Do Not Judge

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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) 

My Job

I am certainly not qualified to be a judge others, of that I am positive. I have no doubts about that in my mind whatsoever. Why do you say that? I have made so many mistakes. I have gone where I shouldn’t have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I’m not talking about a rare misstep or an occasional mistake. No, I have repeatedly gone astray and missed the mark. I have stepped out of bounds. I have sinned against you and others in my thoughts and words and deeds. I have even known what would be the good and right and true thing to do and I have deliberately gone and done just the opposite. Where did that lead you? All my sin led me straight to rock bottom. It was then and there that I cried out to you. You brought me to my senses. You turned my life around. You forgave my sin and cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You set me on a new path of loving, following and serving you. Yes, I did. But, I have not forgotten about where I was when you rescued me from a life without you. I was without hope in the world. You have given me a completely new life to live in you. That’s right. So, I have it firmly established in my mind that I am not qualified to be a judge of anyone else. Beyond that, I have no desire to be the judge of anyone else. Why is that? Judging others is just not my job.

What is your job? If you don’t want to get involved with judging others, what do you want to do? Instead of judging others I would like to bless and encourage others. Instead of dragging others down and discouraging them with judgement, I would like to spur others on to bigger and better things in life. Like what? I would like to help others to come to love and follow and serve you. I would like to help others to come to know you and walk in your ways. I would like to help others to discover the joy there is in doing what is pleasing to you. These are the desires of my heart. These are the things that I want to do. These things are part of my job. How do you know this is your job? How did you come to receive this assignment? This is the work that you have given me to do for you. Doing these things have become the desire of my heart that you have given and will grant to me. That’s right. As you bless others in these ways your life will reap rich blessings from me. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. That is what I want.

Lord, I have plenty of my own flaws. I have made mistakes. I have taken missteps. I have missed the mark. I have sinned. Nothing would suggest I am qualified to be a critic who judges others. Help me to bless and encourage others rather than judge them. Amen

Key Question… Why is it dangerous for you to set yourself up as a critic and judge of other people?

Living It Out… Resist the urge to be a critic who constantly judges other people.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to refrain from being a critic who constantly judges other people.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are refraining from being a critic and judging other people.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you treat others just as you would like to be treated.

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

Character – Matthew 7-1-2 – Do Not Judge – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Holy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Holy - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Holy – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

Are You Ready?

Are you ready? Am I ready for what? Are you ready to be the person that I have called you to be? Are you ready to go where I guide you? Are you ready to do what I ask of you? Are you ready to leave your old life behind you? Are you ready to walk into the new life that I have for you? Will you walk through the doors that I open before you? You have me curious. I am intrigued. You have me yearning for more. I certainly don’t want to stay where I am. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want what you want. That’s very good. 

That’s half the battle. What is the other half of the battle? You tell me. What has held you back from walking through open doors that I have placed before you? When have you not gone where I guided you? When have you not done what I have asked of you? This is a very uncomfortable subject for me to talk about. I’m sure of that. Even having this discussion involves opening a door. This subject of this discussion, has been a closed door. A discussion on this topic, has been off limits. You have made it very clear to me that you don’t want to discuss this topic. Am I right or am I wrong about this? Who, am I to argue with you? There is nothing that can be hidden from you. That’s right. So, I will open the door to this discussion. I have not always gone where you have guided me or done what you have asked me because I have been afraid. What have you been afraid of? I have been afraid of the unknown. I have been afraid that I might fail. I have been afraid that I might face rejection and ridicule. I have felt inadequate and unprepared. I have felt unable to go and do what you might ask of me. There you said it. There were no big surprises to me. You have felt what everyone who loves, follows and serves me will feel. You are not unique. You are not alone. I will be with you every step of the way. As you feel fear, you will drawer closer to me as I draw closer to you. As you feel fear you will come to rely even more on me as I help you to do what I have given you to do for me. Will I be enough for you? You are infinitely more than enough for me. Are you ready? Yes Lord, I am ready.

