Monthly Archives: November 2021

I Am The Door

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The Sacramental Life - Day 343 - John 10-7-10 - I Am The Door - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 343 – John 10-7-10 – I Am The Door – Growing As Disciples

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  John 10:7-10 (ESV)

The Door

I am the door. Do you know what that means? I’m not sure, please tell me. There are three ways in which I am a door for you. First, I am a door to life. You entered into life through me. You left your old life behind. You turned away from your old, sinful life in the world. You entered into the new life I have secured for you. I came into to this world to live and die for you. My death on the cross paid for your sins. I made it so you could be forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteous. I made it possible for you to live a new life with me. This new life is both now and forever. This new life began on the day that you went through me, your door, by allowing me to be your Savior and Lord. This new life, through me, continues on forever, throughout all eternity. So, you are, have been, and will forever be my door of entrance to the life you have secured for me to live with and for you. That is correct. For that, I am and will be eternally grateful. That is very good.

How else are you a door for me? I am a door of refreshment. I will lead you to still waters. I will make you to lie down in green pastures. As you live your life with and for me, I will revive, refresh, and restore your life. I will make you to be like a tree planted by a stream of water. Your life will be fresh and new and alive because I will be living and dwelling in you by my Spirit. What you do for me will prosper. My hand will be on. My favor will be with you. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. So, you are my door to a full and abundant life. That is correct. For that, I am and will be eternally grateful. That is very good.

How else are you a door for me? You live in a sin broken world. Life in this sin damaged and darkened world is not an easy one to live. In this world, I experienced pain and suffering and loss, so will you. At times the devil and his evil will come against you. I will protect you. I will be your refuge and strength. I will be your deliverer. In me, you will be able to withstand whatever the world throws against you. In me, you will overcome. In me, you will have victory. And one day, when your short life in this world is over, you will come to live forever in heaven with me. So, you are my door of protection.  That is correct. For that, I am and will be eternally grateful. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for helping me to open the door to eternal life you have secured for me. You rescued me from a life without you. You feed and sustain my life as I live in an intimate relationship with you. You are protecting me from all the devil’s evil schemes. Amen

Key Question…  When did you open the door and allow Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord?

Living It Out…  Follow Christ as your Savior and Lord so you can live the abundant life, He has secured for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will live an abundant life as you follow Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are living the abundant life Christ has secured for you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live the abundant life Christ has for you now and forever.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 343 – John 10-7-10 – I Am The Door – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Teach Believers With Your Life

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The Virtuous Life - Day 217 - 1 Timothy 4-11-14 - Teach Believers With Your Life - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your Life – Growing As Disciples

Get the word out. Teach all these things.  And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.  Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.  And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. 1 Timothy 4:11-14 (MSG)

Life And Words

Do you want to get the word out? Do you want me to use your life to lead others to me? Do you want me to use you to go out into the world to make disciples? Yes, I will get the word out. Yes, I want you to use my life to lead others to you. Yes, I want to go out into the world to make disciples. How will you use me? How will you speak through me?  Those are two very good questions. I will speak through you in two very different ways. Both ways must be combined together for you to be powerfully used by me. You have my full attention. I am listening carefully to you. First, you must live a godly life. The conduct of your life will speak to others. How you live your life will send out a message into the world. The demeanor of your life must be a flesh and blood demonstration of love and faith and integrity. Others must be able to see my life being lived out in and through you. Your life must shine brightly in the darkness of this world. Your life must be attractive. Your life must be winsome. Is this all clear to you? Do you fully understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. That’s good.

Your life alone will not speak clearly enough. Your life alone will only open the door to minister to others. Your life alone will only make others eager to hear what you have to say. Without your words, others will not come to know and love and follow and serve me. Without your words, others will not come to be my disciples. You teach and counsel others with my word. You must boldly declare my word so it can be heard. Will you meet with me in my word? Will you read my word? Will you teach and counsel others with my word? Yes, I will. Will you use all the gifts that I have given you to minister to others? Yes, I will. Then your life and the words I give you to declare will be powerfully used by me. Others will come to know and love and follow and serve me through your life and words. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will use the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities you have given me to minister to others. I will teach others by the example of my life and with the words of my mouth. Help me to make sure that nothing you have given is unused and goes to waste. Amen

Key Question…  Why will your words of testimony also need to accompany the testimony of your life?

