Monthly Archives: December 2017

Tell Our Neighbors The Truth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Ephesians 4:25 - Tell Our Neighbor The Truth- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Ephesians 4:25 – Tell Our Neighbor The Truth- Growing As Disciples

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. Ephesians 4:25 (NLT)

Words Of Truth

I will set aside my old life and all its patterns and practices. I will leave behind all that I once thought. I will leave behind all that I once said. I will leave behind all that I once did. I’m asking you to completely transform my heart and mind. Make me completely new on the inside so that I will be able to live a new life on the outside. I have done that for you. You will never again have any need to put back on the dirty clothes of your old life. Those old and smelly rags will have no appeal to you. I will use my word to transform and renew your heart and your mind. You will think my thoughts. You will speak my words. You will do my will. Your old life will have no power over you. You have been set free in me.

I don’t want there to be anything false in me. I want your word to dwell in me richly so that I can live the life that you have given me to live. I don’t want to say one thing and do another. I want my life to be in alignment with your will and your ways. I don’t want there to be anything hidden about me. I don’t want to say that I am one thing and be another. I want my life to shine as a bright witness for you in the world. I want others to be drawn to you through what they see of you in me. I know that I will never be perfect. I will sin. I will make mistakes. I will think, say, and do what I wish I hadn’t. But, I will never give up. I will never go back. I will never quit. I will keep walking with you. I will keep allowing you to mold and shape me into the person that you want me to be. I will allow you to work in and through my life. Yes, you will.

I would like you to speak through the words of my mouth. No longer will I tell lies. No longer will I shade the truth. Fill my mouth with words of truth. Give me loving and life giving words. Speak your words in and through my life. Help me to encourage and build others with your words. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Use all my words to bring about unity and create trust. I want to say what you will give me to say. Use my words for your glory. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will set aside all falsehood. I will put off my old life. I will put on the new life that you have given me to live. Give me your words to speak. Help me to speak loving words of truth that will encourage and build up others in the body of Christ. Amen

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

Let Us – Ephesians 4-25 – Tell Our Neighbors The Truth – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Thoroughly Equipped

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - 2 Timothy 3:16-17- Thoroughly Equipped - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – 2 Timothy 3:16-17- Thoroughly Equipped – Growing As Disciples

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 

Equipped

Do you want to be thoroughly equipped and completely prepared to go and fruitfully serve me? That’s not a hard question to answer. Yes, of course I want to be thoroughly equipped and completely prepared to serve you. Who would say otherwise? Who would say no to such a question? You are right, not many would use their words to say no to my question. Many however do not back up their words with their actions. I’m not following you. How will I thoroughly equip and completely prepare you to go and serve me? What tool will I use to teach you? How will I rebuke and correct you? What will I use to train you to live the life that I have called you to live? Those are good questions. Do you have any answers? Yes, I do. You will use your word to teach me. You will use your word to rebuke and correct me. You will use your word to train me to live the life that you have called me to live. That’s right. I will use my word to accomplish those purposes in your life.

Can someone honestly say that they want to be thoroughly equipped and completely prepared to go and fruitfully serve me if they spend almost no time meeting with me in my word? I think not. You are correct in your thought. How will you answer my question with both your words and your actions? I will set apart a special time and place to meet with you every day in your word. Every day? Why would it be necessary for you to meet with me every day in my word? That sounds like a trick question. Not really. I do expect an answer. I have asked you a very important question. I want your answer to be in the forefront of your heart and mind. Well, I’m positive that there isn’t a day that I don’t need to hear from you. Every day, I need to be taught by you. Every day, I need to be rebuked and corrected by you. Every day, I need to be trained to live the life that you are calling me to live. Every day, I need to be thoroughly equipped and completely prepared to go and fruitfully serve you. I don’t want anything to hinder your work in me. I don’t want anything to short circuit my preparation. So, I will meet with you every day in your word. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word has taught me. Your word has rebuked and corrected me. Your word has trained me. Your word changed my heart, transformed my mind and guided my life. Your word has equipped me to go and fruitfully serve you. Amen

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

Discipleship – 2 Timothy 3-16-17 – Thoroughly Equipped – 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

Led By The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Romans 8:12-14 - Led By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Romans 8:12-14 – Led By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NIV)

