Hears The Word And Understands

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Matthew 13:23 - Hears The Word And Understands - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Matthew 13:23 – Hears The Word And Understands – Growing As Disciples

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Hear And Understand

Do you want to live a life that bears fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to live a life that brings glory to my name? Yes, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. What must I do if I want to bear fruit for kingdom and bring glory to your name? That is a great question. You must do two things if you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You have my full attention. I will be listening very carefully to your every word. That’s very good. Then, you have already answered your own question. What’s that? I have no idea what you mean. What did I say that answered my own question? You said that I had your full attention. Yes, I did. You also said that you would listen carefully to every one of my words. Yes, I said that as well. I still don’t understand. 

If you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name you must hear and understand my words. As you hear and understand and put my words into practice you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Now, I get it. Now, I understand. That’s good.

How will you go about hearing, understanding and putting my words into practice? Can I first ask you a question? Go right ahead. You said I needed to two things to be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I did. Hearing, understanding and putting your word into practice sounds like three things. Yes, it does. Let me ask you a question. Go right ahead. How will you and I both know if you have truly heard and understood my word? If I have truly heard and understood your word I will certainly put it into practice. Yes, you will. Now, I get it. Putting your word into practice is like the proof that I have truly heard and understood your word. Yes, it is. Now let’s go back to my first question. How will I go about hearing, understanding and putting your word into practice? Yes. Every day, I will meet with you in your word. I set a time and place when and where I can listen to all that you want to say to me. As I listen attentively, you will help me to understand. Yes, I will. As I hear and understand, you will help me to put your word into practice. Yes, I will. As I hear and understand and put your word into practice, I will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will.

Lord, prepare my heart to hear and understand your word. Break up anything in me that is resistant to your word. I want to fully hear and understand and put your word into practice. Produce an abundant crop of fruit for your kingdom and glory through my life. Amen

Key Question… How are you putting into practice all that you have heard and understood from God’s word?

Living It Out… Hear, understand and put God’s word into practice so that your life will bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing, understanding and putting God’s word into practice will make you able to bear fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what fruit God has been bearing through your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear and understand the word of God so you can bear fruit for Him.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

God’s Word – Matthew 13-23 – Hears The Word And Understands – 4-Page Discipleship-Devotional Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Every Good Path

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Proverbs 2:6-9 - Every Good Path - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Proverbs 2:6-9 – Every Good Path – Growing As Disciples

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. Proverbs 2:6-9 (NIV) 

Guard And Guide

Do you want what I want to give to you? What do you want to give to me? I will give you wisdom. I will give you knowledge and understanding. Yes, I desperately want your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. What must I do if I want to receive your wisdom, knowledge and understanding? You have already taken your first step toward receiving what I want to give to you. I’m not sure what you mean. You must want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The key word in your first step is “wanting”. You didn’t say that you were interested in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You didn’t say that you were curious about my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You didn’t indicate that you would give my wisdom, knowledge and understanding your strong consideration. You did not say that you may or may not follow my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. No, I did not. You have expressed a strong desire to receive what I want to give you. You said you were desperate to receive my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s right, I did. That’s your first step to receiving what I want to give to you. What are my next steps?

What will you do because you desperately want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding? I will regularly ask for your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s right. How often will you ask for my wisdom, knowledge and understanding? I will ask you for it everyday. I will ask you multiple times in every day. I will continually rely on you to give me your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s a good second step. What will you do with my wisdom, knowledge and understanding once you have received it from me? I will put your wisdom, knowledge and understanding into practice in my daily life. That’s very good. If you want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding and ask for it and put it into practice then you will really be receiving all that I want to give you. You can count on that.

What will my wisdom, knowledge and understanding do for you? Your wisdom, knowledge and understanding will guard and guide my life. It will be a shield that protects my life. It will help me to walk according to your will and your ways. It will lead me on the path of life as I follow and serve you. It will help me to know and do your will. It will lead me in victory. Yes, it will.

Lord, open my ears to hear your words of wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that I will walk uprightly, blamelessly, justly and faithfully with you. Guard and guide my life on the path that you have laid out for me. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord to give you wisdom to guide the course of your life?

