Monthly Archives: August 2021

Go And Meet With God

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The Prayer Filled Life - Day 75 - Psalm 42:1-2 - Go And Meet With God - Growing As Disciples

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 75 – Psalm 42:1-2 – Go And Meet With God – Growing As Disciples

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)

Thirsty

There is a thirst within me that only you can satisfy. How do you know this to be true? It took me quite a bit of time to realize that I had a thirst for you within me. It was difficult for me to identify what was missing in my life. Why did I have this emptiness within me, I wondered. Why did I feel like there was a void in the center of my being? I made the mistake of trying to fill that emptiness or void, that was within me, with all that the world had to offer. Comfort and pleasure did not fill my emptiness. Power or prestige or possessions did not satisfy my longing for something else or more or different. I had no idea of what I was longing for or what I really needed. But I was searching. I was seeking. I was looking around and crying out. You heard my cry. You answered my prayer. Yes, I did hear your cry and answer my prayer.

Now, I know something to be unquestionably true. What is that? One of the greatest, maybe the best of all gifts, that you have given to me is a thirst for you. Am I like a deer panting for water? Is that what my soul is like? Or am I more like a thirsty person crawling across a sun scorched desert floor in search of water? Both describe me. For that, I am thankful. For that, I am grateful. I know without a doubt that you have set me on fire with a desire to come to know and love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. My heart burns within me for you. Can there be a greater gift than that? No, I don’t think so. All I can say to you is, “Make me even thirstier for you. Fan the flame of my desire for you. Help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you with all that is within me.” This is my prayer. This is my desire. For these, I can take no credit. You have placed them within me. What you have said is true. I have placed these desires in you. I have made you thirsty for me. I have set you on fire with a passion to want to know me. Will I hear and answer these prayers and desires within you? Will I do for you, as you ask? Yes, I will, of this you can be certain Thank you, Lord.

Lord, it is true, I am like a deer panting for water. That is how my soul thirsts for you. What a great gift you have given to me. You have made me thirsty for you. I will go and meet with you. Satisfy my thirst for you. Help me to come to know you intimately. Amen

Key Question…  How has having an unquenchable thirst for God been a great gift to you?

Living It Out…  Go and meet with God so that He can satisfy the thirst you have for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will satisfy your thirst for Him as you go and meet with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know God as you meet with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  Lord, how will you satisfy my thirst for you as I meet with you today?

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 75 – Psalm 42-1-2 – Go And Meet With God – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Like A Mighty Hammer

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The Word Centered Life - Day 12 - Jeremiah 23:29 - Like A Mighty Hammer- Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 12 – Jeremiah 23:29 – Like A Mighty Hammer- Growing As Disciples

Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?  Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT)

Fire And Hammer

Do you want to be on fire for me? Do you want to passionately follow and serve me? Do you want to love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength?  Yes, I want all these things to be true of me. How can all these things be true of me? Before I answer those questions, I have more questions for you. Do you want to have a changed heart and a transformed mind? Do you want me to break up any hardness in your heart? Do you want to receive my instruction and follow my guidance? Would you like me to knock some godly sense into you as you live your life with and for me? Yes, I want these things to be true for me as well. That is very good.

Let me tell you a secret. It is not much of a secret. It is not meant to be a secret. It should come as no secret to you. I’m curious. I’m interested. I’m listening. You have my full attention. My word is like a white-hot blazing fire. If you take my word deep into your heart and mind and life, it will set you on fire to passionately love and follow and serve me. It will burn impurities out of your life. As you meet with me in my word you will not be the same. Your heart will be changed, and your mind transformed as you allow my word to dwell richly in you. My word will make you able to resist temptation and stand against evil. My word will shine brightly in and through you so you can be a bold and bright witness for me in the world. My word will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Will you allow my word to be like a fire in you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

We are not done. I have more to say about my word. I’m still listening attentively to you. My word is like a mighty hammer. As you allow my word to dwell richly in you, it will break up the hardness of your heart. My word will drive foolishness from you. My word will knock godly sense into you. My word will guard and guide your life. My word will keep you on track as you live your life with and for me. My word will help you to be able to know and do my will. Will you allow my word to be like a mighty hammer to mold and shape you into the person that I have called you to become? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word is like a white-hot blazing fire, setting me on fire to love, follow, and serve you. Your word is like a mighty hammer, able to knock godly sense into me. I will allow you to use your word to work in, for, and through me. Amen

