Monthly Archives: October 2021

Find Rest O My Soul

Posted on by
Reply
The Prayer Filled Life - Day 84 - Psalm 62-5-8 - Find Rest O My Soul - Growing As Disciples

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 84 – Psalm 62-5-8 – Find Rest O My Soul – Growing As Disciples

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

Pour Out Your Heart

That is something that I have seldom done. What have you seldom done? I seldom poured out my heart to you in prayer. Oh, I have regularly prayed prayers to you. Yes, I have let you know what I want and need. But even then, I have prayed only a small portion of what is in my heart and weighing heavily on my mind. Why haven’t you and why don’t you completely pour out your heart to me? Why not let go of what is in your heart and weighing heavily on your mind? Those are good questions, for which I do not have a good answer. Sometimes, I am very slow to realize what is in my heart and on my mind. Sometimes, I fail to recognize what is weighing me down. Can I make a suggestion to you? Yes, of course you can make a suggestion to me. Wait in silence before me. Come to rest in my presence. Let there be some back and forth between your pouring your heart out to me, and your waiting in silence before me. Do not so quickly think that we are done meeting together in prayer. In moments of silence, as you rest in my presence, I will give you prayers to pray. I will help you to pour out your heart before me. I will help you to know what is in your heart and weighing heavily on your mind. I will help you to let go of what you should not be carrying. In me you will find hope. I am the rock of your salvation. I will be your fortress. Take refuge in me. Place your trust in me at all times. In me, you will never be shaken. Of that, I have no doubt. That’s good.

But let me ask you a few questions now. Go ahead, I’m listening. Will you come to rest in my presence? Will you wait in silence before me? Will you allow me to help you pour out your heart to me in prayer? Will you allow me to fill your life with hope and peace and rest? Will you allow me to be your refuge and fortress? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will trust in you at all times. You are my refuge and fortress. You are my rock and my salvation. In you alone do I find hope. In you alone do I find rest for my soul. In you alone I will not be shaken. I will pour out my heart in prayer to you. Amen

Key Question…  How would you like to pour out your heart in prayer to God right now?

Living It Out…  Make it your practice to wait in silence before God so you can find rest for your soul.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will be your refuge and fortress as you pour out your heart to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how pouring your heart out to God is giving rest to your soul.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you pour out your heart in prayer to God so you can have rest for your soul.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 84 – Psalm 62-5-8 – Find Rest O My Soul – 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

We Are God’s Masterpiece

Posted on by
Reply
The Sacramental Life - Day 338 - Ephesians 2-8-10 - We Are God's Masterpiece - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 338 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – We Are God’s Masterpiece – Growing As Disciples

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

Your New Life

What does your new life look like? What has changed since you have come to believe in me? How are you now different because you have accepted me as your Savior and Lord? How are you now living out the life of salvation I have secured for you? What hasn’t changed? I have been made completely new in you. My values and priorities and goals have been made new. My thoughts, and words and actions have all been transformed. My old life in the world is far behind me. Now my heart and mind and life are focused on you. I want to know and do your will. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I am moving forward with you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. Now, before I go much farther, there is something that I must make quite clear. What’s that? You saved me. You pulled me out of the muck and mire that was my old life. You rescued me when I cried out to you. I have done nothing to earn or merit my salvation. You have saved me and given me a brand-new life as a gift. Heaven will be my eternal home based solely on all that you have done for me. It is good that you have this understanding. It is very good that you are not confused on this point.

There is something else that I have come to understand. What’s that? I have a new life in you, but I am not a finished product. You will be molding and shaping me every day as I love and follow and serve you. As I come to think and speak and act more like you, I will know that you are making me into one of your masterpieces. When do you suppose that my work in you will be complete? Not anytime in this life, that is for sure.  Only when I see you will I be completely changed. Then your work in me will be fully complete. Yes, it will. 

