Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 6:18-20 - Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 6:18-20 – Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel – Growing As Disciples

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)

Fearlessly 

Now that’s a word that has your attention. What’s that? Oh, you don’t know what I’m talking about? I suppose that I do know what you are talking about. You’re asking me about that word fearlessly. Yes, that’s right. You would like to minister to others without fear, wouldn’t you? You would like to proclaim the Gospel without any anxiety or apprehensions, isn’t that right? Yes, that’s right. If you had absolutely no fear would you rely on me? If you were completely without any anxiety would you ask me for my help? Those are great questions. You don’t even have to think about those questions. You know the answers without any hesitation, isn’t that right? Yes, I’m pretty sure that if I had no fear, anxiety or apprehensions I would most likely rely on myself and not on you. Is there any doubt in your mind? No, there is no doubt in my mind.

You have tried mightily to avoid fear, anxiety and apprehension when you have served me. You have looked for and chosen relatively easy assignments. Yes, I have done that. Have you found easy assignments that cause you no fear, anxiety or apprehension to be immensely fruitful and highly rewarding? No, not really. No, not at all.  Assignments that have no challenge are bland, mundane and boring. I am weary of doing very little and accomplishing even less. Do you think that it has been my will for you to choose bland, mundane and boring assignments? No, I don’t think so. What do you think my assignments for you might look like? I’m pretty sure that your assignments will ask me for more than I can handle. Your assignments will no doubt stretch me beyond my abilities. What you give me to do will cause me to cry out to you in prayer to ask you for your help. Yes, It will. You will give me all that I need to do what you have given me to do. Yes, I will. But, you will only give it to me, as I ask you for it, at the time that I need it. Why is that? You want me to rely on you. You want my faith in you to grow. You want me to come to you in prayer to ask you for all that I need. Yes, I do. Is that it? Can you think of any more reasons why I want you to come to me to ask me for what you need? You want me to live in a relationship with you. You want me to know that you really are working in and though my life. Yes, I do. Would you want it any other way? No, I would not. 

Lord, thank you that you have given me all I need to minister to those in need. Help me to be alert and constantly ready to pray for the needs of others. Open my mouth and give me your words to enable me to fearlessly proclaim the Gospel. Amen

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

So That – Ephesians 6-18-20 – Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel – 4 Page -Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

In Your Hearts Toward God

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - In Your Hearts Toward God - Colossians 3:16 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – In Your Hearts Toward God – Colossians 3:16 – Growing As Disciples

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV

Filled With Gratitude

What do you think will happen if you let my word dwell in you richly? Do you know what I mean when I say the word, “dwell”? Yes, I do. It means to let your word really make its home in my life. Yes, that’s right. How about that word, “richly” what do you think that might look like in your life? If your word is really dwelling richly in my life then all my thoughts, words, and actions will be guided by your word. How do you think that might begin to happen? First of all I know that a meager diet of your word is not what you have in mind. I cannot expect your word to dwell in me richly if I only hear it now and then and here and there or once in awhile. That amount of your word is like a little nibble that will not feed and sustain the kind of life you want me to live with and for you. No, it will not.

Does it seem to you that you are faced with a choice? Yes, it does. Tell me what you think the choice is that you are being asked to make. Will I really let your word dwell in me richly? That is the question that I need to answer by making a choice. Yes, you are correct. How are you going to answer that question? There is nothing I would rather have than your word dwelling in me richly. That is a very good answer. Now comes the real test. What’s that? You can’t say yes and take no action. If you want my word to dwell in you richly then you will have to set aside time to be with me in my word so that it will really dwell in you richly. The time you set aside to be with me in my word will just be the beginning of my word dwelling in you richly. What do you mean by that?

When my word is really dwelling in you richly, it will never leave you. My word will be in your heart and on your mind all the time. My word will make you wise and able to teach others. My word will put songs of praise on your lips that you will want to sing to me. Your life will be filled with joy because you will know me and my word. I will speak to you and guide your life by my word. You will come to me with your heart filled with gratitude for how I have changed your heart, mind and life by my word. Yes Lord that is exactly what I want.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to let your word dwell in me richly. Thank you that you are changing my heart and transforming my mind with your word. Your word has put songs of praise and gratitude on my lips. Amen

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

Gratitude – Colossians 3-16 – In Your Hearts To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Called According To His Purpose

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Called According To His Purpose - Romans 8:28 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Called According To His Purpose – Romans 8:28 – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Willing to Wait

Tell me what you think that you know for sure. I know that you love me and I love you. We have had this relationship for along time. Once I was very far away from you and you rescued me from a life without you. You called me out of darkness to a new life of following you. Over the years I have never stopped following you. At many times and in many places I have stepped off the path a little bit and wandered where I shouldn’t. These wanderings often caused me pain and deep regret. Somehow you were able to train me. Now, you have placed this incredible desire in me for more. I want more of you. I want to clearly hear your voice of direction and joyfully follow without question. I want to be powerfully used by you so that I can bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. Right now, it seems like I am in a time of preparation as I draw near to you. I am watching and waiting. How do you want to use me? Where do you want to use me? Just point me in the right direction. Give me an assignment and I will engage fully in whatever you ask me to do. 