You will leave your old life behind. You will no longer follow the patterns, practices and values of the world. You will no longer conform to the evil in which you once walked. You will set all your hope on me. You will follow me to where I lead you. You will do whatever I ask of you. You will live an obedient and faithful life before me. I will work in you, for you and through you. I will make you into the person I want you to become. You will learn from me. You will know my thoughts. You will walk in my ways. You will become like me. I will make you holy, just as I am holy. I welcome all your work in and through my life. That is very good.

Lord, I will set my heart, mind and life on you. I will no longer allow myself to conform to the evil desires in which I once lived. I have heard your call. I have come to you. I want what you want. Keep on making me to be like you as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… What has the Lord used to help you to prepare your mind for action as you follow and serve Him?

Living It Out… Prepare your mind for action so that you can live the life that Jesus Christ is calling you to live.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has called you to become more like Him every day as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to become like Him as you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow Jesus Christ to make you to be like Him as you set your heart and mind and life on Him.

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

Be – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – Holy – 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

On God’s Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That- 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - On God's Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That- 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – On God’s Power – Growing As Disciples

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV) 

Demonstrate Your Power

Are you weak or are you strong? Will you rely on me or will you rely on yourself? Don’t be so quick to answer these questions with your words. Is there any other way to answer these questions other than with my words? I want you to answer these questions with your life. I’m not sure what you mean. Really, are you sure? I might have some idea of what you mean. Take a guess at what I mean. You don’t want me to say I will rely on you with my words and not back them up with my life. Yes, that’s right. Have you ever said that you were going to rely on me and then kept right on relying on yourself? I am sorry to say that I have relied on myself far too often when I have said that I was going to rely on you.

What has happened when you have relied on yourself rather than on me? When I have relied on my own strength I have failed miserably. I have not been able to accomplish what you have given me to do. I have made gigantic missteps. I have gone backwards in retreat. I have wandered aimlessly from one thing to another to look for meaning and purpose in life. I have been frustrated.  I have been fearful. I have wondered where you were. I have questioned why haven’t you helped me. I have been discouraged and depressed. I have burned out. I have given up. I have quit.

Have you grown weary of trusting in your own strength? That is an understatement. Nothing is more tiring than trying to serve you without relying on your help. I want your power and strength. I desperately need your power and strength. I cannot and will not take one more step forward without your help. That’s very good. What will you do? I will ask for your help. I will wait for your help. How long will you wait? How long will you keep asking? I will keep waiting and keep asking for your help until you tell me its time to move forward with you. You will let me lead you? Yes, that’s it exactly. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will trust you to work in and through me to demonstrate your power and accomplish your purposes. I want you to do in and through me what only you can do. I want my life to be a witness for you. I want my faith to rest on you. I want others to place their faith in you because of what you have done in and through my weakness. In that way you will be lifted up and glorified as men and women are drawn to you. Use me for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, I will. You can count on it.

Lord, I am weak. You are strong. Without your power and strength I will be unable to do what you have given me to do for you. I am so thankful that you will work through my weaknesses so your power will demonstrated as your purposes are accomplished. Amen

Key Question… When has God worked in and through your weakness to even more clearly demonstrate His power?

Living It Out… Rely on God’s power rather than on your own strength so that God can accomplish His purposes through you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s power will work through your weakness to accomplish His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God worked through your weakness to accomplish His purposes.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God to work through you so His power can be demonstrated as He accomplishes His purposes.

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

So That – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5 – On God’s Power – 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

Rich In Good Deeds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Timothy 6:18-19 - Rich In Good Deeds- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Timothy 6:18-19 – Rich In Good Deeds- Growing As Disciples

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

Sharing

Do you want to lay up treasure in heaven with me? Yes, of course I want to lay up treasure in heaven with you. I know that this life will quickly pass away. I am here on this earth for a very short time. I am a visitor here. I am just passing through. This life is like the blink of an eye or a snap of the fingers. I am here today. I will be gone tomorrow. It would be a foolish waste of my time to try to store up treasure in this life. That’s right. How can I store up treasure in heaven with you? That is a very good question. I am glad that you have the brevity of life firmly fixed in your mind. You are right in saying that it would be a foolish waste of time to store up treasures on the earth. You also have very little time to store up treasure in heaven with me. It will be very good for you to make the best use of the time that you have been given in this life. I will ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Have I richly blessed your life? Yes, you have richly blessed my life. What do you think I want you to do with all that I have given to you? I’m not sure. Do you think I want you to tightly hold on to all that I have given to you? I doubt that. Do you think that I want you to generously share with others all that I have given to you? I have no doubt about that. I am positive that you want me to share with others all that you have given to me. That’s right.

