Worries Of This Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life – Growing As Disciples

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (NIV)

Planting

Do you want me to plant my word in your life? Yes, I’m sure that I do. Do you have any idea how that might happen? I’m not sure. Do you think that you will see and hear my word while you are doing something else? Like what? Pick any activity in your life, where and when have you heard or seen my word? I only hear or see your word when I take the time to sit down to read it. That’s my point. If you want me to plant my word in your life you must participate in the process. You must make time and have a place where and when you meet with me in my word. You can’t tell me that you want me to plant my word in your life if you’re not meeting with me in my word. I get it, that makes sense to me.

Do you want my word to grow and flourish in your life? Yes, of course I do. How do you read my word? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you carefully consider my word? Do you listen attentively to my word? Do you meditate on my word day and night? Do you ask me how I want to apply my word to your life? You must allow my word to change your heart and transform your mind. I am meeting with you in your word. I am attentively listening and carefully considering your word. I do think about your word all the time. Your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are giving me new thoughts to think and a new life to live that is guided by your word. Yes, you are and yes I am.

Do you want your life to bear and abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory? I sure do, more than anything else in all of life. Are you making sure that nothing chokes the growth of my word in your life? Like what? Are you letting yourself be too busy to meet with me in my word? No, I don’t think so. Are you letting the worries and cares of this world short circuit what I want to do in and through you? If I am you will need to show that to me.  Are you pursuing the riches and pleasures of this world? I don’t think so, although this is certainly an area of danger for me. Yes, it is, I’m glad that you see that. Is there any sin that is hindering your desire to come and meet with me? If there is, then you will need to show that to me as well. I’m sure that I have sin and that I am a sinner. But, I’m not allowing anything to stop me from coming to you. That’s very good.

Keep coming to me to meet with me in my word. I will continue to plant my word in you so that it will flourish and grow. Then you will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory. Then you will be able to live the life that I have given you to live. Then you will be able to know and do my will. Then my word will dwell in you richly. Is this what you want? Yes Lord, it is.

Lord, plant your word in my life. Let your word grow and flourish in me. Show me if there is anything that is choking the growth of your word in me. Change my heart and mind by your word. Make my life abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making yourself available to God so that He can plant His word into your life?

Living It Out… Make yourself available to God so that He can plant His word in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will grow like seed in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been growing in you, making you fruitful for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s word grow and flourish in you so that your life can be abundantly fruit for Him.

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

Life – Matthew 13-22 – Worries Of This Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:19-20 - Quick To Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:19-20 – Quick To Listen – Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Take Notes 

Are you ready to take notes? Are you ready and willing to listen carefully to what I want to say to you? You have my full attention. I’m ready to take notes and write down everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Start writing. You have not been a good listener. Have you ever thought of listening without thinking about what you might say next? Not really. You have been far more concerned about what you might say than with what you might hear. I’m sure that’s true. Why is that? I have liked to debate. I have wanted to present my point of view. I have wanted to make my case. I have wanted to win arguments. That’s funny. What’s funny about that? You want to win. You have been so concerned with winning an argument or debate that you haven’t listened well. You have been quick to speak. You have been slow to listen. You have allowed yourself to angrily debate an issue, when the far better course would have been to listen and keep your mouth shut. What’s funny, ironic really, is that the sure way to lose out in life is to not listen well to what others are saying to you. You would be far better off to listen carefully to others rather than to quickly speak what is on your mind. I have a question for you. I’m listening. How many ears have I given to you? You have given me two ears. That’s right. How many mouths have I given to you? You have given me one mouth. That is also right. Your answers should give you a clue about how much I want you to listen and how much I want you to speak. You want me to listen twice as much as I speak? Sometimes, I want you to speak far less than that.

Do you like what has happened to you when you have allowed yourself to get caught up in a heated debate? No, not really. Why is that? I have not enjoyed the experience of rushing into a debate. Then, I know that I have not listened well. I know that I have not taken in what has been said to me. I have not allowed myself to benefit from what others have said to me. The words of others have gone in one ear and out the other, if they have entered my hearing at all. Why is that? I have been filled with pride. I have not valued the thoughts and words of others. I have thought that I knew better. I have thought that I knew it all. Do you know it all? No, I know very little. I need all the help and wise counsel I can receive. That’s very good. Yes, you do need wise counsel from people that I will bring into your life. To receive that counsel, you must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. I will listen more carefully. When you listen more carefully, speak less often and don’t allow yourself to become angry, you will be able to live the righteous life that I am calling you to live. That’s what I want.

