Monthly Archives: June 2021

Run With Perseverance The Race

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The Virtuous Life - Day 192 - Hebrews 12:1-3 - Run With Perseverance The Race - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 192 – Hebrews 12:1-3 – Run With Perseverance The Race – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Focused On Me

Do you want to run well and finish strong on the course that I have marked out for you? Do you want to stay on course and not become entangled in what would hinder you in your race of faith? Do you want to keep on running so you will not grow weary and lose heart? Yes, I want to run well and finish strong. Yes, I want to stay on course and not become entangled in what would hinder me in my race of faith. What will help me to stay on course? What will help me to run well and finish strong? What will prevent me from growing weary and losing heart? Those are all good questions. You are wise in knowing that much will be much required of you if you want all these things to be true for you in your race of faith. I’m listening. What must I do? What will be required of me? First, you must receive encouragement. You must realize that many, a multitude really, have gone before you. Look at the examples of all those who have run the race of faith before you. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witness. Emulate their lives. Follow their example. Let their lives and their godly character inspire you. Know that this cloud of witnesses is not silent. They are behind you, they are beside you, they are in front of you. They are cheering loudly for you. Do what they did. What did they do? They threw off anything and everything that would prevent them from running well. They did not let themselves become entangled in sin. Nothing distracted them. Nothing diverted them. Will you follow their example? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

We are not done yet. There is more? There is much more. Those who stayed on course, have run well, and finished strong have one thing in common. What is that? They kept their eyes on me. I was the focus of their attention. They wanted to follow me to where I was leading them. They wanted to do what I was asking of them. This single-hearted and single-minded focus kept them from growing weary and losing heart. As they lived in an intimate relationship with me, they were continually refreshed and revived and strengthened. They ran with all the strength I gave them as the relied on me. As they remained in me, they lived a fruitful life. They stayed on course. They ran well. They finished strong. Will you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will throw off anything that hinders me from running well on the course you marked out for me. I will not let sin entangle me. I will fix my eyes on you. Help me to endure any opposition with perseverance. Keep me running well. Help me to finish strong. Amen

Key Question…  How is keeping your eyes focused on Jesus helping you to not grow weary and lose heart?

Living It Out…  Fix your eyes on Jesus as you run the race of faith that is marked out for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will run well and finish strong as you keep your eyes focused on Jesus.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are throwing off every hindrance to your race of faith.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fix your eyes On Jesus and run the race He has set before you

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 192 – Hebrews 12-1-3 – Run With Perseverance The Race – 4 Page Discipleship 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

When The Holy Spirit Comes On You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 128 - Acts 1:4-8 - When The Holy Spirit Comes On You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 128 – Acts 1:4-8 – When The Holy Spirit Comes On You – Growing As Disciples

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 (NIV)

Power

That is what I lack, without a doubt. What do you lack? I lack power. What kind of power do you lack? What kind of power do you want? I lack the power to go and do your will. I lack the power to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I lack the power to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Well, you are in the right place and you are in the right frame of mind. You have wise thoughts within you. How so? Knowing that you are powerless is a very good place to start. Realizing that you cannot go and do my will, accomplish my purposes, and fulfill my plans, or bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name, without my power working in and through is a very valuable lesson to have learned. I have been a very slow learner. You have learned a lesson that some never learn. So, be thankful that you have learned it well. The learning has not come easy. I have labored fruitlessly under my own power for many days and months and even years. Like I said, you have now learned of your own powerlessness in ways that you will never forget.

So, now that you have learned of your own powerlessness what will you do next? I will wait for and rely on your power. I will not run ahead of you, nor will I trail behind you. I will remain in your presence. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will ask you to fill me with your power so I will be able to do the work that you will give me to do for you. What kind of work will I ask you to do for me? You will ask me to be your witness both near and far. You will ask me to be your witness to people like and unlike me. You will use me to minister to others all around me no matter where I am. You will work in and through me to me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. You will make it so I can bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You will do in and through me what I could never do by myself. Yes, that is true. Yes, that is right. Yes, that is certain. Follow me now. Yes, Holy Spirit, I will. That will be very good.

Holy Spirit, often I have run ahead or trailed behind you. What a fruitless mistake that has been. Now, I will wait for and rely on you to powerfully work in and through me. Guide me. Use me. Help me to minster to others both near and far and like and unlike me. Amen

Key Question…  How are you waiting for and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of ministry?

