Crown Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - James 1:12 - Crown Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – James 1:12 – Crown Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)

Trials And Tests

How have you been able to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life? I’m not sure how to answer that question. Why is that? I’m not sure if I really have persevered and withstood the trials and tests of life. How can you think and say that?  Am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong. You may not have passed all the trials and tests of life in a way that most benefited you. But, you are here right now talking to me. You haven’t run away. You haven’t abandoned your faith. You have held on to me through all the trials and tests that you have faced in life. I could have held on to you a little more tightly. I could have relied on you a little more completely. Yes, that is true. 

What has happened to you as you have taken a hold of my promises? Your promises have sustained and strengthened me. Your promises have given me hope. Your promises have given me joy even in the midst of trials and tests in life. Your promises have helped me to persevere and withstand whatever trail and test that has come my way. Most of all my love for you has grown as I have relied on you and your promises. Do these words of yours sound like someone that has not been persevering and withstanding the trials and tests of life? I guess not. Guess again. No, these are the words of a person who has been sustained and strengthened by you. Yes, that’s right.

Where have I been when you have been in the midst of the trials and tests in life? You have been right there with me in the middle of my trials and tests. It has taken a long time and many trials and tests for me to realize that I have never been alone. Maybe that has been the real test. Say more about that. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to teach me to trust you. Maybe my trails and tests have been meant for me to rely on your strength. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to develop my relationship with you. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to cause me to look to you and the future I will have forever in heaven with you. That’s a lot of maybe, are you really that uncertain? No, I am certain that all my trials and tests have and were meant to accomplish all these purposes.

Do you wish that you wouldn’t have had so many trials and tests in life? That’s a difficult question to answer. Why is that? I have never been a fan of trials and tests. They have been painful for me to endure. But, if I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would trust and rely on you less. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I wouldn’t know you like I do. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would not have my eyes so focused on my life forever in heaven with you. Most of all, if I hadn’t gone through so many trails and tests I might not love you as much as I do. You have been with me to help me through every trail and test in life. Yes, I have been.

Lord, I love you. I know you love me. I am certain that you will help me to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life. Sustain and strengthen me as I joyfully hold on to you and your promises through trials and tests in life. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord helped you to persevere under trials and stand the tests that they have presented to you?

Living It Out… Let your love for the Lord and the hope that you have in Him help you to withstand trials and tests in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to withstand the trials and tests of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord and hold on to Him as you joyfully go through the trials and tests of life.

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

Life – James 1-12 – Crown Of Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Many Parts, But One Body

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 -Many Parts, But One Body - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 -Many Parts, But One Body – Growing As Disciples

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 (NIV)

Your Gifts

What spiritual gifts have I given to you? I can see the look on your face. What’s that? You like a deer caught in head lights. What do you mean by that? You look dumbfounded. You don’t have much of a clue about what are your spiritual gifts. Oh, you have same vague idea of what might be your spiritual gifts. But, you aren’t certain, that’s for sure. Have I got this right? Is what I am saying true? Yes, I have only a vague idea about what might be my spiritual gifts. That vague uncertainty about your spiritual gifts is troubling to you, isn’t it? Yes, I would like to know for certain what spiritual gifts you have given to me. That is a very good desire. 

Why would you like to know what spiritual gifts I have given to you? Does that sound like a dumb question to you? I’m certain that you do not ask dumb questions. No, it is a very good question. Why is that? I want to know how I can best serve you. I would like to better understand your call on my life. I would like greater clarity about where you want me to go and what you want me to do for you. If I am unclear about my spiritual gifts it is unlikely that I will cultivate, develop and fully use them. That’s true. I might even try to function in areas that are completely outside of my spiritual gifting. You have been there and done that. I might even desire and envy spiritual gifts that aren’t mine. There is no, “might” about that. I may waste quite a bit of time trying to do what you have not called or gifted me to do for you. There is no, “may” about that either. You have experienced a lot of frustration and wasted time and effort by not knowing and using your spiritual gifts, isn’t that true? That is completely true.

