Monthly Archives: December 2021

Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Spiritual Warfare - Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds - Philippians 4:4-7 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds – Philippians 4:4-7 – Growing As Disciples

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 

Unexplainable Peace

You are a very gifted worrier. That doesn’t sound like a compliment. It’s not. You have the ability to worry about things from every angle. You can see problems long before they will become problems, if they ever will. Do you like to worry? No, not at all, worry stresses me out. Yes, I can see that it does. When would you like to make a commitment to stop worrying? I’d like to make that commitment right now, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Would you like my help? Yes, I would. That’s good because you will never be able to stop worrying by your own efforts.

Let’s start with a question. Go ahead. Who is in charge of your life? What do you mean by that? Who controls your future? Is it you or is it me? I’d like to say that it is you. You’re cautious with that answer. Yes. I am. Why is that? I think that my worrying is a pretty good sign that I think I’m in charge of my life and it’s destiny. Yes, it does. You have a choice. Of what? Who are you going to trust? Are you going to trust me or are you going to trust yourself? I want to place all my trust in you.

Trusting me will require a change in your thinking, attitudes and actions. I’m willing to change. I’m sure that I will need your help to change. Yes, you will. Lets talk about where you will need to change. What would you like to change about my thinking and attitudes? I want you to consider who I am and all that I have done for you. You have been given so much. Yes, I know. I have done so much for you. Yes, you have. What do you think will happen when you think deeply about all the blessings that you have received from me? I think that I will be filled with joy, gladness and thanksgiving. Yes, you will. As you give joy filled thanks and praise to me, what will you become more aware of? I will become more aware of your presence with me. Yes, you will. You will know that I am right by your side and ready to help you. With my help you won’t be tempted to take control and worry about your life.

Before something becomes a worry for you, I want you to do something. What’s that? When you start to have a concern about something I want you to turn that concern into a prayer. Can you do that? Yes, I can. Your past worries have been pretty specific haven’t they? Yes, they have been. I want your prayers to be even more specific than your past worries have been. Why is that? I want you to know that I am hearing and answering your prayers. I also don’t want you to leave any room for worry. Give all the details to me. Do you know what will happen then? Yes, I think that I do. What’s that? I will have a peace from you that will defy all explanations. Yes, you will because your heart and mind will be guarded in Christ Jesus. For that I am eternally thankful.

Lord, thank you that I can bring to you in prayer anything that causes me anxiety. I know you are with me to help me through every difficulty in life. Thank you for loving-kindness. You give me joy and peace that is unexplainable!  Amen

Spiritual Warfare – Philippians 4-4-7 – Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Cast All Your Anxiety On Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Peace - 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Cast All Your Anxiety On Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Peace – 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him – Growing As Disciples

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Come To Me

I worry a lot. I have a lot of anxieties. I carry a very high level of stress. I know that worry and anxiety have been harming me physically, emotionally and spiritually. My energy and joy in life has been dragged down and diminished by worry and anxiety. How can I let go of worry? Even when I think I have cast my worries and anxieties on to you I seem to find a way to reel them back to me. How can I cast all my anxieties on to you? That’s a good question. Let me ask you a question.

Do you believe that I love you? Yes, of course I believe that you love me. Do you believe that I can and will help you with what causes worry and anxiety in you? Yes, I believe that you can and will help me with whatever causes me worry and anxiety. Are you sure about that? Why are you asking me if I am sure about that? If you believe that I can and will help you wouldn’t it make sense for you to come to me to ask for my help? You hardly ever ask for my help when you are worried and filled with anxiety. That’s a problem, isn’t it? Yes, it is.  

There are only two possible reasons why you wouldn’t come to me to ask me for my help. What are the two possible reasons for me not asking for your help when I am filled with worry and anxiety? You either don’t believe that I can and will help you or you think that you can handle all your worries and anxieties by yourself. Would you like me to be even more clear? Yes, I would. Your two reasons for not asking for my help when you are worried and filled with anxiety are either unbelief or pride. Maybe it’s a combination of both. You got that right. I am sorry about this. I want to live a life of faith in you. I want to rely on you for your help. I don’t want to be filled with either unbelief or pride. What do you suggest? How can I live a life of faith that is reliant on you?

