GROW: How to Discern the Will of God

Devotional

Day 1: Light on Damascus Road

Saul fell to the ground when blinding light surrounded him. Dust filled his nostrils as the voice thundered: “Why do you persecute me?” His hands trembled against the desert stones. The Pharisee who hunted Christians now addressed his target as “Lord.” Jesus identified completely with His followers – to harm them was to assault Christ Himself. [48:11]

This confrontation reveals Jesus as the living Head of His Church. He intercepts Saul’s violence to repurpose it for mission. The persecutor became the persecuted, the hunter became the hunted by grace. Christ still stops rebels mid-stride to rewrite their stories.

When has Jesus interrupted your plans? What rebellion still needs surrendering? “Who are you, Lord?” remains the first question for every redirected life. Where is Christ asking you to lay down your weapons today?

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’”
(Acts 9:4, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Christ to reveal areas where you resist His lordship.
Challenge: Write down one stubborn attitude to surrender before sunset.

Day 2: Renewed Mind, Transformed Path

Paul urged believers to reject cultural molds through mental renewal. First-century Rome demanded conformity through emperor worship, sexual immorality, and social hierarchies. The call to transformation echoed Solomon’s temple dedication prayer – wholehearted devotion to God’s ways. [44:49]

This mental renewal isn’t self-help but Spirit-empowered perception. Just as Saul’s blindness led to spiritual sight, believers exchange earthly perspectives for heavenly ones. The renewed mind discerns God’s will like a compass finds true north.

What cultural lies have you absorbed? What Scripture could replace those false narratives? “Do not conform” remains a daily battle. Which thought pattern needs Christ’s renewing power today?

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
(Romans 12:2, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one worldly mindset you’ve tolerated.
Challenge: Replace one negative thought today with Philippians 4:8.

Day 3: Prepared Works, Purposeful Steps

Ephesians declares believers are God’s handcrafted masterpieces. The Greek “poiēma” implies intentional design, like a potter shaping clay or a composer writing symphonies. Saul’s Damascus Road encounter wasn’t random – Ananias’ address (Straight Street) and mission were prearranged. [52:51]

God engineers circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Just as Saul needed Ananias’ hospitality, our good works connect to others’ divine assignments. Every act of obedience becomes a stitch in heaven’s tapestry.

What “good work” has God placed near you? Who needs your Ananias-like obedience today? Where is Christ inviting you to join His ongoing masterpiece?

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
(Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Prayer: Thank God for designing specific purposes for you.
Challenge: Perform one unannounced act of service before dinner.

Day 4: Fork in the Road

Proverbs promises direction to those who acknowledge God in all their ways. Ancient travelers faced literal forks – left paths often led to danger, right to safety. Saul faced his fork: obey the blinding vision or retreat to Jerusalem’s approval. [01:02:04]

God’s guidance often comes at decision points requiring courage. Like Saul choosing Straight Street over familiar routes, we confront forks daily – comfort versus obedience, silence versus witness. Each choice trains us in discernment.

Where are you facing a consequential choice? What would “acknowledging God” look like in that situation? Which path requires more faith?

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:6, ESV)

Prayer: Ask for clarity in a specific decision this week.
Challenge: Write three pros/cons for your decision, then pray over them.

Day 5: Eye of the Guide

The psalmist pictured God leaning forward, watching our steps like a parent guiding a child’s first steps. Ananias embodied this as he helped blinded Saul – leading him by the hand, washing baptismal water over his eyes. [55:10]

Divine guidance combines supernatural direction with human obedience. God uses both Damascus Road visions and ordinary believers to direct His children. His eye never stops watching; His people never stop serving as guidance channels.

Who needs your Ananias-like assistance today? How can you become God’s “eye” for someone’s confusion? Where do you need to trust His watchful care?

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
(Psalm 32:8, ESV)

Prayer: Request alertness to guide someone this week.
Challenge: Spend five minutes in silent listening prayer after reading this.

