Mature And Complete

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Working In You 

I am working in your life. Day by day and moment by moment, I am changing you. I am molding and shaping your life. I am making you into the person I want you to become. How are you working in my life? What are you using to change me moment by moment and day by day? How are you molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become? How can I recognize your activity in my life? Why do you want to know? Why are you asking me these questions? I want to welcome your activity in my life. I don’t want to get in the way of your working in my life. I don’t want to hinder anything that you want to do in me, with me or through me. Those are good thoughts. Those are good desires. With the wrong attitude, you could hinder my working in your life. With the wrong attitude, you could short circuit what I want to do in you, with you and through you. I don’t want that. No, you don’t.

How can I guard against having an attitude that would hinder your working in my life? What must I be on guard against so that I don’t short circuit what you want to do in me, with me or through me? Those are good questions. You may not like my answer. Why is that? I have watched you when trials of various kinds have come upon you. What have you seen? You certainly haven’t welcomed trials into your life as your friends. You have wanted to get over trials as quickly as possible rather than joyfully grow through them. You want me to be joyful as I go through trials? You want me to welcome trials into my life as my friends? Yes, I do. Why is that? How strong would your faith be if you never went through a trial? How often would you have come to rely on me if you never went through a trial? How have trials strengthened your faith in me? How are trails causing you to grow mature and complete as you continue to love, follow and serve me? Haven’t you drawn nearest to me and felt my presence in the midst of every trail you have faced? I see your point. I now see why I should welcome trials into my life as my friends. I now know without a doubt that you have been working in my life in the midst of every trial that I have faced. I will change my attitude. I will stop whining about the trials I am going through. I will joyfully look with great anticipation for how you will be working in me, with me and through as I go through trials in life. That will be very good.

 Lord, I have wanted to quickly get over trials rather than joyfully grow through them. I have not welcomed trials into my life as an opportunity to persevere and grow in my faith. Now, do whatever you need to do to make me fully mature and complete in you. Amen

Key Question… How willing are you to allow trials to do a complete and thorough work in your life?

Living It Out… Joyfully welcome trials into your life so that you will become mature and complete as you persevere through them.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use your trials to help you to grow mature and complete in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how a trial has helped you to grow mature and complete in your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you persevere through trials so that the Lord can make you mature and complete.

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

Be – James 1-2-4 – Mature And Complete – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Worries Of This Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life – Growing As Disciples

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (NIV)

Planting

Do you want me to plant my word in your life? Yes, I’m sure that I do. Do you have any idea how that might happen? I’m not sure. Do you think that you will see and hear my word while you are doing something else? Like what? Pick any activity in your life, where and when have you heard or seen my word? I only hear or see your word when I take the time to sit down to read it. That’s my point. If you want me to plant my word in your life you must participate in the process. You must make time and have a place where and when you meet with me in my word. You can’t tell me that you want me to plant my word in your life if you’re not meeting with me in my word. I get it, that makes sense to me.

Do you want my word to grow and flourish in your life? Yes, of course I do. How do you read my word? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you carefully consider my word? Do you listen attentively to my word? Do you meditate on my word day and night? Do you ask me how I want to apply my word to your life? You must allow my word to change your heart and transform your mind. I am meeting with you in your word. I am attentively listening and carefully considering your word. I do think about your word all the time. Your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are giving me new thoughts to think and a new life to live that is guided by your word. Yes, you are and yes I am.

Do you want your life to bear and abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory? I sure do, more than anything else in all of life. Are you making sure that nothing chokes the growth of my word in your life? Like what? Are you letting yourself be too busy to meet with me in my word? No, I don’t think so. Are you letting the worries and cares of this world short circuit what I want to do in and through you? If I am you will need to show that to me.  Are you pursuing the riches and pleasures of this world? I don’t think so, although this is certainly an area of danger for me. Yes, it is, I’m glad that you see that. Is there any sin that is hindering your desire to come and meet with me? If there is, then you will need to show that to me as well. I’m sure that I have sin and that I am a sinner. But, I’m not allowing anything to stop me from coming to you. That’s very good.

