Monthly Archives: March 2021

As God’s Chosen People

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - As God's Chosen People - Colossians 3:12-14 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – As God’s Chosen People – Colossians 3:12-14 – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Clothe Yourself

I’m not sure what’s more frustrating, the people I have to put up with or my bad attitude I have in responding to them. I’m sure that others have felt that I’ve been quite a handful to deal with at times. Maybe they have thrown their arms up in disgust about my behavior. That’s for sure. Really, I thought I was a little better and maybe more perfect than others. You’re kidding me, aren’t you? Yes Lord, I know that I’m flawed. I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. Thank you for freely forgiving me. I didn’t have to earn your forgiveness. Not that I could have anyhow. I didn’t have to show you that I was worthy of your forgiveness. When I confessed my sin you just gave your forgiveness to me. Why is it that I have trouble being as loving and gracious toward others?

It’s like my first instinct is to put on the wrong clothes that don’t go together. My clothing combinations have been like mixing plaids with stripes or checks with polka dots. I don’t recall you ever wearing polka dots. No, I haven’t, but you get the idea. Yes, I do, but I’d like you to say more about what you mean. Do you want some examples? Yes, I do.

Here are some of my clothing combinations that haven’t gone together at all. I’ve wanted to be merciful in all my actions. That’s very good. Well, as I have put on mercy, I have also worn judgment with it. I’ve found fault in others and been critical of their behavior. Those definitely don’t go together. I know it’s an ugly combination that clashes with each other.

I’ve also wanted to have a kind heart that guides how I feel and respond to others. But, along with kindness I have attempted to also wear anger, bitterness, and revenge. Those are impossible combinations. You can’t have kindness in your heart and wear those. I know, the ugliness of anger, bitterness, and revenge overpowers the beauty of kindness. Yes, they do.

I’ve wanted to have a humble mind that is patient and tolerant with others. That would look very good on you. Yes, I know. What have you tried to combine it with? I am embarrassed to say that I’ve attempted to wear humbleness with pride. Those are opposites that clash. Yes, I could see that when I tried wearing them both.

It looks to me like you need help with clothing yourself. Yes Lord, I do. Would you like my help? Yes Lord, I would. There is one piece of clothing that will help you to know how to dress properly. What is that? It is love. I want you to put on my love. With the same love with which I loved you, I want you to love others. That’s what I want Lord. I know that you do. Would you like my help? Yes Lord, I would. Then ask me to help you to put on love. That will put all your other clothes in perfect unity. Will you ask me for this help? Yes Lord, I am asking for your help right now.      

Lord, I know that with my own strength and ability I am not able to love and forgive just as you have loved and forgiven me. Help me to be clothed with your love so that I can love and forgive even those who have hurt me. Amen

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

Identity – Colossians 3-12-14 – As God’s Chosen People – 4 Discipleship Devotional Page Study Guide

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

Better And Lasting Possessions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Hebrews 10-32-34 - Better And Lasting Possessions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Hebrews 10-32-34 – Better And Lasting Possessions – Growing As Disciples

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. Hebrews 10:32-34 (NIV)

Hold On To Me

What are you willing to endure as one of my followers? What sacrifices are you willing to make as you follow me? Lord, I’m willing to endure anything and everything I must as I follow you. I’m willing to sacrifice and give up whatever you ask me to give up. My life, all that I am, have and hope to be is in your hands. I am at your complete disposal. Use me however you desire.

Why are you so willing to endure and make sacrifices as one of my followers? Do you think the road ahead will be easy? Do you think I won’t ask you to give up something that is enjoyable or do something that is costly to you? No, I don’t think the road ahead will be easy. The road behind has not been that easy either. No, it has not. I know that if you ask me to give up something, it will be because you will have a good reason. But, I trust you and your goodness, mercy and love to me.

There have been plenty of times that you have asked me to give up something to do something for you that was far better and more important than what I was doing or wanted to do. Following and obeying you has always brought great blessings into my life. Yes, it has. 

Do you have any sense of what I might ask you to do for me? Yes, I have a pretty good idea. Tell me about it. I have nothing specific in mind. I just have this general impression that you want me to give my life more fully to others. Yes, that’s right. I know that I have been quite self centered and often too focused on myself. I know you want me to have my eyes on you with the question in my heart of “how can I be your servant and show your love to others that are in need?” It pleases me that you have heard this from me. Keep your eyes open and I will show you who I would like you to serve and minister to on my behalf.

