Helps Us In Our Weakness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Romans 8:26-27 - Helps Us In Our Weakness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Romans 8:26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

My Help

There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about what? I am weak and in desperate need of help. It is very good for you to realize that you are weak and in desperate need of help. Why is that? You tell me. What have you done when you have come to realize all your weaknesses? When I become aware of my weaknesses, I have cried out to you. I have come to ask you for your help. I have stopped relying on myself and my own feeble efforts. That’s very good. What have you done when you have been certain that you had all the strength you needed? When I have been certain that I had all the strength I needed, I have relied on myself. You must have frequently thought you had all strength that you needed? Why do you say that? The answer to your question should be obvious even to you.  I know why you said, “even” to me. Why is that? I have been slow to realize how weak I am. I have been slow to ask you for all the help that I need. It pleases me to see that you are becoming more aware of your weaknesses and your need for help from me.

What has happened to you when you have come and asked me to help you? When I have asked for help, you have given me help. When I have asked for strength, you have given me strength. You have generously answered my prayers by giving to me what I have desperately needed. Have you ever wondered why you must come to ask me for my help and strength? Have you ever thought that I could have already given you all the strength you would ever need in life? You know my thoughts. Yes, I do. My questions are meant to remind you of what you have thought about needing to come to ask me for help and strength. I get it. There are at least three reasons, that I can think of, why you made it so I would need to come to ask you for help and strength. First, you want me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. If I never needed anything I would be self-reliant, self-sufficient, and self-centered. My weaknesses remind me that you are source of my strength. My weaknesses keep me coming back to you for help. My weaknesses cause me to come to rely on you. My weaknesses help keep me living in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, that’s right. Next, I think that you want me to work in a partnership with you. What do you mean by that? You want to do in and through me what I could never do by myself. You want me to know that you are helping me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Knowing and doing your will has given me hope and meaning in life. It brings me great joy to know that I am doing what you have planned for me to do for you. That is very good. Finally, I’m sure that you want others to know that you have worked in and through my life. As they see you doing in and through me, what only you could do, they will be drawn to you. You will receive all the praise and honor and glory for doing in and through my life, what I couldn’t possibly have done. That’s right. Will you keep on coming to ask for my help? Will you keep on relying on me for all that you need? Yes, I will.

 Holy Spirit, I am weak. I desperately need your help. I don’t know how to pray. I am coming to you now to ask for your help. Thank you for interceding for me even when I don’t know how to pray. Thank you for helping me in every one of my weaknesses. Amen

Key Question… When have your weaknesses caused you to ask the Holy Spirit for His help?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to pray for and help you in all your weaknesses.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will pray for you and help you in all your weaknesses.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when the Holy Spirit prayed for and helped you in your weaknesses.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Holy Spirit to pray for and help you in all your weaknesses.

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

Holy Spirit – Romans 8-26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

How You Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Luke 8:18 - How You Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Luke 8:18 – How You Listen – Growing As Disciples

Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” Luke 8:18 (NIV)

Consider Carefully

Don’t let what I’m saying go right by you. Don’t let my words go in one of your ears and right out the other. Grab ahold of all that I am saying to you. Take possession of what I am saying to you. Make what I am saying to you your very own. Focus your heart and mind and life on my words. Let my word grow in you. Let my word flourish in your life so that you will be able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I don’t want these words to go right by me. I want to hear all that you are saying to me. I want to put into practice all that you are teaching me. That’s good.

How can I make sure that I am hearing you? How can I carefully consider all your words. How can I grab ahold of all that you are saying to me? Those are good questions. What will certainly hinder your ability to hear from me? If I don’t stop to take time to listen to you, I will certainly not hear from you. If I let the noise and busyness of life crowd into my heart and mind and life I will never take hold of all that you want to teach me. That’s right. I need to make hearing your words an absolute priority in my life. If I seek you with all my heart I will hear from you. Yes, you will.

