Outward Appearance

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Samuel 16:7 - Outward Appearance - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Samuel 16:7 – Outward Appearance – Growing As Disciples

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) 

Heart Surgery 

That is exactly what I want you to do. What’s that? I want you to look at my heart. Are you really that confident about the condition of your heart? No, not at all. Just the opposite is true. I want you to do surgery on my heart. Why is that? I have thought things that I wish I had not thought.  I have said things that I wish I had not said. I have done things that I wish I had not done. The same question always comes to my mind. What’s that? How could I think what I thought, say what I said or do what I did? How do you answer those questions? You and I both know the answer to those questions. Yes, we do, let me hear your answer. Everything that I think or say or do comes from what is in my heart. A good barometer of the condition of my heart are the thoughts of my mind, the words from my mouth and the deeds of my life. The condition of my heart cannot be hidden from anyone, especially not you. That’s right.

So, you want me to do surgery on your heart? Yes, I do. What do you think I will use to do surgery on your heart? You will use your word to do surgery on my heart. How will I do that? Your Holy Spirit will take your word and apply it to my life. A day will not go by that you won’t use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fan flames of desire in me to love you will all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your word will give me the delight and desire to be fully devoted to you. Your word will change my thoughts, form my words and guide my deeds. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. Your word will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. You will never stop using your word to work in and through my life. Use your word to do heart surgery in me as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will.

Lord, I know that you don’t look at the outward appearance. You don’t evaluate me by how good I look. What do you see in my heart? I want you to see someone who loves you with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. Let that be me and my heart. Amen

Key Question… Why will what is in your heart always guide the thoughts and words and deeds of your life?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to set you on fire for Him so you will love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will set you on fire to love Him with all your heart, and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fully devoted to loving, following and serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength as you follow and serve Him.

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

Character – 1 Samuel 16-7 – Outward Appearance – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Guard Your Hearts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Philippians 4:6-7 - Guard Your Hearts - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Philippians 4:6-7 – Guard Your Hearts – 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)

On Guard 

Are you on guard? Am I on guard over what? Are you on guard over your heart? What does that mean? How can I guard my heart? What do I need to be on guard against? Can something attack my heart? What might put my heart in danger? Those are very good questions. I think it would be very helpful for you to answer your own questions. I know that you have a good idea of what will endanger your heart. I would like to hear your answers. You talk, I will listen.

It seems to me that my heart is under constant attack from the world. The world is a noisy chaotic place. It shouts for my ear and demands my attention. Life in this world is filled with worries of every shape and size. There are financial worries. There are physical worries. There are emotional worries. It would be easy to allow my life to become paralyzed by worry. Have you ever let your heart become paralyzed by worry? You know the answer to that question. I have frequently let my heart and mind and life become paralyzed by worry. How will you guard your heart against worry? That seems like an odd question to me. Why is that? Aren’t you the one who will guard my heart? Aren’t you the one who will fill my heart and mind and life with your peace? Won’t your peace guard my heart? Yes, my peace will guard your heart under certain circumstances. Under what circumstances will your peace guard my heart and mind and life? That again, is a question you can answer. If you want my peace to guard your heart and mind and life you must answer that question with both your words and actions. I get it. I must turn all my worries into prayers to you. I must come to rely on you. I must ask for your help. I must present all my requests to you. I must believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. When I pray to you, I must thankfully consider your help as a certain and settled matter. You will hear me. You will help me. When I rely on you I will have your peace. Your peace will be with me in and through every twist and turn and up and down in life. I will be able to hold on to you as you hold on to me. I will be able to live in your supernatural peace that will guard my heart and mind and life. Yes, you will. 

Lord, too often I have carried my worries and anxieties on my own all by myself. Help me now to turn all my worries and anxieties into thanksgiving filled prayers to you. Guard my heart and mind with your unexplainable peace. Amen

Key Question… What kinds of circumstances are most likely to cause your heart and mind to be filled with anxiety?

Living It Out… Turn every one of your worries and anxieties into thanksgiving filled prayers to the Lord so He can give you His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you His peace as you turn your worries and anxieties into prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what worries and anxieties you are turning into prayers right now.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn all your worries and anxieties into prayers of thanks to the Lord so He can give you His peace.