Living It Out… Rely on wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God to guard and guide the course of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guard and guide your life as you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding from Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided you to do what is right and just and fair.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding to guard and guide your course in life.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Guidance – Proverbs 2-6-9 – Guard And Guide – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Unmerciful Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Matthew 18:23-34 - The Unmerciful Servant - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Matthew 18:23-34 – The Unmerciful Servant – Growing As Disciples

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 (NIV)

Weight Lifted

I want you to do something for me.  Anything Lord, you just say the word.  What is it?  I want you to think about all the people that have hurt you in some way throughout your life.  That might take some time.  I’m sure that it will.  It’s going to be a fairly long list.  The longer, the better.  I don’t want you to forget anyone or anything that has been done to you.  This seems like kind of a weird request coming from you.  Yes, I’m sure that it does.  Take however long you need to today to work on your list and come back to me.  Will you do that?  Yes Lord, I will.

I’m back.  That took quite a while.  Yes it did.  Is your list as exhaustive as it can possibly be?  I think so.  Do you have all your enemies written down?  Yes, it was easy to remember them.  How about everyone that has cheated, lied or stolen from you? They’re all on here.  How about people who broke their promises or betrayed you?  Oh, a couple more names just came to mind.  Write them down.  Got it.  Do you have everyone that hurt, rejected, judged or manipulated you?  You weren’t kidding about not leaving any names off the list.  No, I wasn’t.  Ok, I’ve added a few more names.  How about anyone who disappointed you, didn’t follow through or live up to your expectations?  Slow down a little bit.  I’m writing.  Has anyone ever used, rejected or devalued you?  Yes!  Are they on the list?  Not yet.  I’ll wait.  Are you done now?  Yes, I think so.  That’s good.

What would you like to do with the people on that list?  Could you zap them for me?  No, I cannot.  This is a serious moment for you, let’s not joke around.  Alright, I’m just a little nervous about how long this list is.  Why is that?  I’m pretty sure that I shouldn’t have this kind of a list.  Why not?  It’s a really heavy burden to carry.  How so?  It has worn me out carrying anger and unforgiveness around for so long.  Yes, it has.  That’s why I had you make a list.  I wanted you to see that you are being weighed down by unforgiveness.  I’m getting a pretty clear picture right now, that’s for sure.

What do you want to do with all these people on your list?  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  What’s that?  I want to love and forgive them.  There are some pretty nasty people on your list.  Are you sure you want to forgive them?  I was once a pretty nasty person.  Yes, you were.  You forgave me.  Yes, I did.  So, yes I want to forgive everyone on my list.  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  So, I’m forgiving them all right now.  That’s very good.  How do you feel?  Like a weight has been lifted.  As a matter of fact, it has.

Lord, you have forgiven me of an enormous debt of sin, at great cost to you, that I could never hope to repay. I am so thankful for your forgiveness. Help me to have a forgiving heart towards others like you have had toward me. Amen

Key Question… How has the forgiveness you received from Christ motivated you to want to be forgiving toward others?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you a soft heart that is willing to forgive others just as you have also been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you a forgiving heart so that you can be a witness for Him in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been able to forgive others when you were wronged.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you having a forgiving heart that offers to others the same forgiveness you have received from the Lord.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Parables – Matthew 18-32-25 – The Unmerciful Servant – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                     Copying not permitted                      http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

So That You May Be Healed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - James 5:16 - So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – James 5:16 – So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Powerful And Effective

Do you want to be able to pray prayers that are powerful and effective? Do you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer? Do you want to pray prayers that will bring healing to others and yourself? Yes of course, I want to pray powerful and effective prayers. I really do want to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. I want to pray healing for others and for myself. How can I pray these kinds of prayers? That is a very good question.

One thing is necessary if you want to pray prayers that are powerful and effective. One thing is required if you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer. What one thing is necessary? You must hear from me. I will give you the prayers that I want you to pray. You must pray prayers that are according to my will. You must pray prayers that are according to my purposes and my plans.

How will I ever be able to hear from you? How will I be able to know if you have given me a prayer to pray? What will hinder you from hearing from me? Sin will hinder me from hearing from you. If I am living in sin I will have a very difficult time hearing from you. That’s right. I will also have a very hard time hearing from you if I have not confessed my sins to you. Why is that? When I know that I am either living in sin or not confessing my sins I am likely to be distant from you. Instead of drawing near to you I am more likely to want to hide from you. You’re right again. So, if you want to hear from me what will you do? I will both leave sin behind and confess my sins to you. You will draw near to me to confess your sins to me? Yes, I will. You will draw near to me as you leave sin behind? Yes, I will. Then you will hear from me.  There is more that you want to tell me, isn’t there? Yes, I have one more question for you.

