Interests Of Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 2:3-4 - Interests Of Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 2:3-4 – Interests Of Others – Growing As Disciples

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Look Out

What is guiding the pursuits of your life? What is worthy of your pursuit? How do you want to invest your life? Are you pursuing selfish ambitions and vain conceits? Will you one day regret what you have spent your life pursuing?  Will your life amount to anything of value when you reach its end? I’m not sure how to answer these questions. How will I know if I have wisely invested my life in what will be of value? Look at me. How did I invest my life? Where did I go? What did I do? Do you think I have any regrets about how I spent my life? You certainly have no reason to regret how you spent your life. You invested your life in others. You humbly took on the form of a servant. You counted others as better than yourself. You gave yourself in service to others. How did I do that? How did I even know how to go about meeting the needs of others? You listened carefully. You watched closely. What do you mean by that? You weren’t blinded by looking out for your own interests. You listened carefully and watched closely to what your Heavenly Father showed and said to you. Your eyes and ears were open to hear and see what He wanted to do through your life. That’s right. What else? You listened carefully and watched closely to what others were saying and doing. You looked out and paid attention to their needs. Why was I able to do that? You were not focused on yourself. You weren’t consumed with trying to meet your own needs. It sounds like you have some experience in this regard. Yes, I must confess that I have been so focused on trying to meet my own needs that I have been unable to hear and see much about the needs of others. So, you have been very good about meeting your own needs and not very good about meeting the needs of others? Sadly, I would have to admit that is true. Do you want to serve others? Would you be willing to lay down your own interests so you can humbly go and serve others? Lord, I want to follow your example. I want to live like you lived. I want to love like you loved. I want to serve like you served. I will stop pursuing selfish ambitions and vain conceits. I will humble myself. I will consider others as better than myself. I will stop looking out solely for my interests. I will look to the interests of others so I can know and go meet their needs. That will be very good.

Lord, I am sorry to say I have proudly thought I was better than others. I have selfishly looked solely to my own interests. Forgive me. I will humbly consider others as better than myself. I will look to the interests of others to see how I can help meet their needs. Amen 

Key Question… When have you gone far out of your way to meet the needs of another person?

Living It Out… Humbly consider others as better than yourselves as you look out for their interests to see if you can meet their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to humbly look out for the interests of others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are looking out for the interests of others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you consider others as better than yourselves as you look out for their interests.

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

Character – Philippians 2-3-4 – Interests Of Others – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Mature And Complete

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - James 1:4 - Mature And Complete - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – James 1:4 – Mature And Complete – Growing As Disciples

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:4 (NIV) 

In Progress

You are a work in progress. You are my work in progress. I am molding and shaping your life. I am using all the events of your life to make you into the person that I have called and planned for you to be. How does this all sound to you? It sounds great. I welcome your work in my life. Change me however you see fit. I want to be the person that you have called and planned me to be. I don’t want anything more. I don’t want anything less. Are you sure? I’m sure, at least I thought so until you asked me that question. Why are you asking me if I am sure? Do you think that all the changes I want to make in your life will come quickly and easily? Will you always welcome my work in your life? What will you think, say and do if I use a painful trial to mold and shape your life? Will you persevere through trials in life because you know that I can and will use them to make you mature and complete? You have given me a lot to think about. I don’t see much choice. What do you mean by that? I want you to work in my life. I want to be mature and complete. You’re telling me that you can and will use trials to mold and shape my life. Yes, I am. You are not saying that you are going to be the author of every trial that I go through. No, I’m not. This broken, sin filled life, has an almost unlimited amount of trials that are part of it. Yes, that’s right. It seems to me that I can choose to allow myself to become bitter or better as a result of the trials that I go through in life. What do you mean by that? If I bitterly resent all the trials that I go through then my heart and mind will become bitter. Yes, it will. If I cry out to you for help and rely on you as I go through trials I will become better. You will be able to mold and shape my life as I go through trials. My relationship with you will grow and deepen as I draw near to you in the trials of life. You will give me wisdom and understanding as I ask for your help. You will draw near to me as I draw near to you in the trials of life. I will learn to hold on to you as you hold on to me. Yes, you will. I will learn to look at trials with a happy heart knowing that you will never leave me or forsake me in them. Yes, you will. Then I will persevere through trials because I know that you are with me in each one of them. Yes, I am.

Lord, I will persevere through all the trials of life because I know that you are using each one of them to make me mature and complete. Finish and complete your work in me Lord so that I will be the person that you have called and planned for me to be. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used the trials of life to make you mature and complete?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to make you mature and complete as you persevere through the trials of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you mature and complete as you persevere through trials.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been making you mature and complete through trials.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you persevere through trials so that God will be able to make you mature and complete.

