All Kinds Of Greed

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Luke 12:15 - All Kinds Of Greed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Luke 12:15 – All Kinds Of Greed – Growing As Disciples

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Luke 12:15 (NIV)

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If you make pursuing wealth and acquiring an abundance of things the goal of your life what will you end up with at the end of your life? I will end up with nothing. Wealth and possessions will never permanently be mine. It is the world’s trick and the devil’s trap to try to ensnare me in greed and captivate me with a continual desire for more. Yes, it is.

Are all desires for more evil? No, I think you have created me with a desire for more that is good, right and healthy. What do you mean by that? Let me first say that I think that there are many good desires from you that the devil and his evil try to distort and corrupt. I have this good desire to want to know and love you more. I have this good desire to want to serve you more. It feels like I have a holy dissatisfaction within me. I want to bear more fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want to become more like you in all that I think, say and do. Those are all very good desires that I have placed in your heart and on your mind.

But, you have had some experience with greed and the continual desire for more that is not good, right and healthy, isn’t that true? Yes, it’s sad to say that I have been ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more. How has greed and discontent harmed you? I have chased after money and things. I have pursued what I have wanted and had to have. I have worked too hard and pursued the wrong goals. Once you have acquired more money and more things how have you felt? Acquiring money and possessions has never left me satisfied. There is always something bigger, better or newer that is far better than what I have already acquired. Somehow, I have also always needed just a little more money. The pursuit of money and things has become like a treadmill that I want to jump off. I can see that.  

What is the real cost of being ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more? The entire course of my life will be directed by what I pursue. I know that I can’t pursue money and things and still live the life you have given me to live. Why is that? I won’t have time to know, love, follow and serve you if I have decided to make my life all about acquiring wealth and possessing things. It’s not just and issue of time either. It’s also a question of the desire of my heart. What do you mean by that? There isn’t room enough in my heart and mind to hold on to and pursue both desires. I will either desire you or all that the world has to offer. My heart can’t hold on to competing desires that will pull me in opposite directions. No, it cannot. It is impossible to try to hold on to both. Yes, it is. So what have you done?  I have made you the pursuit of my life. I want to know and love you more. I want follow and serve you better. I want to bear more fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want to live my life with and for you. How do you feel about your decision? I feel set free. I feel happy and content. I feel full of the life that you have given me to live! That’s very good.

Lord, I have been ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more. Forgive me. I know my life does not consist of wealth and an abundance of possessions. Thank you that I can live my life with and for you!  Amen

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

Life – Luke 12-15 – All Kinds Of Greed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Go Up

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Genesis 35:3 - Go Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Genesis 35:3 – Go Up – Growing As Disciples

Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” Genesis 35:3 (NIV)

Remember

Do you have a short memory? Do you quickly forget what I have done for you? Do you easily move on and take for granted all that you have received from me? Do you live with the constant awareness that I have richly blessed your life? Is your heart and mind filled with thanks and praise that you would like to offer to me? Those are all good questions. I need to stop and take time to consider my answer to every one. I’m sure that I fall far short of giving you all the thanks and praise that you so richly deserve. I know that I often loose sight of all that you have done for me. Yes, I have taken your blessings for granted. My heart is not always filled with thanks and praise to you for all that you have done for me. Forgive me. You are forgiven.

Why do you think that I am asking you these questions? Do you think I really need all your thanks and praise? Is it me that is missing out on something when you don’t offer me all your thanks and praise? What do you miss out on when you don’t stop to remember and give thanks and praise to me for all that I have done in your life? I’m not sure. How is it even possible that you can forget to thank and praise me for all that I have done and am doing in your life? I don’t thank and praise you when I am distracted by life. Exactly. In my busyness I often don’t even notice all the different ways that you are hearing and answering my prayers and blessing my life. That’s true. It’s like I’m blind to what you are doing in and through my life. That’s not good. I can see that now. So, what are you missing out on when you are failing to give me thanks and praise? I am missing out on the consciousness of your presence. Yes, you are. The amount of thanks and praise that I am offering to you is like a barometer of the intimacy of our relationship. Yes, it is. When I am living in close fellowship with you praise and thanks will naturally or maybe supernaturally pour out of my life because I will be more fully aware of what you have done and are doing in my life. Yes, it will. I will trust and rely on you more. My faith will grow stronger. I will be filled with joy in knowing that you have been and will be with me throughout every twist and turn and up and down in life. Yes, I will. For that I give you all my thanks and praise! That is very good.  

