Monthly Archives: July 2021

Be Doers Of The Word

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The Word Centered Life - Day 7 - James 1:22-25 - Be Doers Of The Word - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 7 – James 1:22-25 – Be Doers Of The Word – Growing As Disciples

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:22-25 (ESV)

Blessed In Your Doing

Would you like to be blessed in your doing? What does that mean? Let me ask you a few different questions. Would you like to be able to know and do my will? Would you like to know where I am leading you? Would you like to know what I am asking of you? Would you like to be able to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans for your life? Would you like me to work in and through you? Would you like to know that my hand is on you? Would you like to be blessed in what I have given you to do in this life? In other words, would you like to be blessed in your doing? Now, I understand. Now, I get what you are asking of me. To all your questions, I will give one strong and emphatic yes. That’s good.

What must I do if I want to be blessed in my doing? That is a question, I know you can answer. So, I will listen to your answer. If I want to be blessed in my doing, I must do two things. First, I must hear your word. I must look intently into your word. I must allow your word to deeply penetrate my heart and mind and life. I must allow your word to dwell in me richly. I must allow your word to do its work in me. What kind of work will my word do in you? Your word will change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Your word will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Your word will help me to know and do your will. Second, and I already drifted into what I must also do, is that I must put your word into action. It will never be enough for me to only hear your word. Only hearing your word will be of no benefit to me. Thinking that I only need to hear your word would be a great self-deception. No, if I want to be blessed in my doing, I will need to put your word into practice. If I both here and do your word, I will live in freedom. If I both hear and do your word, I will be blessed in my doing. Your hand will be on me. You will do in and through me what I could have never done on my own, all by myself. You make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is what I will do. I will be a hearer and doer of your word. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will look intently into your word. I will allow your word to deeply penetrate my heart, mind, and life. I will not be a hearer only of your word. I will be a doer who acts on your word. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Amen.

Key Question…  How has the Lord blessed your life as you have both heard and put His word into practice?

Living It Out…  Make sure that you are both hearing and putting God’s word into action.

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

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you both hear and put God’s word into action.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 7 – James 1-22-25 – Be Doers Of The Word – 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

Above All Clothe Yourself With Love

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The Compassionate Life - Day 258 - Colossians 3:12-14 - Above All Clothe Yourself With Love - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 258 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Above All Clothe Yourself With Love – Growing As Disciples

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Clothed

How will you be clothed? What will you put on? What kind of life will you live since I chose you to be my child? I will live a life that is pleasing to you. I will seek to know and do your will all the days of my life. I will follow the example you set before me. It is my hope and desire, dream and plan to think and speak and act like you. I know it is your will that I become like you. Yes, that is my will for you. Yes, I want you to live a life that is pleasing to me. I want you to become like me in all you think, and say, and do. That is entirely correct.  

What are elements of clothing that you will put on? I will put-on tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I will always make allowances for the faults I see in others. I will always forgive others who offend me. Why is it especially important that you do these things? I have many faults. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to see my own faults. Nevertheless, I know that they are many and glaring. Why I can so easily see others faults but not see my own is beyond me. So, I will make allowances for others that I hope that they will make for me. I also need forgiveness for when I offend others. Again, my need of forgiveness is not rare and unusual or infrequent. So, remembering my own need of forgiveness, and how you have freely forgiven me, has set before me a powerful reason and example why I need to forgive others readily and freely. How could I expect to receive forgiveness from others or from you if I lived an unforgiving life? You could have no hope or expectation of receiving what you were unwilling to give to others. But I am ready and willing and able to forgive. I am determined to do for others what you have done for me. That is very good.

How else will you be clothed? What else will you put on? I will put on love. I will allow the love you have for me to flow through me to others so that they will be drawn to you. And what will be the sign that you are truly putting on my love? I will be living in harmony with others. I will be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I will be bearing fruit for your Kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I will be living the life you have called me to live. Yes, you will and that will be very good.

Lord, thank you for choosing me. I will remember that you have forgiven me so I can readily forgive others. Help me to make allowances for the faults I see in others that I cannot see in myself. Help me to put on love so I can live in harmony with others. Amen

Key Question…  When has remembering that the Lord forgave you helped you to forgive others?

