An Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Timothy 4:11-13 - An Example - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Timothy 4:11-13 – An Example – Growing As Disciples

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 1 Timothy 4:11-13 (NLT)  

Your Life Speaks

Your life speaks. What does that mean? Your life and how you live it will convey a message. Your life will set an example. All lives set an example. Some lives set very good examples. Other lives set very poor examples. All the thoughts and words and deeds of your life will become the content of the message of your life. Will your life send out a good message and example for others to follow? I certainly hope so. Hoping so will not make it so. What will make my life able to send a good message and be an example for others to follow? I’m sure you know the answer to your question. You are? Yes, I am. Let me hear your answer. I can’t live the life that you want me to live without your help. No, you cannot. You have given me your word. You want to speak your word into my life. Yes, I do. You want me to know and do your word. Yes, I do. But, you are getting a little ahead of yourself. You want to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life with your word. Yes, I do. You will use your word to mold and shape my life. Yes, I will. You will use your word to cleanse and purify my life. Your word will change all the thoughts, and words and deeds of my life. Your word will fan the flame of my desire to live my life with and for you. Yes, it will. Your word will help me to stand against temptation. Your word will be a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hand to fight in me, with me and for me. You will use your word to help me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, I will. I am sure that if I let your word dwell in me richly, my life will send out a good message and be an example for others to follow. I have absolutely no doubt about that. Nor should you.

So, what will be the focus of your life? Listening to you, will be the focus of my life. Meeting with you in your word, will be the focus of my life. Listening carefully to all that you say to me, will be the focus of my life. Going and doing what you ask of me,k will be the focus of my life. That is very good. What am I asking of you now? You are asking me to love you and serve others. You are asking me to teach and encourage others to live their lives with and for you. You are asking me to live a faith filled and pure life that will demonstrate your love to others. Yes, I am. Will you go and do that? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, use my life to teach others. Use the thoughts and words and deeds of my life to be an example that others can follow. Help me to live a pure, faith filled life, that demonstrates your love to others as I encourage and teach fellow believers with your word. Amen

Key Question… How is your life focused on knowing and following and obeying God’s word?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use the thoughts and words and deeds of your life to be an example others can follow.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use the thoughts, words and deeds of your life as an example others can follow.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your thoughts, words and deeds are an example others can follow.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the thoughts, words, and deeds of your life be an example others can follow.

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

Be – 1 Timothy 4-11-13 – An Example – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Knows The Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - James 4:17 - Knows The Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – James 4:17 – Knows The Good – Growing As Disciples

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17 (NIV)

Know It All

What do you know? What do I know about what? What do you know about doing good? I know that I am not a very good judge of knowing what good I should go and do. Why do you say that? Well, first of all, it was you who said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing”. Yes, I did say that. When I have dreamed up my own plans and gone and did what I wanted to do, my efforts have accomplished nothing of lasting and eternal value. So, I have experienced the truth of what you have said. That’s why I would say that I am not a good judge of knowing the good that I should go and do. In fact, thinking that I “know it all” has often caused me to fail to do what you have asked me to do for you. In the busyness of my own efforts I have not stopped to listen to your directions. I have not received your guidance. I have not followed your instructions. Instead, I have failed to do what I knew I should have gone and done and I have also done what I should not have gone and done. What does that sound like to you? You mean not doing what I should and doing what I should not? Yes, what does that sound like to you? It sounds to me like a pretty good definition of sin. That’s right. 

What lies just behind not doing what you should and doing what you should not? I’m not sure what you mean. What motivates or guides your desire to not do what you should and doing what you should not? I think I know where you are headed with your question. You do? Yes, is there a greater sin than not doing what I should and doing what I should not? You could think of where we are headed in that way. What would you call a greater sin or the sin that motivates every sin? Pride seems like the greater sin. Pride is the sin that seems to motivate all sin. How so? Pride would try to tell me that I don’t need to listen to your directions, receive your guidance or follow your instructions. Pride would try to tell me that I don’t need you to guide my life. Pride would try to have me say that I can go and do what I want, when and where I want. Pride would reject the idea that there is nothing I should or shouldn’t do. Pride would try to place me in charge of deciding what is right and what is wrong. Pride would try to have me on a path walking away from you. That’s true. 

