PATH PARTNERS 7.5.25
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
It’s easy to believe we’re fully in control of our spiritual walk—but the people we surround ourselves with have a powerful influence. Proverbs 13:20 makes it clear: walk with the wise and grow wiser; walk with fools and invite harm.
Not everyone in your life is meant to stay forever. Some people are sent by God for a purpose or a season—like Barnabas who walked with Paul, or Naomi who shaped Ruth’s future. Others are distractions, placed to derail you from your purpose, like the bad company Paul warned about in 1 Corinthians 15:33.
As you seek God’s direction for your life, don’t just pray about where you're going—pray about who’s going with you. A simple daily prayer can shift your walk: “Lord, give me strength to recognize the right people to walk with, and clarity to walk away from the wrong ones.”
Your circle shapes your character. Your people help determine your path. Choose wisely.
REFLECT |
Not everyone in your life is meant to stay forever. Some people are sent by God for a purpose or a season—like Barnabas who walked with Paul, or Naomi who shaped Ruth’s future. Others are distractions, placed to derail you from your purpose, like the bad company Paul warned about in 1 Corinthians 15:33.
As you seek God’s direction for your life, don’t just pray about where you're going—pray about who’s going with you. A simple daily prayer can shift your walk: “Lord, give me strength to recognize the right people to walk with, and clarity to walk away from the wrong ones.”
Your circle shapes your character. Your people help determine your path. Choose wisely.
REFLECT |
- Who are the voices closest to you right now—and are they leading you toward Christ?
- Are you walking with people who challenge your faith or compromise it?
BIBLE VERSES
Key Verses are denoted with an *
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DAY 1 | CHOOSING YOUR CIRCLE
Life's journey is deeply influenced by those we choose to walk alongside. Just as a garden's growth is affected by what surrounds it, our spiritual and personal growth is shaped by our closest relationships. When we surround ourselves with wisdom, we naturally begin to grow in wisdom ourselves. It's a simple but profound truth that we become like those we spend the most time with. This isn't just good advice - it's a biblical principle that can dramatically impact our life's direction. Today, take a moment to consider who makes up your inner circle. Are they leading you closer to God or pulling you away? Are they challenging you to grow or keeping you comfortable in complacency?
BIBLE VERSE |
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20
REFLECTION QUESTION |
Looking at your closest relationships, how have they influenced your character and faith journey over the past year?
QUOTE |
You are becoming like the people that you walk with.
PRAYER |
Lord, grant me wisdom to discern the relationships You have ordained for my life. Help me to be intentional about my circle and brave enough to make necessary changes. Guide me to people who will draw me closer to You. Amen.
BIBLE VERSE |
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20
REFLECTION QUESTION |
Looking at your closest relationships, how have they influenced your character and faith journey over the past year?
QUOTE |
You are becoming like the people that you walk with.
PRAYER |
Lord, grant me wisdom to discern the relationships You have ordained for my life. Help me to be intentional about my circle and brave enough to make necessary changes. Guide me to people who will draw me closer to You. Amen.
DAY 2 | THE POWER OF ONE CHOICE
Sometimes, a single decision can alter the entire course of our lives. Ruth made such a choice when she decided to follow Naomi, not just physically but spiritually. Her famous declaration wasn't just about loyalty to a mother-in-law; it was about choosing a new path, a new God, and ultimately, a new destiny. Through this one relationship choice, Ruth became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Our choices in relationships carry similar weight. Each person we allow into our inner circle has the potential to influence our path - either toward our God-given purpose or away from it. Today's decisions about who we walk with will shape tomorrow's destination.
BIBLE VERSE |
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" - Ruth 1:16
REFLECTION QUESTION |
What relationship choices have you made that significantly impacted your spiritual journey, either positively or negatively?
QUOTE |
Never underestimate the power of one choice, one friend, one path, one partner, one relationship. Never underestimate it, because it can move you towards your calling, or it can take you away from your calling.
PRAYER |
Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of choice. Help me make wise decisions about my relationships, always choosing paths that lead me closer to You. Give me courage to follow where You lead. Amen.
BIBLE VERSE |
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" - Ruth 1:16
REFLECTION QUESTION |
What relationship choices have you made that significantly impacted your spiritual journey, either positively or negatively?
QUOTE |
Never underestimate the power of one choice, one friend, one path, one partner, one relationship. Never underestimate it, because it can move you towards your calling, or it can take you away from your calling.
PRAYER |
Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of choice. Help me make wise decisions about my relationships, always choosing paths that lead me closer to You. Give me courage to follow where You lead. Amen.
DAY 3 | THE INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATION
Our beliefs are profoundly shaped by those we associate with. Just as a mirror reflects what stands before it, our minds often reflect the thoughts and beliefs of those closest to us. This truth can work for us or against us. When we surround ourselves with people who challenge us to grow in faith and wisdom, our beliefs strengthen and mature. However, when we consistently expose ourselves to doubts and negative influences, our faith can slowly erode. It's not just about behavior - it's about what we come to believe as true and right. The company we keep shapes not just what we do, but who we become.
BIBLE VERSE |
"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" - 1 Corinthians 15:33
REFLECTION QUESTION |
How have the voices in your life influenced what you believe about God and your purpose?
QUOTE |
Bad company doesn't just lead to bad behavior, it leads to bad belief.
PRAYER |
Father, help me recognize the influences that shape my beliefs. Give me discernment to guard my heart while remaining open to the relationships You have planned for me. Shape my beliefs according to Your truth. Amen.
