Monthly Archives: July 2018

Demolish Strongholds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Demolish Strongholds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Demolish Strongholds – Growing As Disciples

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

Take Captive

What am I supposed to take captive? I want you to take very one of your thoughts and make it captive to me. I’m not even sure what that means. Can you explain that to me? Yes, I can and yes, I will. You live in the world. I get that. The world is constantly bombarding you with all its thoughts and opinions and values, is it not? That is for certain. Is every thought that the world presents to you helpful and healthy? Is every thought that comes from the world pleasing to me? Are there worldly thoughts, opinions and values that can enslave you? Enslave me, how? Can worrisome thoughts enslave you to fear? Can materialistic thoughts enslave you to greed? Can sexual thoughts enslave you to lust? Can discouraging thoughts enslave you to depression? Can doubtful thoughts enslave you to unbelief? Can comparative thoughts enslave you to envy? I have never thought of my thoughts quite like that before.

It is time for you to change your thinking about your thoughts. How so? You are not required to think about every thought that comes into your mind. You can control what you allow yourself to think. How do you want me to control my thoughts? I want you to take every one of your thoughts and make them captive and obedient to me. That sounds like a difficult and maybe even an impossible task. Taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to me will not come without battles. But, it will not be impossible.

How do I begin? Where do I start? Where are my words? How can you know my thoughts? I can meet with you in your word. I will find your thoughts and words in your word. Yes, you will. What will happen to you as you meditate and memorize my word? I will begin to know your thoughts and words. I will come to know what is good and pleasing and acceptable to you. Yes, you will. How will your heart change and mind be transformed and your life protected as you allow my word to dwell in you richly? I will begin to think your thoughts and speak your words. Old and worldly thoughts will be pushed out of my heart and mind and life as I allow your world to dwell in me richly. Yes, that is true. I will be set free to live the life that you are calling me to live as your word begins to dwell richly in me. Yes, you will. Will you begin to take every one of your thoughts captive and make them obedient to me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, even though I live in this world, I will not wage war as this world does. I will take every thought and make it obedient to you. Give me your divine power to tear down and demolish strongholds and every argument that tries to set itself up against you. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 – Demolish Strongholds – 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

A Foothold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Ephesians 4:26-27 - A Foothold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 4:26-27 – A Foothold – Growing As Disciples

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)

An Opportunity

Do you want to give an opportunity to the devil? Do you want to allow the devil to damage your relationships with others? Do you want to live a life of constant strife? Who would say “yes” to any of those questions? Certainly not me. I would much rather live a life filled with your peace. I never want to give the devil any kind of opportunity in my life. I want to have healthy and happy relationships with others. I want to live as one of your peacemakers in the world. That’s good. Why are you asking me these questions? Is there something that I am not doing that you want me to do? Is there something that I am doing that I could do better? Those are good questions.

Are you forgiving towards others? Are you willing to overlook an offense? Are you easily angered? Do you freely vent your anger to others when they fail to live up to your expectations? Do you carry anger towards others from one day into the next? Do you carry grudges with you wherever you go? I see where you are headed with this. Where is that? You want me to become like you. You want to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. You want me to be willing to lay down my rights so that I will not be angered when someone does not live up to my expectations. You don’t want me to carry anger from day into another. You don’t want me to carry grudges wherever I go. That’s right.

So, where should I can I start? How do I begin? You could begin with prayer. How so? You could ask me to help you to become one of my peacemakers in the world. I will ask that of you right now. That’s good. That’s a start. How else can I pray? Do you have in mind anyone that rubs you the wrong way? Can you think of anyone who frustrates you? Can you remember anyone who has hurt or harmed you? You’re kidding right? No, I am not kidding. Well, I don’t need to rack my brain to think of someone who frustrates me. It won’t take but a second to recall someone who has hurt or harmed me. I know of several people that definitely rub me the wrong way. Put these people on your prayer list. Ask me to help you to bless their lives. Do for them what you want me to do for you. Like what? Show them your kindness. Give them your mercy. Extend to them your help. Love and forgive them just as I have loved and forgiven you. I get it. Will you do it? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then the devil will never be able to use anger to gain a foothold in your life. 

