Tag Archives: who have been called according to His purpose

Called According To His Purpose

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Called According To His Purpose - Romans 8:28 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Called According To His Purpose – Romans 8:28 – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Willing to Wait

Tell me what you think that you know for sure. I know that you love me and I love you. We have had this relationship for along time. Once I was very far away from you and you rescued me from a life without you. You called me out of darkness to a new life of following you. Over the years I have never stopped following you. At many times and in many places I have stepped off the path a little bit and wandered where I shouldn’t. These wanderings often caused me pain and deep regret. Somehow you were able to train me. Now, you have placed this incredible desire in me for more. I want more of you. I want to clearly hear your voice of direction and joyfully follow without question. I want to be powerfully used by you so that I can bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. Right now, it seems like I am in a time of preparation as I draw near to you. I am watching and waiting. How do you want to use me? Where do you want to use me? Just point me in the right direction. Give me an assignment and I will engage fully in whatever you ask me to do. 

What if I am asking you to wait? Can you do that? Yes, I suppose I can. But you don’t like it, do you? No not at all. Why is that? Sometimes it’s hard to know if I’m in a period of trust filled waiting or if I have been set aside. In these moments of doubt, I feel invisible, unusable, and rejected. Where do you think those thoughts come from? Not from you, that’s for sure. That’s right, they certainly don’t.

What has happened to you in these times of trust filled waiting and preparation? You have caused me to rely on you more whole-heartedly. Through them, my faith and trust has grown. You have made me stronger as I have depended on you. My desire for you has been set on fire. You have been overflowing my life with your goodness. Never before have I felt like I have so much to say about how good it is to love and follow you. At times, I have felt like I am going to explode with your love. I feel so full. 

What’s the problem then? I guess I’m more than a little impatient. That’s not really a guess, is it? No, it’s not. Do you trust that I have a purpose and plan for your life? Yes, I do. Do you think there is any chance that I will let my purpose and plan for you to go unfulfilled? No, I don’t. Do you believe that I am in control and that my time is just right? Yes, I do. Since you believe these things, what are you willing to do? I am willing to wait. Good, that’s exactly what I want you to do. Wait with me and for me. I am preparing you for my use. I will fulfill these desires of your heart in my way and in my timing. Which will be just right, of that you can be absolutely sure.

 Father, forgive my impatience and doubt. I do trust you. I will wait for your purposes and plans to unfold in my life. Use all my life experiences, both good and bad, for your kingdom and glory according to your purposes and plans.  Amen

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

Identity – Romans 8-28 – Called According To His Purpose – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Works For The Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - Romans 8:28 - Works For The Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – Romans 8:28 – Works For The Good – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Good Out Of Bad

I almost can’t believe it. What can’t you almost believe? Before, I answer you I want to note again that I said, “almost.” Yes, I noticed. I “almost” can’t believe how you can work everything together for good. I have gone through some pretty dark and desperate circumstances. I have experienced pain and suffering and loss. I have gone through absolute spirit crushing rejection. I have suffered very discouraging defeats. Before I say anything more, I want to acknowledge that many people have gone through far worse circumstances than I. I’m not complaining. I have led a blessed life. But what always surprises me is how you have taken every one of my dark hours and brought something good out of them. Sometimes, it has taken many years to be able to recognize the good you have brought out of some of my desperate circumstances. I no longer expect to immediately understand the twist and turns and ups and downs of my life. Only you can show me the good that you have brought about out of bad. That I will do. In the meantime, I have learned to hold on to you as you have held on to me. Yes, you have. I should also say that there are some trials that I have gone through that I never want to go through again. I don’t doubt that. Yet, I would not trade the good you have done in my life through trials for anything else. That’s good to hear. I have never felt closer to you than when I have been in the deep and dark valleys of life. I have tasted of your kindness and mercy. I have experienced your comfort and love. You have filled my life with hope. You have lifted me up with your encouragement. You have kept me moving forward with you. Yes, I have.

So, I can say with absolute certainty that I know that you will work everything together for good as I keep on loving and following and serving you. I know that my life is in your hands. You will lead me through life. You will keep holding on to me as I keep holding on to you. One day, after all the pain and suffering of this broken life is over, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, you will. Then there will be no pain and suffering. That’s right. Then there will be no sorrow or tears. That’s true. In the meantime, you will be with me to help me every step of my way. Yes, I will.  

Heavenly Father, my perspective is limited. When I am in the middle of desperate circumstances, I have a hard time believing that you will be able to bring anything good out of them. Yet, you surprise me every time. Help me to always trust and hold on to you. Amen

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

God The Father – Romans 8-28 – Works For The Good – 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