Monthly Archives: January 2021

A Pure Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - A Pure Heart - Psalm 51:10 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – A Pure Heart – Psalm 51:10 – Growing As Disciples

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Pure Heart

I’ve done it again. I’ve really blown it this time. I made a big mistake. I’ve made a really bad choice. Do you mean to say that you sinned? Yes, I do. Who have you sinned against? I’ve sinned against you and another person. It’s good that you are confessing this to me. There is no sense in trying to cover it up. You can’t hide it from me. I saw you do it in the first place. I tried to prompt you and show you a way of escape so that you would not sin. But, you would not listen. You let yourself be enticed. Did you not see the way of escape that was there for you to take? Yes, I guess I did. But, you didn’t want to take it, did you? No, I didn’t. Why is that? I got so wrapped up in the heat of the moment that I felt powerless to take the way of escape and do the right thing. You played around with this sin in your mind and once you did that the way of escape closed. Do you really want to do the right thing and not sin against me and other people? Yes, desperately so. How desperately are you willing to stop playing around with sin in your heart and mind? I am very willing. I want you to create in me a pure heart so that I will have clean thoughts and right desires. Are you asking me to forgive and cleanse you? Yes, I am. You will have to make things right with the person you have sinned against. I know, I will. Good, your sins are forgiven. My son has already taken care of that for you on the cross. He has already secured your forgiveness and cleansing. I know, I am so thankful. How thankful? Are you willing to take steps to turn away from sin when it attempts to entice you again? Yes, I am. Do you have something specific in mind? Yes, I do.

You have asked for a clean heart and a pure mind, haven’t you? Yes, I have. How do you think that will happen? I don’t know. That seems obvious to me. Do you realize that every day you are presented with a choice of what you will feed your heart and mind? How is that? Everything you hear or see enters your heart and mind. What you allow entrance will either help or harm you. Is there anything that you are watching or listening to that you think might displease me? Yes, there is. Are you willing to remove those from your hearing and sight? Yes, I am. Good, but that’s only half of the equation. What else is there? You will need to feed on my word. Why is that? As you feast on my word, I will change your heart and mind with it. Where do you suggest I begin? Begin meditating on and memorizing my word that speaks directly to where you are weak and most likely to be tempted. Will that help? Yes, the Holy Spirit will take my word that you have hidden in your heart and use it to help you to stand against attacks of temptation and evil. Are you ready to begin? Yes, I am.  

Father, thank you that my forgiveness and cleansing was secured on the cross, by your son Jesus Christ. Help me now to turn away from sin. Create in me a clean heart and mind as I feast on your word.  Amen

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

Identity – Psalm 51-10 – A Pure Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Overflow Of His Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Luke 6:43-45 - Overflow Of His Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Luke 6:43-45 – Overflow Of His Heart – Growing As Disciples

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)  

Good Fruit

Do you want your life to bear good or bad fruit? That is an easy question to answer. Of course, I want my life to bear good fruit. Who, in their right mind, would want to live a life that bore bad fruit? It is the desire of my heart to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have heard me say that many times. Yes, I have heard you say that repeatedly. I will never tire of hearing you say that to me. I’m glad about that.

You have a very large role in determining the quality and the amount of fruit you will bear for me. How is that? What you store up in your heart and mind will come out of your life. What do you mean by that? How can I store up things in my life? Everything that you take into your heart and mind gets stored up in you. Everything that you hear and see will be stored in you. Everything that you think, say and do gets stored in you. I didn’t realize that.