I have a thought that may come as a surprise to you. What’s that? There is nothing that I have given to you that I don’t want you to share with others. You want me to share everything you have given me with others? Yes, I do. You want me to share my time with others? You want me to share my gifts, talents and abilities with others? You want to share all my possession and resources with others? That’s right. I don’t want you to place any limits or boundaries on what you will or won’t share with others. I want all that I have given to you to be available for my use. Is that something you will do for me? Will you give back to me what I have given to you? Will you generously share with others all that I have given to you? Yes Lord, I will. Then, you will be storing up treasure in heaven with me as you share with others what I have given to you. That is what I want. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, you have richly blessed my life. Help me to be generous and willing to share what you have given to me. Help me to be rich in doing good deeds for others. Make my life an example of generous giving. Help me to store up treasure in heaven with you. Amen

Key Question… When have you recently shared with others something that the Lord has given to you?

Living It Out… Lay up treasure in heaven with the Lord by doing good deeds for others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be laying up treasure in heaven with the Lord as you do good deeds for others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what good deeds you are doing for others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you lay up treasure in heaven by doing good deeds for others.

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

Be – 1 Timothy 6-18-19 – Rich In Good Deeds – 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

Do Your Best

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 2 Timothy 2:15 - Do Your Best - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do Your Best – Growing As Disciples

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Approved Workman

Would you like to present yourself to me as an approved workman? Would you like to understand and be able to correctly handle my word? Would you like to live a life that is not filled with shame? Would you like to live the life that I have called you to live? I would like to give you a resounding and emphatic yes to every one of your questions. That’s very good. Let me start by telling you that you cannot earn your salvation. You cannot work to make yourself acceptable in my sight. You cannot earn or merit your forgiveness and cleansing. You cannot save yourself. Your forgiveness and cleansing is a gift that you cannot earn or merit. Only my Son can make you acceptable in my sight. Only by accepting my Son as your Savior and Lord can you begin to live the new life that I have called you to live. Only by turning away from your sin and following me can you start living the new life that I have called you to live. There is no other way to begin. There is no other starting point. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. 

Being an approved workman that correctly handles my word is something that can begin only after you have given your life to me. When you began your new life with me, my Holy Spirit came to live and dwell inside of you. My Holy Spirit will use my word to teach and train you. My Holy Spirit will use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. My Holy Spirit will apply my word to your life. My Holy Spirit will use my word to help you to know and do my will. Are you following of that I have said to you so far? Do you have any questions? I understand what you are saying to me. I don’t have any questions right now. That’s good. 

Now, I have a question for you. What’s that? What’s your part? I’m not sure what you are asking me. What part will you play in becoming an approved workman that correctly handles my word? Won’t this also come to me as a gift? No, becoming an approved workman that correctly handles my word will not come to you as a gift. What must I do to become an approved workman that correctly handles your word? That is my question to you. I want you to answer that question. You think I know the answer to your question? Yes, I am certain that you know the answer to my question. Let me hear your answer. If I want to be an approved workman that correctly handles your word I must study your word. I must meet with you in your word. I must carefully consider your word. I must meditate on your word day and night. I must pray your word. I must speak your word. I must grab hold of your word. I must let your word grab a hold of me. Your word is a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hand. Yes, it is. As I let your word dwell in me richly your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. That’s right. Every day, as I continue to let your word dwell in me, your Holy Spirit will make me more able to be an approved workman who correctly handles your word. That’s true As I let your word dwell in me, I will not be ashamed, I will live the life that you are calling me to live. Yes, and that will be very good.

Lord, I will make every effort to understand and correctly handle your word. Every day, I will meet with you in your word so that you can use it to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Use your word to make me into your approved workman. Amen

Key Question… How is correctly handling God’s word molding and shaping you into an effective workman for God?

Living It Out… Make every effort to correctly handle God’s word so you can do your best work for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to correctly handle His word so you can do your best work for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing your very best work for God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you correctly handle God’s word so you can do your best work for Him.