Living It Out…  Continue to use all the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities God has given you to minister to others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord has given you gifts, talents, resources, and abilities to use to minister to others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to minister to others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your life and words teach others how to love and follow and serve the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your 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                                           www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Be Gracious

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The Virtuous Life - Day 214 - Colossians 4-2- 6 - Be Gracious - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 214 – Colossians 4-2- 6 – Be Gracious – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.  Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.  Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NLT)

Gracious And Attractive Conversation

I need help with that, there is no doubt about it. You need help with what? I need my conversation to be gracious and attractive. I need to be able to give the right response to everyone. It is easy to speak gracious and attractive words when everything is going well. It is entirely a different thing to be able to speak gracious and attractive words when the heat is on, and I am under pressure. It is then that I have found it very difficult to give the right response to everyone. Yes, I have noticed. Forgive me. You are forgiven. Why is it critically important that you become able to speak kind and gracious words in every circumstance, and especially when you are in the greatest difficultly, experiencing troubling trials? I’m sure that when I am in great difficulty, experiencing troubling trials, is when you want me to shine brightest for you. These times are when I can stand out as being quite different because your life is being lived out in and through me. It is in these times when speaking kind and gracious words would be unexpected, unique, and almost counter-cultural. It is in these times when others might ask me why I am so kind and gracious even in the most difficult circumstances. It is in these times when I can be the boldest witness and give the brightest testimony for you. Difficultly creates opportunity, and I want to make the most of every opportunity to be a witness for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Those are very good desires that you have in you. I will make you able to be a bold and bright witness for me in the darkness of this world. I will work in and through you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, help my words to be gracious and attractive. Help my words to be seasoned with salt in a way that spreads the flavor of you everywhere. Give me opportunities to serve you, by sharing the Gospel with others.  Help me to lead others to follow you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making the most of every opportunity to serve the Lord by ministering to others?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to use you to share the Gospel with others so that they will come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you opportunities to share the Gospel with others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are making sure your words are gracious and attractive.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your conversation be gracious and attractive so you will have the right response for everyone.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 214 – Colossians 4-2- 6 – Be Gracious – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide

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

Unless The Lord Builds The House

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The Sacramental Life - Day 342 - Psalm 127-1-2 - Unless The Lord Builds - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 342 – Psalm 127-1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds – Growing As Disciples

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV)  

Wasting Time

I don’t want to be wasting time. I don’t my life to be misspent on what will amount to nothing of eternal value. I don’t want to chase after all that this life offers. I don’t want to acquire what I cannot keep. I don’t want to labor in vain. What do you want? I want you to work in and through my life. I want you to mold and shape me. I want you to build me into the person you have called me to be. I want to live the life you have called me to live. Instead of chasing all that the world has to offer. I want to store up treasure in heaven with you. I want my life to shine brightly in the darkness of this world. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to live a life that I will never regret. Those are all very good desires that you have within you.

How will you live out the desires that you have within you? First, I want to acknowledge that the desires I have within me come from you, of that, I am certain. You are correct. Second, I want to confess that I cannot go and do your will without your help. That is also correct. So, it could almost go without saying, which would be a mistake, that I will need to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you, if I want you to work in and through my life. It pleases me that you know this to be true. So, I will submit myself and my life to you. I will draw near to you. I will listen attentively to you. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will go wherever you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. My life will be in your hands. I will be at your service. How is that? That is perfect. Do this and you will never be wasting time. Do this and you will live a life without regrets. Do this and your life will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. You will do what will amount to eternal value. You will be storing up treasure in heaven with me. This I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know that my efforts alone will amount to nothing. I can accomplish nothing of eternal value without your help. I want to be fruitful in serving you. Work in and through me. Guard and guide the course of my life. I will rely on you rather than on myself. Amen

Key Question…  Why will your own labors, without relying on the Lord, never amount to anything of eternal value?