What will help you to hear from me? We just talked about what would hinder me from hearing from you. Yes, we did. This is other half of the answer to your questions. What were my questions? How will you ever be able to hear from me? How will you be able to know if I have given you a prayer to pray? I don’t know the answer to your question. Oh, I’m sure that you do know the answer. I don’t think so. What would you do if you desperately wanted to hear from me? I would seek you with all my heart. I wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t let up. I would be urgent. I would be unrelenting. I would be insistent and persistent. You know what that sounds like to me? I’m not sure. It sounds like the answer to my question. Really? Yes, really. Seek me with all your heart. Don’t give up. Don’t let up. Be urgent and unrelenting. Be insistent and persistent and you will certainly hear from me. You will know that I have given you prayers to pray. You will know that you are praying powerful prayers that I will hear and answer. Then that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not try to cover up or hide from my sins. I will confess all my sins to you and to any one I have sinned against. I don’t want anything to get in the way and hinder my prayers. I want to be able to pray powerful prayers that you will hear and answer.  Amen

Key Question… Why will unconfessed sin hinder your ability to pray prayers that are heard and answered?

Living It Out… Make confessing your sins your regular practice so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will enable you to prayer powerful prayers that He will hear and answer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your regular practice to confess your sins.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make it your regular practice to confess your sins so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

So That – James 5-16 – You May Be Healed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Lack Of Counsel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Plans - Proverbs 15:22 - Lack Of Counsel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Plans – Proverbs 15:22 – Lack Of Counsel – Growing As Disciples

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Plans Fail

I have been proud. I have thought that I did not need wise counsel. I have made plans without seeking your advice. I have not listened well. I have not heard all that you had to say to me. I have not heeded your warnings. I have raced headlong to implement my own plans. I have wanted to achieve my own purposes and fulfill my own goals. I have experienced failure. I have suffered loss. I have gone through painful experiences because I thought I knew it all. What mistakes I have made. What missteps I have taken. Oh, how I have wasted time and expended energy going in the wrong direction to do what was not your will or plan for my life. All has not been wasted. All is not lost. I have used your mistakes and missteps. Your painful experiences have taught you valuable lessons. You have been humbled by your own pride. Was there any other way for you to learn? Hasn’t it been important for you to see the error of your own ways? In your pain and suffering you have cried out to me. You are now ready and willing to ask for my help. I have your attention. You are willing and able to listen to my voice. You are seeking my guidance. You want my plan. You want to fulfill my purposes. Yes, I want your plan. Yes, I want to fulfill your purposes. It is true, you do have my attention. My eyes and ears are focused on you. I am watching and waiting for your guidance. I welcome your instruction. I want your advice. I will go no further. I will not take another step without your wisdom and counsel guiding my life. That is very good.                                                                 

How do you think I will speak to you? How will I give you my wise counsel? How will you receive my advice? I know that you will speak to me through your word. I know that your Holy Spirit will take your word and apply it directly to my life. That’s right. How else? You will bring wise counselors into my life. You give me people to see what I cannot see. You will use others to help me to know what I do not know. You will speak to me in and through the circumstances of my life. That is also true. What do you most need in order to hear from me? I will need humility. I will need to continually remember that I desperately need wise counsel. I cannot get along without your advice. What will humility cause you to do? Humility will cause me to listen. Humility will cause me to seek wise counsel and accept advice. Will you listen carefully to my wise counsel? Will you accept my advice? Yes, Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I do not know it all. I have blind spots. There are things that I do not see or understand. Instead of rushing ahead with my own plans I will seek your counsel and that of trusted advisors you have placed in my life. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a regular habit and pattern in your life to seek wise counsel from the Lord?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord’s wise counsel to guide your plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you His wise counsel to guide your plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you His wise counsel to guide your plans.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your plans be guided by wise counsel that you receive from the Lord.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Plans – Proverbs 15-22 – Lack Of Counsel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Whatever You Do

