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

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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

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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

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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

An Instrument

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 2 Timothy 2:20-21 - An Instrument - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 2 Timothy 2:20-21 – An Instrument – Growing As Disciples

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV)

In Tune

Do you want to be a tool in my hand? Do you want to be a useful instrument that I can use? Do you want to be in tune and prepared and ready to do all the good works that I have prepared for you to do for me? Yes, I want to be used by you. I want to be a tool and instrument that you can use. Nothing would delight me more than to know that I am fulfilling your purposes and accomplishing your plans. I want to go and do all that you ask of me. How can I be in tune and prepared and ready to do the good works that you have prepared for me to do for you? How can I be an instrument in your hand? Those are very good questions.

I will make you ready to serve me. Follow me and I will prepare you. Follow me and I will teach you. Follow me and I will train you. Will you follow me to where I lead you to do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will follow you. As you follow me what will you also being doing? I’m not sure what you mean. As you follow me, what will you be leaving behind? I will put off my old life and leave it behind as I move forward with you. I will receive your forgiveness and cleansing of all my sin.  I will no longer allow myself to become entangled in all the values, patterns and practices of the world. I will allow you to change my heart and transform my mind. I will think your thoughts. I will begin to know and do your will. Yes, you will. What else? I will put on the new life that you have given to me live. I will walk in your ways as I follow you. I will go and do your will. That’s right. 

So, answer your own question. How can I be an instrument in your hand? That’s it. I can be an instrument in your hand as I put off my old life, am renewed in my mind, and put on my new life. Then I will always be in tune and prepared and ready for your use. Yes, you will. With your help, this is what I will keep on doing as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to be in tune with you. Remove anything from my life that causes me to be out of tune with you. Make me ready for use as your instrument in the world. Use my life to do good works that bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How are you keeping your life in tune with the Lord so He can use you as His instrument in the world?

Living It Out… Keep your life in tune with the Lord so He can use you as His instrument in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you as His instrument in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been using you as His instrument in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you has His instrument in the world?

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

Be – 2 Timothy 2-20-21 – An Instrument – 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

Wrong Motives

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - James 4:1-3 - Wrong Motives - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – James 4:1-3 – Wrong Motives – Growing As Disciples

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1-3 (NIV)

Motive

I know that I have had plenty of wrong desires. I have wanted something that I did not get. I have often coveted what I could not have. I know that my wrong desires have created conflict within me. I have been discontent. I have been discouraged and disappointed. I have been upset and angry. I have not given thanks to you for all the good things you have given to me. I have been ungrateful. Forgive me. You are forgiven, you know that. Yes, I do. I am thankful for your forgiveness of all my sin. I am grateful for your cleansing of all my unrighteousness. That’s good.

How have your wrong desires motivated your prayers? I have prayed for the wrong things. Like what? I have asked for everything I wanted. I have prayed for everything that would bring comfort and pleasure to my life. I have asked that every burden would be lifted and every inconvenience would be removed. I have asked for smooth and happy sailing every day of my life. My prayers have revolved around me. I am tired and weary praying for me and my wants and needs and desires. It is not wrong to pray for your wants and needs and desires. It is my delight to meet your needs and wants and desires. Yes, I know. You have richly blessed my life. But, I want to pray prayers that will make a difference in the world. How so? I want to pray prayers that come from you. I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to do what is pleasing to you. I want to ask for what you want. What do you want me to pray for? That is a very good question. Yes, I want that question to dwell richly in my heart and mind and life. Keep on coming to me. Keep on asking me that question. I will guide your motives and give you prayers to pray. Your prayers will make a difference in the world. Do you know why that is? I’m not positive. I will give you prayers to pray that I will hear and answer. I will give you prayers to pray that will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is what I want. That is my desire. That is the motive of my heart and mind and life. Yes, I know. That is very good.

Lord, I want to pray according to your will. I want to have right desires within me. I don’t want to covet what I can’t have. Help me to pray according to your will. Help me to ask for what you want to give to me. Help me to pray prayers you will hear and answer. Amen

Key Question… When has wanting and coveting something you can’t have misguided your prayers?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you the right motives and prayers to pray to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you the right motives and prayers to pray to Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you the right motives and prayers to pray to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to give you the right motives and prayers to pray to Him.

