Monthly Archives: March 2018

Many Advisors

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:22 - Many Advisors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:22 – Many Advisors – Growing As Disciples

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Your Plans

When will I ever learn? When will you ever learn what? When will I ever learn to seek advice, and listen to wise counsel. That is a good question. Why haven’t you sought advice and listened to wise counsel? Pride is the obvious answer. I have thought that I didn’t need to seek advice or receive wise counsel. I thought that I had enough wisdom in myself that I didn’t need to ask for or listen to wise counsel. That is a problem, isn’t it? It’s much more than a problem. It has led to one disaster after another in my life. I have made so many mistakes. I have taken so many missteps. I have made some very costly mistakes. I have wasted time, talents and resources.  I’ve noticed. I’m not sure what is worse, to not seek advice or refuse wise counsel that has been given to me. The end result is the same. I guess so.

Has all been lost? What do you mean by that? Have you learned anything by not seeking advice or accepting wise counsel? I’m learning some things very slowly. Like what? I don’t want to have my plans end in disaster. I don’t want to devise plans that are not yours. I don’t want to go where I should not go. I don’t want to do what I should not do. I don’t want to waste time, talents and resources. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to join you in the work you are doing. I want to do the good works you have prepared in advance for me to do. Those are all very good desires. Those are valuable lessons to have learned. So, all is not lost? It doesn’t look like it to me, does it to you? No, I guess I am learning. Yes, you are.

What do you want to do differently? How will you go about seeking advice and receiving wise counsel? I will wait. I will watch. I will listen. I will draw near to you. I will seek your advice. I will listen to your wise counsel. I will receive your instructions, I will follow your guidance. I will stop thinking that I know it all. I will give up on the idea that I have great plans that I must pursue. I will stop relying on myself. Instead I will rely on you. I want your plan. In faith, I will ask for your wisdom to guide my life. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have rushed forward to implement a plan. I have raced ahead of you. I have not sought out advice or listened to wise counsel. I have been proud and independent. I have also meet with disaster. No More. I will seek your counsel and listen to your advice. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-22 – Many Advisers – 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

Give Him

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 25:21-22 - Give Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 25:21-22 – Give Him – Growing As Disciples

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV)  

Your Enemies

What will you do for your enemies? That’s an odd question. Why is that? I don’t want to do anything for my enemies. I don’t want to even think about my enemies. The best thing I think I could do for my enemies would be to ignore them. Why is that? If I don’t ignore my enemies, I might be tempted to do to them what they have done to me. I might want to pay them back for all the evil that they have done to me. That would not be good. Why is that? 

You were once living as my enemy. You were doing what was evil in my sight. Did I try to put you out of my mind? Did I hope you would just go away? Did I ignore you? No, you did not ignore me. You would not give up on me. You sought me out. You pursued me. You were watching for the day that I would turn away from my old sinful life. You were waiting for me to turn toward you to ask you to come into my life. How did I respond to you? Did I give you what you deserved? No, thankfully you did not give me what I deserved. I deserved punishment. Did I give you what you did not deserve? Yes, you gave me what I did not deserve. What was that? I did not serve your kindness, mercy and love. I did not deserve your forgiveness and cleansing. No, you did not. Yet, I gave all of these to you. Yes, you did.

I have some questions to ask you. Go ahead, I’m listening. Do you want to do what I did? Do you want to become like me? Will you follow my example? How so? Will you do for your enemies what I have done for you? Will you forgive your enemies? Will you extend kindness, mercy and love to your enemies? Will you pray for your enemies? Will you give your enemies whatever they need? Those are tough questions. You are asking a lot of me. No, I am not asking for a lot of you. I am asking for all of you. Will you make yourself completely available to me? Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you love your enemies just as I loved you when you were my enemy? Yes Lord, I will. I will love my enemies. I will graciously give my enemies whatever they need. That will be very good. Then, I will use your life. Then, I will bear fruit through your life. Then, you will bring glory to my name. That will be very good.  

