Monthly Archives: February 2018

First Of All

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 - First Of All - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – 1 Timothy 2:1-3 – First Of All – Growing As Disciples

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)

Priority Of Prayer

Did you notice those words? Did I notice what words? Did you notice the words, “first of all?” Yes, I noticed, what point do you want to make with me? Isn’t my point obvious enough? Yes, I guess so. Is that a guess? No. Tell me more about the point I am making with you. Prayer is something that you want me to do first. Prayer is not a last resort. I am to pray not because I can do nothing else. I am to pray because that is my first and best choice. You want me to bring people and needs and circumstances and issues to you. Yes, I do. You want me to pray for all people. That’s right. Prayer will do more than I could ever accomplish. Prayer will guide the work that you do give me to do. My efforts without prayer will be fruitless. You will bear an abundance of fruit in and through my life as I remain in prayer with you. Right again.

Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Do you believe that I will give and guide the prayers that I want you to pray? Yes, I do. Will you come to me? Will you sit before me? Will you pray the prayers that I give you to pray? Yes Lord, I will.

You do have a choice. What do you mean? You can live a hectic, ungodly life that is filled with noise and turmoil and desperation or you can live a quiet, peace filled, dignified and godly life. Which one do you want to live? I want to live a quiet, peace filled, dignified and godly life. I thought so. How will you do that? What promises have I made to you? It is your command that I pray for all people, including the leaders that you have placed over my life. That’s right. If I pray prayers of supplication and intercession with thanksgiving then I will be able to live a quiet, peace filled, dignified and godly life. That’s true. Does this mean that you will have no pain or suffering or difficulty in your life? No, it does not. But, I will have a relationship with you, built with prayer, that will give me peace and quiet that will help to live a godly life in and through every difficulty I will encounter. Yes, you will. That is what I want. That is the desire of my heart. I want to live a life of prayer as I walk with you through life. I want to live the dignified and godly life that you are calling me to live. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have made the mistake of allowing myself to be dragged into bitter debate with others. Under such circumstances, it has been difficult for me to pray for them. Help me to pray for all people, including my leaders, so that, I can live a quiet and peaceful life. Amen

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

God’s Will – 1 Timothy 2-1-3 – First Of All – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Love Of Money

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - Hebrews 13:5 - Love Of Money - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – Hebrews 13:5 – Love Of Money – Growing As Disciples

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)  

Contentment

Tell me what you are learning about contentment? I have been a slower learner on the topic. How so? Somewhere, along the way, I bought into the idea that I have needed to have the newest and latest and greatest next thing. How satisfying has that been for you? Things have never satisfied me, I don’t care how new and great and desirable they seem to be at the time. It has taken only hours, sometimes days or maybe weeks at most, for the latest and greatest thing I have acquired to become yesterday’s old news. Then the pursuit of something new that promises to be even more satisfying begins again, is that true? Yes, seeking satisfaction and contentment by acquiring things has been like a treadmill that never ends. I’ll bet you would like to get off that treadmill of false promises. Yes, I would.

Why is it foolish to make your life all about pursuing money and acquiring things? I will never be able to take money or possessions with me into the next life. The richest man ever in this life could end up being the poorest man in the next life. Why is that? They will have invested their life in what will end up amounting to nothing. Loving and pursuing money is a path that leads away from you. It is impossible to love money and to love you. Loving money leads to a self-indulgent, self-centered and self-sufficient life. The poorest people in the next life will not have known you. They will have not lived in a relationship with you. They will have not known or done your will. They will not have borne fruit for your kingdom or brought glory to your name. They will not have loved, followed and served you as their Savior and Lord. They will have received the temporary, momentary glory of this world. They will have lived as if they were their own god. They will have loved and worshipped money and possessions as their idols. That is not what you want, is it? No, it is not.

What do you want? What will make you content? I will be content to know and love you. I will be content to have known your will and walked in your ways. I will be content to have done what is pleasing in your sight. I will be content to have borne fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. That’s it? That’s it. As you do these things, that will make you content, what do you know about me? I know that you love me. I know that you will be caring for me. I know that you will be with me every day as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I do love you. Yes, I am taking care of you. Yes, I will be with you every day of your life. There is great contentment in knowing that. That’s right.

