Introduction

The word “disciple” may invoke images of long robes, scraggly beards, and dusty feet. The twelve men Jesus gathered around Him were set apart for a specific purpose but they shared something in common with all believers throughout the ages: they were followers.

There is a necessary connection in the Bible between a personal relationship with God and a personal response to His gracious work in our hearts. Faith and obedience go hand in hand, the Lordship of Jesus laying claim to every area of life. We truly know Him only when we obey Him and the deepest kind of joy is found in that surrender of our wills to His.

The purpose of this devotional is to help you think and pray through the implications of discipleship for your own life. Scripture meditation combined with practical application will fuel your faith so that you may be doers of the Word. May you hear His voice in these pages and experience His joy and peace as you take the next step of obedience.

Please consider sharing your personal journey with us. Send your stories to [email protected].

First Steps Days 1-5

“Maggie and I” Day 1

Key Verse: Genesis 1:26

We have a miniature Schnauzer named Maggie. Maggie may have ADHD. I’m not certain, but I think she was over- stimulated as a puppy (our fault). We love Maggie even though she gives us much grief. Maggie is one of the family, but not really. When I want good conversation I seek out my wife, not Maggie. Maggie has never received a piece of correspondence in the mail or sat at the table with us while we shared a meal. There is a reason for that. I was made in the image of God. Maggie was not.

The creation account in Genesis serves to remind us that human beings are the crown of God’s creation, not an after- thought. In love, God created us uniquely to reason and to rule over His creation. Most of all, however, God created us for relationships. We stand alone amongst all of God’s creation with the capacity to know Him and enjoy Him. It is only in this relationship that we can know our true reason for being. Sadly, there are many who reject God and never experience the purpose for which they were made.

Any serious consideration of what it means to be a follower of Christ must begin in Genesis. You and I were made to know God and walk with Him. Miss this and you miss your whole reason for being.

Take a Step: Spend a moment praising God for the wonder of His creation. Thank Him for the unique privilege of knowing Him.

“A Poor Reflection” Day 2

Key Verse: Romans 5:12

There is an app on your Iphone that allows you to capture images of yourself on camera and to manipulate those images into silly and grotesque forms. The result is an image that more closely resembles life on another planet than anything human. Phones can be fun to play with but I don’t know of anyone who aspires to be like the image that they see in those surfaces. Those images are undesirable distortions of the real thing.

Mankind was created in the image of God. As an object of God’s love, Adam was to find his joy in knowing his creator. But the invasion of sin in the world damaged God’s creation and distorted the image of God in Adam and in us. The sin of the first man resulted in a broken relationship that would affect all creation and all generations.

We inherited a sinful nature from our spiritual forbears and we don’t have to look long and hard to see that nature peeking through in what we choose to say, think, and do. Our guilt before an eternally holy God leaves us powerless to know God or enjoy Him. What a bleak picture sin paints. But all is not lost! God was at work from the very beginning to restore what sin had taken away. Praise be to Him for His mercy and love!

Take a Step: What evidence do you see of the damaging affects of sin in your own life? Confess your sin to God and tell Him you want to be a better reflection of His glory.

“God Took the First Step” Day 3

Key Verse: Romans 5:8

I can remember it clearly. It was raining that day and as I drove by she was sitting in her front yard. I thought it an unusual time for someone to be enjoying the great outdoors so I stopped, put the car in reverse, and backed up to get another look. She was still there; seated and struggling. As I went to her side and inquired, I discovered that she had left her house to go into town when she slipped and fell. I helped her to her feet and stayed with her until she could be joined with her family again. I am not sure how long she had been sitting there or how long she would have remained, but I know on that day that God brought me by to help, and taught me a few things about grace in the process.

The Bible describes our spiritual condition apart from Christ as death. Sin distances us from God and all efforts at moral reform fail to bridge the gap. New clothes do not give a corpse new life. So God took the initiative in coming to us in His Son. This is grace. Fully God and fully man, Christ satisfied God’s righteous requirements by dying as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. His resurrection from the dead demonstrated His power to forgive and transform those who come to Him by faith. As you contemplate what it means to be a disciple of Christ, remember this fundamental truth: God took the first step.

Take a Step: Contemplate for a moment what life would be like for you apart from Christ. Spend a moment thanking and praising God for the indescribable gift of His Son!