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

Heart – Philippians 4-6-7- Guard Your Hearts – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Send Out Laborers

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Discipleship Devotional Study - Discipleship - Luke 10:2 - Send Out Laborers - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study – Discipleship – Luke 10:2 – Send Out Laborers – Growing As Disciples

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2 (ESV)

My Harvest Field

Someone prayed for me, I’m sure of that. What do you mean by saying that? Can you explain yourself? That’s it. There is no good explanation for me to be here working in your harvest field. I didn’t wander out into this harvest field all by myself. I didn’t choose myself to be a worker in your harvest field. If I were to dream up my own harvest field, it wouldn’t be this one. I wouldn’t have chosen to be here doing this work. Don’t take what I am saying wrong. There is no chance of that. I don’t resent being called and sent out to work in this field. I am thankful for any and every opportunity to serve you. It is my joy to be a laborer in your harvest field. I want to go wherever you send me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I am trying to say that I could not have dreamed this up, serving you in this harvest field. There is another thing. What’s that? Longevity and sticking to something are not my long suits. You could have fooled me. Really? Not, really. But, you have worked in this harvest field for many years. Yes, I have and that is surprising to me. I should not be surprised. Why is that? You have made me able to work in this harvest field over these many years. You have sustained me. You have strengthened me. You have given me joy as I have gone and done your will. Yes, I have. What else? You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I have. I am very thankful to you about that. That’s good.

What else have you noticed about working in my harvest field? I have noticed that there are not enough workers in your harvest field. There is a lot of work to be done in your harvest field. More workers are needed in your harvest field. Your harvest field is a lonely place sometimes. It shouldn’t be. Yes, I know. What will you do about there not being enough workers in my harvest field? I will pray for more workers to be sent out into your harvest field. What else? I will ask others to join me in the work in your harvest field. Who will you ask? That’s a good question. As I am praying for more workers to go out into your harvest field, I will be counting on you to lead me to them. Will you show me who you want to join me in the work in your harvest field? Yes, I will. Then I will ask them to join me in the work in your harvest field. That will be very good.

Lord, your harvest field is plentiful. Thank you for calling me to go out and work in your harvest field. I have noticed an absence of workers. There is much work to be done. There are not enough laborers in your harvest. Send an abundance of more workers. Amen

Key Question… When have you prayed for more workers to go out into the Lord’s harvest field?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to send out more workers into His harvest field.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your request for more workers to be sent out into His harvest field.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are praying for more workers in the Lord’s harvest field.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pray and ask the Lord to send out workers into the harvest field.

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

Discipleship – Luke 10-2 – Send Out Laborers – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Can

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Discipleship Devotionals Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - Philippians 4:13 - I Can - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotionals Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – Philippians 4:13 – I Can – Growing As Disciples

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (ESV) 

Impossible

This is too hard. This is too difficult. You have asked too much of me. This is beyond my gifts, talents and abilities. I can’t possibly do what you are asking me to do for you. Why do you do this to me? Do what to you? Why do you ask so much of me? You have done this to me many times before. What have I done to you many times before? You have asked me to do the impossible. You have asked me to do something that I cannot do. You have asked me to do something that was way outside the scope of my gifts, talents and abilities. You’ve noticed, that’s good. You’re right, I have done this to you many times before and you can be sure that I will do it to you many times again. What? Why is that? You tell me. I’m not sure. Take a guess.

You have given me impossible assignments so that I would be forced to come to rely on you for your help. You got it. How good would you be at relying on me if I gave you nothing but easy assignments? I see your point. You haven’t answered my question. I have had a long history of trying to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. If you gave me nothing but easy assignments I would do nothing but rely on myself to accomplish them. That’s right. 

Could there be another reason why I might give you impossible assignments? Let me think. Go right ahead, give my question some depth thought. You want me to learn that you are with me to help me. You want me to know that you will work in and through my life. You want me to know that your hand is on me. You want me to know that you will use my life to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That’s right. 

Could there be one more reason why I might give you impossible assignments? You want everyone to know that you are the one who has accomplished the impossible. I have not accomplished the impossible. I will not receive credit for doing what I could not have done. It is you that will receive all the praise and glory and honor in doing what could not be done. When the impossible gets done, fruit is born for your kingdom and glory is brought to your name. But, I do get to rejoice and give thanks that you have worked in and through my life. That’s right. Will you come to rely on me? Will you allow me to do the impossible in and through your life? Will you allow me to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name through your life? Yes Lord, I will. That is very good.                               

Lord, what is there that I cannot do with your strength? Nothing? I know that I am weak. I know that you are strong. I will rely on you to give me strength to do what I couldn’t possibly do by myself. Help me to be able to do what you are asking me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… How have you experienced God’s peace as you have quietly met with Him in His word?