Lord, I have held on to anger and harbored bitterness and wrath. I have wanted to get even. I have wanted to seek revenge. Forgive me of these attitudes. Help me to love others and make peace with them. I will forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 4-26-27 – A Foothold – 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

Through Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Philippians 4:13 - Through Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Philippians 4:13 – Through Him – Growing As Disciples

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Do This?

I can’t do this. You can’t do what? I can’t do what you are asking me to do. Why is that? It is far beyond my ability. I don’t have the gifts, talents or abilities to accomplish what you want me to do for you. Is that right? It seems true to me. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Would I ask you to do something that you couldn’t accomplish? Is that a trick question? No, it is not a trick question. Then I will answer it. It seems like you regularly ask me to do things that I cannot accomplish with my own gifts, talents and abilities. Am I wrong about that? You are not wrong about that. What am I wrong about? Let me ask you a couple more questions. Ask away. Have you been accomplishing what I have given you to do? Yes, I have been accomplishing what you have given me to do. Has what I have given you to do been beyond your abilities? Yes, your assignments have been beyond my abilities. Yet, you have accomplished them, is that correct? Yes, that is correct. How is that possible? You can’t do something, yet you have done it. You haven’t had the gifts, talents and abilities to do what I have asked of you, yet you have gone and done what I have asked of you. Can you explain that to me? I have had to come to rely on you. I have had to come to you to ask you for your help. I have had to rely on your power and strength to make me able to do what you have asked of me. Is that a problem? Do you not like relying on me? Is it too bothersome for you to come to me to ask for my help? Do you not enjoy my power and strength to make you able to do what you could not possibly do?

No, I do like relying on you. It is not too bothersome for me to come to ask you for your help. I do enjoy your power and strength working in and through me to help me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. What is the problem then? Do you have a short memory? How so? When I ask you to do something beyond your abilities now, have you forgotten that I have helped you in the past? Hasn’t your faith grown stronger as I have helped you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? No, I don’t have a short memory. I do remember that you have been helping me every day with every step I take through life with you. Yes, my faith has grown stronger as I have loved, followed and served you. Then, what is the problem? Sometimes, I would like life to be very comfortable and exceptionally easy. I would like to kick back and relax. I would like you to kick back and relax by trusting in me. I would like you to struggle and strive less and rely on me more. When you are weary and worn out, what can you suspect? I can suspect that I have been relying on myself and not on you. That’s right. Rest in me. Rely on me. Trust me. Have faith in me. I will make you able to do what you cannot do. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. One more thing. What’s that? Don’t expect life to be very comfortable and exceptionally easy. 

Lord, I’m done relying on my own efforts to try to accomplish what I can’t do with my own strength. Instead, I will rely on your help. I know that I can do everything you have called me to do with the strength that you will give me. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – Philippians 4-13 – Through Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Starting A Quarrel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 17:14 - Starting A Quarrel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 17:14 – Starting A Quarrel – Growing As Disciples

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 (NIV)

Drop It

Who started it? Who started what? Who started the argument? I don’t even remember. What is the argument about? I can’t remember that either. Let me get this straight. You are in a quarrel and angry dispute. You can’t remember who started it? You can’t remember what the quarrel and angry dispute is all about? No, not really. Does this make sense to you? No, not really. Maybe, I should ask you different questions. Like what? Who is going to drop it? Who is going to let go of their anger? Who is going to refuse to be drawn into a quarrel? Who is not going to let a dispute break out? Would that be me? You tell me. Would that be you? I hope so. Why is that? I would like to be a peacemaker. I am tired of being drawn into quarrels. I am done with being in angry disputes. That sounds good.  

Why is it good to drop a quarrel before a dispute has any chance to break out? Nothing will damage relationships more than angry quarrels and bitter disputes. Nothing will dim the brightness of my witness for you quite like being in a bitter dispute with someone. That’s true. What else? Once a quarrel breaks out it is very difficult to restrain it. An angry quarrel is like breaking a dam. The force is overpowering. The damage can be staggering. It might be almost impossible to put things back together as they once were. Has that ever happened to you? Yes, it has. I have some damaged relationships that will probably never be restored. That’s too bad. Yes, it is.