Living It Out…  Wait for and rely on the Holy Spirit to powerfully work in and through you to minister to others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will empower you to minister to others as you wait for and rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you wait for and rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to do the work of ministry.

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

Spirit Empowered Life – Day 128 – The Acts 1-4-8 – When The Holy Spirit Comes On You  – 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

Those Who Wait On The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 65 - Isaiah 40:29-31 - Those Who Wait On The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 65 – Isaiah 40:29-31 – Those Who Wait On The Lord – Growing As Disciples

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Wait

Now that is not something that comes naturally to me. What does not come naturally to you? Waiting does not come naturally to me. Sometimes, even when I am sitting very still it seems like my heart and mind are racing at full speed within me. Patience is likewise not one of my strongest and best gifts. Its ironic, but right now I am waiting for someone that said that they would be here in an hour. That was nearly two hours ago. Am I in the middle of some real-life object lesson? I don’t think waiting when something is delayed is what you have in mind in this case. What kind of waiting do you think I have in mind here and now? You want me to wait in your presence. Yes, I do.  In your presence, I will be changed. In your presence, I will be refreshed and revived and restored. In your presence, I will be given wisdom and insight. In your presence, I will receive instructions and direction. In your presence, I will be given your power and strength. In your presence, you will help me to come to know you. In your presence, you will change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth, and deeds of my life. In your presence, I will come to know and love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. What would you say about your desire to wait in my presence? There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than wait for you to do your work in me, for me, and through me, as I have waited in your presence. So now, is it difficult for you to wait in my presence? No, is it not hard for me to wait in your presence. You have given me the desire and the ability to wait in your presence. It is still a true statement that waiting does not come naturally to you. How so? Waiting in my presence has come to you supernaturally by my Spirit. I have given you the desire and will and passion to wait in my presence. This has come to you as a gift from me to you. Thank you Lord, for this great and glorious gift. I will keep on waiting in your presence. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that without you, I’m weak and powerless. On my own, I will never be able to go and do what you ask of me. I will never be able to bear lasting and eternal fruit for you. So, I will wait on you. Give me your power and strength to accomplish your will. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord renewed your strength as you have faithfully waited on Him?

Living It Out…  Make it your daily practice to set aside a time and place to wait on the Lord.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will renew your strength as you wait on Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you power and strength as you waited on Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you wait on the Lord so He can renew your strength.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 65 – Isaiah 40-29-31 – Those Who Wait On The Lord – 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

Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Word Centered Life - Day 2 - Matthew 7:24-27 - Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Word Centered Life – Day 2 – Matthew 7:24-27 – Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice – Growing As Disciples

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Into Practice

It is very good that you are making every effort to meet with me in my word. It is excellent that you are listening attentively to me. It is very wise that you have set a specific daily time and place to hear what I have to say to you. There is one thing that you must also do if you want to have a life that is built on a rock-solid foundation. What’s that? You must be very sure that you are not only hearing my word, but you must also make equally sure that you are putting my word into practice. You must hear and do my word. I get that, I understand. Do you have more to say on this subject? I know that your word is filled with your promises. I also know that with each of your promises there is a condition or conditions that must be fulfilled as part of receiving your promises. Can you say more? Describe one of my conditions. Well, I can do one better. In the verses here, that we are considering, you have one promise and two conditions. The promise can only be fulfilled if the two conditions are met. Your promise is that I can have a rock-solid foundation for my life that will withstand the storms of life. In order for that promise to be fulfilled, I need to both hear and put your word into practice. So, hearing your word on a daily basis is vitally important. So also, is putting your word into practice. How or why will hearing and putting my word into practice build a rock-solid foundation for your life that will be able to withstand the storms that are sure to come? Your word will change my heart and transform my mind. Your word will guard and guide the course of my life. Meeting with you in your word will give me the wisdom and strength and perseverance through any storm I will face in life. The habit of meeting daily with you in your word will cause me to rely on you for your help. You will be my shelter. You will be my refuge and fortress and deliverer. Yes, I will. You will have taught me that my hope and help is in and comes from you as I hold on to your promises. That is true. That is right. That is certain. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will set apart a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will not only listen, but I will put your word in practice so that I will have a rock-solid foundation for the entire course of my life. Amen

Key Question…  How has hearing and putting God’s word into practice helping you to withstand the storms of life?

