Call To The Lord

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 342 - Psalm 18:1-3 - Call To The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18:1-3 – Call To The Lord – Growing As Disciples

I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV)  

My Strength

I am so glad that you are my strength. Why is that? I know that I am weak. In the past, when I was younger and dumber, I thought that I was strong. I thought that I could face every difficulty and overcome every problem. It didn’t take long for life to convince me otherwise. How so? I have had crushing defeats and significant setbacks. They have been my insightful but unwelcome teachers. I have gone through trouble and experienced difficulties that only you could have solved. In the mid st of pain and suffering I have cried out to you. I am no fan of pain and suffering, but I would have to say that I have learned to cry out in prayer to you in my most painful and darkest moments. That’s good. You have never left me alone. You have never abandoned me in my troubles. You have been near to me when I have been brokenhearted. I have felt your nearness. I have experienced your closeness. You have been with me to comfort me. You have lifted me up and carried when I have been sure that I could go no further. How valuable are those lessons? Beyond compare. Knowing that you love and care for me is far beyond priceless. You have been my strength. You are my fortress, rock and deliverer. You have been my refuge and shield. You have saved me from out of my troubles. You have delivered me from all my fear. I know, without a doubt, that I can trust you. I know, with certainty, that I canhold on to you because you are holding on to me. You will never let me go. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Yes, I am all these things to you. You can cry out to me. I will hear your prayers. I will be with you to help you every step of your way through life. I have a hold of you. I will never let you go. Thank you, Lord. My only response to you is one of praise and thanksgiving. You deserve all the honor and praise and glory. As long as I have breath within me, I will joyfully give all my thanks and praise to you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. You are so good and kind and merciful to me. You hear my cry and answer my prayers. Thank you for being my rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer. All my thanks and praise go to you. Amen

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Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18-1-3 – Call To The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Greatest Of These

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 341 - 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 - Greatest Of These- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 341 – 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 – Greatest Of These- Growing As Disciples

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NIV)

Like You 

This is my greatest desire. What is your greatest desire? I want to become like you. In what way do you most want to become like me? I want to love you love. I want my thoughts and words and actions to be motivated by your love. That is a very good desire. I have that same desire for you. I want you to become like me. I also want you to love like I love. That is fantastic. I agree, but why do you think so? We both want the same thing. How can your will not come to pass if we both want the same thing? That is a very good question.

I will ask you a question that will answer your question. How will you become like me? How will you love like I love? That is a work that you must do in me. Why do you think that? I’m sure that I cannot make myself able to love like you love. If my loving like you love depends on me, then I’m afraid that I’m headed toward a miserable failure. No amount of my power or strength or ability will ever make me able to love like you love. That sounds like the voice of your experience. Yes, it is. There is more that you are not saying. There is more that you do know. I can’t make myself to be like you either. That would be an even more impossible task. So, both becoming like you and being able to love like you love are both works that only you can do in and through me. That is true.

Do you have no role in becoming like me? Do you have no part to play in loving like I love? Yes, I do have a role and a part to play in becoming like you and loving like you love. Tell me about your role? What is your part? I must draw near to you. I must spend time with you. I must be in your presence. Living and walking in an intimate relationship with you is my role and part to play. It is only in your presence that I will be changed. It is in your presence that you will make me to be like you. It is in your presence that I will be made able to love like you love. I know that you will be molding and shaping my life moment by moment and day by day as I love and know and follow and serve you. You will change my heart. You will transform my mind. You will give me your thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. You will make me able to love like you love. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have thought, spoken and acted like a child. You have helped me to put away childish ways as I have been loving and following and serving you. Moment by moment, you are making me to be more like you. You are helping me to love like you love. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 341 – 1 Corinthians 13-11-13 – Greatest Of These – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Even A Fool

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 340 - Proverbs 17:28 - Even A Fool - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 340 – Proverbs 17:28 – Even A Fool – Growing As Disciples

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Remain Silent

I could certainly learn to do that far more often. You could certainly learn to do what far more often? I could learn to keep my mouth shut. I could learn to remain silent. Why is that? I can’t tell you how many times I have foolishly opened my mouth and deeply regretted the words that came out. Yes, I know. Yes, you know my words before I speak them. You know my words even before I think them. Yes, I do.

Here are my thoughts. I’m listening. I don’t need to offer my opinion on every subject. I don’t need to engage in every debate. I don’t need to try to solve every problem. I will often do far better by listening carefully than by speaking profusely. I know one thing that is absolutely sure. What’s that? When words are spoken in abundance, sin is not lacking. That is a good thought for you to think. That is a good lesson for you to learn. Well, I can’t say that I have fully learned this lesson yet. But I do know that I am your work in progress. You have definitely been helping me to think your thoughts and speak your words. Yes, you are my work in progress. Yes, I will help you to think my thoughts and speak my words. For that, I am thankful. For that, I am grateful.