Lord, I have been impatient and filled with pride. I have been a poor listener that thought I knew it all. I have been quick to speak to offer my opinion. In the heat of debate, I have allowed anger to grow in me. No more! Help me to live the life you desire for me. Amen 

Key Question… How have you been harmed by being slow to listen carefully to what others had to say to you?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life He desires.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be quick to listen to all that He wants you to hear.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being quick to listen to what others say to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life God desires for you.

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

Be – James 1-19-20 – Quick To Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Content

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Philippians 4:11-12 - Content - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:11-12 – Content – Growing As Disciples

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Learning 

There is something that you need to learn. What’s that? You need to learn to be content. Why do I need to learn to be content? That should be an easy question for you to answer. Why is that? Have you lived a life full of contentment? No, I’m sure that I have not lived a life filled with contentment. Then let’s talk about that. Why have you not been content? That’s a good question. Do you have any good answers? I have answers, I’m sure that they are not good. I’m listening. Well, I have looked around a lot and compared myself with others. I have wanted what I didn’t have. I wanted to be who I was not. So, comparing yourself with others has left you unhappy, unsatisfied and wanting more out of life and more out of yourself. That’s right. That may be true, but it isn’t right. What do you mean by that? Have you ever been satisfied when you have compared yourself with others? No, I have not. Have you ever been satisfied when you have chased after and finally acquired what you wanted to have or to be? Not really. Hasn’t there always been some new thing to want or to be when you have continued to compare yourself with others? That’s true. How much to you need to acquire? How much will you need to accomplish to feel good about who you are and what you have done? What would make you content? What will help get you off this treadmill of always chasing after more. When will you learn to rest and be content with what you have and who you are? I don’t know. I don’t have any answers to your questions. 

I would like to be content. How can I learn to be content? Are you asking me for my help? Yes, I am asking you to teach me how to be content. I want to be able to rest. I want out of the life of always chasing after more. That’s very good. That’s a good starting point. I want you to think about something. What’s that? Imagine that your life on this earth is now over and you and I are looking back over your life. What will you have wanted your life to accomplish? What would you like to tell me about yourself based on how you lived your life? What will you be content with regarding what you did and who you became? Those are good questions. Yes, and now is a good time to answer them. I would be content with knowing you and being known by you. I would be content with telling you that I spent my life knowing and doing your will. I would be content with living the life that you called me to live. I would be content if day by day I allowed you to mold and shape my life. I would be content if I became the person you called me to be. I would be content if I bore fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. Is there anything that compares with these desires? No, I would want or need nothing more if all these things were true of the life I lived with and for you. You would be content with the fulfillment of these desires? Yes, I would be content. Pursue me and the life I have for you. Then you will learn to be content and your desires will be fulfilled.

Lord, I have lived a life filled with discontent. I have had a desire for more that has caused me to chase after things that would not satisfy. Help me to learn to be content with what I have received. Help me to be fully content with knowing and doing your will. Amen

Key Question… How has your life suffered under a continual desire for something more?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to learn to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to learn to be content with what he has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have learned to be content with what the Lord has given you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you learn to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

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

Be – Philippians 4-11-12 – Content – 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

You Are Faithful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Luke 16:10-12 - You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Luke 16:10-12 – You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)

Little Things

You would like to have large responsibilities. You would like to be in charge of many things. You would like me to use you in significant ways. You would like your life to make a large impact. You would like your life to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You would like to bring glory to my name. Is all of this true? Yes, all of this is true.

If you want these desires and prayers of your heart to come true, is there a price you must pay? That sounds like a good question. What price must I pay if I want to be powerfully used by you? You must learn to be faithful in little things, if you want me to give you large responsibilities. You must show me that you can handle little details, if you want me to use you in significant ways. You must be willing to do work that goes unnoticed. You must be willing to do jobs for which you will receive little or no recognition. You must humble yourself and take on the form of a servant. You must learn to serve like I served. You must learn to give like I gave. No task will be too small for you. No job will be below your station in life. You must learn to go where I guide you. You must be willing to do whatever I ask of you. Will you go where I guide you and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.  That will be very good. But there is more.