Now that you have a new life in me and I am continuing to mold and shape your life into a masterpiece, what else can you expect? I can expect that you will help me to go and do the good works that you long ago planned that I would go and do for you. How do you feel about that? It is my joy to love and follow and serve you. My life is filled with hope and meaning and purpose as I go and do whatever you ask of me. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for the new life of salvation you have given to me as a gift. You are my Savior and Lord.  Help me now to live out my salvation. Mold and shape me into a masterpiece. Help me to go and do the good works God has prepared for me to do for Him. Amen

Key Question…  What has God used to continue to mold and shape you into His masterpiece?

Living It Out…  Allow God to keep on molding and shaping you into His masterpiece as you live out your new life in Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you have been created new in Christ and that God will mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what God has used to mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God to mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 338 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – We Are God’s Masterpiece – 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

Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God

Posted on by
Reply
The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 142 - Ephesians 6-10-18 - Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 142 – Ephesians 6-10-18 – Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)                                                                                                  

A Sword

Do you want to have a sword that fights in you, with you, for you and through you? Do you want to be able to stand against the devil and his evil schemes? Do you want to be able to stand your ground when days of evil come against you? I am assuming that all my questions can be answered by a yes from you. You know me. You know my thoughts. You know my hopes and dreams and desires. You know the prayers of my heart. You know what I have been and will continue to ask of you. Yes, I know you better than you know yourself. So yes, is my emphatic answer to all your questions. That is very good.

What must I do if I want to have a sword that fights in me, with me, for me, and through me? What must I do to stand against the devil and his evil schemes? What must I do to be able to stand my ground when days of evil come against me? You know that you must put on the full armor of God. Yes, that I do know. Today, we are talking about one piece of that armor. We are talking about my word. You are correct in thinking that there is something that you must do with my word if you want the Holy Spirit to use my word like a sword to fight in you, with you, for you, and through you. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you know. I must hide your word in my heart if I want the Holy Spirit to use it like a sword in my life. I must meditate on your word day and night if I want it to be ready to be used to fight off the devil’s evil schemes. I must build my life on the solid foundation of your word if I want to be able to stand my ground when days of evil come against me. I must allow your word to guard and guide my life. Every thought of my mind must be taken captive and made obedient to you and your word. Then the Holy Spirit will be able to use your word like a sword in my life. You have answered well. Will you allow my word into your heart and mind and life in all these ways? Yes, I will. Then my Spirit will use my word like a sword in your life to fight in you, with you, for you and through you.

Holy Spirit, help me to put on the full armor of God. Make me able to withstand any attacks and evil schemes of the devil. Use God’s word like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Make my faith like a shield that protects me from attack. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Holy Spirit used the word of God like a sword to fight in you, with you, and for you?

Living It Out…  Makes sure that you are putting on the full armor of God so you will be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that putting on the full armor of God will make you able to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has used God’s word like a sword to fight for you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May the Holy Spirit use God’s word like a sword to fight in you, with you, for you, and through you.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 142 – Ephesians 6-10-18 – Sword Of 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

What Do You Want

Posted on by
Reply
The Prayer Filled Life - Day 94 - Mark 10-46-52 - What Do You Want - 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 94 – Mark 10-46-52 – What Do You Want – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”  And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.  And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”  And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.                           Mark 10:46-52 (ESV)

What Do You Want?

What do you want? That is a basic and clear question, isn’t it? Yes, there is no mystery as to what your question means. Does it seem odd that I would ask you that question? A little bit. Why is that? You know what I want and need without asking me. You know what I want and need better than I do. You know what I want and need even before I ask it. What I want and need is never hidden from you. No, it is not. So, take a guess, why do I ask you what do you want? You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to rely on you. You want me to know that you will hear and answer my prayers. You want me to know that you love and care for me. Yes, I do want all these things for you.

So, I will ask you what do you want? More than anything, I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. More than anything, I want to know and love and follow and serve you. More than anything, I want to live a life that is good and right and true. More than anything, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to be used by you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. And I especially want the fruit that I bear for you to include all those who are in my immediate and extended family. Finally, one day, when I come to live forever in heaven with you, I want to hear you say that I was a good and faithful servant. I desire nothing more than these things. You can answer my wants and needs no better than by granting these requests. Do you have any doubts about me hearing and granting these wants and needs of yours? No, I do not. That is very good. And yes, I will grant these wants and needs of yours. I will hear and answer your prayers. I will accomplish in and through you, what you have asked of me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not remain silent. I will cry out to you. I will passionately and persistently make all my wants and needs known to you. I will walk through life in an intimate prayer relationship with you. Thank your Lord, for hearing and answering my prayers to you. Amen

Key Question…  How specific are you when you are making your wants and needs known to the Lord?