Lord, I have not been content. I have had a continual desire for more. I have always wanted the newest and latest and greatest next thing. Forgive me. Help me to learn to be content and free from the love of money because I know you are taking care of me. Amen

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

Freedom – Hebrews 13-5 – The Love Of Money – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional  Study Guide

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

Teaching Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Hebrews 5:11-14 - Teaching Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Hebrews 5:11-14 – Teaching Others – Growing As Disciples

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT)

Be Trained

I would like to be able to teach others all that you have been teaching me. I would like to say that I have made progress. I want to continually be making progress as your follower. What kind of progress are you interested in making as my follower? I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I don’t want to be dull of hearing. What will you do about that? I know that the world and all that is in it would like to make me dull of hearing. All the passions, lusts and desires of this world have the potential to make me dull of hearing and slow to listen to you. I don’t want that to describe my life. How do you want your life to be described? I want to be one of your followers who listens attentively to everything you want to say to me. I want there to be no question about my listening to you. I want your word to dwell in me richly. I want to think your thoughts. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to grow mature in you. I don’t want to remain an infant. Those are all good desires.

How will you grow mature in me? What will you do differently because you want to hear all that I want to say to you? How will you make yourself fully available to me so that I can teach and train you? How will each one of your days look different because you want to make progress as one of my followers? I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you every day. I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of the world so I can hear from you. I will meet with you in your word. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will allow your word to change my heart. I will allow your word to transform my mind. I will allow your word to guide my life. Then you will be trained. Then you will grow mature. Then I will be able to use you to go and do whatever I ask of you. You will be ready to be used in my service.

Lord, I will eliminate from my life anything that will make me dull in hearing you. I will make myself fully attentive to your word. I will listen very carefully to all that you want to say to me. Make me mature and ready to be used by you. Train me for your service. Amen

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

Be – Hebrews 5-11-14 – Teaching Others – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Be

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Romans 12:12 - Be - Constant In Prayer Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 12:12 – Be – Constant In Prayer Growing As Disciples

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Help 

On my own I can be none of these things. What things? I cannot be joyful in hope, patient in affliction or faithful in prayer. Why do you say that? On my own I have been the opposite of each of these. I have been unhappy in discouragement. I have been impatient in affliction. I have been unfaithful in prayer. So, your track record tells you that you will need my help and strength and endurance to be all these things. That’s right. Do you feel like you are on your own? Do you believe that I will be with you to help you? Do you know that I am molding and shaping your life? Do you know that I will make you into the person that I have called you to be? I know that I am not alone. I believe that you are molding and shaping my life. That’s good.

Are you encouraged to know that I am working in your life? Can you have hope and joy in knowing that I am like an artist molding and shaping you and making you into one of my masterpieces? Do you trust my work? Do you trust my skill? Do you trust my hand? Can you rely on my timing? Yes, I trust you. I can have hope and joy, knowing that I am the work of your hands. That’s good.

You know that you will experience pain and suffering and affliction in this life. I suffered, you will suffer. I felt pain, you will feel pain. I was afflicted, you will be afflicted. Does any of this surprise you? No, it does not. You also know when you have grown the most in life. You also know when you have drawn near and grown closest to me. Yes, I do. When is that? When have you made the most progress in your life? When have you drawn nearest to me? Both, have happened when I have gone through pain and suffering and affliction in life. That’s right. Can you then, be patient in pain and suffering and affliction? Yes Lord, I can be patient. That’s good.

You mentioned to me that you will need my help and strength and endurance. Yes, I did. How will you go about receiving help and strength and endurance from me? I’m not sure what you mean. What must you do if you want to receive strength and hope and endurance from me? I must ask you for these things if I want to receive them. Will your prayers for these things be one and done prayers of yours? No, I will continually come to ask you for all that I need. Will you be faithful in prayer? Yes, I will be faithful in prayer. That will be very good.

