Monthly Archives: November 2018

More Than Conquerors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Romans 8:35-39 - More Than Conquerors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Romans 8:35-39 – More Than Conquerors – Growing As Disciples

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)  

Separate Me

Let me get this straight. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love? The worst trouble, greatest hardship and strongest persecution cannot separate me from your love? The severest famine cannot separate me from your love?  Being naked or in danger or even facing a sharp sword cannot separate me from your love? If was like a sheep being led to slaughter, even that could not separate me from your love? Do have I have all this correct? Is your word completely true? Yes, you have all this correct. My word is completely true.

In every hardship, trial and storm you will be more than a conqueror. In every persecution and danger, you will be more than a conqueror. You could be naked. You could be facing a sharp sword. You could even be like a sheep being led to slaughter. In all those circumstances you will still be more than a conqueror. Do you know why that is? Yes, I think I do. Tell me. You love me. You are with me. You will help me. My eternal future with you is completely secure. Life could throw its very word at me, yet you will be with me to carry me though it. Yes, I have, Yes, I am and Yes, I will. How do you know this to be true? I have already gone through great difficulties. I have already suffered significant hardships. You have never left me. You have never forsaken me. You have always been with me to help me. So, are you totally convinced that death, nothing in life, nor angels or demons, nothing in the present or future, no power, no height or depth, and nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from my love? Yes, I am totally convinced. I am completely certain. You have me in your hands. Your love has surrounded me. Your love is guiding me. Your love is guarding me. Your love will bring home to heaven and my eternal life with you. Yes, It will.

Lord, I have experienced pain and suffering in this life. I have been hurt and rejected. I have wept and cried out to you. Your love has surrounded me. You have always been with me. Nothing can ever separate me from your love and the future I have in you. Amen 

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

Love – Romans 8-35-39 – More Than Conquerors – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Quiet You With His Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Zephaniah 3:17 - Quiet You With His Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Zephaniah 3:17 – Quiet You With His Love – Growing As Disciples

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Quiet Me

That is exactly what I need. What’s that? I need to be quieted and calmed inside. What’s going on? Why do you need to be quieted inside? I’m sure you know. There is not a thought I think, word I speak or deed I do that is surprising to you. You know every detail of my past, present and future. Nothing is hidden from you. That’s true. So, why would I ask you a question like, “What’s going on?” since I know every minute detail of what is going on in your life? In fact, I know far more about what is going inside you and around than you will ever know. You are definitely not looking for new information from me. No, I am not. You must want to engage in a conversation with me. That’s true. Why do you suppose I want to engage in a conversation with you? You love me. You want me to come to know you. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to engage in an ongoing conversation with you through the seconds, hours, days, and years of my life. Yes, I do.

What has happened to you as you have engaged in an ongoing conversation with me? I have started to come to know you. I have begun to live in an intimate relationship with you. I have started to comprehend how much you love me. In the beginning I had little idea what it meant when you saved me from a life without you. Now, I know that I am not all alone. I could not comprehend that you were with me to help me. Now, I know that you are on my side. Yes, I am. Now I know that, you take great delight in me. That’s right. Now I know that, you rejoice over me with singing. Yes, I do. I am special to you. Yes, you are.

Let’s return to the start of our conversation. Where did we start? You don’t remember? No, not really. You said that you needed to be quieted and calmed down inside. Yes, I did. What about now? Are you still needing to be quieted and calmed down inside? No, you have calmed me. You have quieted me. As I have rested in your presence you have filled me with your peace. As we have engaged in our conversation your love has calmed all my fears and made me able to live in your peace. That is very good. Yes, it is.

Lord, help me to come to fully comprehend how much you love me. You are with me to help me. You will fight with me. You will fight for me. You will fight through me. You take great delight in me. You quiet me with your love. You rejoice over me with singing

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

Love – Zephaniah 3-17 – Quiet You With His Love – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Strength Of My Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Psalm 73:25-26 - Strength Of My Heart- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Psalm 73:25-26 – Strength Of My Heart- Growing As Disciples

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

My Strength

There is a lot I don’t get. There is plenty I don’t understand. Like what? I don’t get or understand how the wicked can seem to prosper while the righteous seem to suffer. You have used an important key word. What word is that? Take a guess.  I used the word seem. Is that a key word? Yes, it is. Why did you even think to use that word in your question? I guess I was open to the idea that I might not have the correct perspective. I might be seeing life from the wrong vantage point. Is that a rare occurrence? Is what a rare occurrence? Is your not having the correct perspective or right vantage point a rare occurrence? No, it is not. I often get things wrong. There are plenty of times that I have not understood life correctly. That’s a good admission on your part. 

