Renewing Of Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)  

New Mind 

Are you weary of the thoughts that you have been thinking? Do you want to think new and different thoughts? Would you like to think higher and better thoughts? Do you want to leave your old life and its pathetic thoughts behind you? Do you know that it is your thoughts that will guide the entire course of your life? Everything that you think, say and do starts out as a thought in your mind. If you want to live a new and different life you will need to stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new and different and higher and better thoughts. If you want your life to be fruitful and bring glory to my name you will need to think my thoughts. If you want to know and do my will you will need to know my thoughts and then put them into practice. So, what do you want your life to look like? How will the course of your life unfold? What thoughts will you think? What words will you speak? How will you feel? What will you do with your life? 

I will give my life to you. Only you can change my thoughts. Only you can transform and renew my mind. I can’t stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new thoughts without your help. No, you cannot. Do you want my help? Will you ask for my help? Will you do what I ask of you when I show you how I will help you? What will you ask of me? What do you want me to do? If you want to think my thoughts and know and do my will you must come to meet with me in my word. It is my word that will transform and renew your mind. My word is the only tool that will renew and transform your mind. As you meditate on my word, my thoughts will push your old thoughts out of your mind. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will teach and train you. My word will guard and guide you. My word will sustain and strengthen you. My word will make you able to be fruitful and bring glory to my name. So, I will ask you again. Will you do what I ask of you? Will you come to meet with me in my word? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will have a new and transformed mind.

Lord, I give myself to you. All that I have, am, and hope to be is yours. Use all of me according to your purposes and plans. Transform and renew my mind with your word so I can think your thoughts and do your will for your glory. Amen

Key Question… How is God’s renewal and transformation of your mind helping you to know and do His will?

Living It Out… Spend time meditating on God’s word daily so that He can use it to transform and renew your mind.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to transform and renew your mind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is transforming and renewing your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to transform your mind so that you can know and do His will.

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

Transformation – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Rejoice And Be Glad

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Psalm 118:24 - Rejoice And Be Glad - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Psalm 118:24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – Growing As Disciples

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

 Today Is A Gift

You have today. Today is a day that I made. How will you use it? Are you glad that I made today. Do you have anything to be glad and rejoice about today? Will you allow this day to be a special day? How will you use this day that I have given to you? Those are very good questions. Why do you think so? I don’t normally think about any one day as more important or special than another. Is that a good thing? Do you consider any days to be special?  I consider birthdays, anniversaries and holidays to be special days. Obviously, Christmas and Easter are very special days. You like to celebrate on all those days?  Yes, I do. Lets talk more about your average every day of the week kind of days. You don’t celebrate the average every day of the week kind of days do you? No, I don’t. What do you do on average every day of the week kind of days? I put one foot in front of the other and keep on doing what must be done. That sounds boring, routine and very depressing. Do you think that is the way that I want you to live? I’m not sure what you mean. I want your life to be exciting. I want you to consider the beauty and possibilities of each day that I have given to you. Do you think I want you to trudge through life with your head down working to accomplish your endless “to do” lists? No, I suppose not. I want you to look up. I want you to consider how I might use you today. I want you to wonder about where I might lead you to do what I might ask of you. I want you to live in the conscious awareness of my presence. Can you live in an intimate and joyful relationship with me as your trudge through life with your head down, putting one foot in front of the other, doing what you think must be done? No, I suppose not. You like receiving gifts, don’t you? Yes, I do. How do you feel when you are about to receive a gift? When I am about to receive a gift I am full of anticipation. I am excited and energized by the wonder and mystery of an unknown gift. Do you know where I am headed with my questions? I think so. Each day I give you is a gift.  I want you to approach each day with anticipation. I want you to be excited and energized and filled with wonder as you begin each day with me. I want you to be glad and rejoice in the opportunities that I will bring to you in the gift of each new day. Do you think you can do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I can. I will trust and rely on you as I walk with you in each new day that you have given to me. 

Lord, this is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. You have been my refuge in storms. In my weakness you are my strength. You have heard my prayers. You have guarded and guided my life. I will trust you and rely on your for all I need. Amen

Key Question… What reasons do you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord today?

Living It Out… Rejoice, be glad, and give thanks to the Lord today for all He has done and is doing for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that today you have an abundance of reasons to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group reasons you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord for all He has done and is doing for you.