What will keep you going as you serve me? What hope and joyous expectation do you have in your heart to sustain you through trials that will be ahead of you? I know that no matter what happens I will live forever with you in the splendor of heaven. Yes, you will. Hold on to me. Allow my Holy Spirit to strengthen and sustain you as you follow and serve me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you that I will have a far better life and possessions in heaven with you. I will keep my eyes on you as I live for you in this life. Help me to stand together with fellow believers to encourage them as we face suffering and trials.  Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – Hebrews 10-32-34 – Better And Lasting Possessions – 4 Page Study Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Disciplines Those He Loves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Hebrews 12:5-6 - Disciplines Those He Loves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Hebrews 12:5-6 – Disciplines Those He Loves – Growing As Disciples

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”   Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV)

Disciplined

You’ve never liked to be disciplined very much have you? No, not really, who does? But, I have noticed that you are especially sensitive to discipline. How is that? When I have disciplined you, you have held wrong thoughts about it. Like what? For one, you have gotten discouraged and wanted to give up. You have felt life is too hard and that nobody else is experiencing what you are going through. Then there has reached a point where you have felt like you have had enough and have become defensive. That’s when it has become very difficult to teach you anything. Well, I’m sorry for all the wrong attitudes that I’ve held. I do want to be taught by you no matter how hard it might get. Are you saying that you will welcome my discipline into your life as you would a friend? I might not be quite ready to say something like that. I thought so. But, you do know that I want to be fully trained by you? Yes, I can see that. Do I really have to be glad about your discipline when it comes? Your attitude about my discipline is very important. You must not resist it. You must not take it lightly. You will need to trust me most of all. You do know that I love you? Yes, I do. You do know that I always have your best in mind? Yes, I do. When my discipline comes you will need to remember that I love you and I am training you as my child. Yes Lord, I will remember your love for me.

You have asked a lot from me. Yes, I have. You have asked me to bless your life. You have told me that you don’t want to miss out on anything that I have prepared for you, is that right? Yes, that’s right. Can you understand that many of my blessings will only come to you through my discipline? Not fully, but I will try to understand. I will definitely need your wisdom and help. Yes, you will and you will have it. There is something I want you to know right now. What’s that? You will not always understand my discipline.

My discipline may seem unpleasant at the time. Yes, I am well aware of these times. There is one thing that I want you to know for certain. What’s that? I will discipline you only because I love you. My discipline will help you to live your life fully for me. You have told me that you want your life to bear abundant fruit for my glory, haven’t you? Yes, I have. Much of the fruit that you will bear for me will come through how I have disciplined and trained you. Then, sign me up. What do you mean by that? Is there something that you want to say to me? Yes Lord, I will welcome your discipline into my life as a friend. Discipline, teach and train me however you see fit. Very good, I’m glad to hear you say that.

Lord, help me to welcome your discipline into my life. I know that you discipline me because you love me and desire something better for me. Help me to learn from your discipline so that I will live in ways that honor you. Amen

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

Identity – Hebrews 12-5-6 – Disciplines Those He Loves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Go On Your Way

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 4:14-15 - Go On Your Way - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 4:14-15 – Go On Your Way – Growing As Disciples

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. Proverbs 4:14-15 (NIV)

Path For You 

Be very careful where you set your feet. I have a path I want you to walk. Don’t look around and compare your path with the path of others.

You know that the path that I have for you is not the path of the wicked. Do not do what other evil people do. Do not justify your actions by what others have done to you. Do not give yourself permission to do something just because others are doing it. Don’t respond to others based on how they have treated you. Do you understand all that I am saying to you? Yes, you want to guide and direct my life. You want me to follow you. You want me to live the life you have called me to live. That life will look nothing like what evil people are doing. That path will be far away from the path of the wicked. Yes, it will.

There is more though that you understand, isn’t there? Yes, there is. Tell me what else you understand. I need to be on guard against more than just the path of the wicked. What do you have in your heart and mind? It is wicked to not follow you. I could do a lot of good deeds and nice things and still not be following you. How is that possible? I could be looking at what other good people are doing and assume that I should be doing exactly what they are doing in the same way that they are doing it. What’s the problem with that? That approach puts me in charge of all that I do based on what seems good to me as I observe what others are doing. Why is that a problem? You want me to follow you. You have a path and plan for my life. You want me to walk in and live out that plan. Yes, I do. For me to do something other than your plan is a sin that will cause me to miss out on all that you want to do in and through my life. Yes it is and yes it will.

So tell me what you must be on guard against? I must not live and walk on the path of evil. The evil path can look obviously evil or deceptively good. The only righteous path to walk is the one that you are leading me on. How will you know if you are on the right path with me? I will rely on you to guide my life. I will ask for your directions. I will have faith that you will guide me to what you ask of me. Yes, I will keep you on the path I have for you as you follow me. Of that I am absolutely certain. That’s very good that you have placed your faith and trust in me.