What if I am asking you to wait? Can you do that? Yes, I suppose I can. But you don’t like it, do you? No not at all. Why is that? Sometimes it’s hard to know if I’m in a period of trust filled waiting or if I have been set aside. In these moments of doubt, I feel invisible, unusable, and rejected. Where do you think those thoughts come from? Not from you, that’s for sure. That’s right, they certainly don’t.

What has happened to you in these times of trust filled waiting and preparation? You have caused me to rely on you more whole-heartedly. Through them, my faith and trust has grown. You have made me stronger as I have depended on you. My desire for you has been set on fire. You have been overflowing my life with your goodness. Never before have I felt like I have so much to say about how good it is to love and follow you. At times, I have felt like I am going to explode with your love. I feel so full. 

What’s the problem then? I guess I’m more than a little impatient. That’s not really a guess, is it? No, it’s not. Do you trust that I have a purpose and plan for your life? Yes, I do. Do you think there is any chance that I will let my purpose and plan for you to go unfulfilled? No, I don’t. Do you believe that I am in control and that my time is just right? Yes, I do. Since you believe these things, what are you willing to do? I am willing to wait. Good, that’s exactly what I want you to do. Wait with me and for me. I am preparing you for my use. I will fulfill these desires of your heart in my way and in my timing. Which will be just right, of that you can be absolutely sure.

 Father, forgive my impatience and doubt. I do trust you. I will wait for your purposes and plans to unfold in my life. Use all my life experiences, both good and bad, for your kingdom and glory according to your purposes and plans.  Amen

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

Identity – Romans 8-28 – Called According To His Purpose – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Alive To God In Christ Jesus

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Romans 6:11 - Alive To God In Christ Jesus -  Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Romans 6:11 – Alive To God In Christ Jesus –  Growing As Disciples

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Romans 6:11 (NIV)

Count

Count, now that is a very important word. Why is that? I’m going to let you answer that question. I want you to think deeply about your answer. I think you are giving me a clue. Yes, I am. Counting on something relates to what I believe. Yes, it does. What I believe will determine all my thoughts, words and actions. Yes, it will. So, I should be very careful about how I count in life. If I don’t count properly my life will not add up to all that you have prepared for me. Incorrect counting will prevent me from living the life that you have called me to live. Yes, it will.

Let’s talk more about counting. What do you count as true? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you count my word and what I say to you as being true? Yes, I certainly count your word as being completely reliable and true. Do you believe that all my promises are true? Yes, I do. What do you count as true when my word and your experience don’t seem to match? Can you give me some examples? Sure, I can. My word says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” does it not? Yes, it does. You know where this is headed don’t you? Yes, I do. There have been plenty of times that I have looked at all my gifts, talents and abilities and then told you there was no way that I could do what you were asking me to do. What does that sound like to you? It sounds like incorrect counting. Good answer. I have made the mistake of counting on myself rather than counting on you. Yes, you have. Would you like another example of incorrect counting? Yes, I would. My word says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Can you tell me where this is headed? Yes, I can. Go right ahead. I have been quite a worrier. That sounds like an understatement. I have been a tremendous worrier. That’s more like it. Is your worrying a good example of incorrect counting? Yes, I have counted on myself to get me through trials in life. The more I have relied on myself, the more I have worried. You want me to count on you by turning every worry of mine into a prayer to you. Yes, I do. By now I should be a tremendous prayer based on how many worries I could have turned into prayers. Now, that’s a thought.

Let’s talk about your counting yourself as being dead to sin and alive to me. Why is it so important for you to believe that you are dead to sin and alive to me? You died on the cross for my sins. Yes, I did. You broke the power that sin had on my life. Yes, I did. You set me free from sin so I could live a new life in you. Yes, I did. You made me alive to you. Yes, I did. You want me to live out in my experience all that you have done for me. Yes, I do. If I don’t believe or correctly count on all that you have done for me then I will not be able to live a life that is dead to sin and alive to you. No, you will not. But, I do believe and I am counting on you. I do know that you have made me alive to you and dead to sin. Yes, I know. I am and will continue to offer myself up to you as an instrument of righteous that you can use. I am counting on you using me for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, you are and you can count on me to do that in and through your life.