What else are you asking of me? You must give up on the idea of being powerfully used by me. You must stop thinking of doing great things for me. You must give up on the idea of doing and being great. These thoughts are too dangerous for you. These desires are too tempting for you. Think about doing all the little things I ask of you. Do the one little thing after another that I will give you to do for me. All the little things I give you to do for me will bring glory to my name. All the little things I give you to do for me will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. Will you also do all the little things that I ask you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me, whenever you ask it of me, however and wherever you ask it of me. Then you will know and do my will. Then these prayers and desires of your heart will be heard and answered. Then I will powerfully use you for my kingdom and glory.

Lord, I need your wisdom, power and strength. I want to be faithful and trustworthy in all my responsibilities. I’m sure that I have done what did not need to be done and left undone what needed to be done. Help me to be completely faithful and trustworthy. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

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

If – Luke 16-10-12 – You Are Faithful – 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

Forgiven – Forgive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythm - Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgiven - Forgive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythm – Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – Growing As Disciples

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

Forgiveness

You have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have received from me what you did not deserve. You have been given what you could not earn or merit. Your old life is dead and gone. The power of sin over your life has been broken. I am your Savior and Lord. You have a completely new life to live in me. For that, I am so very thankful. I am excited and anxious and thrilled to live the new life that you have called me to live. That’s very good. 

I have a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. What will my new life look like? How will I know if I am living the life that you have called me to live? Those are very good questions. Tell me, the answers to those questions. You think I know the answers to those questions? I am certain you know the answers to those questions. I will know I am living the life you have called me to live when I am allowing you to mold and shape my life. Every day you will be changing me. Your work in my life will never stop until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. That’s right. I am the work of your hands. I will be your masterpiece. Day by day, I will become more like you. You will allow me to think your thoughts. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will teach me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. That’s right.

What else will you do for others just like I have done for you? I will forgive others just like you have forgiven me. When someone sins against me, I will not hold that sin against them. Just as I have received your forgiveness, others will also receive my forgiveness. That is very good. What will be the result of your freely forgiving others? As I forgive others, I will be a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see you living in and through my life. They will want what I have. What’s that? They will want to live in an intimate relationship with you. They will want to love like you loved. They will want to forgive like you forgave. Yes, they will. As you live like I lived and do what I did you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is the prayer and desire of my heart. I will hear and answer that prayer and desire of your heart.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world so that I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. Make me able to love others just like you love me. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

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

Rhythms – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – 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

Brings Healing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 12:18 - Brings Healing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 12:18 – Brings Healing – Growing As Disciples

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Listen And Speak

How carefully are you monitoring the thoughts that you allow yourself to think? How well are you guarding the words that are coming out of your mouth? Those are two very good questions. I’m not sure that I am doing a very good job of monitoring my mind or guarding my mouth. Why is that? I know that I have been thinking and saying words that have not been pleasing to you. How so? I have thought and said words that have pierced others like a sword. My words have been cutting. My words have been critical. My words have been sarcastic. Those are not words that I like to hear. Are those words that you like to hear? Are those words that anyone likes to hear? No, they are not. Those kinds of words do damage that is difficult to repair. That’s true. 

What kind of words do you like to hear? I like to hear words of encouragement. I like to hear words of affirmation. I like to hear words that uplift my spirit and express confident hope in my future. I like it when others see positive things in me that I don’t even see in myself. I like it when other say words that spur me on to bigger and better things. What do these kinds of words do for you? These kinds of words bring healing to my entire being. These kinds of words unlock the potential that you have created in me to fulfill. These words help me to be and do all that you have in mind for me. When I hear these kinds of words I get up and get going to do your will. Would you like to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others? Would you like your words to bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? Would you like me to speak through you so that others will get up and get going to do my will? Yes Lord, I would.

How can I know your words? How can I know the words that will bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? If you want to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others you must learn to do two things well at the same time. What’s that? You must listen well to others and you must listen well to me. Listen to what others are saying to you. Listen to what others need to hear. Listen to what I am saying to you. Listen to what I want to give you to speak into the lives of others. As you listen to others and listen to me I will give you words to speak that will bring health and hope and healing. Will you do these two things well? Will you listen and speak well for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, often I have hurried my thoughts and rushed my words. I have said reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. Forgive me. I want to think your thoughts and speak your words. Use my mind and mouth to speak words of healing to others. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used you to speak words that brought healing to another person?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to speak healing words to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak well thought out words that bring healing to others.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 12-18 – Brings Healing – 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

Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord

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Discipleship Study - If - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – If – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)

Grow Up 

Do you want to continue to grow up in your salvation? Do you want to become mature in your faith? Do you want to taste of my goodness? Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to grow up and become mature in my faith. Yes, I want to continue to grow up in my salvation. I want to taste of your goodness. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want nothing less than all that you have for me. What must I do if I want to continue to grow up in my salvation and mature in my faith? How can I keep on tasting of your goodness? Those are very good questions. 

