Monthly Archives: March 2019

Crucified To Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 31 - Galatians 6:14 - Crucified To Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 31 – Galatians 6:14 – Crucified To Me – Growing As Disciples

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 (NIV)

Dead

That usually isn’t a very attractive and desirable word. What word is that? Dead, is not an attractive and desirable world. But, it is in this case, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Why is that? How could it possibly be attractive and desirable to be dead? If I weren’t dead, then I wouldn’t be alive. Now, that has got to sound very confusing to some. Say more about what you mean. When you died on the cross, I died with you. My old life and all its sinful patterns and practices and values died with you on the cross. On the cross, you paid for my sins. On the cross, you cleansed my unrighteousness. Your death on the cross secured a new life for me. Not only did my old life die, but, my new life in you came alive. That is why I can say that if I my old life did not die; I could not have received a new life in you. That’s true. That is why is very attractive and desirable that my old life is dead, and now I have a completely new life in you. That is very good. 

What has changed about you since you received a completely new life in me? Everything about me has changed. First and foremost is that I now live in a close and intimate relationship with you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. It is my highest desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to know you. I want to live my life with and for you. Beyond that, all my thoughts, and words and deeds are different. My new life in you has made me completely new. My old life would not be recognizable as once having once been a part of me. My new life in you, is now a bold and bright and shining witness for you in the world. Others would and have given thanks and praise to you for the work you have done, are doing and will do in my life. Now, I can take no credit for your working in and through my life. I will also say that I need to come to rely on you for any true and real and lasting fruit to be born through my life. I also know that I am not perfect. I still do make mistakes, take missteps and sin against you, for which I am and will be forgiven. That’s true. I also want to say that two facts remain certain. Which are? My old life is dead and gone. I have a completely new to live in you, which you are helping me to live every day, as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I am. For that I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good. 

Lord, I have been crucified with you. My old life is now dead and go. It died on the cross with you. The world and its desires are dead to me. You have given me a completely new life to live in you. Help me to be fully alive to you and the new life you have for me. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 31 – Galatians 6-14 – Crucified To Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

If God Is For Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 27 - Romans 8:31-32 - If God Is For Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 27 – Romans 8:31-32 – If God Is For Us – Growing As Disciples

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NIV) 

No Greater Or Better Gift

Do you have any doubts? Do I have any doubts about what? Do you have any doubts about me being for you? Do you know that I am on your side? Do you believe that I love and care for you? Do you know that I am watching over you? Do you realize that I never stop thinking about you? I am with you to help you. I am guarding and guiding you. I am molding and shaping you. Your life is in my hands. I am your Heavenly Father. You have been adopted into my family. You are my child. I delight to hear from you. I have no doubts about anything that you have said. That’s good.

Why don’t you have any doubts about my love for you? Why do you know that I am for you? How can you be sure that I am on your side? You made the supreme sacrifice for me. You sent your Son into the world to die for me. He paid for my sins. His blood cleansed me of my unrighteousness. He made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. He secured a place in heaven for me. Could there have been a greater or better gift that you could have given me? Could you have done something more dramatic for me? Could you have demonstrated your love for me with any greater clarity? The answer to all three of those questions is the same. No, there is no greater or better gift you could have given me. No, you could not have done something more dramatic for me. No, you could not more clearly demonstrate your love for me. So, here I am in humble and awe filled thankfulness that I cannot adequately express. I can only say, that I now love you because you first loved me. I will draw near to you, because you have drawn near to me. I will walk with you because I know that you are walking with me. I am and will continue to joyfully give my life fully to you. I know that you will give me all that I need as I love, follow and serve you. I know that you will hear and answer my prayers because you love me. There is no greater or better gift than your love. I have no doubt about that. That is very good.  

Heavenly Father, what can I say? How can I respond? I am in thankful awe knowing you are on my side. You love and care for me. You gave your Son for me. Now, I have a new and intimate life with you. Thank you for your goodness to me. You hear my prayers. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 27 – Romans 8-31-32 – If God Is For Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Treasures In Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 23 - Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures In Heaven- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 23 – Matthew 6:19-21 – Treasures In Heaven- Growing As Disciples

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Treasure In Heaven

I have definitely done that. You have definitely done what? I have tried to store up treasure on earth. I have attempted to pursue all that the world had to offer. I have sought comfort and pleasure. I have been caught in the grip of greed. I have allowed my mind to be manipulated by materialism. I have been allured by the continual desire for more. I have wanted the next latest and greatest thing that I have been told I needed to have and would be empty without. What a foolish waste of my time, talent and resources. The world and all that is in it offers a bunch of empty promises. I came into this world with nothing, I will leave this world with nothing. That is mostly, but not entirely true. What is true and what is not entirely true? You will take no material possessions and earthly treasures out of this world with you. That is true. I get that. That thought is now firmly fixed in my heart and mind. That is good, but that is not enough. What more do I need to know and do? You need to know what is not entirely true and then you need to act on it. What was not entirely true? You can store up treasure in heaven now, in this life. I need to know more about that. Yes, you do.

