Monthly Archives: April 2021

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

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

Let Us Go Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Micah 4:2 - Let Us Go Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Micah 4:2 – Let Us Go Up – Growing As Disciples

Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Micah 4:2 (NIV)

Teach Me

Do you really want to know me? Do you really want to know my will? Do you really want to walk in my ways? I know that I should not be too quick to answer each of your questions. I know that I should carefully consider each one of them. Why is that? Saying yes to each of your questions will require something of me. There is a cost to saying yes to what you are asking of me. I can’t say yes to you and then go on my own way, living my own life, just as I have done and gone before. What is the cost of saying yes to the questions that I am asking of you? What is the cost of saying yes to me?

You want all of me. I can’t give you a part of me. I can’t just give you time on my calendar or a spot in my day. Knowing you. Knowing your will. Walking in your ways. None of these are part time commitments. Saying yes to you will require giving to you all that I am, all that I have and all that I hope to be to you. Yes, it will.

You will have a multitude of new questions to ask me on each and every day of my life. They will all come back to these fundamental questions. Do I want to know you? Do I want to know your will? Do I want to walk in your ways? Each new question will give me the opportunity to reaffirm my saying yes to you. Yes, it will.

There is something that I want to be clear about in my heart and mind. There is something I want to clear up once and for all. There is something that I want to say on the record. What’s that? When I gave myself to you and received you into my life as my Savior and Lord I said yes to you. My yes wasn’t qualified. I said that I wanted to know you. I said that I wanted to love you. I said that I wanted to follow and serve you. That is when I started to say that I really do want to know you, your will and yours ways. That is when I said that I would follow you to where you led me to do what you would ask of me. Yes, you did.

What are you asking of me right now? What do you want from me today? Come to me so I can teach you. Come to me so you can know me. Come to me so I can show you my will. Come to me so you can walk in my ways. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, it is the desire of my heart to know you. I hunger and thirst and yearn to go to spend time and be in your presence. Help me to sit at your feet to be taught by you. I want to know your will so I can walk in your ways.  Amen

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

Let Us – Micah 4-2 – Let Us Go Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Be Holy Because I Am Holy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Be Holy Because I Am Holy - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Be Holy Because I Am Holy – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

Action

Let’s talk about that word action. What about it? I want you to take action. What kind of action do you want me to take? I want you to take two different actions. What two actions do you want me to take? What does my word say? You want me to tell you what two actions you want me to take? Yes, I do. That will take some thought. Yes, it will. That’s exactly what I want you to do. I want you to think about taking action. Why is that? You won’t take any action at all unless you think about it first. Both of the actions that you want me to take involve my mind. Yes, they do. You want me to take control over what I allow myself to think. Yes, I do. You don’t want me to continue to allow my mind to be conformed to the pattern of evil desires that are in the world. That’s right. How will I take control over what I allow myself to think? You tell me. Well, I could start by eliminating anything that encourages or stimulates evil thinking in my life. I could get rid of everything that might feed evil desires in my heart and mind. That would be a very good way to start taking control over what you allow yourself to think. What else? What other action will you take with your mind? I will set my mind on the hope that I have in you. I will set my mind on you. I will set my mind on what you want me to think. I will set my mind on what you want me to do. I will set my mind on the life you have called me to live. I will set my mind on the person you have called me to be. Yes, those are the thoughts that I want you to take action and begin to think. Did you notice something about my earlier question? No, I did not. I’m not at all sure of what you mean. I did not ask you what other action will you take next with your mind. Why is that? Why do you think? Both actions of setting aside evil thoughts and setting my mind on your thoughts need to be ongoing and occur at the same time. Why is that? The only way to stop thinking evil thoughts is to start thinking your thoughts. Your thoughts will cleanse my heart and my mind. Your thoughts will help me to live the life that you have called me to live. Your thoughts will transform me into the person that you want me to be. Your thoughts will make me more like you. Yes, they will. Will you set aside evil thoughts and start thinking my thoughts? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. You have lavished me with your grace. You have given me your salvation. Help me now to have a heart, mind and life that are prepared for action and ready to live the life you have called me to live. Amen

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

Knowing God – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – Be Holy Because I Am Holy – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Understand What The Lord’s Will Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Understand What The Lord's Will Is - Ephesians 5:15-21- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Understand What The Lord’s Will Is – Ephesians 5:15-21- Growing As Disciples

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21 (NIV)

Be Filled

Watch your step. Be very careful how you walk. Why is that? The times that you live in are filled with evil. You must be wise about how you live. I want you to make the most of your time. How will I do that? You can know my will by meeting with me in my word as you have been doing. I will show you my will and my ways as you study and pray through my word. The truth that is in my word will set you free so that you can serve me and bear fruit for my glory. I will show you the next steps that I want you to take in life. I will guide you to where I want you to go. I will give you all that you will need to follow and serve me. That’s exactly what I want and desire above all else.