I have more to say on this subject. I have a request to make to you. I have a prayer to pray to you. I’m listening. I don’t want to quickly move on from my need. I want to circle back and talk to you more about need. I want you to know that I am asking for a serious amount of your help. It seems to me that I over speak and under listen nearly every day. I really do need you to help me to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. That’s good. Who do you need to listen to most attentively? I need to listen to you most attentively. Do you believe that I will speak to you? Do you believe that I will give you words to speak? Yes, I believe that you will speak to me. Yes, I believe that you will give me words to speak. Then you have your answer. Draw near to me. Listen to me. I will give you my thoughts to think and my words to speak. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, I have foolishly spoken when it would have been far better to have remained silent. Forgive me. Give me your wisdom. Help me to know when to speak and when to remain silent. I will humbly rely on you to place a guard over my mouth. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 340 – Proverbs 17-28 – Even A Fool – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

An Inheritance

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 339 - 1 Peter 1:3-5 - An Inheritance- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 339 – 1 Peter 1:3-5 – An Inheritance – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Thanks And Praise

You have all my thanks and praise. Why is that? Why do I have all your thanks and praise? You have all my thanks and praise because of your great mercy. You saved me. You rescued me from a life without you. You took me off of the path that led away from you. You pursued me. You would not let me go. You sought me out. You pulled my life out of the darkness and brought me into your marvelous light. Without you, my life had no purpose or meaning. Without you, my life had no direction. Without you, I was bruised and battered and broken. Without you, I was lost and without hope in both this life and the next. You would not let me remain in such condition. You drew me to yourself. You turned my life around. You redeemed and healed and restored my life. You forgave my sins. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You set my life on solid ground. You have filled my life with joy. You have given me a brand-new life to live both now and forever. My future with your is secure. You have an inheritance waiting for me. You have prepared a place for me in heaven that is being kept and guarded by your power. You have given me a faith in you that is shielding me from every evil as I walk through life with you. Yes, I have done and am doing all of these things for you. That is why my heart is filled to overflowing with thanks and praise to you. That is very good. 

I have more to say. What’s that? The thanks and praise I have in my heart demands more than my words. What do you have in your heart and on your mind? I want to be fully devoted to you. I am filled with that desire. Your love for me has made me want to love you with all that is within me. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, my words alone will not be the only way I express my thanks and praise to you. I will be fully devoted to you. I will be at your disposal. I will be ready for your use. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. May all that I am and all that I hope to be give you thanks and praise though all my thoughts and words and actions. That will be very good. 

Heavenly Father, with a heart filled with thanksgiving, I will give you all my praise for your great mercy! You saved me. Thank you for securing a place in heaven for me that is kept and guarded by your power. My life of salvation, with you, has already begun. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 339 – 1 Peter 1-3-5 – An Inheritance – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Spiritual Milk

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 337 - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Spiritual Milk- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 337 – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Spiritual Milk- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)  

Craving

I have this craving that is within me. I didn’t stir up this craving within me. I am not the originator of this craving within me. I cannot take credit for this craving that is within me. This craving that is within me could have only come from you. I will say that I am grateful and thankful for this craving that you have put in me. What is this craving that you are talking about? I am talking about the craving that I have in me for the pure spiritual milk of your word. I hunger and thirst or your word. Just as a newborn baby craves milk, so I also crave the pure spiritual milk of your word. Your word satisfies my hunger and thirst. Yet, I am always hungry for more of your word. That is very good.

What is my word doing in you? Your word is helping me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Your word has helped me to want to know and do your will. Your word has filled me with desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Your word has given me the desire to strip off and rid myself of anything and everything that is not pleasing to you. Like what? I want to strip off and rid myself of malice and deceit, hypocrisy and envy, and slander of every kind. What else is my word doing in you? Your word has been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. Your word is helping your thoughts and words and actions to be formed in me. Your Holy Spirit has taken your word and used it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word has been helping me to resist temptation and stand against evil. But most of all, and most importantly, your word has been helping to taste your goodness and kindness and mercy and love. Your word has helped me to want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I delight in hearing your word. As I listen to you speaking to me, I know that you are helping me to grow up in the salvation you have secured for me. Yes, I am. Yes, I will. Keep on craving my word. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I crave the pure spiritual milk of your word. I will drink deeply of your word so I will be able to grow up in the salvation you have secured for me. Help me to keep on stripping off and ridding myself of anything and everything that is not pleasing to you. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 337 – 1 Peter 2-1-3 – Spiritual Milk – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Set Apart Christ As Lord

