“What’s God’s will for my life?” It’s a question we all ask. But the answer starts with a simple invitation… ‘Follow Me.’ This 7-day journey will help you discover what it means to follow Jesus step by step: trusting, surrendering, listening, obeying, becoming like Him, and living on mission. God’s will isn’t about doing more; it’s about walking closely with Him.
Day 1
Matthew 4:18-22 – Follow Jesus
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Finding your will begins with following Jesus. In this passage, Jesus calls on His first disciples to follow Him. Notice how quickly they did so: immediately. Begin this week by choosing Jesus right now. Don’t put it off until later. Leave whatever it is that is stopping you from following Him. God’s will for your life cannot be found outside of Him. So when we follow Him, we find direction.
Day 2
Luke 5:1-11 – Learning to Trust Him
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
First, we follow Jesus; next, we learn to trust Him. If we were honest, it’s easy to doubt. Especially when we experience something that does or doesn’t happen, it’s easy to believe it will or will not happen the second time. I think we can all relate to Simon in this story when Jesus tells him to put his net back in right after Simon caught nothing the night before. It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes God’s will for our lives doesn’t make sense to us. However, His will will always be good for us.
Is there something that is preventing you from trusting His will? Is it a doubt? Fear? Pray that God would remove whatever it is so that you can trust Him fully and completely.
Day 3
Luke 9:23-27 – Surrender
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Follow, trust, and now we surrender. Surrendering our ways isn’t always easy. It’s easy to think that our way is the best way. But here we see that Jesus says to those who want to follow Him that they “must deny themselves.” This means letting go of our control and allowing Jesus to work in our lives. A need for control will prevent you from going all in with Jesus. Surrendering isn’t a matter of losing anything, but rather, gaining freedom in Jesus.
What is something that you want to control? Take time to surrender whatever that is to Jesus today.
Day 4
John 10:27 – Listen
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Learning God’s will for our lives requires listening. Amidst a busy life, it’s easy to bypass some quiet time with the Lord. When Jesus says, “My sheep,” He is talking about those who follow Him. The more time we spend with Jesus, the better we can recognize His voice when He is speaking to us. The Lord speaks through scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. So, take 10 minutes today in a quiet room without distraction and simply sit with the Lord and listen.
Day 5
John 14:22-24 – Obedience
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
When we obey God, it shows Him that we love Him. Obedience is a response to something, and God wants us to respond obediently. This shows Him that we trust Him. This may be difficult when we want to do our own will. However, God’s will for our lives is much better.
How can you walk in obedience today? When you are convicted of a sin, will you respond in obedience or disobedience?
Day 6
Galatians 5:22-26 – Becoming Like Jesus
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
God’s will for our lives is to become more like Jesus. How can this be done? When you follow Jesus, you become more like Him. The Holy Spirit shapes your heart to become more like His. God’s will for your life is for you to become like Jesus, not just do as Jesus did. One way your life reflects this growth is through the Fruits of the Spirit.
Out of this list, is there one you could work on? Choose one of them to grow in today – so that you become more like Jesus.
Day 7
Matthew 28:18-20 – Living on Mission
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God’s will for our lives doesn’t just end with ourselves. It leads to sharing our faith with others. The Great Commission is a command to do just this. God’s will is for you to multiply fully devoted followers of Jesus. So, as you go throughout your day, share your faith with one person. You don’t have to know all the answers, but you do need courage to do it and have faith that God is going to work for that individual.
Continue your daily devotional, following God’s will for your life: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/16598
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