Prepare Your Minds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Prepare Your Minds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Prepare Your Minds – Growing As Disciples

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

In Your Presence

Are you ready for action? Am I prepared for what kind of action? Are you prepared to live the life that I have called you to live? What kind of life have you called me to live? You tell me. I know something about the life that you have not called me to live. Tell me about that. You do not want my heart and mind and life to be conformed to the values, patterns and practices of the world. You do not want me to think and speak and act just like everyone else in the world. You do not want me to live the corrupt and evil life that I once lived. You don’t want me to live a self-centered, self-sufficient, and self-indulgent life. You don’t want my life to be all about pursuing comfort and seeking pleasure. No, I do not.

How can I live a life that is ready for action? How can I be prepared to live a Godly life that is pleasing to you? How can I live a self-controlled life that desires to do your will? You are Holy. That’s right. You want me to become like you. That’s true. On my own, with my own strength I cannot live a holy life. Without your help, I cannot be holy. Without your working in me, I cannot become like you. No, you cannot. Well, I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want all my thoughts and words and deeds to be holy and pleasing in your sight. That’s good. Have you given me impossible desires? No, I have not given you impossible desires. What have I called you to do? You have called me to come to you. Where and when and how do you think you will be changed? I will be changed in your presence. That’s right. You will keep on changing me as I keep on coming to you. That’s true. Do you believe this? Will you keep on coming to me? Will you set your hope fully on me? Yes, I will keep coming to you. I will set my hope fully on you. Then you will be changed. You will think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds. You will be holy, because I am holy.  I welcome you to do your work in and through me. Mold and shape me according to your purposes and plans. Yes, I will and that will be very good.

Lord, at one time I allowed my life to be conformed to the world. My thoughts and words and deeds were all evil. But, that all changed when you called me. You changed my heart, transformed my mind and gave me a burning desire to love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why will your mind never be prepared for Godly action if you allow it to be conformed to the world?

Living It Out… Prepare your mind for action so you can live the life that Christ has called you to live.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will help you to prepare your mind for action to live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your prepared mind is helping you to live your life for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you prepare your mind for action so you can live the life you have been called to live.

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

Character – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – Prepare Your Minds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Of Money

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - Love Of Money - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Love Of Money – Growing As Disciples

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

Treasures In Heaven

You brought nothing into this world. You will take nothing out of this world. Is that something that you have considered?

Have you given that much thought? No, not really. That explains a lot of your past behavior, doesn’t it? What do you mean by saying that? You know exactly what I mean. Are you sure? Are you kidding me? Yes, I’m sure. Tell me why I know that you haven’t thought much about the futility of loving money and pursuing things. If I had given the subject much thought, at all, I would have realized how futile it is to love money and pursue things. Why is that? Life is short. My life on this earth is here today and gone tomorrow. In a blink of an eye or at the snap of the fingers my life on this earth will be over. That’s true. I am just passing through this life. This is not my forever home. Trying to stockpile money and acquire possessions is a waste of time and energy. Everything I think I own will be left here when I leave this life. That’s right.

As you have said, I brought nothing into this world and I will take nothing out of it. That’s what I said, but, I need to make one very important clarification. What’s that? You can store up treasures in heaven. What does that mean? How can I do that? You have heard me say that I will reward you for the good that you do for me in this life? Yes, I have heard you say that. I want to explain that to you. But first, let me be clear. You will be coming to live forever in heaven with me. You are my follower. You have received my forgiveness and cleansing of your sin. For that I am forever grateful and thankful. That’s good. Coming to live with me in heaven is a gift, it is not a reward. So, when I have told you that you will be rewarded for all the good that you will do for me in this life I am not talking about your salvation. I am not talking about your eternal life in heaven with me. That would be good enough for me. I would need nothing more. I don’t need any rewards. That is a good attitude to have. But, all the fruit you will bear for me in this life will be storing up treasure in heaven with me. You will be rewarded. I will pay you back. That’s sounds incredible. It will be fantastic.

