Monthly Archives: April 2021

Nature Of A Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Nature Of A Servant - Philippians 2:5-8 Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Nature Of A Servant – Philippians 2:5-8 Growing As Disciples

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Your Attitude

Oops. What do you mean by oops? I haven’t gotten this right. Tell me about it. I like to be the center of attention. I like to be the most important person in the room. So often, I think so much about myself and my thoughts that I can’t even hear what another person is saying. It’s like their lips are moving but no words are coming out. It’s hard to admit it, but on some level I must feel that I am more interesting than other people. It disgusts me to hear myself even say those words. How could I be so blind to my own pride? Who do I think that I am to secretly harbor such attitudes? My attitude really discourages me. What are you going to do about it? Realizing your self-centeredness is a really good place to be, don’t you think? Yes, but I do want to move on from here and make some changes in my life. Like what?

First of all I want to confess this sin of self-centeredness to you. I know that it is just the opposite of the attitude that you want me to have. How do you know that? You gave me a pretty good and clear example to follow. What example do you see in me? You had the right to every honor. You had the right to be treated with the highest respect. Yes, and you did not claim any rights. Instead you took on the form of a servant. You could have demanded to be served, but no, you chose to obediently serve others even to the point of suffering death on the cross. What do you suppose motivated my service? I think you were motivated by love for your Father and love for us. Yes, that is exactly right. Do you believe that I can change you and grow this same kind of love within you? Yes, I do.

You mentioned that you wanted to make some changes in your life. Yes, I did. That’s a good desire to have. I know that you want to be like me. I know that you want to serve me and others. Yes I do, that’s right. Do you really think that you are the one who can make these changes in your life? What do you mean? Do you really think you can develop a servant’s heart by your own efforts? I have been trying. How has your trying been working out? Not too well. I’ve mostly become just more aware of my failures. That’s left you discouraged and wanting to give up, hasn’t it? Yes, it has.

Would you like to take a different approach? Like what? Why don’t you try asking me to change you and give you a servant’s heart? You would do that for me? What do you think? I think I just asked a dumb question. I know that you will hear and answer my prayer asking for a servant’s heart. Very good, go ahead and ask me right now.

Lord, I want to have the same attitude that you had. You gave yourself fully. You laid down your life. Help me to humbly serve you and others however you desire and direct me. I am your servant. Use me however you see fit.  Amen

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

Identity – Philippians 2-5-8 – Nature Of A Servant – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Comes From Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 3:17-18 - Comes From Heaven - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 3:17-18 – Comes From Heaven – Growing As Disciples

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 (NIV) 

A Greater Victory

What do you think real wisdom that comes from me looks like? I’m not sure. I think you have a pretty good idea. Tell me what you once thought real wisdom looked like? What I once thought is now a little embarrassing to say out loud. Go ahead anyhow. I once thought that wisdom would empower me to win every argument and confound my opponents in every debate. The wisdom I wanted would leave my opponents speechless with nothing to say except that I was completely correct. That’s pretty funny, isn’t it? I suppose so. I would have used the word pathetic instead of funny. What does that wisdom sound like to you now? It sounds a lot more like pride than wisdom. Yes, it does.

What have you learned about your desire to win every argument and debate? The desire to win is not wise. I could win every argument and debate and have no one that would want to be my friend. That kind of wisdom is very unattractive and unappealing. Who wants to be around someone that is always right? 

Your wisdom is just the opposite. How so? Your wisdom is filled with humility. It doesn’t overpower or force itself on anyone. It is gentle and attractive and appealing. It stands out as dramatically different than the wisdom of the world. Yes, it does. Your wisdom goes out of its way to be helpful to others. It does not serve itself. No, it does not. Instead of always wanting to win, your wisdom is willing to suffer wrong. Why is that? You are more interested in winning the hearts of men and women than you are in winning the popular arguments of the day. Yes, I am. Have you ever won arguments and lost people? Yes, I have. Now I know that I would rather love and serve people than conquer them with my wise debating skills.