Lord, I want to shine brightly for you as a witness in the world. I want you to use my life to help lead others to you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use my life, to graciously give my enemies what they need. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 25-21-22 – Give Him – 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’s Will

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - God's WiIl - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – God’s WiIl – Growing As Disciples

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Stayed Focused

What has your attention? What has your focus? I’m not sure what you mean. What is occupying your thoughts? Can you be a little more specific? Are your thoughts set solely on the things of this life? Is your perspective entirely earthly? You do realize that this life is fleeting? You are just passing through this life. You are here today. You will be gone tomorrow. Your life on this earth will go by like a blink of an eye or a snap of your fingers. Are these thoughts supposed to help me in some way? Am I supposed to be encouraged by these thoughts? I thought that my current circumstances were bad enough. Now, the brevity of my life is getting added on to my dismal circumstances. This does seem like too much weight to bear. Think again.

You are missing the point. This life is like a mist or a vapor that will quickly pass away. You might even say that this life is like a mirage. What you see now seems so real. What is before you will soon disappear. This life is not all that there is. You have so much more to look forward to. You are thinking earthly thoughts from an earthly perspective. You could be thinking heavenly thoughts from a heavenly perspective. Thinking heavenly thoughts would entirely change your perspective. How so? You have eternal life to look forward to. The pain and suffering of this temporary life is nothing compared to the joy and splendor that you will experience forever in heaven. That is a game changer for my thoughts. Yes, it is.

Your future in heaven should also be a game change for your actions. How so? Time is short. There is much work for you to do in this life. The harvest is plentiful. The workers are few. I want you to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. How so? You can go where I send you. You can do what I ask of you. You can be a bright and shining light for me in the world. I can use you to draw others to me. That’s what I want. That is my desire and hope and prayer. I am sure of that. I can see that in you. You will shine brighter and bear more fruit for me if you stay focused and remain joyful, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. That, I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that you have given me so much for which I can be thankful. As I go through difficult circumstances I will keep my heart and mind focused on the life I have with you now and forever. Help me to be joyful, prayerful and thankful as I follow you. Amen

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

Character – 1 Thessalonians 5-16-18 – God’s Will – 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

Finished The Race

Posted on by
Reply

 

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 - Finished The Race - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – Finished The Race – Growing As Disciples

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) 

Run Well

That is what I want. What’s that? I want to fight hard. I want to run well in my life of faith with you. I want to stay on course. I want to finish strong. I want to cross the finish line and receive the crown of righteousness that you have in store for me. Those are very good desires that you have in your heart and on your mind. 

How will you fight hard and run well? I will stay in training. I will allow you to teach and train me. I will allow you to guard and guide my life. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will listen to the soft whisper of your voice. I will keep in step with where you lead me. I will be ready to do what you ask of me. You will have my full attention. I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. I will meet with you in your word. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I know that you began a good work in me. I know that I am the work of your hands. I know that you are molding and shaping my life every day as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I am.

How will I encourage you to fight hard and run well? You will bring people into my life to spur me on in my faith. You will plant me in a body of believers so that I can follow others as they follow you. You will work in and through me. You will allow me to shine brightly in the world for you. You will use me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You will use my life as an example for others to follow as I follow you. You will give me opportunities to spur others on in their faith. You make sure I know that you are always with me to help me. You will make me able to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your will. Yes, I will. In every way, I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. Then you will run well. Then you will keep the faith. Then you will finish your race and receive the crown I have in store for you. I eagerly look forward to that day when I will cross that finish line and see you face to face. That is very good.

Lord, I want to fight hard. I want to run well. I want to run the race you have marked out for me. I will go where you guide me. I will do everything you ask of me. Help me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you so I can cross the finish line with you. Amen

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

Faith – 2 Timothy 4-7-8 – Finished The Race – 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

Thoroughly Equipped

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Thoroughly Equipped - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 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) 

Meet With Me

Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Do you want to be the person that I have called you to be? Do you want to be able to do the work that I have given you to do? Yes, I want to be who you want me to be. Yes, I want to do what you have given me to do. Yes, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. How can and will all these become realities in my life? That is a very good question.