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

So That – James 1-4 – Mature And Complete – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Peace Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 4:6-7 - Peace Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 4:6-7 – Peace Of God – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Anxious

You are filled with anxiety and stress. You are carrying a heavy burden of worries. I know. That is not my plan for your life. That is not my desire for you. What is your plan and desire for me? Let, me first ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why do you think you are filled with anxiety, stress and worry? I have a lot to worry about. Does that seem like a good answer to you? No, not really. Try again. I worry about a lot of things because I think I’m in charge of my life. I think I can and should solve all my worries by myself. That is a much better answer. How has that strategy been working out for you? Not well, in my efforts to solve all my problems, my life has been filled with anxiety, stress and worry. That’s true.

Do you want to carry anxiety, stress and worry? No, I do not. Do you like to worry? No, I do not. Your answer could have fooled everyone except me. Why is that? It seems like you like to worry. Why is that? If you have nothing to worry about, it seems like you go looking for something to worry about. You worry about real and even imagined circumstances. You worry about possibilities that aren’t likely to ever happen. You worry about the past that you can’t change. You worry about the future you can’t control. You are right. That’s not good. I know.

Would you like to be free of anxiety, stress and worry? Yes, I would. Then you will need to give up control of your life. What do you mean by that? Stop, thinking that you’re in charge of your life. I’m not? Do you think that you’re in charge of your life? Didn’t you give your life to me? Didn’t you say that you would let me oversee your life. Yes, I did. Then let me oversee your life. Rely on me instead of relying on yourself. How will I do that? Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me. Ask for my help. Believe that I will hear and answer your prayers. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

What will happen to you when you turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me? I will be freed from anxiety, stress and worry. I will live in your peace. I will have a peace that I can’t even understand or fully explain. That’s right. That will be very good. Yes, it will be.

 Lord, I have carried a heavy burden of worry. I have lived with a life filled with anxiety and stress. I am weary. I am worn out. Help me to turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. Help me to live in your peace that that is beyond my understanding. Amen

Key Question… What stress, anxiety and worry would you like to turn into prayers to God right now?

Living It Out…Turn all your worries into prayers to God so you can experience 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 you are turning your worries into prayers to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you experience the peace of God as you turn your worries into prayers to Him.

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

Character – Philippians 4-6-7 – Peace 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

Not Become Weary In Doing Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Galatians 6:9- Not Become Weary In Doing Good- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Galatians 6:9- Not Become Weary In Doing Good- Growing As Disciples

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)  

Reap A Harvest

You are in a battle. What kind of battle am I in? You already know the answer to that question of yours. Yes, I do, but I was hoping that you might describe or bring some clarity to the battle that I am in. Why don’t you start by describing the battle that you are in?  I’m weary and worn out. I feel like I can go no further. I have worked long and hard and I’m ready to give up. I’d like a new assignment. Give me something fresh and exciting. Do you really think that would be a good idea? No, I suppose not. Tell me why it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave your assignment now for something new and different? Well, I have worked long and hard on this assignment and I have not yet reaped a harvest. There has been some fruit along the way that’s for sure. But, I’m pretty sure that you had a much larger harvest in mind when you gave me this assignment. Are you just pretty sure? No, I’m positive that you want me to reap a rich harvest as a result of this assignment that you have given to me. Has your being positive about your assignment from me kept you going strong? Yes, it has, otherwise I would have given up and quit long ago. How long must my labor be before I can reap a rich harvest for you? What do you think? That’s a question that there is no quick and easy answer. What must you continue to do then? If I want to reap a rich harvest for you, I must keep on working and not give up. There is a season of planting. There is a season of working. Then there is a season of harvest. Yes, that’s right. Do you think that I will give you a new assignment now? No, I don’t think you will give me a new asignment now. Why won’t I give you a new assignment now? If you allow me to quit, I will never reap the rich harvest that you intended. No, you will not. If I quit early now, I would probably quit even earlier in my next assignment. You want to develop patient endurance in me. Yes, I do. 

Let’s talk about your being weary and worn out. Do you think it is my plan for you to be weary and worn out? No, I think you want me to be strong, energetic and full of life. Yes, I do. There is nothing wrong with being tired from hard work. No, there is not. But, there is something not quite right with my being weary and worn out. What do you think is the problem? Somehow, I have started to rely on my own strength to do the work that you have given me to do for you. That will never work. Why is that? I will always give you work that is beyond your ability. Do you know why that is? Yes, you want me to rely on you. Yes, I do. There is another just as important reason. I’m not sure why that is. I want you to know that I am working in and through you. You will never be alone in doing the work that I have given you to do for me. Will knowing that I am working in and through your life encourage you? Yes, it will. Will knowing that I am working in and through keep you going and doing the good I have given you to do? Yes, it will. Then be encouraged and don’t give up. Keep doing the good work that I have given you to do. Yes Lord, I will. Then you will reap a rich harvest for me.