Living It Out… Make it your daily habit to listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you listen to the Lord will walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening to the Lord so you can live in His peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

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

Mixed Emotions – Philippians 4-13 – I Can – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Will Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Psalm 85:8 - I Will Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Psalm 85:8 – I Will Listen – Growing As Disciples

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8 (NLT)

Your Ways

I’m speaking to you. Are you listening to me? Have you made yourself fully available to me? Have you turned your ear to me so you can clearly hear me? I want to guide you. I want to guard you. I want to protect you. I want to teach and train you. I want to speak into your life. I am listening. I have come to a complete stop. I have withdrawn from the crowd. I have left the busyness of the fast lane. I am not chasing one thing after another. I am not running myself into the ground. I am not weary. I am not worn out. I am at rest. I am seated. I am quiet. Here I am. I am meditating on your word. I am carefully considering everything you want to say to me. I am waiting right now, right here. Speak into my life. I’m listening. That is very good. 

What has my word done for you? Why are you so eager to hear from me? How has my word changed your life? Your word has brought peace into my life. Your word has helped me to know who I am. Your word has guided me to what I should do. Tell me more about that. I am your child. You are my Father. You love me. You care for me. You are leading me through life. You are always with me. You will never forsake me. I have a future with you both now and forever. You have a purpose and plan for my life. I am not wandering from one thing to another. I am not chasing some impossible dream. I am not entangled and ensnared in a life filled with foolish thoughts, words, and deeds. I know where I am heading. I know what I am becoming. I know what I will be doing. What’s that? I am headed where you lead me. I am following you. I am becoming more like you. I am learning to give like you gave, serve like you served, and love like you loved. Am I doing this perfectly? No, I am not. But, day-by-day you are using your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I am learning to know your will and walk in your ways. I am delighting in going and doing what is pleasing to you. This is what your word has done for me. This is why I am so eager to hear from you. This is how your word has changed my life. Speak to me Lord, I am listening. That is very good.

You have my full attention. I have learned my lesson. I have listened to the wrong voices and taken the wrong paths. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. Foolish me. Forgive me. I will follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… How have you experienced God’s peace as you have quietly met with Him in His word?

Living It Out… Make it your daily habit to listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you listen to the Lord will walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening to the Lord so you can live in His peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

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

Character – Psalm 85-8 – I Will Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Present Your Requests To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Philippians 4:6 - Present Your Requests To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Philippians 4:6 – Present Your Requests To God – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Specific Prayers

Do you have really vague worries? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you feel worry but don’t know what you are worrying about? No, I can’t say that I do. That’s what I thought. My worries are usually very specific. I may have no real cause to worry but at least I know what I’m worrying about.

So then, if your worries are well defined and quite specific why do you offer vague prayers about them? I’m not sure. If you offer a very vague prayer how will you ever know if I answered it? I might have a vague feeling that my prayer was answered. That’s my point. You would never know for sure if your prayer was or wasn’t answered. I get it.

When you pray do you really expect that I will hear and answer your prayers? I hope that you will. That doesn’t sound like a real answer to me. When I pray I wonder if I’m asking for something that is worthy of being asked and answered. Let me tell you something. What’s that? If something causes you to worry then its worthy of turning it into a prayer to me. Do you know why that is? You don’t want me to worry. That’s right. What do I want you to do instead of worrying? You want me to have faith in you. Yes, but be more specific. You want me to have faith that you will hear and answer my prayers. Why would I do that for you? You love me and I am your child. Yes, you are. Do you delight in hearing and answering requests from your children? Yes, I really do. You can be just as sure that I do as well, even more so.

If you have faith that I will hear and answer your prayers, with what attitude will you make them? I will make my prayers to you with joy and thanksgiving because I know that you are listening to me. Yes, I am. What then will happen to the worry and anxiety that you have been carrying? When I pray to you my worries and anxieties will be replaced with joy and thanksgiving. Yes they will.  Now start praying specific prayers that I can hear and answer for you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I will no longer hold on to my worries and struggle through them on my own. I am so thankful that I can turn all my worries into very specific prayers and petitions to you. Thank you for hearing and answering me in my need. Amen

Key Question…When have you turned a very specific worry into a very specific prayer?

Living It Out… Turn your worries into prayers to the Lord with thanksgiving knowing that He will hear and answer your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can turn your worries into prayers that the Lord will hear and answer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how turning your worries into prayers have released you from worry.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your worries into thankful prayers to God.