Living It Out…  Ask the Lord for what you want and need Him to do for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers you pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has heard and answered your prayers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn what you want into prayers to the Lord.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 94 – Mark 10-46-52 – What Do You Want – 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

Come To Me

Posted on by
Reply
The Prayer Filled Life - Day 85 - Matthew 11-28-30 - Come To Me - Growing As Disciples

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 85 – Matthew 11-28-30 – Come To Me – Growing As Disciples

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”                                  Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Come To Me

There is nothing I would rather do. There is no place I would rather be. What do you want to do and where would rather be? I want to come to you. I want to rest in your presence. Those are very good desires that you have in you. Why do you have those desires in you? That is a very good question. Do you have a good answer? I have several answers, I hope that they are all good. I’m listening. My desire to come to you, comes from you. I am certain that desire did not originate in me. You love me. You care for me. You drew me to yourself. You have helped me to come to know and love you with all my heart. Loving you is my response to the love you have shown to me. I love you because you first loved me. You have lavished me with your love. How could I not love you back? How could I not want to come to you, to spend time with you, and rest in your presence? That is my first and best answer to why I have these desires in me. That is very good. 

But I have more to say. I am still listening to you. This world is busy. This world is hectic and sometimes even frantic. It is an easy place to become weary and worn out. By my nature, I like to be on the go. I like to be busy. That is not all positive. Why not? You made me to need balance in my life. Being on the go and always trying to stay busy can easily lead to burn out. I have often worked myself ragged. I am frequently in danger of becoming weary and worn out. Spending daily time with you, resting in your presence will bring balance to my life. In your presence, I will be refreshed, revived, and renewed. There is no doubt about that, is there? No, there is not. So, I will make it my daily pattern to come to you, to rest in your presence. That will be very good.

I have even more to say. Go ahead, I am still listening. In your presence, I will be able to learn from you. In your presence, I will hear from you. In your presence, you will teach and train me. In your presence, you will guard and guide the activities of my life. You will keep me from running off in a hundred different directions. You will lead me to where you want me to go. You will give me what you want me to do. You will help me to know and do your will. Then I will not grow weary and become worn out as I love and follow and serve you. No, you will not. I will be with you to help you as you draw near to me. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on coming to you. I will keep resting in your presence. I will keep on learning from you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been weary and worn out. I have felt like I could not take another step. Carrying heavy burdens has weighed me down. I will come to you. I will rest in your presence. I will learn from you. I will allow you to relieve my weariness and lift my burdens. Amen

Key Question…  How has coming to the Lord and resting in His presence relieved you of weariness?

Living It Out…  Make it your daily practice to rest in the Lord’s presence so He can relieve your weariness and lift your burdens.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you rest as you continue to come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has relieved your weariness and lifted your burdens.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to the Lord and allow Him to give you rest.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 85 – Matthew 11-28-30 – Come To Me – 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

Take A Lesson From The Ants

Posted on by
Reply
The Virtuous Life - Day 215 - Proverbs 6-6-11 - Take A Lesson From The Ants - 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

The Virtuous Life – Day 215 – Proverbs 6-6-11 – Take A Lesson From The Ants – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,  they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.  But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?  A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—  then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT)

Take A Lesson

I will take a lesson whenever or wherever you suggest. If I can learn something from an ant, so be it. That is a very good attitude. You must remain teachable. Nothing is worse than someone being so filled with pride that they cannot hear from me. Those that “know it all” and are so full of themselves, that they are unteachable, are headed toward a whole lot of pain and suffering. You have learned from my word that the wages of sin is death. Being prideful is a sin that pays painful, deathly wages. But this is not true of you. You are not so filled with pride that you will not listen to me. Do I listen perfectly? Do I always hear what you want me to hear? Am I always in tune with you? Not hardly. But you are making a very focused effort to listen to me. Yes, I am. That is very good.