Key Question…  How are you allowing God to use His word to His work in, for and through you?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to be like a fire and a hammer in you to break up your hard heart and set you on fire for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s word be like a fire and hammer in you to break up your hard heart and set you on fire for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to soften your heart and set you on fire.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God’s word to work like a mighty hammer to break up the hardness of your heart.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 12 – Jeremiah 23-29 – Like A Mighty Hammer – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

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The Sacramental Life - Day 329 - Proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 329 – Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Trust You 

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will trust you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will trust you with all that is within me. Very well then, there is no problem. I wouldn’t say that. Why wouldn’t you say that? Well, it sometimes seems harder to trust in you than it is to rely on myself.  Really, have you had a good result when you have relied on yourself? Do you have a great track record of success when you have leaned on your own understanding? No, not at all, I have not had a good result or a great track record when I have relied on myself. In fact, relying on myself or being wise in my own eyes has usually met with disaster. Then what seems so easy about relying on yourself? That is a good question. I don’t know why I have ever thought relying on my own understanding or being wise in my own eyes has ever been a good idea. Taking such a course or implementing such a strategy has led me on a crooked path. I have bounced from one unproductive and unfruitful endeavor to another. I was wasted a great deal of time and energy following the course that I have laid out for myself. That is not good. I know. What would you like to do differently? I would like to live out my confession. I would like to rely fully on you. I would like to acknowledge you in all my ways. I would like to fear you and shun evil in every form. That will be very good. What will happen to your life as you trust in and acknowledge me fully? What will happen to you as you fear me and shun evil? I will live a fruitful and productive with and for you. I will walk a straight path to where you lead me. I will walk a straight path to do what you give me to do. My life will be filled with health to my body and nourishment to my bones. I will live the life that you have called me to live. Yes, you will and that will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will trust in you with all my heart. I will not rely on my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge you. I will not be wise in my own eyes. I will fear you and shun evil. Lead me on a straight and fruitful path. Fill my bones and body with health. Amen

Key Question…  When have you found it hard to trust in the Lord and easy to rely on your own understanding?

Living It Out…  Trust in the Lord with all your heart rather than relying on your own understanding.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will make your path straight and fruitful as you acknowledge and rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are trusting the Lord rather than relying on your understanding

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 329 – Proverbs 3-5-8 – Trust 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Be Patient With Everyone

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The Compassionate Life - Day 263 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 - Be Patient With Everyone - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – Growing As Disciples

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NIV)

Patience

What does patience look like? How will you know if you are being patient with everyone? How can you express patience towards others just as I have expressed patience toward you? Let’s stop right there. Why so? You have lavishly and generous expressed your patience to me. My goofy thoughts, dumb mistakes, unbelievable missteps, and outright sins have demanded unending and almost unlimited patience from you. The fact that you still love and care for me and even now are continuing to show me your patience is beyond my comprehension. For your patience, I am thankful. For your patience, I am grateful. For your patience, I give you all my love and thanks and praise and worship. That is very good. So, what is the problem? Why did we need to make such an abrupt stop? You want me to be like you. You want me to be patient with everyone. You want me to express the same patience to others that you have expressed to me. You are correct. I want you to be patient with everyone. That kind of patience doesn’t reside in me. I am not gifted at being patient. Being patient isn’t one of my better or stronger qualities. That does sound like a little bit of an understatement to me. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. One does not have to look hard to notice that you are not very patient. Well then, aren’t you asking a lot of me? Aren’t you asking too much of me? Not at all. How so? I am asking you to become like me. And I will remind you of a key thought, by asking you a question. Go ahead, I am patiently listening. You do have a sense of humor. Here is my question, “Can you become like me without my help?” There is no chance of that. Do you believe that I will help you to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I do believe that you will help me to become like you. Even in patience? Yes, even in patience. Will you rely on me, and place your faith in me, to make you able to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will be patient with others as you have been patient with me. I will show love, respect, and honor to spiritual leaders who work hard for my benefit. I will warn the idle, encourage the timid, and help the weak. Help me to express your kindness to everyone. Amen

Key Question…  How are you being patient with others, just as the Lord is patient with you?