I want you to know and use your spiritual gifts. I want you to hear my call on your life. I want you to be able to go and do all that I ask of you. I don’t want you to waste your time and effort on something that I have not I have not called or gifted you to do for me. Does all of this come as a surprise to you? No, it does not. What is the problem then? Why are you unclear about your spiritual gifts and my calling on your life? I think there are three things I need to concentrate on and do. What’s that? I need to ask you about my spiritual gifts. I need to listen to what you say to me about my spiritual gifts. Then I need to step out in faith and use the spiritual gifts you have given to me. That’s a good plan. Oh, one more thing. What’s that? I need to stop envying other people and their spiritual gifts and be content to keep on using the spiritual gifts you have given to me. That’s a great idea.

Lord, sometimes I have desired and envied a spiritual gift that wasn’t mine. Sometimes, I have been afraid to step out in faith to use my spiritual gifts. Forgive me of both attitudes. Help me to fully discover and completely use the gifts you have given to me. Amen

Key Question… How have you been able to discover and use a spiritual gift that you have been given?

Living It Out… Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the spiritual gifts you have been given so He can use you in the body of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you spiritual gifts to use so that His body will function together properly.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have discovered and used your gifts in the body of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you discover and use the spiritual gifts God has given to you.

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

Identity – 1 Corinthians 12-14-20 – Many Parts, But One Body – 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

My People

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 2 Chronicles 7:14 - My People - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – My People – Growing As Disciples

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Turn

Would you like to live in a close and intimate relationship with me? Would you like me to forgive your sin and cleanse you of all your unrighteousness? Would you like my healing to come into your life? Do you want me to hear and answer your prayers? Yes, I want to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, I want you to forgive my sin and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness.  Yes, I want your healing to come into my life. Yes, I would like you to hear and answer my prayers. What must I do if I want all of this to be true in my life. That is a very good question. If you want all of this to be true you must turn in two different directions. What two directions must I turn?

You must turn away from evil if you want to live the life that I have called you to live. You must leave your wicked ways behind. You must separate yourself from your old way of thinking, speaking and acting. You must remove yourself from what was once so enticing. You must leave what was once so alluring. This all sounds very difficult, maybe even impossible. I’m not sure that I will have the strength to turn away from every evil. I don’t know that I can do what you are asking of me. I’m not finished yet. It will not be enough for you to turn away from evil. It will not be adequate for you to remove yourself from what was once so enticing and alluring. You are right to think that this would be impossible for you alone to accomplish. You certainly will not have the strength within yourself to turn away from every evil. But, so far, we have only talked about your turning in one direction. Once you have turned away from evil you must turn yourself toward me. I will make you able to turn away from every evil as you turn yourself toward me. As you turn and seek me with all your heart I will bring my healing into your life. I will forgive you of your sin. I will cleanse you of all your unrighteousness. I will make you able to live in a close and intimate relationship with me. Then I will hear and answer your prayers as you seek and follow me with all your heart. Is this what you want? Yes Lord, this is what I want. Will you turn away from evil and turn yourself toward me? Will you seek me with all your heart? Will you humble yourself so you can meet with me in prayer? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I am humbling myself before you so I can come to meet with you in prayer. I have turned away from evil so I can seek you with all my heart. Thank you for forgiving my sin, hearing my prayers and bringing your healing into my life. Amen

Key Question… How has humbling yourself made you ready to come to meet with God in prayer?

Living It Out… Humble yourself and turn from evil so that you can pray and seek the Lord with all your heart.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will forgive your sin and bring His healing into your life as you seek Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have turned from evil to seek the Lord with all your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself, turn from evil and seek the Lord with all your heart.

