Forgiven – Forgive

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythm - Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgiven - Forgive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythm – Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – Growing As Disciples

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

Forgiveness

You have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have received from me what you did not deserve. You have been given what you could not earn or merit. Your old life is dead and gone. The power of sin over your life has been broken. I am your Savior and Lord. You have a completely new life to live in me. For that, I am so very thankful. I am excited and anxious and thrilled to live the new life that you have called me to live. That’s very good. 

I have a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. What will my new life look like? How will I know if I am living the life that you have called me to live? Those are very good questions. Tell me, the answers to those questions. You think I know the answers to those questions? I am certain you know the answers to those questions. I will know I am living the life you have called me to live when I am allowing you to mold and shape my life. Every day you will be changing me. Your work in my life will never stop until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. That’s right. I am the work of your hands. I will be your masterpiece. Day by day, I will become more like you. You will allow me to think your thoughts. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will teach me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. That’s right.

What else will you do for others just like I have done for you? I will forgive others just like you have forgiven me. When someone sins against me, I will not hold that sin against them. Just as I have received your forgiveness, others will also receive my forgiveness. That is very good. What will be the result of your freely forgiving others? As I forgive others, I will be a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see you living in and through my life. They will want what I have. What’s that? They will want to live in an intimate relationship with you. They will want to love like you loved. They will want to forgive like you forgave. Yes, they will. As you live like I lived and do what I did you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is the prayer and desire of my heart. I will hear and answer that prayer and desire of your heart.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world so that I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. Make me able to love others just like you love me. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

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

Rhythms – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – 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

Brings Healing

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 12:18 - Brings Healing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 12:18 – Brings Healing – Growing As Disciples

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Listen And Speak

How carefully are you monitoring the thoughts that you allow yourself to think? How well are you guarding the words that are coming out of your mouth? Those are two very good questions. I’m not sure that I am doing a very good job of monitoring my mind or guarding my mouth. Why is that? I know that I have been thinking and saying words that have not been pleasing to you. How so? I have thought and said words that have pierced others like a sword. My words have been cutting. My words have been critical. My words have been sarcastic. Those are not words that I like to hear. Are those words that you like to hear? Are those words that anyone likes to hear? No, they are not. Those kinds of words do damage that is difficult to repair. That’s true. 

What kind of words do you like to hear? I like to hear words of encouragement. I like to hear words of affirmation. I like to hear words that uplift my spirit and express confident hope in my future. I like it when others see positive things in me that I don’t even see in myself. I like it when other say words that spur me on to bigger and better things. What do these kinds of words do for you? These kinds of words bring healing to my entire being. These kinds of words unlock the potential that you have created in me to fulfill. These words help me to be and do all that you have in mind for me. When I hear these kinds of words I get up and get going to do your will. Would you like to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others? Would you like your words to bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? Would you like me to speak through you so that others will get up and get going to do my will? Yes Lord, I would.

How can I know your words? How can I know the words that will bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? If you want to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others you must learn to do two things well at the same time. What’s that? You must listen well to others and you must listen well to me. Listen to what others are saying to you. Listen to what others need to hear. Listen to what I am saying to you. Listen to what I want to give you to speak into the lives of others. As you listen to others and listen to me I will give you words to speak that will bring health and hope and healing. Will you do these two things well? Will you listen and speak well for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, often I have hurried my thoughts and rushed my words. I have said reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. Forgive me. I want to think your thoughts and speak your words. Use my mind and mouth to speak words of healing to others. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used you to speak words that brought healing to another person?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to speak healing words to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak well thought out words that bring healing to others.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 12-18 – Brings Healing – 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

Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Study - If - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – If – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)

Grow Up 

Do you want to continue to grow up in your salvation? Do you want to become mature in your faith? Do you want to taste of my goodness? Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to grow up and become mature in my faith. Yes, I want to continue to grow up in my salvation. I want to taste of your goodness. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want nothing less than all that you have for me. What must I do if I want to continue to grow up in my salvation and mature in my faith? How can I keep on tasting of your goodness? Those are very good questions. 

There are two things that you must do if you want to grow up in your salvation and mature in your faith. There are two things that you must do if you want to live the life that I have called you to live. There are two things you must do if you want to receive all that I have for you. There are two things you must do if you want to keep on tasting of my goodness.