So, what can you learn from the ant? You want me to work hard in season and out of season. Hard work will pay dividends in the future. You want me to use all the gifts and talents and abilities and resources that you have given me to serve you. You want me to be diligent. You want me to bear fruit for your Kingdom and bring glory to your name. You want me to store up treasure in heaven with you. None of this comes easy. None of this is accomplished without hard work. What you are saying is true. I will ask you to give your very best effort and work hard serving me. You will have my best effort and my hard work. That is very good.

I know something else to be true. What’s that? Focusing my heart and mind and life on you so I can hear from you is also hard work. If I really want to hear from you, I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you. I will not be distracted; I will not be deterred. The discipline to keep on drawing near to you is not easy. But that is what I will do. I will work hard to receive your instruction. I will work hard to follow your guidance. I will work hard to live in an intimate relationship with you. That will be very good. Yes, if the ant can work hard, so can I. Yes, you can. Yes, you will.

Lord, I know you have given me work to do. Why else would you give me gifts, talents, and resources? They are certainly not given for my sole benefit. Help me to work hard in serving you. Help me to bear fruit for your Kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  Why can you be sure that the Lord has given you work to do for Him?

Living It Out…  Give your very best effort and work hard to serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord has given you work to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are giving your best effort and working hard serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give your very best effort in doing the work you have been given.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 215 – Proverbs 6-6-11 – Take A Lesson From The Ants – 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

Practice The Servant Life

Posted on by
Reply
The Virtuous Life - Day 211 - Matthew 5-38-42 - Practice The Servant Life - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 – Matthew 5-38-42 – Practice The Servant Life – Growing As Disciples

“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’  Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.  If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. Matthew 5:38-42 (MSG)

Servant Life

That is how I want to live. That is how I want to think and speak and act. How do you want to live? How do you want to think and speak and act? I want to live as a servant. I want to have a servant attitude in me when things don’t go my way. When don’t things go your way? When will you need to be especially focused on thinking and speaking and acting as a servant? I need to practice servant living when I am mistreated. That is the most obvious instance, that comes to my mind. Never should I seek revenge. Never you should I practice tit-for-tat. I will need to treat others as I would wish to be treated under every circumstance. Under what other circumstances must you also practice living as a servant? Whenever someone disappoints me and does think or speak or act according to my expectations, I need to practice living as a servant. What are your expectations? I expect to be treated honestly. I expect to be treated fairly. I expect people to keep their word. I expect people to deliver on their promises. I expect people to act responsibly. I expect others to treat me as they wish to be treated. You do have a lot of expectations. What will you do when people fail to live up to your expectations? That is when, I need to set aside my expectations. That is when, I need to practice living the servant life. That is when, I most need to follow the example that you have set before me. What example have I set before you? You loved and served and gave regardless of how others thought or spoke or acted towards you. Other’s behavior did not determine your behavior. You lived out the servant life no matter how you were treated. Will you think as I thought? Will you speak as I spoke? Will you act as I acted when you are disappointed, and even mistreated, by others? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not seek revenge. I will not attempt to pay others back when they mistreat me. Instead, I will practice the servant life when I am mistreated. I will follow your example. I will think as you thought. I will speak as you spoke. I will act as you acted. Amen

Key Question…  How has Jesus Christ given you an example to follow of how to practice the servant life?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to practice the servant life whenever you are mistreated.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your life will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God as you practice the servant life?

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are practicing the servant life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you practice the servant life when others mistreat you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 – Matthew 5-38-42 – Practice The Servant Life – 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

Take Care Then How You Hear

Posted on by
Reply
The Word Centered Life - Day 19 - Luke 8-16-18 - Take Care Then How You Hear - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 19 – Luke 8-16-18 – Take Care Then How You Hear – Growing As Disciples

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:16-18 (ESV)

Are You Listening?