You may not be aware of it, but, there is a daily battle in a war going on over your heart and mind and life. What does that mean? The battle and war that I am referring to can be expressed with one question. What is that question? What are you allowing to be stored up in you? I’m not sure what you mean.  Are you allowing my word to be stored up in you? Are you allowing what is good and right and true to be stored up in you? Are you thinking thoughts that are pleasing to me? Are you going and doing what I ask of you? Are you putting into practice all that I am showing you? These are all ways to store up good things in my heart and mind. That’s right. If I store up all these good things in me, I will bear an abundance of good fruit for your kingdom. Yes, you will. If I do just the opposite and store up a lot of garbage in my heart and mind I will not bear good fruit for you. In fact, my life will bear bad fruit. That’s right. Whatever I store up in my heart and mind will one day come out. That’s true. Will you store up good things in your heart and mind so your life can bear good fruit for my kingdom? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, In the past I have stored up a lot of garbage in my heart. Help me to guard my heart. Help me to store up your word in my heart. I want all the good that has been stored up in my heart to come out. I want to bear an abundance of good fruit for you. Amen

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

Transformation – Luke 6-43-45 – Overflow Of His Heart – 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

Spirit Of Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - 2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit Of Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – 2 Timothy 1:7 – Spirit Of Power – Growing As Disciples

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Boldness

Have I given you spiritual gifts with which you can use to serve me? Will the spiritual gifts that I have given to you allow you to bear fruit for my kingdom? Will you bring glory to my name as you use the spiritual gifts that I have given to you? What has hindered you from using the spiritual gifts that I have given to you? What will be required if you will boldly use the spiritual gifts that I have given to you? You have asked me a lot of questions. I hardly know where to start. Start anywhere. I will start by saying that you have given me many spiritual gifts with which I can serve you. It has taken me quite a while to discover my spiritual gifts. Through trial and error in serving you, in one area after another, I have developed an understanding of what spiritual gifts you have given to me. I have also discovered what are not my spiritual gifts. That seems like a valuable discovery as well. It is. If I have any undiscovered spiritual gifts, it is my prayer that you will reveal them to me. I will.

I have struggled to use my spiritual gifts. I’ve noticed. Tell me more about that. I have been filled with fear. I have been timid. It feels like I have taken two steps forward and one step back in using my spiritual gifts. Fear has even caused me to avoid opportunities to use my spiritual gifts. That fear does not come from me. I know. You know that I have given you spiritual gifts. Yes, I know that. You know that I have given you the power to use your spiritual gifts. Yes, I know that as well. You know that I will help you to know when, where and how to use your spiritual gifts. Yes, I know that too. Then what do you have to fear? I am with you to help you. My presence will go with you. My hand is on you. I have nothing to fear. Forgive me for shrinking back from using my spiritual gifts. Help me to rely on you fully. I will place all my trust in you. Set me on fire. Fan the flame of my desire to serve you. Fill me with your power, love and self-control. Make me bold in your service.  I will do that for you. I will go where you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that you do not want me to live a timid life as I follow and serve you. You have given me a spirit of power, love and self-control. Help me to boldly use the gifts you have given me so I will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

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

Freedom – 2 Timothy 1-7 – Spirit Of Power – 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

Prayers And Petitions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Hebrews 5:7 - Prayers And Petitions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Hebrews 5:7 – Prayers And Petitions – Growing As Disciples

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 (NIV) 

Answered Prayers

Do you want to be able to pray prayers and petitions that are heard and answered by me? Yes, I certainly do want my prayers and petitions to be heard and answered by you. Who wouldn’t want that? You’re thinking about being able to pray any and every prayer and have them answered aren’t you? Yes, I am. Do you think I will hear and answer all the prayers that pray? No, I don’t think you will hear and answer every single prayer that I pray. Why is that? I might ask for something that is outside of your will? I might ask for something now that you want to give to me later. So, my answer could be, no. Yes, it could. My answer could be, not now. Yes, that’s also a possibility.