Lord, I will keep on following you. I will be completely devoted to you. I will follow you to wherever you lead. I will do whatever you ask of me. With all your help and strength, I will be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. I will rely on you. Amen

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

Character – Romans 12-12 – Be – Constant In Prayer – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Grace Given Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Romans 12:3 - Grace Given Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 12:3 – Grace Given Me – Growing As Disciples

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)

Humbly Serve

Who do you think that you are? That is a good question Yes, it is. It is important for you to have a balanced assessment of who you are. I’m not sure what you mean by that. Have you ever thought too highly of yourself? You’ve got to be kidding me. I can’t believe you are even asking me that question. Why is that? I have had a major problem with thinking that I am better than other people. I would never say that out loud. I might even try to stifle that thought in my mind. I might, in my less self-aware moments, deny that it is true. You have had some indications that it is true, haven’t you? Yes. I would like you to tell me what has helped you to see that you have had a pride filled assessment of yourself. How do you know for sure that you have thought you were better than others? What could possibly explain my tendency to interrupt people? Why do I often dominate conversations by talking too much? Why do I often focus on what I am about to say, rather than, listening to what others are saying? Do I think my thoughts are more important? Do I think that my words have more to add to the conversation? Am I more interesting? I don’t like these questions. I like the answers even less. I could go on. Why am I so poor at remembering other people’s names? Are others unimportant? Are others not special? Yes, I can see that you are deeply concerned with the self-important attitude that have had in your life. That’s an understatement.

What attitude would you like to have about yourself? I would like to think that I am special. I am not more special than others. I am equally special. You made uniquely made me. You uniquely made others. You have given me special gifts and talents and abilities. You have given others equally special gifts and talents and abilities. You have called me, along with others, to be a humble servant. I want to love and serve you and others with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to be used by you. I want to be able to recognize how you are using others. I want to know that I have something very valuable to contribute as I serve you and others. I want to be able to recognize how others are valuably contributing what they have, to serve you and others.

I don’t want to stand out from others in serving you. I want to stand with others in serving you. That is a very good attitude for you to have about yourself and others. Where do you think this attitude has come from? It comes from you. You are helping me to know your thoughts and walk in your ways. Yes, I am.

Lord, on one hand, I know I am no big deal. I am not better than others. My gifts, and talents and abilities are not superior to what others have received. Yet, I am special to you. You have called me to humbly serve you and others. For that, I am so thankful. Amen

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

Character – Romans 12-3 – Grace Given Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Righteous Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - James 1:19-21 - Righteous Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – James 1:19-21 – Righteous Life – 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. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21 (NIV)

Pride

Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. Who would say no to such a question? You would be surprised. There is something very important that you must do if you want to live the life that I have called you to live. What’s that? You must set aside your pride. You will never be able to live the godly and righteous life that I am calling you to live if you do not set aside your pride. Why is that? It is your pride that makes you slow to listen and quick to speak. It is your pride that leads you to think that you know it all. Do you know it all? Certainly not, I don’t know it all. Are your thoughts and words and opinions more valuable than others? I wouldn’t say so. At least you are smart enough not to say so. What do you mean by that? When you are so slow to listen and quick to speak isn’t it because you believe that your thoughts and opinions are so valuable, perhaps more valuable than what others have to offer? Is that really true? Is that what has been at work in my life? Have I been so filled with pride that I don’t really listen to others. Is that why I’m thinking about what I might say next rather than listening to what others are saying now? You tell me. I think I have been filled with pride. Pride has led me to be slow to listen and quick to speak. Was that hard to admit? It was hard to see and hard to admit. But, it gets worse. How does it get worse? Not only has my pride made me slow to listen and quick to speak, it has also made me quick to get angry. Pride has not only led me to think that I know it all. It has also led me to think that I am always right. Pridefully thinking that I am always right is a quick and easy step to anger. Why is that? Not everyone thinks I’m always right. That is hard to imagine. You’re kidding me, right? Yes, I am kidding you. It should come as no great revelation that you are not always right. It should come as no big surprise that others will disagree with your thoughts and words. So where does all this leave you? What must you do if you want to live the life I am calling you to live? It has come clearly to me now. I see your point. I agree with you. I must set aside my pride if I want to live the godly and righteous life that you are calling me to live. That is what I will do. That is very good.