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

Prayer – James 4-1-3 – Wrong Motives – 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

Anxious For Nothing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Philippians 4:6-7 - Anxious For Nothing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – Growing As Disciples

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Trust Me 

You are filled with anxiety. You are carry burdens that are too heavy for you to carry. You are worrying needlessly. Do you know why you are filled with anxiety? Do you know why you carry such heavy burdens? I live with a lot of worrisome situations. I have a lot to worry about. Does that sound like the correct answer to you? No, it doesn’t sound like the correct answer. But, I don’t have any other answer, that might sound better. Would you like to talk about why you are filled with anxiety? Would you like to discuss why you are carrying burdens that are too heavy for you to carry? Yes, I think I would like that. You seem a little hesitant. I am a little hesitant. Why is that? I may not like hearing why I worry and am filled with so much anxiety. You are right about that. I’m still willing to listen. That’s good. 

Are you ready to listen right now? Yes, I am ready to listen right now. Here we go. You think you can. I think I can what? You think you can handle your own worrisome situations. You think you are in control of your life. You think that you should be able to solve every problem and handle every circumstance. You think you are in charge of your own life. When you realize that you are not in control or in charge of your own life you worry. When situations and circumstances are beyond your control you worry about them. Does my assessment sound correct to you? Yes, it does. Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. When you asked me to be your Savior and Lord didn’t you give up control of your life to me? Yes, I did. Didn’t you tell me that you were going to let me be in charge of your life? Yes, I did. If you really let me be in control and in charge of your life would your life be filled with so much worry and anxiety? No, I suppose not. You suppose not? I am certain that my life would not be filled with so much worry and anxiety if I fully entrusted my life to you. That’s right.

I have one more question for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. What has prevented you from fully entrusting your life to me? I’m not sure. Is this the part that I may not want to hear? Good guess. Yes, it is. You have my full attention. Why don’t you tell me the answer? You have figured out the answer, of that I’m positive. My own pride has caused me to be filled with worry and anxiety. That’s right. Will you humbly turn all your worries and anxieties to me? Will you allow me to carry your burdens? Will you allow me to release you from worry and anxiety? Will you allow me to fill you with my peace? Yes Lord, I will turn every one of my worries and anxieties into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have lived a life filled with anxiety. I have carried burdens that were too heavy for me to carry. I have worried unnecessarily. Guard my heart and mind. Help me to turn every one of my anxieties into a prayer to you so that I can receive your peace. Amen

Key Question… When have you received God’s peace because you turned a worry into a prayer to Him?

Living It Out… Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to God so that you can receive His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will receive God’s peace as you turn your worries into prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group a worry that you have turned into a prayer to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your anxieties into prayers to God so that you can receive His peace.

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

Be – Philippians 4-6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – 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.

Rest – Restore

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 23:1-3 - Rest - Restore - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 23:1-3 – Rest – Restore – Growing As Disciples

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

Restoration

Will you come to rest in my presence? Will you set aside a time and a place to meet with me? Will you leave the noise and busyness of your life to be quiet before me? Will you feast on my word? Will you listen to all that I have to say to you? Will you let my word refresh, revive and restore your soul? Will you taste of my goodness, kindness, mercy and love? Will you drink deeply of the life that I have called you to live? Will you allow me to feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst? Yes Lord, I will come to you. Yes, I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you. Yes, I will let you refresh, revive and restore my soul. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than to listen to you. I have been running. I have been busy. I am worn out. My soul is in desperate need of restoration. Here I am right now. I’m quiet. Speak to me, Lord, I’m listening.

I did not make you to run on empty. You are not independent and self-sufficient. You cannot give to others what you do not have for yourself. You need me. I am your Good Shepherd. I have all that you need. You will not want, when you come to rely on me. Come to me, not because you should. Come to me, not because you must. Come to me, because you want and need me. Come to me, because I love you. Come to me, because you love me. Yes Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You have let me taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You have allowed me to feast on your word. You have fed my hunger and satisfied my thirst. You have met my needs. You have guided my life. You have directed my course. You are molding and shaping my life. You are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are helping me to know your will. You are helping me to walk in your ways. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will walk with you on this path of life that you have laid out for me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been weary. I have been worn out. I have been bruised and battered and broken. My soul is in need of restoration. Help me to come to rest in green pastures. Lead me by still waters. Restore my soul as I eat and drink of the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it the daily rhythm of your life to come to rest in the Lord’s presence?