What would you like to do differently? I would like to drop whatever differences I have with others. I would like to have wisdom to know the true costs of angry quarrels and bitter disputes. I would like to value relationships with people over being right or winning an argument. I would like to be known as a peacemaker over having things always go my way. If I have to suffer some pain or experience some loss over maintaining an important relationship I will do it. Why is that? I want to become like you. I want to live like you lived. I want to do what you did. You didn’t assert your rights. You didn’t seek your own privileges. You experienced pain and suffering and loss. You did not engage in angry quarrels or become entangled in bitter disputes. You didn’t fight to be right. You did seek to win arguments at all costs. You laid down your rights. You poured yourself out. You gave your life so that others could live. Yes, I did. Will you do all these things for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have been a debater. I have started quarrels. I have unnecessarily allowed myself to become engaged in heated disputes. Help me to learn how to drop matters that are not worth becoming involved in a never ending flood of debating and angry quarreling. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 17-14 – Starting A Quarrel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Wonderfully Made

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Psalm 139:13-14 - Wonderfully Made - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Psalm 139:13-14 – Wonderfully Made – Growing As Disciples

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) 

Created You

I created you. I made you. I put you together. You are one of my masterpieces. I have given you gifts and talents and abilities with which you can serve me. You can bear abundant fruit for my kingdom. You can bring glory to my name. What do you think about what I have just said to you? What do you want me to think about what you said to me? Are you thankful for the way that I have created you? Are you pleased with the way that I have put you together? Do you believe that you truly are one of my masterpieces? Do you know that I have given you gifts and talents and abilities with which you can serve me? Are you certain that you can bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? This is a lot to take into my heart and mind and life. Yes, it is.

Why is it important for you to take all of these thoughts into your heart and mind and life? I have been looking around. At what? I have been comparing myself with others. Has that been helpful to you? No, not at all, I have envied the way that you have created, made and put others together. I have wanted what you haven’t given to me. Why is that a problem? If I live envying others, I will never be thankful for what you have given to me. I will never come to accept the fact that you have created and made and put me together as one of your masterpieces. I will live with doubt. I will be filled with regret. I will live with despair. I will always wish that I could have been and could have done much more in life. I will live an unhappy and dissatisfied life. That is a big problem isn’t it? Yes, it is. That isn’t the only problem is it? No, if I’m not grateful for how you have made me, it is unlikely that I will ever fully develop and use all the gifts and talents and abilities that you have given to me. I will not bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I will not bring glory to your name. I will never fully live the life that you have called me to live. So, what will you do? I will give you thanks and praise to you for how you have created, made and put me together. I will believe that I am one of your masterpieces. I will fully use all the gifts and talents and abilities that you have given to me. With your help, I will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That will be very good.

Father, thank you for putting me together in my mother’s womb. You made me to be a masterpiece according to your purposes and plans. You have given me gifts, talents, and abilities to use to serve you. Help me to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. Amen

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

Identity – Psalm 139 -13-14 – Wonderfully Made – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Their God Is Their Stomach

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- The Mind - Philippians 3:18-19 - Their God Is There Stomach - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Philippians 3:18-19 – Their God Is There Stomach – Growing As Disciples

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV)

Appetites

Your appetite will drive you. I’m not sure what you mean by that. If you hunger for all that the world has to offer that is what you will pursue. You will chase after money. You will be in a race to acquire things. You will live for all the comfort and pleasure that this world has to offer you. Your perspective will be colored only by what you can see in the here and now. Your mind will be set on earthly things. The world will become your idol. Your God will be your own stomach. Your end will lead to destruction. That is what I meant when I said that your appetite would drive you. I get it. You get what? I do not hunger for all that the world offers. I have no appetite for the comfort and pleasures of this world. My mind is not set on the things of this world. I’m not chasing after money. I’m not in a race to acquire things. The world is not my idol, nor is my stomach my god. I have a completely different hunger and thirst. I have a totally different perspective. I am pursuing what this world could never offer me. I want what the world could never give me. Tell me about that.

I want to know you. I hunger and thirst for you. I want to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to do what pleases you. You are the pursuit of my life. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. My eyes are not on the things of this world. My eyes are on you. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do all that you ask of me. My end will not be destruction. No, it will not. I long for the day that I will one day come to live forever in heaven with you. On that day I want to be able to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is why I am now living my life fully and completely with and for you. That is why the word and all that it offers does not feed my hunger or satisfy my thirst. Only you can feed my hunger and satisfy my thirst. That is why you are my pursuit. That is why I am following you. That is very good.