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

If – 2 Chronicles 7-14 – My People – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

We Don’t Give Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - We Don't Give Up- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – 2 Corinthians 4:1 – We Don’t Give Up- Growing As Disciples

God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don’t give up. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NCV)

The Work 

There is something I want you to know. There is something that I want you to hear loud and clear. There is something that I want you to know and believe without a doubt. There is something rock solid that I want you to hold on to tightly. What’s that? What do you have to tell me? What do I need to know? What do I need to hold on to tightly? I’m listening. You have aroused my curiosity. You have my full attention. I have called you into ministry. I have given you work to do for me. My hand is on you. I will work in and through your life.

Do you know why it is so important for you to know that I have given you work to do for me? I’m not sure. Do you feel encouraged to know that I will work in and through your life? Yes, I do feel encouraged in knowing that you will work in and through my life. You will help me to accomplish your purposes and plans. Do you feel embolden to know that my hand is on you? Yes, I do feel confident in knowing you will empower me to do all that you ask of me. Does it give you hope and meaning and purpose in knowing that I have given you work to do for me? Yes, it does give me hope and meaning and purpose to knowing that that I have been given an assignment from you. I want you to hold on to all that I have said to you here and now. 

Why is it so important to hold on to all that you are saying to me here and now? I know that I need to hold on to every word that you have to say to me. Why will these words be especially important for me to hear? Oh, I think you can answer that question. Let me hear what you have to say. There is no doubt that I will grow weary. I am sure that I will wear out. I will grow tired. I will feel empty and useless. I will question your call. I will doubt my work. I will be tempted to quit. I will want to give up. It will be then that I will need to remember and hear again that you have called me into your service. I will need to remember and hear again that you will help me to keep on doing your work. Your hand will still be on me. You will be with me. You will revive, refresh and restore me. You will fill me up. You will refuel me You will keep on using me. Yes, I will. Hold on to me. Keep on doing the work that I have given you to do for me. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, I know how easy it is to let my life get out of balance. There have been many times I have not taken good care of myself. I need you to revive and refuel my life. Give me your wisdom and strength as I keep on serving you. Amen

Key Question… When have you known for certain that the Lord has given you work to do for Him?

Living It Out… Never give up on doing the work that the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you the strength to keep on doing the work He has given you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has strengthened you to keep on doing His work.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never give up doing the work that God has given you to do for Him.

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

Therefore – 2 Corinthians 4-1 – We Don’t Give Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide

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

Individual users may save the Discipleship 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

With Great Boldness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Acts 4:29-30 - With Great Boldness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Acts 4:29-30 – With Great Boldness – Growing As Disciples

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)

Ask Me

What will you do when you face of strong opposition? What will you do when you find yourself in difficult circumstances? What do you mean by asking me what will I do when I face strong opposition or find myself in difficult circumstances? What will you want me to do when I face strong opposition or find myself in difficult circumstances? That’s a good question that deserves some significant thought on your part. You need to have a good answer for that question long before you face strong opposition or find yourself in difficult circumstances. Not only do you need a good answer to that question, you will need to have practiced and developed your response to trials of these and every other kind. You’re saying that I will need to practice my response to opposition, difficulties and trials of every kind before I experience them? That’s right.

How can I practice my response to opposition, difficulties and trials of every kind? What is your standard of practice right now when you face opposition, difficulties and trials? What do I do right now when I am in trouble? What do I do right now when I am in over my head and desperately need help? What do I do right now when I feel like I sinking fast in a wave of trouble? Yes, what are you doing right now when you need help? Be very careful and honest about how you answer that question. Tell me the truth. Don’t tell me what you think I would like to hear. You want my honest answer? Yes, I do. When I am in a desperate situation, I often pull together all my gifts, talents and resources to try to work myself out of my difficulty. In other words, you have often relied on yourself? Yes, that’s the truth. I’m sure that is the truth. 

How has relying on yourself worked out for you when you have gone through difficulties and faced strong opposition in life? Not, well. I have been weak in my response to the difficulties I have gone through in life. In the face of strong opposition, I have been fearful and timid. I have shrunk back. I have not moved forward. I have not been able to go and do whatever you have asked of me. That’s not good.