My Leading

Where do you think I will lead you? What do you think I will do with your life? How will your life change as you love, follow and serve me? How am I supposed to know the answers to those questions? You are asking me about the future. How am I to know what to expect? How can I have any idea what you have in store for me in my future? You know much more than you think you know. I do? Yes, you do. Let me ask you a few more questions. Go ahead, you have my full attention. You do know that I will be leading you, don’t you? You did say that you wanted to follow me, didn’t you? Yes, I want to follow you. Yes, I know that you will be leading me through life. What will you leave behind as you start to follow me? I will be leaving my old life behind. I will be leaving all my old sinful thoughts, patterns and practices. Is it true then to say that I will be leading you away from your old life? Yes, I’m sure that is true. That’s part of your future. There is no mystery or hiddenness about this part of your future, is there? No, there is nothing mysterious about this direction that you will be leading me. So, you do know something very important about your future with me? Yes, I do. That’s good. I agree. If I will be leading you away from your old life, where will I be leading you? I don’t think I know. You can’t leave one thing without going to another, can you? No, I cannot. I get it. You will be leading away from my old life to the new life that you have given me to live. Yes, I will. Do you know why it is so important that I lead you away from your old life into your new life? I’m not sure. Do you think that you would be able to stop living your old life if I didn’t help you to live the new life that I was giving to you? No, I don’t think so. Why is that? Well, I can’t simply leave my old thoughts, patterns and practices behind without them being replaced by something else. If I had no real new life to live, I would wander back to living my old life. You don’t want that. No, I don’t. I want to live the new life you have for me to live. Why is that? I love you. I want to follow and serve you. You loved me and gave yourself fully and completely to me. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. You made me to be your child. You adopted me into your family. Yes, I did. Now, I want to live my life fully and completely for you. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. I want you to replace my old sinful life with the brand-new life that you have for me to live. Is that your prayer? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer your prayer. Now you know where your life is headed, don’t you? Yes, I do. That is very good. 

Lord, thank you that I have no obligation to live according to my old sinful nature. You have broken me free from my old sinful life. By your Spirit, you have led me away from all my old thoughts, patterns and practices. You have given me a brand-new life to live. Amen

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

Guidance – Romans 8-12-14 – Led By The Spirit – 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

To Live Is Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Philippians 1:20-21 - To Live Is Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Philippians 1:20-21 – To Live Is Christ – Growing As Disciples

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.   Philippians 1:20-21 (NIV)

Work To Do

What eager hope and expectation do you have for your life? It is my eager hope and expectation that I will serve you well. I want to do the work that you have given me to do for you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. I don’t ever want to look back from heaven with regret to wasted opportunities that I had to serve you while I was living on the earth. I want to be able to hear you say to me, “ well done good and faithful servant”. I want to live a life that is pleasing in your sight. These are very good desires that you have in your heart. I believe that they come from you. Yes, these desires do come from me. 

What do you think will make you able to bear an abundance of fruit for me?  I know that only you can make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. Apart from you I can do nothing.  You have given me gifts, talents, and abilities that you will no doubt use. But, it would be a terrible mistake for me to rely on anything or anyone other than you. So, you won’t be relying on yourself to bear fruit for my kingdom and glory? No, I won’t, I’ve tried that before and that approach does not work.  You want me to join you in the work that you have given me to do for you. You will give me your help to do everything that you ask me to do for you. Yes, I will.

Why will you need my help to do what I ask you to do for me? You have this habit of giving me tasks that are far larger than I can handle by myself. Yes, I do and do you know why that is? There is one thing you want me to do and there is one thing you want me to know. What’s that? You want me to rely on you. Yes, I do. You want me to know that you are the one that is helping me to bear fruit for you. Yes, I do.

How much time do you think that you have to serve me in this life of yours? Life is short. It is like a snap of the fingers or a blink of the eye. Life is racing by faster than I could ever imagine. So, your days are short and they are numbered, aren’t they? Yes, they are. What does the shortness of your life and limited number of days suggest to you? I need your wisdom to know how to use my time. I need to be focused on the work that you have given me to do for you. I need to live in close communion with you so that I can hear your voice and be guided by you in the work that you have given me to do for you. Yes, you are right. 