Lord, I no longer have an appetite for the things of the world. Thank you for giving me a hunger and thirst for you and the life you have called me to live. Thank you that it is my destiny to one day live forever in heaven with you. Amen

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

The Mind – Philippians 3-18-19 Their God Is Their Stomach – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Lose It – Find It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms- Matthew 10:37-39 - Lose It - Find It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms- Matthew 10:37-39 – Lose It – Find It – Growing As Disciples

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)

Take Up The Cross

What does it mean to take up your cross? That is a question that I have on my mind. What do you think it means? The second half of your statement gives me a clue, I think. Following you is the first part of taking up my cross. In order to take up your cross I need to lose my old life. I need to let go of my old thoughts and ways. I need to stop living for myself. I need to give up on my own selfish goals, purpose and plans. I needed to set them aside. They were pointless anyhow. My life was nothing but misdirected when I was living solely for myself. I was going nowhere fast. I was accomplishing nothing of any value. I certainly felt empty and without hope and meaning in life. But, you turned my life around. You drew me to yourself. You showed me your kindness, mercy and love. You made laying down my life easy. You made giving myself fully to you the desire of my heart. I came to you love because you first loved me. Yes, you did.

Now, I’m following you. Now, I want what you want. Now, I’m going where you guide me to do what you ask me. As I follow and serve you I will always be faced with choices. I will always be asked questions. What choices? What questions? Will I go even here or there for you? Will I do even this or that for you? How will you answer these questions? I will answer these questions with your help. Your love will help me. My love for you will help me. Yes, it will. I will keep on saying yes to you because you love me and I love you. As I keep on saying yes to you I will be continuing to pick up your cross and follow you. Yes, you will. As I keep on picking up your cross I will find and live out the life that you have called me to live. I will be doing what you ask. I will be bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name with my new life in you. Yes, you will.

Lord, I had goals. I had plans. I had purpose or so I thought. In reality my life was pointless and misdirected because I did not have you at the center of it. But, you rescued me. You are my Savior and Lord. I have lost my old life to find a totally new life in you. Amen

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

Rhythms – Matthew 10-37-39 – Lose It – Find It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Least In My Family

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Miracles - Judges 6:15 - Least In The Family - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – Judges 6:15 – Least In The Family – Growing As Disciples

“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15 (NIV)  

With You

You have got to be kidding me. You want me to do what? Are you sure that you meant to ask me to take on such a large task?   I‘m not sure that I can handle such a significant responsibility. What makes you think that I will be able to do what you ask of me? You won’t be able to do what I ask of you. Then we are in agreement. You should go and ask someone else that has more gifts and talents and abilities than I. Not so fast. No, we are not in agreement. You intended to ask me to do something that you knew I could not do? Is it your plan that I will fail in accomplishing what you have given me to do? Now, you are jumping to conclusions. How am I jumping to conclusions? You won’t fail in accomplishing what I have given you to do for me. Wait a minute, you said I wouldn’t be able to do what you asked me to do. Yes, I did. I did not say that you would fail to accomplish what I had given you to do. I’m lost. I don’t get it. Somehow, I won’t be able to do what you have given me to do, yet somehow I will accomplish what you have given me to do? That’s correct. I need help. I need clarification. I need an explanation. Yes, you do. I can see that.

There is something I want you to know. What’s that? I will always call you to do more than you can accomplish, on your own, without my help. You will never feel adequate. You will never feel equal to the task. You will feel overwhelmed. All of these feelings are good. How can that be? What will you do when you feel inadequate, unequal to the task and overwhelmed? I will cry out to you and ask for your help. Exactly, that is part of my plan. I will make you adequate. I will make you able. I will make you equal to whatever task I give you to do for me. But, you must always come to rely on me. You must ask for my help. I will be with you, I will help you. I will work in and through your life. I will do in and through you what you could have never done on your own without my help. Now, I understand. That’s good. Will you come to ask my help? Will you come to rely on me? Yes Lord, I will. Thanks for making me able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. It is my joy and pleasure to work in and through your life. That’s good. For that I am so thankful. That is very good.

