Tag Archives: my brothers

Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - James 1:2-4 - Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – James 1:2-4 – Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything- Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)  

Finish The Work

Are trials a joy to you? Are you able to see their benefit in your life? Do you know that the testing of your faith will develop perseverance in you? Those are good questions. I often cannot see the benefit of a trial until after I have gone through it. Sometimes it has taken a great length of time and hindsight for me to understand how a trial has benefited my life.

When have you cried out to me in a trial? Do you know that I am with you in and through every trial that you face? You can ask me for wisdom as you go through trials in life. I will not reject you or your requests. It gives me great joy to help you to grow stronger in perseverance and faith as you trust and rely on me. It is foolish to go through trials without my help. Forgive me Lord for the times when I have thought I could “tough it out” and go through trials on my own. My own self-efforts have not been successful. My own efforts have left me bitter, angry and discouraged when I have been in the midst of trials. Yet, somehow you have been able to use even trials and tests that I have failed. Yes, I have.

I do have joy in knowing that you are using all of life including trials and tests to mold and shape my life. It is encouraging to know that you have never or will ever give up on me. No, I will not. I am sure that I have had to go through similar tests and trails more than once because I did not learn or receive their full benefit the first around. Yes, you have.

I want to grow strong in my faith and trust in you. I want to persevere so that I will become the person you want me to be. So, I give you permission to do whatever it takes to make me mature and complete. Help me to rely on you through every trail I face. Give me your wisdom in abundance so that I will have all that I need to persevere and grow strong in my faith in you. It is the desire of my heart for you to finish the work that you started and want to complete in me. I don’t want to lack any good thing that you want to give me or do in and through my life. In every way I want my life to glorify your name and bear fruit in your kingdom.

I know that you will hear and answer this prayer of mine. Yes, I have heard your prayer and you can be certain that I will answer it.

Lord, use whatever it takes to grow my faith in you. I will consider it pure joy when I go through various trials because I know you are developing perseverance in me. I want to be mature and complete and not lacking anything as I follow and serve you.  Amen

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

Faith – James 1-2-4 – Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Individual users may save the Discipleship 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

Faith – Works

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - James 2:14-17 - Faith - Works - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – James 2:14-17 – Faith – Works – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17 (ESV)

Into Action 

I have blessed your life. I have given you many good things. You have not wanted. You have not lacked. You have had all that you need. Why do you think I have so richly blessed your life? What do you think I want to do with what I have given to you? I’m pretty sure that not all  you have given to me is meant for me. That’s a good thought. That’s a start. Tell me more of what is on your mind. I think you have blessed me so that I can be a blessing. You want me to freely give to others just as you have freely given to me. You want me to be generous with others just as you have been generous with me. You are a giver. You want me to become like you. You want me to become a giver. That’s right. You got it.

What will happen to you as you give like I gave? You will use me when I give like you gave. I will bear fruit for your kingdom. I will bring glory to your name. I will shine brightly for you in this world. My faith will be on display. All my thoughts and words of faith will be tested and found to be true as I put them into action by giving like you gave. As I share with others from what you have given to me my faith will grow vibrant and strong because I will know that you are using me. You are working in and through me when I help others in need. Yes, I am.

How will you know when I want to use you? How will you know when and where and how to give? I will keep my eyes and ears open. I will watch and listen for opportunities to serve you by serving others. No longer will I walk right on by those who are in need. I will be your hands. I will be your feet. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you ask of me. I will let you make my faith real as you put me into action in your service. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for my faith in you. You are my Savior and Lord. It is my joy to serve you. My eyes and ears are looking and listening for opportunities to serve you. Help me to do good works that will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

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

Rhythms – James 2-14-17 – Faith – Works – 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