So, I want to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Do you want to pursue the treasures of this life or do you want to store up treasure, that will last forever, in heaven with me? I want to store up treasure in heaven with you. Then do the good things that I give you to do for me. Go and bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have wanted money and material possessions. I have been discontent. I have gone down a destructive path pursuing what will not last. No more. I want to love, follow and serve you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name.  Amen

Key Question… Why is pursuing money and material possessions ultimately a waste of your time and effort?

Living It Out… Make loving, following and serving the Lord your pursuit in life so you will work for what is of eternal value.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that godliness with contentment will protect you from ungodly and worldly desires.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are learning to be content with what the Lord has given to 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:

Character – 1 Timothy 6-6-10 – Love Of Money – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Be Anxious

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)  

Worries Into Prayers

I am not in charge, I know that. You are not in charge of what? I am not in charge of my life. I don’t know the future. I don’t control my own destiny. My life is in your hands. You are in control. You are in charge. You know my future. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You will lead me. You will guard and guide my life. You will take care of me. You will watch over me. Your hand will be on me. You will help me. You are worthy of all my trust. I can rely on you for all that I will need. You will not withhold any good thing from me. You will hear and answer my prayers. I like what you are saying to me. I like what I am hearing from you. That’s good.

There is a problem. What’s that? What might I say in response to all that you have said to me? I don’t know. I will ask you a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Since you can trust in me, do you have anything to worry about? I’m not sure what you mean. Oh, I think you know what I mean. Let me hear your thoughts on this subject. I do worry quite a bit. Yes, you do. When your life is filled with worry are you trusting me? When your life is paralyzed by anxiety are you relying on me for all that you need? No, I am not. Who then, are you relying on? When my life is filled with worry and anxiety I am trusting myself. That’s a good thing for you to admit to me. Do you want to be free from worry and anxiety? Do you want to live in me peace? Yes Lord, I do want to be free from worry and anxiety. I do want to live in your peace. That’s good.

Let’s take this one step at a time. Let’s take this one worry and one prayer at a time. If you want to be free from worry and anxiety and live in my peace you will need to develop a new habit.  What habit will I need to develop? You can answer that, can’t you? What is my word telling you? I need to develop the habit of turning my worries into prayers to you. That’s it. How will you start turning your worries into prayers to me? I will start with one worry and one prayer at a time. When I start to have a worry, I will bring it to you it to you, I will turn it into a prayer. That will be very good. When you turn a worry into a prayer you will experience my peace. That is my promise to you. Thank you, Lord, for all your promises to me.

Lord, I will turn all my worries into prayers to you. You are in charge of my life. You are in control of my destiny. I know that I can trust you. Thank you for guarding and guiding my life and making me able to live in your peace as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… When have you turned one of your worries into a prayer to God?

Living It Out… Turn all your worries into thanksgiving filled prayers to God so that you can live in His peace.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how praying to God has helped you to experience His peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you experience God’s peace as you turn all your worries into prayers to Him.

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

Mixed Emotions – Philippians 4-6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious – 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

Do Not Love The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - 1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

Do My Will

Do you love the world? Do you love the things of this world? Is your heart and mind and life filled with fleshly desires that come from the world? Are your eyes captivated by all that the world offers? Are you living a pride filled life? I hope not. I would say not. Have I been tempted by the world and the things in it? I would say so. Have my eyes been captivated by what the world offers? I would say so. Have I been proud? I would say so. But, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life do not have control of my life. I have left these behind so that I could follow and serve you.

What makes you so certain that you do not love the world and the things of the world? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is impossible to love you and the world at the same time. That’s true. If I loved the world, love for you would not be in me. That’s right. What else? I know you. 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 know your will. I am walking in your ways. It is my delight to do what pleases you. I will go wherever you send me. I will do whatever you ask of me. That’s very good.