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

Character – 2 Timothy 2-15 – Do Your Best- 10 Versions – 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

Fear Not – Stand Firm

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Exodus 14:13-14 - Fear Not - Stand Firm - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Exodus 14:13-14 – Fear Not – Stand Firm – Growing As Disciples

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV)  

Fight For You

Where do I go from here? What do you mean by that? I can’t go forward. I can’t go backward. I can’t turn to the right or to the left. I am surrounded. I have no hope. This is going to be a disaster. I will certainly be defeated. I was worried about this happening to me. Now look at my situation. What do you expect me to do? Where do you think I should go? You led me here. I sure hope you have some answers for me. I’m in way over my head. I’m going down fast. I will drown without your help. That’s good. That’s right. That’s true. You have a very accurate understanding of your situation. There is nothing you can do. Great, that’s just great. Even you think I’m in a hopeless situation. I didn’t say that. You are jumping to conclusions. Just because I said there is nothing you can do does not mean you are in a hopeless situation. I don’t understand what you are saying to me. If I can’t do anything, where is my hope? Now, that is a very good question. Your hope is not in yourself, that is for sure. All your gifts, talents and abilities and strength will not get you out of this impossible situation. Then I have no hope at all. Again, I didn’t say that. If you have no hope in yourself, where might you have hope? I can have hope in you. Yes, you can.

You asked me, “Where should you go and what should you do? Yes, I did. You should go nowhere and you should do nothing. What, I don’t get that? What do you mean, “I should go nowhere and do nothing?” That sounds like giving up and quitting. Yes, you are going to give up, quit and do nothing with your own gifts, talents, abilities and strength. You are going to sit there and watch me fight for you. This is one of those times when I want you to sit there and see my hand work out a victory for you. I want you to know without a doubt that I am with you to help you. You are not on your own. Many times, I will fight with and through you. But today, I am going to fight for you. Can you sit there and rely on me? Can you sit there and trust me? Can you sit there, be quiet and watch me win a victory for you? Yes Lord, I can. That will be very good.

Lord, I have faced difficult and impossible situations in life. I have wanted to turn back. I have wanted to retreat. I have wanted to give up. Yet, you have been with me to help me. Thank you, for fighting for me and bringing me through every difficulty in life. Amen

Key Question… How have you come to stand firm and rely on the Lord in difficult and impossible situations?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to fear not and stand firm because the Lord will help you through every difficulty.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will fight with and for you in the difficult and impossible situations in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have relied on the Lord in difficult and impossible situations.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fear not and stand firm as you allow the Lord to fight for you.

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

Rhythms – Exodus 14-13-14 – Fear Not – Stand Firm – 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

Devote Yourself

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - Colossians 4:2-4 - Devote Yourself - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – Colossians 4:2-4 – Devote Yourself – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Colossians 4:2-4 (NIV) 

Opportunity

I want to have an open door of opportunity to tell others about you. You already have that opportunity. The door is wide open. Nothing is preventing you from sharing with others all that I have done for you. I’m not sure what to say about that. You have something on your mind? Yes, I do. What do you want to say? Do you have a question to ask me? I’m not seeing wide-open opportunities to share my faith in you with others. Why am I not seeing wide-open opportunities to share the good news of the gospel? That’s a good question that I know you can answer. Maybe, I have been too cautious. I haven’t wanted to chase people away from you. Maybe I have been too timid. I haven’t wanted to be rejected. Maybe I haven’t been prepared. I haven’t wanted to say the wrong thing. You could probably come up with a dozen reasons why you haven’t been boldly sharing your faith in me. Yes, I’m sure that is true.