“Stepping out in Faith” Day 4

Key Verses: Ephesians 2:8,9

I like roller coasters, especially the wooden ones. The anticipation in the ascent, the moment of pause, the adrenaline rush in the plummet to the bottom; it is the closest that a guy can get to flying in a fighter jet without climbing into the cockpit. When I board a roller coaster I often think, “I hope this thing got inspected” or “I hope this seatbelt works.” Enjoying a roller coaster requires an all or nothing commitment that is based on faith.

Whether dining at a restaurant, driving a car, or riding a roller coaster, we demonstrate faith when we are confident enough in someone’s work that we are willing to entrust our lives to it. Biblical faith is exercised when we trust that Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf are enough to make us right with an infinitely holy God. There is no room for self-confidence in this kind of faith. All efforts at trying to earn God’s affection must be abandoned as we confess our sinful condition and turn to Christ. He alone can forgive and save forever, those who stake everything on Him.

Take a Step: Have you trusted Christ to make you right with God once-and-for-all? If so, then spend a minute thanking God for saving you. If not, then would you consider taking this life changing step now? Consider the following prayer as a prompt: “God, You have made me aware of my sinful condition and I am sorry. I believe that Your Son was crucified and resurrected so that I could be forgiven. Right now I turn from my self-centered existence and surrender myself to Christ, trusting Him to make me right with You forever. Teach me what it means to follow Jesus . Amen.”

“God’s Masterpiece” Day 5

Key Verse: Ephesians 2:10

You can see something of the artist in his work. Painters, musicians, sculptors and photographers can often be identified through what they produce. You might say that they put a little of themselves into every project.

It would not be a stretch to translate “workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10 as “masterpiece.” You are God’s masterpiece and reflect the unique character of the artist as you obey and follow Him. Just as the portrait reflects the painter or the symphony reflects the composer, so Christians reflect the glory of God as they live holy lives.

Through faith in Jesus Christ not only are we brought into God’s household but we are also placed on the path of Christ likeness. This is God’s will for every believer: obedience to Christ through faith. This conforms us to His image, every step reflecting more of the presence of His Son in us. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. The process of sanctification, or being made holy, takes a lifetime and will be complete only when we see Him in eternity. Until then, each of us is a work in progress.

Take a Step: What kind of progress are you making? Do you look more like Christ today than you did last month? Last year? Be honest with God about this and commit to living a life of obedience this year.

Moving in The Right Direction Days 6-10

“It’s All in Who You Know” Day 6

Key Verse: John 17:3

The full statement goes something like this: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I can honestly say that I have known this to be true at times in my life. My first job out of high school was as a bus boy at a Shoney’s. When I was interviewed, I told them that I would not work on Sundays, and they quickly told me that if I were hired, I would work Sundays. Guess what, when the manager called me back and offered a work schedule and a job, I did not have to work Sundays! Was it my charm? My confidence in the interview? Probably not…we went to church with the regional manager of Shoney’s…so I think he may have had just a little to do with my summer employment!

John 17:3 is part of a prayer Jesus prayed often called the High Priestly Prayer. To be able to move in the right direction spiritually, you need to know the right person, that is Jesus Christ. It is not about being good enough, being sincere enough, or even being religious enough. Eternal life will never be a reality for you or any of your loved ones without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That may seem harsh, closed minded, or intolerant, but it is biblical!

Without knowing Christ, it is impossible to attain eternal life on our own. It is His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin that gives us the opportunity to be made right with God through a relationship with Him.

Take a Step: If you would like to know more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, go to www.whativaluemost.com and type in the name David Jeffreys. There you can read part of my testimony and learn more about how you can know Christ. “It’s All in Who You Listen To” Day 7

Key Verses: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We live in an age where there is literally no limit to the amount of messages we have at our disposal to receive. Just on the social media website YouTube, there is an estimated 819,417,600 hours of video with an additional 500 hours of video uploaded every minute! This is only one website! Putting those numbers into perspective, if you live to be 75, you only have 657,450 hours in your life! That’s about 1250 lifetimes of constant video!

When it comes to who you listen to, only one source is reliable… “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Every sermon, every Sunday School lesson, every religious video you watch all need to be judged by Scripture.

Take a Step: If you have never spent much time in Scripture, this is probably one of those ideas you believe, but rarely do anything about. As with most things in life, the only way we can know something is to spend the time and effort in learning it. If you don’t know much about Scripture, start where you are. Read it! Listen to sermons, Bible studies, read books about it! Make the time in your life to listen to God through His Word that He has made so easily available to you!

“It’s All in Who You are Talking To” Day 8

Key Verse: Psalm 18:6

While the number of words the average person speaks in a day can depend on age, culture and other factors, a University of Arizona study found that most people speak around 16,000 words in a day. God has definitely created us all different. You probably already have a few faces of friends in your mind when you read those statistics that either over perform or underperform based on those numbers!