Living It Out…  Make hearing and putting God’s word into practice the foundation of your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that hearing and putting God’s word into practice will build a solid foundation for your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and putting God’s word into daily practice.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live a godly life filled with prayers that the Lord will hear and answer.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 2 – Matthew 7-24-27 – Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice – 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

Concerning The Word Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Sacramental Life - Day 319 - 1 John 1:1-4 - Concerning The Word Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 319 – 1 John 1:1-4 – Concerning The Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)  

Fullness Of Joy

That is what I have received from you. What have you received from me? I have received fullness of joy from you. What does that mean? How have you received fullness of joy from me? Before I came to know you, I was living a bruised and battered and broken life. I lived for my own comfort and pleasure. I followed my own advice. I listened to my own counsel. I was strong willed. I was independent. I was self-reliant. I went my own way. I did whatever I wanted, when I wanted. I was completely full of myself. My foolish, prideful, and sinful life brought me nothing but pain and suffering. One could say that I suffered for my many sins. There was no doubt about that.  All my hopes and dreams and desires fell flat and amounted to nothing of lasting value. I bounced from one unproductive endeavor to another. I was miserable and without hope in the world. One day that all changed. How so? Surely you know, nothing is hidden from you. That is true. But I love hearing you tell your own story. Your word says that you are close to the broken hearted. It does. I am. I found that to be true. In my brokenness, I cried out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me. That cry was more like an angry shout.  But you must have received it as a heartfelt legitimate prayer. I did. From that day forward you did begin to show yourself to me. No doubt, you tried to get my attention at many and in various ways before. That is true. But then at that time, you did have my attention. Yes, I did.  It wasn’t long before I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. I turned away from my life of sin so that I could follow you with all my heart. I have been loving and following you since that day. Have I always loved you well or followed you perfectly? Not hardly. But you have continued to show yourself to me. You have allowed me to hear and see and feel you working in my life and in the world around me. Now, it is my joy to live my life with and for you. Now, it is my joy to come to know you more intimately as I live my life with and for you. Now, it is my joy to be your witness in the world. I have fullness of joy as I bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is what I meant when I said that I have fullness of joy. That is how I have received fullness of joy from you. I am living the life you have called me to live. I am walking through life with and for you. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, you are the word of life. Coming to know you has completely changed my life. You have helped me to hear and see and feel your activity in my life. Help me to come to know you intimately. Double my joy as I tell others about your kindness, mercy, and love. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord touched your life in ways that have changed you forever?

Living It Out…  Make yourself fully attentive to the Lord so you can hear and see and feel His activity in your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have fullness of joy as you come to know the Lord more intimately.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know the Lord more intimately.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you come to know the Lord intimately so you can live in His fullness of joy.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 319 – 1 John 1:1-4 – Concerning The Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples – 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

We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Compassionate Life - Day 255 - 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 - We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Compassionate Life – Day 255 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 – We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

Suffering

This should come as no surprise to you. What should come as no surprise to me? This is a sin broken world. This world does not function according to its original design. This life is full of pain and suffering. I suffered. I felt pain. I suffered loss. So will you. So, don’t think that something foreign or strange has uniquely come against you. If I was ever surprised by pain and suffering and loss, I certainly am not now. Why is that? I have had my sharing of pain and suffering and loss in this life. Yes, that is true. 

Although, I am no fan of pain and suffering and loss. I would not seek to erase it from my life. Why is that? It is the adversity of pain and suffering and loss that drew me to you. In my most painful moments, in my darkest hours I have run to you. I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. Yes, that is true. In my pain and suffering and loss I have come to know your kindness and mercy and love. I have come to experience your compassionate comfort. Would I have sought you if I had a pain free life? Would I know you less intimately if I never experienced any adversity? Would I love you as I do if I never need your healing or help? I don’t think so. Suffering has drawn me to you. So, I can be grateful for the work that suffering has done in my life. You have learned very valuable and important lessons from suffering. There is no doubt about that.

But there is more that suffering has done in and for and through me. Like what? As I have received comfort from you, I have been able to comfort others with the same comfort that you have given to me. You have used me to help others because I also have suffered and been comforted by you. That is also true. And there is even more. What else is there? Suffering has strengthened me. Rather, you have strengthened me, in the midst of suffering. I am stronger and have more endurance in my faith because I have walked through adversity with you. Yes, it is easy to see why you would never want to erase pain and suffering from your life. Keep on relying to me as you go through adversity. Keep on receiving my comfort. Keep on comforting others with the comfort you receive from me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been crushed by adversity. I have suffered. I have been in pain. My heart has been broken. I have suffered loss. In these moments you have never left me alone. Thank you for your comfort. Help me to comfort others just as you have comforted me. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord used you to comfort someone with the same comfort, you have received from Him?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to use you to comfort others with the same comfort you have received from Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use you to comfort others with the comfort you have received from Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to comfort others who were suffering.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you comfort others with the comfort you have received from the Lord.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 255 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-7 – We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Blessed Is The Man