Keep coming to me to meet with me in my word. I will continue to plant my word in you so that it will flourish and grow. Then you will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory. Then you will be able to live the life that I have given you to live. Then you will be able to know and do my will. Then my word will dwell in you richly. Is this what you want? Yes Lord, it is.

Lord, plant your word in my life. Let your word grow and flourish in me. Show me if there is anything that is choking the growth of your word in me. Change my heart and mind by your word. Make my life abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making yourself available to God so that He can plant His word into your life?

Living It Out… Make yourself available to God so that He can plant His word in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will grow like seed in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been growing in you, making you fruitful for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s word grow and flourish in you so that your life can be abundantly fruit for Him.

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

Life – Matthew 13-22 – Worries Of This Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:19-20 - Quick To Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:19-20 – Quick To Listen – Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Take Notes 

Are you ready to take notes? Are you ready and willing to listen carefully to what I want to say to you? You have my full attention. I’m ready to take notes and write down everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Start writing. You have not been a good listener. Have you ever thought of listening without thinking about what you might say next? Not really. You have been far more concerned about what you might say than with what you might hear. I’m sure that’s true. Why is that? I have liked to debate. I have wanted to present my point of view. I have wanted to make my case. I have wanted to win arguments. That’s funny. What’s funny about that? You want to win. You have been so concerned with winning an argument or debate that you haven’t listened well. You have been quick to speak. You have been slow to listen. You have allowed yourself to angrily debate an issue, when the far better course would have been to listen and keep your mouth shut. What’s funny, ironic really, is that the sure way to lose out in life is to not listen well to what others are saying to you. You would be far better off to listen carefully to others rather than to quickly speak what is on your mind. I have a question for you. I’m listening. How many ears have I given to you? You have given me two ears. That’s right. How many mouths have I given to you? You have given me one mouth. That is also right. Your answers should give you a clue about how much I want you to listen and how much I want you to speak. You want me to listen twice as much as I speak? Sometimes, I want you to speak far less than that.

Do you like what has happened to you when you have allowed yourself to get caught up in a heated debate? No, not really. Why is that? I have not enjoyed the experience of rushing into a debate. Then, I know that I have not listened well. I know that I have not taken in what has been said to me. I have not allowed myself to benefit from what others have said to me. The words of others have gone in one ear and out the other, if they have entered my hearing at all. Why is that? I have been filled with pride. I have not valued the thoughts and words of others. I have thought that I knew better. I have thought that I knew it all. Do you know it all? No, I know very little. I need all the help and wise counsel I can receive. That’s very good. Yes, you do need wise counsel from people that I will bring into your life. To receive that counsel, you must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. I will listen more carefully. When you listen more carefully, speak less often and don’t allow yourself to become angry, you will be able to live the righteous life that I am calling you to live. That’s what I want.

Lord, I have been impatient and filled with pride. I have been a poor listener that thought I knew it all. I have been quick to speak to offer my opinion. In the heat of debate, I have allowed anger to grow in me. No more! Help me to live the life you desire for me. Amen 

Key Question… How have you been harmed by being slow to listen carefully to what others had to say to you?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life He desires.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be quick to listen to all that He wants you to hear.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being quick to listen to what others say to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life God desires for you.

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

Be – James 1-19-20 – Quick To Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Make Disciples

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Matthew 28:19-20 - Relationships - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Matthew 28:19-20 – Relationships – Growing As Disciples

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Relationships 

How did I go and make disciples? You went out to seek and save the lost. You were looking for people who were in need. You got involved in relationships. You lived in relationships with people who needed you. Is that right? Yes, that is right. I made relationships with people in the world all around me. If you want to make disciples you cannot live in isolation. If you want to make disciples you must build relationships with people. You must work hard at building relationships if you want to go and make disciples for me. I want to make disciples for you. Yes, I know. 

You won’t have to go far if you want to make disciples for me. What do you mean by that? Do you know people that are bruised and battered by life? Do you know people that are walking down the wrong path in life? Do you know people that have lost their way and are far from me? Do you know people that have reached the end of their rope and are crying out for help? I’m not sure. Well, these people are all around you, throughout your entire day. You will need to keep your eyes open so you can see those who are in need. You will need to keep your ears open so you can hear their cries for help. You will need to listen to me. I will guide you. I will lead you. I will send you out to go and make disciples. Will you keep your eyes and ears open? Will you listen to me? Will you go where I guide you to do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.