Do you want to get things right? Do you want to understand life correctly? Yes, I do. What will you do if you really want to get things right and understand life correctly? I won’t rely on my own understanding. I will admit that I need help. That is a good start. What else? I will stop looking all around me. I will quit comparing my life to others. That is also good. What else? I will come to you. I will enter in your presence. I will ask you questions. I will seek your wisdom. I will wait for your answers. I will place all my faith and hope and trust in you. That is very good. 

When you have entered my presence what have I shown you? You have shown me that this life is very temporary. You have shown me that this life is like a mist or a mirage that will soon pass away. This life is like the blink of an eye or the snap of the fingers. It is here today and gone tomorrow. Those who are rich and strong and powerful today may be paupers and weaklings tomorrow. What looks like success and prosperity today may be desperate poverty tomorrow. The wicked who seem to be succeeding in this life will certainly fail in the next life. The godly who seem to be suffering in this life are awaiting a rich inheritance with you in the next life. That’s true. That’s right. That’s good.

What else have you learned in my presence? I have learned that you are good and right and true. I have learned that I can hold on to you. I have learned that you are with me to help me. You are guarding and guiding my life. I have learned that I would not trade being close to you for anything that this life has to offer. You are my refuge. You are my strength. I will rely on you. That is very good.

Lord, I have been discouraged in my heart when I have envied the arrogant and seen the prosperity of the wicked. No more! Instead I will keep my eyes on you. You have brought strength to my heart as I have drawn near to you. Amen

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

Heart – Psalm 73-25-26 – Strength Of My Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - James 1:5-8 - Lacks Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – James 1:5-8 – Lacks Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  James 1:5-8 (NIV)

Asking For Wisdom

There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about what? There is no doubt that I lack wisdom. Nothing can hide that fact. Why is that? I have left a trail of dumb decisions and foolish mistakes. Like what? I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I have failed to go where I should have gone. I have failed to do what I should have done. Why have you not asked me for wisdom? There is an easy answer to that question. Let me hear your answer. My own foolish pride has kept me from asking you for wisdom. It is very difficult to ask for wisdom if you are not willing to admit that you need it. I have pridefully and foolishly and stubbornly refused to ask you for wisdom. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

What will you do now? What will you do because you now know that you desperately need wisdom? What will you do because you now know that I will hear and generously answer your prayers for wisdom? I will humbly admit that I need wisdom. With a heart full of faith, I will come to ask you for wisdom. Why is that important? I also know that you will not answer doubt filled prayers. If I pray prayers that are filled with doubt, I should not expect that I will receive anything from you. If I am going to pray a prayer filled with doubt, I might as well not pray at all. Why is that? You will not hear and answer prayers that are filled with doubt. No, I will not.

So, you are going to do three things. You are going to admit your need for wisdom. You are going to pray a faithful filled prayers asking me for wisdom. You are going to wait with faithful expectation that I will hear and generously answer your prayers, is all of this correct? Yes, Lord. That is exactly what I will do. That is exactly how I will pray. That is exactly what I will believe, without a doubt. That is very good. I will hear and generously answer your prayers asking me for wisdom. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have been filled with pride. I have thought I was quite wise. I have foolishly relied on my own limited wisdom. I have made dumb decisions and foolish mistakes. No more. With a heart filled with faith, I am now asking you for all the wisdom I will need in life. Amen

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

Prayer – James 1-5-8 – Lacks Wisdom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Trust In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart- Proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart- Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Opinions

Opinions, opinions, opinions! Everyone has a thought. Everyone has an idea. Everyone has some counsel. Some even have a word. Some give guidance. Some suggest a direction. Where should I turn? Who should I trust? Who can I rely on? Are you asking me? You have an opinion? Is that what you think I have to offer you? An opinion? Will you consider my thoughts and ways as equal to others? Will you listen to every thought, opinion, and idea and then consider mine? What will you do if you don’t like what you hear? Will choose another’s counsel? Will you accept someone else’s guidance? That doesn’t sound too good. No, it’s not.

I’ve done that, you know. You’ve done what? I listened to every voice but yours. I’ve sought a wide range of opinions until I liked what I heard. Then I have chosen that thought, opinion or idea. That has set my course. That has become my direction. I suppose that is a crystal-clear example of my trusting in my own understanding. Why is that? Obviously, that puts me in charge. My seeking the thoughts, opinions and ideas of others only seems wise. It’s not though. Why is that? In the end, I have only listened to what I have wanted to hear. I have trusted in myself. I have simply relied on my own understanding. That’s true.