Living It Out…  Allow God to do His work in and through you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will do His work in and through you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God to do His work in and through.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Lord to do His work in and through your life.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 342 – Psalm 127-1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds The House – 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

Not Grow Weary

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The Virtuous Life - Day 229 - Galatians 6-9-10 - Not Grow Weary - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 229 – Galatians 6-9-10 – Not Grow Weary – Growing As Disciples

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

Weary Of Doing Good

I hate to admit it. I dislike it being true. I wish it were not so. I deeply regret that I am in this position. What are you talking about? You know what I am talking about better than I know what I am talking about. Yes, I do. Know this, when I ask you a question, it is not because I am lacking information. It is because I am wanting you to reflect more deeply on a topic. I want you to more fully consider your situation. I want us to engage in a deeper conversation. I understand. That is good. Now, tell me more about what you have on your mind and in your heart. I am weary and worn out. That may be an understatement. I feel like I am running on empty. I am in danger of growing so weary that I stop doing the good things you have given me to do for you. That is not good. Yes, I know.

How have you reached this state of weariness? How have you become so worn out? I can think of several reasons. I’m listening. I have not taken care of my body. I have become unbalanced. I have failed to make sure that I am getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising daily. I know you have given me this body. I can’t have another. If my body is not healthy, I have little chance of serving you well. That is true. Will you start taking care of your body so you will not grow weary in serving me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

You have mentioned one cause of your being weary, can you think of another? Yes, I can. I am still listening. I have been giving out more than I have been taking in. What does that mean? I have not taken time to leave the noise and busyness of life to rest in your presence. I, unlike Mary, have failed to choose what is better. I know that you will revive and refresh and restore me as I draw near to you. I need to allow you to freshly fill me so I can abundantly and fruitfully serve others. Will you make it your daily practice to allow me to revive, refresh and restore you. Will you draw near to me? Will you come to rest in my presence? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

There is one more cause of your being weary and worn out, can you think of what that is? I have been incorrect in my thinking. I have been unrealistic in my expectations. How so? I failed to remember that sowing and reaping almost always occur in different seasons. I have allowed myself to become discouraged because I have not seen immediate results of my labor. That is not good. I know. Will you trust me? Will you leave the results and fruits of your labor up to me? Do you believe that I will help you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I will. Yes, I do. That is very good.

Lord, I have allowed my life to be unbalanced. I have not taken good care of my body. I have become weary and worn out. Revive and refresh and restore me as I draw near to you. Help me to keep on doing all the good that you have given me to do for you. Amen

Key Question…  When has a lack of sleep, poor diet, and insufficient exercise caused you to grow weary serving the Lord?

Living It Out…  Withdraw from the noise and busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence so He can revive, refresh and restore you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will revive, refresh, and restore you as you come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are continuing to do the good God has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you not grow weary in doing the good God has given you to do for Him.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 229 – Galatians 6-9-10 – Not Grow Weary – 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

Overcomes The World

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The Virtuous Life - Day 223 - 1 John 5-1-5 - Overcomes The World - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)

Place Your Faith

Where will you place your faith? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you place your faith in yourself? Will you trust in your own gifts, talents, abilities, and resources? Will you rely on your own understanding? Will you follow your own counsel? Will you go and do whatever seems right to you? Will you be the master of your own destiny? Will you be the final arbiter of what is good and right and true? That would be exceedingly foolish. How do you know for sure? I know from the voice of experience. I have been there and done that. I have seen the error of my own ways. I have followed my own counsel and listened to my own advice. I have gone and done whatever seemed right to me. Where did all this lead you? It led me on a crooked path. I bounced from one fruitless endeavor to another. It led me into a life filled with bruises and brokenness. I suffered for my mistakes, missteps. and sinfulness. I reached rock bottom. I had nowhere to go. I was stuck in the mud and mire of my own pride filled life. So, what did you do? You know exactly what I did. Yes, I do. I cried out to you. I asked you for your help. I turned my life over to you. I came to believe in you. I placed all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, you certainly did. Now, only you, are the arbiter of what is good and right and true. If I think one thing and you say another, then I now know that it is time for me to readjust my thinking and realign my life with you. That is very good.