What will help you to share your faith in me? What will make you able to boldly proclaim the good news of the Gospel? Only you can make me able to share your word. That’s right. So, what will you do if you want my help? If I want your help I will ask for your help. That’s sounds like a good idea. What kind of help do you need? I will ask you to make me watchful and prayerful. What will happen to you when you are watchful and prayerful? When I am watchful and prayerful I will see opportunities to share my faith in you. I haven’t been seeing opportunities to proclaim the good news because I haven’t been looking. I haven’t been watchful and prayerful. That’s right. There is more. Like what? As I’m watchful and prayerful I know that you will make me able to boldly proclaim your good news. Why is that? I will know that you have led me to opportunities to share my faith. Yes, I will. I will know that you have given me the words to speak when I share my faith. That’s true. I will know that you will have prepared the person in front of me to hear all that you have given me to share about you. Yes, you will. Remember to always be watchful, prayerful and thankful as you share your faith in me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, it is the desire of my heart to be devoted to you in prayer. Help me to be watchful for all that you want me to see. Help me to be ready to do all that you give me to do. Open up doors of opportunity for me to share the good news of the gospel with others. Amen

Key Question… What do you think it would mean in your life to be devoted to the Lord in prayer?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to be devoted and watchful in prayer so you will have opportunities to share Him with others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you opportunities to share Him as you are devoted and watchful in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to be devoted and watchful in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be devoted and watchful in prayer for opportunities to share Christ with others.

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

Prayer – Colossians 4-2-4 – Devote Yourselves – 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

Chosen What Is Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - Luke 10:41-42 - Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – Luke 10:41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Here With You

Here I am. This is different. I’m the one who is usually worried and upset about so many things. I have been a very gifted worrier. If anyone could see the downside of any situation it has been me. At least I think that’s true. A part of me wonders how that could possibly be true. Why is that? Wouldn’t it make sense that I would have made fewer mistakes in life because of the amount of time I have spent worrying about my decisions? You have been a worrier. But, your worries have not made you more cautious. No, I think just the opposite has been true. My worrying has sped up the pace of my life. I have been so worried that I might miss out on something. Like what? I don’t know. I have been worried about missing out on anything and everything. So, your life has been a frantic effort to get things done. You have had places to go and things to do. Yes, that’s right. You have speedily gone to where you thought you should go to do what you thought you should get done? That’s right. But, you haven’t been sure about either. That’s true. So you’re worried about where you have gone and what you have done? You got it.

Why are you here right now? Now, I’m sure about where I want to be and what I want to do. What’s that? I don’t want to race through life anymore. I want to stop worrying and being upset about so many things. I don’t want to be uncertain about where I am going and what I am doing. I need to come to a full stop. I want to be here in your presence. I want to hear all that you have to say to me. I want you to heal my broken life. I want to give complete control of my life over to you. I know that you will guide me. I’m sure that you know exactly where I should go and what I should do. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You have good things already planned out for me to do for you. Yes, I do. You wont let me miss out on anything? No, I won’t. But right now, I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything. I want to rest in your presence. I need to be here with you. I have been missing out on spending time in your presence. I won’t ever let that happen again. I have heard your call. So, I’m here now to listen to you. That’s very good.

Lord, like Martha I have been worried and upset by many things. The worries, cares and demand of this life have demanded my time. I have answered their call. Now, I hear your call. I will come to spend time in prayer at your feet listening attentively to you. Amen

Key Question… How has your love and devotion to Jesus Christ grown as you have followed Him?

Living It Out… Make a choice to spend time at the feet of Jesus not out of duty but out of love and devotion to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that being at the feet of Jesus Christ and listening attentively to Him is choosing what is best in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are choosing to spend time in prayer at the feet of Jesus.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose what is best in life by spending time at the feet of Jesus Christ.

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

Prayer – Luke 10-41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Helps Us In Our Weakness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Romans 8:26-27 - Helps Us In Our Weakness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Romans 8:26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

My Help

There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about what? I am weak and in desperate need of help. It is very good for you to realize that you are weak and in desperate need of help. Why is that? You tell me. What have you done when you have come to realize all your weaknesses? When I become aware of my weaknesses, I have cried out to you. I have come to ask you for your help. I have stopped relying on myself and my own feeble efforts. That’s very good. What have you done when you have been certain that you had all the strength you needed? When I have been certain that I had all the strength I needed, I have relied on myself. You must have frequently thought you had all strength that you needed? Why do you say that? The answer to your question should be obvious even to you.  I know why you said, “even” to me. Why is that? I have been slow to realize how weak I am. I have been slow to ask you for all the help that I need. It pleases me to see that you are becoming more aware of your weaknesses and your need for help from me.