Lord, sometimes I wonder why you have chosen me to do anything for you. Yet, I know you work through weakness to show your power. I give you lots of weakness to work through. Work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Amen

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

Miracles – Judges 6-15 – Least In My Family – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Those Who Are With Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Miracles - 2 Kings 6:16 - Those Who Are With Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – 2 Kings 6:16 – Those Who Are With Us – Growing As Disciples

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 (NIV)

Perspective

What are you looking at? What has your attention? What is your heart and mind and life focused on? I’m not quite sure what you are asking me? Do you have a heavenly or earthly perspective? Are you trying to solve your earthly difficulties with your own earthly resources? What does that mean? Are you relying on yourself or are you relying on me? I guess I have been relying on myself. You guess? If you haven’t been asking for my help, you have been relying on yourself. Have you been persistently and consistently asking me for my help as you have gone through difficulties in life? If I have asked you for your help at all, my prayers have been one and done. That’s not good. Why is that? Why do you think? You want me to live a life that is vitally connected to you in prayer. You want me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I do. Do you want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, I do. Then we both want the same thing. That is very good.

I want you to think of difficult circumstances differently. How so? I want you to see difficult circumstances as opportunities to refocus your perspective. I want you to see difficult circumstances as opportunities to draw nearer to me. Difficult circumstances will help you to know more certainly if you are living and walking in an intimate relationship with me. Difficult circumstances will help you to refocus your prayers so that you will be consistently and persistently asking for my help. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to look to you for my help. You want to hear and answer my prayers. You want to grow my faith. You want me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. You want me to have a heavenly perspective as I go through earthly difficulties. You want me to learn to rely on you rather than on myself. Yes, I do. Yes, I want all of these things for you. Will you look to me for your help? Will you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Will you trust me to help you through every difficulty in life? Will you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know that I have been tempted to look at difficult circumstances with eyes of fear and doubt. I have been discouraged and wanted to give in and give up. Instead, give me eyes of faith that will rely on you and your help. Amen

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

Miracles – 2 Kings 6-16 – Those Who Are With Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Took The City

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Miracles - Joshua 6:20 - Took The City - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – Joshua 6:20 – Took The City – Growing As Disciples

When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (NIV) 

Battles 

Is it any surprise that you will face battles in life? No, not at all. Life is filled with battles of many various kinds. If I am not in a battle I have probably just left one or I am about to enter one very soon. That’s true. This is a broken world. Everything about this world has been corrupted by sin. This world does not function according to your original design and plan. No, it does not. It was not your plan that life would be filled with so many struggles. No, it was not.

What have you learned about battles in life? Battles in life are not all bad. Battles in life have had a very good and positive and lasting impact on my life. How so? Every battle in life has presented me with a choice. Is that right? Yes, it is. What choice has each and every battle in life presented to you? Each battle in life has asked me who am I going to trust. Each battle in life has asked me who I will rely on. Each battle in life has defined for me who will be the source of my wisdom and strength and guidance and help. Is that so? Yes, it is. What has been the answer to those questions? There is only one correct answer for all of these questions. Really? Yes, really. Then let me hear your answer to every one of these questions. I will trust in you. I will not rely on myself. You have been, are and will be my only source of wisdom and strength and guidance and help. You have been with me to help me through every battle in life. Every battle in life has caused me to draw near to you. Every battle in life has caused me to hold on to you. You have never left me alone when I have been in a battle in life. I am no fan of going through battles in life. On one hand, I wish that life was not filled with so many battles. On the other hand, I am thankful for every battle in life that I have gone through. Why is that? Every battle in life has been one more opportunity to grow closer to you. Every battle in life has been an opportunity to come to know you more intimately. In hindsight, I can now easily say, with great confidence, that I would not trade a battle free life for knowing you less. So, I am very thankful that you have been with me in and through every battle in life. I am thankful that you have helped to come to know you better in and through every battle in life. That is very good. 

Lord, I am facing battles in life. Is that a surprise to me, you, or anyone else? When will I not be facing a battle, trial or test in life? I need your wisdom and guidance. Too often I have relied on myself. Help me to know what to do. I will rely on you for my help. Amen

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

Miracles – Joshua 6-20 – Took The City – 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