I started by asking you, “what do you know?” Now, I will continue by asking you, “what do you want?” I will start by telling you what I don’t want. I don’t want to live a pride filled life that leads me away from you. I want to live humbly before you so that I will listen to your directions, receive your guidance and follow your instructions. I want to do all that you ask of me. I will rely on you to help me to know and do your will. That will be very good.

Lord, often times, I have dreamed up my own plans and goals without asking for your guidance. I have not relied on your help. I have done what I should not have done. I have not done what I should have done. Forgive me. Help me to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… What joy have you had in doing what the Lord has given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Do whatever you know you should do so that you do not sin.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to do what you know you should do.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing what you know you should do.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you know and do what you should do so that you do not sin.

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

Character – James 4-17 – Knows The Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Hears My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Revelation 3:20 - Hears My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Revelation 3:20 – Hears My Voice – Growing As Disciples

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Open The Door

Are you standing outside the door of my heart? Are you waiting for me to hear your voice? Do you want me to open the door to intimate fellowship with you? I’m sure that you know the answers to those questions. There is nothing I want more than to live in intimate fellowship with you. Do you think that you will invite me into your heart one time? Do you think that you will hear and answer my call today for tomorrow? Do you think that you will open the door to intimate fellowship with me once and for all time? I’m not sure what you are asking me. You have invited me into your heart. You have opened the door to intimate fellowship with me. You do hear my voice speaking to you. What about today? What about right now? What about tomorrow and the next day after that? Will you keep asking me into your heart? Will you keep listening to my voice? Will you keep opening your heart to intimate fellowship with me? Yes Lord, I will. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. I want to live in intimate fellowship with you everyday. I want to hear your voice speaking to me everyday. I will open the door to intimate fellowship with you every day.

How will you keep on opening the door of your heart to me? How will you keep listening to my voice? How will you keep living in intimate fellowship with me? I knew those questions were coming. They are very important questions. I know. It is easy for me to become distracted. It is easy for me to wander away from intimate fellowship with you. It is easy for me to be distracted from being able to hear your voice. Why is that? This world that I live in is a busy and noisy place. It is full of distractions. It is full of alluring enticements that cry out for my time and attention. I am constantly being bombarded with the thoughts and values and opinions of this world. If I am not very careful I will become just like the world and all those who live in it. You are in this world, but you are not of this world. I know. That is why I must make time and set apart a special place where I can meet with you. As I meet with you, I will be opening my heart afresh to you. As I meet with you, I will be listening to all that you have to say to me. As I meet with you, I will be enjoying the intimate fellowship you want me to have with you. Yes, you will. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not leave you standing outside the door of my heart. I hear you knocking. I hear you speaking. I am listening to your voice. I will invite you into my heart. I want to live in intimate fellowship with you. Come in now. Amen

Key Question… How are you making yourself attentive to hear the voice of Christ speaking to you?

Living It Out… Open the door of your heat to the Lord so you can live in intimate fellowship with Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have intimate fellowship with the Lord when you open the door of your heart to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the joy you have had living in intimate fellowship with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear open the door to intimate fellowship with the Lord.

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

If – Revelation 3-20 – Hears My Voice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Shrinks Back

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Hebrews 10:38-39 - Faith Over Fear - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Hebrews 10:38-39 – Faith Over Fear – Growing As Disciples

But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10:38-39 (NIV)

Faith Over Fear

Can you hear my voice? Are you making yourself attentive to me? Are you listening to all that I want to say to you? I can hear your voice. I have set a time and a place to meet with you. Yes, I am making myself attentive to you. Am I listening to all that you have to say to me? That’s a good question. I want to say yes. I doubt that I am hearing all that you want to say to me. I am straining to hear you. I am listening carefully to you. It is my delight and joy hearing you speak to me. I don’t want to miss out on one word that you have to say to me. I have something that I want to say to you right now. I’m listening. You have my full attention. That’s good.