What would you like to do differently when you face trials, difficulties and even strong opposition? I would like to rely on you. Would you like to make it your standard of practice to rely on me? Yes, I would. Then ask me for my help. Believe that I am will be with you to help you. Rely on me for my help. In all the little difficulties, you face in life, begin to practice asking for and relying on my help. Will you ask for and rely on my help? Yes Lord, I will. Do you believe that I will make you able to boldly go and fearlessly do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I believe. That’s good.

Lord, there is no doubt I need your power to boldly serve you. Without your help, I can do nothing. Without your strength, I am timid and weak. Give me all I will need to go and do all that you ask of me. Help me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord to help you to boldly go and serve Him with fearless confidence?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to boldly go and serve him with fearless confidence even in the face of strong opposition.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you fearless confidence to boldly go and serve Him even in fearful situations.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to serve Him with fearless confidence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fearlessly go and serve the Lord with the boldness and strength that He will give to you.

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

Character – Acts 4-29-30 – With Great Boldness – 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

Full Of Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Matthew 6:22-23 - Full Of Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Matthew 6:22-23 – Full Of Light – Growing As Disciples

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

Your Focus

What has the focus of your attention? What are you allowing yourself to see with your eyes? Is this an important question?  Yes, this is a very important question. Your entire destiny will be guided by what you allow yourself to see with your eyes. What you allow your eyes to see will become the thoughts of your mind. The thoughts of your mind will become the actions of your life. The actions of your life will define who you are and what you have done. So, I had better think long and hard about what I am allowing myself to see with my eyes. That’s right. 

You have very important choices before you. What are my choices? You can choose to focus your eyes on what will fill your heart and mind and life with light. You can choose to focus your eyes on what will fill your heart and mind and life with darkness. Obviously, I don’t want to focus my eyes on what will fill my heart and mind and life with darkness. No, you do not. How can I focus my eyes on what will fill my eyes and heart and mind and life with light? You must choose to focus your eyes and heart and mind and life on me. In choosing to focus your entire being on me, you will also be taking your focus off the world and all the darkness that is in it. You will walk on the path of light with me. That is what I want. That is what I will do. I will walk with you through life. That will be every good. 

What can I expect and look forward to as I walk through life with you? What will I see as I keep my eyes focused on you? You can look forward to knowing me. You can anticipate being able to know and do my will. You will walk in my ways. You will go where I send you. You will do what I ask of you. It will be your joy to live your life with and for me. As your eyes and heart and mind and life are focused on me you will see me using you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Your focus will no longer be on the treasures of this life. Your focus will be on the rewards of heaven. You will live with eager expectation to the day that you will come to live forever in heaven with me. That is what I want. That is what will you will have as you live your life with and for me.

Lord, my eyes have not always looked in the proper direction. That is an understatement. I have allowed my eyes to see what has brought darkness into my life. No more! Now, I will focus my eyes, heart and mind on you so I can live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you carefully guarding what you allow your eyes to see and mind to think?

Living It Out… Focus your eyes and heart and mind on Jesus Christ so that you can live the life that He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be filled with light as you focus your eyes on Jesus Christ

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your eyes are focused on Jesus Christ and the life He has for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ, so you can live and walk in the light with Him.

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

Be – Matthew 6-22-23 – Full Of Light – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Wiser

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Proverbs 9-9-11 - Wiser - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – Growing As Disciples

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11 (NIV)  