There are two things that you must do if you want to grow up in your salvation and mature in your faith. There are two things that you must do if you want to live the life that I have called you to live. There are two things you must do if you want to receive all that I have for you. There are two things you must do if you want to keep on tasting of my goodness.

What things must I do? You must rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. That sounds very difficult. Actually, that sounds impossible. If it were up to you and your efforts it would be impossible for you to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. But, you have tasted my goodness. You have received my grace and mercy. You have turned from your sin to follow me. On the cross I broke the power of sin over your life. You now have a new life to live in me. You are now dead to sin and alive to me. I know this is all true. I have given my life to you. I know that I have a new life to live in you. I know that you have broken the power of sin over my life. Yet, I have had a very difficult time ridding myself of evil and leaving sin behind me. There is something else that you must also do, that you haven’t been doing. What’s that? You must feed on my word. You must desire my word like a newborn baby. As you feed on my word you will continue to taste of my goodness. As you feed on my word your hunger and thirst for me and the life I have for you will grow. As you feed on my word I will change your heart and transform your mind. You will no longer want the evil that is in the world. You will want to rid yourself of every evil. You will want to leave evil behind you. As you meet with me in my word you will taste of my goodness, grow up in your salvation, mature in your faith and be able to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that is what I want.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word has helped me to rid myself of evil. Feeding on your word has allowed me to taste your goodness. Feeding on your word and tasting your goodness has caused me to continue to grow up in my salvation. Amen

Key Question… How has daily feeding on God’s word allowed you to taste the goodness of the Lord?

Living It Out… Leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word so that you can continue to grow up in your salvation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow up in your salvation as you leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are leaving evil behind and feeding on God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rid yourself of all evil and desire God’s word so you can grow up in your salvation.

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

If – 1 Peter 2-1-3- Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – 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

Belonged To The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - John 15:18-19 - Belonged To The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – John 15:18-19 – Belonged To The World – Growing As Disciples

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-19 (NIV)

World

You no longer belong to the world. I have chosen you from out of the world. Even though you still live in the world you are no longer of the world. I have changed you. You will think differently than those who are in the world. Your values will not be the same. Your desires will be different. You will want what I want. You will desire to know and do my will.  You will want to accomplish my purposes. You will speak differently than those who are in the world. Your words will give life. You words will build others up rather than tear them down. You will act differently than those who are in the world. Your actions will offer healing and help and hope to others. In every way you will stand out in the world. You will shine brightly for me. You will be like a light set on a hill. You will be like salt that adds a pleasant flavor in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see me living in and through your life. That’s the good news. Is there news that isn’t quite so good? Do you mean what’s the bad news? Yes, I suppose so. I didn’t want to say it quite like that.

The world hated me. The world will hate you. This should never take you by surprise. The world’s hate will take on many forms. You will be ridiculed. You will be disdained. You will be mocked. The world rejected me. The world will reject you. What do you think of all this? On one hand this sounds terrible. On the other hand it comes as very good news. Why do you say that? The world will remind me that I do not belong to it when it hates me. The world will affirm to me that I belong to you when I am mistreated by it.  The world will encourage me to draw near to you to receive your comfort, encouragement and strength when I have been rejected by it. The world will let me know that I am shining brightly for you when its darkness tries to overcome me. There is one thing that I know for certain. What’s that? You are with me as I live in this world. Yes, I am. You will give me all the help I need as I live in this world for you. Yes, I will.

 Lord, thank you for choosing me out of the world. Even though I still live in the world I am no longer of the world. Help me to shine brightly in the world as one of your followers. I will be encouraged when I am hated because I know the world also hated you. Amen

Key Question… How has your life changed since Jesus Christ chose you from out of the world to live your life for Him?

Living It Out… Live your life as one who has been chosen from out of the world and now belongs to Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has chosen you from out of the world to live a changed life with and for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how being chosen from out of the world changes the way that you live.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live your life knowing that you have been chosen out of the world to live your life for the Lord.