I now know that your wisdom sows peace in this world. Why is that? The goal of your wisdom isn’t to win as the world considers winning. No, it is not. Your wisdom seeks a greater victory. Yes, it does. Tell me what is that victory? You desire a harvest of righteousness. Yes, I do. Your wisdom is meant to draw men and women to you so that they will follow you as their Savior and Lord. Yes, that is the goal of my wisdom. Is this the kind of wisdom you desire? Yes Lord, it is. Will you allow me to use you to plant and reap a harvest of righteousness in this world? Yes Lord, I will.

Heavenly Father, I have tried to live by the wisdom that comes from this world long enough. It doesn’t help and makes matters worse. I ask for your wisdom that comes from heaven, to guide all my thoughts, words, and actions. Amen

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

Wisdom – James 3-17-18 – Comes From Heaven – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Am Carrying On A Great Project

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Discipleship Study - Identity - I Am Carrying On A Great Project- Nehemiah 6:3 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Identity – I Am Carrying On A Great Project – Nehemiah 6:3 – Growing As Disciples

so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”   Nehemiah 6:3 (NIV)

Focus

You already know what I am going to say to you, don’t you? I doubt it. Your thoughts are so much higher than mine. How could I possibly know what you are going to say to me? What I want to say to you is not new to you. I have been trying to get your attention on this topic for quite some time. I have used so many others and different ways to try to speak to you about this. Just now it’s coming into focus for you. What’s that? You need to tell me. I’m not sure exactly what you mean, but you have my full attention.

I have given you work to do for me. Yes, I know. It could be called “a great work” could it not? Yes, it surely could. I’m actually amazed at the enormity of the work that you have given me to do. It is a large assignment. But, you will have all the help you need from me to accomplish it. So, is there something about this “great work” that I have been missing? Yes, there is. What is it?

Have you ever heard someone say, “You need to find your voice”? Yes, I have. That message was from me. Finding your voice is a way of saying, “become who I want you to be and then do what I ask you to do”. Aah, I see. Do you? What I want you to understand is that there are many good things that will attempt to distract you from the “great work” that I want you to do for me. That’s been happening to me a lot. Yes, I know. I want you to stay “on task” and continue to do the “great work” I have given you to do. Don’t set it down for something else that seems good to you. I get it. Not yet, you don’t.

Let me ask you a question.   Go ahead. What does a newborn lion sound like when it roars? I suppose it sounds like a little kitty. Yes, that’s exactly right. As you continue to grow up in me and do what I ask, you will find your voice. Now, you sound like a little kitty. But one day you will roar for me and my glory. I will? Yes you will, if you follow me and let me work through you on the work that I have given you to do for me. I get it. Not yet, you don’t.

Let me give you another example. I’m listening.   You have my full attention. You’ve heard about the concept of focused light?   I think so. That has also been a message from me to you as well. It has? Yes, it has. You know that a focused light has power like a laser? Yes, I do. You also know that an unfocused light has very little power? I can see where this is headed. Where is that? You want me to focus on you and the work you have given me to do. You don’t want my life to be distracted or diminished by anything, even if it seems good to me. Now, you get it! I do? Yes, you do.

But let me ask you a test question. Go ahead. What are you going to do when someone asks you to do something that will cause your work for me to stop? I am going to say “the Lord has given me a ‘great work’ to do for Him and I cannot leave it and let the work stop.” See, you really do get it. Did anything of what I have just said to you surprise you? No, not really. It’s just now that all the pieces have really come into focus. Yes, they have. Follow me and continue to do the work I have given you to do. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for giving me gifts, talents, and abilities to serve you. Help me to know the work you want me to do for you. Prepare and strengthen me for your service. Help me to not be distracted and so I can keep doing the work. Amen

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

Identity – Nehemiah 6-3 – I Am Carrying On A Great Project- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Boast About This

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Boast About This - Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Boast About This – Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Growing As Disciples

 

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

Boast About You

What do you have that you haven’t received from me? Nothing, I know that every good and perfect gift that I have received comes from you. Yes, that’s true. Since all your gifts, talents and abilities, all you have, who you are, and hope to be comes from me, how much room does that leave for you to boast about anything? I have no room or reason to boast. You can’t boast about your great wisdom? No. You can’t boast about your astounding strength? No. You can’t boast about your abundant riches? No. Why is that? I don’t have great wisdom, astounding strength or abundant riches. No, you do not. I’m actually thankful that I have none of these. Why is that? If I had great wisdom, astounding strength or abundant riches I would become self-reliant. I would rely on myself instead of you. Are you sure of that? Yes, I’m absolutely sure. That’s good and you are right.

