A Simple PathVolume 3 · Weeks 17–24

Sometimes, Father, the cares of the world interfere with what I want to do for you, my servanthood. The daily grind has been magnified by health limitations and planning obstacles.

Tony Evans uses this verse to teach that the covenant that God makes with us is for our benefit. God will honor every promise that he has made and provide every resource we need to serve Him.

This verse continues the focus on us and our need to abandon all for Christ.

Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about their struggles with the flesh. We still personally and corporately struggle with our own flesh and the hindrances that come from others.

Part of God’s call is to rely on His Spiritual powers to overcome our sin nature and the sin natures of others.

My salvation was the starting point for the greatest adventure anyone could experience, and yes, it includes suffering personally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

What a great verse to end this week’s study, thinking about what awaits those God has sent to you when they turn to Christ in obedience.

Father, this is an important promise from You that I claim weekly. It is so good to know that with all my weaknesses and even my sin nature and my stubbornness, You are always there to rescue me.

Father, how appropriate, as if it were written just for me. Your word is alive and speaks to Your people throughout all history. These three — reading, exhortation, doctrine — are foundational to each ministry where You have placed me.

Yes, I want to keep hearing Your voice constantly, especially through Your words as relayed by Your Holy Spirit.

Daily, I feel Your presence in my life, in every situation, and in the lives of those I love, Father.

Father, sometimes I allow “stones” to come between me and seeing Your will fulfilled in my life. I ask for Your forgiveness when this happens and that You remove every “stone” I have allowed.

It’s humbling when Jesus speaks this way to me and immediately, He also shows where I have not followed Him in Faith. Forgive me, Lord. Amen.

As we determine the needs of those God sends, we must remember that the wisdom God grants comes from Him and His power.

My relationship with You, Father, is spiritual, not just a physical act, and is based on the truth revealed by Your Holy Spirit through Your Word and consistency.

Since each of us has rebelled against God, we also must labor for our provisions and our families until Jesus returns.

Jesus says we must walk the way He walked, so I can only conclude that He will equip us to walk with Him.

This is another description of the world we live in as born-again Christians; we enjoy God’s love as He pours it into our hearts.

This takes place as the disciples were fighting a rough sea in the dark, and Jesus appears walking. When they see Him and He enters the boat, the storm ends. This happens to us today: sometimes we venture out without Jesus' direction, but as soon as we realize our mistake, He comes to us and calms the storm.

Morning by morning, our Father trains me in the quiet of our devotion time and then sends me out into the mission field.

An example of why my good intentions as I reach out to others must be ordained by God’s Holy Spirit so I follow His will.

Job tried to describe outer space without any such knowledge, and he did so accurately. We don’t always need to understand everything about God’s ways; we just need to accept in faith that He is sovereign overall.

This verse shows that Jesus has chosen us personally as His sheep, and He will continue to care for us now and eternally.

As we continue to humbly submit to His Lordship, we glimpse His greatness as described, and we wait and watch as He reveals Himself to us.

Satan and his agents are constantly attacking the people of Jesus, seeking to destroy us, but Jesus offers an abundant life.

Having our hearts filled with the love of Christ, it is easier to accept His call to go to those who do not know Him.

Job’s friend Elihu was talking with Job during his time of suffering. We too can enjoy God’s greatness even in times of suffering.

God has appointed, prepared, protected, and sent us into the world to rescue others from their fate without Christ in their hearts. Sometimes we are asked to suffer as God gets us to where He can use us.

I would still be just another disobedient, self-seeking individual if Jesus had not lived, died, and conquered death on my behalf.

As born-again Christians, we have the greatest teacher living within us so that we can become more Christlike and enjoy our training. We then reach out to others with the wisdom God has granted us.

Many of the kids I disciple experience, for the first time, the noticeable voice of God as they pray through His Scriptures. It is humbling to them, as it is to me, as God blesses me with His understanding of ministry and service.

Looking at this verse from my perspective, I can see how God, over the years, has awakened me to the reality of His power and love in the daily routines of life.

As we see corruption and decay around us, it's easy to sink into despair, yet Jesus teaches: do not despair, for He is answering our prayers for those we are discipling.

This is just as true for every born-again Christian as it was for Jeremiah. I think about how, in my ignorance, I sometimes consider how weak my nature is to do Your will, Father, to be the obedient one who seeks Your heart.

This verse is a send-off into the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost and dying — and with Jesus alongside us, how can we be defeated?

Amazing, Father, how You love me and how far You have gone to rescue me and free me from my sinful nature.

At this point in my life, I have a long list of requests, Father, and yet you know them in detail. You address each one by the power of the risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Father, help me celebrate You today as you prepare me to serve You through Your strength.

Once I have relinquished control of my life, then You will teach me what is true and lead me in Your truth so that my journey is marked by purity and excellence.

This was Habakkuk, waiting to hear God’s response to the evil ruling in Israel. Today we must accept the same call Habakkuk received: to obey the voice of our Father.

There is no other way we can hope to lead others to Christ. The call begins with Him, sometimes through us, and continues through Him as He leads us in the discipleship of others.

This message is not just a reminder to me but must be taught to those who seek to serve Him.

God’s blessings go far beyond anything we could ever hope for, so we need to praise Him each time He blesses us.

This is clear from the Bible scriptures and even more clear from our daily lives that our real success only comes from God — any other success by our own design is only temporary.

Joshua charged the people of Israel to accept the covenant with God by promising to follow it and reject other gods. Joshua chooses to follow the Lord.

Sometimes we question God especially when troubles come. As He grows me spiritually, I have learned to be more content in times of trouble and able to enjoy His blessings.

Paul describes all the trials he had endured because of obeying God and ends with his ability to remain content.

This verse follows the same theme of finding contentment in times of persecution.

God is removing responsibility from us for those that do not listen to us and may reject the message we carry concerning Jesus Christ and Him crucified for their sins.

I don’t consider myself a person that has suffered much at all, but even when I have troubles God is always right there to help me.

This act of rescue directed toward us is the key to our opportunity to once and forever be forgiven through grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s acceptance of our repentance and asking Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior seals our present life and future eternal life with Him.

This is a tough one as more of our laws and customs move away from God’s plan for mankind.

This seems in sharp contrast to 1 Peter 2:13 but highlights that there are times when we must reject authorities and choose the Biblical path and what God commands.

Now we discover our calling and the source of our desire to please Him. With our recognition and commitment, we proclaim the Gospel to the world.

To fear God means to revere Him, humbly submit to His Lordship, praise Him for His awesomeness, and be careful to follow all His commands.

This is a warning straight from God about our allegiances — they must be to Him alone, and we must remain faithful to our Creator and our everlasting and loving Father.