Day 1: Understanding God's Will
Devotional: God's will is described as good, pleasing, and perfect. This doesn't mean we are expected to be perfect, but rather that God is perfecting us through our journey. He is maturing us and shaping us into what He has called us to be. When we align ourselves with God's will, we begin to see His hand in our lives, guiding us and providing for us in ways we might not have imagined. It's about trusting that His plan is better than our own and being open to His direction.
Verse: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
Question: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's good, pleasing, and perfect will?
Quote: God's will is good, pleasing, and perfect. And not to say that you're going to be perfect, that's not what he's saying here. But when you live out God's will, he's perfecting you. He's maturing you, and he wants you to be what he's called you to be.
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your will for my life. Transform my mind and heart to align with Your plans. Guide me and mature me into the person You have called me to be. Amen.
Day 2: The True Meaning of Sacrifice
Devotional: Sacrifice in following Jesus is not about losing out but gaining so much more. The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:29 illustrates that the blessings of following Jesus far outweigh the sacrifices. When we give up our own agendas and comforts for God's will, we find true fulfillment and joy. It's about being willing to let go of what we think we need and trusting that God will provide abundantly more.
Verse: "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." - Matthew 19:29
Question: What are you holding onto that God might be asking you to sacrifice for His greater blessings?
Quote: When we follow Jesus, the blessings always outweigh the trade off, don't they?
Prayer: God, help me to see the true blessings that come from following You. Give me the courage to sacrifice my own desires and trust in Your abundant provision. Amen.
Day 3: Focusing on Others
Devotional: Living out God's will involves taking ourselves out of the center and focusing on others. Our faith and gifts are given by God not for our own benefit, but to serve and advance His kingdom. This means using our resources, talents, and time to make a difference in the lives of others. It's about being available and willing to be used by God to impact the world around us.
Verse: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." - Romans 12:4-5
Question: How can you use your gifts and resources to serve others and advance God's kingdom?
Quote: God's will is others centered. If you're going to live out God's will. It's always centered on others. It's not self centered.
Prayer: Lord, help me to take myself out of the center and focus on others. Show me how I can use my gifts and resources to serve Your kingdom. Amen.
Day 4: Active Participation in God's Mission
Devotional: The church is not a cruise ship catering to our comfort, but a battleship where everyone has a role in God's mission. We are called to be active participants, using our spiritual gifts and continually offering ourselves as living sacrifices. This means stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to serve wherever God leads us. It's about being faithful to the mission and playing our part well.
Verse: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." - Romans 12:6-8
Question: Are you actively participating in God's mission, or are you sitting on the sidelines?
Quote: Are we a cruise ship where the music better be good, the temperature better be right? I like the color of the carpet. Somebody better greet me or are we a battleship? Everybody is here because God has led you to be here. We serve a great commander, and we got a mission.
Prayer: God, help me to be an active participant in Your mission. Show me where I can serve and use my gifts for Your glory. Amen.
Day 5: Being a Living Sacrifice
Devotional: Being a living sacrifice means continually offering ourselves to God, even when it's difficult. It's about being willing to crawl back on the altar, even when we've strayed. This requires self-examination and a willingness to sacrifice our own agendas, comforts, and resources for God's will. It's about being faithful to what God has called us to do and trusting that He will use us for His purposes.
Verse: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1
Question: Have you crawled off the altar? What steps can you take to offer yourself as a living sacrifice once again?
Quote: Have you crawled off the altar? At one time, maybe you were serving him well, and as time has gone on, maybe you've got some things that have crept in, and maybe you've crawled off the altar this morning. My challenge and my invitation is this. Crawl back on the altar, be the living sacrifice, be about his will.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a living sacrifice. Show me where I have strayed and give me the strength to offer myself fully to You once again. Amen.
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