Living It Out…  Make it your plan and goal to be patient with others, just as the Lord has been patient with you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be patient with others just as He has been with you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to be patient with others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be patient with others just as the Lord is patient with you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5-12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Results Of Your Salvation

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The Virtuous Life - Day 201 - Philippians 2:12-13 - The Results Of Your Salvation - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 201 – Philippians 2:12-13 – The Results Of Your Salvation – Growing As Disciples

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)

Pleasing To You

That should be the result of my salvation. What should be the result of your salvation? Living a life that is pleasing to you should be the result of the salvation I have in you. If being saved by you hasn’t completely changed my thoughts and words and actions, I would think something is amiss, that something is lacking, or that something has gone wrong or been short circuited. That is a very good, right, and true thought. How have your thoughts and words and actions changed since you began your new life of salvation with me? The answer to that question could go at least a couple different ways. First, I would like to say that you have been and are continuing to change everything about me. You are molding and shaping my life. You are making me into the person into the person you designed me to be. You are helping me to live the life you have called me to live. All my thoughts and words and actions are different because I am coming to know and love and follow and serve you. In your presence I am becoming a new and completely different person. I will say something odd; you are making it easy for me to obey you. I know that sounds crazy. Not to me. You have been and are continuing to change the desires of my heart. How difficult is it to want to please the one I love? How hard is it to look for ways to please you when there is nothing I would rather do instead? The desire to humbly, and reverently, love, follow, and serve you, is the greatest and best gift that you could have given to me. For this gift, I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful. You are welcome. So, the second, and most obvious thing that I could say is, you have and are continuing to help me to take my focus off myself. I am living to come to know you. I am living to do your will. I am living to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. It is my desire to live in an intimate relationship with you. How is that for being the results of the salvation I have in you? That is very good. There can be now better result. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the desire and the power to do what is pleasing to you. Help me to live a life of humbly and reverently doing what pleases you in all my thoughts and words and actions. I will love, follow, and serve you with all my heart.  Amen

Key Question…  What joy do you have in knowing you are thinking, speaking, and acting in ways that please the Lord?

Living It Out… Live a life of humbly and reverently doing what is pleasing to God in all your thoughts, words, and actions.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God has and will continue to give you both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group the joy you have found in doing what is pleasing to God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live a humble and reverent life of doing what is pleasing to God.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 201 – Philippians 2-12-13 – The Results Of Your Salvation – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 137 - 2 Peter 3:1-4 - His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 137 – 2 Peter 3:1-4 – His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need – Growing As Disciples

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.              2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

Power And Promises

I want to become like you. How do you want to become like me? I want to become like you in all that I think and say and do. I want to think like you thought. I want to speak like you spoke. I want to live like you lived. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. What kind of life have I called you to live? You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to draw near to you. In your presence you want to change my heart and transform my mind and life. What will I use to change your heart and transform mind and life? What have I given you so that you will be able to live the life I have called you to live? You have given me your power and promises to make me able to live the godly life you have called me to live. You have given me your power and promises to help me to escape the corruption that is in the world. You have given me your power and promises to help me to know and love and follow and serve you. Your power and promises have been, are now, and will continue to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. That is correct. This is exactly what my power and promises are doing in you. My power and promises are making you able to live the life I have I called you to live.

What must you do with my power and promises if you want to fully live the life, I have called you to live? I must rely on your power. I have no life-giving power in me. You are my source of power. I must never rely on myself if I want to live the life you have called me to live.  What about my promises? What will you do with my promises? I will take your promises deep into my heart and mind and life. I will keep your promises ever before me. I will hold on to your promises. I will live by your promises. I will put your promises into practice. You have answered well. Rely on my power and live by my promises. Remain in an intimate relationship with me. Then you will live the life I have called you to live. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. It has been my hope, dream, and desire to live in an intimate relationship with you. Your promises and power are transforming my heart and mind. You are helping me to live the life you have called me to live. Amen

Key Question…  How have you responded to God’s call to come to know Him and live by His promises?