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Colossians 3:17 - Whatever You Do - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Colossians 3:17 – Whatever You Do – Growing As Disciples

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Do It All

If you can’t think a thought for me don’t think it at all. If you can’t speak a word for me don’t speak it at all. If you can’t do a deed for me don’t do it at all. You want me to think thoughts, speak words, and do deeds that come from you. That’s right. That sounds a lot easier than is the case. You’re also right about that. You can’t think my thoughts, speak my words or do my deeds without my help. If you rely on yourself you will only be thinking your thoughts, speaking your words and doing your deeds. In that case I will not be in your thoughts, words, and deeds. I want you to be in all my thoughts, words, and deeds. That is a very good desire that you have in your heart and on your mind.

How can you help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds? That is a very good question. You must first put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature. What belongs to my earthly nature? I’m sure that you have a good idea of what belongs to your earthly nature. When you gave your life to me you confessed all your sins to me. Yes, I did. All your sins were from your earthly nature. You turned away from them and started following me as your Savior and Lord. Yes, I did. Your sins and your past sinful life is your sinful nature. Your old sinful nature was put to death on the cross. Yes, it was. You threw away your old nature like a set of old filthy, stinky clothes. Yes, I did. Don’t ever let yourself try on those old filthy, stinky clothes again. I won’t. That’s good. Then let my word dwell in you richly. Meditate on my word day and day. Feast on my word. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. As you keep on letting my word dwell in you richly you will begin to think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds. As you think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds you will be putting on the new life that I have called you to live. Your old thoughts, words and deeds will be gone. Your old sinful nature and its practices will be dead and gone and a thing of the past. You will be filled with joy and thanksgiving because I will have made you able to live a life that is pleasing to me. That is what I want with all my heart and mind and soul and strength.

Lord, thank you that you are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are helping me to serve you in all that I think, say and do. I want my entire life to honor and glorify you. Thank you for using me as your servant. Amen

Key Question… What motivates your desire to please the Lord in all that you think, say and do?

Living It Out… Give thanks to the Lord for His enabling you to think His thoughts, speak His words and do His deeds.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to think, say, and do everything for His glory.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has changed your thoughts, words, and deeds.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give thanks to the Lord for helping you to please Him in all that you think, say and do.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Colossians 3-17 – Whatever You Do – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Living And Active

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Living And Active - Hebrews 4:12 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Living And Active – Hebrews 4:12 – Growing As Disciples

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Surgery

You’re sick. I don’t feel sick. Actually, I feel just fine. I’m not talking about how you look or feel. You’re not? What are you talking about then? I’m talking about the condition of your heart. Is this going to be a painful discussion? It may be. Let me ask you a question. If you knew that you were sick, would you be willing to have surgery if it would make you well? Of course I would. Do you think that the surgery might hurt you? Yes, I’m sure that it would. Why then would you be willing to subject yourself to it? Because I would know that after a period of recovery, I would be well. So the surgery would be worth it? Yes, it would.

How about the surgeon, would you let just about anyone operate on you? No, I’d carefully consider their experience and track record of success. You would need to be convinced that they knew what they were doing and had your best interests in mind? Yes absolutely, otherwise I would never subject myself to their surgery.

How about me, how do you like my level of experience? Do you think that I know what I’m talking about? Am I experienced enough for you? What is my track record of success? You have a lot of questions today. Yes, I do. But it comes down to one question. What’s that? Do you trust me? Yes Lord, I trust you. Why is that? I know that you love me and have my best interest in mind. I know that there is no one who has your level of wisdom, knowledge or experience. I can count on you.

Let’s talk about the surgeon’s tools. If the surgeon didn’t have the right tools or if they were defective, would their experience or track record matter? No, I suppose that using the wrong or defective tools could bring catastrophic results. You’ve got that right.

So, if I say that you are sick, what are you going to think? I’m going to think that’ I’m sick. If I tell you that I want to do some surgery in your life, are you going to be afraid? No, I’m not going to be afraid because I trust you. You know what you are doing. I know that you will make me well.

The tool that I will be using in your surgery is my word. Do you think that I have the proper tool with which to operate? Yes Lord, you do. I know that your word is living and active. It is powerful. It can penetrate deep into my thoughts, motives and actions. It can change and heal my heart and transform my mind. Yes, it can.