Living It Out… Make it the daily rhythm of your life to rest in the Lord’s presence so that He can restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will restore your soul as you come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are developing a daily rhythm of resting in the Lord’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to restore your soul as you rest in His presence.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 23-1-3 – Rest – Restore – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Humbled – Exalted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 14:11 - Humbled - Exalted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 14:11 – Humbled – Exalted – Growing As Disciples

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Me 

There is been no doubt about it. I have been filled with pride. Life has revolved around me. I have thought of my comfort. I have sought my own pleasure. I have catered to my own wants and needs and desires. When have I thought of others? When have I looked at life through the eyes of another? When have I considered what others might want and need? Seldom if at all, I don’t know. Seldom if ever, I’m not sure. You do have a problem with pride. But, you have gone to far. You have said too much. You have given much of your life in service to others. You have frequently gone way out of your way to give your time, talent and resources to those who are in need. Don’t forget what I have done in and through you. Remember how I have used you to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have brought glory to my name. So, don’t go over overboard. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t allow yourself to be depressed. You are under attack. You are in a fight. You are in a battle. You are at war. Nothing will be gained by allowing yourself to fall under condemnation. That is the devil’s trick. That is his trap. That is his plan.

How will I be able to live a humble life that is pleasing to you? Not by a lot self-effort that is for sure. If you want to live a humble life before me what will you do? I will come to you. I will rest in your presence. I will ask for your help. I will allow you to mold and shape my life. You will teach me. You will train me. You will make me into the person that want me to be. Yes, I will. Will you trust me? Do you believe that I can remove your pride? Do you believe that I can fill you with humility? Do you know that I will help you to live a life that is pleasing to me? Yes Lord, you can do all things. I will trust you. I will allow you to do your work in and through my life. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been filled with pride. I have been self-serving. I have been self-seeking. I have been self-sufficient. I have thought only about myself. Forgive me. Heal me of my pride. I want to live a humble life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… Why will living a pride filled, self-serving, self-seeking, self-sufficient life lead to your unhappiness?

Living It Out… Make it the practice and rhythm of your life to choose humility over pride.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to lead a humble life that is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a humble life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself as you follow and serve the Lord today.

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

Rhythms – Luke 14-11 – Humbled – Exalted – 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

Like A Tree

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Psalm 1:3 - Like A Tree - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Psalm 1:3 – Like A Tree – Growing As Disciples

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 1:3 (AMP)

Fruit Bearing

Do you want to be like a tree that is planted by a stream of water? Do you want to be refreshed and revived and restored in your soul? Do you want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful? Do you want the work of your hands to prosper? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I want my life to prosper. Yes, I want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful. Most of all, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. How can all these things be true of my life? How can I live the life that you are calling me to live? Those are very good questions. It pleases me to hear you asking these questions.

If you want to live the life of fruitfulness that I am calling you to live you must do two things at the same time. Are you ready to hear what I have to say to you? Yes, you have my full attention. I am listening attentively to your every word. That’s good. First, you must remove yourself from evil of every kind. You must not allow yourself to hang around evil of any kind. Run from evil. I’m not sure what you mean. You know that there are places you should not go. You know that there are things you should not do. The world and all its evil is constantly trying to mold you into its pattern of values and practices. The world and all its evil will hinder you from living the life that I am calling you to live. The world and all its evil will deaden you to hearing my voice. You must guard what you allow yourself to hear so that you will be able to hear from me. Do you have some ideas of what influences you should eliminate from your life? Yes, I do. Keep a careful watch over what you allow to come into your life. I got it, what then, what’s next? Not next, but at the same time, feed your heart and mind and life and soul on my word. You will be putting evil on a starvation diet while you feast on my word. Meditate on my word day and night. When I say, “day and night” I am not exaggerating. Carry my word with you wherever you go. Have my word constantly in your heart and on your mind. As you do this, my word will change your heart and transform your mind. You will begin to think my thoughts. You will know my will and walk in my ways. You will do what is pleasing to me. I will bless the work of your hands. You will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That’s what I want. That is what you will have as you starve evil and feast on my word.

Lord, I will separate myself from anything that might hinder me from living the life that you have called me to live for you. I will meditate on your word day and night so you can nourish my heart, mind, life and soul and make me abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you eliminating anything from your life that might hinder your fruitfulness for God?

Living It Out… Meditate on God’s word day and night so that you can live a life that bears fruit for God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that meditating on God’s word will nourish your heart, mind, life and soul so you can bear fruit for God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are meditating on God’s word day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so He can refresh your life and make you fruitful for Him.

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

Be – Psalm 1-3 – Like A Tree – 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