Lord, I will not grow weary. I will keep doing good. I will rely on you to sustain and strengthen me in doing the work that you have given me to do. I will wait and keep on working until I reap a harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… When has knowing with certainty what the Lord has given you to do helped to keep on serving Him?

Living It Out… Never grow weary in doing the good the Lord has given you to do until you reap a harvest.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to reap a harvest because you did not grow weary but kept on doing good.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what good the Lord has given you to do until you reap a harvest.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not grow weary and keep doing good until you reap a harvest because you did not give up.

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

Let Us – Galatians 6-9 – Not Become Weary In Doing Good -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

Draw Near To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 10:22- Draw Near To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 10:22- Draw Near To God – Growing As Disciples

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) 

Draw Near 

You can draw near to me. You can come to me. I want you to know me. I want you to live in a close and intimate relationship with me. Is that what you want? Yes, I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. There is nothing in all of life that I want more than to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. You have some questions? You don’t know how to proceed, is that right? You don’t know where to begin, is that true? Yes, that’s true. Let’s talk about your desire. I’m listening. You and I both have the same desire. We both want to live in an intimate relationship with each other. I love you and you love me. Where did our same desires originate? I’m not sure what you mean. Who loved who first? You loved me first. Yes, I did. You sent your son into this world so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my sin and unrighteousness. His blood has freed me from a guilty conscience. I have been washed and made clean in your sight. Yes, that’s right.  Now I can confidently draw near to you. I don’t feel like I need to hide anymore. I no longer have a guilty conscience because of my sin. With a heart filled with faith I can draw near to you. Yes, you can.

Would you say that it cost me something to make it possible for you to draw near to me? Yes, it cost your Son’s life on the cross. He took my place on the cross. He paid for my sin. Yes, He did. What will it cost you if you want to know me? What will it cost you if you want to draw near to me? Will it cost you if you really do want to love me with all your heart and soul and mind and strength? I know that I can’t earn, merit or pay for my salvation. No, you cannot. Your salvation is a gift that I have already received from you. Yes, you have. When I asked you to be my Savior and Lord I also gave my life to you. You gave your Son for me. I gave my whole life to you. It cost you everything to give your Son. It will cost me everything if I really want to know and love you. It will cost me everything if I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. It will cost me everything if I want to draw near to you. I can’t dabble in loving you. I can’t sample a little bit of knowing you. The desire that I have in my heart is a consuming passion. I have no desire to know or love you just a little bit. So, you want to give yourself completely to me? Yes, I do. Follow your desire and keep giving yourself fully to me. Yes, I will.

You’re still a little stuck on where and when and how to proceed with drawing near to me, aren’t you? Yes, I am. Your desire and passion are sure and clear. Yes, they are. Then let’s just agree to meet. When and where will we meet? You tell me. Pick a time and a place and I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. Then you will see the desires of your heart being fulfilled as we spend time together. Does that sound good? That sounds great!

Lord, thank you for cleansing me of all my sins. You have washed me and made me clean. You have freed me from guilt over my sin. You have made me able, with a heart filled with faith, to draw near to God and come to know Him. Amen

Key Question… When are you, with a heart filled with faith, drawing near to God so you can know Him?

Living It Out… With a heart filled with faith confidently draw near to God so that you can come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that Jesus Christ has opened the way for you to draw near to God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your daily habit to draw near to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, with a cleansed heart filled with faith, draw near to God so you can come to know Him.

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

Let Us – Hebrews 10-22 – Draw Near To 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

Like A Good Soldier

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - 2 Timothy 2:3-7 - Like A Good Soldier - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – 2 Timothy 2:3-7 – Like A Good Soldier – Growing As Disciples

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV) 

Training 

Will I endure hardship like a good soldier as I love, follow and serve you? Will I serve you like a good soldier, hoping to please my commanding officer, and not allow myself to become entangled in the civilian affairs of this world?  Will I enter your training like an elite athlete preparing for the highest levels of completion? Will I be like a hardworking farmer hoping to bear fruit for you and receive a share of the crops? Who is asking me these questions? Am I asking them only of myself? Who wants to know my answers to these questions? You may have asked these questions of yourself, but they did not originate with you. You may want to know your own answers to these questions, but you are not the only one wanting to hear your answers. These questions originated from you? Yes, they did. You want to hear the answers to these questions from me? Yes, I do.

