Monthly Archives: November 2020

The Source Of All Comfort

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 249 - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7- Source Of All Comfort - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 249 – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7- Source Of All Comfort – Growing As Disciples

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.  Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.  We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Troubles In Life

There is no doubt that I will certainly have those, that will be my experience. What will you have? What will be your experience? I will have troubles in life. To think otherwise would be foolish. It would be denying reality. Why do you think this is true? This is a sin broken world. This world does not function according to your original design. You suffered in this life, so will I. That is true. I will experience pain and suffering and troubles because of ways that I have thought or spoken or acted. Yes, some pain and suffering and trouble, I will bring on myself. Yet, I will also experience pain and suffering and troubles that come my way, as part of life, that are no fault of my own. That is also true. As bad as your troubles have been, have you received any benefit from them? Has any good been brought forth in your life because of the troubles you have gone through. I will tell you one thing for certain. What’s that? Pain and suffering and troubles are an attention getter. Nothing has more quickly drawn me back to you than being in the midst of pain and suffering and troubles. Nothing has caused me to rely more passionately and persistently on you than being in great need. How do you feel about that outcome? I am not a big fan of pain and suffering and troubles; I don’t welcome any of it into my life. I would rather avoid it all together. That’s honest. But I also wouldn’t trade a life free of pain and suffering and troubles for a life of not coming to know you. If the cost of drawing near to you, living in a more intimate relationship with you, and relying more fully on you, is going through pain and suffering and trouble in life, then I would gladly pay it. The truth is I have probably needed troubles in life to draw me back to you. So, in some strange way, I am thankful for them. You don’t need to give thanks and praise to me for pain and suffering and troubles. No, I will give thanks and praise to you for your mercy and compassion as I go through them. You have never left me alone when I have needed you the most. You have always drawn near to me, as I have drawn near to you. You have always been with me to help me. You have always comforted me with your love. For that I will give you all my thanks and praise. That is very good. One more thing. What’s that? Help me also to comfort others with all the comfort and love I have received from you. That, I will do. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know I am certain to go through troubles in life. I also know you are the God of all comfort. I give you my thanks and praise for your mercy and comfort. I will rely on you in my troubles. Use me to comfort others with the comfort I have received from you. Amen

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

Promises – Day 249 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 – The Source Of All Comfort – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

We Are Changed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 248 - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18- We Are Changed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 248 – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18- We Are Changed – Growing As Disciples

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT) 

You Will Be Changed

That is certain. Have no doubts about that. What is certain? About what should I have no doubts? You will be changed. You will become like me. I will be changing your heart. I will be transforming your mind. I will be guiding your life. In the past, perhaps you have thought that you will be changed in an instant when you see me face to face. Is there anything wrong or incorrect with that thought? No, that thought is completely correct. But with you, that thought has been incomplete. How so? On the day that you turned your life over to me, and I became your Savior and Lord, I began changing your heart, transforming you mind, and guiding your life. My work began on that day and has and will continue until the day you come to meet me face to face. Then you will be completely changed. Then my work will be complete. I get that. What I don’t want you to forget, misunderstand, or minimize, is that my work in you in the here and now is critically important. How so? You have often said that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have often said that you want to bring glory to my name. You have often said that you want to store up treasure in heaven with me. You want to shine brightly for me in the darkness of this world. You have even gone so far as to say that you want to shine like a star in the universe for me, so that a multitude will be drawn to me through the witness of your life. Yes, I have said all these things. I would have no greater joy than for all of them to become true of the life I live with and for you. Yes, I know that to be true of you. Those are high and lofty desires. Those are worthy goals. None of these will become true unless I change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life. None of these will become true unless I transform you into my likeness. You must become like me in the here and now. You must think, and speak, and act like me. Your thoughts, and words, and actions must be like mine. That is why my work in you now is critically important. Well, I do welcome you to do your work in me, with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, I will, you can be certain, that you will be changed. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, you are my Savior and Lord. I will love and follow and serve you. Do your work in and through me. Transform me into your likeness. Change my thoughts, words, and actions. Make me like you. Use me to reflect your glory in the darkness of this world. Amen

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

Promises – Day 248 – 2 Corinthians 3-16-18 – We Are Changed – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

The Lord Will Answer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 247 - Psalm 4:3 - The Lord Will Answer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 247 – Psalm 4:3 – The Lord Will Answer – Growing As Disciples

You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. Psalm 4:3 (NLT)