Is there anything that you can boast about? I really don’t even like that word. Yes, I know. But, is there anything that you are so happy and thankful for that you feel compelled to tell others about? There must be something that you take great joy in that you can’t keep quiet about. Yes, there is. Tell me. I am so thankful and happy that you show yourself to me. You speak to me so that I can hear you. You guide me so that I can follow you. You give me your wisdom so that I can know what to think and how to act. You give me your strength so that I can do all that you ask of me. You have made me rich in my relationship with you now and forever. I can boast about all these things that you have done and will do for me. I’m safe in boasting about you and your love, righteousness and justice. There is nothing special about me. What you have done for me you will do for all those who seek you with all their heart. That is worth giving thanks over and boasting about. Yes, it is. So, I will boast about you so that others will want to come to know you.

Lord, you have placed in my heart a hunger and thirst for you. I have a burning desire to know you above anything else in life. Help me to wait and watch and listen to hear and see all you are doing and saying. I want to know you.   Amen

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

Gratitude – Jeremiah 9-23-24 – Boast About This – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Healing Of Naaman

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Old Testament Events - 2 Kings 5:13-14 - Healing Of Naaman - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Old Testament Events – 2 Kings 5:13-14 – Healing Of Naaman – Growing As Disciples

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:13-14 (NIV)

Listening To Instructions

I’m not sure why I make so many mistakes. I have no idea why I take so many wrong turns and head the wrong direction. It seems like I am forever changing my course. I waste a lot of time stopping, turning around and retracing my steps. It would be so much better if I didn’t make so many missteps in the first place. You got that right. Would you like me to ask you a few questions? Go ahead, I’m listening. Now that’s a very good first step. What’s that? Listening is a very good first step. Learning to listen carefully will serve you well. How well do you listen to others? How well do you listen to me? Think about your answer very carefully. Why is that? I know you think that you are a pretty good listener. Am I not a good listener? Do you really need to ask me that question? Alright, I’m not a great listener. Really? How about, I’m a poor listener? That’s much closer to the truth.

Are you willing to admit that you don’t listen very well to me? Yes, I am. Are you willing to admit that you don’t listen very well to others? Yes, I am. Why do you think you are a poor listener? I hate to admit this, but I think my pride makes me a poor listener. What do you mean by that? I think I know. You know what? I think I know what I need. I think I know what I should do. I think I know where I should go. I know it all. I am a “know it all.” I have an answer for every question. I have a solution for every problem. You’re not serious? What else would explain my not listening to wise counsel from others? What else would explain my not receiving wisdom and direction from you? You have a very good point there.

Do you like being a “know it all?” No, not at all. My life has been bruised, battered and broken by my “knowing it all”. Now, I would much rather be a “know nothing”. What do you mean by that? If I “know nothing” I will listen carefully. If I “know nothing” I will listen to wise counsel from others. If I “know nothing” I will receive your wisdom and direction. If I “know nothing” I will listen carefully to your instructions. Yes, you will.