Lord, thank you that you have made me dead to sin. Sin has no power over me. Thank you that you have made me alive to you. I will continually offer myself to you as an instrument of righteousness you can use for your glory. Amen

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

Life – Romans 6:11 – Alive To God In Christ Jesus – Growing As Disciples – 4 Page Devotional Discipleship Study Guide

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

Given Me Strength

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Given Me Strength - 1 Timothy 1:12 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Given Me Strength – 1 Timothy 1:12 – Growing As Disciples

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

Appointing Me

So you think that you have been set aside? In your mind you are on the shelf and unable to be used by me? Your weakness and failures have made you damaged goods that I can’t or won’t use again, is that what you think? That’s about right. About right? No, exactly right.

Is that really the way that you think that I operate? Is there no forgiveness? Is there no restoration? Who could ever live up to such a standard? It’s a sin to even think that you or anyone could live a sinless life. You are a sinner. You have sinned. You will sin again. Yes, I know that for certain. Everyone else is also a sinner that has sinned and will sin again. There is no forgiveness, cleansing and restoration from sin apart from my Son who bled and died on the cross for you. Yes and for that I am eternally grateful and thankful.

So what’s this business about you being on the shelf and unusable to me? Where do you think that idea came from? I will give you a clue. It does not come from me. Is my Son’s death on the cross so weak and powerless that He can’t restore you to serve me in ministry? No, certainly not. No, certainly not what?

Your son, Jesus Christ who bled and died on the cross for me has forgiven and cleansed me of all my sins. Yes, He has!

Your son, Jesus Christ has made me able to serve you. He has given me His strength and appointed me into His service. Yes, He has!

Your son, Jesus Christ will help me to be faithful to serve you and bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, He will!

The idea that I am on the shelf, have been set aside or am unusable by you comes from the devil and not from you. Yes, that’s the truth!

It is your desire to use me. You have given me a ministry. I am your son. You love me. Your hand of blessing is on my life. I have found favor in your sight. You will bear an abundance of fruit in and through my life. Now you are believing and speaking the truth!

I give thanks to you Lord Jesus Christ for calling me and appointing me into your service.

Lord, I thought that I was set aside, on the shelf and unable to be used by you. I now know that was a lie from the devil. You have forgiven, cleansed and restored me. Thank you for calling and appointing me into your service. Amen

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

Gratitude – 1 Timothy 1-12 – Given Me Strength – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A Quiet Life

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 - A Quiet Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – A Quiet Life – Growing As Disciples

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Win Respect

You didn’t ever expect to hear me say that did you? What’s that? Mind your own business. Yes, that does sound a little strange to hear you say that I need to mind my own business. Let me ask you a question. Go right ahead. How has it worked out when you have stuck your nose into other people’s business? I’m not sure how to answer that question. Well, have people welcomed you into their lives for you to offer your opinions regarding something that was clearly their business? No, they haven’t done that. Have you gotten a pretty strong and negative response whenever you have inserted yourself into the business of others? Yes, I have. Will you ever be able to lead a quiet and peaceful life if you don’t mind your own business? No, I wont. So, what is strange about what I am saying to you? I thought you wanted me to be involved in the lives of other people.

Yes, I want you to be involved in the lives of other people. Are you thinking that you have a choice of either inserting yourself into other people’s business or becoming completely uninvolved in other people’s lives? Maybe. That’s why you thought my saying; “mind your own business” was strange? Yes, it was. Saying, “mind your own business” is not the same as saying, “keep to yourself”. I would never tell you to, “keep to yourself.” That’s what I thought.

How do you think I want you to be involved in the lives of other people? I’m sure that you want me to live my life in a way that is an example to them. How so? You want me to work hard in the work that you have given me to do for you. You don’t want me to be idle and lazy. No, I do not. You want me to work hard in my job so that I can provide for the needs of my family. Yes, I do.

There are many other ways that I want you to live your life as an example to others. What are they? We will talk much more about that in the future. But, what do you think will happen when you live your life as an example to others? I will earn their respect. Yes, you will and what else? They might ask me for help. There is no might about that. You can be certain that when you earn others respect they will come to you and ask you for help. Then you will not be sticking your nose into other people’s business because they will have asked you for help. What will I do then? Then you will do whatever I have given you the opportunity to do for them. At that time and in those moments ask for my help. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. Then, I will show you how you can serve the people whose respect you have won by being my example and witness to them.