Call Me

You can call me. You can ask me for what you want and need. You can lay all your prayers before me. There is nothing blocking your access to me. The barrier of sin that stood between us has been removed. You have been made clean. You have been washed. Your sins have been forgiven and your unrighteousness cleansed. You have been made holy in my sight. I have set you apart for myself. I have made you my own. You can be sure of this. How sure, you might ask. My Holy Spirit has come to live and dwell inside of you. This is like a deposit or guarantee that you do in fact have a place kept and guarded for you in heaven. Your future, today, tomorrow, and forever has been secured by me. I have given you a brand-new life to live. Not only have I made you pure and holy in my sight. I have been, am now, and will be molding and shaping you. Your heart and mind and life are now completely unlike what they once were. You have walked away from your old life of sin and are now living your life with and for me. How does all this sound to you? It sounds wonderful. I could have been given no greater gift. I could have been shown no clearer path. You could have filled me with no stronger desire. Now, I can live and will walk through life with you. Yes, I will call on you. Yes, I will make my wants and needs known to you. Yes, I believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. That is very good.

Tell me how you will call on me. What will be your practice? What is your plan? It will be my practice and plan to continually call on you. I will live my life in a constant dialogue with you. No subject will be off limits. No question will be left unasked. No want or need will go unmentioned. I will bring everything thing that is in my heart and on my mind before you. This will include not only my wants and needs but also the wants and needs of others all around me. I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I am no expert on prayer. I will need all the help you will give me. My first and most frequent prayer will most likely be, “Teach me to pray”. That is a very good prayer request. Will I hear and answer your prayers as you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Of that, I have no doubt. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for setting me apart to be one of your followers. Thank you for forgiving my sin and cleansing my unrighteousness. Thank you for purifying my heart and mind. Help me to continually call on you for all that I need. Hear and answer my prayers. Amen

Key Question…

How are you making it your practice to call on the Lord throughout the moments of your day?

Living It Out…

Continually call on the Lord in prayer so you can live a godly life filled with prayers that are heard and answered.

Seeing It Happen…

Have faith that the Lord will help you to live a godly life, filled with prayers that are heard and answered.

Get Ready To Share…

Share with another person or your small group what prayers you are now regularly praying to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…

May you live a godly life filled with prayers that the Lord will hear and answer.

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

Promises – Day 247 – Psalm 4-3 – The Lord Will Answer – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Bighearted And Courteous

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 246 - Titus 3:1-5 - Bighearted And Courteous - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 246 – Titus 3:1-5 – Bighearted And Courteous – Growing As Disciples

Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.  It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back.  But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:1-5 (MSG)

Step In

Well, I give you permission to do just that. You give me permission to do what? I give you permission to step in and change me. How do you want me to change you? I want you to change me completely. I see. You are impatient. You know that my work in you is not finished. You know that my work is ongoing, and it is not nearly complete. You would like to see more progress. Sometimes, you are disgusted by your own behavior, is that correct? Yes, that is correct. Tell me what you want me to do in you. I want you to make me bighearted and courteous. I want you to make me able to extend your kindness and mercy and love to others. Those are very good desires. How is it that you even know that you sometimes fall short in these areas? How is that you even recognize when you are not being bighearted and courteous? Why do you care that you have not fully extended my kindness and mercy and love to others? What has caused you to sometimes be disgusted by your own behavior? Those are good questions. Those questions cause hope to rise within me. Why is that? Only your Spirit living in me has shown me when I have not been bighearted and courteous to others. Only your Spirit working in me has given me the desire to be tenderhearted, kind and loving to others. What is it that most disgusts you when your behavior has been less than kind, tenderhearted and loving? I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want others to be drawn to you because they see your life being lived in and through me. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. It disgusts me when I am none of these things. Those are also very good desires within you. We want the same thing. Do you believe that I will continue my good work in you? Do you believe that I will bring my work in you to completion? Yes Lord, I believe. Keep living the life I have and am giving you to live. Yes, Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then all your desires will be fulfilled. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know I have allowed myself to be dragged into heated debates that rage in society today. I have not been big hearted and courteous. At times, I have displayed hateful behavior. Forgive me. Help me to extend your kindness, mercy, and love to others. Amen

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

Promises – Day 246 – Titus 3-1-5 – Bighearted And Courteous – 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

Teaches Us To Say No To Ungodliness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 245 - Titus 2:11-15 - Teach Us To Say No To Ungodliness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 245 – Titus 2:11-15 – Teach Us To Say No To Ungodliness – Growing As Disciples