If you want to live the life that I have called you to live, then you will meet with me in my word. If you want to become the person that I have called you to become, then you will meet with me in my word. If you want to be able to do the work that I have given you to do, then you will meet with me in my word. If you fail to meet with me in my word then none of these will become realities in your life. Is this easy enough for you to understand? Is there anything that is unclear to you? Have you captured the importance of meeting with me in my word? What you have said to me is quite clear and very easy to understand. I have completely captured in my heart and mind the importance of meeting with you in your word. That is very good.

How often do you want me to use my word to work in your life? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you want me to use my word to work in your life monthly, weekly or daily? I would like you to use your word to work in my life daily. Good answer. I think I have an even better answer to your question. I would like to hear that answer. I would like you to use your word to work in my life moment by moment of every day as I love, follow and serve you. That is a much better answer. If you want me to use my word to work in your life moment by moment of every day as you love, follow and serve me what will you do? I will richly welcome your word into my life. How will you do that? I will meet with you in your word every day. But beyond that, I will carry your word with me wherever I go. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will declare your word. I will claim your word. In every way, I will grab a hold of your word and put it into practice in my life. That will be very good. Then I will know that you will be using your word to constantly do its work in my life. Yes, I will, of that you can be sure.

Lord, I welcome your word into my life. Use your word to teach me. Use your word to correct and rebuke me. Use your word to train and equip me. I want to be a man of God who is completely prepared to do every good work you have given me to do for you. Amen

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

Be – 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

Way Of Escape

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - Way Of Escape - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – Way Of Escape – Growing As Disciples

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Way Of Escape

You will experience no unique and overpowering temptations. No temptation will come upon you that you cannot possibly endure. I will never allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist. You can be very sure that I will provide a way to escape the temptations that come upon you. Are you listening very carefully to all that I am saying to you? Yes, I am listening to your every word. Do you believe everything that I have just said to you? Yes, I believe every one of your words. That’s very good. Do you know why it is important to hear and believe these words of mine? Yes, I think I know why it is important to hear and believe these words of yours.

Tell me what you think you know about the importance of these words of mine. It is important for me to know that I won’t experience any unique and overpowering temptations otherwise I might become discouraged and easily give into them. That’s true. Knowing that you will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to resist assures me that it is within my power to endure a temptation. I am not powerless to the temptations that I will face in life. That’s right. Knowing that you will provide a way of escape out of temptations will help me to keep my eyes on you and the way of escape you have provided for me. Knowing that you have provided a way of escape out of temptation will force me to choose between giving into temptation or taking your way of escape. I will choose your way of escape. That’s good.

Let’s talk more about the way of escape out of temptation that I will provide to you. I’m game. What is the best way of escape out of temptation that you will ever take? The best way of escape out of temptation is to never enter into temptation in the first place. What do you mean by that? I often know how I am most likely to be tempted. I often know when I am most likely to be tempted. I often know where and why I am most likely to be tempted. I can avoid and escape a lot of temptations in life by not allowing myself to enter into tempting situations. That’s true. I can also remove things from my life that are likely to feed tempting desires to grow within me. I know that I need to put tempting desires on a starvation diet. That’s right.

One final question. I’m listening. When is the very best time to take the way of escape out of temptation that I will provide to you? The best time to take your way of escape out of temptation is immediately. I need to run from temptation the second I see it approaching. If I linger around temptation, your way of escape from it will close and I will succumb to it. That’s right. Will you immediately take the way of escape out of temptation that I will provide to you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I won’t allow myself to enter into tempting situations. I won’t allow my curiosity to cause me to linger in the presence of temptation. I will run from every temptation. I will quickly take the way out of temptation you have promised to provide to me. Amen

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

Freedom – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – Way Of Escape – 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

Go – Make Disciples

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Matthew 28:18-20 - Go - Make Disciples - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Matthew 28:18-20 – Go – Make Disciples – Growing As Disciples