Lord, I have been filled with pride. I have been slow to listen. I have been quick to speak. I have been quick to become angry. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Help me to live the godly life you have called me to live. Amen

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

Character – James 1-19-21 – Righteous Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Living Sacrifices

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 12:1 – Living Sacrifices – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Devoted 

I consider it to be no sacrifice to wholeheartedly offer myself to you. You don’t, why is that? If I didn’t want to offer myself to you and I did, that would be quite a sacrifice. But, I am happy to offer myself as a sacrifice to you. You are, why is that? I am grateful. I am thankful. You have done so much for me. Like what? You rescued me from a life without you. I was walking a dark and sin filled path, away from you. I was living as your enemy. I am sure there were times when I mocked your followers. I am positive that I took your name in vain. I thought I didn’t want you. I was sure that I didn’t need you. I was self-centered. I was self-reliant, I was self–sufficient or so I thought. But, I was wrong. I was foolish. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was living a bruised and battered and broken life. Soon enough, I became desperate. I was wounded. I was hurt. I was empty and all alone, or so I thought. But, you were there. You were watching. You were waiting. You were welcoming. You called me to come to you. Yes, I did. You bound up all my wounds. You healed my body and restored my soul. You forgave my sins. You cleansed me of my unrighteousness. Yes, I did. You gave me a new life of salvation to live with you. So now, I love you because you first loved me. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to follow you to where you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. My heart and mind and life are filled with thankfulness. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul. In every way on every day I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. It is my pleasure and joy to give myself to you. That is why I consider it to be no sacrifice to give myself wholeheartedly to you. Every day, I want to offer my whole self to you as a living sacrifice. I want all my thoughts, words and deeds to be an expression of worship to you. That is very good. That is very pleasing to me. I will lead you. I will guide you. I will use you. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me your mercy. You offered your salvation to me as a gift. I now love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am wholeheartedly devoted to you. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Amen

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

Character – Romans 12-1 – Living Sacrifices – 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

Put On The Full Armor Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 6:10-13 - Put On The Full Armor Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 6:10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

Stand Your Ground

Don’t be surprised. Don’t be surprised about what? There are two things that I don’t want you to be surprised about. First, don’t be surprised that many of your battles in life will not be against flesh and blood. You may think that a battle is strictly against flesh and blood, in many case that will be incorrect. It would be better to assume that a battle you are facing is against spiritual forces of evil in the world, rather than against flesh and blood. You may think that conflicting worldly thoughts, opinions and values are simply someone’s worldly belief system. That would also be incorrect. The evil ruler of this world has a strong grip on the unguarded thoughts and values and opinions that are firmly held by many in this world. So, you will need to think and act and move differently against evil in this world. How so? You will not be able to rely on the strength of any human effort to win battles over spiritual evil that is in the world. You must watch and pray. You must rely on me. You must rely on my power and strength to give you victories over evil that is in the world. Will you rely on me? Yes Lord, I will rely on you. That will be very good.

What else don’t you want me to be surprised about? I don’t want you to be surprised when you face battles with evil in the world. Don’t think that they will be rare. Don’t be surprised when they come upon you. Be ready, at all times, to face battles with the devil and all his evil in the world. How can I always be ready to face the devil and his evil in the world? You must put on the full armor that I have given to you. Live in the truth that you have in me. Allow the truth you have in me to continue to keep you free from evil. Live and walk in my truth. Don’t allow yourself to become entangled in deceitful evil. Live the righteous life that I have called you to live. Don’t go where you shouldn’t go. Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. Live out the gospel. Be always ready to share the hope you have in me. Let your faith in me be a shield to protect you from the world. Don’t allow fiery arrows of doubt to come near you. Let your heart and mind and life be guarded and guided by my word. Allow my word to guide the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life. Allow my Spirit to use my word to fight in you, with you, for you and through you. Finally keep watch. Keep praying. Pray for yourself. Pray for others. Live a life of prayer as you walk through life with me. These things, I will do with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Then you will be able to stand your ground. Then you will live and walk in victory. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I am not fighting solely against flesh and blood. I know I am certain to come under attack of spiritual evil. Help me to put on your full armor. Protect me against attack. Make me able to stand against evil. Fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Live On

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Mathew 4:4- Live On - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Mathew 4:4- Live On – Growing As Disciples