Becoming Wise

Do you want to grow in wisdom? Do you want to grow in your knowledge and understanding? Do you want to live a long life with many good days? Yes, I want to grow in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Yes of course I want to live a long life with many good days. How is all this possible? Where do I begin? Is there a starting point? What is step number one? Yes, there is a place to begin. There is a starting point. There is a first step to take. You have my full attention. I am ready and willing to listen to you. If you are ready to listen to me then you are already at the starting point and have taken your first step. I’m not sure what you mean. If you want to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding you must be teachable. You must listen to my words. If you are truly listening to me that means that you have humbled yourself before me. You are not filled with your own pride. You have come to me in humble and reverent awe. You have acknowledged me as your God and Father. I am the Savior and Lord of your life. You are my child. You have been adopted into my family. It is your joy to listen to me. It is your plan to walk with me. You want to live your life with and for me. It is your passion to follow and serve me. Your attitude toward me is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge and understanding. Not only have you taken your fist step with me but you are now walking in all that I want you to receive. You want to be wise. You want to grow in knowledge and understanding. You want to live the life that I have called you to live. Yes, I do. I want to walk with you. I want to live for you. I want to receive all that you have for me. That is very good. I want all these things for you as well. 

As you continue to walk with me and listen to all that I have to say to you, I will teach you. Day by day you will grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You will live the life that I have called you to live. My word will guard and protect you. My word will make you able to live a long life with many good days. You will go where I send you and do what I ask of you. Not only will you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding for your own life; I will use you to teach others as well. My thoughts will be on your heart. My words will in your mouth. You will teach the wise grow wiser. You will help the righteous to add to their learning. I will use you for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. 

Lord, in the past I had a proud and unteachable heart. I was unwilling to receive instruction, wisdom, and knowledge. I did not live in awe and humble reverence before you. Now, I want to know you and walk in your ways. I want to live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you have a teachable heart that is willing to receive instruction?

Living It Out… Make receiving instruction from the Lord the priority of your life so you can grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge as you receive instruction from the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are receiving instruction from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive instruction from the Lord so that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge.

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

Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – 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

Careful To Obey

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Joshua 1:7-9 - Be Careful To Obey - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Joshua 1:7-9 – Be Careful To Obey – Growing As Disciples

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

Day And Night

Do you want to be strong and courageous? Do you want to be successful? Do you want your life to prosper? Do you want to be able to know my will? Do you want to be able to walk in my ways? Do you want to be protected so that you will not be overcome with fear and discouragement? Do you want to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans? Do you want to be able to go and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I want all these things. That is very good. I want these things for you in abundance.

How can I have all these things? How can I be sure that these things will come to pass in my life? That is a very good question. Your question has a very simple answer. The answer to your question is so simple you may not receive it. The answer to your question is so simple you may not believe it. The answer to your question is so simple that you may pass right over it and never put it into practice. What is the simple answer to my question?

What do I need to hear and put into practice? Meditate on my word day and night. That is the answer to your question. Let my word dwell in you richly. Let my word be on your mind. Let my word be in your heart. My word will make you strong and courageous. My word will give you success and make you prosper. My word will make you able to know my will and walk in my ways. My word will protect you from fear and discouragement. My word will make you able to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans. My word will make you able to go and do all that I ask of you. Meditate on my word day and night. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will receive all that I want to give to you. 

Lord, I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will constantly be on my mind and in my heart. Guard and guide my life by your word. Help me to know and do your will. Help me to be strong and courageous as I follow and obey you throughout my life. Amen

Key Question… How has following and obeying God’s word brought His blessings into your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how meditating on God’s word as you follow and obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so that you will be careful to do all He asks of you.

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

Be – Joshua 1-7-9 – Careful To Obey – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Self-Controlled And Alert

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Peter 5:8-11 - Self - Controlled And Alert - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Peter 5:8-11 – Self – Controlled And Alert – Growing As Disciples

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)  

Napping 

Be self-controlled. Be alert. Don’t be caught napping. Don’t think that you can sleep walk through your life of faith. The devil and all his evil has filled this world. He is roaming all around, like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Don’t let that be you. Stand firm in your faith. Draw near to me. Submit yourself to me. Resist him and he will flee from you. Do you understand all that I am saying to you? I’m not sure. Can I ask you some questions? You may always come to me to ask me questions.  