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

Go Now

You have a mission to guide you. You have a journey to go on. You have a task to complete. What’s that? Where do you want me to go? What do you want me to do? Those are good questions. I want you to go and do for others what others have done for you. What have others done for me? How have you grown as my disciple? How have you learned to follow and serve me? Where would you be and what would you know if others had not taken the time to teach you what they knew about loving, following and serving me? I have no idea how to answer that question. I will simply say that I owe a deep debt of gratitude to those who have helped me in my journey of faith with you. That’s right. Faithful followers of yours have taught me through their words. They have shown me the way by their deeds. I have been able to follow the example of many who have gone before me. I have been spurred on by those who have worked alongside me. Yes, I have used a multitude of people to speak into your life. 

It’s your turn. It’s time for you to go and make disciples. You can now teach others what you have learned. Your life can encourage and spur others on in their journey of faith with me. Will you speak into the lives of others just as others have spoken into your life? Will you allow your life to serve as an example for others to follow? Yes Lord, I will go and make disciples. That will be very good. 

Don’t think that you will need to travel a great distance before you can go and make disciples. You can start making disciples right now. Where can I begin to make disciples? You are surrounded by a multitude of people, living all around you, that need to be encouraged and taught how to love, follow and serve me. How can I begin to make disciples? Keep your eyes and ears open. Watch and listen to me. I will guide you. I will be with you to help you. My hand will be on you. I will use you to make disciples. Watch and listen to others. Listen to what they are saying. Watch what they are doing. I will show you those who hunger and thirst for me. I will show you those who want to love, follow and serve me. Will you allow me to use you to go and make disciples right now, right where you are? Yes Lord, I will go and make disciples right here, right now. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself and making me to be one of your disciples. I will follow you to where you lead me and do what you ask of me. Help me to go and make disciples of all nations so that others can come to love and follow and serve you. Amen

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

Rhythms – Matthew 28-18-20 – Go – Make Disciples – 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

An Understanding Heart

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - 1 Kings 3:9 - An Understanding Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – 1 Kings 3:9 – An Understanding Heart – Growing As Disciples

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV)  

Heart To Know You

What kind of heart would you like? I don’t need you to explain that question to me. Why is that? I have thought quite a bit about that question. Tell me your thoughts. If you were to tell me that I could have whatever I wanted, my request would take no time for me to formulate. What is your request? I want to have a heart to know you intimately. I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live my life in a constant dialogue with you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to hear my voice. I want to live my life completely with and for you. I want to accomplish your purposes. I want to fulfill your plans. That is very good.

I want you to know that I am thankful for all the work that you have given me to do for you. Your large and difficult assignments have helped me to come to know you. How so? You have given work to do that I could never do, without your help. You have caused me to come to rely on you. You have caused me to come to ask for your help. There is not a second, minute, hour or day that I don’t need your help. Your help has made me able to know that you are working in and through my life. Your hand is on me. You are with me to help me. Yes, I am.  Without your help, I would never be able to accomplish anything that would last. Without your help, I would never be able to bear fruit for your kingdom.  Without your help, I would never be able to bring glory to your name. No, you would not. So, I will live a life of coming to rely on you. That is very good.

There is something that I know, without a doubt. What’s that? You will grant my request. You will give me a heart to know you. How do you know that I will give you a heart to know me? I already have that heart now. You have filled my heart and mind and life with a passion to know you. This desire does not come from me. You have given me this desire. You will grant me the answer to this desire. Yes, I will. My desire to know you is not fading, it is growing stronger every day as I love, follow and serve you. You will continue to fan this flame of desire in my heart. Yes, I will. You will continue to satisfy this desire in my heart. Yes, I will. Thank you for giving and granting this desire of my heart.

Lord, thank you for giving me difficult assignments I could not possibly accomplish without your help. Thank you for teaching me to come to rely on you. Thank you for giving me all I need to accomplish your assignments. Thank you for working through my life. Amen

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

Therefore – 1 Kings 3-9 – An Understanding Heart – 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