Monthly Archives: August 2019

Be Watchful And Prayerful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 184 - Mark 14:38 - Be Watchful And Prayerful - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 184 – Mark 14:38 – Be Watchful And Prayerful – Growing As Disciples

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NIV)

Watchful And Prayerful

Are you being watchful? Are you being prayerful? Are you allowing temptation to sneak up on you? Are you allowing temptation to take you by surprise? Those are interesting questions. How so? What makes these questions particularly interesting to you? Your questions seem to indicate that if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to see temptation coming. Or, if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to recognize a temptation for what it is. And that, if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to resist temptation. Maybe even, If I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to make a course correction that will steer me clear of an approaching temptation. Well, what does your experience with not watching and being prayerless tell you? If I am not watching and prayerless, I will regularly fall into temptation. I will be easy prey for temptation. That is true. That is not good. Yes, I know.

What else do you know about temptation? You will provide a way out of temptation for me. What does that way out of temptation often look like? That is where watchfulness and prayerfulness come into play. As I am watchful and prayerful, I will clearly see two things. I will see temptation approaching. I will see your way of escape. Often, seeing temptation coming and the way of escape available occur very early and quickly. What do you mean by that? If I am not watching and if I don’t immediately take your way of escape, I will likely, almost certainly, fall into temptation. I need to take the way of escape, that you provide, when the escaping is good. Yes, you do.

What do you know about being prayerful? Being prayerful will strengthen my desire and resolve to resist and run from temptation. Being prayerful is like deciding in advance that I will not allow myself to be overtaken by temptation. Being prayerful, is the way to submit myself to you and resist evil at the same time. I will never have the strength, in myself, to simply resist temptation under my own power. I am weak. You are strong. As I am in prayer, with my heart and mind and life focused on you, I will be able to resist temptation. Why is that? You will help me. You will be with me. You will give me strength to stand against evil and resist temptation. Yes, I will help you to stand against evil and resist temptation as you are watchful and prayerful. Thank you, Lord. That is what I will do, I will be watchful and prayerful. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will watch and pray so I will not fall into temptation. I will draw near to you and submit myself to you in prayer so I will be able to resist temptation. I will steer myself clear of temptation when I see it approaching. I will come to you for your protection. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 184 – Mark 14 -38 – Be Watch And Pray – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Lamp Of The Body

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 182 - Matthew 6:22-23 - Lamp Of The Body - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 182 – Matthew 6:22-23 – Lamp Of The Body – Growing As Disciples

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

Focus

What are you focused on? What has your attention? What occupies your thoughts? What is guiding the course of your life? What are you are your desires? What are your dreams? What are your goals? What do you hope to accomplish with your life? Those are all good questions. Do you have any answers to my questions? Yes, I have an answer to your questions. Just, one answer? Yes, I have just one answer to your question that may sound like many answers. I want to know you and live the life you are calling me to live. I want to do your will. I want to go and do what you ask of me. I want to accomplish your purposes. I want to fulfill your plans. So, you have my focus. My attention is on you. Your will and ways occupy my thoughts. You are guarding the course of my life. It is my desire and dream and hope and goal to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good. 

Do you have any idea why it is critically important that you lead a focused life? Yes, I do. Tell me why your life critically needs focus. The world and all that is in it seeks to pull me in a thousand different directions, none of which would be towards you. How so? My eyes could focus on worldly pleasure. My life could become all about gratifying desires. My eyes could focus on worldly wealth and material possessions. My life could become all about acquiring wealth and materials possessions. My eyes could focus on worldly power and prestige and influence. My life could become all about living for the accolades and the applause of the crowd. Probably the biggest danger of an improper focus is that my eyes could be entirely on myself. Then I would live a self-indulgent, self-centered and self-sufficient life that would never come to rely on you. I want to live my life focused on you. I want to turn away from heart and mind and life away from all worldly focuses so that I can fully live the abundant life that you are calling me to live with and for you. That will be very good. You can very sure that I will help you to know me. I will help you to go and do my will. You will certainly live the life I am calling you to live. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will carefully guard what I allow my eyes to see. I will turn away from what is not good and right and pleasing to you. I will keep my heart and mind and life entirely focused on you. Help me to fully and abundantly live the life you are calling me to live. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 182 – Matthew 6-22-23 – Lamp Of The Body – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Judge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 180 - Luke 6:37-38 - Do Not Judge - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Luke 6:37-38 – Do Not Judge – Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