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

Let Us – Psalm 118-24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discern

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Discipleship Study - Let Us - Job 34:4 - Discern - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Let Us – Job 34:4 – Discern – Growing As Disciples

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. Job 34:4 (NIV)

Willing To Listen 

Are you willing to listen to what I have to say to you? Yes, I am willing to listen. I do want to hear from you. Am I about to hear what I don’t want to hear? I didn’t say that. But, if you can only hear what you want to hear then you will not be able to hear from me. You have to be able to listen attentively to what you don’t expect to hear. You have to be able to accept words that you might like. You have to be able to receive words that might challenge and confront you. Will you humble yourself before me so that you can hear from me? Yes Lord, I will humbly listen to you.

Beware of thinking that you already know. Beware of thinking that you don’t need to hear anymore. Beware of thinking that you have far more to give than to receive. Quiet yourself before me and listen to what I have to say. Stop being so full of yourself that you can’t take in all that I want to say to you. Come to me knowing that you need my guidance. You need my counsel. You need my instruction. Yes Lord, I know that I need your guidance, counsel and instruction.

Make listening to me the priority of your life. Don’t race through life so fast that you don’t take time to stop and listen to me. You will be able to get where I want you to go to do what I want you to do only if you take time to stop and listen to me. Set a part a quiet place where you can hear from me. Don’t let the noise of this world make it so you cannot hear from me. Are you listening to me right now? Yes Lord, I am listening to you. What then are you going to do? I am going to pick a time and a place to stop to listen to you. That will be very good. Don’t take one more step. Don’t do one more thing until you have secured in your heart and mind a time and a place when we will meet. I will do just that. How often will we meet together in our time at our place? We will meet everyday. Do you know why that will be very good? Yes, I do. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. You have heard me say that to you before. Yes, I have. It pleases me when you remember and put into practice what I have said to you.

I have one more thing that I want to say to you. What’s that? You will not hear everything you need to hear from me by meeting alone with me. Why is that? I made you to live in relationship and in community with other believers. Some things you need to hear you will hear as we meet together alone.  Other things that you need to hear you will only hear as you meet with me together with other believers. You are meant to live and meet together with my body. Listen to what I have to say to you. Listen to what I give to others to say to you.  Speak to others what I have given you to say to them. Together you will know my will and follow my ways. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, help me to have a humble heart and mind that is willing to listen. Help me to be able to discern your will and to know what is right. Make me receptive to all that you want me to hear and know. Speak into my life. Guide me according to your plan. Amen

Key Question… Why will humility be required of you if you want to discern the Lord’s will and know what is right?

Living It Out… Be willing to enlist the help of others to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to discern His will and to know what is right.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you discern the will of the Lord so you will be able to know and do what is right.

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

Let Us – Job 34-4 – Discern – 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

Delight – Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 37:4 - Delight - Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 37:4 – Delight – Desires – Growing As Disciples

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Desire

Desire, now that’s a word that has caused me a lot of pain and suffering. Why is that? My entire life has been a long pursuit of one desire after another. I have been driven by desires. I have been led along by desires. I have been guided by desires. My heart has been filled with so many different desires. Never have I been content. Never have I been satisfied. The satisfaction of one desire has led me to crave another even better desire and then to lust after one even better that. I’m worn out chasing after my desires. I can see that.

Would you agree that there are good and bad desires? I suppose so. You have a very dim view of desires. Yes, I do. Where have your desires come from? My desires have come from what I wanted or at least what I thought I wanted. You might say that my desires have come from my appetites. Where have your wants or appetites come from? That’s a good question. My wants and appetites have come from the world and all that it has to offer. Name some of your past wants and appetites. I have wanted and had an appetite for pleasure, prestige, position, power and possessions. Once you have tasted something from your wants and appetites have you found that to be unsatisfying? That’s right. Your dissatisfaction has driven you on to pursue one want or appetite after another. That’s true. It’s like you have been chasing a mirage that you will never be able to catch. That’s it exactly. So, you want to give up on your wants and desires. Yes, I do. That sounds good to me.

I have something to say to you. What’s that? It is a good thing to give up on wants and desires and appetites that come from the world. None of them will ever satisfy you. None of them were ever meant to be the pursuit of your life. Now, I know that. Now, you are the pursuit of my life. I want to know and love you. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. It is now my joy and delight to follow and serve you. Do you believe that I will give you new desires in your heart? Yes, I do. Why is that? You have already been filling my heart with new desires as I love, follow and serve you. That’s right. Do you believe that I will both give and grant you new desires in your heart? Yes Lord, I do.