While it is vitally important for us to listen to the Holy Spirit and read Scripture, it is also important for us to communicate to God through prayer. God wants to hear from you…not just when you need something. How many words a day do you think you speak to God? Surveys show that about 55% of Americans say they pray every day. I hope you are already part of that 55%, but how many of us would say that we actually talk with God?

Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 18:6: “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” David’s prayers were honest and intimate. I called, I cried, He heard my voice! That is an example of communica- tion with God!

Take a Step: Yesterday you were challenged to spend time in Scripture daily. Today my challenge for you is to communicate with God. Begin where you are. Learn to speak to God often. Don’t worry about how much further along others may seem to be, start where you are. As you read His Word and speak to Him…He will speak to you.

“It’s All in Who You are With” Day 9

Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:1-2

“A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi-yo Silver" - the Lone Ranger! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early West.” As a young boy, those were some of my favorite words to hear, because I knew that one of my favorite TV shows was about to come on. Week after week, The Lone Ranger and Tonto would save the day, only to leave all of the thankful people behind to find the next group of people to help. It made for a good kids TV program, but if it were reality, it would have been a pretty miserable life not ever having people to call your own.

God has not designed you to be a Lone Ranger. In fact, you were created for relationships. Today we are talking about another very important relationship, the church, the local church.

Take a Step: Read the first few verses of any of the books that the Apostle Paul wrote and you will find something similar to this…“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Jesus Christ, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:1-2. Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit planted churches, wrote to churches, and wept for churches…his ministry was focused on churches! If you read through the New Testament, you can’t help but realize that we are to be a part of a local body of believers, a church, as a part of living out our faith. Are you a part of a church? Are you an active part of a church? “It’s All In Who You Serve” Day 10

Key Verses: Philippians 2:5-7

I can remember a time when there used to be two different types of pumps at gas stations. You had full service and self- service pumps. At a full-service pump attendants would come out and fill up your tank as well as check air pressure and fluid levels in your car. At the self-service pumps…you were on your own. I don’t know if full-service went away because of the prices or we as a society simply like to do things ourselves.

In Philippians 2:5-7 Paul wrote: “Have this attitude in your- selves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” We see in scripture countless times of just exactly how Christ lived out His life as a servant. His ultimate act of service was dying for our sins on the cross.

If we live our lives only serving ourselves or those we are closest to, we miss out on God’s plan for our lives. Christ’s last earthly command to us was to go and make disciples! You can’t ever do that without serving. What will this look like for you? When you choose to serve…God shows up and makes Himself and His promises real in your life.

Take a Step: Church is not something we go to, it is some- thing that we are as believers. You will never begin to know the fullness of a relationship with Christ unless you are actively serving and sharing your faith in the Body of Christ. What part in the Body of Christ are you playing as we love God, love people, and serve the world? You have a gift, you have a role…is the church missing you as a part of the body?

Follow Their Example Days 11-15

“First Step…Abraham” Day 11

Key Verses: Genesis 12:1-4

There are several “step worthy” stories that are recorded in Scripture when it comes to Abraham. The one I want us to focus on today is his first step. Without it none of the rest would have ever taken place.

Read Genesis 12:1-4. Imagine if you will God telling you at the age of 75 to leave everything, to go and He will bless you and start a nation with your decedents…and you and your spouse have not had any kids to this point in your marriage! I’m sure Abraham (still Abram at this point) must have thought that this did not make any sense. Scripture records that “…Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him.”

Taking that very first step is often the most terrifying and the most difficult. Abraham took that first step, and if you read the rest of his story in Genesis, God was faithful in fulfilling everything that He promised. God continued His plan through Abraham, which led to the establishment of the nation of Israel and the eventual coming of the Messiah.

Take a Step: What is it in your life that you know God is calling you to do, but you have been unwilling to do because you lack courage? Share that with someone you trust and let them pray and hold you accountable to what God has called you to do.

“Moses’ Scary Step” Day 12

Key Verses: Exodus 11-12

Hebrews 11:28 records that “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.” This passage refers to the last plague that God sent upon Egypt as Moses was to lead his people out of slavery.

This is where God got really intense against Pharaoh. The previous plagues He sent were not all that pleasant either, but here He tells His servant Moses that every firstborn in Egypt will die…EVERY FIRSTBORN. God’s provision for His people was to spread a lamb’s blood on their doorposts. The Lord would “pass-over” their household and spare their first born.