Where will you go and what will you do when you rely on your own understanding? I will go where I want to go. I will do what I want to do. How has that worked out for you? Not well. Not well, at all. How so? I have made a thousand mistakes. I have taken a million missteps. That’s all? Probably not. Only you know the true number. But I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I have walked a crooked path. I have wasted time. I have spent energy. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I have had to turn around and retrace my steps. I have had to start over. That sounds exhausting. It is. It is no way to live. No, it’s not.

What do you want to do differently? I want to come to rely on you. I will set aside my own counsel. I will not lean on my own understanding. I will acknowledge that you are the Lord of my life. You have a purpose. You have a plan. You have a direction. You will give me guidance. I can follow your direction. Yes, I do. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. Follow me. I will make your path straight. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I’m weary. I’m worn out. I have exhausted myself by listening to every thought, idea and opinion but yours. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I have walked a crooked path. No more! I will follow you. Amen

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

Heart – Proverbs 3-5-8 – Trust In The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Never Fails

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 - Love Never Fails - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 – Love Never Fails – Growing As Disciples

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NIV)

Childish Ways

That is what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I am tired of thinking and speaking and acting in ways that are immature. This is a very good desire that you have in you. Do you have any idea how this desire has grown in you? I know exactly how this desire has grown in me. That, I would like to hear. This desire has not come from me. If I was left to myself, I’m pretty sure that I would never grow up. I would keep right on thinking and speaking and acting in childish ways. I would not be happy with that. You would not be happy with that. You have so much more for me than that. You want me to grow up. Yes, I do. I want to grow up. I want what you want. Why do you want what I want? Now, we are getting to the heart of the matter. That is a good choice of words. Yes, I thought so. I want what you want because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my desire to think and speak and act in ways that please you because I love you. It is no burdensome desire to do what is pleasing to you. It is my joy to think and speak and act in ways that please you. That’s very good.

You know, I can’t take credit for loving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Why is that? I don’t love you because I am responding favorably to your commandments. If disciplined obedience was the basis of my love for you, I would not love you very well. Why do you love me? I love you because you first loved me. I love you because you have allowed me to come to know you. I love you because you have shown me your kindness and mercy and love. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. You have lavished me with your love. The only appropriate response back to you is to love you. I will tell you something else. What’s that? I am so thankful and grateful that you have made me able to love you. There is no other kind of life I would like to live. That’s very good.

I do have a few requests, I would like to mention to you. I’m listening. I would like it if you would help me to come to know you more and more as I love, follow and serve you. I would like it if you would continue to fan this flame of love that I have for you. I would like it if you would help me to continue to put away childish ways of living so that I can more fully love you and others. That’s it? That’s it, for right now. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. May your love change and mature all my thoughts and words and deeds as I follow and serve you. Amen 

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

Love – 1 Corinthians 13-8-12 – Love Never Fails – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Listen To His Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity- John 10:2-5 - Listen To His Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity- John 10:2-5 – Listen To His Voice – Growing As Disciples

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:2-5 (NIV) 

Listener

Are you a listener? What do you mean by that? Will you slow down so that you can hear me speaking to you? Will you stop and listen to hear all that I want to say to you? Are you growing in your ability to hear my voice? I have not been a good listener. Why is that? I have been on the go. I have been busy. I have allowed myself to become distracted by many things. I have let my life be filled with noise. That is not good. I know. I want to be a good listener. I want to stop to listen to all that you want to say to me. Desire is a good place to start. It is important that you want to hear from me. 

How can I make myself available to you? How can I become a good listener? How can I grow in my ability to hear your voice? Those are very good questions. Your questions are the start of a good foundation. How so? To hear from me you must believe that I will speak to you. To become a good listener, you must be willing to humbly admit that you have not been a good listener. To become a good listener, you must be willing to grow in your ability to hear my voice. Your wanting to know how to begin means that you are willing start right now, does it not? Yes, I want to start listening to you right now. I do believe that you will speak to me. I do believe that you will help me to grow in my ability to hear your voice. I humbly admit that I will need your help for me to become a good listener. Is that your prayer? Yes, that is my prayer. I desperately want and need your help. That is very good. It will be my pleasure and joy to help you to hear me speaking to you. 

When do you think I will speak to you? Where do you think I will speak to you? I think you will speak to me at any time in any place. That is true. But, what will you need to do so you can hear me speaking to you? I will need to stop to listen to you. I will need to quiet myself before you. I will need to set aside a specific time and special place when and where I will listen to you. Why is that? Right now, I am hard of hearing. Later, I may be able to hear you over the noise of the world and in the busyness of life. But to start, I will need a special time and place devoted to meeting with you, so I can hear your voice. That is true. When do you want to begin? Right here, right now. That is very good. Speak to me Lord, I am listening.