BIBLE VERSE |
"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" - 1 Corinthians 15:33
REFLECTION QUESTION |
How have the voices in your life influenced what you believe about God and your purpose?
QUOTE |
Bad company doesn't just lead to bad behavior, it leads to bad belief.
PRAYER |
Father, help me recognize the influences that shape my beliefs. Give me discernment to guard my heart while remaining open to the relationships You have planned for me. Shape my beliefs according to Your truth. Amen.
DAY 4 | DEVINE CONNECTIONS
God often works through people to help us fulfill our purpose. Consider Barnabas, who stood up for Paul when everyone else doubted his transformation. This divine connection changed the course of Christian history. Today, God still sends people into our lives as partners in our journey - some for a season, others for a lifetime. These God-ordained relationships often appear at crucial moments, providing exactly what we need to move forward in our calling. However, we must remain open to recognizing and receiving these divine connections when they appear. Sometimes our greatest breakthrough comes through a relationship God orchestrates.
BIBLE VERSE |
"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." - Acts 9:27
REFLECTION QUESTION |
Who has God placed in your life as a 'Barnabas' - someone who believes in you and advocates for you?
QUOTE |
Don't be so closed off and so private that when God sends somebody, we dodge it.
PRAYER |
Lord, thank You for the people You've strategically placed in my life. Help me recognize and appreciate these divine connections. Make me both receptive to receiving help and willing to be that support for others. Amen.
BIBLE VERSE |
"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." - Acts 9:27
REFLECTION QUESTION |
Who has God placed in your life as a 'Barnabas' - someone who believes in you and advocates for you?
QUOTE |
Don't be so closed off and so private that when God sends somebody, we dodge it.
PRAYER |
Lord, thank You for the people You've strategically placed in my life. Help me recognize and appreciate these divine connections. Make me both receptive to receiving help and willing to be that support for others. Amen.
DAY 5 | WALKING TOGETHER IN PURPOSE
Life's journey wasn't meant to be walked alone. Even Jesus, in His most challenging moment, received help carrying His cross. This profound truth reminds us that needing support isn't a sign of weakness - it's part of God's design for human connection. The right path partners don't just walk alongside us; they help carry our burdens, encourage us when we're weak, and push us toward our purpose. They're the ones who will catch us if we fall and celebrate with us when we succeed. These faith-filled friends become essential companions in our spiritual journey, helping us stay true to our calling even when the path gets difficult.
BIBLE VERSE |
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20
REFLECTION QUESTION |
In what ways do you need to both receive and extend support in your current relationships?
QUOTE |
A good path partner, they walk with you when you're weak, when you're tired. A good path partner, they push you and pull you when you feel like you're stuck.
PRAYER |
Heavenly Father, thank You for designing us to need each other. Help me be both humble enough to receive support and strong enough to offer it. Guide me in building and maintaining meaningful relationships that honor You. Amen.
BIBLE VERSE |
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20
REFLECTION QUESTION |
In what ways do you need to both receive and extend support in your current relationships?
QUOTE |
A good path partner, they walk with you when you're weak, when you're tired. A good path partner, they push you and pull you when you feel like you're stuck.
PRAYER |
Heavenly Father, thank You for designing us to need each other. Help me be both humble enough to receive support and strong enough to offer it. Guide me in building and maintaining meaningful relationships that honor You. Amen.
ACTION STEP
This week, take time to evaluate your inner circle. Make a list of 3-5 people who consistently point you toward Jesus and actively reach out to strengthen those relationships. Additionally, consider one way you can be a better 'path partner' to someone else in your life.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us the importance of godly relationships. Help us to be discerning about our circles while remaining open to those you send our way. Give us wisdom to be good path partners to others and courage to let down our guards when you bring the right people into our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
BIBLE APP PLANS
Wisdom for Friendships
6 Days – Life Church
The people you surround yourself with can change everything, so it’s important to build strong friendships with the right people. Learn how you can have great friendships and influence your community in this 6-day Bible Plan.
6 Days – Life Church
The people you surround yourself with can change everything, so it’s important to build strong friendships with the right people. Learn how you can have great friendships and influence your community in this 6-day Bible Plan.
Called To Influence
5 Days – Malcom Down Publishing
Have you ever considered that God’s missional plan for you most likely sits in your everyday life, which includes the many hours spent at work? Only a small percentage of Christians are called to full time church ministry but we are all instructed to ‘go and make disciples’. Wherever God has positioned you, this is where you are called to influence. You may ask, “Who am I to influence?” and “How do I do this in practice?”
5 Days – Malcom Down Publishing
Have you ever considered that God’s missional plan for you most likely sits in your everyday life, which includes the many hours spent at work? Only a small percentage of Christians are called to full time church ministry but we are all instructed to ‘go and make disciples’. Wherever God has positioned you, this is where you are called to influence. You may ask, “Who am I to influence?” and “How do I do this in practice?”
5 Days of Friendship Foundations (Youth Plan)
5 Days – NavPress
Want to breathe life back into your friendships, heal from past friendship mistakes, or simply create stronger connections? By building a friendship foundation on Jesus, we can pursue people without the fear of rejection, love them despite past hurts, and find the true joy God intended for our relationships.
5 Days – NavPress
Want to breathe life back into your friendships, heal from past friendship mistakes, or simply create stronger connections? By building a friendship foundation on Jesus, we can pursue people without the fear of rejection, love them despite past hurts, and find the true joy God intended for our relationships.
WATCH THE SERMON
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