Lord, thank you for your word that keeps me from stepping near or walking on the path of the wicked. Guard my life according to your word so that I will walk straight on the path you have laid out for me as I follow and serve you. Amen

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

Proverbs 4-14-15 – Wisdom – Go On Your Way – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Have Called You Friends

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - John 15:13-15 - I Have Called You Friends - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – John 15:13-15 – I Have Called You Friends – Growing As Disciples

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:13-15 (NIV)

You Are My Friend

What have I done for you? How completely have I shown you that I love you? Could I have done anything more significant for you than to lay down my life for you? Does that not say it all to you? Yes Lord, it does. Your death on my behalf says it all. You laid down your life for my sins. I was living far away from you as your enemy. Yet, you were willing to make me your friend by dying for me on the cross. That is amazing love displayed in the fullest possible measure. No other gift could be more valuable. No other sacrifice could have been more costly. You gave all that you had for me. I am so grateful and thankful for you love and the new life you have given to me.

How can I express my gratitude to you? What will my thankfulness cause me to do? What desire rises in my heart to express my love to you? Those are very good questions. What answers come to your heart and mind? I want to live my life fully for you. Not because I should or must, although both of those would be true. But your love for me has caused me to love you. I can’t stop or limit this love. It is like a spring of fresh living water coming up and overflowing my soul. This love comes from you of that I am sure.

Out of this love in me comes a question. The question is, “What can I do for you today?” The desire of my heart is to know what you want and to do what you ask. I want to follow you and go wherever you lead me. Not the least bit reluctantly but with a joy filled heart because I love you.

The idea that you and I are friends is wonderful. I was happy to be called your servant because it is my joy to serve you. But to be your friend is beyond imagination. I want to shout, “the Lord and I are friends!” That thought needs to sink deeply into my heart and mind. Yes, it does. Will you help me to comprehend all that being your friend means? Yes, I most certainly will. I know that being your friend means that I will listen to you and do what you ask. Will you? Yes Lord, with a glad heart I will. Very good, as you continue to do so, our friendship will deepen. You will grow in your understanding of my will and ways. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, it is! Follow me where I lead you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for demonstrating your love to me by laying down your life for me. I will demonstrate my love for you by doing what you ask of me. It is my joy to follow you. Strengthen and show me how to live my life for you. Amen

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

Identity – John 15-13-15 – I Have Called You Friends – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Be Even More Fruitful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - John 15:1-2 - Be Even More Fruitful - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – John 15:1-2 – Be Even More Fruitful – Growing As Disciples

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2 (NIV) 

Pruning

Pruning, now that’s a word that doesn’t sound too inviting. I’m not sure that I like the sound of that at all. Couldn’t you do some rearranging? How about some minor modifications or maybe even some tweaks or adjustments? You still do have a sense of humor. Well, pruning sounds painful. I’m not a big fan of enduring pain. I thought you liked pain. Now, you’re the one with the sense of humor. For the record I don’t like pain. I don’t even like mild discomfort. Please don’t tell me your pruning is going to cause me mild discomfort. I would never do that. Great, I’m glad to hear that. No, pruning might cause you some serious real attention getting pain. Ouch, I did not want to hear that. It’s the truth. Maybe, I can’t handle the truth. Why do I have to go through the pain of pruning? That is a very good question.

You have told me that you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You have said that you want to bring glory to my name. Am I right about this? Yes, I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Yes, I want to bring glory to your name. You have also said that you want to be a bright and shining light for me in this world. Yes, I want to shine brightly for you in this dark world. I have said all these things. You have asked me to help you to bear an abundance of fruit for me. You have asked me to help you to bring glory to my name. You have asked me to help you to shine brightly as my witness in the world. Have I not heard these prayers from you? Yes, you have heard these prayers from me. You have repeatedly prayed these prayers with quite a bit of passion, isn’t that correct? Yes, that is correct. Do you expect that I will hear and answer all of these prayers of yours? Yes, I believe that you will hear and answer these prayers of mine. These prayers are the desire of my heart. I believe it is you that has both given and will grant these desires of my heart. Yes, you are absolutely right. I have given and will grant the answers to these heart felt prayers of yours.

I can see where this is headed. Tell me, what do you see? Do I have too? There is that sense of humor of yours again. Yes, tell me. Pruning is your answer to my prayers. You want me to bear an abundance of fruit, bring glory to your name, and shine like a bright light for you in world. Yes, I do. Your pruning is your way to help me to bear an abundance of fruit, bring glory to your name and shine brightly in the world for you. Yes, it is. Will you allow me to prune your life? Yes, I will.