What will you do if you are serious about hearing from me? I will set aside a special time to meet with you. I will set aside a sacred place to meet with you. Why do you need to have a special time and a sacred place to meet with me? I need a special time and a sacred place to meet with you to develop the habit of hearing and listening to you. My ability to listen and hear to you is weak and undeveloped. I cannot hear you over the noise and busyness of life. I cannot carefully consider all that you are saying to me without dedicating the focus of my heart and mind and life to you. I don’t want to half hear you. I want to give you my full attention. That is very good. Come to me. Listen carefully to all that I want to say to you. Receive all that I want to give to you. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, I have set aside a special time and a sacred place to meet with you. I will leave the busyness and noise of life behind so I can listen carefully to all that you want to say to me. Speak to me. I am listening. I will put into practice all you want to teach me. Amen

Key Question… When have you attempted to build your life on something other than God’s word?

Living It Out… Build a solid foundation for your life by hearing and putting God’s word into practice.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will have a solid foundation when you hear and put God’s word into practice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to be the foundation of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear God’s word and put it into practice.

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

Therefore – Luke 8-18 – How You Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional  Study Guide

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

Anxious For Nothing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Philippians 4:6-7 - Anxious For Nothing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – Growing As Disciples

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Trust Me 

You are filled with anxiety. You are carry burdens that are too heavy for you to carry. You are worrying needlessly. Do you know why you are filled with anxiety? Do you know why you carry such heavy burdens? I live with a lot of worrisome situations. I have a lot to worry about. Does that sound like the correct answer to you? No, it doesn’t sound like the correct answer. But, I don’t have any other answer, that might sound better. Would you like to talk about why you are filled with anxiety? Would you like to discuss why you are carrying burdens that are too heavy for you to carry? Yes, I think I would like that. You seem a little hesitant. I am a little hesitant. Why is that? I may not like hearing why I worry and am filled with so much anxiety. You are right about that. I’m still willing to listen. That’s good. 

Are you ready to listen right now? Yes, I am ready to listen right now. Here we go. You think you can. I think I can what? You think you can handle your own worrisome situations. You think you are in control of your life. You think that you should be able to solve every problem and handle every circumstance. You think you are in charge of your own life. When you realize that you are not in control or in charge of your own life you worry. When situations and circumstances are beyond your control you worry about them. Does my assessment sound correct to you? Yes, it does. Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. When you asked me to be your Savior and Lord didn’t you give up control of your life to me? Yes, I did. Didn’t you tell me that you were going to let me be in charge of your life? Yes, I did. If you really let me be in control and in charge of your life would your life be filled with so much worry and anxiety? No, I suppose not. You suppose not? I am certain that my life would not be filled with so much worry and anxiety if I fully entrusted my life to you. That’s right.

I have one more question for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. What has prevented you from fully entrusting your life to me? I’m not sure. Is this the part that I may not want to hear? Good guess. Yes, it is. You have my full attention. Why don’t you tell me the answer? You have figured out the answer, of that I’m positive. My own pride has caused me to be filled with worry and anxiety. That’s right. Will you humbly turn all your worries and anxieties to me? Will you allow me to carry your burdens? Will you allow me to release you from worry and anxiety? Will you allow me to fill you with my peace? Yes Lord, I will turn every one of my worries and anxieties into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have lived a life filled with anxiety. I have carried burdens that were too heavy for me to carry. I have worried unnecessarily. Guard my heart and mind. Help me to turn every one of my anxieties into a prayer to you so that I can receive your peace. Amen

Key Question… When have you received God’s peace because you turned a worry into a prayer to Him?

Living It Out… Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to God so that you can receive His peace.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group a worry that you have turned into a prayer to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your anxieties into prayers to God so that you can receive His peace.