Lord, for too long my heart has been filled with desires that come from the world. I have wanted all that it has to offer. No more. No longer. I want you. I want the life you have for me. I will delight myself in you. Give and grant me desires that come from you. Amen

Key Question… What is the greatest and most important desire that the Lord has placed in your heart?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will both give and grant you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given and granted the desires of your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 37- 4 – Delight – Desires – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Think – Do

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think - Do - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think – Do – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

My Peace

I know that you are filled with anxiety. You have anxieties piled on top of anxieties. Would you like to live in my peace? Would you like to live a life that is free from anxiety? Yes, I would like to live in your peace. I would like to live a life that is free from anxiety. How can I be free from anxiety and live in your peace? That is a very good question.

If you would like to be free from anxiety and live in my peace you must do two things. I’m listening. First you must guard the thoughts that you allow your mind to think. I know that sounds impossible. I know that you are about to say that you cannot simply stop thinking thoughts. That thought did cross my mind. Your thought is incorrect. You can control the thoughts that you allow yourself to think. You can take control of your mind. How can I control the thoughts of my mind? To begin to control the thoughts of your mind you must eliminate from your life whatever feeds the unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts that you have been thinking. How will I do that? Take a close inventory of what is feeding the thoughts of your mind. Stop subjecting your mind to whatever is unhealthy and unhelpful. What is unhealthy and unhelpful for me? That should be easy for you to figure out. I get it. Once you have eliminated what feeds unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts you must then replace them with my thoughts. How will I do that? You tell me. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will let your word fill my heart and mind and life. Yes, and then you will begin to think my thoughts. Then you will think thoughts that are pleasing to me. That is your first step toward living in my peace.

What is my next step toward living in your peace? Once you have begun to think my thoughts then you will live in my peace as you put all my words into practice. You will live in my peace as you put into practice all that you have learned or received or heard from me. Will you think my thoughts and put my words in practice as you follow me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know that my mind is a battle ground. I want to think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Use your word to transform my mind. Help me to think your thoughts and do your deeds as I live in peace. Amen

Key Question… How has thinking God’s thoughts and doing His will brought peace into your life?

Living It Out… Guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you thoughts to think and things to do for Him.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do the Lord’s will.

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

Rhythms – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think – Do – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © A

Serve Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - 1 Peter 4:7-11 - Serve Others -Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – 1 Peter 4:7-11 – Serve Others -Growing As Disciples

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

Given You Gifts

I have given you gifts. It is time for you to use them. I want you to urgently and passionately use the spiritual gifts that I have given to you. I want you to pour yourself out in service to others. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. You will go where I send you. You will do all that I ask of you. There is no doubt about that. I want to know and do your will. I want to do all the good works that you have prepared for me to do for you. I want your hand to be on me. It is my prayer that you will richly bless my life. I want to shine brightly for you in the world. I want people to be drawn to you because of the way that you have been working in my life. I want to use every one of the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. I don’t want any one of my spiritual gifts to be unused and go to waste. I want to fulfill all your purposes and plans for my life. I want to reap a rich harvest for your kingdom. Your desires are very good. Your desires are my desires for you.

What’s that? You said that you want me to urgently and passionately use the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. Yes, I did. Can you tell me more about that? Yes, I will. Your time on this earth is short. If you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name, the time to begin is now. There is no time to waste. Wasted time is a wasted opportunity. Keep your eyes open. Listen carefully to my voice. Go where I send you. Do what I ask of you. Join me in the work that you see me doing. Be urgent. What about being passionate? Don’t be half-hearted. Give yourself fully to me and the work that I have prepared for you. My hand will be on you. You will have my blessing. I will use you. I will set you on fire with passion to love, follow and serve me. That is what I want. That is the prayer of my heart. Yes, I know and I will hear and answer that prayer.

Lord, I know that you have given me many good gifts. Help me to urgently and passionately use every one of my gifts to serve others. Powerfully use me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I will rely on all your strength to bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How are you now using your God given spiritual gifts to serve others?