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Virtuous Life - Day 191- Psalm 1-1-3 - Blessed Is The Man - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 191- Psalm 1-1-3 – Blessed Is The Man – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

My Word

What will my word do for you? How will my word counsel you? How will my word guide you? How will my word guard you? How will your heart be changed, and your mind transformed as you meditate on my word day and night? What will be different about you as you allow my word to dwell in you richly? I don’t know where to begin. I don’ know where to stop. What won’t your word do for me? As I meditate on your word day and night, I will come to know you. As I meet with you in your word, nothing about me will remain the same. The thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life will be molded and shaped and guarded and guided by your word. My once unfruitful life will become like as you say, “a tree planted by a stream of water”. Instead of a life that is weary and worn out, and dry and unproductive, I will be fresh and alive, briming with life, ready and willing and able to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and glory. Your word will make me new inside an out.. Your word will set a new course for my life. Your word will help me to resist temptation and stand against evil. No longer will I find myself in the wrong places, with the wrong people, in the wrong circumstances. Your word will make me able to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. Your word will make me able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. No longer will I wander from one fruitless endeavor to another. No longer will I wonder where you want me to go or what you want me to do. My life will have hope and meaning and purpose as I grab hold of your word and put it into practice. Yes, my word will do all these things for you. Will you meditate on my word day and night as you love and follow and serve me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will meditate on your word day and night. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Use your word to revive, refresh and restore my life. Use your word to make me able to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question…  How is meditating on God’s word changing your heart, transforming your mind, and guiding your life?

Living It Out…  Meditate on God’s word so He can use it to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your life will be blessed as you mediate on God’s word day and night.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how meditating on God’s word has changed the course of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you delight in God’s word and meditate on it day and night.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 191 – Psalm 1-1-3 – Blessed Is The Man – 4 Page Discipleship 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

The Power Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 127 - 1 Corinthians 2-4-5- The Power Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 127 – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5- The Power Of God – Growing As Disciples

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV)

My Power

Will you rely on my power? That is a very good question. That is a question that in theory is very easy to answer. Why is that? What do you mean by saying it is easy to answer in theory? I could give a quick, of course, and say without hesitation that I will rely on your power. That would be good. What is the problem? The problem is that so often I have not relied on your power. I have tried to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans with my own power and strength. We know what my own power and strength will accomplish. Yes, we do. Apart from you I can do and accomplish nothing of lasting and eternal value. What I can do and accomplish might appear to be significant, the world may think and say so, my efforts may even be celebrated and applauded, but in the end, they will be a pile of dust and of no value, in light of eternity. That’s true. Fortunately, I am weak. Even better, I know that I am weak. Even better yet, you ask me to go and do what I cannot possibly accomplish by my own efforts. Why is this all so good? Anything that causes me to humbly come to rely on you is good. Being weak, causes me to rely on you. Knowing that I am weak, causes me to rely on you.  Being given hopelessly large assignments, causes me to rely on you. I know that all of these are great and good gifts from you to me, of that I have no doubt. That is very good. You are correct. So, because you are weak, and you know you are weak, you are learning to come to rely on me? Yes, that’s true. And because I give you large assignments that require faith and trust in me, you rely on me even more, is that correct? Yes, that is true, without a doubt. You have and are learning valuable lessons.

There are some things of which you can be certain. What’s that? I want to and will powerfully work in and through you. I want to and will work in and through your weakness. I want to and will make you able to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. I will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. All of these will be true and come to pass as you rely on me to work in and through you. That I will do. That will be very good.