Sermon Summary

We gather to celebrate Jesus and to honor mothers, and we commit ordinary rhythms of worship, prayer, and service to the clarity of Scripture. We assert that discerning God’s will does not require secret knowledge but the steady work of a renewed mind, daily obedience, and a posture of willingness. Romans 12 calls us to think like Jesus, reshaping our emotions, choices, and responses so that the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God becomes visible in our daily steps. The Damascus Road shows two simple, penetrating questions to ask often: Who are you, Lord? and What do you want me to do? Those questions break arrogance, open our hearts, and invite specific, practical direction.

We affirm that guidance carries several guarantees. God prepares good works for each of us and delights to guide our steps; the promises of Scripture describe that guidance as continual, careful, and personal. Guidance also comes in kinds: a prevailing will that nothing can change, a permissive will that allows human freedom and responsibility, and a personal will crafted to each life. Practically, God guides by miracles, by the Word, by Spirit-led people, and by the inward witness of the Spirit; these means shape both conviction and competence.

We insist that discernment requires disposition: willingness to obey, meekness that equals teachability, openness to listen in prayer, and yieldedness to act when God reveals a next step. Obedience normally comes with preparation; God equips those he calls, and a faithful yield often means unexpected suffering and growth that strengthen witness. Finally, the whole search for direction simplifies into a single anchor: the will of God is Jesus. Knowing Jesus, imitating Jesus, and asking Jesus daily what to do reorients every fork in the road. If we wake each morning and ask, with genuine surrender, what Jesus wants us to do today, we will notice the opportunities, the people, and the places where his mission needs our hands. That practice forms disciples who both discern and do, speaking Christ into homes, workplaces, and communities with clarity and courage.

Key Takeaways

1. God promises daily guidance God prepares good works for each person and delights to direct our steps; asking God what to do invites specific, prepared tasks rather than vague “plans.” This promise means we do not wander aimlessly but learn to recognize opportunities God places before us. Practicing this expectation trains our eyes to spot where grace wants to flow through us. [52:10]
2. Discernment begins with renewed minds Transformation of thought reorders desire and judgment so practical choices reflect Christlike priorities; renewing our minds makes spiritual vision practical rather than theoretical. When we think like Jesus, the options that once competed for us align around what pleases God. Discernment then becomes daily sanity rather than spiritual guessing. [44:49]
3. Ask, Who are you and what? Two questions break spiritual pride and summon clear commission: identify Jesus afresh and ask for specific direction. These questions move us from abstract theology into urgent obedience, compelling us to act where God points. Regularly asking them prevents long detours of self-will. [48:11]
4. The will of God is Jesus Begin and end the search for direction with relationship to Christ; knowing him simplifies choices and orders our steps toward life that matters. Jesus becomes both the map and the method, shaping motives and means so our decisions serve his mission. Daily surrender to him transforms uncertainty into faithful action. [72:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:51] - Mother's Day & Announcements
[06:09] - Vacation Bible School Prayer Guide
[11:46] - Scripture Reading and Prayer
[30:11] - Solomon's Prayer and Dedication
[42:41] - Romans 12: Discerning God’s Will
[47:41] - Saul on the Damascus Road
[52:10] - Guidance Promised (Ephesians)
[61:23] - Willingness and Yieldedness
[68:01] - Practical Means of Guidance
[72:23] - Conclusion: The Will is Jesus
[78:39] - Baptism and New Members

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Acts 9:1-6 (ESV)
"Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"

Observation Questions

What two questions did Saul ask Jesus on the Damascus Road, and what immediate actions followed his surrender?
According to Romans 12:2, what three outcomes result from renewing our minds?
The sermon emphasized that God’s guidance is “continual, careful, and personal” [52:10]. What practical examples of guidance (e.g., miracles, Scripture) were mentioned in the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul connect a “renewed mind” to discerning God’s will in Romans 12:2? How might worldly thinking obscure spiritual clarity?
Saul’s question, “Who are you, Lord?” preceded his willingness to obey. Why is understanding Jesus’ identity foundational to surrendering to His direction? [48:11]
The sermon stated, “The will of God is Jesus” [01:12:46]. How does prioritizing relationship with Christ simplify decision-making compared to seeking abstract “plans”?