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Feed On God’s Word

What will feed and sustain your life? What will strengthen you? What will make you able to stand against temptation and resist evil? What will change your heart? What will transform your mind? What will guide your life? Can you answer these questions of mine? Yes, I can answer these questions of yours. I can answer these questions of yours, not because I am wise. I can answer these questions of yours, not because I am anyone unusually special. I can answer these questions of yours, because you have made the answer especially obvious. You have placed an example right before my eyes. Tell me what is obvious to you. Tell me what you see in the example that has been placed before you. You are my example. I see you. I see the life that you lived. I see how you were made able to stand against temptation. I see how you were able to resist evil.

How did I stand against temptation? How did I resist evil? You fed on God’s word. You did not live on bread alone. You did not feed on cheap substitutes. You did not live on junk food. You read God’s word. You studied God’s word. You meditated on and memorized God’s word. You prayed God’s word. You took hold of God’s word and put it into practice. Yes, I did.  You allowed God’s word to fight for you when temptation tried to seize you and evil tried to overcome you. Yes, I did. You stood on the strength of God’s word. You lived by the power of God’s word. Yes, I did.

Will you feed on God’s word? Yes Lord, I will do what you have done. I will follow your example. I will take hold of God’s word so His word can take hold of me. I will allow God’s word to change my heart. I will allow God’s word to transform my mind. I will allow God’s word to guide my life. I will read God’s word. I will study God’s word. I will meditate on and memorize God’s word. I will pray God’s word. I will take hold of God’s word and as I put it into practice. Then you will be able to stand against temptation. Then you will be able to resist evil.

When will you allow God’s word to take hold of you? When will you allow God’s word to work in you, for you and through you? There is only one answer that I can give to these questions. What is your answer? Every day, is my answer. Every day, I will meet with you in your word. Every day, I will allow your word to work in me, for me, and through me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have lived on junk food. I have fed myself on what would not sustain my life. No more of that. Now, I will feed on your word. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, guide my life and make me able to stand against temptation and evil. Amen

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

Discipleship – Matthew 4-4 – Live On – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God’s Workmanship

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 2:8-10 - God's Workmanship - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 2:8-10 – God’s Workmanship – Growing As Disciples

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Good Works

Those are very important words. What words? Good works, are very important words. How so? You may not have realized it, but you have asked a very good question. Why is that? In the past, you have misunderstood “good works”. I’m not sure what you mean. Have you ever thought that you needed to earn my approval? Have you ever tried to do heroic acts of service to try to atone for your sins? Can you be more specific? Yes, I can. At times in the past, when you became aware of your sins, you confessed them to me. I still do. Yes, you do and that is good. But, in the past there were times when you thought confessing your sins and receiving my forgiveness was somehow not enough. Is this ringing a bell? Do you remember trying to earn my forgiveness even after it had already been freely given to you? I do. What do you know now, that you didn’t know then? Now, I know for certain that I cannot earn my forgiveness. I cannot do anything to cleanse myself of my own sin. To try to do so, is a sin in itself. Yes, it is and tell me why trying to earn your own forgiveness and cleansing is a sin. Any attempt to earn my own forgiveness and cleansing is like saying that Christ’s death on the cross was not enough payment for my sins. Any attempt to earn my own forgiveness and cleansing is like saying that I can take what Christ did on the cross one step further by my own efforts. How does that sound to you? It sounds like a sinful act of pride. So, we are agreed that you are not forgiven and cleansed of your sins by your own good works. Yes, we are. You are not saved by your good works? No, I am not. You and I are clear on this point? Yes, we are.

There is another way I want you to understand “good works”. How is that? You are not saved by good works. I get that. But, you are saved to do good words. Say more about that. You are my workmanship. I created you. I have given you gifts, talents and abilities. I have designed you. I have prepared you to do good works. I have good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do. As your life of salvation unfolds I will lead you to where I want you to go and I will give you what I want you to do. Do you understand? Yes, I do. Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you do the good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world to pay for my sins and secure my salvation. You have given me a gift I could never earn. Use me now to do all the good works that you have prepared in advance for me to do. I am at your service. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 2-8-10 – God’s Workmanship – 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