Come to me. Make it your practice to come to me to ask me for my help. Turn every one of your worries and anxieties into a prayer to me. Trust that I will hear and answer your prayers. As you keep coming to me your faith in me will grow. As you keep asking me for my help your reliance on yourself will decline as your trust in me will grow. You will see that I do hear and answer your prayers. You will know that you can trust in me. As you pray and trust in me your worries and anxieties will be replaced with my peace. Would you like that? Yes, Lord, I would like to be filled with your peace. Come to me. Turn every one of your worries and anxieties into a prayer to me. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, I have pridefully thought I could handle my worries and anxieties. I have held on to my worries and anxieties as I worked harder to try and solve them. This has been no way to live. Forgive me. I will now turn all my worries and anxieties into prayers to you. Amen

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

Peace – 1 Peter 5-6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

My Ways Are Higher

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Isaiah 55:8-9 - My Ways Are Higher - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Isaiah 55:8-9 – My Ways Are Higher – Growing As Disciples

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.   Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

How High?

Think about this for a moment. How high are the heavens above the earth? If you could look out into space and see the end of the universe, how far would that be? I have no idea. Is there even a place where the universe ends? That’s a good question for another time. Trying to think this way starts my head spinning. I can’t even imagine thoughts this large. If I could, my head would surely explode. My small mind and little thoughts cannot begin to contain what you know. Yes, that’s very true.

Why do you think that I have bothered to tell you that my thoughts and ways are so much higher than yours? Do you think I have a purpose in mind? I certainly know that you aren’t bragging about your knowledge and wisdom. Tell me what you think. I think you want me to know your thoughts and ways. You don’t want to keep them as a secret from me. No, I do not. It’s important for me to know that you have much larger thoughts and much better ways than I do. Why is that? Well, two things will happen. First, I will stop relying on my thoughts and ways when I realize how small and inferior they are. Then I will begin to desire your thoughts and ways because they are so much higher and better.

Where do you think your desire to know my thoughts and ways has come from? My desire has not come from within me. As I have stumbled through life by relying on my thoughts and ways, I have seen their futility. I have come to grip with the fact that my thoughts and ways are broken. They don’t work and don’t lead me to where I want to go. In the painful discovery of my broken thoughts and ways, I cried out to you. I asked for your help. I asked you to show yourself to me. I asked you to lead and guide my life. I gave myself completely to you. I said that I was willing to set aside my thoughts and my ways so that I could follow you. Have I answered your prayer? Yes, you have.

Do you still, even now, desire my thoughts and ways? Yes, now just as much and more than ever. Do you think that I will continue to reveal my thoughts and show you my ways? Yes, I’m positive that you will. When will I do that? You will do that one step and one day at a time. Why do I reveal myself to you in that way? You know that I could not handle more than that. Yes, that’s true. When else do you think I will reveal my thoughts and ways to you? You will reveal yourself to me as I seek you with all my heart. Yes, I will. Is that what you are now doing? Yes Lord, it is. Thank you for drawing me to you. I want to know your thoughts and follow your ways.

Lord, there is nothing that I desire more in life than to know you. My heart, mind, eyes and ears are focused on you. I am filled with a hunger and thirst for you. I want to know your thoughts. I want to live according to your ways.  Amen

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

Wisdom – Isaiah 55-8-9 – My Ways Higher – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Fire Goes Out

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 26:20 - A Fire Goes Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 26:20 – A Fire Goes Out – Growing As Disciples

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.  Proverbs 26:20 (NIV)

Damaging Words 

You’ve always liked the roaring flame of a fire. Yes I have. Fire has been something that has intrigued me since I was a child. You’ve liked to play with fires? Yes, building and sitting around a warm fire is something that I could do for hours, even now as an adult. I like the colors and smell and even the crackling sounds of a blazing fire. Some of my special memories with you have been made sitting quietly around a fire listening to what you wanted to say to me. Yes, those have been some very special moments for you and I.

I have something that I want to say to you about fire. What’s that? A fire can be very dangerous. Yes, I know. Remember how I almost set a small forest on fire? What a panic that was. You learned a valuable lesson that day. You learned all about the dangers of playing with fire. Yes, I did. That’s the topic that I want to talk to you about today. I’m listening.