Lord, you have been with me through all the times of great trouble and distress I have gone through in life. I have been able to hold on to you as you have held on to me. Thank you for hearing and answering all my prayers. You have been so very good to me. Amen

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Let Us – Genesis 35-3 – Go Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Submit To God

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - James 4:7- Submit To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – James 4:7- Submit To God – Growing As Disciples

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  James 4:7 (NKJV)

Your Love

At one time I thought it would be a never-ending battle for me to submit myself to you. I thought it would be a white-knuckle affair that would require every ounce of my strength and energy in order for me to submit myself to you. I expected that I would constantly fail in even my best efforts to submit myself to you. Why have you held all these thoughts? Let me first start by saying that I know that I don’t perfectly submit myself to you. I do come up short. I do sin. I do make mistakes. I do fail to follow and obey you perfectly. But, I have much more to say about submitting myself to you. I am listening. I want to submit myself to you. Why do you want to submit yourself to me? Your love has changed me. I want to submit myself to you because you love me. I want to submit myself to you because I love you. That’s quite different than trying to submit myself to you because I should or must. That’s quite different than very reluctantly and slowly choosing to submit myself to you over the pleasures of sin. Now I want everything about me to be submitted to you. Like what? I want the thoughts of my mind to be submitted to you. I want to think thoughts that please you. I want the desires of my heart to be submitted to you. I want to want what you want. I want to know and do your will. I want to live and walk in your ways. I want you to both give and grant the desires of my heart. I want the words of my mouth to be submitted to you. I want to speak words that come from you. I want my words to build others up rather than tear them down. I want the deeds of my life to be submitted to you. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to accomplish everything that you have laid out in advance for me to do. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. These are all desires of a heart and mind and life that is submitted to you. Yes, they are. I know that it will give me great joy to live my life in submission to you. Yes, It will.

There is something else that I know. There is something else that I have to say. What’s that? Evil can’t find a home in a heart and mind and life that is submitted to you. No, it cannot. As I submit myself to you I am also resisting evil. Yes, you are. As I submit myself to you the devil and all his evil must flee from me. That’s right. I will keep submitting myself to you because you love me and I love you. Yes, you will.

Lord, your love has changed me. Your love has passionately motivated my desire to submit myself to you. I want your thoughts on my mind and your desires on my heart. I will submit myself fully to you. I will resist the devil so he and all his evil will flee from me. Amen

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Therefore – James 4-7 – Submit To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Sword Of The Spirit

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Ephesians 6:17-18 - Sword Of The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Ephesians 6:17-18 – Sword Of The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18 (NIV)

Unarmed 

That is something that I don’t want to be. What’s that? What don’t you want to be? I don’t want to be unarmed, when I face battles in life. What makes you think you will face battles in life? Everyone faces battles in life. You faced battles in life. I will face battles in life. Battles in life are certain. Yes, they are, and you are correct, I faced battles in life. Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. You have my full attention. That’s good. How did I fight battles in life? I’m not sure what you mean. What did I use to fight battles in life? Now, I understand your question. You used God’s word when you faced battles in life. You knew God’s word. You used God’s word like a sword to fight off every attack of the devil. God’s word enabled you to stand strong against evil. God’s word helped you to resist every temptation. Yes, God’s word was like a sword that fought in me, with me, for me, and through me. 

Now, I have some more questions for you. Do you know my word? Do you have a firm grasp of my word? Is my word in your heart and on your mind? Are you allowing my word to dwell in you richly? Are you meditating on my word day and night? Are you taking hold of my word so it will take hold of you? Yes, I believe that I am. How so? I am reading your word. I am studying your word. I am meditating on and memorizing your word. I am praying your word. I am teaching your word. Finally, I am putting your word into practice. So, I would say that I am taking a hold of your word so it will take hold of me. That is very good.