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 336 - 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Set Apart Christ As Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3:15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – Growing As Disciples

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Lord

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean that I am Lord? Let me start by saying that you are not just Lord generally. You are Lord specifically of my life. By that, I mean you have authority over my life. You are in charge of my life. I have bowed myself down to you. I want your will to reign over my life. You are on the throne of my life. I can say more. Go ahead, I am listening. I am not the evaluator of you. You are the evaluator of me. If my thoughts or words or actions are not in alignment with you, someone has got to change and its not you. If your word says something is true, I dare not think it is false. If your word says one thing, I better not do another. If your word says something is false, it would be foolish to think it was true. My heart and mind and life are centered on you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. I have set you apart as Lord of my life because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to live my life with or for you. I could have no greater peace or joy or hope than I do in loving, following and serving you. That is very good.

Will you keep silent about the peace and hope and joy you have in me? Is this a secret that only you should know? No, not at all. I want to share the good news. I want to be a bold witness for you. I want to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. I want others to wonder and ask why I have such radiant hope and joy within me. Speak through me. Help me to lead others to you. Use my life to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Let the good that you are doing in and through me speak powerfully to others so that they will want to live their lives with you both now and forever. That I will do. I will shine brightly in and through your life. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have set you apart in my heart as my Lord. I know you will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Give me opportunities to share the reason for the hope that I have in you. Help me to shine brightly in the world for you. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3-15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Trust In God

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - John 14:1-4 - Trust In God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – John 14:1-4 – Trust In God – Growing As Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (NIV)  

One Or The Other

I know it will be the one or the other. You know what will be the one or the other? I will either trust in you or let my heart be troubled. There are only those two choices. Why are there only two choices? If I don’t trust in you, then I will no doubt attempt to trust something or someone that is not worthy of my trust. Like what or who? I might trust in possessions and money. I might trust in accomplishments or training. I might trust in prestige, power or position. I might trust in myself. I might trust in my gifts, talents and abilities. I might trust in another person. Nothing in all of life, whether it be people or things will ever be worthy of my trust. Over time, one by one, all these unworthy trusts will let me down. The truth of the matter is, I don’t have to wait to be let down by trusting someone or something other than you. Somewhere deep down inside me, I have known the unworthiness of faulty trusts at the very beginning, well before I have ever been let down by them. So, with relying on unworthy and faulty trusts comes a worried and troubled heart. That should have always been a signal to me. What kind of signal? Worry is a signal that I have misplaced my trust in someone or something other than you. Yes, that is a very good signal.

What will you do when you begin to worry? I will come to you. I will draw near to you. I will turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. I will lay all my worries at your feet. I will place all my trust in you. I can fully trust you right now in this life. I can fully trust you right now for the life I will have forever in heaven with you. You will be with me. You will help me. You will bring me through every trouble until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. I will place all my trust in you both now and forever. You are completely worthy of all my trust. I will not let my heart be troubled, I will fully trust in you. That will be very good. I am worthy of all your trust. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, I will place all my trust in you. I will not let my heart to be troubled. At the first sign of worry I will turn every one of them into a prayer to you. Thank you that I can trust you both now in this life and forever in the next life in heaven with you. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 334 – John 14-1-4 – Trust In God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Working For The Lord

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart - Colossians 3:23-24 - Working For The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Colossians 3:23-24 – Working For The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 

Wholeheartedly 

I know the difference. You know the difference between what? I know the difference between doing my work with wholehearted and halfhearted effort. Good for you. Let me tell you a secret. Do you want to know who else knows the difference between your wholehearted and halfhearted effort even better than you do? Yes, I do. Who? Everyone else. Can you explain that to me? Yes, I can. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, you have my full attention. Have you ever noticed someone going about their work with less than their full and best effort? I notice that all the time. It is easy to spot. Yes, it is. It is also easy to spot when you give less than your full effort. You can’t disguise work that is less than your best effort. I have never made the connection between what I can observe about others work and what others are able to observe about my own work. This is something for you to think about more deeply. Yes, it is.