Heavenly Father, I give you permission to prune my life so that I can bear even more fruit for you. Don’t hesitate to do whatever is necessary to make me more fruitful for you. I love you and want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. Amen

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

So That – John 15-1-2 – Be Even More Fruitful – 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Ignore It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 8:32-35 - Do Not Ignore It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 8:32-35 – Do Not Ignore It – Growing As Disciples

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 8:32-35 (NIV)

Waiting For Instructions 

Make sure that you are listening to me. Don’t hurriedly rush off in a direction without thinking and without bothering to listen to me. You have an impulsive nature that has gotten you into trouble and difficulty many times before. Yes, I know. Take your time, slow down, wait and listen to me. Don’t be in a hurry. Do you know why this is so important? Yes, I think that I do. Hurry will hinder my ability to hear you. When I don’t wait and listen for your instructions I’m most likely to go running off in my own direction instead of choosing to walk in your ways. Yes, and a key word that you used there was walk. When has my way included an impulsive sprint on your part? Probably never, I guess. There is only one thing that I want you to be quick about. What’s that? I want you to be quick to listen to me. I want you to be quick to wait for my instructions.

You have been asking for wisdom from me, have you not? Yes, I have. You will only be able to receive wisdom from me by watching, waiting, and listening for it. There are two words that go together like a hand in a glove. What are they? They are waiting and wisdom. If you want wisdom from me you must wait for it. How hard will that be for you? It sounds like it should be pretty easy. Has it been easy for you? No, I have never liked waiting. Yes, I have seen that in you. You like constant motion. You would rather be on the go than having to wait. What will wanting wisdom require from you? It will require me to learn to wait. Yes, it will. Have you noticed that I have been giving you an in depth course in waiting? Yes, I have. How have you liked it? Not much at all. Have you enjoyed the fruit of waiting? What do you mean by that? Has your life been blessed as you have waited with me? Yes it has. How has it been blessed? As I have waited with you I have been able to know your will and walk in your ways. I have been able to make good decisions and choose what you wanted me to choose. Yes, that’s right. I have felt your favor and blessing in my life. Is there anything you haven’t enjoyed about that? No, there isn’t. Once I have stopped running and slowed down it has been a joy and delight to wait in your presence. So, maybe it’s just the idea of waiting that you haven’t liked. I suppose so. Isn’t waiting a lot better than wasting a lot of time running off in the wrong direction? Yes, it certainly is. I dislike that far more than waiting in the first place. I will wait and watch and listen for your instructions. I will take great delight in being in your presence. I’m glad to hear that.      

Lord, I can’t tell you how many times I have impulsively run off in my own direction. I thought I had all the wisdom I needed to make a wise decision. Wrong again. Forgive me. Help me now to wait and listen to your instructions. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 8-32-35 – Do Not Ignore It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 - Since This Is Your Heart's Desire - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 – Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire – Growing As Disciples

God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (NIV)

One Request

If there were one thing that you could ask for, what would it be? If you were certain that I would grant your one request, what would you want? I know what that request would be without hesitation. You do? Tell me what is the desire of your heart? That’s exactly where my request comes from. I want and desire to love you with all my heart all the days of my life. Do you think that is something that I can grant and make happen? Yes, I do without a doubt. Why do you say that? I know that I love you because you first loved me. It is your love that drew me to you. Your love for me fanned the flames of my love for you. Yes, it did and you believe that I can keep fanning the flames of your love for me? Yes, I do. Why do you think so? As I draw near to you I see your goodness, kindness, mercy and love toward me. Your love feeds and sustains my life. Your love gives me peace, hope and joy. There is no place that I would rather be than in your presence and living in your love. Your love keeps drawing me to you. You lavish me with your love. Your love leaves me wanting to know you. Your love leaves me wanting to follow and obey you. Your love leaves me wanting to serve you with all my being and strength. Your love is changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your love is molding and shaping my life and making me into the person you always wanted and planned for me to be. My response to your love can only and always be to love you with the same love that you have given to me.

So, I am absolutely certain of the request I want to make from you. I am just as certain that you will hear and answer this request and for that I am so thankful. Yes, I heard this request of yours. It is the very best request. I am pleased to hear and pleased to answer this request of yours.