How can I store up treasure in heaven? Do you think it could be possible that I want to use you as a bold and bright witness in the world for me? Yes, I do. Might others be drawn to me because they have seen my love being demonstrated in and through your life? Yes, they might. Do you think it could be possible that there will be people in heaven because you have allowed me to work in and through your life? Yes, I do. I have given you gifts and talents, abilities and resources with which you can serve me. As you serve me, you will be storing up treasure in heaven. As you go where I guide you and do what I ask of you, you will be storing up in treasure in heaven. As you allow me to work in and through you, you will be storing up treasure in heaven. Do you hear what I am saying to you? Do you believe what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I hear and believe what you are saying to me. Will you do the work I give you to do? Will you begin to store up treasure in heaven with me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have wasted my time, talents and resources trying to store up treasure on earth. What a foolish mistake. No more! Give me a ministry to others that will make me able to store up treasure in heaven with you. Help me to bear much fruit for your kingdom. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 23 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Treasures In Heaven – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Minds Set

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 22 - Romans 8:5-8 - Mind Set - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8:5-8 – Mind Set – 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. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV) 

Mind Set

I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is what I desire. That is my hope. That is my dream. That is my prayer. That is very good. How will you live a life that is pleasing to me? There is no mystery in knowing the answer to that question. Knowing how to live a life that is pleasing to you is not something that is hidden and difficult to understand. It is quite obvious that I, and every other person, have a choice to make. Two different choices are before me. That’s right. One choice, setting my mind on the sinful nature will ultimately lead to death. That choice will lead me away from you. That choice will offer me the world and all that is in it and nothing more. Following that choice will lead me to live a bruised and battered and broken life. That life is filled with darkness and discouragement and depression. That life is without hope and meaning and purpose. It sounds like you have some experience with living that life. Yes, I do. I was on that road. I was living that life. I was pursuing my own comfort and pleasure. I was living for all that the world and had to offer. It was an alluring and deceptive life. It gave false hope and meaning and purpose. It gave me no joy. It brought me nothing but darkness and discouragement and depression. I saw first-hand what life without you looked like. I felt the bruising and battering and brokenness of life in this world. I saw clearly the death this life was bringing to me. I wanted no more. I wanted none of it. I wanted something else. I wanted more. I know now, that I wanted you. I cried out to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sins. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. You heard and answered my prayer. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.

What about now? You mentioned you had two choices. Yes, I did. Tell me more about the choice you made. I have chosen to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. What does that mean? My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My life is in your hands. I am listening to your voice. I am being guided by your Spirit. I am relying on your help. I am going where you guide me. I am doing what you ask me. My life is not focused on what this world has to offer. In every way, on every day, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I will set my mind on the things of your Spirit. Help me to fully live the life you have called me to live. Fill me with your life and peace. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8-5-8 – Minds Set – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Everything That Hinders

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 21 - Hebrews 12:1-3 - Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12:1-3 – Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)  

A Race

I know that I am in a race. I know that a course has been marked out for me. There is even a cheering section surrounding me, filled with faithful men and women who have gone before me. They are spurring me on. They are encouraging me to run well. They are cheering for me. Their lives have served as a testimony. They have given me an example to follow. I want to run well. I want to persevere. I want to finish the race. I definitely don’t want to grow weary and lose heart. I will not quit. I will not give up. I will keep on moving forward with you. That is very good.

What will you do so that you will be able to run well and finish your race? First, I will throw off everything that will hinder me from running well. Like what? I won’t carry around anything extra that will weigh me down. Like what? I won’t pursue the comforts and pleasures of the world. I won’t seek after what the world has to offer. What else? Well, I won’t let sin entangle me. How will you do that? Not, with my own strength and ability alone, that is for sure. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I won’t look back. I won’t look around. I won’t waste time and effort on what will amount to nothing. I will run away from sin as I run to you. My eyes will be firmly fixed on you. I will love and follow and serve you. I will run to where you lead me. I will run to do what you ask of me. In every way and on every day, I will rely on your power and strength. You will teach me. You will train me. You are the author and perfecter of my faith. Yes, I am. You will help me to give my all. You will make me able to run well and finish strong. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will throw away everything that will hinder my running the race of faith marked out before me. I will run with perseverance as I keep my eyes firmly fixed on you. I know you will help me to run well. You will keep me from growing weary or losing heart. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12-1-3 – Everything That Hinders – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Close The Door

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 20 - Matthew 6:6 - Close The Door - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6:6 – Close The Door – Growing As Disciples

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

Time To Pray

That is exactly what I will need. What’s that? I need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you. That will be very good. I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why is it necessary for you to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? The world is a busy and noisy place. I need to separate myself from the world so I can hear from you. I need to leave the frantic pace of life so I can slow down to listen to you. I know myself. You know me. Yes, I do. Setting aside a special time and place to meet with you in prayer is essential. Why is that? If I don’t make a firm commitment to meet with you in prayer, it won’t likely happen. I am easily distracted. Minutes and hours and days race on by me. Days become weeks and weeks become months and months become years more quickly than I could imagine. I don’t want opportunities to meet with you in prayer to race on by me. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you in prayer. I have no higher desire than to live in an intimate relationship with you. So, I will close the door to the world and open my heart to you in prayer. That is very good.