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

Be – Philippians 4-6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Rest – Restore

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 23:1-3 - Rest - Restore - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 23:1-3 – Rest – Restore – Growing As Disciples

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

Restoration

Will you come to rest in my presence? Will you set aside a time and a place to meet with me? Will you leave the noise and busyness of your life to be quiet before me? Will you feast on my word? Will you listen to all that I have to say to you? Will you let my word refresh, revive and restore your soul? Will you taste of my goodness, kindness, mercy and love? Will you drink deeply of the life that I have called you to live? Will you allow me to feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst? Yes Lord, I will come to you. Yes, I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you. Yes, I will let you refresh, revive and restore my soul. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than to listen to you. I have been running. I have been busy. I am worn out. My soul is in desperate need of restoration. Here I am right now. I’m quiet. Speak to me, Lord, I’m listening.

I did not make you to run on empty. You are not independent and self-sufficient. You cannot give to others what you do not have for yourself. You need me. I am your Good Shepherd. I have all that you need. You will not want, when you come to rely on me. Come to me, not because you should. Come to me, not because you must. Come to me, because you want and need me. Come to me, because I love you. Come to me, because you love me. Yes Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You have let me taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You have allowed me to feast on your word. You have fed my hunger and satisfied my thirst. You have met my needs. You have guided my life. You have directed my course. You are molding and shaping my life. You are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are helping me to know your will. You are helping me to walk in your ways. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will walk with you on this path of life that you have laid out for me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been weary. I have been worn out. I have been bruised and battered and broken. My soul is in need of restoration. Help me to come to rest in green pastures. Lead me by still waters. Restore my soul as I eat and drink of the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it the daily rhythm of your life to come to rest in the Lord’s presence?

Living It Out… Make it the daily rhythm of your life to rest in the Lord’s presence so that He can restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will restore your soul as you come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are developing a daily rhythm of resting in the Lord’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to restore your soul as you rest in His presence.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 23-1-3 – Rest – Restore – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Humbled – Exalted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 14:11 - Humbled - Exalted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 14:11 – Humbled – Exalted – Growing As Disciples

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Me 

There is been no doubt about it. I have been filled with pride. Life has revolved around me. I have thought of my comfort. I have sought my own pleasure. I have catered to my own wants and needs and desires. When have I thought of others? When have I looked at life through the eyes of another? When have I considered what others might want and need? Seldom if at all, I don’t know. Seldom if ever, I’m not sure. You do have a problem with pride. But, you have gone to far. You have said too much. You have given much of your life in service to others. You have frequently gone way out of your way to give your time, talent and resources to those who are in need. Don’t forget what I have done in and through you. Remember how I have used you to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have brought glory to my name. So, don’t go over overboard. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t allow yourself to be depressed. You are under attack. You are in a fight. You are in a battle. You are at war. Nothing will be gained by allowing yourself to fall under condemnation. That is the devil’s trick. That is his trap. That is his plan.

How will I be able to live a humble life that is pleasing to you? Not by a lot self-effort that is for sure. If you want to live a humble life before me what will you do? I will come to you. I will rest in your presence. I will ask for your help. I will allow you to mold and shape my life. You will teach me. You will train me. You will make me into the person that want me to be. Yes, I will. Will you trust me? Do you believe that I can remove your pride? Do you believe that I can fill you with humility? Do you know that I will help you to live a life that is pleasing to me? Yes Lord, you can do all things. I will trust you. I will allow you to do your work in and through my life. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been filled with pride. I have been self-serving. I have been self-seeking. I have been self-sufficient. I have thought only about myself. Forgive me. Heal me of my pride. I want to live a humble life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… Why will living a pride filled, self-serving, self-seeking, self-sufficient life lead to your unhappiness?

Living It Out… Make it the practice and rhythm of your life to choose humility over pride.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to lead a humble life that is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a humble life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself as you follow and serve the Lord today.