I want to be self-controlled and alert. I want to stand firm in my faith. I don’t want to sleep walk through my life of faith. I want to resist the devil. I don’t want to fall into temptation. I don’t want to let myself be devoured by the devil and all his evil. I’m not sure how all this is possible. If I rely on my own strength, I will surely fail. That’s true, you cannot stand firm in your faith and resist the devil with your own strength. You must submit yourself to me. What does that mean? How can I submit myself to you? Leave your old life of sin behind you. Flee every evil. Don’t allow yourself to be in the wrong places at the wrong times. Don’t go where you should not go. Don’t do what you should not do. Run to me. I have made you dead to your old sin filled life. I have made you alive to me. Don’t ever submit yourself again to your old sin filled life. Instead draw near to me. Live the new life that I have called you to live. Go where I guide you. Do what I ask of you. Let my word dwell in you richly. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will make you able to think my thoughts and speak my words. My word will make you able to stand firm in your faith. My word will fight in you, with you and for you. My word will make you able to stand against the devil and all his evil attacks. My word will make you strong, firm and steadfast. My word will make you able to stand in victory with me. Now, do you understand? Yes Lord, I understand. 

Lord, I will not be caught napping. I will be self-controlled and alert against the devil and all his attacks. I allow your word to make me able to stand against evil. I will allow you to restore, support, strengthen and establish me as I stand firm in my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… Where are you most likely to experience an attack from the devil and all his evil?

Living It Out… Be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm against the devil and all his evil attacks.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to stand firm and resist the devil and all his evil attacks.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has made you able to stand firm against evil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm in your faith and resist the devil and his evil attacks.

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

Be – 1 Peter 5-8-11 – Self-Controlled And Alert – 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

Be Imitators Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be Imitators Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – Growing As Disciples

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

Like You

I know that I am your child. You called me to come to you. You rescued me from a life without you. I was headed in completely the wrong direction. I was on a path that led away from you. I was living and walking in darkness. You turned my life around. You set me on firm ground. You made it so I could live in a relationship with you. Now, I can hear your voice. You are calling me to go deeper. You are asking me to walk closer to you. Yes, I am. I welcome your call on my life. I want what you want. I know that I have said that many times. It is true. I want to know you intimately. I want to become like you. Then we both want the same thing. Yes, I know. I yearn to be like you. There is nothing I want more. I invite you to do your work in my life. I have taken you up on that invitation. You have given me this invitation many times. Yes, I know. I don’t mind saying it over and over again. I don’t mind hearing you say it again and again. Your wholehearted invitation for me to work in your life gives me great joy. I am very glad about that.  In every way I want to do what pleases you. Yes, I know.

You do know who you will become like? You do know who is your example and role model? Yes, I know. Your son, Jesus Christ is my example and role model. As I love, follow and serve you I will become like Him. He was a fragrant and sacrificial offering to you. I also want my life to be a fragrant and sacrificial offering to you. He lived His life motivated by His love for you. Yes, He did. I also will live my life motivated by my love for you. I love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Sometimes, I feel like I am going to burst because I feel so full of love for you. That is very good. I want to love like He loved. I want to give like He gave. I want to live as He lived. That is why I am here now in this quiet place. As I draw near to you I know that you will draw near to me. Yes, I will. That is a certainty. I know that you will make me more and more like you as I am in your presence and near to you. Yes, I will. You cannot remain unchanged as you draw near to me. That is what I will keep on doing as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good.

God, as your child I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. With your help, I will follow your son Jesus Christ as my example. I will love like He loved. I will give like He gave. I want my life to be a fragrant offering to you. Amen

Key Question… How are you following Jesus Christ as your example of how to imitate God and walk in His love?

Living It Out… Imitate God by living and walking in the love of Christ as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will become like God as you imitate Him and walk in love just as Jesus Christ walked in love.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to imitate Him as you walk in Christ’s love.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as a child of God, imitate Him by walking in love as Christ walked in love and gave himself to others.

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

Therefore – Ephesians 5-1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – 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