The big question is will you let me operate on your heart and mind? Yes Lord, I will. But I’m not sure how to do that. When you deeply consider my word and let it penetrate your heart, mind, and life, I will be doing surgery to make you well. The choice is yours.        

Lord, I welcome your word into my life. Use your word to change the thoughts and attitudes of my heart. Cut out of my heart and life anything that is not pleasing to you. Heal and strengthen my heart by your word so that I can live fully for you. Amen

Key Question… When has it felt like God was using His word to preform surgery on your heart and mind?

Living It Out… Allow God to penetrate your thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions as you meditate on His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to change your heart and transform your mind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is actively changing your heart and mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to change your heart and transform your mind.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

God’s Word – Hebrews 4-12 – Living And Active – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                          Copying not permitted                       www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Comes From Hearing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith- Romans 10:17 - Comes From Hearing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith- Romans 10:17 – Comes From Hearing – Growing As Disciples

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Hear And Do

Do you want to grow in your faith? Do you want to have a strong and vibrant faith? Do you want to have the kind of faith in me that will allow you to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Do you want to have the kind of faith that will make you a bold and courageous witness for me? Do you want to have the kind of faith that will make you able to stand against temptation and evil? I want this kind of faith. I want my faith in you to be able to accomplish all that you have described. How can I grow strong in my faith? How can I have the kind of faith that you will powerfully use to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name? Those are very good questions. 

If you want to have the kind of faith that I have described you must do two things. You have my full attention. I’m listening very carefully to what you are about to say to me. What I am about to say to you is not complicated and hard to understand. What I am about to say to you is actually quite simple. First you must hear my word. You must listen attentively to all that I have to say to you. Hearing my word is not something you can do casually. Hearing my word is not something you can do occasionally. If you want to hear my word you must let it dwell in you richly. My word will teach you. My word will train you. My word will mold and shape you. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. My word will make you able to know my will and walk in my ways. My word will strengthen you as you meditate on it day and night. Your faith will grow strong as you meet with me in my word. Think of a body builder. A body builder lifts great weight to strengthen their muscles. A body builder would never become strong by lifting light weights here and there and now and then. Just as a body builder allows himself to be trained by lifting heavy weights, you also must allow yourself to be trained by my word. Do understand what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I understand.

What else must I do for my faith to grow strong? In addition to hearing my word you must also put my word into practice. Imagine a body builder who read everything they could about lifting weights. How much stronger would he be if after studying bodybuilding he never actually lifted any weights? He would be no stronger. All of his studying of bodybuilding would have not benefited his life at all. If you only hear my word and do not put my word into practice you will never grow stronger in your faith. Will you hear and do my word? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for helping me to grow in my faith as I have met with you in your word. I will make it my daily pattern to set aside time to hear your word. Mold and shape my life with your word. Help me to put your word into action as I follow and serve you. Amen 

Key Question… How has hearing and putting God’s word into practice caused your faith in Him to grow?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to set aside time to hear and put God’s word into practice so you can grow in your faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow in your faith as you make it your daily habit to hear and put God’s word into practice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith in God has grown as a result of hearing God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your faith in God continue to grow as you hear His word.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Faith – Romans 10-17 – Comes From Hearing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Lamp Under A Bowl

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Lamp Under A Bowl - Matthew 5:14-16 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Lamp Under A Bowl – Matthew 5:14-16 – Growing As Disciples

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16  (NIV)

 Say Yes

Do you know who you are? Do you know what I want to do in you and through you? Do you know what is the purpose of your life? Those are very significant questions that aren’t that easy to answer. Would you be willing to help me out with the answers? Yes, I would. In fact the answers can’t and won’t come from you. If they did then they wouldn’t be correct. So, it is a good thing that you’re relying on me for the answers.

You are the light of the world. You know why that is possible and true? I think so. Tell me what you think. I am the light of the world because I am your child. A child is like his parents. You are my Father. You rescued me from the darkness that I was living in. You saved, forgave and cleansed me through all that Christ did for me on the cross. You sent your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Now, day-by-day, you are transforming me and making me more like you. Each day I shine a little brighter for you as I allow you to mold, shape and change my life. Yes, that is exactly what I’m doing in and through you and for you.