There is something that I want you to know. There is something that I want you to be able to recognize. There is something that I don’t want you to be surprised by. There is something that I want you to come to expect. Now, I’m really curious. What is this something that you are talking about? You will be faced with a choice throughout your life. This choice will appear again and again and over and over as you follow me. This choice will never be a one and done kind of choice. Tell me more. You first made this choice when you came to believe in me. You turned away from your sin and told me that you were going to follow me as your Savior and Lord. Yes, I did. I am your Savior and Lord. On the day, you turned your life over to me your life of salvation began. My being your Savior and Lord is a settled question. You being my follower is a settled question. Your future in heaven forever with me is a settled question. Is this all clear to you? Yes, I have no doubt that you are my Savior and Lord and that I am your follower. One day I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Good, let’s go back to the choice that will keep repeating itself in your life. Let’s talk about the choice that you will be required to answer again and again and over and over. I want to know more about this choice. You will have the choice of faith over fear. I’m not exactly sure what you mean. Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. When have you been afraid? When have I asked you to choose faith in me over your fears? When have I asked you to go and do something for me that caused you to face one of your fears? I get it. Will you have faith in me? Will you keep following me? Will you move forward with me? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you allow me to overcome your fears and grow your faith in me? Will you choose faith over fear? Yes Lord, I will choose faith in you over my fears. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been faced with the choice of faith over fear many times. Forgive me for not always making the right choice. Thank you for allowing me to hear your voice leading me through life. I will follow you as my Savior and Lord. I will move forward with you. Amen

Key Question… What has helped you to choose faith over fear as you have followed the Lord?

Living It Out… Listen to the voice of God leading you forward as you follow Him in faith as your Savior and Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will hear the voice of God leading you forward to follow Him in faith as your Savior and Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you came to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear the voice of God leading you forward as you follow Him as your Savior and Lord.

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

If – Hebrews 10-38-39 – Shrinks Back – 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

Pour Out Your Heart To Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Psalm 62:8 - Pour Out Your Hearts To Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Psalm 62:8 – Pour Out Your Hearts To Him – Growing As Disciples

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)

Our Dialogue

You have two choices of what you will do with what is in your heart. I’m not sure what two choices are before me, regarding my heart. You can hold on to what is in your heart or you can pour out what is in your heart. Now, I understand why there are only two choices before me, regarding my heart. Each choice is the opposite of the other one. That’s right. What will happen if I hold on to what is in my heart? That is a good question. You tell me. If I hold on to what is in my heart I will not pour out my heart to you. That is obvious, say more. If I hold on to what is in my heart I will never live in an intimate relationship with you. I will not tell you what is in my heart. I will not cry out to you when my heart is filled with difficulty and pain and suffering. I will not ask for your help. I will not rely on you. I will live with anguish and turmoil. I will live a weary life. I will carry a heavy weight of burdens throughout my life. I will not receive your comfort. I will not be filled your peace. I will not release all my worries and burdens to you. I will carry a heavy heart if I never pour it out to you. That’s right. Isn’t there some middle ground? Couldn’t you pour out your heart a little bit here and there? Couldn’t you make a daily decision about when and where you would pour out your heart to me? That sounds a little ridiculous. How so? It would be like saying, “I only want a little peace and comfort today. I only want you to carry some of my burdens. I will hang on to the rest of my burdens so I can only be partially helped.” Who would be so foolish? Would give themselves such poor advice? Maybe you? Well, if that is what I have been doing then I will stop it immediately. Forgive me for not fully pouring my heart out to you. You are forgiven. I will tell you whatever is in my heart. I will share my joys and my sorrows with you. I will talk to you when I am exceedingly happy and incredibly sad. You will be my refuge. You will be my strength. You will be my confidant. Help me to develop an intimate relationship with you. I want to live and walk in a constant dialogue with you. I want to hear from you. You will hear from me. I will pour my heart out to you every day as I walk through life with you. That will be very good.

Lord, so often I have made myself weary because I have trusted in myself. Not today. Not now. Not again. From here on out I will place all my trust in you. I will pour out my heart to you. You are my refuge and strength and hope. Amen

Key Question… When has God given rest to your soul as you have poured out your heart to Him?