Lord, thank you for giving me work to do. I will mind my own business and quietly and peacefully work hard at the work you have given to me. Use my hard work as a witness for you so I will be able to win the respect of others. Amen

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

Life – 1 Thessalonians 4-11-12 – A Quiet Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

His Own Evil Desire

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Temptation - James 1:13-15 - Evil Desire - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Temptation – James 1:13-15 – Evil Desire – Growing As Disciples

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 (NIV)

Desire

You are too close. I am too close to what? You are way too close to what feeds evil desires within you. I’m not sure what you mean by that. How are you most likely to be tempted? Where and when and how are you most vulnerable to temptations? You want me to be aware of my vulnerabilities? Yes, I do. You want me to think about where and when and how I am most likely to be tempted? You got that right. How often have you been tempted by something that was completely unexpected? Not very often. Isn’t it true that most of the time you can predict when, where and how you will be tempted? Yes, that is true. You also know your vulnerabilities quite well, isn’t that true? Yes, that is also true. So, you know exactly what I mean when I say that you are way too close to what feeds evil desires within you. Yes, I guess that I do. You guess? No, I know exactly what you have in mind. What are you going to do about you being too close to what feeds evil desires in you? First, I will need to take a detailed inventory of what I am allowing myself to be close to that is feeding evil desires within me. Then, I will separate myself from anything that is feeding evil desires within me. I will put anything that is feeding evil desires within me on a famine diet. That will be good.

You are not close enough. I am not close enough to what? You are not close enough to what feeds righteous desires within you. I’m not sure what you mean by that. What will strengthen you against temptation? What will make you able to stand against temptation? What have I given you to help you to live the righteous life that I have called you to live? What will fight in you, with you and for you as you face temptations? You have given me your word. Your word will strengthen me again against temptation. Your word will make me able to stand against temptation. Your word will help me to live the righteous life that you have called me to live. Your word will fight in me, with me and for me as I face temptation. That’s right. As you starve what feeds evil desires in you, will you feast on my word that will feed righteous desires in you? Will you resist evil and draw near to me? Yes, Lord, I will. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free to live your life for me. I will make you able to stand against evil. That is exactly what I want.

Lord, I know I cannot stand against temptations to sin with my own strength. I need you to use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so I will have your desire and strength to resist temptations to sin. Do your work in me. I am relying on you. Amen

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

Temptation – James 1-13-15 – His Own Evil Desire – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Turn From It

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Walk - Proverbs 4:14-15 - Turn From It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Walk – Proverbs 4:14-15 – Turn From It – 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)

Your Path 

Keep a careful watch over where you walk. Guard all that you think, say and do. Evil is just around the corner. Don’t go near it. Keep away from it. Don’t take one step towards it. Turn away from it. Avoid people, places and circumstances that are likely to tempt you to participate in evil. That is easier said than done. That’s right. That is exactly why you need to be vigilant. You need to be watchful. You need to be on guard. I get it. 

You know what is likely to tempt you. You know your own weaknesses. Don’t linger where you must not be. Don’t consider what you must not do. Don’t be lured into thinking, saying or doing what you will regret. I will need your help. I don’t think that I will always be able to stay on the path with my own power and strength. I am weak. I am prone to wander. I will need your help. You are right and that is a very good thing to acknowledge. When you turn away from evil you must turn to me. Ask me for my help. You will need to rely on me. You will need to follow me to where I lead you. You will need to do all that I ask of you.

How will help me? How will you make me able to follow and obey you? That is a very good question. I will change your heart. I will transform your mind. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. Let my word dwell in you richly.  At one time you were drawn to evil. Evil were the desires of your heart. Now you are being drawn to me. Doing what is pleasing to me is the desire of your heart. At one time your thoughts were set on evil. Evil were the thoughts that were in your mind. Now you are thinking my thoughts. You are wanting to walk in my ways. In every way you want to live your life with and for me. You are wanting to live the life that I have called you to live. Isn’t that true? Yes, Lord, that is true. Follow me on the path of life. Keep your heart and mind and eyes on me. Yes, Lord, I will. I will turn away from evil and follow you. That will be every good.