Why do you want to serve me?  I want to serve you because I love you. There is no other reason? No, there is not. It is my joy to serve you because I love you. It is my desire to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory because I love you. I want to make the best use of the time you have given to me because I love you. When my time is up and I come to live forever in heaven with you it will be the happiest day of my life because I love you.  I look forward to that day with great eagerness and expectation. So do I.

Lord, I would like to keep on following and serving you in this life. I believe that you have given me important work to do for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. Then I will be ready to come to live forever in heaven with you. Amen

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

Life – Philippians 1-20-21 – To Live Is Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Remain In Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - John 15:7 - Remain In Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – John 15:7 – Remain In Me – Growing As Disciples

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7 (NIV)

Hear And Answer

Would you like to pray prayers that are according to my will and ways? Would you like to pray prayers that I will hear and answer? Yes, I want to pray prayers that are according to your will and ways. Yes, I want to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. How can I know that I am praying prayers that are according to your will and your ways? How will I know if I am praying prayers that you will hear and answer? Those are very good questions. If you remain in me and my words remain in you then you will be able to pray prayers that are according to my will, that I will hear and answer.

Your answer leads me to two more questions. How can I remain in you? How can your words remain in me? I think you know the answer to both of your questions. Tell me what you think. If I want to remain in you I will live in an intimate, vital and connected relationship with you. I will walk with you throughout my life. I will live in constant fellowship with you. My life of prayer will consist of one long dialogue with you. I will listen to your voice. I will treasure your words. I will put into practice all that you teach me. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will live my life fully and completely with and for you. That’s right.

How will you make sure that my words are abiding in you? How will you make sure that you are living in an intimate and vital relationship with me? I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you every day so that I can hear from you. I will withdraw from the busyness and noise of life so that I can meet with you in your word. I will hide your word in my heart. I will allow your word to change the thoughts of my mind and the prayers of my heart. In every way, I will allow your word to guide and guide my life. I know that you will give me your thoughts to think. I know that you will give me prayers to pray. You will teach me to pray according to your will and ways. You will guide me to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will remain in you and allow your words to remain in me. Use your word to guide the thoughts of my mind and the prayers of my heart. Help me to pray prayers that are according to your will so that they can be heard and answered. Amen 

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

Prayer – John 15-7 – Remain In Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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 His Teacher

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Luke 6:40 - Like His Teacher- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Luke 6:40 – Like His Teacher- Growing As Disciples

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 (ESV)

Like You

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean when your word says that I will not be above you? What do you think it means? If I were sure, I wouldn’t have asked you. You must have some ideas of what It means when my word says that you would not be above me. I do. Tell me what you think it means. You want me to live a life that is like yours. I should expect that my life will end up looking a lot like yours if I am truly one of your disciples. In what ways do you think I want your life to look like mine? I think you want me to think like you thought. What did I think? You thought what your Heavenly Father wanted you to think. You thought of yourself as a servant. I should think of myself as a servant. Who did I come into the world to serve? You came into the world to serve your Heavenly Father. You came into the world to serve others. You humbled yourself in your service to both your Heavenly Father and to others. That’s right. I want to humbly serve you and others. That is very good.

What else? I think you want me to speak like you spoke. What kind of words did I speak? You spoke words that your Heavenly Father gave you to speak. You spoke words that were kind and loving and gracious. You spoke words of healing and restoration. You spoke words of faith and hope and love. You spoke life giving words that lifted others up, rather than put them down. Yes, I did. I want you to speak your words through me. I want my words to give life and lift others up. That is very good.

What else? I think you want me to do what you did. What did do? You relied on your Heavenly Father to guide your life. You followed His instructions. You went where He led you. You did what He asked of you. You accomplished His purposes. You fulfilled His plans. Yes, I did. What plan have you been given to fulfill? It is your plan that I bear fruit for your kingdom. It is your plan that I will bring glory to your name. You want me to be a light and a witness in the world for you. You want me to go and make disciples. Yes, I do. Will you be like me in all your thoughts, words and deeds? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to be like you. I want to think the kind of thoughts you thought. I want to speak the kind of words you spoke. I want to do the kind of deeds you did. In every way, I want to live the life you lived. Work in and though me to make this possible. Amen

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

Discipleship – Luke 6-40 – Like His Teacher – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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