Living It Out… Place all your trust in God as you pour your heart out to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can place all your trust in God as you pour out your heart to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are trusting God as you pour your heart out to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pour your heart out to God and place all your trust in Him as your refuge and strength.

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

Heart – Psalm 62-8 – Pour Out Your Hearts To Him – 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

Live As Children Of Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Ephesians 5:6-8 - Live As Children Of The Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Ephesians 5:6-8 – Live As Children Of The Light – Growing As Disciples

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light Ephesians 5:6-8 (NIV)

In The Light 

Be very careful where you walk. Keep a close watch over how you live your life. I’m not sure what you have in mind. Can you be more specific? Yes, I can be more specific. There are places you should not go. There are things you should not do. There are circumstances you should avoid. There are influences you should not allow into your life. There is counsel you should not accept. Why are you saying these things to me? Can you tell me more? You have left the life that you once lived. You have walked away from the darkness of your old life. You are no longer following the patterns, practices and values of the world. You are no longer living a sinful, self-centered and self-sufficient life. You are no longer living a self-indulgent and disobedience life. You want to know me. You want to live a life that is pleasing to me. You want to know and do my will. Instead of walking in the darkness, you want to live in the light with me. Is all of what I said true? Yes, I want to live and walk in the light with you. I want to know and do your will. In every way, I want to do what is pleasing to you. I want to live a life that is completely reliant on you. That is very good.

To keep on walking in the light, you must continue to make a clean break with the darkness. The darkness of the world is all around you. You must not let yourself become part of it. You must separate yourself from all the darkness that is in the world. You must not allow your heart or mind or life to be conformed to the world and all its evil. You must walk away from darkness and you keep on walking forward in the light with me. I get it. I understand.

You will be a light in the world. You will shine brightly for me. You will stand out from all the evil that is in the world. You will live your life in such a way that others will see my life being lived out in you. Others will be drawn to me through the testimony of your life. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I will help you to live this life that I am calling you to live. Will you rely on me? Will you do what I ask? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, at one time I was living in darkness. I followed all the values, patterns and practices of the world. I thought, and said and did what was evil. I have left that life behind me. Help me now to live and walk with you. Help me to live as your child of the light. Amen

Key Question… What must you separate yourself from if you want to leave the darkness of your old life?

Living It Out… Separate yourself from darkness so that you can live and walk in the light with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live and walk in the light with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living and walking in the light with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live and walk as a child of the light.

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

Therefore – Ephesians 5-6-8 – Live As Children Of Light – 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

Hear My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - John 10:27 - Hear My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – John 10:27 – Hear My Voice – Growing As Disciples

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (ESV)

Listen Carefully

Do you want to be able to hear my voice? Will you listen carefully to everything I want to say to you? Yes, I want to be able to hear your voice. Yes, I will listen carefully to everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Do you have any concerns? Are any questions coming to your mind? You know me. I have a ton of questions. Go ahead and ask me what is on your heart and mind. I have a hard time hearing you. It is not easy for me to recognize your voice. How can I learn to hear your more clearly? How can I be sure to recognize your voice? You have asked very good questions. Why do you think it is hard to recognize and hear my voice? I live in a noisy world that is filled with different voices that are all shouting for my attention. It seems like my life is under constant bombardment by messages from the world. Do you know why it seems that way to you? Not really. It seems that way because your life really is under bombardment by many messages from the world. I thought so. I have learned one thing for certain. What’s that? You will never shout for my attention. Your voice does not scream loudly in my ear. No, it does not. Why don’t I scream for your attention? Why don’t I force you to listen to me? You gave me a free will. You want me to willingly come to you. You want me to come to sit quietly in your presence so I can hear what you want to say to me. You want me to make a choice to carefully listen to you. Yes, I do. It would do no good for you to scream for my attention if I was unwilling to listen to you. No, it would not. 