A Blessing To Others

What do you hope to receive from me? What do you hope to receive from others? I’m not sure how to answer that question. I’m not positive what you are asking of me. I could ask you more questions. I would like you to ask me more questions. Do you hope to receive forgiveness? Do you hope to receive mercy? Do you hope to receive love? Do you hope to receive kindness? Do you hope to receive generosity? Now, I understand what you are asking of me. Yes, I want to receive forgiveness and mercy and love and kindness and generosity. That’s good.

How can you be sure to receive forgiveness and mercy and kindness and generosity? You seem hesitant. Would you like me to ask another question? Yes, please ask me another question. How can you be sure to not receive forgiveness and mercy and kindness and love and generosity? Well, I am certain that I will never receive what I am unwilling to give to others. If I don’t give forgiveness and mercy and love and kindness and generosity to others, I will surely not receive it from you or anyone else. I have heard you say, ‘Forgive others, just as I have forgiven you.” I know that you expect me to forgive others. I know that you want me to give to others what I have received from you. Yes, I do. If I give others forgiveness and mercy and kindness and love and generosity, I will surely receive it myself. Yes, you will. 

With what measure will you use to give others your forgiveness, mercy, love, kindness and generosity? Will you give sparingly? Will you give reluctantly? Will you give begrudgingly? No, I will not. What will you do? I will generously give to others what I have received from you. I will give freely. I will give joyously. It will be my daily practice to give all of these with an abundant measure. Why will you do this? This is what you have asked of me. This is your will. You want me to become like you. You want me to go and do what you did. Yes, I do. You also want to be able to abundantly bless my life as I live as a blessing to others. Yes, I do. Will you live this kind of life for me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will use a very large measure when I decide how much to give to others. I will give to others only what I hope to receive back. I will not judge or condemn. I will make it my practice to graciously forgive others just as you have graciously forgiven me. Amen

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

Day 181 – Becoming Like Christ – Luke 6-37-38 – Do Not Judge – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Meeting Together

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 180 - Hebrews 10:25 - Meeting Together - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Hebrews 10:25 – Meeting Together – Growing As Disciples

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Meeting Together

You have made an important discovery about your life of faith. Can you tell me what discovery you have made? I have learned that I was not designed to live a solitary life of faith. What does that mean? It is foolish to think that I don’t need others to encourage me in my life of faith. Not only do I need to receive encouragement, but I also need to give encouragement to others as I walk on my faith journey with you. You made me to live in relationship with others. Yes, I did. Over time, I have heard many say that they don’t need to gather together in a body of fellow believers. They maintain that they can worship you alone, by themselves, in the beauty of nature, by the ocean or in the mountains or in some other majestic part of your creation. Those times of worship are important and very special. But they are no substitute or replacement for gathering together with fellow believers to worship you. Why is that? What happens when a body of believers gathers together? You are in the midst of every gathering together of your followers. Yes, I am. Say more. I know one thing for sure. What’s that? You speak into my life when I gather together with fellow believers. You speak to me through the teaching of your word. You speak to me through the expression of prayers. You speak to me through the worship celebration. I never cease to be surprised what you have for me, to receive from you, as I have gathered together with fellow believers. There is more, however. What’s that? It is a dangerous decision to fail to gather together with fellow believers. Why is that? Gathering together with fellow believers is one way that you have guarded and guided my life. I have received a good deal of wise counsel as I have lived in relationship with fellow believers. I have needed to have my thoughts and opinions and values tested by others who are faithfully following and serving you. You have spoken into my life through the wise counsel of fellow believers. You have kept my life on course as I have gathered together with fellow believers. You have kept me moving forward with you as I have gathered together with fellow believers.  It is very good that you have learned these lessons.