Living It Out… Use all your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has given you spiritual gifts so that you can serve others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use all your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

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

God’s Will – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Serve Others – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guides

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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

A Way Out

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - A Way Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – A Way Out – Growing As Disciples

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Take It Now

Let’s start with the basics on temptation. I’m listening. You will be tempted. That should come as no great surprise to you. It doesn’t, I have been tempted in what seems like a thousand different ways. It’s not that many. It should also not greatly surprise you in the ways that you will be tempted. Your temptations have been and will continue to be quite predictable. Have you ever noticed the predictability of your temptations? Yes, I have noticed that my temptations usually center around a few basic themes. That’s right. It’s very important for you to recognize when, where, why and how you will most likely be tempted. Why is that? My promise to you is that I will provide you a way of escape out of your temptations. The first way of escape of out of your temptations is to not enter into them in the first place. What do you mean by that? How is that possible? You have a good idea of when, where, why and how you will be tempted, is that right? Yes, it is. Stay away from when, where, why and how you will be tempted. Don’t let anything feed the when, where why and how of your temptations. Is that clear enough to you? Yes, it is. So, you will remove yourself from potentially tempting circumstances before you are tempted? Yes, I will. You will also eliminate from your life anything that feeds tempting desires within you? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

I have a couple more points to make. I’m listening. You will not be tempted in any way that is uncommon to man. What does that mean? You will not experience any unique or unusual temptations that others have or will experience. So, I can’t use the uniqueness of one of my temptations as an excuse, if I were to fail victim to it. That’s right. You will also not face temptations that are beyond your ability to bear. So, I can’t tell myself that I have no hope of overcoming my temptations. That’s right.

Now, I want to talk about two more ways of escape from your temptations. You have my full attention. My word will provide you a way of escape from your temptations. How so? Let my word dwell in you richly. Meditate on my word. Memorize my word. Pray my word. Allow my word to change your heart and transform your mind. Let my word guard and guide all that you think, say and do. As you allow my word to dwell in you richly, My Spirit will use my word to fight in you, with you, and for you, against temptations that you will face in life. Will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? Yes, I will. You mentioned that there was one more way of escape from temptations I will face in life. Yes, I did. What is it? Run from temptation. Don’t hang around temptation. Immediately take the way of escape from temptation that I will provide at the moment I provide it. Take it now, don’t delay. Will you run from temptation when it approaches? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I am under no illusions about my ability to withstand temptation. I will need your strength and ability to flee temptation that will come my way. Help me to always take the way out of temptation you provide at the moment you provide it. Amen

Key Question… What tempting situations and activities must you remove yourself from before you are tempted?

Living It Out… Make sure that you immediately take the way out of temptation that your Heavenly Father provides to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will provide a way out of temptation that you must take immediately.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has provided you a way out of temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way of escape out of temptation that your Heavenly Father will provide to you.

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

God The Father – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – A Way Out – 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

Love Your Enemies

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Luke 6:27-31 - Love Your Enemies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Luke 6:27-31 – Love Your Enemies – Growing As Disciples

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

Hearing You

This is a difficult assignment. This is demanding task. What’s that? You are asking me to love my enemies. You are asking me to pray for everyone who mistreats me. You want me to do good to those who hate me. You are telling me to bless those who curse me. You are saying that if someone strikes me on the one cheek then I should turn to them and let them strike me on the other cheek. You want me to give to others without expecting anything in return. You want me to do to others what I wish they would do for me. Do I have all this right? Am I hearing you correctly and properly understanding all that you are asking of me? Yes, you are understanding me correctly. Can you say any more about what you are asking of me?

Have I done what I am asking of you? Am I asking anything of you that I was unwilling to do? Do you think I am asking of you what I haven’t already done? Haven’t I set before you an example to follow? Haven’t you said that you want to become like me. Haven’t you said that you want to love like I loved. Didn’t I hear you say that you wanted to give like I gave and serve like I served? Isn’t it your hope that you will think, say and do what I thought, said and did? Yes, all that you are saying is true. In every way, I want to become like you. Well then, you can and will follow my example. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

You are right about one thing. What’s that? You cannot live the life that I am calling you to live. You cannot love like I loved, give like I gave or serve like I served with your own effort and strength. Your own efforts will result in failure. What then can I do? You can ask that I live my life in and through you. You can rely on me completely. You can allow my Spirit to work in and through your life. You can ask for my power and strength to make you able to live the life that I have called you to live. Will you allow me to make you able to love like I loved, give like I gave and serve like I served? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, the idea that you want to display your loving mercy through me to my enemies is a difficult assignment. In the past, my worst desire has been to take revenge and get even. Not now, not ever again. Use me as your witness in the world. Amen

Key Question… How will your enemies know, from your behavior, that you love them?

