Monthly Archives: April 2014

The Lost Coin

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Luke 15:8-10 - The Lost Coin - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Luke 15:8-10 – The Lost Coin – Growing As Disciples

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)

Lost Coins

Do you know who the lost coins are? Yes, they are the people who don’t know you. Do you know where the lost people who don’t know me are living right now? Are they living in my own house? Yes, they are in your family, circle of close friends, workplace and church. You may not have thought about it but the person sitting next to you right now might not know me and be lost for eternity. Why are you telling me this now? This is your wake up call. I want you to go into action for me. What would you like me to do for you? I want you to begin to search diligently for all those who are lost. You won’t have to go far at all, just a few steps in many cases. It’s very important that you realize the true condition of many of the people you know and love. There are many that are lost and without hope for all of eternity. I don’t know them. They don’t know me.You know me and I know you.Yes, and for that I am very thankful. But, you know these lost ones that I am referring to, don’t you? Yes Lord, I do. I do too. I’m not willing to let any one of them perish. How about you? Are you willing to let someone you love go into eternity without me as their Savior and Lord. No Lord, I am not. That’s good, then we are in agreement. What can I do? Where can I start? How can I reach out to them? First, you need to make the decision that you are determined to reach them for me. You will need to have some urgency, passion, and commitment in response to this work that I am calling you to do for me. I do, but I will need your help. You will have all the help you need from me. Next, I want you to shed some light on the situation. How can I do that? You can begin to pray diligently and urgently for those around you who are lost. The time for being unaware and in the dark is over. As you are praying, make sure that there is nothing in your life or in your house that will hinder my working through you. Do a clean sweep. It is time to take out all the trash. Do you understand what I am saying? Yes Lord, I do. That’s good. Finally, watch for opportunities to testify on my behalf. Testify? Yes, speak up. Be prepared to tell others the reason you have for the hope of eternal life in you. It is not enough that your life is a witness for me. The witness of your life must be accompanied by your words; otherwise those who are lost will not hear the message. There is another decision that you will have to make. What’s that? Are you willing to speak up and share the good news of forgiveness and salvation in me? Yes Lord, I am. Finally, get ready to rejoice with me. Why is that? We will rejoice together as those who are lost are found. Is a harvest coming? Yes, it is and you are one of my laborers in it.

Lord, when I was lost you pursued me. You didn’t give up on me. You turned my life around and brought me to faith in you. In that heaven rejoiced. Use me now to help others who are lost to come to believe and have faith in you.  Amen

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

Parables – Luke 15-8-10 – The Lost Coin – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Talents

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables -Matthew 25:14-30 - The Talents -Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Matthew 25:14-30 – The Talents -Growing As Disciples

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:14-18 (NIV)

Found Faithful

I know what you want to hear most of all at the end of your life. You do? Yes, of course I do. I know everything about you. I have my eye on you. I made you. You are the work of my hands. I hear everything that you think, say and do. I have molded and shaped your life. I have given you all that you are and all that you have. You don’t have anything that isn’t on loan from me. So, yes, I know exactly what you want to hear at the end of your life. Alright then, go ahead and tell me. Is this some sort of a test? No, not at all. I would love to hear you say what I’ve been thinking for quite some time. Yes, I’m sure that you would. But, I think that you would benefit more by telling me what is on your mind. Why is that? Trust me on this. Tell me the thoughts that you’ve held for so long.

First, let me say that you have my full agreement that everything I have is on loan from you. You’ll get no argument there. I’m glad to hear that. Secondly, I know that you have made me and given me all the gifts, talents, and abilities that I have. Yes, I have made and gifted you. Finally, I’m sure that it is your intent that I use all the gifts, talents, and abilities to serve you. It would be a sin to let anything you have given to me to be unused and go to waste. Yes, it would. Beyond that, if I don’t use all my gifts, talents, and abilities for your kingdom and glory, I and others will miss out on many blessings that were part of your plan. Yes, not using the gifts, talents, and abilities that I have given to you would be a tremendous loss. You are correct on all the points you’ve just made. But, you’re taking quite a bit of time getting around to the subject at hand. What’s that? What you want to hear me say to you at the end of your life. Alright then.