I don’t know about you, but I am very partial to my first born! Moses and the people of Israel had to take a scary step of faith. If Moses wasn’t obedient and God was not faithful to His commands, Moses stood to lose his first born child along with the first born of anything else he owned. God was faithful and pharaoh finally let them go.

There may be times when taking a step of faith may be scary, not because you will look foolish, but because it may cost you something you hold dearly if God does not come through.

Take a Step: What in your life is holding you back from taking a step for God because of fear of giving up or losing something you hold dear? What do you fear giving up or losing? Does this hold you back from taking a step for God?

“Doesn’t Matter Who You Have Been” Day 13

Key Verses: Joshua 2

One of the things people have told me countless times throughout the years is that they choose not to come to God because of what they have done in their past. In other words, “I’m too bad for God to be able to do anything good in me.” “You don’t know the things I have done.” These beliefs have spanned ages and geography in my conversations with people.

Today, we read about Rahab. She had as much or more reason to give these types of arguments as anyone. Rahab was a prostitute in the town of Jericho. She stepped out and at great risk of harm to herself and her family, defied her king and aided and abetted two enemy spies from Israel.

Her faithfulness led to some incredible blessings. First she and her family were spared when Israel defeated Jericho. Second we see the results of a changed life. Rahab marries Salmon, one of the two spies, and became the mother of Bo- az, who married Ruth, who had Obed, who had Jesse, who was the father of David. The foreign prostitute’s life was changed forever! Not only did her step of faith save her life, it recorded her as a part of God’s plan in history leading to the Messiah. God chose a non-Jewish woman with a questionable background to become one of the great- grandmothers to the Messiah!

Take a Step: If you think God is not able to change a life, yours or others, it’s time to reexamine what you believe about God.

“Noah When God Doesn’t Make Sense ” Day 14

Key Verses: Genesis 6

My family loves to put puzzles together, especially during holidays when everyone is at home. I can honestly say that I love spending time with my family…but I really don’t like putting puzzles together that much. When putting a challenging puzzle together, you spend a lot of time focusing in on small aspects of a larger picture. It is not until close to the end that the picture of the puzzle really starts to come together.

That’s a little of what it must have been like for Noah. God asked him to take a step of obedience with only a small piece of the puzzle. God asked Noah to build a huge ark to solve a problem that did not exist for something that had never been before. This step took Noah roughly 100 years to complete! I can only imagine what people said to him and thought of what he was doing. It wasn’t until the end that Noah was able to see and experience clearly what God intended for him.

Take a Step: There are many steps of obedience in my everyday life that do not always make sense to me, like tithing, weekly church attendance, serving in the church, going on mission trips, and probably others you can think of. I am thankful that early on in my life, even though I did not have the big picture, my parents and others helped me learn to take steps of faith that did not make any sense at the time. What steps are you helping others take?

“The Unknown Soldiers” Day 15

Key Verses: Hebrews 11:32-40

On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an un- identified American soldier from World War I in what is known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located at Arlington National Cemetery. It is guarded 24/7, regardless of weather or circumstances by a highly well trained military unit. Engraved on it are these words: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God”. It is one of the great testaments in our country to the sacrifices given for our freedom.

Hebrews 11 ends with something similar to this. Read Hebrews 11:32-40. The writer of Hebrews is telling us here that there isn’t enough time to go on and write about the faithfulness of so many that we will not know about in this life. We read about shutting the mouths of lions, escaping the sword, dead raised to life, imprisoned, mistreated, and even death. All of these unknown believers “gained approval through their faith”.

Your faithfulness may not ever be known by word or print to the generations to come. We often hear about how sin carries and impacts many generations. Faithfulness has an even greater impact upon future generations! My faith has been impacted by those in the past I will never know.

Take a Step: What step is God calling you to take to impact your life as well as the lives of those to come?

What Holds You Back? Days 16-20

“Fear” Day 16

Key Verses: Psalm 27:1, Psalm 23:4, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 2 Timothy 1:7

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Do you know what that word means? It is the “fear of long words.” (It’s a real thing – Google it.) It seems kind of mean to give it that name, doesn’t it?

If you have a fear of something, it basically means you be- lieve it is more powerful than you are. It keeps you from moving, or causes you to go the other way. You can be simply afraid and still act, but a legitimate fear is another story. We are held back by our fears. Fear can keep us from moving forward in our faith. Fear can keep us from obedience.