But, I do want to listen to you. I do want to hear everything you want to say to me. That’s good. What will you do so that you can hear from me? I will withdraw from the noise of the world. I will separate myself from all the voices that are screaming for my attention. Every day, I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you. I will quiet myself before you. I will meet with you in your word. I will listen. I will hear. I will put into practice whatever you teach me. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will follow you. What do you think will happen to you as you meet with me in my word? I will learn to hear you more clearly. I will recognize your voice more surely. Yes, you will. Here I am right now, I’m listening to you. That is very good.

Lord, it is the priority of my life to recognize and hear your voice. I will listen carefully to everything you want to say to me. I will hear your words and put them into practice. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Guide my life by your word. Amen

Key Question… What will help or hinder your ability to listen to and really hear the Lord’s voice?

Living It Out… Set apart a time and place each day to spend time with the Lord so you can recognize and hear His voice.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to recognize and hear His voice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are growing in your ability to recognize and hear God’s voice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to and hear the voice of the Lord so you can know and follow Him.

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

Discipleship – John 10-27 – Hear My Voice – 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

All The Days Of My Life

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50695217 – jesus written on desert road

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

Following Him

Who am I and what have I done for you? You are my Good Shepherd. You have led me through life. You have met all my needs. When did I become your Good Shepherd? I think you became my Good Shepherd even before I acknowledged and was ready to accept the fact that I was a lost sheep. I was wandering through life. I was getting beat up, bruised and battered by life.  I was living my life without you. I was walking on a path that led away from you. Yes, you were. You sought me out. You pursued me. There was no place that I could wander that you weren’t watching and waiting for me to turn to you. Yes, I was. 

You did turn to me. You did acknowledge me as your Good Shepherd. You did give your life to me. Yes, I did. What did you need when you turned your life over to me? I needed forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. I needed healing and restoration. Yes, you did. Where did I bring you so that your soul could be restored? You brought me into quiet places where I could meet with you in your word. You allowed me to rest in your presence. You allowed me to taste and see your goodness. You fed my hunger and satisfied my thirst for you. You refreshed, restored and filled my soul. Yes, I did.

What has happened to you as you have remained in my presence and met me in my word? You are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You have set on fire a flame of desire within me to want to do what pleases you. You have given me new thoughts to think and new feelings to feel. I want to know and love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. That’s very good, isn’t it? Yes, it is my joy to know and love you.

Your life has not been all joy and sunshine since you have started following me. No, it hasn’t been. I’ve gone through many ups and downs and twists and turns in life. I have experienced pain and suffering, joy and sorrow. I have had powerful enemies and great friends. I have had amazing victories and devastating defeats. I walked in the light and through the darkness. Yes, you have. I have never been alone. You have always been with me. You have been my comforter and guide. You have given strength. You have been my fortress and deliverer. You have taught me to rely on you. You have shown me that I have nothing to fear. Yes, I have. 

What are you sure of as you follow me? I know that your hand is on me. You are blessing my life as I follow and serve you. Yes, I am. Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Yes, it will. I can and will live in your presence both now and forever. Yes, you will.

Lord, thank you for being my Good Shepherd leading me through life. You have been with me in and through all the ups and down and twists and turns in life. You have shown me your love, restored my soul, protected me and met all my needs. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord led you to a quiet place where He could restore your soul?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place where and when you will meet with the Lord to allow Him to restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is with you to help you in and through every up and down and twist and turn in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord restores your soul as you meet in quiet places with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to be your Good Shepherd leading you through all that you will experience in life.

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

Life – Psalm 23-6 – All The Days Of My Life – 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

Life – Giving Rebuke

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:31 - Life -Giving Rebuke - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:31 – Life -Giving Rebuke – Growing As Disciples

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 (NIV)

Listen

Those words are troubling to me. What words are those? Those first three words, “He who listens” are bothering me. Why is that? I’m pretty sure that I’m not a good listener. I’m a much better talker than a listener. Maybe, I’m not very good at either. But, I do know that I talk a lot when I should be listening more. You can learn much more by listening, than you can by talking. Thinking about what you are going to say rather than carefully listening is not a good habit. I know. That has been my standard operating procedure. Why do you think that is? Do you think what you want to say is more important than what others have to say? That must be it. My own pride has made me more of a talker than a listener. Sometimes, I talk so much I’m sure others must feel that they can’t get a word in edge wise. That’s not good. I know it’s not. Do you want to learn to listen better to others? Do you want to listen more attentively to me? Yes, I want to listen better to others. Yes, I want to listen more attentively to you. That’s good.