What happens when you give your full and wholehearted effort to your work? I feel gratified in knowing that I have given and done my best. I feel satisfied in knowing that I have gone and done what you have asked of me. I feel peaceful in knowing that I have accomplished the work you have given me to do. Wait a minute? What work have I given to you? Well, all the work I have been given in this life comes from you. It may look like and be true that my work is serving others. But in reality, in all the work I do in this life I am really serving you. That’s true. So, when you give your very best and wholehearted effort in your work you are serving me as a bold witness in the world. How so? Your work stands out. Your work is a cut above. Your work is done fully and completely. Your work is done with excellence. Others can see your work and will know how and why you give yourself so wholeheartedly. They will? Yes, they will.

Then I will give myself wholeheartedly to my work because I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want others to know that you are making me able to do my work. I want others to see that you are working in and through my life. You are making me able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans.  Yes, I am. I will do all my work in this life as if I am directly serving you. Why is that? Because, I am. That’s true, you are. 

Lord, there have been many times I have gone through the motions and half-heartedly done my work. Help me to be a bold witness for you in this world by my wholeheartedly doing all the work I have been given. I know it is you who I am really serving in this life. Amen

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

Heart – Colossians 3-23-24 – Working For The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Guide You Into All Truth

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 332 - John 16:13-15 - Guide You Into All Truth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 332 – John 16:13-15 – Guide You Into All Truth – Growing As Disciples

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.  John 16:13-15 (NIV)

The Truth

I know how you have been guiding me into the truth. I know how you have been declaring the truth to me. How is that? How have I been guiding you into the truth? How have I been declaring the truth to you? You have taken God’s word an applied it directly to my life. You have brought God’s word back into my mind when I needed it the most. You have taught and trained mw with God’s word. You have helped me to hide God’s word deep into my heart and mind and life. You have formed the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life with God’s word. You have used God’s word like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. You have used God’s word to help me to resist temptation and stand against evil. You have used God’s word to change my heart and transform my mind. You have used God’s word to protect me from the constant bombardment of all the false principles, values and practices of the world. You have guarded and guide the entire course of my life with God’s word. Am I correct? Have I said what is true? Yes, you are correct. Yes, you have said what is most certainly true.

What will you do to allow yourself to continue to be guided into the truth? I will listen attentively to you. You will have my full attention. I will follow and obey you. I will act on all the truth that you show me. I will continue to allow God’s word to dwell in me richly. To do otherwise, would be like taking the sword out of your hand. I will never let that happen. I will read and study God’s word. I will memorize and meditate on God’s word. I will pray and proclaim God’s word. In every way, I will take hold of God’s word so that it will take hold on me. That will be very good. I will keep on guiding you into all the truth. Thank you, Holy Spirit. 

Holy Spirit, I will listen attentively to you. I will allow you take God’s word and apply it to my life. I will allow you to use God’s word like a sword to fight in, with, for and through me. Use God’s word to guide me into all the truth. I will follow and obey you. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – John 16-13-15 – Day 332 – Guide You Into All Truth – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do You Truly Love Me?

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 331 - John 21:15-17 - Do You Truly Love Me? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 331 – John 21:15-17 – Do You Truly Love Me? – Growing As Disciples

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (NIV)

Loving You

Loving you is not theoretical. Loving you is quite practical. Loving you is not passive. Loving you requires action. This sounds odd, I know. What do you mean by all of this? Here is what I mean. I love you. My love for you motivates my desire to do what is pleasing to you. Because I love you, following and serving you is not burdensome to me. It is my delight to go and do what you ask of me, because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, love is active. My love for you is demonstrated by my obeying your commands. Out of my love for you flows all that I will ever do for you. That is very good.

Wouldn’t it be crazy if I said that I loved you but never did what you asked of me? What kind of love would that be? It would be no kind of love at all. Wouldn’t it be silly for me to try to figure out what might be the minimum requirement of loving you? That would not work, not at all. Why is that? You know. Yes, I know. But I want to hear you say it. You continually take me deeper with you and ask for more from me. It is as if I have many ongoing opportunities to affirm and reaffirm my love for you. Sometimes, it feels as if you are asking, “Will your love for me motivate your desire to do even “this” or “that” for me?” Guess what. What? It feels that way because that is exactly what I am asking and will keep on asking you. Sometimes, the “this” or “that” you ask me is scary. How so? You ask me to do what I am not able to do. Why do suppose I do that to you? You want me to draw nearer to you. You want me to rely more fully on you. You want to do in and through me, what only you can do. Will you come to know and love and follow and serve me more fully as you rely more completely on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, you know I love you. Loving you is passionately motivating my desire to follow and serve you. Obeying your commands is not a burden to me. It is the joy of my heart to go and do what is pleasing to you. Use me in your service. My life is in your hands. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 331 – John 21-15-17 – Do You Truly Love Me? – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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