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

Gratitude – Philippians 4-6 – Present Your Requests 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

Indescribable Gift

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Gratitude - 2 Corinthians 9:15 - Indescribable Gift - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 9:15 – Indescribable Gift – Growing As Disciples

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Gift 

How would you describe the gift that I have given to you? Are you asking me how I would describe the gift of salvation that I have received from you? That’s right. I can’t possible begin to describe all that you have done, are doing and will do for me through your gift of salvation. Why not? Your gift has a past, present and future. I could describe some of what you have done for me already, even though, I’m sure I inadequately understand even that. What you are doing for me now is unfolding. My mind hasn’t caught up with all your present activity in my life. I certainly don’t know all that you will do for me in the rest of this life or in my life forever in heaven with you. No, you don’t. But, I’m excited. I’m waiting. I’m filled with wonder and anticipation. I’m joyfully looking forward to living each day with and for you. That’s good.

Describe what you can about my gift of salvation. I will give it a try. You wiped my slate clean. You gave me a fresh start. You forgave all my sin. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You healed my battered and broken life.  You have restored my soul. You have refreshed me in your presence. You have allowed me to taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You are my God and Father. You are my God and King. You are my fortress and deliverer. You adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You helped me to walk away from my old life. You have been using your word to change my heart and transform my mind. You are allowing me to think your thoughts, speak your words, and do your deeds. You have given me a completely new life to live. You have given me a future and a hope. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You are leading every day as I love, follow and serve you. I am holding on to you as you hold on to me. You are drawing near to me as I draw near to you. You are allowing me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Your hand is on me. You are lavishing me with your life. You hear and answer my prayers. You listen to me as I listen to you. My life is in your hands. I look forward to the day when I will come to live forever. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, your gift of salvation, through your Son’s death on the cross for me, is too wonderful for words to describe. I can’t stop talking about all that you have done, are doing and will do for me. I can’t even conceive of what my future with you holds. Amen

Key Question…Why was God willing to freely give you a gift that cost Him the death of His only Son on the cross?

Living It Out… Give thanks to God for His indescribable gift of salvation through Christ’s death on the cross as payment for your sins.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift that is far too wonderful for words to describe.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s gift of salvation has changed and is changing your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you give thanks to God for His indescribable gift of salvation.

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

Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 9-15 – Indescribable Gift – 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

Entrusted To Your Care

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Timothy 6:20-21 - Entrusted To Your Care - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 – Entrusted To Your Care – Growing As Disciples

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.                                           1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV)

Use Your Gifts

I know that you have given gifts, talents, and abilities to me. My gifts, talents and abilities have been entrusted to my care. They are not to be misused. They are not to be left unused. What a waste that would be. What a tragedy it would be to one day report to you that I had never used the gifts, talents and abilities that you gave to me. That would be a tragedy. I know you won’t allow that to happen to you. You want to bear fruit for my kingdom. You want to bring glory to my name. Yes, that is the desire of my heart. I want nothing more or nothing less than that. That is very good.

Let’s talk about how someone might fail to use the gifts, talents, and abilities that I have given to them. How might that happen? How could that possibly occur? I think it would be possible for someone to either misuse or fail to use the gifts, talents and abilities that you have given to them. Let’s talk about each possibility. Someone might misuse the gifts, talents and abilities by following the wisdom of the world. If they did that, their entire life would be completely off course. They most likely would pursue money and value things. They would chase after all that the world offered. They would invest their life in what would amount to nothing. They came into the world with nothing and they would leave the world with nothing. All their treasure would be stored up on earth. They would have no treasure stored up in heaven with you. They would have borne no fruit for your kingdom. They would have brought no glory to your name. This would be a godless and wasted life. Yes, that’s true.

There is another negative possibility. What’s that? It would be possible for someone to be so lazy and unmotivated that they never got around to discovering the gifts, talents and abilities you gave to them. They might not ever go where you guided them. They might never do what you asked of them. If they never stepped out in faith to serve you, they would never discover and use the gifts, talents and abilities that you gave to them. No, they would not. They certainly would never allow you to develop and shape their gifts, talents and abilities. That’s true.

But, you are guarding the gifts, talents and abilities that I have given to you. You are not allowing your life to go off course. You are not lazy and unmotivated. You are willing to go where I guide you. You are willing to do whatever I ask of you. You are willing to fully use every gift, talent and ability I have given you to serve me. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for the gifts, talents and abilities you have given to me. I will wisely and faithfully use all you have entrusted to my care so I can encourage others in their faith. Help me to bring back to you those who have foolishly wandered away from you. Amen

Key Question… What gifts, talents and abilities has God entrusted to your care and given you to use to serve Him?