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

Rhythms – Luke 14-11 – Humbled – Exalted – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Like A Tree

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Psalm 1:3 - Like A Tree - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Psalm 1:3 – Like A Tree – Growing As Disciples

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 1:3 (AMP)

Fruit Bearing

Do you want to be like a tree that is planted by a stream of water? Do you want to be refreshed and revived and restored in your soul? Do you want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful? Do you want the work of your hands to prosper? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I want my life to prosper. Yes, I want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful. Most of all, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. How can all these things be true of my life? How can I live the life that you are calling me to live? Those are very good questions. It pleases me to hear you asking these questions.

If you want to live the life of fruitfulness that I am calling you to live you must do two things at the same time. Are you ready to hear what I have to say to you? Yes, you have my full attention. I am listening attentively to your every word. That’s good. First, you must remove yourself from evil of every kind. You must not allow yourself to hang around evil of any kind. Run from evil. I’m not sure what you mean. You know that there are places you should not go. You know that there are things you should not do. The world and all its evil is constantly trying to mold you into its pattern of values and practices. The world and all its evil will hinder you from living the life that I am calling you to live. The world and all its evil will deaden you to hearing my voice. You must guard what you allow yourself to hear so that you will be able to hear from me. Do you have some ideas of what influences you should eliminate from your life? Yes, I do. Keep a careful watch over what you allow to come into your life. I got it, what then, what’s next? Not next, but at the same time, feed your heart and mind and life and soul on my word. You will be putting evil on a starvation diet while you feast on my word. Meditate on my word day and night. When I say, “day and night” I am not exaggerating. Carry my word with you wherever you go. Have my word constantly in your heart and on your mind. As you do this, my word will change your heart and transform your mind. You will begin to think my thoughts. You will know my will and walk in my ways. You will do what is pleasing to me. I will bless the work of your hands. You will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That’s what I want. That is what you will have as you starve evil and feast on my word.

Lord, I will separate myself from anything that might hinder me from living the life that you have called me to live for you. I will meditate on your word day and night so you can nourish my heart, mind, life and soul and make me abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you eliminating anything from your life that might hinder your fruitfulness for God?

Living It Out… Meditate on God’s word day and night so that you can live a life that bears fruit for God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that meditating on God’s word will nourish your heart, mind, life and soul so you can bear fruit for God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are meditating on God’s word day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so He can refresh your life and make you fruitful for Him.

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

Be – Psalm 1-3 – Like A Tree – 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

New Self

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Ephesians 4:20-24- New Self - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Ephesians 4:20-24- New Self – Growing As Disciples

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)  

Made New 

I will put off my old life. I will leave behind all my old sinful patterns and practices. I will distance myself from evil of every kind. I will let nothing into my life that feeds deceitful desires. I will run from situations that are likely to tempt me. I separate myself from anyone that encourages the wrong thoughts, words and deeds to grow in me. This does not mean that I will not minister to those who do not know you. I will still pray for and serve those who have not yet come to you. I will reach out to those who appear to be far from you. That’s good. I do know that I will not be able to remove myself from this world. I will still live in this world that is filled with corruption. But, I will not allow myself to be of this world. I will not allow the world to conform me to its values, patterns and practices. These thoughts are all very good. You have already put off your old life when you turned your life over to me. Yes, I know, that is what I have done. I am affirming that this is what I will continue to do. That will be very good. 

Do you know what I will use to help you to keep on putting off your old life? Do you know the tool that I will use to continue to change your heart and transform your mind? Yes, I do. You will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. How will I use my word to change your heart and transform your mind? As I meet with you in your word you will apply it to my life. As I let your word dwell in me richly, you will use your word to change my thoughts, words, and deeds. Your word will help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. Your word will help me to know your will and walk in your ways. Your word will enable me to stand against temptation and evil that is in this world. Yes, my word will do all these things in, for and through you. 

What will you do as you continue to put off your old life and let my word change your heart and transform your mind? I will put on the new life that you give me to live. How will do that? I will go where you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will be at your service. I will allow you to use me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to put off my old life and its’ way of thinking, speaking and acting. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Give me new ways to think, speak and act. Help me to put on the new righteous life you have given me to live with you. Amen

Key Question… How do you think, speak and act differently now that you have put on your new self and life in Christ?