As I change you and you shine more brightly, what am I leading you to do for me? You are leading me to let the light that is you, in me, shine out into the darkness of this world. Yes, and how does that actually happened? It happens when I say yes to what you’re asking me to do for you. What happens when you say no to me and just sit around and do nothing for me? That would be like putting my light under a bucket or bowl. What would happen then? My light would grow very dim and others would not see that your light was shining through me. Can you see how my light will shine even brighter through you as you serve me? Yes, I can. The light that you give me is to be shared; it is not meant to be kept hidden or secret. It is for all to see.

What will happen to others when they see my light shining through you? They will see the good things that you have done in me for me and through me. They will know that it has been you at work. They will want to give thanks and praise to you because you are the source of light shining through me.  Yes, I am. What else will others want to do because of what I’ve done in you? They will want to give their lives to you as well. They will want to love you, follow you and serve you. Yes they will.

What then would you say is the purpose of your life? The purpose of my life is to say yes to you so that I can shine brightly for you and bring glory to you. That is what I will do with all my heart and mind and soul because I love you. I am your child. I am all yours. Yes, you are. 

Lord, help me to say yes to all that you want to do for me, in me and through my life so that I can shine brightly in the world. Let all the good deeds that you lead and enable me to do bring thanks, praise, honor, and glory to you. Amen

Key Question… How do you think God wants to use you to shed light in the world and bring glory to Him?

Living It Out… Say yes to all that God wants to do in and through your life so that you can shed light and bring glory to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your light will shine brightly in this world when you say yes to what God wants to do through you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used you to shed light in this world for His glory.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you say yes to all that God wants to do through your life so you can shine brightly and bring glory to Him.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

Parables – Matthew 5-14-16 – Lamp Under A Bowl – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use.  All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved               Copying not permitted              http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

But Overcome Evil With Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Romans 12:19-21 - But Overcome Evil With Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Romans 12:19-21 – But Overcome Evil With Good – Growing As Disciples

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

Your Enemy

How have you responded to your enemies? What have you done for those who have done evil against you? Well, I have often brainstormed how I might get even with them. I have considered how I might repay them for every evil that they have done against me. Have you spent a lot of time thinking these kinds of thoughts? I am embarrassed to admit how much time I have wasted imagining what do to those who have hurt me. Have you found thoughts of payback and revenge to be helpful and healthy? Thinking thoughts of payback and revenge have been nothing more than a large waste of time. Why is that? I can’t think of one time that I actually paid someone back or took revenge against them. You just day dreamed about payback and taking revenge against evil that was done against you? That’s right. That is a big waste of time. 

I want you to take a far different approach to those who have done evil against you. What’s that? You are going to like this, I think. I can’t imagine that. You like to brainstorm. You like to day dream. You like to think through scenarios. You like to think about future possibilities of your actions. Yes, I do like to do all those things. Well, I want you to do all those things toward an enemy that has done something to hurt you. I’m already doing that. Yes, I know. But, you are doing all those things with an evil intent of paying them back and seeking revenge. That’s true. I want you to do just the opposite. Like what?

Imagine that one of your strongest enemies became your best friend. That’s hard to imagine. Stay with me. How would you try to turn one of your strongest enemies into one of your best friends? I would begin to brainstorm how I could do good things for them. Then I would look for any and every opportunity to follow through and actually do good things for them. That’s good. What else? I would pray for them continually. That’s also very good. Why would you be willing to do good things toward your enemy? Why would you be willing to continually pray for them? I would do good things for my enemy and pray for them because that is what you are asking of me. That’s right. If you do what I am asking of you, then you may not only have an enemy as a best friend but you might have them as a brother of sister. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your enemy joined you in heaven because of the way that you allowed me to work in and through your life? That would be amazing. Start doing good things for your enemy as you pray for them. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, I have sought revenge. I have wanted to pay back others for evil done against me. Forgive me. I will make every effort to overcome evil by doing good. I will seek to turn enemies into friends by doing good things for them. Use me as your witness. Amen

Key Question… Why is overcoming evil by doing good completely contrary to common practice in the world?

Living It Out… Make every effort to overcome evil by doing the good things God gives you to do for Him?

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to overcome evil by doing the good He gives you to do for Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how are you overcoming evil by doing what is good.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always overcome evil by doing good that God gives you to do.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

God’s Will – Romans 12-19-21 – Overcome Evil With Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com