Living It Out…  Rely on the power and promises of God for all you need to live the life He has called you to live.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s power and promises will make you able to live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the power and promises of God are transforming your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rely on the power and promises of God so you can become like Him.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 137 – 2 Peter 1-3-4 – His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Be Still And Know That I Am God

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The Prayer Filled Life - Day 74 - Psalm 46:10 - Be Still And Know That I Am God - Growing As Disciples

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 74 – Psalm 46:10 – Be Still And Know That I Am God – Growing As Disciples

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Be Still

That isn’t as easy as it sounds. That does not come naturally to me. What does not come easy or naturally to you? Being still is very difficult for me. Why is that? I like to be busy. I like to be on the go. I like to get things done. That is worldly thinking. That is a dangerous deception. Those are misplaced priorities. How so? Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening. How well do you think you will come to know me if you don’t spend time with me? How well will you receive my guidance and follow my instructions if you don’t listen to me? What is of higher priority to you than living in an intimate relationship with me? At the end of your life would you rather be able to say that you came to know me intimately or that you got a high percentage of your daily, “to do lists” done? Ordering my life around a series of “to do lists” would be a ridiculous choice. You think so? I do, think so. Well then, why have you raced through life trying to accomplish your “to do lists” and failed to meet with me. That is a very good question. I am glad that you think so. How often have you really quieted yourself before me so that you could come to know me? Hasn’t the busyness and demands and noise of this world tried to keep you from coming to know me intimately? I see your point. I see the foolishness of my thinking. I can see that I have had misplaced priorities. That’s good. That’s wise. That’s true.

How would you like to live your life differently? What are you going to do to reorder your priorities? My number one priority is to come to know you. There is no close second. So, I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you. I will quiet myself before you. I will be still so that I can come to know you. I will listen to your voice. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. I will live the life that you are calling me to live. No longer will I allow the world to distract me from coming to know and love and follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, it is my desire to know you intimately. I want to hear your voice guiding me through life. Every day, I will set aside a time and place to meet with you. I will withdraw from the demands and busyness of this life. I will quiet myself before you. Amen

Key Question…  Why is it critically important for you to set aside a time and place to be still before God?

Living It Out…  Set aside a daily time and place to be still before God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will come to know God as you are still before Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know God as you are still before Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you set aside time to be still so you can know God.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 74 – Psalm 46-10 – Be Still And Know That I Am God – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

I Devoured Them

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The Word Centered Life - Day 11 - Jeremiah 15:16 - I Devoured Them - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 11 – Jeremiah 15:16 – I Devoured Them – Growing As Disciples

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT)

Devour My Word

Do you want to hear from me? Would you like me to speak to you? Do you need wisdom? Are you looking for guidance? Will you receive instruction? Would you like me to guard and guide your life? Yes, yes, yes, I want all these things from you. There is no hesitation in me. I am hungry for all these things to be true for me. It is interesting that you have indicated that you are hungry for these things to be true in your life. That word hungry may have seemed like an odd choice of a word. But it is exactly the right word to use regarding my questions of you. Why is that? If you want to hear from me, if you would like me to speak to you, if you need wisdom and will receive instruction or want guidance, you must devour my word. You have used the word hungry. I have used the word devour. If you are hungry for my word, you will devour my word. All these things that you want to be true in your life will come to you as you devour my word. I get it.

If you get it, how will you go about devouring my word? I will meet with you daily in your word. I will set aside a time and place for us to meet in your word. I will make myself fully available to you. I will slow down. I will carve out time for us to be together. I will quiet myself before you. I will leave the hustle and bustle and noise of the world far behind me. I will ignore the never ceasing, unrelenting demands that the world places on me. I will listen attentively to you. I will receive all that you want to give to me. I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will allow your word to make me able to know and do your will. I will allow your word to guard and guide the entire course of my life. That will be very good. In our time together you will be changed. You cannot remain in my presence without being transformed. I will give you new ways to think, new words to speak and new deeds to do. You will be able to know and do my will as you keep on meeting with me in my word. You will never fail to hear from me as you come to me. I will not remain silent. I will not be far off. As you draw near to me, I will draw near to you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not occasionally snack on your word. Your word will be in my daily diet. I will feast in your word. I will devour your word. I will chew on your word throughout my day. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Amen

Key Question…  How would you describe your daily practice of devouring God’s word?