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)  

A Godly And Upright Life 

You have much to say on this topic. I have much to say on what topic? You have much to say about living a godly and upright life that is good and right and pleasing to me. If I have much to say, it is certainly not about my great record of success. I have had many days and weeks and months and even years where I would say that I have not been able to successfully live a godly life in the darkness of this world. For many years, I have lived as a discouraged and depressed and defeated follower of yours. I have wanted to live a life that is pleasing to you. I have wanted to live the life you have called me to live. Wanting is good. Wanting is a great place to start. Where did this desire and wanting to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me come from? That is obvious. It certainly did not come from me. You planted this desire in my heart and mind and life. That is very good for you to know. If I planted a desire within you, do you think that I would not nourish it and make it grow? Would I allow a desire I planted within you to wither and die? No, you would not. That is correct. What I plant in you, I will nurture and make grow. What has caused your lack of success? What has been the source of your problem? Why have you found such great difficulty? You must have some answers. You are no longer talking like a discouraged and depressed and defeated follower of mine. No, I am not. I have found the source of my discouragement, depression, and defeat. I now know how to live the life you are calling me to live. Tell me what you have found. I have found that I was relying on my own power and strength and ability to live the life you have called me to live. I was relying on myself. That has not, nor will ever, lead to success, either for me, or anyone else for that matter. Only you can make me able to live the life you have called me to live. So, as I keep on turning away from ungodliness and worldly passions, I must keep on turning to you. I must keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I must live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You will continue to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. You will mold and shape me. You will guard and guide me. You will complete the work you started in me. You will fulfill every desire you have planted in me. Yes, I will. Separate yourself from evil, draw near to me, and you will live the life I have called you to live. That I will keep on doing. That is very good. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I am glad that it is your grace that will make me able to live a godly and upright life in the darkness of this world. I will rely on you. Help me to think, speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Make me able to live the life you have called me to live. Amen

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

Promises – Day 245 – Titus 2-11-2 – Teaches Us To Say No To Ungodliness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Bear Much Fruit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 244 - John 15:5 - Bear Much Fruit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 244 – John 15:5 – Bear Much Fruit – Growing As Disciples

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

Bearing Fruit 

I know that you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and my glory. How do you know that? I have heard you pray that prayer many times. That was you wasn’t it? You’re kidding me. What do you think? Yes, you are kidding me. It was me. That has been a frequent prayer of mine. Yes, I know. I hear all your prayers. 

Let’s talk about fruit bearing. I will start by asking you some questions. Go right ahead. When have you worked really hard and seen absolutely no fruit from your labor? I’m not sure. Go ahead, make a guess.  Sometimes I have dreamed up a project all by myself. I didn’t really consult with you about it. The project just seemed like a good idea to me. But, after a lot of hard work I knew that it was not bearing fruit. Your hand was not on it. It was just a lot of self-effort on my part. It was my good idea. It was not your good idea. It was not what you were calling me to do for you. Let’s take a step back for a minute. I have another question for you. What is it?

What is fruit? That’s a good question. It’s important to know. Yes, it is. The fruit that I want to bear is fruit that will last for all eternity. There is a lot of activity in life that might look like it is accomplishing something important. If that activity doesn’t stand the test of time and last forever it isn’t the fruit that you are calling me to bear for you. No, it is not. Apart from me you will never be able to bear this kind of fruit. Do you know why we took a step back to consider this question? My good ideas will never be able to bear fruit for you. No, they will not. You must listen to me. You must hear my call. You must go where I guide you to do what I ask of you. Then and only then will you be able to bear fruit that will glorify me. This kind of fruit will last for all eternity. 

Let me clarify something for you. What’s that? The amount of fruit you will bear for me will correspond to how you abide in your relationship with me. Do you want to abide in me? Yes, I do. Will you spend time with me? Yes, I will. Will you spend time meeting with me in my word? Yes, I will. Will you listen to all that I have to say to you? Yes, I will. Will spend time talking with and listening to me in prayer? Yes, I will. Will you bow yourself down to worship me? Yes, to all your questions. My life is fully devoted to loving, following and serving you. Yes, I can see that it is.

As you abide in me and my word abides in you I want to know what I will be doing. What’s that? My word will be purifying and cleansing your life. My word will work in you, with you and for you. My word will prune from your life what is not pleasing me to me. As you remain in me and I prune your life you will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and my glory. Then people that look at you will see me. Then they will know that you are one of my disciples. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, I want that more than anything in all of life. Then that is what you will have.

