved, give like you gave and live like you lived. Use me to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

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

Wisdom – Ephesians 5-15-17 – The Lord’s Will – 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