What has my word done for you? Your word has been like a sword fighting in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word has been changing my heart. Your word has been transforming my mind. Your word has been guiding my life. Your word has helped me to know you. Your word has helped me to walk in your ways. Your word, with the power of the Holy Spirit, has made me able to fight against evil and stand against temptation. So, you have not been unarmed? No, I have been fully armed and made ready to fight. Keep on taking a hold of my word. Yes Lord, I will. Then you will never be unarmed. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for saving me and filling me with your Holy Spirit. I will now take a firm hold of your word. I will allow your word to dwell in me. I will hear and obey your word. I will allow the Holy Spirit to use your word to fight in, with, for and through me. Amen

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

Holy Spirit – Ephesians 6-17-18 – Sword Of The Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Follow Me

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Servanthood - John 12:23-26 - Follow Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Servanthood – John 12:23-26 – Follow Me – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:23-26  (NIV)

Whenever, Wherever, Whatever

Will you be attentive to me? Will you listen to my voice? Will you keep your eyes on me? Will you follow me to where I lead you? Will you go wherever I guide you? Will you do whatever I ask of you? Will you serve me? Yes Lord, I will serve you. I will listen to your voice. I will keep my eyes on you. I will follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good.

Why are you willing to lay down your life to follow and serve me? You are my example. I will do what you did. Just like you laid down your life for others so I will also lay my life down for you. I will no longer live for myself. I will no longer love the life that I lived for my own comfort and pleasure. I will not live for all that this world offers. I will not love money. I will not store up possessions in this life. My treasure will not be on this earth where it will rust and decay and disappear.  My treasure will be in heaven with you. It will be my pleasure and joy to go and do what is pleasing to you. That will be very good.

What is pleasing to me? It will be pleasing for you to see me joining you in the work you are doing. That’s right.  How will you do that? I will be attentive to you. I will keep my eyes and ears open. I will watch for your activity. I will listen for you call. I will be ready at a moment’s notice to say “yes” to whenever you ask something of me. I will be ready to go wherever you guide me. Nothing will deter me from going near, far, or somewhere in between to serve you. I will do whatever you ask of me. Nothing will be too simple and easy or difficult and complex to hinder my desire to serve you. That will be very good.

What kind of effort will you give in serving me? I will invest my life completely in serving you. I will lose myself fully in going and doing your will. I will find myself in bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I will not live for the praise and applause of this world. I will look forward to the day when I will be rewarded by you for faithfully serving you in this life. That will be very good.

Lord, I will be attentive to you. I will listen for your directions. I will follow your guidance. I will keep my eyes on you. When you say, “go” I will go. I will follow you to where you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. Help me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen

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

Servanthood – John 12-23-26 – Follow Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Blessed Is The Man

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed Is The Man - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 1:1-3 – Blessed Is The Man – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) 

Two Things

There are two things that I want you to do. There are two things that you must do if you want me to bless your life. I want you to bless my life, that is for sure. What do you want me to do? What must I do if I want you to bless my life? I think that you can answer both of your own questions. You do? Yes, I do. Your statements sounded like you were going to tell me about something that I did not know. No, that’s not it. My statements are meant to call to your attention something that you already know. So, let me hear your answers. What two things must you do? I must turn away from evil of every kind. I must not think what evil thinks. I must not speak what evil speaks. I must not do what evil does. What else? I must not go where evil goes. I must not stay where evil stays. Anything more? I must give no ground to evil. I must not let evil entice me. I must not let evil surround me. I must not let evil allure me. I must make a complete break from evil in every form. That’s right. 

Will it be difficult to make such a complete break from evil? Will you be able to resist every evil and stand against every temptation? On my own strength, with my own abilities, I will be unable to resist every evil and stand against every temptation. My own strength and abilities will leave me completely vulnerable to evil and temptation. What will you do? I will rely on you. How will you rely on me?  I will allow you to change my heart, transform my mind and protect my life. I will allow you to make me able to resist every evil and stand against every temptation. How will you allow all this to happen? What will I use to change your heart, transform your mind and protect your life? What will I use to make you able to resist every evil and stand against temptation? You will use your word. Your word will change my heart, transform my mind and protect my life. I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will feed me. Your word will sustain me. Your word will strengthen me. Your word will mold and shape me. Your word will guard and guide me. Yes, my word will do all of these things for you.

Will you remove yourself from evil of every kind as you meditate on my word day and night? Yes Lord, I will. Then your life will be blessed. Then your life will be like a well-watered tree planted by a stream of water. Then your life will prosper and bear abundant fruit for my kingdom and glory. That is what I want. That is my hope and dream and desire. That is very good. 