So, what will you do as a result of the important lessons you have learned? I will make meeting together in a body of believers a regular and consistent practice and pattern in my life. I will never give up on meeting together with fellow believers as I walk through life with you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I was not designed to live a solitary life of faith. I know that you want me to be deeply rooted and fully connected in a local body of believers. I will make gathering together with fellow believers a regular and consistent pattern in my life of faith. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Hebrews 10-25 – Meeting Together – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

More Precious Than Gold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 178 - Psalm 19:7-11 - More Precious Than Gold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 178 – Psalm 19:7-11 – More Precious Than Gold – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)  

Most Valuable

What is most valuable to you? If someone were to do a close analysis of your life, how valuable would they guess that my word is to you? Would they come to think that my word was more valuable to you than gold? Would your life demonstrate that my word is sweeter to you than honey? Those are all very good questions. I have many more questions to ask you. Go ahead, I am listening very carefully to you. How are you allowing my word to revive your soul? How have you allowed my word to make you wise? How has hearing and obeying my word brought joy into your life? How has my word made your life radiant and filled your path through life with light? How has my word helped you to respond to me with awe filled wonder and respect and even healthy fear? What rewards have you found in living your life according to my word?  I don’t know the answers to all your questions. Do you have anything to say to me? Yes, I do. I am meeting with you every day in your word. I am allowing your word to dwell in me richly. I am taking your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I am reading and studying your word.  I am meditating on your word. I am memorizing your word. I am praying your word. I am holding on to your word. I am following and obeying your word. Your word is the foundation of my life. Your word is changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. I do believe that your word is more valuable than gold. I have found the sweetness of listening attentively to your word. I want to hear your voice. I want to follow your instructions. I want to receive your guidance. Every day, every hour, every second, I want to live my life according to your word. Am I doing all these things perfectly? Certainly not. But I invite you to fill my heart and mind and life with your word. Speak into my life. Use your word to guard and guide me. Use your word to mold and shape me. Use your word to revive and refresh and restore me. I will keep on coming to meet with you in your word every day of my life as I love, follow and serve you. You have answered my questions well. I will use my word to work in you, for you and through you for my kingdom and glory. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, your word is far more valuable to me than gold. Nothing compares with the value of your word. Every day I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. Use your word to work in and through my life. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 178 – Psalm 19-7-11 – More Precious Than Gold – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A Cheerful Giver

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 177 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - A Cheerful Giver - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 177 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – A Cheerful Giver – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

Cheerful Giver

That is what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be a cheerful giver. Why is that? I know that being a cheerful giver is good and right and pleasing to you. I know that you want me to give to others what you have given to me. You have richly blessed my life so that I can be a rich blessing to others. That’s true.  I also know that there is no joy in being a reluctant giver who gives under compulsion. If I am going to give with that attitude, I might as well not give at all. To fail to give cheerfully and generously to others would be a tragic mistake. Why is that? It is without a doubt true that I will reap generously as I sow generously. The opposite is also true, I will reap sparingly if I sow sparingly. That is absolutely true. Haven’t I said many times that I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom? Yes, I have heard you say that time and time again. Haven’t I also said that I wanted to bring glory to your name. Yes, I have heard you say that many times as well. I have also said that I want to be used by you as your witness in the world. Additionally, I have said that I want to store up treasure in heaven with you and that I have no interest in acquiring wealth and the material possessions of this world. Those amount to nothing. That’s true. Yes, I have heard all of these thoughts and words from you. Now, I want to back them up with my actions. Now I want to be a cheerful and generous giver. None of the true desires of my heart will be fulfilled unless I become a cheerful and generous giver. So, it is my prayer that you will help me to become a cheerful and generous giver. We both want the same thing. Do your work in and through my life. Help me to live the life that you are calling me to life. Help me to give like you gave. Help me to serve like you served. Help me to love like you loved. Make me to be like you. I will cheerfully and generously give to others what you have given to me. That will be very good. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have not always been a cheerful and generous giver. Even now, there are times when I feel like I am giving somewhat reluctantly. Help me to be a cheerful and generous giver, without hesitation. I want to sow generously and reap generously for your kingdom. Amen

