5 Day Devotional: Called To Be With Him, Sent to Change the World
5-Day Devotional: Called to Be With Him, Sent to Change the World
Day 1: The Divine Desire
Reading: Mark 3:13–19
“And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
Devotional:
Jesus went up the mountain and "called to him those whom he desired." Let that truth settle in your heart today—Jesus desires you. Not the perfected version of you, but you right now, with all your struggles, doubts, and failures. He saw Peter's arrogance, John's anger, Matthew's greed, and Simon's violent past, yet He desired them all. Your past doesn't disqualify you; your present struggles don't eliminate you from His purpose. Jesus looks at you and sees not what you've been, but what you will become in His presence. He desires relationship with you before He requires service from you. Today, receive this truth: you are wanted by the King of Kings.
Response:
Day 2: Purpose One—Abiding With Jesus
Reading: John 15:1–11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Devotional:
Jesus appointed the disciples for two purposes: first, "that they might be with him," and second, that they would be sent out. Notice the order—being comes before doing. We cannot effectively serve Christ without first dwelling with Christ. This isn't religious ritual; it's relational intimacy. Peter didn't preach at Pentecost before he sat at Jesus's feet. John didn't write Revelation before he leaned on Jesus's chest. Your greatest purpose isn't what you accomplish for God, but who you become with God. The rhythm is simple: abide, then go; dwell, then serve; be transformed, then transform others. Don't rush past the presence to get to the purpose. Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you become." Let Him do the making.
Response:
Day 3: From Sinners to Saints
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Devotional:
"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified." The disciples' starting point was no different from yours—broken, sinful, self-focused. Simon the Zealot was a murderer. Matthew exploited his own people. Peter denied Christ. Yet every one of them became world-changers. How? They didn't let their past define their future. They brought their brokenness to Jesus daily and let Him transform them. Your sin doesn't surprise God; He already knows every dark corner of your heart. What He's waiting for is your willingness to bring it into His presence. Conviction without condemnation leads to repentance, and repentance leads to life. Stop hiding in the woods like Adam and Eve. Come out. He's calling your name in love.
Response:
Day 4: The Battle Against Shame
Reading: Romans 8:1–11
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
Devotional:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The enemy's greatest weapon against your purpose is shame. He wants you to believe you're too broken, too sinful, too weak to be used by God. But shame produces worldly sorrow that leads to death and causes you to hide from God. Conviction, however, produces godly sorrow that leads to repentance and life, drawing you toward God. When the Holy Spirit exposes areas of disobedience in your life, He's not condemning you—He's healing you. He's removing the spiritual cancer so you can experience abundant life. Don't confuse the Spirit's conviction with the enemy's condemnation. One brings shame and hiding; the other brings hope and transformation. Walk in freedom today.
Response:
Day 5: Living as Sent Disciples
Reading: Matthew 28:16–20
“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Devotional:
Jesus gave His final command: "Go and make disciples of all nations." This isn't a suggestion for super-Christians; it's a command for every believer. You are called to live as a light in a dark world, a witness for Christ in your sphere of influence. Perhaps you lack desire, or competing desires choke out your purpose. Maybe you lack courage, or past sins make you feel disqualified. Here's the truth: you don't need a seminary degree, perfect faith, or a sinless past. You need daily time with Jesus. As you abide in His presence, He will transform your desires, increase your boldness, and give you direction. The rhythm is simple: be with Jesus, then be sent out. Fail, return to Him, be formed again, then go out transformed. Your purpose isn't primarily about what you do for Jesus, but who you become with Jesus. Start today.
Response:
Day 1: The Divine Desire
Reading: Mark 3:13–19
“And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
Devotional:
Jesus went up the mountain and "called to him those whom he desired." Let that truth settle in your heart today—Jesus desires you. Not the perfected version of you, but you right now, with all your struggles, doubts, and failures. He saw Peter's arrogance, John's anger, Matthew's greed, and Simon's violent past, yet He desired them all. Your past doesn't disqualify you; your present struggles don't eliminate you from His purpose. Jesus looks at you and sees not what you've been, but what you will become in His presence. He desires relationship with you before He requires service from you. Today, receive this truth: you are wanted by the King of Kings.
Response:
- Spend time in prayer simply receiving the truth that Jesus desires you, right now as you are.