Lord, I will meditate on your word day and night. I will allow your word to change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. Use your word to help me turn away from evil and resist temptation. Sustain and bless my life with your word. Amen

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

Wisdom – Psalm 1-1-3 – Blessed Is The Man – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Helps Me

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Philippians 1:18b-20 - Help Given By - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Philippians 1:18b-20 – Help Given By – Growing As Disciples

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:18b-20 (NIV)

Witness

I want to be a bold witness for you. I want to shine brightly in the darkness of this world. I want to bring glory to your name. You want to say more, don’t you? Yes, I do. A storm has come upon me. I’m in the midst of a very difficult trial. It would be easy for me to become discouraged and depressed. It wouldn’t take much for me to feel alone and rejected or downcast and defeated. I did not cause this trial. I did not deserve this trial. I could not have predicted this trial. I did not see this trial coming. Yet, here I am in the midst of these very difficult and trying circumstances that feel more like two storms coming from different directions. I could wallow in self-pity. I could give up. I could quit. Although, I’m not sure what those choices would even look like. I do know some things for certain. What’s that? I will need your help. If I were to rely on myself, these trials would certainly swamp my life. So, I’m coming to rely on you. I’m asking for your help. That’s good.

What else do you know for certain about these trying circumstances that you are in? These trials are a test and an opportunity. How are they a test? That seems obvious to me. How so? The test question I am being asked is, “Will I come to rely on you, or will I rely on myself?” I will answer that question right now. I will rely on you today, tomorrow and every day after that. That’s good. It is one thing to say that I am relying on you when everything is smooth sailing. It is quite another to demonstrate that I really am relying on you in the storms of life. That is very true. That brings me to my second point. Which is? These trials are an opportunity. How so? I have already touched on that. I can demonstrate to the world that I am relying on you. I can live boldly and shine brightly for you in the midst of these trials. These trials will give me an opportunity to rely on you even more fully. These trials will give me an opportunity to grow in my faith. As my faith in you grows, I will become an even brighter and bolder witness for you in the world. Yes, you will.

Holy Spirit, in my own strength I do not face trials and great difficulty well. I get lost in my own pain and lack of comfort. Help me to trust you and rely on your power to help me to be a bold and bright witness for Christ in every difficulty I will encounter in life. Amen

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

Holy Spirit – Philippians 1-18b-20 – Helps Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God Sent Me

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - Genesis 45:4-8 - God Sent Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – Genesis 45:4-8 – God Sent Me – Growing As Disciples

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Genesis 45:4-8 (NIV)

Never Alone

My life has been filled with twists and turns and ups and downs. It has felt like I have been on a roller coaster of discouragement, set-backs and disappointment.  I have gone through so many difficult and trying circumstances. I have experienced heartbreak, rejection and loss. I have entered some deep and dark valleys surrounded by trouble of various kinds on every side. I have felt lost and alone. Looking back over my life I have a few things that I would like to say about all this hardship. What’s that?  First, I’m sure that I am being a little melodramatic. How so? I’m not positive that I have suffered any more hardship than the next person. I’m sure that others have lived a much more difficult life than mine. There is no doubt that you experienced far more pain, suffering and rejection in your life than I have or will ever experience. That’s true. There is one thing that I now know without a doubt. What’s that? I have never really been alone. You have been with me. You have carried me through every difficulty in life. You have lifted me up. You have comforted and encouraged me. You have sustained and strengthened me. I have found the promise that you are near to the brokenhearted to be most certainly true. You have been with me in every deep and dark valley. That’s true. I have also learned another very important lesson. What’s that? You have been able to use even the darkest days and most difficult moments of my life. Nothing has gone to waste. Where I have gone, what I have done, and what I have experienced has been redeemed in one way or another for your use. You have taught me. You have trained me. You have prepared me. You have placed and positioned me for your use. Now, you can use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, I have you right where I want you. Now, I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Will you keep on loving, following and serving me? Yes Lord, I will. That is very good. 