You can’t be a poor listener to others and a good listener to me. Those two don’t go together at all. I will remind you that I do often speak into your life through the voices of others. You need to listen very carefully to whatever is being said to you. Don’t be so full of yourself that you cannot hear others or me speaking to you. You need to remember that you don’t know it all. You need to know that you don’t see it all. Others will know and see what you don’t or can’t know or see. You have asked for my wisdom. You have sought my instruction. You want me to lead and guide your life. Yes, I want all these things from you. Then stop being defensive. Be open. Be receptive. Be humble. Be listening. Expect that I will use others to speak into your life. Considering deeply all that is being said to you.

Don’t think that everything you hear will be pleasant and easy to receive. Some of what you hear will be difficult and painful and challenging. Some of what you hear may cut you to the core. Don’t dismiss hard words and painful rebukes as not coming from me. Some of these words will be life giving rebukes that you must hear and receive if you want to grow wise. Will you listen to life giving rebukes so that you will grow wise? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have not been receptive to life-giving rebukes. I have stubbornly refused to listen. I have thought that I was under attack and raised my defenses. I have resisted your speaking into my life. Forgive me. Now, I will listen to all that you want to say to me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord spoken into your life through a life-giving rebuke from another person?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to make you wise as you listen to life-giving rebukes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you wise when you listen to life-giving rebukes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening attentively to life-giving rebukes.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen attentively to life giving rebukes so that you can be made wise.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-31 – Life – Giving Rebuke – 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

Whoever Serves Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - John 12:25-26 - Whoever Serves Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – John 12:25-26 – Whoever Serves Me – Growing As Disciples

The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.  John 12:25-26

My Call

What does it mean to lose my life in this world?  Am I living for the pleasures of this life? Does all of life revolve around me and what I want?  Am I guided by comfort?  When have I set aside my will, plans, and desires to serve you, Lord? Those are good questions. Do you have any answers? Right now, I want to sit here and live with these questions. I think it would be a mistake to quickly answer and dismiss them all in my favor. I agree. Then, I feel like I’m on the right track. You are. I also sense a danger here as well. What’s that? I could sacrifice my life in complete service to others and yet not know you. What do you mean? Isn’t it possible to give up my life in service to the wrong purpose, plan, or person? Yes, it is. Tell me more of what you’re thinking.  You are calling me to give up my life to follow you. It isn’t a call to give up my life to become a serving maniac. As I give up my life to you, the only way I can serve correctly is to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. It’s not as if you’ll give me a huge “to do” list and check back with me at the end of my life, I know that. How do you know that? You said, “follow me” and where you are, that is where I will be. Yes, that’s true. How will that be possible? How will that happen? That will only happen as I follow you. I need to wait, watch, and listen for your guidance. Otherwise I will likely go off course and not do what you want me to do and waste a lot of time doing what is unnecessary. That is exactly right. 

I’m calling you right now.  Come follow me.  Don’t love the world.  Love me.  I will guide your life.  You will have real joy as you join me in the work I will give you to do.  Is this what you want to do?  Is this who you want to be?  Do you want to be my follower?  Do you want to serve me?  Yes Lord, I do.  Good, then come.  I am calling you right now.

Lord, today is the day I will stop living for myself. The things of this world no longer have me in their grip. I want to know and do your will. My eyes are on you. My ears are attentive to you. I have heard your call. I will follow you. I will do all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How have you chosen to love Christ rather than the things of this world?

Living It Out… Respond to Christ’s call to come to Him so that you can follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ is calling you to come to Him so that you can follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to Christ to follow and serving Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow the Lord to where He leads you to do all that He asks of you.

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

Identity – John 12-25-26 – Whoever Serves Me – 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