Lord, I have an idea of the way that things should go. I have an opinion of the way things ought to be. Help me to lay aside my ideas and opinions and thoughts so that I will be able to follow and obey you wherever you lead me. Amen

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

Old Testament Events – 2-Kings-5-13-14 – Healing Of Naaman – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Pray To Your Father

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - Pray To Your Father - Matthew 6:6 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – Pray To Your Father – Matthew 6:6 – Growing As Disciples

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

In Secret

Here I am Father. I have shut the door to my room. There are no distractions. I have closed myself off to all the noise and demands of the world. This time we have together has been carved out of my schedule and set aside for the sole purpose of meeting with you. At first it was a challenge to make this time to be with you a regular practice in my life, but now it’s not at all. Why is that? For a very long time I let all the loudest voices scream for my attention. What do you mean by that? Well, there were voices of duty and my “to do” lists which demanded my attention and were never completed. I foolishly thought I didn’t have time to meet with you. Somehow, I thought that at some point I would get around to meeting with you during the day. But you usually never did. That’s right. What changed for you? I’m not sure exactly. I guess I just got weary and felt very unfruitful in my life. I was getting a lot done. But, I began to wonder how important were all the things that I was getting done. I began to ask myself, “What will all these ‘accomplishments’ add up to in light of eternity? What answer came back to you? The answer was “not much” or maybe even, “next to nothing”. So, out of a sense of futility a desire grew within me to meet privately with you. Where do you think that desire came from? I know now that you gave me this desire to withdraw from the world to a time of being with you in your presence. Yes, it was me. Tell me now how this time with me all began with you. I already know, but I want others to hear your story. 

One day it occurred to me to set aside just a few minutes to meet with you to pray and read your word every day. How did that work out? It worked great. How so? I think you guided me to select a specific time and place that could become sacred for us. When and where was that? It was in my room and just before I went to bed at night. At night, that seems a little odd, doesn’t it? Not really, I knew that nothing would ever compete with this time and place so I dedicated it and myself to meeting with you then and there. What happened then? As you know, we began to meet together every night. Out of this time, my hunger and thirst for you grew like never before. I began to taste your goodness, mercy, and love. I began to understand better your will and what you wanted to do in and through my life. What was that? You wanted to change me into the person that you had planned that I would become. Have I been doing that for you? Yes, you most certainly have. You have also been showing me how you want to use me for your kingdom and glory. I now have a sense of purpose and hope that comes from you. I now know that I am bearing fruit through my life, with your help, that will last for eternity. Do you believe that the promise of secretly meeting with me has come true for you? Have I been rewarding you as you have met with me? Yes, Father, you most certainly have been rewarding me as I have met with you. Now I would not trade our time together for anything else in all of life. It is my joy to be in your presence. Just to know you and love you is reward enough.

Father, I know that you have been waiting for me to come to you in prayer. I have been busy and distracted by many things. Sorry, that I have kept you waiting. I am here now to wait and to listen to all that you have to say to me. Amen

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

Matthew 6-6 – Pray To Your Father – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Increase And Overflow

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 Thessalonians 3-12 - Increase And Overflow - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Thessalonians 3-12 – Increase And Overflow – Growing As Disciples

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)

My Love In You

Alright, I have a question. What’s that? Is it your love or my love that is supposed to increase and overflow my life? What do you think? I’m not sure. I will tell you this, there is not much love in me. What do you mean by that? Love is not my strong suit. Love doesn’t naturally flow out of your life, is that what you are trying to say? Yes, that’s it exactly.

What comes naturally to you? Naturally I’m pretty self-centered. The world revolves around me. I think of what I want and like most of the time. I pursue my own comfort, enjoyment and pleasure. I’m not against others joining me in my comfortable and happy life just as long as they don’t create problems or inconveniences that might make me unhappy or uncomfortable. You don’t want anyone or anything messing up your life, is that right? Yes, you’ve got that right.

Well then, you’re right, you don’t have a deep reservoir of love that might increase and overflow your life. Yes, that’s right. Your love for others looks more like a desert than an overflowing spring. You have the right picture, that’s for sure.

So, your question doesn’t seem like it should be too difficult for you to answer. I guess not. I’m sure that it is your love that you want to increase and overflow in my life. There is no way that my love will ever increase enough to overflow my life and spill out into the lives of other people. No, it will not.

So, what are you going to do now that you know that you are incapable of loving others with your own love? I’m going to ask you to increase and overflow my life with your love. When are you going to do that? Right now. Fill my life to overflowing with your love. Make your love increase and overflow my life so I can love others with your love.