The Bible mentions fear quite frequently. The majority of the time it is telling us not to fear. Psalm 27:1 and Psalm 23:4 are two verses that tell us we have nothing to fear because God is with us. The only thing the Bible tells us to fear is God Himself: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV) It is a very good thing to realize God is more powerful than you are.

Take a step: If you are truly seeking to “take the next step” in your life, you will certainly encounter fear. It might be the reason you have not already taken it. God never promises that obedience will be easy, but He does promise to walk with you through it. Take the next few minutes to think about which fears might be holding you back. Then spend some time in prayer and ask God to replace those fears with trust. When you take your next step, you will not be alone. “...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self -control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV) “Comfort” Day 17

Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Luke 9:23

It never fails. Every time I sit down after a long day and get comfortable either the phone rings, the dog wants to be let out, or one of my children needs something. It frustrates me. I relish my comfort. I do not even care how stylish my clothes are (or most likely are not) as long as they are comfortable. And when I sit down to rest, I do not want to get back up. It is easier to keep moving than to start moving.

Sometimes our own comfort can keep us from moving forward. We like our lives the way they are, thank you, and do not want anything disrupting them. But we seem to have forgotten that our lives are not our own anymore. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us that we are not our own, we have been bought with a price, and we are to glorify God. We do not glorify God by keeping things the way they are. He gives us times to rest, but that is so we can get back to work. In fact, one of the major reasons we meet together to worship is to encourage one another to get up, go out, and to serve. “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Take a step: Jesus says in Luke 9:23, “…If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Denying yourself means to choose God’s desires over your own – to choose His will over your own comfort. Spend some time today asking God to give you the courage, selflessness, and strength to move forward in spite of the ways it might disrupt your life. “Tragedy/Pain” Day 18

Key Verses: John 16:33, James 1:2-4

There was a period in 2016 where I was averaging a funeral a week. Two of them were for members of my own family. I knew many people who were battling illnesses, floods, injuries, unemployment, marital problems, problems with their children, and many other struggles. 2016 is over but the pain is not.

God never promised us a pain-free life. In John 16:33, He promises that we will have trouble, but He offers peace.

Just like physical pain, emotional pain can keep us from moving. Dealing with our own hurts can hold us back from moving forward in our walk with Christ, but it can also help us grow closer to Him. Pastor Tim Keller said, “One of the main ways we move from abstract knowledge about God to a personal encounter with Him as a living reality is through the furnace of affliction.” God can use our hurts and pains to give us a deeper knowledge of who He is and how much He loves us. He showed us that by the suffering He endured by pouring out His wrath on His Son on the Cross in our place. No one has suffered more than God.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” God can use our pain to refine us and sanctify us. He can use our pain to move us forward. God can take what was meant for evil and turn it into something good. Just look at the Cross.

Take a step: Take some time to pray and give your pain to God, not just so He will take it away, but so that He would use it to move you forward and give you peace. “Inadequacy” Day 19

Key Verses: Jeremiah 1:5-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Have you ever felt like God wanted you to do something, but felt like you were just not qualified to do it? Many people refuse to move forward in their walk with Christ, or take steps of obedience, because they feel inadequate or unprepared to do so.

You have probably seen some variation of this list before, but consider these examples: Noah got drunk. Abraham was too old. Jacob was a deceiver. Leah was ugly. Joseph was abused. Moses was a murderer and stuttered. Rahab was a prostitute. Jeremiah and Timothy were too young. David was a murderer and adulterer. Jonah ran from God. Naomi was a widow. Peter denied Christ. The disciples fell asleep while praying. Mary Magdalene was demon possessed. Zacchaeus was too small. Paul was a murderer. And Lazarus, well, he was dead.

Now read for a moment what God said in Jeremiah 1:5-8. God tells Jeremiah to stop giving his excuses because He will give Jeremiah what he needs to be obedient.

Now consider that God is only interested in your obedience, not your abilities. Who do you think gives you your abilities in the first place? There is an old saying that “God’s requirements are met by God’s enablings.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” God is not limited by our shortcomings. He does not need us to get the job done – He chooses to use us.

Take a step: Take time to pray and give your insecurities to God. Ask for the courage to overlook them and trust Him to supply what you need to step out in obedience. “Ye of LITTLE FAITH” Day 20

Key Verses: Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 13:58, James 2:14-18

You have probably heard the story of the man who walked on a tightrope across Niagara Falls pushing a wheelbarrow. After he did it a few times, he asked the crowd if they believed he could push a person across in the wheelbarrow. Everyone raised their hands that they indeed believed that he could. He then asked who would be willing to get into the wheelbarrow. No hands went up. They believed, but not enough to trust him with their own lives.