Do you know why your request is the best one you could have made? Yes, I do. Tell me why. Everything you have done and want to do in my life flows through your love for me and my love for you. Your love gives to me what you want me to have. My love for you makes me able to receive what you want me to have as a gift from you. Yes, it does. Consider your request already granted now and forever more. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, knowing and loving you is the desire of my heart. If I could know and love you deeply that would be enough for me. That is my prayer and the request of my heart. I want to know you and live in your love now and forever. Amen

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

Wisdom – 2 Chronicles 1-11-12 – Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire – 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

Open His Eyes

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - 2 Kings 6:17 - Open His Eyes - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – 2 Kings 6:17 – Open His Eyes – Growing As Disciples

And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)

Look Up

You’re missing quite a bit. What do you mean by that? Life is racing by and you are very busy. Yes, I am. There is a lot you are missing. There is a lot you fail to realize. What do you have in mind? I want you to slow down and take a greater notice of what I am doing in and through your life. I would like to do that. Is there something specific you are asking? Yes, there is.

What have you seen or understood only because you came to me in prayer and we talked about it? Every time I come to you in prayer I know your love more intimately and personally. I can see that your hand is on me. You are guarding and guiding my life. In prayerfully reading your word, you are transforming my mind and guarding my heart. Yes, I am. You are giving and granting me new desires in my heart. I am experiencing new joy and peace in your presence that I have never known before.

When you let your busy life and your surroundings grab your attention, what happens? I loose sight of the fact that you are with me to help me. I start to think that I am all alone to fight the battles of life. Then what? Then worry and fear begin to take a hold of me. What is the result of that? Worry and fear have held me back from going where you want me to go. I have believed that I couldn’t do what you have asked me to do. Yes, and where has your focus turned to then? My focus has turned to myself. What do you see then? I see only my own weakness. What do you think I really want you to see? I think you want me to see you. You want me to rely on your power and strength to help me. You want me to know that I am not all alone in the battles of life. You are with me. Your hand is on me. You are surrounding me with help on every side. Yes, I am.

How will you be able to keep your focus on me and see the help I want to give to you? I know that you will keep showing yourself to me as I meet with you in prayer. Yes, I will. Let me ask you something. Go ahead. Why would you ever stop praying? What do you mean? Can’t you have set times of prayer with me that continue on and are ongoing throughout your day? Yes, I suppose that I can. That is what I want to grow and develop within you. I want to teach you how to keep your eyes on me by praying throughout your day. Then I won’t fail to notice what you want to show me. I will look up and see that you are with me to help me. Yes, you will.

Lord, so often I have looked at battles with the eyes of fear, doubt and worry. I have looked at myself and the size of the battle and thought I was headed toward defeat. But, you have been with me to help me. Help me trust and rely on your help at all times. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – 2 Kings 6-17 – Open His Eyes – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

You Were Called

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - 1 Peter 3:9 - You Were Called - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – 1 Peter 3:9 – You Were Called – Growing As Disciples

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)  

Be A Blessing

I have a calling on your life. My calling will define both who you are and all that you do. My calling will change your heart and transform your mind. You will not think, feel and act as you once did. How will I think, feel, and act because of your calling on my life? Once you simply reacted to however you were treated by others. You were no different than anyone else in the world. You traded evil for evil and insult for insult. But, that is not what I have called you to be. That is not what I have called you to do.

Who have you called me to be? What have you called me to do? I have called you to be mine. I have called you to do what I have done. What is that? You tell me, how did I respond to others when I was mistreated? What did I do in response to my adversaries? Did I trade evil for evil and insult for insult? No, you did not. You loved even those who launched evil and hurled insults against you. Yes, I did.

Why do you think I was willing to love and bless my enemies? You had a different perspective and purpose. Yes, I did. Tell me what you think my different perspective and purpose was. You weren’t looking at your adversaries from a personal and earthly perspective. You did not take offense at their evil insults. You reacted to evil with your goodness. You responded to insults with blessing. You did the opposite of what would be expected. Yes, I did and why was that? You wanted to draw people to you rather than push them away from you. You wanted to win the hearts of those who were filled with evil and insults. Yes, I did.

Will you ever be a witness for me if you selfishly react to evil and insults? No, I will just turn people away from you and me. Do you want to live the life I have for you? Do you want me to bless your life? Yes Lord, I do. Then, right now, I am asking you to be and do one thing. Just one thing? Yes, one thing. What’s that? Be my blessing to others in this world. Will you allow me to make you into a blessing that draws others to me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have often traded evil with evil and insult for insult. Forgive me. Help me to live out my calling to pray for and bless the lives of others. Use me as your witness in the world as I give out and receive blessings from you. Amen

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

 Blessing – 1 Peter 3-9 – You Were Called – 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