I have heard and I will answer your prayer. You will have many opportunities in the days ahead of you to let my love increase and overflow your life. What will those opportunities look like? Your opportunities to love other people will look like difficult people and trying circumstances. What? Yes, in those moments of opportunity you will have decisions to make. What decisions? You will decide if you will allow my love for others to be your love for others. But, decide now in advance, will you allow my love for others to be your love for others? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will no longer be doing what comes naturally. You will be doing what comes supernaturally, by my Spirit, with my love that is in you.

Lord, it is the desire of my heart to love others with your love. Fill me with your love. Let your love overflow my life and spill out into the lives of others. Use me for your glory. Help me to love others supernaturally, by your Spirit and your love dwelling in me. Amen

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

Love – 1 Thessalonians 3-12 – Increase And Overflow – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Forgive Your Sins

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Mark 11:25 - Forgive Your Sins - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Mark 11:25 – Forgive Your Sins – Growing As Disciples

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:25 (NLT)

Make A List

Make a list. Make a list of what? What’s our topic? You want me to make a list of people to forgive? You got that right. There is no need to hurry either. I want you to think deeply. I want you to go way back. How far? Go back to your earliest years and keep going right up until today. Put everyone on your list that has harmed or hurt you. Make your list as exhaustive as your memory will allow. You will need to come back to your list several times before it is really complete. Don’t leave anyone who has hurt or harmed you off your list. Do you understand the task? Yes, I do.

Once you have completed your list forgive everyone that has hurt or harmed you. Let go of the pain that they caused you. Release yourself from the anger and resentment that you have held on to all these days and months and years. Offer a prayer of blessing for everyone on your list. You are going to be forgiving each person. You are going to be moving on from the baggage that you have carried as a result of the ways that you have been hurt. You are going to be set free from the weight of your unforgiveness. You are not minimizing your past hurts. You have been hurt. You have been wounded. There is no doubt about that. I am here to heal all your hurts and wounds. Today, you will be moving forward. You will no longer allow your past hurts and wounds to keep on harming you. Today you will be set free as you forgive others just as I have forgiven you. How does this sound to you? It sounds fantastic. I have held on to anger and resentment and unforgiveness for far too long. You got that right.

Going forward I want you to have a heart that is ready, willing and able to forgive others. No longer will you hold on to anger, resentment and unforgiveness. No longer will you keep a list of who has wronged you. No longer will you seek revenge. No longer will try to get even. No longer will you let the bitterness of unforgiveness hinder your prayers. Here is what I want you to do. When you start to pray I want you to take a quick inventory. Ask yourself if there is anyone that you need to forgive. Offer your forgiveness to those who have hurt and harmed you and then move on and draw near to me in prayer. Will you do this? Yes Lord, I will forgive others just as you have forgiven me. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want to be unforgiving. I don’t want my prayers to be hindered. I want to be ready to forgive others as you have forgiven me of all my sins. Help me to be a witness for you by the way that I show your unconditional love and forgiveness to others. Amen

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

So That – Mark 11-25 – Forgive Your Sins – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Our Citizenship Is In Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Our Citizenship Is In Heaven - Philippians 3:20-21 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Our Citizenship Is In Heaven – Philippians 3:20-21 – Growing As Disciples

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Look Forward

Do you trust me? Yes, I trust you. I hear you saying that now. It’s easy to say that when you are sitting in that chair. How about when the world seems out of control? Do you trust me then? Yes, I trust you then. Let’s get a little more specific and personal. When your world seems out of control and things aren’t going your way, do you trust me then? I’m getting a little uncomfortable with this line of questioning. I thought you might. Why is that? I’ve seen you when things don’t go as you hoped or planned. What do I look like to you? You look worried and frantic. It’s obvious that you are very uncomfortable. That’s true. Where is your trust in these worried and frantic moments of yours? I’m not sure. What do you mean you’re not sure? Well, in these moments trust is probably the last thing on my mind. Why is that? My focus turns to getting out of the difficulty that I’m in. All my efforts become engaged to eliminate the problem I’m facing. So the question in my mind is not, “who do I trust, but what can I do”? Doesn’t it seem obvious to you where you are placing your trust then? I guess it does. Where is it? I want to hear you say it. Alright, when I am in great difficulty and facing problems I often put my trust in myself. Good, I’m glad to hear you say that. How could you possibly be glad to hear that? I’m glad that you are not hiding this and that you are willing to confess it to me. I see.