- Write down one area of your life where you’ve felt disqualified and bring it before Him in surrender.
Day 2: Purpose One—Abiding With Jesus
Reading: John 15:1–11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Devotional:
Jesus appointed the disciples for two purposes: first, "that they might be with him," and second, that they would be sent out. Notice the order—being comes before doing. We cannot effectively serve Christ without first dwelling with Christ. This isn't religious ritual; it's relational intimacy. Peter didn't preach at Pentecost before he sat at Jesus's feet. John didn't write Revelation before he leaned on Jesus's chest. Your greatest purpose isn't what you accomplish for God, but who you become with God. The rhythm is simple: abide, then go; dwell, then serve; be transformed, then transform others. Don't rush past the presence to get to the purpose. Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you become." Let Him do the making.
Response:
- Set aside intentional time today to be silent before the Lord, simply abiding in His presence.
- Reflect on what areas of your life have been driven by doing rather than being with Jesus.
Day 3: From Sinners to Saints
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Devotional:
"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified." The disciples' starting point was no different from yours—broken, sinful, self-focused. Simon the Zealot was a murderer. Matthew exploited his own people. Peter denied Christ. Yet every one of them became world-changers. How? They didn't let their past define their future. They brought their brokenness to Jesus daily and let Him transform them. Your sin doesn't surprise God; He already knows every dark corner of your heart. What He's waiting for is your willingness to bring it into His presence. Conviction without condemnation leads to repentance, and repentance leads to life. Stop hiding in the woods like Adam and Eve. Come out. He's calling your name in love.
Response:
- Confess any sin or shame that has kept you from drawing near to Jesus and allow His grace to wash over you.
- Thank Him for transforming your identity from sinner to saint and declare that new identity over your life today.
Day 4: The Battle Against Shame
Reading: Romans 8:1–11
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
Devotional:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The enemy's greatest weapon against your purpose is shame. He wants you to believe you're too broken, too sinful, too weak to be used by God. But shame produces worldly sorrow that leads to death and causes you to hide from God. Conviction, however, produces godly sorrow that leads to repentance and life, drawing you toward God. When the Holy Spirit exposes areas of disobedience in your life, He's not condemning you—He's healing you. He's removing the spiritual cancer so you can experience abundant life. Don't confuse the Spirit's conviction with the enemy's condemnation. One brings shame and hiding; the other brings hope and transformation. Walk in freedom today.
Response:
- Reject the lies of shame by declaring Romans 8:1 over yourself out loud.
- Spend time thanking God for the convicting and freeing work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Day 5: Living as Sent Disciples
Reading: Matthew 28:16–20
“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Devotional:
Jesus gave His final command: "Go and make disciples of all nations." This isn't a suggestion for super-Christians; it's a command for every believer. You are called to live as a light in a dark world, a witness for Christ in your sphere of influence. Perhaps you lack desire, or competing desires choke out your purpose. Maybe you lack courage, or past sins make you feel disqualified. Here's the truth: you don't need a seminary degree, perfect faith, or a sinless past. You need daily time with Jesus. As you abide in His presence, He will transform your desires, increase your boldness, and give you direction. The rhythm is simple: be with Jesus, then be sent out. Fail, return to Him, be formed again, then go out transformed. Your purpose isn't primarily about what you do for Jesus, but who you become with Jesus. Start today.
Response:
- Ask the Lord to show you one person you can intentionally love, serve, or share Jesus with this week.
- Spend time in prayer committing to daily time in His presence so that your going flows from your abiding.
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Archive
2025
August
The Message Matters5 Day Devotional: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)The Mission: Make Disciples, Not Church Attenders5 Day Devotional: Following Christ is Treasuring Christ7 Marks of True Disciples5 Day Devotional: God's Word Still Has Power8 Ways Demons Influence in the New Testament5 Day Devotional: Prayer in the Life of Jesus
September
The Power of PrayerThis is God Breathed Revival5 Day Devotional:“Tearing the Roof Off: Five Days of Faith and Hope”New Mercies Every MorningWhen God Shows Himself Strong: Living a Life Fully Devoted to the LordTrusting God With the Impossible5 Day Devotional: Fully Devoted to GodUpdate on Property Goals
October
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November
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