Holy Spirit, I know the difference between laboring under my power and having you work powerfully through me. On my own, I can accomplish nothing of lasting and eternal value. Powerfully work in and through my weakness to accomplish your purposes. Amen

Key Question…  How has knowing that you are weak and powerless caused you to rely on the power of God?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Holy Spirit to powerfully work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in and through your weaknesses as you rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Holy Spirit’s power to work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 127 – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5 – The Power Of God – 4 Page Discipleship 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

An Opportunity For Great Joy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 64 - James 1:2-8 - An Opportunity For Great Joy - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 64 – James 1:2-8 – An Opportunity For Great Joy – Growing As Disciples

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:2-8

Place Your Faith

How will you respond to troubles when they come your way? Will you try to avoid them at all costs? Will you treat them as if they were your worst enemy? Will you try to ignore them with the hope that they will go away all by themselves? Will engage in an all-out effort to try to overcome troubles with your own power and strength? Will you become bitter with the thought that you don’t deserve to be experiencing troubles? Will you follow your own counsel and seek your own advice when you find yourself in trouble? Will you place your faith in your closest and wisest friends? Will you listen to anyone and everyone who offers you advice? Where will you place your faith? You certainly do have a lot of questions for me today. Do you find them to be good questions, that you will do well to consider? Yes, they are good questions. I know some things for certain. What’s that? I have not welcomed troubles into my life as friends. The idea of finding myself in the troubles of life has not brought joy into my heart. I have tried to avoid troubles. I have ignored troubles. I have hoped that troubles would quickly disappear. I know for sure that I have often placed my faith in everything and anyone other than you. I have foolishly relied on myself and others. The dumbest thing I have done was to live by my own counsel and follow my own advice. For all the ways I have misplaced my faith, I ask for your forgiveness. You are forgiven. What would you like to do differently? I would like to place my faith in you alone. I would like to rely on you on every day and in every circumstance of my life. I would like to pray faith filled prayers to you for wisdom as I walk through life with you. I would like to live in an intimate relationship with you as you guard and guide me through life. I would like to live with the joyful knowledge that the troubles of life will only serve to strengthen my faith in you. Troubles will draw me nearer and closer to you. In that way, yes, I can admit that troubles can and should be welcomed into my life because I know that you will powerfully use them for good in my life. Yes, I will. Will you place your faith in me as you go through troubles in life? Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have not always placed my faith in you alone. I’m sure that comes as no great surprise. Forgive me. Through all the troubles of life, I will place my faith in you. I will rely on you. I will ask for your wisdom. I will ask for your help. Strengthen my faith in you. Amen

Key Question…  When have you asked God for wisdom as you have gone through troubles in life?

Living It Out…  Place your faith in God alone as you go through troubles in life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will hear and answer your prayers for wisdom as you place your faith in Him alone.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are learning to place your faith in God alone.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you place your faith in God alone as you go through troubles in life.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 64 – James 1-2-8 – An Opportunity For Great Joy – 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

God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Word Centered Life - Day 1 - Psalm 19-7-11 - God's Word Is More Precious Than Gold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Word Centered Life – Day 1 – Psalm 19-7-11 – God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)  

Your Work

That is exactly what I want you to do. What do you want me to do? I want you to do your work in me. Not only that, I want you to do your work for me and through me. Now, I want to be clear about something. What’s that? I want you to do your work in me, for me and through me, for your glory. I am not asking you to do something in, or for, or though me, for my own selfish purposes. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to know and love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. How do you suppose I will do my work in you? What instrument will I use to mold and shape your life? How will I make you able to know and love and follow and serve me with all that is within you? What role will you have in the work that I will do in you? Will you be a passive participant in the work I will do in, for, and through you? No, not at all, I will be a very active participant in you doing your work in, for, and through me. How so? Let me take a step back and answer your other questions. I’m listening. I know that you will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. It is your word that you will use to mold and shape my life. You will revive me by your word. You will make me wise by your word. You will fill my life with joy as I take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. You will guard and guide my path by your word. Your word will warn me and keep me away from danger. I know that I will find great reward in hearing and obeying your word. Now, I am ready to answer your question. My role will be to come to meet with you in your word. My role will be to let your word dwell in me richly. My role will be to keep n hearing and obeying your word. Then I will know the reward of you molding and shaping me into to the person you have called me to be. Then I will know the reward of living the life you have called me to live. Yes, you will. Keeping on allowing my word to work in you, for you, and through you, for my glory. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, your word is more valuable than gold. Nothing is more important to me than your word. Revive me by your word. Make me wise by your word. Guard and guide the entire course of my life by your word. Use your word to work in me, for me and through me. Amen

Key Question…  How have you found great reward in hearing and obeying God’s word?

Living It Out…  Take God’s word deep into your heart and mind and life so it can do its work in, for you, and through you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you find great reward in hearing and obeying God’s word.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are taking God’s word into your heart and mind and life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God to use His word to do His work in you, for you and through you.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 1 – Psalm 19-7-11 – God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold – 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