Actually, you don’t see. What do you mean? You are looking at life incorrectly. How so? You are thinking and living as if what you see is all there is. I don’t understand. What if you had a different focus? Like what? What would change if you really began to believe that you are just a visitor here and that your real home and life is elsewhere? Like in heaven with you? Yes, you got it. If I had that perspective I would be less worried and frantic, that’s for sure. Why is that? I would know that my problems are very temporary. They would really begin to loose their grip on me. In fact, all my problems and difficulties in life might just help to remind me that this life is temporary and that one day I will live forever in heaven with you. What will happen then? I will have a glorious new body and everything will be under your control. That’s a lot to look forward to, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Let that grab your attention and be your focus as you live your life for me through whatever difficulties you face. With your help, I will.  

Lord, my eyes are on you and not on the troubles I face in this life. Thank you for reminding me that this life is temporary and that I am just passing through. As I await your return, help me to live my life fully for your glory.  Amen

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

Identity – Philippians 3-20-21 – Our Citizenship Is In Heaven – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Take Hold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - 1 Timothy 6:11-12 - Take Hold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 Timothy 6:11-12 – Take Hold – Growing As Disciples

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12  (NIV)

Flee And Pursue

Are you ready to fight the good fight of faith? Yes, I am. I will fight with all the strength that you give to me. Great, I’m glad to hear that. Now run! Run? Yes, I said, “run” and run as fast as you can. Run, that doesn’t sound at all like fighting. Oh, did you think that you would stand around and do battle with evil and ungodliness? Yes, I did. That’s not a strategy that has worked very well for you. Why is that? Why do you want me to run away from evil? You tell me. I’m not sure that I know why. Have you ever been attracted to evil? Have you ever enjoyed doing evil? I have to say yes to both your questions. So, do you know for sure that you will actually fight evil if you hang around to check it out? No, I don’t. Are you positive that you would be able to overcome evil if you stayed for the fight? No, I’m not positive. When I have made a way of escape from evil for you when has that way opened up? Your way of escape from evil has always come immediately. Hanging around evil has never led to a good result for me. That’s right, so run! I’m out of here right now! That’s Good.

Do you know where you are running? Do you know what to pursue? Aren’t I just supposed to run away? Isn’t one place just as good as another? What do you think? I suppose not. I might run into more evil. Yes, that’s right. You are fleeing evil. Yes, that’s right. What do I want you to pursue? You want me to pursue godliness and righteousness. Yes, I do. You will never be able to fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the eternal life that you have in me by simply fleeing evil alone. You must pursue me and the godly and righteous life that I have given you to live. That is the way that I have called you to live. Fleeing evil and pursuing me is what I have called you to do. Do these two directions seem clear enough to you? Yes, they are crystal clear.

What will you be doing as you flee evil and pursue godliness? Beyond fighting the good fight of faith and taking hold of the salvation that I have in you? Yes, beyond that. I’m not sure. Will anyone be watching you? You will be watching me. Yes I will be watching you. Will anyone else be watching you? The world will be watching me. Yes, that’s right. Now, do you have the answer to my question? Yes, I do. Let me hear your answer. When I flee evil and pursue righteousness I will be living as your witness in the world. Yes, you will. People will notice how I live and some of them will be drawn to you through the testimony of my life. Yes, they will.

Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith. Help me to take hold of the eternal life that I have in you. I will flee ungodliness and pursue the righteous life you have given me to live. Help me to live as your witness in the world. Amen

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

Life – 1 Timothy 6-11-12 – Take Hold – 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