Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Matthew 16:21-23 – The Things Of God – Growing As Disciples
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:21-23 (NIV)
Never
Well, I have said that word plenty of times. What word? I have said “never” more times than I can even begin to count. How often have you been correct when you said that you would never do something? I can’t recall being right one time when I have said that I would never do something. Even if I were to identify one time that I haven’t done something that I said I would never do, there is still plenty of time to be incorrect again. That’s true.
How often have you said that you would never do something that I asked of you? How often have you thought that what I was trying to tell you could never be true? When were you so sure that what was being said to you could never be coming from me? You know the answers to those questions. Yes, I do. Do you? Yes, I do. I have frequently said never to you. I have often thought something you were trying to tell me couldn’t be true. I have been so sure. I have been so stubborn. I have been so determined. I have been so wrong. Well, you are learning. I guess I am. No, you are definitely learning. That is a very good thing. If you say so. That is kind of the point isn’t it? I do, say so. You are thinking and saying to yourself that you will never learn. I am telling you that you are learning. Will you believe me? Will you accept what I am saying to you? Or will you hold on to your own thoughts and ideas and beliefs. Let me put it this way to you. Do you want to know my thoughts? Do you want to know my will? Do you want to walk in my ways? Yes Lord, I want to know thoughts. Yes Lord, I want to know your will and walk in your ways. Then put aside your thoughts and your ways and listen to me. Think about my thoughts rather than those of this world. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, often I have thought I knew your purposes and plans, but I was wrong. I had in mind the things of the world and of men. Rebuke and correct me so I will be able to know and understand the things of God. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. Amen
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The Mind – Matthew 16-21-23 – The Things Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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