What can you be sure of because you know and love me? What can you be sure because you are going and doing my will? I can be sure that I will live forever. You are my Savior and Lord. You have given me a completely new life to live. This new life that you have given me to live began on the day that I stopped loving the world and started loving you. Yes, it did. Keep on following and serving me. Keep on going to do my will. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not love the world or the things of the world. Instead, I will love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I know the world and all tis desires is passing away. Thank you that I can know your will and walk in your ways as I follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… What are you doing differently because you know and love your Heavenly Father?

Living It Out… Make it the priority of your life to love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will know and do God’s will as you love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how are you are going and doing God’s will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not love the world so that you will be able to know and do God’s will.

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

Mixed Emotions – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World – 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

Any Man Builds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - Any Man Builds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 – Any Man Builds – Growing As Disciples

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

Testing Your Work

One day your life’s work will be tested. I will examine how you have spent the life that you have been given to live. We will have the opportunity to see the fruit that you have born for my kingdom and the glory that you have brought to my name. I’m looking forward to that day. You seem quite confident. Yes, I am very confident. My confidence is in you. If my confidence were in myself I would have absolutely none. Tell me more about your confidence in me. You are the foundation of my life. All that I think and say and do is founded on you. I want to think your thoughts. I want to speak your words. I want to do your deeds. In everyway I want you to be guided by you. I know that you will use my life according to your purpose and plans as I follow you. I can’t go wrong if I go where you lead me and do all that you ask of me. So, I am listening attentively to you. I don’t want to miss out on one word that you have to say to me. I am following you closely. I don’t want to run ahead or lag behind you. If I keep in step with you I will certainly know and do your will Yes, that’s right. That’s why I can say that I have confidence in you.

There is more that I want to say on this subject. Go ahead, I’m listening. I don’t have a mild desire to know you and do your will. My heart aches within me to know you and do your will. I have no other desire in my life that comes remotely close to wanting to know you and do your will. Nothing gives me more joy than to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. It is my constant prayer that you will use me according to your purposes and plans. I want to do everything that you have prepared for me to do for you. If I do lag behind, if I do run ahead, I asking that you will help me to get to exactly where you want me to be to do exactly what you want me to do for you. When we look back over my life I want to be surprised by the joy that we can share together. I don’t want to regret something that I left undone. So, it is my prayer that you will fully use me. Do you believe that I will hear and answer this prayer of yours? Yes Lord, I believe with certainty that you will fully use me so that I can bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I will hear and answer this prayer of yours.

Lord, you are the foundation of my life. I will follow, obey and serve you. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you ask of me. Make my life’s work able to stand the test of time and bear abundant fruit for all eternity for your kingdom and glory. Amen 

Key Question… What of your life’s work will stand the test of time and bear fruit for all eternity?

Living It Out… Allow your life and work to be founded on Jesus Christ as you follow and obey and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will ask you to do work for Him that will stand the test of time and bear fruit for all eternity.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group about the fruitful work that the Lord has asked you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life’s work be built on Jesus Christ and continue to directed by Him.

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

If – 1 Corinthians 3-10-15 – Any Man Builds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Do Not Drift Away

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Hebrews 2:1 - Do Not Drift Away - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Hebrews 2:1 – Do Not Drift Away – Growing As Disciples

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

Pay Attention 

Are you paying attention? Are you taking a firm grip on what you have heard? Yes, I think I am paying attention. Who are you paying attention to? I am paying attention to you. I am listening carefully to all that you want to say to me. I have carved out a time and a place to meet with you every day in your word. What happens when you meet with me? I stop everything and give myself fully to you. I lean in to hear all that you might want to say to me. The noise from the world quiets down. The crazy pace of life stops. All others demands for my mind are set aside. I enter into your presence to devote myself fully to you. Yes, I am paying attention to you. I can see that you are.