Lord, thank you that you know me by name. You are my good shepherd. You love and care for me. I will listen attentively for your voice as you lead and guide me through life. I want to follow you to where you lead me to do all that you ask of me. I will trust in you. Amen

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

Identity – John 10-2-5 – Listen To His Voice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Vine

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life In Christ- John 15:5 - The Vine - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life In Christ- John 15:5 – The Vine – Growing As Disciples

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)

Vitally Connected

I know what it is like to be disconnected from you. How so? I have a lot of experience living a life that is not vitally connected to you. Tell me about your experience. I have run myself ragged trying to accomplish great things. I have come up with some really good ideas. Who says? Me. What has been the outcome of your really good ideas? Not much. I have worked myself weary trying to do something that would accomplish something great. In the face of defeats and setbacks I have just run faster and worked harder. It sounds like you have really wanted to make a name for yourself. Yes, I suppose so. You suppose so? Well, I know so. That’s more like it. That’s not good. I know.

I will tell you a little secret. What’s that? I think some of your ideas have been really good. You do? Yes, I do. Why is that? Why do you think? I’m guessing that some of my really good ideas have come from you. That’s close. Maybe, I should have said all of my really good ideas have come from you. Why is that? Everything I have, everything I am and everything I will be that is any good has come from you. That’s true. That’s a good realization on your part. How will keeping that thought forefront in your mind help you? I humbly give thanks to you for all that you have given to me. That’s good. You will never suffer by having more humility. I agree. That’s also good.

I do have a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why have I not been successful implementing good ideas that have come from you? You tell me. I thought you would say that. You do know the answer. Yes, I do. I have gotten a good idea and raced off to implement them. I have not considered your timing. I have not relied on you. I have not remained vitally connected to you. I have not asked for your help. I have come to a realization. What’s that? Apart from you I can do nothing. Apart from you I can’t accomplish your purposes or fulfill your plans. A good idea, even one that comes from you, will never bear fruit unless I remain vitally connected to you. That’s true. I need your help to be able to know and do your will. I need your power and strength to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you do. Will you remain vitally connected to me? Will you rely on me for all that you need? Will you ask for my help? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to get caught up in the busyness of life. I don’t want to fruitlessly chase after what is unimportant. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name by being vitally connected to you. I will remain in you as you remain in me. Amen 

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

Life In Christ – John 15-5 – The Vine – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Come To Me And Drink

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Holy Spirit - John 7:37-39 - Come To Me And Drink - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Holy Spirit – John 7:37-39 – Come To Me And Drink – Growing As Disciples

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (NIV)

Insatiable Thirst

That is exactly what I was. What’s that? I was thirsty. How so? I was empty inside. There was a void inside of me. I lacked hope and meaning. I had no purpose and direction. I had these vague feelings that there must be more to life. I wanted more. I did not know what that more was. I just knew that somewhere, somehow there was more to life than I was experiencing. I tried to fill that void by seeking comfort and pleasure. I tried to satisfy my thirst by trying to acquire all that the world had to offer. Like what? I tried to acquire wealth and power and possessions. I tried to accomplish achievements and receive recognition. I lived for the applause of the world. Nothing was enough. Nothing was satisfying. No matter what I did I remained empty inside and thirsty for what I did not know. What happened? The course that I was on hurt rather than helped me. How so? The empty and worldly life I was living left me bruised and battered. Living for comfort and pleasure leads to a dark and broken and painful, sin filled life. The wages of the life I was living began to pay it its death to me. Finally, I reached rock bottom. There was nowhere to turn. There was nothing I could do except cry out to you. You remember? Yes, of course I do. I shouted and begged and screamed for you to show yourself to me, if you were real. Yes, you did.

What did I do with your shouts and screams and begging? You accepted them as a prayer. Yes, I did. Did I show myself to you? Did I pull you up from your rock bottom? Yes, you did. You did that and much more. What did I do? You forgave my sins. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You gave me a new life and made me alive in you. You put your Holy Spirit in me. You have made it so I can live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You have given my life hope and meaning and purpose and direction. Yes, I have done all these things for you.

There is something else that you have done for me. There is something else I am especially thankful for. What’s that? You have given me this insatiable thirst for you. I thirst for you and you satisfy me. I thirst for you again and again and you satisfy me again and again. Keep this hunger for you in me. Keep on satisfying my thirst for you. Yes, I will.

Lord, I knew there was a void inside me. I tried to fill my emptiness in many unsatisfying ways. I didn’t know I was really thirsting for you. I wanted an intimate relationship with you. Thank you for drawing me to you and satisfying my never-ending thirst for you. Amen

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

The Holy Spirit – John 7-37-39 – Come To Me And Drink – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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