Let’s face it. Fear, comfort, pain, and inadequacy are all just symptoms of the one real problem that is holding us back from taking the next step of obedience – a lack of faith.

Take a moment to look these up: Ephesians 2:8 tells us that faith is necessary for salvation. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we must walk by faith. In Matthew 8:26 Jesus rebukes His disciples for their lack of faith. In Matthew 13:58 we see that Jesus limited the number of miracles He performed in Nazareth due to their unbelief. And James 2:14- 18 shows us that faith without works is dead.

It all comes down to this – do you trust God? Faith involves more than your belief and your words. Faith involves action. You have to move. If you have not moved in a long time, ask yourself why. The Bible says that God has allotted to each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). It is there for you to use.

Take a step: Maybe this new year is a good time to start exercising again – exercising your faith, that is. Take some time to pray and ask God for the faith to move forward. Remember that He is there with you. You can trust Him.

What Can I Expect? Days 21-25

“Expect A Long Journey” Day 21

Key Verses: Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 1:6

When you decide to trust God and take the next step of faith, what can you expect? How should you prepare? Well, there are many things you can expect, but one of the first of these is to expect a long journey.

If you have ever attempted to get in shape or lose some weight, you know that it is a commitment and it takes a while to see any results. It is the reason why the gyms are not as full in February as they are in January. People decide make a commitment for the new year, but often quit out of discouragement. There are no shortcuts. It takes time.

Obedience is often a marathon, not a sprint. Paul compares our walk with Christ to running a race to receive a prize. Take some time to read Philippians 3:12-14. In that passage, Paul says, that he has not yet obtained the prize, but he is pressing on towards it. Earlier in his letter to the Philippians he says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) He had not obtained his prize yet and he would not be complete until the day of Christ Jesus. He would have to wait for that and, as we have seen in previous devotions, there were heroes of the faith who never even saw the result of their obedience in this life. It was for others to benefit from later.

Take a step: The phrase “take the next step” lets you know that there will always be another step to take. You will not be finished while you are still here. Do not expect to take your next step and be done. And do not expect to immediately see the all of the results. Over the next few days we will be looking at the results you will be able to see. But, for now, spend some time today praying to God for the patience and endurance that will be required to step out in obedience. “Expect Resistance” Day 22

Key Verses: Galatians 1:10, John 15:18-19, 1 Peter 2:20

I can still remember the shock of the moment when I was a child and met a guy who had shaved his legs and arms to help him win a race. I thought he was beyond weird. When I was older I learned that there was a very good reason why competitive runners, cyclists, and swimmers shave them- selves before they race. It is because the wind or water they encounter will slow them down. Less hair means less resistance.

When you decide to take steps of faith and obedience, you will encounter resistance. It is guaranteed. You will get resistance from this world, and you may even get it from oth- er Christians.

When God speaks to you, it is usually not over a loudspeaker. Other people do not always hear your instructions. The world will not understand some of the things God tells us all to do, and your church family might not understand what God has told you individually to do. You can expect misunderstand- ings and even rebukes.

Take some time to read these verses: Galatians 1:10: We will not please everyone if we follow God. John 15:18-19: The world resists Christ, therefore the world will resist you for following Him. 1 Peter 2:20: God is pleased when you endure resistance with patience.

Take a step: Today, pray that God would prepare you for the resistance that will come as a result of your obedience and for the patience to endure it. And ask God to help you remember to pray for those who persecute you. “Expect to Stumble” Day 23

Key Verses: Psalm 73:26, Proverbs 24:16, Psalm 37:24, Isaiah 40:30-31, Galatians 6:1-5, James 3:1-2

I am pretty sure you cannot remember learning to walk, but you might remember the first time you tried to ride a bike, or roller skate. I am also pretty sure that you fell while learning. Unfortunately, that is a part of life. You do not even have to be trying something new, or even have an obstacle in our way. Sometimes you can simply trip over your own two feet. But we all stumble, and sometimes even fall.

Obedience is no different. Even the most dedicated followers of Christ have stumbled and fallen. Pick anyone out of the Bible, other than Jesus Himself, and most likely you will find a story full of mistakes and failures before the successes.

The Bible tells us we will fall, but also that God is there to help us up and we are to keep walking. Read these verses: Psalm 73:26: We may fail, but God is our strength. Proverbs 24:16: The righteous fall, but rise again. Psalm 37:24: We fall, but the Lord holds our hand. Isaiah 40:30-31: Even the young grow weary and tired and stumble, but the Lord will renew their strength. James 3:1-2: We all stumble. If we did not, we would be perfect.