What do you think about when a prayer of yours seemingly goes unanswered? I wonder if my request is outside your will or not in your timing. I wonder if you are testing the seriousness of my requests and want me to persevere and keep on asking. I wonder if there is something in my life that is hindering my prayers. Let’s talk about all these things that you wonder about when a prayer of yours seemingly goes unanswered. Where would you like to start? Let’s talk about what might hinder your prayers. I’ve always wondered what might be hindering my prayers. What might hinder my prayers? You tell me. I know what prayers will never get answered. What prayers are those? Those are the ones that never get prayed. Yes, prayers you don’t pray don’t get answered. Sometimes, “I have not because I ask not.” Yes, that’s right. You want me to come to you to ask you for what I need. Yes, I do. Why do you think that is? Why do I want you to come to me? You want me to live in a relationship with you. You want me to rely on you? Yes, I do. What will happen to you as you live in a relationship with me? I will know your will better. Yes, you will. I will know what prayers are inside and outside of your will. Yes, you will. There have been plenty of times when I have learned that I was praying a prayer that was outside your will. What did you do then? I stopped asking for what was not your will. That’s good. What will also happen as you continue to live in a relationship with me? My thoughts and desires will change. How so? I will desire to do your will. I will want to accomplish your purposes. I will learn to ask for what both you and I want. Yes, you will. Your desires will become my desires. I will come to live in reverent submission to your will. Then my prayers will begin to line up with your will and your timing. That’s right. I will be praying prayers that can be heard and answered by you. Yes, you will. That’s exactly what I want. That’s exactly what you will receive as you live in reverent submission to me. 

Father, it is my desire to know and do your will. I will live my life in reverent submission to you. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you will ask of me. Teach me to pray. Help me to offer up prayers and petitions to you that will be heard and answered.  Amen

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

Life – Hebrews 5-7 – Prayers And Petitions – 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

Handles The Word Of Truth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Truth - 2 Timothy 2:14-16 - Handles The Word Of Truth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Truth – 2 Timothy 2:14-16 – Handles The Word Of Truth – Growing As Disciples

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:14-16 (NIV)  

Workman

I have been drawn in. You have been drawn into what? I have been drawn into quarrelsome words. I have been drawn into godless chatter. I know that quarrelsome words and godless chatter are not worth my time. They are worthless words that bear no fruit of any kind. They are worse than that. Yes, I know quarrelsome words and godless chatter harm both those that hear and those that speak them. That is exactly right.

What will help you to steer clear of hearing and speaking quarrelsome words and godless chatter? That’s a good question. I am very thankful that I know the answer to that question. Let me hear your answer. If I make it my habit and daily pattern to meet with you in your word I will be protected from quarrelsome words and godless chatter. I would like to hear you say more about how you will be protected by my word. If I study your word daily I will be filled with your words. Your words will push quarrelsome and godless chatter out of my heart and mind and life. Instead of thinking of quarrelsome words and godless chatter my heart and mind and life will be focused on your words. My heart and mind and life cannot think both your thoughts and quarrelsome thoughts and godless chatter. No, it cannot. Your word will make me want to think your thoughts. Your word will make me able to put your thoughts and words into practice in my life. Yes, my word will protect your thoughts by giving you my thoughts to think and words to put into practice. 

You have something that you would like to ask me. You have a desire that is on your heart. Yes, I have a prayer to pray. There is something that I want from you. I’m listening. I want you to help me to be a workman that correctly handles your word. I want to know your word. I want to put your word into practice. I want your word to guard and guide my life. I want you to strengthen me by your word. I want your word to make it so I don’t speak or listen to quarrelsome words and ungodly chatter. I want your word to keep from ever being ashamed. I want your word to help me to live in every way that is pleasing to you. I want your word to bear fruit in me for your kingdom so I can bring glory to your name. Keep meeting with me in my word and you will have what you have asked of me.

Lord, I present myself to you. Help me to avoid quarrelsome words and godless chatter that are of no value. Instead help me to be an approved workman who listens to and correctly handles your word of truth. Help me to live a godly life that is pleasing to you. Amen

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

Truth – 2 Timothy 2-14-16 – Handles The Word  Of Truth – 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