Application Questions

What practical step could you take this week to intentionally renew your mind (e.g., Scripture memorization, fasting from distractions)? How might this reshape your emotions or choices?
Where in your life do you need to ask, “What do you want me to do today?” [01:13:18]? Name one specific area (work, relationships, habits) where you’ll pause to seek daily direction.
The sermon warned against telling God “what’s best for my life” instead of yielding [01:00:55]. What current decision or desire might you need to surrender to Christ’s leadership, even if it feels uncertain?
Saul’s teachability led to radical transformation. Who in your life could you invite to speak truth or accountability into your spiritual growth?
How might praying, “Who are you, Lord?” in moments of stress or confusion (e.g., conflict, fear) reframe your perspective? Give a recent example where this question could have changed your response.

Sermon Clips

40s

#ChooseObedience

“``We have a choice. As God reveals himself to us, and we ask that question every morning, God, what do you want me to do? You and I have a choice to follow that. And that's called God's permissive will. I can obey that or I can disobey that. It's my choice. Okay? Now, is it a sin to disobey God's will? It is, because it's disobedience, obviously. It's not like, oh, I'm just saying no to God and it's okay. No. If you are serious about asking what God's will is for that day and you say no to it, that's just simple disobedience. And the next time it happens, he may not reveal it to you as simply. Right? I mean, if you keep asking and keep saying no to it, why in the world would he reveal himself when you're just rejecting how he's revealed himself before?”

44s

#WhoIsMyLord

“who are you, Lord? Now, it's interesting that he answers this question. I think he knew obviously who it was, but I think this right here was a term of going deeper, like, Who are you, Lord? And I think sometimes in our personal life, as we're walking with Jesus, that we need to ask that question too. It's like, who are you to me today? Who are you to me today? I know that you're Lord, but who are you to me today? Because our needs changes, our daily activities changes, how we view God changes in light of circumstances, in light of history, in light of whatever bad day yesterday, you need to have a good day today. It's like, he asked, who are you, Lord? I think it's just a wonderful question.”

46s

#PracticalFaithJourney

“Guidance is very practical. When God guides us into discerning and knowing his will, when we discover what that is, it's always practical. It was for Saul, it was simple as going to Ananias' house. And in there, as he received further instruction in the word of God, in those times, I think it was there for two years or three years. In those times, God was preparing him to be not just a preacher of the gospel, but how to suffer. Think about that for a second. You're me that maybe God's will for my life is that he's preparing me to suffer. You love Jesus long enough, you preach Jesus enough, I promise you you're gonna suffer in the name of Jesus. Because we live in a world that hates Jesus. That name we just say a while ago, they hate it.”

39s

#WillingToFollow

“When you're asking God, what do you want me to do? Is there a willingness to really know God's will? Do you really want to know and follow God's will? When you look at Paul or Saul, I think there was a willingness. He really meant it when he said, Lord, what do you want me to do? Paul didn't wake up that morning and think, you know what? I think I'll grow up or wake up this morning and be the greatest missionary that this world has ever seen. I promise that's not how Saul woke up. But he was willing to say, God, whatever you want me to do, I'm willing to do it. And God equipped him to become the greatest missionary that the world's ever seen. So, you know, the willingness there.”

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GROW: How to Discern the Will of God

Devotional

Day 1: Light on Damascus Road

Day 2: Renewed Mind, Transformed Path

Day 3: Prepared Works, Purposeful Steps

Day 4: Fork in the Road

Day 5: Eye of the Guide

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

GROW: How to Discern the Will of God

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