Make sure that you think and act wisely. What do you have in mind when you say that to me? Don’t waste and misuse your time. What do you consider to be time wasters? I’d like you to answer that question for me. I know that I have wasted a lot of time when I have relied on my own wisdom, strength or guidance. I have gone off in the wrong direction to try to do what I was not called or gifted to do. Yes, you have. How did that feel to you? I felt very frustrated, discouraged and weary. I also felt weak and alone in all my efforts. But, you made a very important discovery didn’t you? Yes, I did. Tell me about it. I learned that it is very unwise for me to try to take charge and be in control of my own life. Yes, it is. Who then should be in control of your life? You are the one that I want to be in control of my life. I want to be filled with your Holy Spirit. I can’t live the life you want me to live unless I am filled with your Spirit.

What do you mean by that? If I’m not filled with your Holy Spirit I don’t feel like singing at all. Why is that? I’m too tired and worn out because of all my self-effort. Who wants to sing because they can hardly breath? If I’m not filled with your Holy Spirit I don’t feel very thankful either. Why is that? Instead of being thankful for all the great things that you have done through me, I’m more likely to be proud of my small and pathetic accomplishments. Oh and this very same self-centered pride makes it very difficult for me to be submissive to others in any way. So, what are you asking of me? I’m asking you to fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can wisely live the life that you have called me to live for you. Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayer? I know that you have been answering and will continue to answer my prayer. Yes, you are right about that. 

Lord, help me to live and walk carefully in this world so that I am making the most of every opportunity that you give to me. Fill me Holy Spirit so I will be able to encourage others and give thanks to God for all that I have been given. Amen

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

Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 5-15-21 – Understand What The Lord’s Will Is – 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

There Is A God In Israel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - There Is A God In Israel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – Growing As Disciples

But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NRSV)

Run Into The Battle

Do you see that giant? How could I miss it? It’s in my way and blocking my path. What will you do? Are you afraid? Would it be a sin to be afraid? That giant is more than I can handle. I will never be able to engage in the battle and win this fight. Did someone say that this is your battle? Did someone say that this would be your fight? Well, here I am. It looks like it might be my battle and my fight. Yes, you’re right here, that’s for sure. Are you all alone? No, I am not all alone. You are with me. Yes, I am with you. It is not a sin to be afraid. It would be a sin to not rely on me. This giant is more than you can handle. You cannot win this fight. That should not discourage you. Why not? What have you done when you have needed my help? I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. You could do that now. Wouldn’t that be good? Yes, it would.

Would you like me to fight with you? Would you like my courage and my strength? Yes, I want you to fight with me. I need you to fight for me. I desperately need your courage and strength. What would you do if I told you to run? I would ask which direction. I’m glad to see that you have not lost your sense of humor. Which direction do you think that I have in mind? You want me to run into the battle to engage in the fight. Why would I ever ask you to do that? It’s not enough for me to say that I believe you will fight with and for me. You want me to run into the battle and engage in the fight to show that I know you are with me. You will give me the victory because it is not my fight. Yes, that’s right.

Why don’t I give you battles that are just your size? Why aren’t your obstacles a little more reasonable and manageable in size? There are some things that you want known. Like what? You want me to learn to rely on you. You want me to know that you will fight with and for me. You want me to know that the battles and the victories are yours. You want my life to be a witness for you. You want my life to bring glory to your name. That is why the battles and the obstacles are your size and not mine. Yes, you are right. Now, which way will you run? I will run into the battle and engage in the fight because you are with me. Yes, you will. Yes, I am with you in every battle and in every fight.

Lord, I will rely on you. Give me courage and strength in the battles that I will face. Help me to see your working and to trust in your plan. Help me to overcome giant obstacles so that my life will be a witness for you and bring glory to your name. Amen

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

So That – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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

Word Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Philippians 2:14-16 - Word Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Philippians 2:14-16 – Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

 Shine Like Stars

What will happen if you become known as someone who is always complaining, whining or arguing about something? People will ignore me. They won’t listen to a word that I have to say. Is that all? No, they will want to distance themselves from me. No one likes to hang around someone that is always complaining, whining or arguing about something. So, you won’t be very popular? No, I wouldn’t be. Is that really the worst that could happen? No, it’s not. Complainers, whiners, and arguers often find themselves under the attack of criticism from others. I have found that you get back what you give out. You reap what you sow? Yes, that’s it exactly. That would be really uncomfortable. Yes, it would be. But, its still not the worst thing that could happen is it? What could be worse than that?

Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Who are you? Who have a called you to be? What have I asked you to do? You have called me to be a pure child of God. Yes, that’s right. Is there anything pure about being a complainer who whines and argues all the time? No, there is not. So, one of the worst things about being a whiner, arguer, or complainer would be what? If I were a whiner, arguer or complainer then I would not be living out my calling as a pure child of God. That’s right. How big a deal is that? That would be unthinkable. I want to live out my calling as a pure child of yours. Yes, I know, so you will do what? I will do whatever you have given me to do in life without whining, complaining or arguing. That’s great. 

What will happen when you do the work I have given to you without complaining, whining or arguing? I’m not sure what you mean. We have talked about the worst that could happen. Yes. Well, what is the best thing that could happen if you live as a pure child of God? I would be attractive to others. They would be drawn to me. They would wonder why I was living so different from most of the people they know. The world is full of whiners, complainers and arguers. Yes, it is. I would shine like a bright star in this dark world. Yes, that’s it exactly.

As you shine like a bright star in the universe what will you be able to hold out to those who are drawn to you? I will be able to hold out you. You are the word of life. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. People wouldn’t really be drawn to me. It is you living in and through my life that would draw others to you. But, I would be using you. Your life would speak out for me. Your words would explain the life that others could have in me. Yes, and then they would want to give themselves to you. They would want the same life that I have in you. Yes, they would.

When people give themselves to me because of the testimony of your words and your life will that be valuable and important? I know of nothing that would be more valuable and more important in life than to see others coming to you because of how you were able to use my life. Then your life would have been well used and well spent? Yes, definitely. You would not have labored or run the race of your life in vain? Certainly not, my life would have been well used by you. That’s right.

Lord, thank you for calling me to live as your pure child of God. Keep complaining, whining and arguing far from me. Help me to shine like a bright star in the universe. Use my life as a vibrant witness for you as I hold out the word of life to others. Amen

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

Life – Philippians 2-14-16 – Shine Like Stars – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Obey It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Luke 11:28 - Obey It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Luke 11:28 – Obey It – Growing As Disciples

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Hear And Obey

Do you want my blessing to be on your life? Yes of course I want your blessing to be on my life. Who would not want your blessing to be on their lives? That would make no sense at all. You would be very surprised to learn of the many who do not want my blessing on their lives. They have rejected my word. Their hearts are hard. Their ears are closed. They have no interest in anything that I have to say to them. They neither hear my word nor put it into practice. That’s not good. No, it is not. Then there are those that like to hear my word but fail to put it into practice. All their hearing does them no good. Their hearts and minds and lives remain unchanged. It’s as if they never heard my word at all. That’s not good either. No, it is not good. 

What about you? What’s your plan? What will you do with my word? I will go to great lengths to hear your word. Everyday I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will let your word soak into my life. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will hunger and thirst for your word. I will savor your word. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will speak your word. I will sing your word. In every way I will value and honor your word. I will let your word change my heart. I will let your word transform my mind. I will let your word form my thoughts. I will let your word guide my life. That will be very good. What else?

I will put your word into practice. I will hear and obey your word. I will allow your word to strengthen me to do your will. I will allow your word to empower me to walk in your ways. I will allow your word to guide me to go to wherever you lead me. I will allow your word to direct me to do whatever you ask of me. I will live my life with and for you. I will live under the promise of your blessing as I hear your word and put it into practice. Yes, you will. That will be very good. I will bless your life as you hear and obey my word.

Lord, I will meet with you everyday in your word so I can hear from you. I will listen attentively to everything you have to say to me. I will rely on your help so I can put into practice all that you teach me. I will follow and obey you. Amen

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

Gods Word- Luke 11-28 – Obey It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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

Anyone

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 1 Peter 4:10-11 - Anyone - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 Peter 4:10-11 – Anyone – Growing As Disciples

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

 My Gifts

I want you to know about a few sure things. That sounds interesting. I like sure things. Anything I have considered to be a sure thing has never ended up being a sure thing. So, when you say that you have something that is a sure thing I am more than curious. You have my full attention. What is a sure thing? What do you want to tell me?