Living It Out… Allow God to display His love to others in the world through you as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that one day God will reward you for loving even your enemies and those who have hated and hurt you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been using you to show His love even to your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s love be on display through your life as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

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

Love – Luke 6-27-31 – Love Your Enemies – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Seasoned With Salt

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Colossians 4:6 - Seasoned With Salt - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Colossians 4:6 – Seasoned With Salt – Growing As Disciples

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

My Words

What words are coming out of your mouth? How are you evaluating the words that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are you placing a guard over the words that come out of your mouth? Do you think that I will be pleased with every word that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are your words full of grace? Do your words offer kindness, mercy and love? How well am I able to use your words as a witness for me in the world? Are others drawn to your words? Do your words offer a pleasant flavor that is attractive for all to hear or are your words just like everyone else’s in the world? You have asked me a lot of questions. Have I spoken words that are not pleasing to you? Have I spoken words that have not be full of kindness, mercy and love? Have my words been harsh and critical? Have my words been sarcastic and cutting? Have my words been filled with judgement? Have I selfishly spoken words to solely express my own opinion, make my points and win arguments? Now, it is you who has asked me a lot of questions.

I would like to hear you answer the questions that you have asked of me. I thought you might say that. I am sure that I have spoken words that have not been pleasing to you. Why is that? Your questions have caused me to think more about the words that have been coming out of my mouth. What have you heard? I have heard words that were not filled with kindness, mercy and love. I have spoken words that were filled with judgement. I have been harsh and critical and sarcastic and cutting with the words that have come out of my mouth. I have spoken words solely to get my point across so that I could clearly express my opinion. Do you always need to express your opinion? Is there anything far more important than you being able to clearly make your point?

I want to make the most of every opportunity to be used by you. I want my words to be filled with kindness, mercy and love. I want you to use the words of my mouth to draw others to you. I want my words to add a pleasant and attractive flavor in the world. I want my words to stand out as a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Will that ever happen if you must use your words to express your opinions, make your points and win your arguments? No, when I am speaking in those ways I am sure that you are not speaking through me. At those times, I have speaking my words solely on my behalf. Will you allow me to speak through you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want to be a witness for you in all I think, say and do. Guard my thoughts. Give me your words to say. Help my life to express your kindness, mercy and love to everyone so that I will be a vibrant life-giving witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… How is the grace that you have received from Jesus Christ being spread through you to others?

Living It Out… Let your life and your conversation be life giving and encouraging so that you will be a vibrant witness for Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you just the right words to say to others as a witness for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has used your words to minister to another person.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your words be full of grace and seasoned with salt so you will answer others well.

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

Character – Colossians 4-6 – Seasoned With Salt – 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

Show It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 3:13 - Show It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 3:13 – Show It – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 (NIV)

Success?

I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to demonstrate that I am both wise and understanding. Why do you want to be wise and understanding? What do you mean by asking me that? What is wise? What is understanding? How are you defining those terms? Why is it your desire and goal to be wise and understanding? I’m still not fully understanding where you are headed with your questions. Let’s take a step back. I will ask you another question. Go ahead, I’m listening. What possible reasons could a person have for wanting to be wise and understanding? A person might want to be wise and understanding so that they can be successful in life. I suppose you will now ask me what a successful life would look like. You are right about that. What would a successful life look like to you? What would a successful look like to someone else? Now, I’m starting to understand where you are headed with your questions. Someone might evaluate their success in life by how much they have acquired. They would think that their life is successful if they have acquired possessions, power and prestige in an abundance. They might think that their life has been successful if they have lived a life filled with comfort and pleasure. Their desire for wisdom and understanding would simply be tools on that path to their idea of success. That’s right. Is this how you view success? Is this why you want wisdom and understanding? No, it is not.

How do you define success? My life will be successful if I have come to know and do your will. My life will be successful if I have born an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. That is a very different definition of success. Yes, it is. Only my followers would ever hold on to that definition of success. That’s right. Loving, following and serving you is my desire and goal in life. So, it should be easy for you to now tell me why you want to have wisdom and understanding. I want to have wisdom and understanding so that I will be able to know and do your will. Wisdom and understanding from you, will guide me on the proper path in life. My life will succeed in bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name if I have your wisdom and understanding. Yes, it will. Without your wisdom and understanding I will be unable to know and do your will. That’s right. It is my prayer that I will have your wisdom and understanding so that I can live my life fully for you. That is a prayer that I will hear and answer.

Lord, I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to be filled with your wisdom and understanding. Help me to do humble deeds that display wisdom as I follow and serve you. Use my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… Who has been a good role model for you by displaying wisdom through their actions?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to show you what humble and wise deeds you can do for others as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you to do humble deeds for others that display true wisdom and understanding.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is leading you to humbly and wisely serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do wise, humble and good deeds for others as you follow and serve the Lord.

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

Wisdom – James 3-13 – Show It – 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