You have been telling me that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have been saying that you want to bring glory to my name. You have wanted your life to be well used and count for all eternity. Do I have all of this correct? Yes Lord, I have been saying all of this to you. Then go and make disciples. I am sending you out. I will be with you to help you. I will bear fruit through your life. You will bring glory to my name. Your life will count for all eternity. I will go and make disciples. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been a loner. I have lived much of my life in isolation from others. I have not developed close and intimate relationships with others. Help me to go out into the world to live in disciple making relationships with others. Amen

Key Question… Where do you think the Lord might be sending you to go and make disciples?

Living It Out… Live in close relationships with others so that the Lord can use you to make disciples.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will ask you to go out into the world to live in disciple making relationships with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group where the Lord has sent you to live in disciple making relationships.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go into the world and make followers of Jesus Christ.

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

Therefore – Matthew 28-19-20 – Make Disciples – 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

Prepared

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 2 Timothy 4:2 - Prepared - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 2 Timothy 4:2 – Prepared – Growing As Disciples

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Make Me Ready

It would be a great honor and privilege if I could proclaim your word to others. I can think of nothing more exciting than to be able to encourage others with your word. It is the prayer of my heart that you would prepare me and make me ready to proclaim your word. Is this true? Are you sure that you want me to speak through you? Do you really want me to use you to proclaim my word to others? I know exactly why you are asking me these questions. I’m quite sure that you know exactly why I am asking you these questions. I suppose you would like it if I would say the truth out loud. Yes, I would like it quite a bit if you said the truth out loud. Well, here goes. I have avoided opportunity after opportunity to proclaim your word to others. I haven’t just avoided nearly every opportunity to proclaim your word, I have continually run away from opportunities to proclaim your word. I have been like Jonah. How so? You have been leading me in one direction and I have been running away in the opposite direction. No wonder you are so afraid of large fish. Now, that’s funny. Yes, it is.  

Why have you run away from nearly every opportunity to proclaim my word? I have been afraid. I have been filled with fear. I have doubted that you could possibly want to use me to proclaim your word. You knew this day was coming, didn’t you? You knew that one day we would have this conversation about facing your fears, isn’t that right? Yes, I knew that this day was coming. What have you also known? I have also known that you haven’t stopped preparing me to proclaim your word. That’s right. As you have faithfully met with me in my word, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. As you have been meditating continually on my word I have been changing your heart and transforming your mind. I have been molding and shaping your life with my word. As you have been putting my word into practice, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. So here we are on this day. You are now asking me to prepare you and make you ready to proclaim my word, is that right? Yes, that is right. 

I want you to keep on letting me make you ready to proclaim my word. But now, I want you to look for every opportunity to proclaim my word. Don’t shrink back. Don’t run away. Allow me to use you. My hand will be on you. I will speak through you. I will use you to correct, rebuke and encourage others with my word. With great patience, you will speak careful words of instruction as you boldly and passionately proclaim my word.

Lord, I will set aside a time and place to meet with you in your word. I will place myself before you so that you can teach and train me with your word. It is you who will prepare me and make me completely ready to boldly proclaim your word to others in need. Amen

Key Question… How are you putting God’s word into practice in your own life so you will be ready to proclaim it to others?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place when and where you can prepare to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prepared and ready to proclaim His word to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are preparing to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always be prepared and ready to proclaim God’s word with great patience and careful instruction.

