Leading The Way - Devotional for August 14
August 14, 2025
Pursuing the Mind of God Together
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
God speaks to us on two different but cohesive fronts to grow us in faith. As we individually dig into and apply His Word, He opens our eyes to Truth to lead us on the path of righteousness. And as we participate in the body of believers, the Lord likewise speaks to us to draw us closer to Him.
God has designed the body of Christ—the church—to work cohesively under the direction of the head. He wants us to encourage and support one another with Truth, recalling how His Word has penetrated our own lives and transformed us in our trials. Now, if you think it’s difficult for you as one member of the body to obey and listen to the mind, just consider how much more challenging to have the whole body work together in harmony! It’s a tall order but worth every effort because Christ has secured our victory—we are a new creation in Him.
To live in harmony and unity as a new creation, we must pursue the mind of God, together discerning what pleases Him (see Romans 12:2). Too many church leaders shy away from clearly identifying God’s will and design, not wanting to offend, hurt, or burden people. Sadly, the result is that the body is confused regarding God’s standards. But God didn’t reveal His perfect will to us to shame us or hurt us; His Spirit exposes areas in our lives that need sanctification and restoration. That’s what should be happening in a community of faith. Within the context of the body of believers, we must not hesitate to identify sin and exhort one another to offer our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).
The body of believers is designed to be a place of unconditional love and acceptance. So let us together pursue Christ, supporting one another in the race of faith.
Prayer: Father, thank You for supplying a community of believers to help me grow in Christlikeness. By the power of Your Spirit, grant us wisdom to together discern Your perfect will and the strength and determination to live in submission to Your purposes. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Facing the Future with Confidence: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