Lord, I have been frustrated, and angry. I have faced discouragement and doubt. I have felt lost and all alone. I have wondered if I would ever be able to accomplish your purposes. I was wrong. You have had a plan. Thank you, that you are using me after all. Amen

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

Mixed Emotions – Genesis 45-4-8 – God Sent Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Sanctifying Work

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - The Sanctifying Work - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – The Sanctifying Work – Growing As Disciples

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)  

Sanctified 

What does that mean? What’s that? What does it mean for me to be sanctified? You do know that I chose you? Yes, I know that you chose me. You chose me long before I chose you. It was your choosing me that made me able to chose you. It was your love that made me able to love you. You pursued me when I was not pursuing you. You drew near to me long before I ever drew near to you. I now love you because you first loved me. You pulled me out of the darkness that was my life. You pulled me off the path that led away from you. You rescued me from a life without you. You caused me to come to you. I confessed my sin to you. You led me to turn my life over to you. You became my Savior and Lord. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You made me Holy in your sight. You gave me a completely new life to live. You have described one way in which you are sanctified. How so? You have been set apart and made Holy in my sight. That is one way in which you are sanctified.

In what other way I am sanctified? There is another way in which you are being sanctified. Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Since you started following and serving me as your Savior and Lord have there been any changes in your life? Are you exactly the same person you once were? Well, when I first turned my life over to you and began to follow you as my Savior and Lord there were many immediate changes. Like what? Your Holy Spirit came to live and dwell inside me. I left my old life behind to live my new life with you. Many of my old patterns and practices were gone almost immediately, if not immediately. I noticed you used the word, “many”. Yes, I did not say, “all’, did I? No, you did not. Every day, since that very first day, you have continued to mold and shape my life. You have been using your word to change my heart and transform my mind. You have been giving me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do that are all a part of the new life I have in you. You have been helping me to put on the completely new life I have in you. The day by day work that I have been and will continue to do in you is how you are being sanctified. This work will continue right up until I come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, it will. I welcome your ongoing work of sanctification in my life. That is very good.

Lord, I know I can’t change myself. Thank you that you have and are continuing to change me. On the cross you paid for my sin and made me holy in God’s sight. Holy Spirit, change my heart and transform my mind, so that I become more like Christ every day. Amen

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

Holy Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2-13 – The Sanctifying Work – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

What The Spirit Desires

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Romans 8:5 - What The Spirit Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Romans 8:5 – What The Spirit Desires – Growing As Disciples

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 (NIV)

Mindset

What are you allowing your mind to think? What thoughts are you entertaining? I’m not sure what you mean. My mind thinks thousands upon thousands of thoughts. What do you mean by asking me what thoughts am I entertaining? You seem to be expressing the idea that I can control what I allow myself to think. You seem to be suggesting that I can entertain some thoughts and reject others. That is exactly the idea I am expressing and suggesting to you. I will take the thought and idea I want you to consider on step further. How so? Your thoughts can be categorized in one of two categories. You have my complete attention. You have my full curiosity. Your thoughts will either be set on what the sinful nature desires or on what the spiritual nature desires. I need to hear more of what you want to say to me.

The thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth, and the entire course of your life will be guided by what you set your mind on. If you set your mind on what the sinful nature desires you will think thoughts, speak words, and take actions that are earthly, fleshly and unspiritual. You will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. You will have nothing but a worldly perspective. You want what the world wants. You will do what the world does. This kind of life is temporary and will pass way. This type of life will amount to nothing of eternal value. This life is filled with sin and darkness. This life is evil and will end in death. These are opposite of the thoughts I want you to think and the life I have called you to live.

What kind of life have you called me to live? I want you to think thoughts of what the spiritual nature desires. I want you to think my thoughts. I want you to know me. I want you to become like me. I want you to think thoughts, speak words and take action that are filled with life. I want your whole perspective to be spiritual. I want you to keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. This sound like I will be in for quite a battle. Say more. I do live in a dark and sinful and broken world. My heart and mind and life are continually under bombardment from the world. That’s true. How can I think your thoughts, speak your words and live the life you are calling me to live? Draw near to me. Meet with me in my word. Allow me to use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. I will give you thoughts to think, words to speak and a life to live as you live in an intimate relationship with me. Will you allow me to change your heart and transform your mind? Will you continually draw near to me? Will you walk with me through life? Yes, I will. Then your mind will be set on what I desire. Then you will live the life you have been called to live. That is my desire. That is what I will do. That is very good. 

Holy Spirit, at one time I thought about whatever came into my mind. I fed my mind on garbage from the world. I lived a life that was not pleasing to you. Use God’s word to transform my mind so I can think your thoughts and fully live the life you desire for me. Amen

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

Holy Spirit – Romans 8-5 – What The Spirit Desires – 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