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

Be – 2 Timothy 4-2 – Prepared – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Content

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Philippians 4:11-12 - Content - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:11-12 – Content – Growing As Disciples

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Learning 

There is something that you need to learn. What’s that? You need to learn to be content. Why do I need to learn to be content? That should be an easy question for you to answer. Why is that? Have you lived a life full of contentment? No, I’m sure that I have not lived a life filled with contentment. Then let’s talk about that. Why have you not been content? That’s a good question. Do you have any good answers? I have answers, I’m sure that they are not good. I’m listening. Well, I have looked around a lot and compared myself with others. I have wanted what I didn’t have. I wanted to be who I was not. So, comparing yourself with others has left you unhappy, unsatisfied and wanting more out of life and more out of yourself. That’s right. That may be true, but it isn’t right. What do you mean by that? Have you ever been satisfied when you have compared yourself with others? No, I have not. Have you ever been satisfied when you have chased after and finally acquired what you wanted to have or to be? Not really. Hasn’t there always been some new thing to want or to be when you have continued to compare yourself with others? That’s true. How much to you need to acquire? How much will you need to accomplish to feel good about who you are and what you have done? What would make you content? What will help get you off this treadmill of always chasing after more. When will you learn to rest and be content with what you have and who you are? I don’t know. I don’t have any answers to your questions. 

I would like to be content. How can I learn to be content? Are you asking me for my help? Yes, I am asking you to teach me how to be content. I want to be able to rest. I want out of the life of always chasing after more. That’s very good. That’s a good starting point. I want you to think about something. What’s that? Imagine that your life on this earth is now over and you and I are looking back over your life. What will you have wanted your life to accomplish? What would you like to tell me about yourself based on how you lived your life? What will you be content with regarding what you did and who you became? Those are good questions. Yes, and now is a good time to answer them. I would be content with knowing you and being known by you. I would be content with telling you that I spent my life knowing and doing your will. I would be content with living the life that you called me to live. I would be content if day by day I allowed you to mold and shape my life. I would be content if I became the person you called me to be. I would be content if I bore fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. Is there anything that compares with these desires? No, I would want or need nothing more if all these things were true of the life I lived with and for you. You would be content with the fulfillment of these desires? Yes, I would be content. Pursue me and the life I have for you. Then you will learn to be content and your desires will be fulfilled.

Lord, I have lived a life filled with discontent. I have had a desire for more that has caused me to chase after things that would not satisfy. Help me to learn to be content with what I have received. Help me to be fully content with knowing and doing your will. Amen

Key Question… How has your life suffered under a continual desire for something more?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to learn to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to learn to be content with what he has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have learned to be content with what the Lord has given you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you learn to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

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

Be – Philippians 4-11-12 – Content – 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

You Are Faithful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Luke 16:10-12 - You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Luke 16:10-12 – You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)

Little Things

You would like to have large responsibilities. You would like to be in charge of many things. You would like me to use you in significant ways. You would like your life to make a large impact. You would like your life to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You would like to bring glory to my name. Is all of this true? Yes, all of this is true.

If you want these desires and prayers of your heart to come true, is there a price you must pay? That sounds like a good question. What price must I pay if I want to be powerfully used by you? You must learn to be faithful in little things, if you want me to give you large responsibilities. You must show me that you can handle little details, if you want me to use you in significant ways. You must be willing to do work that goes unnoticed. You must be willing to do jobs for which you will receive little or no recognition. You must humble yourself and take on the form of a servant. You must learn to serve like I served. You must learn to give like I gave. No task will be too small for you. No job will be below your station in life. You must learn to go where I guide you. You must be willing to do whatever I ask of you. Will you go where I guide you and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.  That will be very good. But there is more.

What else are you asking of me? You must give up on the idea of being powerfully used by me. You must stop thinking of doing great things for me. You must give up on the idea of doing and being great. These thoughts are too dangerous for you. These desires are too tempting for you. Think about doing all the little things I ask of you. Do the one little thing after another that I will give you to do for me. All the little things I give you to do for me will bring glory to my name. All the little things I give you to do for me will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. Will you also do all the little things that I ask you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me, whenever you ask it of me, however and wherever you ask it of me. Then you will know and do my will. Then these prayers and desires of your heart will be heard and answered. Then I will powerfully use you for my kingdom and glory.

Lord, I need your wisdom, power and strength. I want to be faithful and trustworthy in all my responsibilities. I’m sure that I have done what did not need to be done and left undone what needed to be done. Help me to be completely faithful and trustworthy. 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:

If – Luke 16-10-12 – You Are Faithful – 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

Forgiven – Forgive

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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

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

Brings Healing

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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

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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