What things must I do? You must rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. That sounds very difficult. Actually, that sounds impossible. If it were up to you and your efforts it would be impossible for you to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. But, you have tasted my goodness. You have received my grace and mercy. You have turned from your sin to follow me. On the cross I broke the power of sin over your life. You now have a new life to live in me. You are now dead to sin and alive to me. I know this is all true. I have given my life to you. I know that I have a new life to live in you. I know that you have broken the power of sin over my life. Yet, I have had a very difficult time ridding myself of evil and leaving sin behind me. There is something else that you must also do, that you haven’t been doing. What’s that? You must feed on my word. You must desire my word like a newborn baby. As you feed on my word you will continue to taste of my goodness. As you feed on my word your hunger and thirst for me and the life I have for you will grow. As you feed on my word I will change your heart and transform your mind. You will no longer want the evil that is in the world. You will want to rid yourself of every evil. You will want to leave evil behind you. As you meet with me in my word you will taste of my goodness, grow up in your salvation, mature in your faith and be able to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that is what I want.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word has helped me to rid myself of evil. Feeding on your word has allowed me to taste your goodness. Feeding on your word and tasting your goodness has caused me to continue to grow up in my salvation. Amen

Key Question… How has daily feeding on God’s word allowed you to taste the goodness of the Lord?

Living It Out… Leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word so that you can continue to grow up in your salvation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow up in your salvation as you leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are leaving evil behind and feeding on God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rid yourself of all evil and desire God’s word so you can grow up in your salvation.

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

If – 1 Peter 2-1-3- Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – 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

Belonged To The World

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - John 15:18-19 - Belonged To The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – John 15:18-19 – Belonged To The World – Growing As Disciples

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-19 (NIV)

World

You no longer belong to the world. I have chosen you from out of the world. Even though you still live in the world you are no longer of the world. I have changed you. You will think differently than those who are in the world. Your values will not be the same. Your desires will be different. You will want what I want. You will desire to know and do my will.  You will want to accomplish my purposes. You will speak differently than those who are in the world. Your words will give life. You words will build others up rather than tear them down. You will act differently than those who are in the world. Your actions will offer healing and help and hope to others. In every way you will stand out in the world. You will shine brightly for me. You will be like a light set on a hill. You will be like salt that adds a pleasant flavor in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see me living in and through your life. That’s the good news. Is there news that isn’t quite so good? Do you mean what’s the bad news? Yes, I suppose so. I didn’t want to say it quite like that.

The world hated me. The world will hate you. This should never take you by surprise. The world’s hate will take on many forms. You will be ridiculed. You will be disdained. You will be mocked. The world rejected me. The world will reject you. What do you think of all this? On one hand this sounds terrible. On the other hand it comes as very good news. Why do you say that? The world will remind me that I do not belong to it when it hates me. The world will affirm to me that I belong to you when I am mistreated by it.  The world will encourage me to draw near to you to receive your comfort, encouragement and strength when I have been rejected by it. The world will let me know that I am shining brightly for you when its darkness tries to overcome me. There is one thing that I know for certain. What’s that? You are with me as I live in this world. Yes, I am. You will give me all the help I need as I live in this world for you. Yes, I will.

 Lord, thank you for choosing me out of the world. Even though I still live in the world I am no longer of the world. Help me to shine brightly in the world as one of your followers. I will be encouraged when I am hated because I know the world also hated you. Amen

Key Question… How has your life changed since Jesus Christ chose you from out of the world to live your life for Him?

Living It Out… Live your life as one who has been chosen from out of the world and now belongs to Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has chosen you from out of the world to live a changed life with and for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how being chosen from out of the world changes the way that you live.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live your life knowing that you have been chosen out of the world to live your life for the Lord.

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

If – John 15-18-19 – Belonged To 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

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Luke 1:37-38 - Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Luke 1:37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 (NIV) 

Your Servant

I am your servant. I will go where you send me. I will do what you ask of me. I will not second guess your word. I will not doubt your command. It is my wholehearted desire to know and do your will. It is my prayer to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I know that you can do the impossible. Nothing is too hard for you. You can and will do what I cannot possibly do by myself. With your guidance, I will know what to do for you. With your direction, I will know where to go for you. With your power and strength, I will be able to do whatever you ask of me, of that I am certain. Apart from you, I can do nothing that will amount to anything that would last for all eternity. That’s true. But, you will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom. You will cause me to bring glory to your name. Yes, I will of that you can be sure.