Why are you so devoted to paying attention to me? Why do you so passionately want to hear from me? I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to follow you. You are my Lord and Savior. You gave yourself fully to me. I want to give myself fully to you. There is no place that I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing that I would rather do than listen to you.  I know that you are changing me. My heart is not the same. My mind is different. You are allowing me to think your thoughts. You are allowing me to feel your feelings. Day by day you are molding and shaping my life. You are making me to be more like you. I welcome your work in my life. I want to be all that you want me to be. I want to do all that you want me to do. Keep on coming to me and your desires will be true.

What won’t happen if you keep on coming to me? I won’t drift away from you. I won’t loose interest in what you want to say to me. I won’t grow tired of how you want to work in and through me. Why is that? Just the opposite is happening to me, as I pay attention to you. Just the opposite is happening to me, as I take hold of all that you want to teach me. What do you mean? Instead of drifting way I want to draw near. I want to be closer and even more attentive. Instead of growing cold and distant I am growing hotter and closer. The closer I am to you the more on fire I am for you. You are setting me on fire to love you and be your witness in the world. Yes, I am. You are making me able to be who you have called me to be. You are making me able to do all that you have asked me to do. Yes, I am.

Lord, you have my full attention. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will firmly hold on to all that I have heard and been taught by you. Keep and guard me from drifting away from you and the life you have given me to live. Amen

Key Question… What will help you to pay even closer attention to living a life of loving, following and serving Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Pay close attention to Jesus Christ and the life that He has given you to live with and for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Christ will protect you from drifting away as you pay close attention to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are paying close attention to Christ and the life He has for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pay close attention to Jesus Christ so that you will not drift away Him.

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

So That – Hebrews 2-1 – Do Not Drift Away – 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

I Will Be With Your Mouth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Exodus 4:10-13 - I Will Be With Your Mouth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Exodus 4:10-13 – I Will Be With Your Mouth – Growing As Disciples

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Exodus 4:10-13 (ESV)

Go And Do

What do you know about my call on your life? I know that you will ask me to do things for you. Yes, I will. What else? I know that you will ask me to do things for you that I cannot possible do all by myself. Why would I ask you to do what you cannot do by yourself? You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to know that you are working in and through my life. You want me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Apart from you I can do nothing of eternal value. That’s right.

How have you responded to me when I have asked you to do what you could not do by yourself? I have argued with you many times. I have found a hundred different reasons why you couldn’t possibly be asking me to do what you have asked me to do for you. I found a dozen other things to do for you instead of what you were asking me to do for you. I have also asked you to send someone else instead of me. In every way possible I have tried to avoid the difficult things that you have asked me to do for you. Why is that? I have been afraid. What have you been afraid of? I have been afraid of failing. What is a bigger failure, failing at trying to do what I asked you to do or failing to do what I asked you to do? I have never thought of that before. Do you have an answer for me? It would be a far bigger failure to fail to do what you asked me to do than to fail trying to do what you asked me to do. That’s right.

Do you trust me? Do you have faith in me? Yes, I trust you. Yes, I have faith in you. Do you believe that I will make you able to do all that I ask of you? Yes, I believe that you will help me to do whatever you ask of me. That’s good. Then go and do what I am asking of you. Yes Lord, I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I will be with you to help you.

Lord, I know you will challenge my faith. I know you will ask me to do what I have never done before. I know you will ask me to do what I cannot do without your help.  I know you will cause me to rely on you. Help me to say yes to all that you ask of me.  Amen

Key Question… Why can you be certain that the Lord will challenge your faith by what He asks you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Accept the Lord’s challenge and do everything that He asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will challenge you and use you in new ways to serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has challenged and used you in new ways to serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use you in ways that He has never used you before.

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

Therefore – Exodus 4-10-13 – I Will Be Your Mouth – 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

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

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

An Example

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

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

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

Your Life Speaks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Knows The Good

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

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

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

Know It All

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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