It is a sure thing that I have given you spiritual gifts. Why is it important that I know that? That is a very good question. Have you ever looked for something with the certainty that you would find it? Like what? Let’s say you were looking for a set of keys and you were certain that they were in your house. You knew that they couldn’t be anywhere else because you just unlocked your house. I have misplaced my keys many times. Yes, I know. How persistent has your search been when you have been certain that you would find what you were searching for? My search has been persistent and all encompassing because I knew that it would just be a matter of time before I would find what I was looking for. That’s right. How persistent has your search been when you had no idea if would find what you were looking for? My search has been brief and short lived when I have had no confidence that I would find what I was looking for. Can you see where our conversation is headed? You have given me spiritual gifts and I will certainly discover the gifts that you have give to me if I persistently search for them. You got that right. That’s one sure thing. What is another sure thing?

It is a sure thing that you will never find out what spiritual gifts I have given to you by sitting around doing nothing. You will need to step out and engage in ministry to others. I want to use you. As you follow me you will try out many different ways to minister my love and grace to others. Not everything you try will be a perfect fit for you. Don’t worry about that. As you serve me, there will be some trial and error on the way to your discovering your spiritual gifts. You will discover what aren’t and what are your spiritual gifts. Engaging in ministry to others will be the way that you will show me my spiritual gifts. You got that right. That’s another sure thing. What is another sure thing?

I will powerfully use your spiritual gifts to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is a sure thing. That’s why it is so important that I discover and use my spiritual gifts. That’s why it is so important that I rely on you to work in and through me as I use the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. You got that right. As you use your spiritual gifts you will bring praise and glory to my name. People will be drawn to me because you have used your spiritual gifts. That is all that I have ever wanted. Thank you for these sure things. I will joyfully use all the spiritual gifts that you have given to me.

Lord, help me to discover all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. I don’t want one to go unused. Use all you have given me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Powerfully work through me so your grace is ministered to others and glory is brought to your name. Amen

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

If – 1 Peter 4-10-11 – Anyone – 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

A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm

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Discipleship Study - Wisdom - Proverbs 13:20 - A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Wisdom – Proverbs 13:20 – A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm – Growing As Disciples

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

Choosing Friends

Be very careful about how you choose your friends. Why is that? You tell me. I will become like my friends. If my friends are wise I will grow wise under their influence and encouragement. If my friends are foolish I will become foolish as I follow their bad example. That’s right. That’s quite clear and very simple to understand isn’t it? Yes, it is.

How will you go about choosing your friends? What will you be looking for in a friend? I will ask myself if I would be happy if I became like my friends. That’s a very good question. I will consider my friend’s wisdom. What kind of wisdom will you be looking for? I won’t be looking for wisdom from this world. I will be looking for wisdom that comes from you. So my closest friends will need to know you. I will be expecting you to speak to me through my closest friends. I want my closest friends to be completely honest with me. I want them to point out what I can’t see. I have lots of blind spots. I have flaws that have gone unnoticed and uncorrected. Close and good friends will tell me exactly what I need to hear and see. I will give my closet friends permission to speak into my life. I will listen attentively to the close friends that you will bring into my life. So, you are expecting that I will bring close friends into your life? That’s for sure; I’m counting on you for that. That’s good.

What else will you be looking for in a friend? I don’t want all my friends to be exactly like me. I’m glad that you brought that up. Why is that? You said something that will not end up being true. What’s that? You said that all your close friends would need to know me. Do you really think I will only bring you friends that know me? No, now that you mention it, that doesn’t seem right to me. I’m guessing that you will bring people into my life that don’t know you. Some of these people will become my friends. Some of these people will come to know you through the friendship I share with them. That’s exactly right. So, don’t exclude people who don’t know me as your friends. There is a big difference between someone who does not yet know me and someone who is a fool. A fool does not want to know and live by the truth. A fool has rejected and is walking away from the truth. A fool has no interest in coming to know me. I will bring friends, who don’t yet know me, into your life. They will be hungry to know me. They will want to live the life that you are living with and for me. They will want what you have. I have you. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. You can plan that I will bring friends of all kinds into your life. They will speak into your life and you will speak into their lives. I’m looking forward to it. That’s very good.

Lord, I have had a tendency to choose foolish friends. I have suffered harm when I have allowed myself to a companion of a fool. Help me now to choose wise friends that will help and encourage me to grow in wisdom as I follow you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 13-20 – A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm – 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