What has been, is, and will be the outcome of your placing all your faith and hope and trust in me? I am now living the life of salvation that you have secured for me. Your love for me, and my love for you, has made following and obeying your commands not burdensome to me. It has become my joy to do what is good and right and true. I love doing what is pleasing to you. You are helping me to overcome the world, as I live my life with and for you. Yes, you are and that is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I do believe in you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I love you with all that is within me. I will place all my faith in you. Loving you has made obeying your commands not burdensome. Help me to overcome the world as I follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question…  How is continuing to place your trust in the Lord helping you to overcome the world?

Living It Out…  Place all your faith in the Lord and allow Him to help you overcome the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to overcome the world as you place all your faith in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your faith in the Lord is helping you to overcome the world.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your faith in Jesus Christ make you able to overcome the world.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – 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

Goes Into Strict Training

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The Virtuous Life - Day 228 - 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 - Goes Into Strict Training

The Virtuous Life – Day 228 – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Goes Into Strict Training

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Run Well

That is what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to run well and finish strong as your follower. That is a very good goal. That is a great purpose and plan. How will you run well and finish strong as my follower? I know one thing, for sure. What’s that? I won’t run well and finish strong without your help. You will keep me on track. You will help me to stay on course. Yes, I will. In fact, you should know that I am praying for you. I want you to run well and finish strong. We both want the same thing. That is not surprising. Why is that? You placed this desire in my heart. Do you believe that I will also grant this desire that I have given to you? Yes, I do. That’s good.

What role do you play in your running well and finishing strong? I need to stay on course. I need to keep on track. What does that mean? I need to distance myself from anything that will hinder my running well as your follower. How will you do that? I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. When hindrances of any kind seek to entrap me and weigh me down, I will throw them off as I run to you. You will lead me. You will guide me. You will guard and protect me. Yes, I will, you can count on me. What else? I need to enter strict training. What will that look like in your daily life? In my daily life with you, I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in service. I will meet with you in fellowship. In every way, I will live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. In our time together, I am sure that you will direct all my training. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, it is my desire to run well and finish strong as your follower. I want to bear and abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. With that in mind, I will distance myself from any hindrances and enter strict training as I follow you. Amen

Key Question…  What would entering strict training as a follower of Christ look like in your daily life?

Living It Out…  Enter strict training so you will run well as a follower of Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that entering strict training will help you to run well as a follower of Christ.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what spiritual disciplines are part of your strict training.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you enter strict training so you will run well as a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 228 – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Strict Training – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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

Deeds Done In Humility

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The Virtuous Life - Day 221 - James 3-13-18 - Deeds Done In Humility - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NIV)  

Demonstrating Wisdom

What does wisdom look like? How will you know if you are thinking and speaking and acting wisely? How will you gauge if you are truly wise? When can you be very sure that wisdom is lacking? What will be the result and end product of your life if you are living wisely? Those are all good questions. Go ahead and answer them. I will start by describing what wisdom is not. That is a good place to start. Wisdom does not harbor bitter envy. Wisdom is not fueled by selfish ambition. Wisdom is not boastful, nor will it deny what is true. Anything that looks or sounds or acts like this is not heavenly wisdom, it is worldly wisdom, that is unspiritual and comes from the devil. Out of this kind of evil springs disorder, discord, disunity, and a host of evil practices. I want none of this so-called wisdom in my life. That’s good.

You have said enough about what is not. Describe what heavenly wisdom looks like. Heavenly wisdom is demonstrated by actions. It is not a lot of talk. A wise person’s life demonstrates wisdom by humbly doing good deeds. They live a life for others. They love like you loved. They give like you gave. They serve like you served. Heavenly wisdom loves peace. It is considerate and submissive. Heavenly wisdom is filled with mercy. It is impartial and sincere. If I am truly wise, I will be known as a peacemaker. If I am truly wise, my life will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. If I am truly wise, my life will bring glory to your name. Yes, you will. Do you want to live a life filled with heavenly wisdom? Yes, I do. That is the desire or my heart. That is how I will think and speak and act. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I have often thought, or spoke, or acted unwisely. Forgive me. Help me to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for others. Develop in me all the character qualities that are part of being truly wise. For your glory, bear good fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question…  What character qualities are essential elements of living a life filled with wisdom?