Lord, I will remain in you. Apart from you I can do nothing. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and purify my life. Help me to live a life that bears an abundance of fruit for your glory. Help me to show that I truly am one of your disciples. Amen

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

Promises – Day 244 – John 15-5 – Bear Much Fruit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Two Are Better Off Than One

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 243 - Ecclesiastes 4-9-12 - Two Are Better Off Than One - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 243 – Ecclesiastes 4-9-12 – Two Are Better Off Than One – Growing As Disciples

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

Tightly Braided Cord

Do you want to enjoy success? Do you want to be able to accomplish the work that I have given you to do for me? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want to run well and finish strong on the course I have set before you? Do you want to accomplish my purpose and fulfill my plans? Lord, you know that I want all these things to be true of the life I am living with and for you. Yes, I know this to be a true desire that is within you. We both want the same thing and that is very good. I do want to give you some wise counsel. I do want to give you some clear guidance and sound instruction. Listen carefully to these words of mine. You have my full and undivided attention. Do not under any circumstance think that you don’t want or need any help. Do not come to believe that you can accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans all alone, by yourself, without the help of others. Such a thought is a mistake. Such a thought is unwise. Such a thought is foolish. I did not make you to be self-sufficient. You must not become self-reliant. I want you to rely fully on me. But that is not all, part of relying on me will include relying on others that I will bring into your life. At times, others will join you. At other times, you will join others. Together you will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Together you will complete the work you have been given to do for me. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. Let me make this clearer to you. Do not think that I mean that you should be loosely connected to others. No, think of a tightly braded cord, that cannot be separated or easily broken. That is how I want you to be joined together with others in doing the work I have given to you. Now, do you fully understand? Yes, I understand. I will join with others, like a tightly braided cord to do the work we have been given. Yes, that will be very good.

Lord, often I have worked alone. Often, I have thought I did not want or need anyone’s help to do the work you have given me to do for you. What a mistake. How unwise. How foolish. I now know I need all the help I can get to fight through the battles in life. Amen

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

Promises – Day 228 – Ecclesiastes 4-9-12 – Two Are Better Off Than One – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - James 1:5-8 - If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – James 1:5-8 – If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

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

Ask Me

Do you have all that you need? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you know all that you need to know? I’m sure that I don’t know all that I need to know. I’m positive that I don’t have all that I need. I need all the help that I can get. Why would you ask me those questions? If you don’t have all that you need and you don’t know all that you need to know and you need all the help that you can get, why aren’t you coming to me to ask for help? Do you think that I am relying on myself too much? Do you think that I give off the appearance that I don’t want or need help? You tell me. Do you seem desperate for answers from me? That’s a good question. I suppose I have been relying on myself too much. How has that been going for you? Are you asking me how relying on myself is working out? Yes, you got it. 

What has happened to you when you have relied on yourself and not sought my wisdom and direction? I’ve stumbled around a lot. I’ve made a few good and many bad decisions. I’ve headed in the wrong direction and wasted a lot of time. My life has taken two steps forward and three steps back. Some of my worst decisions have been very costly. Do you wish that you would have sought my wisdom and asked for my direction? Yes Lord, that is my wish, but it’s too late now. What? It is in no way too late now. You need to trust me with all your heart. Do you believe that I can redeem and use even your very bad decisions? Yes Lord, I do. Then never believe that you reached a point when it is too late. That kind of thinking does not come from me. When you call out to me I will never turn my back on you. I will always generously give my wisdom to you. You can always come to rely on me. Do you believe what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I believe you.

Why would you ever be reluctant to come to ask me for wisdom? I’m not sure. Well, you need to think deeply about this question. I suppose that I have frequently thought that I could handle a situation all by myself. What do you think now? That kind of independent thinking has usually been a mistake. I can never go wrong by asking for your wisdom and direction. That’s right. Have you ever wondered if I really would give you wisdom and direction? Yes, I have. You will never receive all that I want to give you if you doubt me. Will you come and ask me for wisdom without any doubt about it? Yes Lord, I will.

Then you will receive wisdom from me in abundance. You have no idea how generously I want to give my wisdom to you. Lord, I will come. I will ask. I will believe and I will not doubt you. Here I am right now. I need your wisdom and direction. I need and want you to guide my life. I will rely on you and not on myself. That is very good.