Living It Out… Wisely and faithfully use the gifts, talents and abilities entrusted to your care to encourage others in their faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has entrusted gifts, talents and abilities to your care to use to encourage others in their faith.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your gifts to encourage others in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your use all that the Lord has entrusted to your care to minister to others.

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

Character – 1 Timothy 6-20-21 – Entrusted To Your Care – 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

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Renewing Of Your Mind - Romans 12-2 - Growing As Disciples

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

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 12:2 (NIV)

Know And Do

I want to be able to know your will. That’s good. That’s not enough. What do you mean by that? It is not enough for me to know your will. I want to be able to do your will. That’s even better. I would never want you to only know my will. You are right to want to put my will into practice. You and I share the same desire.

You have had more of a struggle with doing my will. Knowing my will has not been as much of a problem for you. That’s true. If you simply say that you want to do my will, that is only a good start. Why is that? In your own strength, with your own abilities alone, you will never be able to do my will. I have no doubt about that. How will I ever be able to know and do your will? How will you come to know my will? I will come to meet with you in your word. How often? I will come to meet with you in your word daily. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. That will be very good. You can’t come to meet with me in my word and remain the same. Why is that? As you draw near to me, I will draw near to you. In my presence, you will be changed. In my presence, you will be transformed. I will speak my word into your heart and mind and life. You will begin to think my thoughts. You will desire to do my will. You will come to know the truth. The truth will set you free. What once enslaved you will be broken. Sin will have no power over you. You will be released from the chains that have held you captive. My word will strengthen you against temptation. My word will make you able to stand against evil. It will be no burden for you to follow and obey me. It will be your desire to do what is pleasing in my sight. You will grow to want to go wherever I guide you. You will be thrilled to do whatever I ask of you. I will make you a new person. I will give you a new heart and mind and life with which you can fully love, follow and serve me. That is what I want. That is what I desire. Yes, I know. That is very good.

Lord, I will not allow my mind to be conformed to the patterns, practices and values of the world. Instead, I will allow your word to renew and transform my mind. Use your word to help me to know your will. Use your word to strengthen me to do your will. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word helped strengthen you to be able to do His will?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to renew and transform your mind.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being transformed by the renewal of your mind.

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

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

Character – Romans 12-2 – 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

Delights In A Man’s Way

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Psalm 37:23-24 - Delights In A Man's Ways - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Psalm 37:23-24 – Delights In A Man’s Ways – Growing As Disciples

If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

Your Way

Do you want me to delight in your way? Would you like to know that the steps that you are taking in life are sure and firm? Would you like to walk on solid ground? It is the desire of my heart to walk in the way that pleases you. I do want to know that my steps are sure and that I am walking on solid ground. What do you think would please me? What will give security to your steps? How will know for certain that you are walking on solid ground? If I follow you I will be walking on solid ground. If I follow you I will have security to my steps. If I follow you I will certainly do what pleases you. That’s right.

How will you know if you are following me? In order to follow your way I will need to set aside my way. I cannot insist on my own way and walk in your way. Is that what you want? I have no interest in following my own way. I want to know you and do your will. That is a very good desire. How will you come to know me? How will you be able to do my will? Only you can make me able to know you and do your will. That’s right. What have I given to you so that you can know me and do my will?

You have put your Holy Spirit in me so that I can know you and do your will. You have given me your word so that I can know you and do your will. Yes, that’s right. My Spirit will take my word and apply it to your life. My Spirit will speak to you through my word. My Spirit will use my word as a sword to fight in you, with you and for you. My Spirit will use my word to make you able to know and do my will. My Spirit will use my word to change your heart and transform your mind. My Spirit will use my word to make you able to hear my voice and follow me. My Spirit and my word will make you able to stand against temptation and evil as you follow me. My Spirit and my word will make your steps firm and your walk secure. As you follow my Spirit and listen to my word you will know that you are doing what pleases me. I will lead and guide you through life. You can hold on to me as I hold on to you. When you stumble I will pick you up so that you can keep on following me. Lord, I will keep on following you. That will be very good.

Lord, I am setting aside my way so I can walk in your way. It is my heart’s desire to walk in the way that is pleasing to you. Make my steps firm as I follow you. Hold on to me as I hold on to you. Pick me up when I stumble so I can keep on following you. Amen

Key Question… When have you felt certain that the Lord was holding you up in the midst of great difficulty?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to guide your steps so that you will walk in the way that is pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you to walk in the way that is pleasing to Him as you follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing the Lord to guide your steps in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow the steps the Lord lays out for you so that He will delight in your way.

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

If – Psalm 37-23-24 – Delights In A Man’s Way – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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