Lord, I will not set even my first foot on the path of evil. I will turn from it and run to you. Guard and protect my heart and mind. Give me your power and strength. Take my hand and lead me on your path. I want to walk closely with you every single day of my life. Amen 

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

Walk – Proverbs 4-14-15 – Turn From It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

United With Christ

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Philippians 2:1-4 - United With Christ- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Philippians 2:1-4 – United With Christ- Growing As Disciples

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV) 

Like Minded 

You have had a strong and independent streak in you. You have had your own ideas and done your own thing. You have thought that you knew it all and needed no help from others. Many times you have been driven by selfish ambition and vain conceit. Haven’t you even thought that you were a little better than everyone else? All of what you have said is true. You know me better than I know myself. There is nothing that I can hide from you. I know that you are no longer any of these things. What has happened to you? 

I have been humbled. The pride of my ways caught up with me. My pride led me down a path that left me bruised and battered by life. My own ideas and my own ways were not working. I discovered that I did not know it all. I clearly saw that I needed all the help I could get. I cried out to you for help. You rescued me from my darkness. You forgave me of my sin and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You filled me with your Spirit and set me on the path of life. I have been following you ever since. That’s right. Say more about the changes that I have brought in your life.

I am so thankful for all that you have done for me. You have comforted me with your love. You have encouraged me as I have walked with you. You have changed my hard heart and filled me with your tenderhearted compassion for others. I no longer want to live for myself. I no longer want to pursue selfish ambitions. I am no longer driven by vain conceit. Instead, I want to serve you and the people that you bring into my life. I no longer consider myself better than others. I am now looking out for the interests of others. I’m not doing all this perfectly that’s for sure. But, you have changed the entire direction of my life. My self-centered independent streak is gone. Well, mostly gone. I have great joy in working together with fellow believers. I want to live in unity with them. I want to join together in your work with fellow believers with a like-minded passion to fulfill your purposes. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Would you say that I have done a miracle in your life? Yes Lord, you have done a miracle in my life. That’s very good.

Lord, thank you for uniting me with you and filling me with your Spirit. You have encouraged me and comforted me with your love. You have filled me with tenderhearted compassion. Help me to live in like-minded singleness of purpose with fellow believers. Amen

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

If – Philippians 2-1-4 – United With Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Failing To Pray For You

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - 1 Samuel 12:23 - Failing To Pray For You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – 1 Samuel 12:23 – Failing To Pray For You – Growing As Disciples

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23 (NIV)

Start Praying

Do you want me to teach you how to pray? Do you have a passionate desire to learn how to pray? Will you do what is necessary so that you can learn how to become a person of prayer? What is necessary for me to learn how to become a person of prayer? That is a great question. What do you think is the answer to your question? To learn how to pray I must begin praying. If I want you to teach me how to pray, I will come to meet with you in prayer. That’s right. If I have a passionate desire to learn how to pray I will keep on meeting with you in prayer. My training in prayer will come minute by minute, day by day, month by month and year by year. If I want to become a person of prayer I will never give up. I will never quit. I will keep on moving forward with you. Staying with you in the classroom of prayer will determine if I will ever become a person of prayer. There is no quick and easy way to become a person of prayer. That’s right. 

Do you want to be faithful in prayer? Will you keep on praying the prayers that you have been given to pray? Will you pray until your prayers have been heard and answered? Yes, I want to be faithful in prayer. Yes, I will pray prayers that I have been given to pray. Yes, I will pray prayers until they are heard and answered. Your questions do overwhelm me. I have answered each one of them largely with a heart filled with faith. But, I’ve got to tell you, I have no idea of where to begin. You want to know how to start praying? Yes, I do. That’s a fair question, with an easy answer. Pick a time and a place every day to meet with me in prayer. Does that sound easy enough? Yes, it does. Don’t be fooled. Your hardest challenge, at first, will be to start and then remain faithful to meet daily with me to pray. Do you have a special time and place for us to meet daily in prayer? Yes, I do. How about right here, right now? Will this work for you, day in and day out? Yes, it will. This will be great.

So, what are your first prayers? I want to thank you for inviting me to pray. I want to thank you for being my teacher. I want to thank you for inviting me into your prayer classroom. I want to thank you for giving me prayers to pray. I want to thank you in advance for helping me to be faithful in prayer. I will prayer the prayers you give me to pray. I will keep on praying with the power and strength that you give to me. I will learn all that you want to teach me, as I continue to meet with you in prayer. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to be a person of prayer. Give me the desire to pray. Teach me to pray. Show me who and what to pray for. Help me to never give up in spite of circumstances I might see. Help me to pray through until I have an answer from you. Let’s start now. Amen

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

Prayer – 1 Samuel 12-23 – Failing To Pray For You – 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.

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