At the end of my life, I want to hear you say, “well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” That sounds like something right out of my word.  It is. Let me ask you something. Go ahead. Where do you think this desire that you have had in your heart for so long has come from? I think it has come from you. You put that desire in my heart. Yes, I did. How strong is that desire in you? It burns like a fire in me. Yes, I can see that it does. Do you believe that I will answer this prayer of your heart? Yes Lord, I’m certain that you will. Well then, you would certainly be right. I am delighted to hear you say that. I am delighted to hear you ask it. Now go, and do what I have given you to do for me. Yes Lord, I will.

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

Parables – Matthew 25-14-30 – The Talents – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Lord, thank you for all that you have given to me. You have richly blessed me with gifts, talents, and abilities that I can use to serve you. Help me to be faithful to use all that you have given to me to do the work you want me to do. Amen

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

A Friend In Need

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Luke 11:5-8 - A Friend In Need - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Luke 11:5-8 – A Friend In Need – Growing As Disciples

I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.  Luke 11:8 (NIV)

Keep Asking

What is it that you really want? What are you willing to keep asking me for until you receive it? I’m not talking about what you want today, but can’t remember tomorrow. How important can those prayers possibly be to you if you have no interest in continuing to pray them? Those are tough questions. I’m not sure what I really want quite a bit of the time. Really, are you sure of that? Am I sure that I’m unsure? That’s an unusual question. Yes, it is. But, it’s an important question. I would really like to know what you are sure that you want from me. I think it’s important for you to think deeply to consider what you really want from me. Right now? What would you be willing to keep on asking from me until you receive it?

That’s a good question. Here is what I know that I want from you without any doubts. I want to know and love you intimately. I want to know your will and the purposes and plans you have for my life. I want to be used by you for the kingdom and glory. I want to be a person that loves, learns, and lives out your word. I want to be made wise by you as I sit at your feet. I want to be powerfully full of your Holy Spirit so that I can live, as you want me to live. Something has occurred to me. What’s that? As I’ve tried to describe what I want, I think that I have been describing someone else. Who is that? I think that I have been describing you. What makes you think and say that? I think I want the same relationship that you have with your Heavenly Father. You think? No, I’m certain that is what I want! Do you think that is possible? Not without you, it’ not. What do you mean by that? Didn’t you die on the cross so that I could be forgiven and have a new and intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father? Yes, I did. Do you think I’m asking for anything that is out of line? Aren’t my requests ones that you would have also made? What do you think? I think they are. You are absolutely right. Do you think that the Heavenly Father answered all those requests of yours? That all depends. What does it depend on? My Heavenly Father will answer these requests of mine only if I make them to Him. You’re right about that. How often do you think your Heavenly Father wants you to make these requests of Him? I would say day by day and moment by moment. Yes, that’s right and what will that show your Heavenly Father? It would show Him that I am relying on Him for all that I need. Yes, it will. You know what? What? I think you really do know what you want. Yes, I am now certain that I want you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Help me to live my life with and for you every day, moment by moment.

Lord, thank you that I have the privilege to bring the needs of others to you in prayer. Help me to be bold and persistent in prayer and to not give up when the answer does not come immediately. Instead, I will keep on praying and trusting in you for an answer. Amen

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

 Parables – Luke 11-5-8 – A Friend In Need – 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

God Chose The Weak

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - God Chose The Weak - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – God Chose The Weak – Growing As Disciples

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

Powerfully Used

I want to clear up one thing with you right now? What’s that? I have chosen you to bear fruit for me. You need to hear that and take a hold of it with all your heart, mind and strength. Don’t ask me why. We both know why. You have had a setback. You have suffered a humiliating defeat. Those are your words not mine. You are so embarrassed that you would rather pull the covers up over your head and stay in bed than go out that front door. Do I have the picture right so far? Yes Father, you do.

Your confidence has been shaken. You’re wondering how could I ever use such a weak vessel as you. Your thoughts are beyond wondering and firmly rooted in doubt. You’re telling yourself that I can’t possibly use you, is that right? You know that it is. How long do you want to wallow in this depressed self-pity that you are feeling? How long can I? I see that you still have your sense of humor.