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

If – John 15-18-19 – Belonged To The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Nothing Is Impossible With God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Luke 1:37-38 - Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Luke 1:37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 (NIV) 

Your Servant

I am your servant. I will go where you send me. I will do what you ask of me. I will not second guess your word. I will not doubt your command. It is my wholehearted desire to know and do your will. It is my prayer to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I know that you can do the impossible. Nothing is too hard for you. You can and will do what I cannot possibly do by myself. With your guidance, I will know what to do for you. With your direction, I will know where to go for you. With your power and strength, I will be able to do whatever you ask of me, of that I am certain. Apart from you, I can do nothing that will amount to anything that would last for all eternity. That’s true. But, you will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom. You will cause me to bring glory to your name. Yes, I will of that you can be sure.

How will you know where I am guiding you? How will you know what I am asking of you? How will you receive all the power and strength that you will need from me? I will wait in your presence. I will listen to your voice. I will follow your instructions. I will not run ahead of you. I will not wander away from you. I will not lag behind you. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. I will join you in the work that you will give me to do for you. I will rely on you for all that I need to do your will. I will not rely on my own power and strength. To do so would be a tragic mistake that would result in certain failure. Yes, that’s true. 

Why are you so willing to follow me? Why are you so committed to serving me? I want to follow and serve you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am on fire with passion to live my life fully and completely with and for you. There is no place I would rather go, nothing I would rather do, than go to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I want what you want. My life is in your hands. Use me however you desire. I am all yours. I am your servant. Yes, you are and yes, I will use you according to my purposes and plans.

 Lord, I will say yes to you no matter what you ask of me. I will believe and trust in you even when you ask me to join you in doing what seems impossible. I know you are God and there is nothing impossible that you can’t do. Amen

Key Question… What is God asking you to do for Him right now that seems nearly impossible to you?

Living It Out… Say yes to God by following and serving Him wherever He leads you to do whatever He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can wholeheartedly trust God’s will and plan for your life as you follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has asked you to participate in doing what seems impossible.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you say yes to God to join Him in what He wants to do in and through you even when it seems impossible.

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

Faith – Luke 1-37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Measure Of Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Romans 12:3 - Measure Of Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Romans 12:3 – Measure Of Faith – Growing As Disciples

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV) 

Self-Evaluation 

What do you think about yourself? What kind of question is that? It is a very important question. Why is that an important question? What difference does it make what I think about myself? You are willing to admit that you do think about yourself? Yes, of course I think about myself. How much do you think about yourself? I’m sure that I think about myself far too often. Why is that? I think about myself all the time. What kind of thoughts do you think about yourself? I ask myself a lot of questions. Like what? I ask myself if I’m having fun. I ask myself if I am enjoying life. I ask myself if I am happy with all the decisions that I have made. I wonder if I will have any regrets. Do you have any regrets? I have a lot of regrets. Why is that? I have made a lot of dumb mistakes. I have wasted a lot of time. I have gone where I shouldn’t have gone. I have said what I shouldn’t have said. I have done what I shouldn’t have done. What do you think about yourself and all the mistakes that you have made? Sometimes, I think of myself as an idiot and a loser. Sometimes, I wallow in my past mistakes and become quite depressed about them. Do you think that I think you are a loser? Do you think that I wallow in your past mistakes and become quite depressed about them? Those are very interesting questions. Why is that? I’m asking myself why I would allow myself to think thoughts about myself that you certainly don’t think about me. That is a very good question to ask yourself. Now, you are beginning to see how important it is to consider what you are thinking about yourself. Yes, I am.

What do you think I would like you to do with your thoughts about yourself? I think you want me to let you guide the thoughts I think about myself. You don’t want me to think too highly of myself. You want me to have a humble heart and mind and life. You want me to know that everything that I am and hope to be has and will come to me as a gift from you. That’s right. You don’t want me to think too lowly of myself. You want me to know that I am special. I am your child. You are working in and through my life. The past is gone. You have redeemed and renewed my life. I no longer need to live under any condemnation. I have been forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. That’s right. You have given me a new life to live in you. I am your workmanship. I am your masterpiece. You will accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. You will help me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. These are the thoughts that I want you to think about yourself. Hold on to these thoughts as you love, follow and serve me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I give thanks and praise to you because all I am, have done, will do and hope to be has come to me as a gift from you. You have made me who I am. You are molding and shaping my life so that I will be able to do all that you will give me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… Who has permission to give you feedback to help you to honestly evaluate yourself?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to God for how He has made you and how He is using you to bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that all you are, have done, will do, and hope to be has come to you as a gift from God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith in God has helped you to properly evaluate yourself.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly evaluate yourself with the knowledge that everything you have and hope to be comes from Him.

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

Faith – Romans 12-3 – Measure of Faith – 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