Living It Out…  Devour God’s word so that it will bring joy and delight into your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s word will become your joy and heart’s delight when you devour it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group something from God’s word that brings joy and delight in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you devour and live by God’s word.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 11 – Jeremiah 15-16 – I Devoured Them – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Had Been With Jesus

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The Sacramental Life - Day 328 - Acts 4:13 - Had Been With Jesus - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 328 – Acts 4:13 – Had Been With Jesus – Growing As Disciples

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Become Like Me

Do you want to become like me? Is that even a possibility? Is that even a legitimate question? Would I ask you an illegitimate question? Would I ask you to consider something that is impossible? No, you would not ask me an illegitimate or impossible question. How can I become like you? How can I think and speak and act like you? Isn’t the answer obvious to you? Not real obvious to me, no. I do know how I will never become like you. How is that? I will never become like you as a result of my own efforts. I cannot make myself to be like you. I cannot become like you by trying harder to be better. Believe me I have given by best self-efforts. I have failed miserable at trying harder and harder to be like you. That certainly is not the answer. No. it is not. You can give up on that. You can quit trying harder to be like me. That sounds odd to me. I can understand how it might.

Here is the truth, only I can make you to be like me. I can teach you. I can train you. I can mold and shape you. I can change your heart. I can transform your mind. I can guard and guide your life. You can do none of these things for yourself. I know that to be true. Now, before you think that you have no role in becoming like me, I want to quickly correct your thinking. You have a critical role in becoming like me. What is my role? Your role is to draw near to me. Your role is to come to me. Your role is to remain in my presence. If you do not fulfill your role, you will never become like me. In my presence, you will be changed. In my presence, you will be transformed. Can you see how vital your role is in becoming like me? You can choose to be everywhere and anywhere else but in my presence. With that choice you will never change. With that choice you will never become like me. You will never come to know me. You will never be able to think and speak and act like me. You will never be able to know and do my will. I do see my vital role in becoming like you. I will draw near to you. I will come to you. I will remain in your presence. That will be very good. Then you will become like me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will come to you. I will draw near to you. I will rest in your presence. I will listen attentively to you. As I remain in your presence change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Make me to be like you in all that I think, and say, and do. Amen

Key Question…  How is remaining in the Lord’s presence giving you courage and enabling you to be a bold witness for Him?

Living It Out…  Spend time with Jesus so you can become like Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be changed as you spend time with Jesus.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being changed as you spend time with Jesus.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you spend time with Jesus so you can become like Him.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 328 – Acts 4-13 – Had Been With Jesus – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Filled With Love And Compassion

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“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!  I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,  and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’  “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.  His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’  Luke 15:17-21 (NLT)

Love And Compassion

How will you be able to show love and compassion to others? That is a very good question, especially to ask me. Why is that? Showing love and compassion to others has not been one of my strongest points. Showing love and compassion to others does not come naturally to me. That, at least, is a good starting point. What is a good starting point? Knowing that you need help to be able to show love and compassion to others is a good starting point. Do you think that you will, by your own efforts, be able to show love and compassion to others? Will your love and compassion for others ever be enough, or even adequate? Do you think it is your love and compassion that I would like you to show to others? Now, I don’t know what to think or say. That’s alright, you can listen. I will do that. Have I shown my love and compassion to you? You have lavishly shown your love and compassion to me. I am living my entire life now and forever under your love and compassion. Your love and compassion have changed the entire course of my life. Your love and compassion turned my life around and rescued me from a life without you. It is your love and compassion that helped me to turn away from my life of sin in the world to live and walk in a new and intimate relationship with you. You are now my Savior and Lord. There was a celebration in heaven when I gave my life to you. That is all true. That is all correct. So, my love and compassion are being lavishly given to you. You could say that your life is overflowing with my love and compassion. That is exactly what I would and can say. That is very good. Now, I have a few questions for you. I’m still listening. Will you allow my love and compassion for you to spill out of your life to others? Will you allow my love and compassion to flow in and through your life to others? Will you love others with my love? Will you show others the same compassion that I have shown to you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I am not worthy to be called your son. I have done nothing to earn or deserve your favor. Attempting to do so would be foolishness. Yet, you have demonstrated your love and compassion to me. You have forgiven me and accepted me as your child. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord demonstrated His love and compassion to you, even though you are unworthy of it?

Living It Out…  Be loving and compassionate towards others just as the Lord has been to you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord is filled with love and compassion for you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has demonstrated His love and compassion to you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be filled with love and compassion for others just as the Lord has been for you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 262 – Luke 15-17-20 – Filled With Love And Compassion – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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