Living It Out… Put off your old self, be renewed in your mind, and put on the new life you have in Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to put off the old self, be renewed in your mind, and put on the new self in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have put off your old life and put on your new life in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you put off your old life, be renewed in your mind and put on your new life in Christ.

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

Identity – Ephesians 4-20-24 – New Self – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study

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

Diligent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Timothy 4:15-16 - Diligent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Timothy 4:15-16 – Diligent – Growing As Disciples

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV) 

Give Yourself 

What will you give yourself to in this life? What is an acceptable use of your time? What is worthy of your whole-hearted effort? How will you use the life that you have been given? What do you hope to accomplish? What do you want to achieve?  Where are you headed? Where will you go? What will you do? You have asked me a lot of questions. Do you think that I have the answers? Can I know the future? Can I see what is around the corner? Do I know what is coming next? Do, I have a road map that lays out each step of my life. Do I know what tomorrow will bring? No, I do not. You are the one who knows the answers to your questions. Yes, I do.

I would still like to try and answer some of your questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. I will give myself to following and serving you. Living my life with and for you is an acceptable use of my time. I will immerse myself in living the life that you have given me to live. I will love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will give myself fully to coming to know you. I will walk with you. I will talk with you. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will go where you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will diligently use all the gifts and talents and abilities that you have given to me. I will apply myself fully to knowing and doing your will. It is my prayer that I will accomplish your purposes and fulfilled your plans. It is my prayer that you will use me as your bright and shinning witness in the world. This is where I will go. This is what I will do. I will follow you to where ever I am headed. You know the future. You have the plan. You know my next steps. You have all the answers. My life is completely in your hands. I will trust you. I will walk with you. I will rely on you. Lead me to where you want me to go. Give me what you want me to do. I will follow you. That is very good. 

Lord, thank you for giving me gifts, talents and abilities with which I can serve you. Help me to cultivate, develop and diligently use what you have given to me. I will immerse myself in following and serving you. Help me to be a witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… How are you cultivating the gifts, talents and abilities that the Lord has given you to use for Him?

Living It Out… Give yourself wholly to following and serving the Lord so that you are a fruitful witness for Him in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has giving you gifts, talents and abilities to you to be used by you to serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your gifts, talents and abilities to serve the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you diligently use the gifts, talents and abilities God has given you to serve Him as a witness in the world.

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

Be – 1 Timothy 4-15-16 – Diligent – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Crown Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - James 1:12 - Crown Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – James 1:12 – Crown Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)

Trials And Tests

How have you been able to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life? I’m not sure how to answer that question. Why is that? I’m not sure if I really have persevered and withstood the trials and tests of life. How can you think and say that?  Am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong. You may not have passed all the trials and tests of life in a way that most benefited you. But, you are here right now talking to me. You haven’t run away. You haven’t abandoned your faith. You have held on to me through all the trials and tests that you have faced in life. I could have held on to you a little more tightly. I could have relied on you a little more completely. Yes, that is true. 

What has happened to you as you have taken a hold of my promises? Your promises have sustained and strengthened me. Your promises have given me hope. Your promises have given me joy even in the midst of trials and tests in life. Your promises have helped me to persevere and withstand whatever trail and test that has come my way. Most of all my love for you has grown as I have relied on you and your promises. Do these words of yours sound like someone that has not been persevering and withstanding the trials and tests of life? I guess not. Guess again. No, these are the words of a person who has been sustained and strengthened by you. Yes, that’s right.

Where have I been when you have been in the midst of the trials and tests in life? You have been right there with me in the middle of my trials and tests. It has taken a long time and many trials and tests for me to realize that I have never been alone. Maybe that has been the real test. Say more about that. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to teach me to trust you. Maybe my trails and tests have been meant for me to rely on your strength. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to develop my relationship with you. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to cause me to look to you and the future I will have forever in heaven with you. That’s a lot of maybe, are you really that uncertain? No, I am certain that all my trials and tests have and were meant to accomplish all these purposes.