I will endure hardship like a good soldier in your service. I will serve you well, like a good soldier, hoping to please you, my commanding officer. I will not allow myself to become entangled in the civilian affairs of this world. Can I work hard, serve well and stay clear of civilian entanglements with my own strength, abilities and perseverance? No, I cannot work hard, serve well and persevere in a way that will be pleasing to you without your help. I need you. I need your help. You will have my help. Will you rely on me? Yes, Lord, I will rely on you. That will be very good.

Are you asking me to enter training like an elite athlete preparing for the highest levels of competition? I’m not even sure what this means. I have no idea what this training will require of me. Will you be my coach? Will you train me? Will you prepare me for the race that I will run in life? Yes, I will coach you. Yes, I will train you. I will prepare you for the race that you will run in life. Will you enter my training? Yes Lord, I will enter your training? That will be very good.

You have said many times that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is true. That is the desire of my heart. It takes an attitude like that of a hardworking farmer to bear a rich and abundant crop for me. Will you work hard? Will you persevere? Will you keep on working until the time of harvest comes? Yes Lord, I will work hard. I will persevere until the time of harvest. I will keep on working until an abundance of fruit is born for you. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you that you have helped me to endure hardship. You have been with me through every difficulty, trial and hardship. You have given me your strength to endure everything that this life has thrown at me as I have loved, followed and served you. Amen

Key Question… How as a good soldier for Christ are you avoiding getting entangled in civilian affairs of this life?

Living It Out… As a follower of Jesus Christ, endure hardship and enter His training as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that enduring hardship and entering in the Lord’s training is well worth your wholehearted commitment.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have endured hardship and entered the Lord’s training.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you endure hardship and enter training as you love, follow and serve Jesus Christ.

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

Identity – 2 Timothy 2-3-7 – Like A Good Soldier – 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

Examine Yourselves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine Yourselves – Growing As Disciples

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Course Corrections

You want me to examine myself? What kind of self-examination do you want me to conduct? Those are good questions. What do you think I want you to examine? I think you want me to examine my entire life to see if what I think, say and do is consistent with who I am. Who are you? I am your child. I am your follower. Yes, you are.

Are you willing to examine your life? Yes, I certainly am willing to examine my life. How often do you think it would be good to examine your thoughts, words, and deeds? I think it would be a good plan for me to examine my life every day to see if I am living in a way that is pleasing to you. At the end of the day, I could look back over my day to evaluate my thoughts, words, and deeds. Will you do that all by yourself? I’m not sure what you are asking me. Would you like me to help you examine your life and evaluate your day? Is there a chance that you might miss something if you rely solely on yourself to examine your life and evaluate your day? Yes, I would like your help. I am sure that I have many blind spots. There are many things that I would miss without your help. I want to live my life in a way that is completely pleasing to you. I want my life to be fully consistent with loving, following and serving you. That is very good.

So, we have an appointment? An appointment? Yes, you are going to meet with me at the end each day to examine your life and evaluate your day, isn’t that right? Yes, that’s right. Good, I will be looking forward to our meeting.

I do have another question for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. Is waiting until the end of the day too long of a time to go without examining your life and evaluating your day? It may be. Why is that? I could be making some serious mistakes and taking some large missteps. It would be a shame to wait until the end of the day to examine my life and evaluate my day. It would. I might need to make some immediate course corrections. I might be thinking a thought, saying a word or doing a deed that is completely outside your will. I might be doing something that is not pleasing to you. That’s right. What do you want to suggest? I could submit my life to you for constant, ongoing examination and evaluation. Then you could help me to make course corrections at any moment at any time. That’s right. That is what I will do. That’s good. But, we will still meet at the end of every day to evaluate my life and examine my day. Yes, we will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for helping me to pass all the tests of life. I know it is your life living inside of me that is changing all my thoughts, words, and actions. Keep on changing my heart and renewing my mind as I follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… When do you take time to examine the kind of life you are living?

Living It Out… Examine all your thoughts, words, and deeds to see if you are thinking, saying and doing what Christ desires of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ living inside of you will help you to pass all the tests of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ is changing you as you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you examine your thoughts, words, and deeds to see if they are consistent with being a follower of Christ.