I am asking that question of your right now. What question are you asking me? Are you listening? I think so. I would say that I am. I think I am listening to you. What does your listening to me, require of you? If I want to hear from you, I must quiet myself before you. I must remove myself from the noise and busyness and distractions of this world. If I want to hear from you, I must calm myself before you. I must slow down, take a deep breath and rest in your presence. It is you who has said that you will make me lie down in green pastures, beside still waters. It is in this kind of environment that you will make me able to hear from you. It is in this kind of environment that you want me to drink deeply of all you have for me. In this kind of environment, you will make me able to hear all you have to say to me. That is true. That is correct. What else? If I want to hear from you, I must seek you with all my heart. It is you who has said that I will find you when I seek you with all my heart. Hearing from you will require my sharp focus. Hearing from you real require my full attention. Hearing from you will require an all-in effort on my part. That is also true. That is also correct.

What will you do as you come into my presence? What will you do as you quiet yourself before me? What will you do as you seek me with all your heart? I will meet with you in your word. I will hear all that you have to say to me. I will allow you to use your word to set me on fire for you. I will allow you to use your word to cause me to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. Yes, I will do this for you. Yes, I will do this in you. Yes, I will do this through you, as you carefully listen to me. You are listening to me and that is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will be very careful how I hear. I will not allow your word to go in one ear and out the other. My hearing of your word will be demonstrated by my putting it into daily practice. Use your word to set me on fire, so I can shine brightly for you in the world. Amen

Key Question…  How has hearing and putting God’s word into practice helped you to shine brightly for Him?

Living It Out…  Listen carefully to God’s word so that you will be able to put it into practice.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will shine brightly for God as you hear and put His word into practice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being very careful to listen to God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you consider carefully how you hear God’s word so you can shine brightly for Him.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 19 – Luke 8-16-18 – How You Hear – 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 Lord Was With Him

Posted on by
Reply
The Sacramental Life - Day 337 - Genesis 39-19-23 - The Lord Was With Him - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 337 – Genesis 39-19-23 – The Lord Was With Him – Growing As Disciples

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.  So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.  But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.  Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.  The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:19-23 (NLT)

With You

You will go through difficulty in this life. You will face adverse circumstances. You will experience trials of various kinds. Your faith will be tested. You character will be tested.  Your endurance will be tested.  I went through difficulty. I faced adverse circumstances. I experienced trials of various kinds. Why wouldn’t you? This is a sin broken world. This world no longer functions according to its original design. Does any of what I have said surprise you? No, not at all. I have experienced my share of difficulty, adverse circumstances, and trials of various kinds. I am under no illusion about the reality of pain and suffering in this life. I have been bruised and battered and broken as I have journeyed through life. What do you know about your journey through life? I know that I am not alone. I know that you are with me to help me. I know that I can rely on you. You will bring me through the greatest difficulties, most adverse circumstances, and most difficult trials. You will get me to the other side. In the process, I know that you can and will bring good out of bad. In times of great difficulty, you will give me wisdom and strength. In the most adverse circumstances, you will develop my character and grow my faith. In the most difficult of trials, you will draw near to me as I draw near to you. You will be my refuge. You will be my fortress. You will be my deliverer. I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, I will do all these things in you. Yes, I will be all these things for you. Yes, you can place all your faith and hope and trust in me.

What else do you know about my being with you through whatever trials you go through? I know that your hand will be on me. I know that your favor will be with me. You will make a way for me when there seems to be no way. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. You will bring me good success as I continue to love and follow and serve you. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I will, you can count on me. That, I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I will go through difficulty in life. I will experience trials. I will face adverse circumstances. You did, why wouldn’t I? I know that in these times you will be with me. You will grow my character and strengthen my faith. Your favor will rest on me. Amen

Key Question…  How have you turned to the Lord and relied on Him as you have gone through adverse circumstances?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to be with you to help you when you are experiencing difficult trials.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord is still with you even when you are going through adverse circumstances.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been with you to help you in times of trouble.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rely on the Lord to be with you to help you as you go through trials in life.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 337 – Genesis 39-19-23 – The Lord Was With Him – 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