Do you wish that you wouldn’t have had so many trials and tests in life? That’s a difficult question to answer. Why is that? I have never been a fan of trials and tests. They have been painful for me to endure. But, if I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would trust and rely on you less. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I wouldn’t know you like I do. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would not have my eyes so focused on my life forever in heaven with you. Most of all, if I hadn’t gone through so many trails and tests I might not love you as much as I do. You have been with me to help me through every trail and test in life. Yes, I have been.

Lord, I love you. I know you love me. I am certain that you will help me to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life. Sustain and strengthen me as I joyfully hold on to you and your promises through trials and tests in life. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord helped you to persevere under trials and stand the tests that they have presented to you?

Living It Out… Let your love for the Lord and the hope that you have in Him help you to withstand trials and tests in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to withstand the trials and tests of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord and hold on to Him as you joyfully go through the trials and tests of life.

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

Life – James 1-12 – Crown Of Life – 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 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

Many Parts, But One Body

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 -Many Parts, But One Body - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 -Many Parts, But One Body – Growing As Disciples

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 (NIV)

Your Gifts

What spiritual gifts have I given to you? I can see the look on your face. What’s that? You like a deer caught in head lights. What do you mean by that? You look dumbfounded. You don’t have much of a clue about what are your spiritual gifts. Oh, you have same vague idea of what might be your spiritual gifts. But, you aren’t certain, that’s for sure. Have I got this right? Is what I am saying true? Yes, I have only a vague idea about what might be my spiritual gifts. That vague uncertainty about your spiritual gifts is troubling to you, isn’t it? Yes, I would like to know for certain what spiritual gifts you have given to me. That is a very good desire. 

Why would you like to know what spiritual gifts I have given to you? Does that sound like a dumb question to you? I’m certain that you do not ask dumb questions. No, it is a very good question. Why is that? I want to know how I can best serve you. I would like to better understand your call on my life. I would like greater clarity about where you want me to go and what you want me to do for you. If I am unclear about my spiritual gifts it is unlikely that I will cultivate, develop and fully use them. That’s true. I might even try to function in areas that are completely outside of my spiritual gifting. You have been there and done that. I might even desire and envy spiritual gifts that aren’t mine. There is no, “might” about that. I may waste quite a bit of time trying to do what you have not called or gifted me to do for you. There is no, “may” about that either. You have experienced a lot of frustration and wasted time and effort by not knowing and using your spiritual gifts, isn’t that true? That is completely true.

I want you to know and use your spiritual gifts. I want you to hear my call on your life. I want you to be able to go and do all that I ask of you. I don’t want you to waste your time and effort on something that I have not I have not called or gifted you to do for me. Does all of this come as a surprise to you? No, it does not. What is the problem then? Why are you unclear about your spiritual gifts and my calling on your life? I think there are three things I need to concentrate on and do. What’s that? I need to ask you about my spiritual gifts. I need to listen to what you say to me about my spiritual gifts. Then I need to step out in faith and use the spiritual gifts you have given to me. That’s a good plan. Oh, one more thing. What’s that? I need to stop envying other people and their spiritual gifts and be content to keep on using the spiritual gifts you have given to me. That’s a great idea.

Lord, sometimes I have desired and envied a spiritual gift that wasn’t mine. Sometimes, I have been afraid to step out in faith to use my spiritual gifts. Forgive me of both attitudes. Help me to fully discover and completely use the gifts you have given to me. Amen

Key Question… How have you been able to discover and use a spiritual gift that you have been given?

Living It Out… Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the spiritual gifts you have been given so He can use you in the body of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you spiritual gifts to use so that His body will function together properly.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have discovered and used your gifts in the body of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you discover and use the spiritual gifts God has given to you.

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

Identity – 1 Corinthians 12-14-20 – Many Parts, But One Body – 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