Will you always need to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? Will that be the only time and only place in which you will pray to me? Certainly not, it is my hope and dream and desire to live my life in a constant dialogue of prayer with you. Will there be a time when I no longer need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you? Will I move beyond this need? Absolutely not, I will always need to withdraw from the noise and busyness of life to meet with you in prayer. This is my starting point. In our time together you will teach and train me. In our time together I will hear from you and you will hear from me. This is where living my life in a dialogue of prayer will begin and continue and never end. So, I will always close the door to meet with you in prayer. I will carry our times together in prayer out into every moment of life. That’s good. That’s true. That’s right. Yes, you will. I will hear and answer this hope and dream and desire of yours.

Heavenly Father, I will shut the door to the world so I can open up my heart in prayer to you. Help me to leave the noise and busyness of life so that I can hear clearly from you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you as you hear and answer my prayers. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6-6 – Close The Door – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Watch Yourself Closely

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 19 - Deuteronomy 4:9 - Watch Yourself Closely - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4:9 – Watch Yourself Closely – Growing As Disciples

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV) 

Be Careful And Watch

Well, I did it again. You did what again? I thought and spoke and acted in ways that I regret. I’m quite sure that my thoughts and words and actions were not pleasing to you. How so? I was argumentative. I was combative. I was opinionated. Most of all, I was overbearing. None of this behavior is acceptable to me, nor to you, I’m sure. I can hardly believe that I fell into the trap of allowing myself to become so passionately involved on a topic that I was not at all careful with my thoughts, words and actions. That is quite a trap, isn’t it? Yes, it is. It is good that you are evaluating your behavior. It is good that you are willing to admit your mistakes. It is very good that you are confessing your sin. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I am confessing my sin to you. I’m sorry that I let my thoughts and words and actions get carried away in the heat of the moment. It is as if I have forgotten so much of what you have taught me. That is what I find most disappointing. I can see that in you.

But there is good news. What’s that? You have not forgotten what I have taught you. You are learning from your mistakes. You are evaluating your behavior. You are taking a hard look at your thoughts and words and deeds. You are confessing your sin. You are receiving my forgiveness. You will be careful and watch yourself more closely the next time. That, I will. You can be sure of that. Of that, I have no doubt. There is one more thing that you are learning. What’s that? This was a stumble. This was a mistake. This was a sin that you have confessed. You have received my forgiveness. Now you are determined to continue on with me. You are learning to move forward with me. You are not falling under condemnation. You are not becoming discouraged and depressed. You are gladly and joyfully continuing to live the life I have called you to live. Yes, I am. That is very good.

What would you like to teach others about your experience? I would like to teach others about being careful and watching closely one’s thoughts and words and actions. I would like to teach others how helpful it is to take time to evaluate one’s behavior. Most of all, I would like to teach others the importance of confessing a sin and receiving forgiveness from you. I would like others to know that you forgive sin and cleanse unrighteousness. I would like others to know that you are ready to help them to continue to walk on the path of life with you. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Lord, I know I need to be careful to watch myself. I know I must not forget what I have heard and seen and learned as I have followed you. Help me to remember all you have taught me. Guard me from slipping. Help me to teach others what you have taught me. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4-9 – Watch Yourself Closely – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 15 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Is – Growing As Disciples

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Love Looks Like

I have no doubt that this is what love looks like. I also have no doubt, whatsoever, that this is what you look like as well. I am equally sure that my life does not measure up to this description of love. Why is that? I’m not sure. I’m human. I am a sinner. Occasionally, I am some of these things in part. I am never all of these things in full, nor do I even come close to displaying a significant portion of these qualities all together at one time. I may be patient and proud. I may be kind and boastful. I may be truthful and angry. What is quite clear, is that, I desperately need your help. Why do you need my help? You want me to become like you. I want to become like you. I want to be able to demonstrate your love to the world. I want your love to flow through me. I want to love others just as you love me. I want others to see your love in me so that they will be drawn to you. I’m sure we have the same goals. We do have the same goals, don’t we? Yes, we do have the same goals. I want you to love others just as I love you. I want you to follow my example. I do want you to become like me. That’s good. Yes, it is very good.

Well, I know what will not work. I know what has not worked. What’s that? It will not work, it has not worked, for me to simply try harder to love others. I have tried that over and over year after year. My efforts have met with miserable failure. Yes, I have noticed. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Didn’t you say you wanted to become like me? Yes, I did. How will you become like me? I will become like you as I spend time with you. I will become like you as I draw near to you. I will become like you as I walk with you. I will become like you as I am in your presence. Yes, you will. As you become like me, what won’t you need to try harder to do? I will not need to try harder to love others because you will be changing me and making me more like you. Loving others will be the biproduct of you making me to be more like you. Now, you get it. Now, you understand. Yes, I do. That is very good.  

Lord, I have not loved others just as you have loved me. My love for others has been far from perfect. Forgive me. Help me. I want to love others like you love me. Develop in me the highest and best qualities of love. Help me demonstrate your love to the world. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Is – 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