Living It Out…  Clothe yourself with love so you will be able to live in harmony with others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with love so you can live in harmony with others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are making allowances for the faults you see in others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you clothe yourself with love so you will live in harmony with others.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 258 – Colossians 3-12-14 – Clothe Yourself With Love – 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

Meditate On These Things

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The Virtuous Life - Day 196 - Philippians 4:8-9 - Meditate On These Things - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 196 – Philippians 4:8-9 – Meditate On These Things – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV)

My Thoughts

Can I really control my thoughts? Am I able to tell my mind what to think? Those are two very good questions. Why is that? Many do not believe that they can control the thoughts of their mind. Many do not think that they can tell their mind what to think. From these verses you should know that you can control your thoughts and choose what you will allow your mind to think. They key word I have used is the word, choose. What will you choose to think? Will what you choose to think eliminate and even push other thoughts and words out of your mind? Like, if I chose to think what is true, I won’t think about what is false. Exactly. Or, if I chose to think what is noble and just and pure, I will not think what is ignoble or unjust or impure. Or, if I think about what is lovely and of good report or virtuous or praiseworthy, I will not be thinking of their opposites. You got it. If you control your thoughts in this way you will be halfway on your way to living a life filled with the peace, I want to give to you. Halfway, what else must I do to receive the peace you want to give to me? Not only must you hear and meditate on my word if you want my peace, but you must also put my word into practice. What you have heard and learned and seen and received from me you must also put it in practice. Hearing and meditating alone, although a very good start, will not bring you my full measure of peace, without your putting my word into daily practice. Do you understand? Yes, I understand quite clearly. I do however want to make one more thing quite clear to you. Both hearing and doing my word go together. Hearing and meditating on my word will change your heart and transform your mind and guide your life. As you hear and meditate on my word, I will make you able to put it into practice. Hearing and meditating on my word will fill you with desire to do what is pleasing to me. When you hear and do my word, your life will be filled with my peace. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that my mind is a battle ground. I also know that I can choose what I allow myself to think. I will choose to meditate on your word. I will think about what is virtuous and praiseworthy. I will put your word into practice so I can live in your peace. Amen 

Key Question…  What conditions, according to these verses, must be met for God’s peace to be with you?

Living It Out…  Meditate on and put God’s word into practice so you will be filled with the peace of God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be filled with peace as you meditate on and put God’s word into practice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how meditating On God’s word is changing your heart and mind.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you meditate on what is virtuous and praiseworthy.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 196 – Philippians 4-8-9 – Meditate On These Things – 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

The One Who Sows To Please The Spirit

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 132 - Galatians 6:7-10 - The One Who Sows To Please The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 132 – Galatians 6:7-10 – The One Who Sows To Please The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)

Sow What?

That is a very good question. What is a very good question? What will you sow in life? There are only two choices. What are my choices? You can sow to the Spirit or you can sow to the flesh. Another way of putting is you can sow to the Spirit, or you can sow to the sinful nature. Sowing to the Spirit will bring life and peace and joy. Sowing to the flesh or sinful nature will bring disaster, death, and destruction. Who would ever decide to sow to the flesh or sinful nature? You would be surprised. Many choose to live for what looks like the pleasure of the moment. Many live to please themselves. Many only pursue what this sin broken world has to offer. They chase after what will never satisfy. The seek what will never last. The pleasures of sin are but for moment. But as you know, the wage of sin is death, and that death is certain. I have no doubt about that. That’s good.

You used a good word in your question. What word was that? You used the word, choice. You must choose. If you want to sow to the Spirit, you must make that your choice. Choosing to sow to the Spirit is not a one and done choice. Your choice to sow to the Spirit must be a daily decision. Actually, it must be an ongoing moment by moment decision that you will continually make and affirm as you live a life that is pleasing to me. Why is that? This sin broken world will attempt to allure and entice you to live according to all its evil purposes, patterns, and passions. This sin broken world will attempt to entrap you into living a life that is not pleasing to me. This sin broken world’s goal is that you live to please yourself in ways that will guarantee that you will be ineffective and unfruitful for me. It is the desire of my heart to live a life that is pleasing to you that will bear a rich harvest for the Kingdom of God and bring glory to His name. That is a very good desire that you have within you. So, be on guard against sowing to the flesh or sinful nature. Don’t let anything feed evil in you. I will be on guard. I will not let anything feed evil in me. That’s good.