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

Faith – 2 Corinthians 13-5 – Course Corrections – 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

Carry His Own Load

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Galatians 6:4-5 - Carry His Own Load- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Galatians 6:4-5 – Carry His Own Load- Growing As Disciples

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

Test Your Actions

How will you go about testing your own actions? What measure will you use in testing your own actions? Will you compare yourself against others? Will you measure yourself against your past? How will you know if you have an accurate measure of where you are in life? I am surprised that your word tells me that I should test my own actions. Why is that? I am sure that I am not qualified to test or measure myself. I have no confidence in myself. I am certain that I will get it wrong. Yes, I have measured myself against others. That’s a huge mistake. Why is that? Others are not perfect. I am not perfect. No one should use me as their standard to measure their life. I should not use anyone else as my standard to measure my life either. Doing so would either make me proud with the thought that I am better off than someone else or I may become discouraged with the thought that someone else is far better off than I am. Comparing myself with others is like one sinner comparing themselves to another sinner. We are all imperfect. We have all missed the mark. We have all done what we should not have done and failed to do what we should have done. I would never ask you to compare yourself with others. There is no value in doing that. 

How about measuring myself with my past, is there any value in that?  There is value in that. It is helpful for you to look back to see how I have changed your heart and transformed your mind. You should take encouragement in remembering how I have worked in and through your life. That perspective will help encourage and spur you on as you follow and serve me. Knowing that I have been and will continue to work in and through your life should encourage your faith. Then I will look back as one way to test my actions and measure my life. That will be very good.

What would be other ways for you to test your actions and measure your life? I could measure my life against your word. How so? Your word will show me where I have made progress and where I am falling short. Yes, my word will do that for you. Where I am falling short, I could ask you to use your word to continue to do your work in and through me. That is a very good idea. What else? I could come and ask you how I’m doing. When could you do that? I could ask you how I’m doing every day when I come to meet with you in your word. So, you would be listening to my voice as you remain in my word, is that right? Yes, that is exactly what I would do. That will be very good.

What will happen to you as you continue to test your actions and measure your life? I will be at peace and feel confident that you have me right where you want me to be. I will be hopeful. I will know that I am going where you send me to do whatever you ask of me. I will know that I am carrying my load. I will know that your hand is on me to use me for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will.

Lord, I know comparing myself with others is a bad idea. I will either be proud or discouraged. Use your word to test every one of my thoughts, words and deeds. Show me where I need to change. Mold and shape me into the person you have called me to be. Amen

Key Question… Why is comparing yourself with others never an appropriate measure with which to test yourself?

Living It Out… Use God’s word every day to test your thoughts, words, and deeds as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word is a vital and valuable tool with which you can test your actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are testing your own actions as you follow and serve Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you test your own actions to see if you if you are carrying your own load in life.

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

Character – Galatians 6-4-5 – Carry His Own Load – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Approval Of Men

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Galatians 1:10 - Approval Of Men - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Galatians 1:10 – Approval Of Men – Growing As Disciples

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Approval

Who are you trying to please? Whose approval are you trying to win? Don’t give me a quick answer. Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear. Make sure that you are being truthful with yourself. Make sure that you are being truthful with me. I can give you a quick answer. I am certain that I know the truthful answers to your questions. I am certain that my answer is not what I think you want to hear. Go ahead then, what is your answer? I have been living to please others. I have been trying to win the approval of mankind. I have been consumed with wondering what others might think or say about me. How has that worked out for you? Living to try to please others is an impossible task. There isn’t enough time in the day to do what everyone might want to ask of me. Living to try to please others is a foolish and futile course. Why is that? Trying to please others has pulled me in a thousand different directions. I have gone here, there and everywhere trying to do what I thought might please others. Living to please others is certainly a way to waste time and misspend a life How so? When I look back over my endless urgent and unimportant “to do lists” in life, one thing is certain. What’s that? My “to do lists” did not come from you. My “to do lists” were authored by my desire to live to please others. At the end of my life, if I were to have completed every one of my people pleasing, “to do lists”, I would have accomplished nothing. My life would have amounted to nothing. Others would give me no thanks and I would not have lived a life that was pleasing to you. That’s true.

What do you want? What changes do you want to make? I want to know and do your will. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to live and walk with you. I want you to guide and direct my life. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. I want to live my life to please you. It will be my joy to live my life with and for you. I want to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Why is that? I love you. That is very good.

Lord, I know that I have lived to please others. I have been overly concerned about what others might think or say about me. Now, I want to live differently. I want to live my life in ways that please you. I want to know and do your will so that I can serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why will your life never be on course if you are living to try to please others?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are living to know and do God’s will so you can please Him rather than mankind.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it will be far better to know and do God’s will so you can please Him rather than mankind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living to know and do God’s will so you can please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live to know and do God’s will so you can please God rather than mankind.

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

Character – Galatians 1-10 – Approval Of Men – 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

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

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