As you prepare to take your next step, know that you may fail at first. It may not be an easy step to take. But remember that we are not alone. God is with us and supplies our strength. And Galatians 6:1-5 tells us we are to help each other when we fail.

Take a step: Spend some time praying for the courage to keep walking whenever you stumble. Ask God to remind you that He not only guides your steps, but can also use your missteps. “Expect Empowerment” Day 24

Key Verses: John 15:5, Zechariah 4:6, Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9

A few days ago we looked at how God overcomes our inade- quacies to accomplish His work through us. You see, it is by His power and strength that we can do anything. Jesus even said that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). In Zechariah 4:6 we see that it is not our power or might that accomplishes His work, but it is by His Spirit.

We know that our ultimate task is to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey all we have been commanded (Read the Great Commission – Matthew 28:16- 20). If there is nothing we can do apart from Christ, then it is reasonable to believe that God must supply the power to fulfill what He has commanded us to do. He tells us this in Acts 1:8: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

If God tells you to do something, then you can expect His Spirit to supply the power you need to take a step of obedience. We do not receive power to stay comfortable and do nothing. We receive power to obey and be witnesses.

Take a step: Read 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s strength is perfected in our weaknesses. We do not have the strength until God supplies it. Take some time to pray today and thank God for His strength. If you have a relationship with Christ, acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence with you right now. He is waiting to fill you with power for your next step.

“Expect Fruit” Day 25

Key Verses: John 15:5, Galatians 5:22-23

What would you attempt to do if you knew something good would come of it, no matter what? That is what happens when we are obedient to God’s commands. It is what happens when we abide in Him. Yesterday we read John 15:5. Take a moment to read it again. While it is true that apart from Christ we can do nothing, it is also true that if we abide in Him and He abides in us, we will “bear much fruit.” We will be productive.

Yesterday we also noted that the Holy Spirit provides us with power. So it is the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit when we obey. When we are obedient to be witnesses, for instance, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks through us, convicts others of their sin, and enters into their lives to sanctify them. He produces that fruit.

But we know that people do not always respond positively to what He says through us. That does not mean there is no fruit. You see, the Holy Spirit also produces fruit in our own lives when we are obedient. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Notice it says “fruit,” not “fruits.” These are not separate from one another – they are connected. The Holy Spirit working through you produces all of these. Would it not be wonderful to be known as a loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled person? People who walk in obedience can be described that way.

Take a step: Look at that list again. Are you currently producing the fruit of the Spirit in your life? If not, would you like to? Pray today that God would use your life to bear fruit for His kingdom, and that you will be prepared to say “yes” when He calls.

Taking the Next Step Days 26-30

“The Non-Negotiables” Day 26

Key Verses: 1 Timothy 2:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3

“Some things you don’t have to pray about.” When I first heard the statement I was taken aback but it’s true. Discerning God’s will for our lives doesn’t have to be difficult. God doesn’t hide His will from us. God has revealed Himself and His ways to us in Scripture, every page giving more clarity.

Progress on the journey of discipleship takes place one step at a time. Knowing and doing the will of God are means to that end. This devotion has shed some light on the path in front of you as a disciple of Christ. You have learned about the importance of such things as baptism, Scripture reading, church membership, and sharing your faith. Here are a few other non-negotiables found in the New Testament.

-It is God’s will that we be saved. (1 Timothy 2:3,4) -It is God’s will that we be thankful. (1 Thess. 5:18) -It is God’s will that we be pure. (1 Thess. 4:3)

When contemplating the question, “What does God want me to do,” it is safe to start with what you already know. We simply cannot step over what we are unwilling to do in pursuit of God’s will. God is most concerned about our character which He develops in us as we follow Christ in eve- ry area of life.

Take a Step: Make a list of the things that you know you should be doing but are not. Confess these before the Lord and ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. Move forward in faith.

“Decisions, Decisions” Day 27

Key Verses: Romans 12:1,2, James 1:5

You’ve seen it in a hundred different romantic comedies. The bride-to-be is preparing for a wedding with her fiancé when a stranger enters her life who sweeps her off of her feet. As the day of the wedding approaches she is torn between the stable life with the fiancé or the exhilarating unknown of the new found love.