Keep on doing the good I give you to do. Keep on sowing to the Spirit. Live the life I have given you to live. Never give up. Never become weary and quit. I will not. One day you will reap a rich harvest because you have continued to sow to the Spirit. Of this, you can be certain. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, I will not sow to the sinful nature. I will be on guard against thinking, speaking, or acting in ways that displease you. I will sow to please you. I will not grow weary in doing the good you give me to do for you. Help me to bear a rich kingdom harvest. Amen

Key Question…  How has your life born fruit for the Kingdom of God as you have sowed to please the Holy Spirit?

Living It Out…  Never grow weary in sowing to please the Holy Spirit by doing the good He gives you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will reap a rich harvest as you continue to sow to please the Holy Spirit.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are actively engaged in sowing to please the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you keep on sowing to please the Holy Spirit so you can reap a rich harvest for the Kingdom of God.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 132 – Galatians 6-7-10 – The One Who Sows To Please The Spirit – 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

Delight Yourself In The Lord

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The Prayer Filled Life - Day 69 - Psalm 37:3-7 - Delight Yourself In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 69 – Psalm 37:3-7 – Delight Yourself In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:3-7 (NIV)

Desires

What are your desires? How have your desires changed since you started taking delight in me? What new desires do you have in your heart because you are now fully devoted to me? How do your brand-new desires compare with the old desires that were once in you? How confident are you that I will both give and grant you the desires of your heart as you take delight in me? How willing are you to wait patiently for me to fulfill the desires of your heart? Will you place all your faith and hope and trust in me? You have asked so many questions. I hardly know where to start. I will start by saying that I do take delight in you. You are so good to me. You have richly blessed my life. You have filled me with desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. You have made it to be my desire to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. If I am fully devoted to you, no credit is due me. Only you have given me a heart for you. Only you have made me want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Only you have made it my highest desire to know and do your will. These are the desires I have in me. Do I believe that you will grant me these desires of my heart? How could I not, these desires could have only come from you. They certainly did not originate in me. These new desires are nothing like my old desires. I no longer desire power or prestige or possessions. I no longer desire the acclaim and applause of the world.  All my hope and faith and trust are in you. You who began this good work in me will certainly bring it to completion. You have given and will grant me the desires of my heart. Yes, I will. Of that, I have not doubt. I will wait patiently for you to act as I live my live with and for you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I give you thanks and praise for your kindness, and mercy, and love, for me. You have all my joy and gratitude for giving me a brand-new life in you. I take delight in your goodness. Give and grant me new desires in my heart that are fully pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question…  How have the desires of your heart been made new since you started to delight yourself in the Lord?

Living It Out…  Take delight in the Lord so that He can both give and grant you the desires of your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will both give and grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are taking delight in the Lord as you trust in Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you delight yourself in the Lord so He can give and grant you the desires of your heart.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 69 – Psalm 37-3-7 – Delight Yourself In 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

Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God

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The Word Centered Life - Day 6 - Matthew 4:1-4 - Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 6 – Matthew 4:1-4 – Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)

Live On

Now those are good words for you to consider. What words are good for me to consider? “Live on” are words that you would do well to think deeply about. How so? It is not apparent to you? The obvious importance of these two words does not jump out at you and capture your attention? No, not really, I must be a little dense at the moment. I will ask you a few questions to stimulate your thinking. That would be good. What is feeding your life? Where are you drawing your sustenance? Let me be clear, I am not talking about what feeds your body. I am not talking about what enters your stomach. I am talking about what feeds your heart and mind and life. I am talking about what nourishes your soul. Now does the importance of those two words, “live on” have more meaning and importance and significance to you? Can I ask you, “What are you living on?” Now I understand. Now I get it. Now I know what you want me to consider. That’s good.