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

Day 177 – Becoming Like Christ – 2 Corinthians 9-6-7 – A Cheerful Giver – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Live By Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 176- 2 Corinthians 5:7 - Live By Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 176 – 2 Corinthians 5:7 – Live By Faith – Growing As Disciples

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) 

Steps Of Faith

Here I am. I am ready. You are ready for what? I am ready to take steps of faith with you. Really, what has made you ready to take steps of faith with me? Maybe saying I was ready to take steps of faith with you was somewhat of an overstatement. Maybe I should have said I am willing to take steps of faith with you. Why is that? I’m pretty sure that only you can make me fully able to take steps of faith with you. I know that taking steps of faith has not been my strongest quality or best ability. I have been reluctant. I have been hesitant. I have been timid. I have been fearful. I want no more of that. That’s good. I am ready to place all my faith in you. I know that you will help me to take steps of faith with you. I know that you will lead me to where you want me to go. I know that you will give me what you want me to do. No longer will I shrink back from your call on my life. I want to keep on moving forward with you. That is very good. 

How do you suppose you will be able to keep on moving forward with me? I will hold on to you. I know that you will hold on to me. I will draw near to you. I know that you will draw near to me. I will follow you. I know that you will lead me. Yes, I will do all these things for you. I will also keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will hold on to your promises. I will allow your promises to strengthen and sustain me. I will allow your promises to guard and guide me. I will allow you to strengthen me by your word. I will allow your Holy Spirit to take your word to use it to fight in me, with me, for me and through me as I go and do whatever you ask of me. To sum it all up, I will rely on you completely to help me to take steps of faith with you. So, I am asking you to grow my faith. I am asking you to help me to live by faith rather than by sight. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. Thank you, Lord. Lead me, I will follow you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not shrink back. I will not remain frozen in position. I will move forward with you. Help me to take steps of faith with you. Help me to live by faith rather than by sight. Lead me to where you want me to go. Give me all that you want me to do for you. Amen

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

Day 176 – Becoming Like Christ – 2 Corinthian 5-7 – Live By Faith – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

We Can Comfort

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 175- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - We Can Comfort - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 175- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – We Can Comfort – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)  

Give What You Received

I know something about what you have given to me. What do you know about what I have given to you? You often have two purposes in mind when you give something. What two purposes do I have in mind? One, you want to give something to me. Two, you want me to give to others what I have received from you. Can you give me some examples? Yes, I can give you some examples. You have given me your love. You want me to love others with your love. You want your love to flow into and out of my life. You want my life to be a demonstration of your love to others in the world. Yes, I do want you to demonstrate my love to others in the world. Others will be drawn to me by my love following into and out of your life. What are some more examples of how you can share with others what you have received from me? I have received your wisdom and counsel. You have given me insight when I have needed it the most. You have kept me on course with you. You have kept me from stumbling. You have guided and guarded my path as I have walked through very difficult times. I can definitely share the wisdom and counsel and insight I have received from you with others. Yes, you can. What else? You have given me faith to believe in you when I have found myself in great adversity. I can encourage and help spur others on in their faith when they are going through dark and difficult times. I can stand in faith with others when they are in a crisis. I can pray faith filled prayers on behalf of others when they are in great need. Yes, you can. How about giving me one more example of something you have received from me that you can share with others. I can simply be present with others when they are in trouble. I can comfort them with the very same comfort with which you have comforted me. I will help them to know and remember that they are not alone. Both you and I are with them. Both you and I will help them. Together, we can give you thanks and praise for all your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. Together, we can rely on all your help. Yes, you can. That will be very good.