How will you know where I am guiding you? How will you know what I am asking of you? How will you receive all the power and strength that you will need from me? I will wait in your presence. I will listen to your voice. I will follow your instructions. I will not run ahead of you. I will not wander away from you. I will not lag behind you. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. I will join you in the work that you will give me to do for you. I will rely on you for all that I need to do your will. I will not rely on my own power and strength. To do so would be a tragic mistake that would result in certain failure. Yes, that’s true. 

Why are you so willing to follow me? Why are you so committed to serving me? I want to follow and serve you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am on fire with passion to live my life fully and completely with and for you. There is no place I would rather go, nothing I would rather do, than go to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I want what you want. My life is in your hands. Use me however you desire. I am all yours. I am your servant. Yes, you are and yes, I will use you according to my purposes and plans.

 Lord, I will say yes to you no matter what you ask of me. I will believe and trust in you even when you ask me to join you in doing what seems impossible. I know you are God and there is nothing impossible that you can’t do. Amen

Key Question… What is God asking you to do for Him right now that seems nearly impossible to you?

Living It Out… Say yes to God by following and serving Him wherever He leads you to do whatever He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can wholeheartedly trust God’s will and plan for your life as you follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has asked you to participate in doing what seems impossible.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you say yes to God to join Him in what He wants to do in and through you even when it seems impossible.

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

Faith – Luke 1-37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With 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

Measure Of Faith

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Romans 12:3 - Measure Of Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Romans 12:3 – Measure Of Faith – Growing As Disciples

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV) 

Self-Evaluation 

What do you think about yourself? What kind of question is that? It is a very important question. Why is that an important question? What difference does it make what I think about myself? You are willing to admit that you do think about yourself? Yes, of course I think about myself. How much do you think about yourself? I’m sure that I think about myself far too often. Why is that? I think about myself all the time. What kind of thoughts do you think about yourself? I ask myself a lot of questions. Like what? I ask myself if I’m having fun. I ask myself if I am enjoying life. I ask myself if I am happy with all the decisions that I have made. I wonder if I will have any regrets. Do you have any regrets? I have a lot of regrets. Why is that? I have made a lot of dumb mistakes. I have wasted a lot of time. I have gone where I shouldn’t have gone. I have said what I shouldn’t have said. I have done what I shouldn’t have done. What do you think about yourself and all the mistakes that you have made? Sometimes, I think of myself as an idiot and a loser. Sometimes, I wallow in my past mistakes and become quite depressed about them. Do you think that I think you are a loser? Do you think that I wallow in your past mistakes and become quite depressed about them? Those are very interesting questions. Why is that? I’m asking myself why I would allow myself to think thoughts about myself that you certainly don’t think about me. That is a very good question to ask yourself. Now, you are beginning to see how important it is to consider what you are thinking about yourself. Yes, I am.

What do you think I would like you to do with your thoughts about yourself? I think you want me to let you guide the thoughts I think about myself. You don’t want me to think too highly of myself. You want me to have a humble heart and mind and life. You want me to know that everything that I am and hope to be has and will come to me as a gift from you. That’s right. You don’t want me to think too lowly of myself. You want me to know that I am special. I am your child. You are working in and through my life. The past is gone. You have redeemed and renewed my life. I no longer need to live under any condemnation. I have been forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. That’s right. You have given me a new life to live in you. I am your workmanship. I am your masterpiece. You will accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. You will help me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. These are the thoughts that I want you to think about yourself. Hold on to these thoughts as you love, follow and serve me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I give thanks and praise to you because all I am, have done, will do and hope to be has come to me as a gift from you. You have made me who I am. You are molding and shaping my life so that I will be able to do all that you will give me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… Who has permission to give you feedback to help you to honestly evaluate yourself?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to God for how He has made you and how He is using you to bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that all you are, have done, will do, and hope to be has come to you as a gift from God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith in God has helped you to properly evaluate yourself.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly evaluate yourself with the knowledge that everything you have and hope to be comes from Him.

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

Faith – Romans 12-3 – Measure of Faith – 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

Renewing Of Your Mind

Posted on by
Reply
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

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

Rejoice And Be Glad

Posted on by
Reply
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

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

Discern

Posted on by
Reply
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

Posted on by
Reply
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

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