What has happened to you when you have come and asked me to help you? When I have asked for help, you have given me help. When I have asked for strength, you have given me strength. You have generously answered my prayers by giving to me what I have desperately needed. Have you ever wondered why you must come to ask me for my help and strength? Have you ever thought that I could have already given you all the strength you would ever need in life? You know my thoughts. Yes, I do. My questions are meant to remind you of what you have thought about needing to come to ask me for help and strength. I get it. There are at least three reasons, that I can think of, why you made it so I would need to come to ask you for help and strength. First, you want me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. If I never needed anything I would be self-reliant, self-sufficient, and self-centered. My weaknesses remind me that you are source of my strength. My weaknesses keep me coming back to you for help. My weaknesses cause me to come to rely on you. My weaknesses help keep me living in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, that’s right. Next, I think that you want me to work in a partnership with you. What do you mean by that? You want to do in and through me what I could never do by myself. You want me to know that you are helping me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Knowing and doing your will has given me hope and meaning in life. It brings me great joy to know that I am doing what you have planned for me to do for you. That is very good. Finally, I’m sure that you want others to know that you have worked in and through my life. As they see you doing in and through me, what only you could do, they will be drawn to you. You will receive all the praise and honor and glory for doing in and through my life, what I couldn’t possibly have done. That’s right. Will you keep on coming to ask for my help? Will you keep on relying on me for all that you need? Yes, I will.

 Holy Spirit, I am weak. I desperately need your help. I don’t know how to pray. I am coming to you now to ask for your help. Thank you for interceding for me even when I don’t know how to pray. Thank you for helping me in every one of my weaknesses. Amen

Key Question… When have your weaknesses caused you to ask the Holy Spirit for His help?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to pray for and help you in all your weaknesses.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will pray for you and help you in all your weaknesses.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when the Holy Spirit prayed for and helped you in your weaknesses.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Holy Spirit to pray for and help you in all your weaknesses.

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

Holy Spirit – Romans 8-26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – 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

How You Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Luke 8:18 - How You Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Luke 8:18 – How You Listen – Growing As Disciples

Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” Luke 8:18 (NIV)

Consider Carefully

Don’t let what I’m saying go right by you. Don’t let my words go in one of your ears and right out the other. Grab ahold of all that I am saying to you. Take possession of what I am saying to you. Make what I am saying to you your very own. Focus your heart and mind and life on my words. Let my word grow in you. Let my word flourish in your life so that you will be able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I don’t want these words to go right by me. I want to hear all that you are saying to me. I want to put into practice all that you are teaching me. That’s good.

How can I make sure that I am hearing you? How can I carefully consider all your words. How can I grab ahold of all that you are saying to me? Those are good questions. What will certainly hinder your ability to hear from me? If I don’t stop to take time to listen to you, I will certainly not hear from you. If I let the noise and busyness of life crowd into my heart and mind and life I will never take hold of all that you want to teach me. That’s right. I need to make hearing your words an absolute priority in my life. If I seek you with all my heart I will hear from you. Yes, you will.

What will you do if you are serious about hearing from me? I will set aside a special time to meet with you. I will set aside a sacred place to meet with you. Why do you need to have a special time and a sacred place to meet with me? I need a special time and a sacred place to meet with you to develop the habit of hearing and listening to you. My ability to listen and hear to you is weak and undeveloped. I cannot hear you over the noise and busyness of life. I cannot carefully consider all that you are saying to me without dedicating the focus of my heart and mind and life to you. I don’t want to half hear you. I want to give you my full attention. That is very good. Come to me. Listen carefully to all that I want to say to you. Receive all that I want to give to you. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, I have set aside a special time and a sacred place to meet with you. I will leave the busyness and noise of life behind so I can listen carefully to all that you want to say to me. Speak to me. I am listening. I will put into practice all you want to teach me. Amen

Key Question… When have you attempted to build your life on something other than God’s word?

Living It Out… Build a solid foundation for your life by hearing and putting God’s word into practice.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will have a solid foundation when you hear and put God’s word into practice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to be the foundation of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear God’s word and put it into practice.

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

Therefore – Luke 8-18 – How You Listen – 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