Did it ever occur to you that you are in a very good place to be? No, it has not. That’s not really the truth is it? No, it’s not. You just hate the idea that you are so weak don’t you? Yes, as a matter of fact my weaknesses are a real pain in the neck. Sometimes I have even loathed myself for being so weak.

What would happen if I powerfully worked through you, in spite of all your weaknesses? Have you ever seen me do that in someone else before? Yes, I guess that you have a long history of using weak people to powerfully serve you. Why don’t you name a few just to make sure that we are on the same page? Would Moses, David and Paul qualify as weak vessels that you were able to powerfully use? Yes, they would.

Now, would you rather be weak or strong? I would rather be weak. Why is that? I know that you will make me strong so that you can work in and through my life. Yes, I will. Now, do you really understand why your recent set back has brought you back to a good place? Yes, I once again know how weak I really am. I know that I will need to trust you and rely on your strength so that you can powerfully use me to accomplish your purposes. Yes, that’s right. Will you rely on me completely so that I can work in and through your life? Yes Father, I will.

Father, I thought I was strong. Thank you for allowing a setback to come into my life to show me how weak I am. I know in my strength I can accomplish nothing. I will rely on your strength to accomplish all that you ask of me. Amen

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

God The Father – 1 Corinthians 1-26-31 – God Chose The Weak – 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

Growing Seed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Mark 4:26-29 - Growing Seed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Mark 4:26-29 – Growing Seed – Growing As Disciples

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”   Mark 4:26-29 (NIV)

Growing

Let’s talk about growth. That sounds good to me. You want to grow, don’t you? Yes Lord, I certainly don’t want to remain just as I am. Do you know that you can’t cause yourself or anyone else to grow? I think I have been a little confused about that. Let’s clear that up. I’d like that. I alone am the one that causes growth. Your desire to grow is nothing compared to my desire to see you grow. How do you want me to grow? How do you think? I think you want me to grow to know you, love you and serve you more each day. Is that what you want? Yes, it is. That’s good. How else do you want to grow? I want to grow to bear fruit for you. I want you to be able to use me to reap a rich harvest for you. Those are also good desires that we agree on. I have a question. What’s that? If I can’t cause myself to grow, does that mean I can sit back and just let it happen? What do you think? I’m sure that’s not the case. You are right.

Have you noticed that there are two conditions for growth to occur mentioned here in my word? I think I missed them. To tell you the truth, I can’t ever remember even seeing this parable before. Look closely, what do you see? I see that seeds must be scattered for growth to occur. Yes, that’s one. What else? Where must they be scattered? They must be scattered on the ground. You got it. Do you know what the seed and grounds stand for? Yes, the seed is your word and the ground is my heart. So what part of growth is yours? I need to tend to my heart to make sure that it is receptive to your word. That’s right. I also need to let your word be scattered in my heart. When those two conditions are met, what will happen? I will grow in my relationship with you and your ability to use me. Yes, you will.

Now since I know that you are impatient, we need to discuss a few more points. Like what? Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. Will your growth as my follower happen immediately? Do you mean like almost overnight? You have the idea. I’m guessing that the answer is no. Good guess. You may not even notice your own growth, but others will that’s for sure. Your growth will be constant, gradual and unstoppable as you continue to love, follow and serve me. So, don’t get discouraged or loose heart. I’m doing a work in you, day by day, until the day we see each other in heaven. Do you believe me? Will you trust me on this? Yes Lord, I will.

One final but very important point. What’s that? I want you to be out in the world casting the seed of my word into the soil of other people’s hearts. You do? Yes, of course I do. You want to be a part of reaping a rich harvest for me, don’t you? Yes Lord, I do. When can we start? Right now, today. How does that sound to you? I’m so glad to be growing, scattering seed and harvesting all for your glory. Here I am Lord, use me! I will.

Lord, thank you for using people to plant seeds of faith in me. Without them I wouldn’t have heard the good news of the gospel. Thank you for making seeds of faith to grow in me. Use me now to help plant seeds of faith in others. Amen

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

Parables – Mark 4-26-29 – Growing Seed – 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