Maybe you’ve never been in such a situation but you almost certainly have contemplated difficult decisions. Followers of Christ want to know the will of God but may struggle with those decisions for which the Bible gives no clear direction. Sometimes there may be an accompanying request for a sign. Romans 12:1,2 provides sound Biblical wisdom for such situations. First, we must seek to live holy lives. Godly lives are those that refuse to be squeezed into the world’s mold. Secondly, we must immerse ourselves in the Word. The Bible is full of principles that can be applied in all of life’s situations, even if the specific circumstances are not found in the Bible. Finally, we should pray for wisdom. James 1:5 reminds us that God grants wisdom to those who ask for it and genuinely want it. As you can see, these are no quick fixes. These are issues of character development. But isn’t that what following Christ is all about?

Take a Step: If you haven’t already, get into God’s Word. Express to God your desire to make decisions consistent with who you are as a follower of Christ.

“Where Am I?” Day 28

Key Verses: Psalm 139:23,24

Following Jesus is not as succinct and simple a process as following a program for weight loss or exercise, but some of the same principles apply. Progress toward any goal requires some means of tracking that progress as well as an idea of how far you need to go to accomplish your goal.

Psalms 139 is a song in praise of God’s character. As David meditated on God’s consistent presence (“Where can I go from your Spirit? v. 7), and God’s intimate knowledge (“You know when I sit down and when I rise up”, v. 2) his heart was stirred with a love for God (“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!” v. 17), a passion for God’s glory (“O that you would slay the wicked” v. 19) and a desire for holiness (“see if there be any hurtful way in me” v. 24). Think about this for a moment: David’s song began with a medita- tion on God’s character and ended with a plea for personal transformation.

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey of change. We don’t measure our maturity by comparing ourselves to others but by gazing on Christ. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author of our faith, we must identify the things that keep us from running and throw them off so that we may persevere. The prayer of every saint should be “lead me in the everlasting way.”

Take a Step: Where are you on your spiritual journey? Consider asking a few trusted people to share with you ways that your life demonstrates the character of Christ. Meditate on who Jesus is. Ask God to show you what next steps you need to take on your journey of discipleship.

“The End Game” Day 29

Key Verses: Philippians 3:12-16; 2 Corinthians 4:16,17

Florence Chadwick was determined to be the first woman to ever swim the twenty-one mile strait from Catalina Island to the coast of California. As she waded into the water on the morning of July 4, 1952 the fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Despite the numbingly cold water, she swam on. Fifteen hours later she asked to be taken out despite the encouragement from her trainer and family to continue. Later when she realized she was a half-mile from shore, she said, “I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the shore, I might have made it."

An “end game” is an ultimate goal or destination. All training and effort in serious competition has the end game in view. What is your end game as a disciple of Christ? Personally, your end game should be conformity to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). This devotional was intended to help you take some decisive steps in that direction. As a part of the church, your end game is the Great Commission, to make disciples (Matthew 28:19,20). This is a lifelong process but as you follow Christ and lead others to do so, you are well on your way. But your overarching end game is glory! Paul thought it worth forgetting the past and enduring to pursue this goal. Some have suggested that the destination for disciples is the journey. I couldn’t disagree more. There is an end game and when we get there we will be made to be like Him (1 John 3:2).

Take a Step: Take some time to enjoy a favorite food or activity today. Thank God for it but make a conscious effort to think about what God has prepared for you “which eye has not seen and ear has not heard.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) “My Next Step Is…..” Day 30

Key Verses: 1 John 2:3-6

So far in this devotional you have considered:

 what it means to be a follower of Christ.  what is necessary to move in the right direction.  the example of others who have followed in faith.  the things that may be holding you back.  what to expect as you look at the road ahead.

As you discern the next step of faith in your relationship with Christ take note of the discipleship principles in 1 John 2:3-6. First, our obedience to Christ reveals the authenticity of our faith. It is not what we say that reveals our status in Christ but our response to His leadership. Secondly, obeying Christ will give us confidence in our relationship with Him. This is not a prideful arrogance but a quiet assurance, the Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are His. Thirdly, obedience grows us up in Him. The love of God is perfected (or matured) in those who heed God’s word and follow Him. Some are further down the road of Christlikeness than others but one thing is clear, following is the essence of discipleship.

Take a Step: In what specific area of your life is Jesus beckoning you to follow Him? As you peer into the unknown, know this: Jesus is with you, He is in you, and He is at work to make you like Him as you take the next step.

HIGHLAND BAPTIST CHURCH

Loving God. Loving People. Serving the World.

607 Victory Drive ~ New Iberia, LA 70563 337-365-5471 www.hbcni.org