Lord, you have been with me to help me. You have never left me alone. You have abundantly comforted me in every discouraging adversity I have gone through in life. Help me to comfort others with the same comfort I have been able to receive from you. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 175 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-4 – We Can Comfort – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Call To Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 173 - Jeremiah 33:3 - Call To You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 173 – Jeremiah 33:3 – Call To You – Growing As Disciples

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Call To You

I will call to you. I will make it my regular practice to come to rely on you. That will be very good. Why will you make it your regular practice to come to me to call out to me? I need your help. I am not all wise. I am not all knowing. I cannot see the future. Even the very next step before me is often unclear. I don’t want to wander off course. I do not want to drift away from you. I don’t want to serve my own interests. I don’t want to follow my own plan. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to be able to go and do what you ask of me. Those are very good desires you have in your heart. I haven’t even gotten to the heart of why I will come to you and cry out to you. I’m listening. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to live my life with and for you. None of these things would be possible if I did not live my life in a dialogue of prayer with you. That is true.

Do you expect to hear from me? Do you believe that I will speak to you? Do you have faith that I will hear and answer your prayers? Are you certain that I will show you what you do not know? I have no doubt about any of these things. Your promises are true and sure and certain. I have no doubt that you will speak to me. That is very good. You have been speaking to me. You have been leading me. You have been guarding and guiding my life. You have been giving me your wisdom and counsel and understanding. That is true.

You do have more to say on the subject of hearing from me. Yes, I do. I have no doubt in you. I do have some doubt in myself. What doubt do you have in yourself? I sometime doubt that I will have the ability to hear you. This doubt does not discourage or depress me. In light of my doubt in myself, or maybe concern is a better word, I will simply pray that you will make me better able to hear from you. I suspect that as I keep on drawing near to you, I will become more able to hear your voice speaking to me. Yes, you will. Don’t you already know this to be true? Yes, I do. Then keep on drawing near to me with the certainty that I will keep on speaking to you. Be sure that I will tell you what you do not know. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, there is so much I do not know. I believe that as I meet with you in prayer you will show me what I do not know. Show me what I need to know. Guard and guide and protect my steps. Give me your wisdom and insight and understanding as I walk with you. Amen

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

Day 174 – Becoming Like Christ – Jeremiah 33-3 – Call To Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Strict Training

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 173- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Strict Training - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 173- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Strict Training – Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

In Training

I have entered into training. For what are you now in training? You are asking me? Yes, I am asking you. I want you to describe your training. I was hoping that you would describe my training. You have just told me that you have entered into training. Yes, I did. You should be able to tell me the purpose of your training. That I can do. I want to run well. I want to stay on the course that you have laid out for me. I want to finish strong. I want to finish the race. I want to win the prize. I want to receive the crown that you have for me. Those are all very good desires you have in your heart. Why is that? You know the importance of spiritual training. You will not be satisfied with jogging through your race of faith. You will not sleepwalk on the course that I have laid out for you. You have a desire. You have a passion. You want to go where I lead you. You want to do what I ask of you. You will not give me half-hearted, reluctant efforts. You will give me your all and best right up until you cross the finish line. Yes, I will. But I will need your help. I cannot train alone. I cannot run alone. I need your power and strength to keep me running well. I will be with you to help you. You can be certain of that.

You are a little uncertain about your training. You are not quite sure what your training will look? That’s true. You must have some ideas of what your training will look like. I do. Let me hear your thoughts and ideas. You will train me as I come to you. You will train me as I meet with you in your word. You will train me as I meet with you in prayer. You will train me as I meet with you in worship. You will train me as I gather together with other believers. You will train me as I follow and serve you. You have answered well. What is one common element to all your training? You will be at the center of all my training. You will train me as I draw near to you. Is that also true of your running? Yes, I will run well as I keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will run well as I follow you to where you lead me. I will run well as I do what you ask of me. You will be in charge of my training in every step of the race I take with you. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord. Run well. I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to run well and finish strong. Help me to stay on the course you have laid out. I will enter into strict training. My heart and mind and life will be focused on you, so I don’t run aimlessly without direction. Help me to win the crown you have for me. Amen

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Day 173 – Becoming Like Christ – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Strict Training – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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