Lord, thank you that I can always come to you and ask you for your wisdom. You have never turned me away. You have always answered my prayer and guided my thoughts. Help me to rely on you and your wisdom rather than on myself. Amen

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

Promises – James 1-5-8 – If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – 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

He Saw Him Who Is Invisible

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 241 - Hebrews 11:24-28 - He Saw Him Who Is Invisible - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 241 – Hebrews 11:24-28 – He Saw Him Who Is Invisible – Growing As Disciples

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.  He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Hebrews 11:24-28 (NIV)

Your Focus

Where is your focus? What has your attention? What guides your life? How are you able to endure and persevere in and through the difficulties of life? What protects you from going astray? Why don’t you become diverted? Why have you not become ensnared in the pleasures of sin? Why are you not pursuing all the comforts that this life has to offer? What keeps you on track? Do you have unusual power? Do you have astounding strength? You must be kidding me. Me, have unusual power? Me have, astounding strength? Nothing could be further from the truth. And have I never gone astray? Have I never become diverted or ensnared in the pleasures of sin or caught in pursuing the comforts of this life? Hardly, I have made every mistake that can be made, or so it seems to me. That is quite an exaggeration. Well, I have made more than my share of mistakes. I have taken many missteps. I have sinned boldly; I am sad to say. Yes, this is all true. But your life is now on course. What explanation do you have to explain the fact that you are running the race I have set before you. You are running well, why is that? I have a clear explanation. Good, I will be glad to hear it. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. To this, I deserve no credit. You have given me a heart that wants to seek you with all that is within me. I am on fire for you. It is my passion to love and follow and serve you. I am fully devoted to you. But again, it must be said, that what you have done and are doing in me, has come as a gift to me. How is it that this devotion, this focus is in me? It only has come from you to me. It is a gift. The most excellent gift I could ever desire.  I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, I will say earnestly, as my most heart-felt prayer, and my statement of faith, that it is you that gives me all I need to keep moving forward with you. Keep my focus on you. Keep on helping me, as you have been helping me. That I will do. My focus is and will be on you. That is very good. 

Lord, I will keep my heart and mind and life focused sharply on you. I will not allow the things of this life or the pleasures of sin to knock me off course. I will follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. Guide me, use me, I am entirely yours. Amen

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

Promises – Day 241 – Hebrews 11-24-28 – He Saw Him Who Is Invisible – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

We Belong To The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 240 - Romans 14-7-8- We Belong To The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 240 – Romans 14-7-8- We Belong To The Lord – Growing As Disciples

For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8 (NIV)

You Belong To Me

How is that for a thought? How is what for a thought? You belong to me. That is quite a thought. What do you mean by saying that? I could think about that thought for quite some time, maybe my entire life, and only begin to scratch the surface of what that thought means for me today, tomorrow, and forever. The truth of that thought will unfold differently with greater meaning and purpose every day as I love and follow and serve you. I have no doubt about that, none whatsoever. That’s good.

I would like you to scratch the surface of that thought. Tell me what it means to you, that you belong to me. Where will I begin? Begin anywhere. Here goes. You love and care for me. You lived and died for me. You came into this world to save my soul. You rescued me from a live without you. You paid for my sins. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You broke down the wall of sin that separated me from God. You healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You restored my soul. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. You filled me with your Holy Spirit, which by the way, is like a deposit or guarantee that you have a place reserved in heaven for me. That it is, without a doubt. You gave me a completely new life to live. You made it so I could live my life with and for you. You have set a course through life for me to run. You have surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses to encourage and spur me on as I run the race you have set before me. You have given my life hope and meaning and purpose. You have given me gifts and talents and abilities with which I can serve you. You have made it so I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have made it possible for me to be able to store up treasure in heaven with you. You are using me to be a bright and bold witness in the darkness of the world. How am I doing so far? You are doing very well. You are doing far more than scratching the surface. Well, I have saved some of the very best for now. You have made it so I can love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength because you love me, and I belong to you. Yes, you do, belong to me. For that, I am now, and will forever be thankful and grateful. That is very good.

Lord, it is so good that I belong to you. I am your child. You love and care for me. You gave yourself for me. You lived and died for me. You pray for me. What a blessing. What a gift. With great joy I will happily live each moment of every day with and for you. Amen

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

Promises – Day 240 – Romans 14-7-8 – We Belong To The Lord – 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