I will tell you what will not feed me. I will tell you what will not sustain and strengthen me. I will tell you what will not revive and fresh and restore me. I will tell you what will not guard and guide me through life. I will tell you what I cannot possibly live on. I will tell you what will never feed my soul. What’s that? I can hardly wait to hear what you have to say. Anything the world offers me will do none of these things for me. I will never be able to live on wealth and power and prestige. I will never be able to live on the thoughts and opinions and values of this world. I will never be able to live on the applause or acclaim or recognition of the world. Thinking otherwise is hopelessly foolish. Where have you gained such knowledge? How have you become so wise? By making so many dumb mistakes, I have learned a thing or two. But make no mistake about it, I have learned nothing by myself. You have been my teacher. That is true.

So now, I will come back to those two words you want me to consider. I will “live on” your word. It is your word sustains and strengthens me. It is your word that revives and refreshes and restores me. It is your word that guards and guides me through life. It is your word that is feeding my soul. Daily, I will come to feed on your word. I will “live on” your word. That will be very good.

Lord, I do not live on bread alone. Your word feeds me so I will be sustained and strengthened. Your word clothes me with power so I can resist temptation and fight against evil. Your word shelters me when evil attacks me like a storm. I will rely on your word. Amen

Key Question…  How are you feeding on God’s word so you can be sustained and strengthened?

Living It Out…  Feed on God’s word so you will be sustained and strengthened in your fight against temptation and evil.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that feeding on God’s word will guard, guide, strengthen, and sustain you throughout your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are feeding on a regular daily diet of God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be sustained and strengthened as your feed daily on God’s word.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 6 – Matthew 4-1-4 – Every Word That Comes From The Mouth 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                                  http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You

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The Sacramental Life - Day 323 - John 15:1-4 - Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 323 – John 15:1-4 – Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You – Growing As Disciples

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4 (NIV)

Fruitful

Do you want to live a life that is fruitful? Do you want to bear fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want to shine brightly for me in the darkness of this world? Would you like to live a life that I can use? Do you want to others to be drawn to me through the witness and testimony of your life? Would you one day like to hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Yes, I want all of this. How can I live this kind of life? What will be required of me for this to be true of me? You must do one thing if you want to live this kind of life. You must do one thing if you want these things to be true of you. You have my full attention. I am listening very carefully to you. What one thing must I do? You must live in an intimate relationship with me. You must make living in an intimate relationship with me the priority of your life. Does that sound simple? Does that easy? Before you answer, I will answer for you. No, it will not be simple. No, it will not be easy. Living in an intimate relationship with me will require everything from you. Does my answer surprise you? No, not really. Why is that? I know that the world, my flesh, and the devil will make every effort to prevent me from living in an intimate relationship with you. I know that the hurry and noise and busyness of life will make every attempt to distract me from living in an intimate relationship with you. I know that the thoughts and opinions and values of the world will try to conform to its pattern and mood me into its shape. But I will have none of this. I have had enough of this fruitless and barren life. I will have no more of living at a distance from you. Now, there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Now, there is nothing I would rather do than bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Living in an intimate relationship with you may not be easy or simple but neither is it hard. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live a life of pleasing you. Nothing will bring me greater joy or pleasure than living in an intimate relationship with you. Giving myself to you completely is the desire of my heart. Here I am, I am all yours. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good. Yes, it is.

Lord, I know I have gotten caught up in the hurry, noise, and busyness of life. This is not a life of abiding. This is no way to remain in you. This is the opposite of living in an intimate relationship with you. Help me to live an abundant, fruitful life of abiding in you. Amen

Key Question…  What commitment will be required of you if you want to live in an intimate relationship with the Lord?