Living It Out…  Demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly doing good deeds for others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Have This Mind Among Yourselves

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The Sacramental Life - Day 341 - Philippians 2-5-11 - Have This Mind Among Yourselves - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 341 – Philippians 2-5-11 – Have This Mind Among Yourselves – Growing As Disciples

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)

Your Mind 

Your mind is like a battleground. How so? In this life, in this world, your mind is under attack. The world, the flesh, and the devil will always be trying to conform you to the patterns and practices and values of the world. If you are not careful, if you are not on guard, you will likely live a life that is not pleasing to me. If you are not watchful and vigilant, you will almost surely think, and speak, and act in ways that are not in alignment with my will. I understand. There is something of which I am supremely thankful. What’s that? You have set before me a clear example to follow. What example have I set before you? You humbled yourself. You took on the form of a servant. You did not assert your rights. You did not demand any privileges.  You made it your goal to humbly and obediently, serve your Heavenly Father. You made it your mission to live as a servant of others. All your thoughts, and words, and actions were guided by living a life that was obedient to and in alignment with your Heavenly Father’s will. That is clearly and exactly the example I set before you to follow. Will you think like I thought? Will you speak like I spoke? Will you like I acted? Will you live your like patterned after mine? Yes Lord, I will humbly and obediently follow your example. I will live to serve you and others. Then you will live a life without regret. Then you will live a life that will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Then you will one day hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”It will be to my joy and delight to hear you speaking those to me. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this life to live. 

Lord, thank you for setting before me an example to follow. I will guard my thoughts, words, and actions. I will humbly take on the form of a servant. I will live to serve God. I will live to serve others. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you never regret following Christ’s example of humbly living to serve God and others?

Living It Out…  Follow Christ’s example by living to serve God and others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will never regret following Christ’s example of living to serve God and others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly living as a servant of God and others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have the mind of Christ and be a servant of others.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 341 – Philippians 2-5-11 – Have This Mind Among Yourselves – 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

Teach Us

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The Prayer Filled Life - Day 102 - Psalm 90-12 - Teach Us - 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 102 – Psalm 90-12 – Teach Us – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Heart Of Wisdom

That is what I want. That is my desire. That is my prayer. What do you want? What is your desire? What is your prayer? I want a heart of wisdom. What would you do with a heart of wisdom? Where would a heart of wisdom lead you? What would a heart of wisdom give you to do? Those are great questions that are worthy of my deepest thoughts. Fortunately, they are not new questions or new thoughts to me. You have put those questions before me in many ways and at various times before. So, what are your deepest thoughts in answer to my questions? A heart of wisdom will help me to live a life without regrets. A heart of wisdom will help me to know and do your will. A heart of wisdom will guide the entire course of my life. A heart of wisdom will help me to make the wisest use of every day that you have given me to live. A heart of wisdom will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have answered well. I have only answered well because the heart of wisdom you have been giving to me. It pleases me that you know this to be true.

Let’s talk more about your receiving all that you are asking of me. Let’s talk more about you gaining a heart of wisdom. I’m listening attentively to you. Well then, you have answered one of my questions without my asking it of you. Listening attentively to me is how you will gain a heart of wisdom. Of that, I have no doubt. How will you make yourself available to me? How will you listen attentively to me? That is a condition of my receiving what I am asking of you, isn’t it? It would be foolish to think that you would give me a heart of wisdom if I failed to listen attentively to you. That is correct. So, I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you in prayer. I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you in worship. I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. In this set time and place, I will listen to all that you have to say to me. My listening to you will not stop in our set time and place of meeting. I know that you will use our set time and place of meeting to help me to hear your voice guiding through the moments of my day. You are correct, as you keep on listening to me, I will give you a heart of wisdom and teach you to number your days and wisely live the life I have given you to live. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on listening to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will stop to listen to you. I will wait for your teaching. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will rely on you completely. Give me a heart of wisdom. Teach me to number my days so that my life will be wisely spent in your service. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making it your practice to listen attentively to the Lord teaching you?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to teach you so you will have a heart of wisdom.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will teach you and give you a heart of wisdom as you rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been teaching you and giving you a heart of wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Lord to teach you so you will have a heart of wisdom.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 102 – Psalm 90-12 – Teach Us – 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