Living It Out…  Make it your daily priority to meet in prayer with the Lord so you can remain in Him and bear fruit for His kingdom.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will bear an abundance of fruit for the kingdom of God as you abide in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what spiritual disciplines have most helped you to abide in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you remain in Christ so you can bear an abundance of fruit for Him.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 323 – John 15-1-4 – Remain In Me And I Will Remain In 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

You Did For Me

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The Compassionate Life - Day 257 - Matthew 25:34-40 - You Did For Me - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25:34-40 – You Did For Me – Growing As Disciples

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

Do For You

On this, I don’t want to miss the mark. On this, I don’t want to fall short. On this, I don’t want to fail to do your will. What are you talking about? On what don’t you want to fall short or miss the mark? On what do you want to make very sure that you are doing my will? I know that you have richly blessed my life. I also know that it is your will for me to generously share with others what you have given to me. It was never your intent that I tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. It is your intent that I share the gifts and talents and abilities and resources you have given to me. You want me to help others in need. You are correct. You are wise in your thinking. You do know my will. It would be a tragic and foolish mistake for me to hold on to what I certainly cannot keep. I brought nothing into this world. The only thing I can take out of this world, is the fruit I bear for your Kingdom and the treasure I store up in heaven with you. Giving my life to you, by following and serving you, is the only way I can bear fruit for your kingdom, bring glory to your name, and store up treasure in heaven with you. If I help those in need, if I am doing good to others, I am doing good to you. If I am serving others, then I am serving you. Yes, that is also correct. It is vitally important that you both know and do my will.

You have given me a powerful example to follow. You gave your life away. You were a servant to all. You want me to think like you thought. You want me to speak like you spoke. You want me to act like you acted. This is what I will do without hesitation. Use me to help others in need. Open my heart and eyes and hands to those in need all around me. Use me to do your will. I am at your service. That is very good. 

Lord, you have richly blessed my life, there is no doubt about that. I know it is your will for me to share with others what you have given to me. I will generously share the gifts, talents, abilities, and resources you have given to me with others who are in need. Amen

Key Question…  How is your heart and mind and hand and life wide open to see and help those who are in need?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to regularly use you to help others who are in need.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will regularly use you to help others who are in need.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are helping others who are in need.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Lord to use you to help others who are in need.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25-34-40 – You Did For Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Righteousness God Desires

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The Virtuous Life - Day 195 - James 1:19-21 - Righteousness God Desires - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 195 – James 1:19-21 – Righteousness God Desires – Growing As Disciples

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.  So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:19-21 (NLT)

Planted In You

Do you want to live the righteous life I desire? Do you want to think, and speak, and act in ways that are pleasing to me? Do you want to live the life I have called you to live?  I will give an emphatic and passionate yes to all three of your questions. Yes, I want to live the righteous life you desire. Yes, I want to think, and speak, and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Yes, I want to life the life you have called me to live. That is very good. How can I live such a life? How will you make be able to live the righteous life that you desire for me? Let me break down your question, which is very good. First, it is I, that will make you able to live a righteous life. And it is true, it is my desire for you, that you live a righteous life. Both are true. Now for the main thrust of your question which was, “How can I make you able to live the righteous life I desire for you?” Yes, that’s it. You must draw near to me. You must come into my presence. You must meet with me in my word. You must humbly allow me to plant my word deeply in you. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will guide your life. That I will do. That is not all. As you allow me to humbly plant my word in you, there is something else you must do. What is that? You must remove any filth and evil from your life. Will that be difficult? Will that be troublesome? Will that be painful? It could be. It may be. On your own, without my help, it would be impossible. But as you draw near to me and allow my word to be deeply planted in you, your heart and mind and life be changed and transformed. You will welcome my work in you. We will be on the same page. You will want what I want. You will want, with all your heart, to live the life I have for you. Yes, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will humbly allow your word to be deeply planted in me. Use your word to produce in me the righteous life you desire. Remove any filth and evil from my life. Use your word to help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Amen

Key Question…  What work has God done in you as you have humbly allowed His word to be deeply planted in you?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to be deeply planted in you so you can live the righteous life He desires.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the God’s word being deeply planted in you will help you to live the righteous life He desires.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to be planted deeply in you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you humbly allow God’s word to be deeply planted in you so you can live the righteous life He desires.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 195 – James 1-19-21 – Righteousness God Desires – 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