The words that come out of your mouth can be like a fire. They can be very dangerous. They can wound and hurt and do tremendous damage. There is nothing pleasant about these kinds of words and this kind of fire. No one is warmed by hurtful words. There sound is not pleasant to the ear or beautiful in anyone else’s sight. Hurtful and unkind words even if they may be true are grievous to me. I don’t want you to think these kinds of damaging words about anyone else including yourself. I especially don’t want these kinds of words to come out of your mouth. Do you understand why? I’m sure that I do. How sure? I’m absolutely positive. Tell me then why these words must not be in your mind or coming out of your mouth. There is more than one answer to that question. First of all I don’t want to think or say anything that grieves you. I know you don’t. Secondly, it is the devil and his evil that uses these kinds of thoughts and words to steal, kill, and destroy life. Yes, he does. Finally, I know that you want to use my life to bear abundant fruit for you. Yes, I do. There is probably nothing more damaging to my bearing fruit for you than improper, hurtful, and sinful thoughts and words in my mind coming out of my mouth. No, there is not. That is where evil and sin of every kind starts. So, I will turn away from evil thoughts and words. I will not let my words stoke a fire that does damage to others, myself, or your plans for my life. That will be very good. Let me change your heart and transform your mind so that you will be thinking my thoughts and speaking my words. Yes Lord, change me and give me the thoughts and words that you want me to think and to say.

Lord, I have chewed on choice morsels of gossip. I have fanned flames of a quarrel. I have fallen into a dark pit of tearing others down with words. Forgive me. Change my heart and transform my mind so I can speak loving and healing words that come from you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs-26-20 – Fire Goes Out – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Ask God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Ask God - James 1:5-8 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Ask God – James 1:5-8 – Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  James 1:5-8 (NIV)

I Lack Wisdom

Here I am again God, lacking wisdom. There is no “if” to the question of whether I lack wisdom or not. Nothing could be more certain than that I lack wisdom and I need your help. About the dumbest thing that I could do is to think that I have all I need within myself to live this life for you. Fortunately, I’ve made enough mistakes and taken my share of crazy detours to know that I most certainly need your help. So here I am crying out to you for help.

How do you think I will respond to your cry? At one time I thought you might say, “is that you again?” But now I know that’s not true at all. I’m sure that you are glad that I have come to you asking for your help. You’ve got that right. Why do you think I’m glad? Within my asking there are several underlying convictions all of which I think please you. Tell me what they are. First, my asking for wisdom from you is an admission that I don’t have wisdom. Second, my asking you for wisdom is an acknowledgment that you are the source of all wisdom. Finally, my asking you for wisdom is in faith knowing that you love me and will give me wisdom without finding fault in me. You are absolutely right. I am pleased with every one of the convictions underlying your asking me for wisdom.

How do you think that I will answer your request for wisdom? I have a few ideas of how you will. What are they? I believe that you will make me wise as I spend time with you in your word. I believe that when I stop to ask you for wisdom in specific situations, you will show me the right decisions to make. I believe that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct my life as I watch, wait, and listen for His voice prompting me along life’s journey. Is that it? Well, I also believe that you will give me wisdom in ways that I also cannot even conceive of or guess. Yes, you are right, my wisdom will be given to you in ways that you are aware and unaware of. But there is one thing you must be certain of. What’s that? I have heard and will answer your prayer.

Heavenly Father, in the past I have tried to face trials in life with my own wisdom and strength. That has been a big mistake that I’m learning from. Help me to come to you in faith to ask for and receive all the wisdom that I need.   Amen

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

Wisdom – James 1-5-8 – Ask God- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God Disciplines Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Sacramental Life - Day 345 - Hebrews 12-7-11 - God Disciplines Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 345 – Hebrews 12-7-11 – God Disciplines Us – Growing As Disciples

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.              Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)

Endure Hardship

Will you endure hardship? That is quite a question. Have I not been enduring hardship? Has my life been easy? Have I not gone through great difficulty? Have I not experienced trying circumstances? Could I have given up and quit? Have I not been moving forward with you? Have I not been persistent? Have I not been resilient? You tell me. Whatever I have been, if it has been good, is because of you. All the adversity I have experienced in life has been a tool in your hand. You have used every trying circumstance to mold and shape my life. No, my life has not been easy. I have suffered crushing defeats. I have experienced significant setbacks. Do I deserve any credit for keeping moving forward with you? What do you think? Probably not. You have picked me up. You have dusted me off. You have encouraged me. You have spurred me on. Have I enjoyed hardship? Certainly not. Would I have preferred an easier life with more comfort? I am not so dumb. I am not completely foolish. Yes, it not my answer. I am thankful for the life you have given me to life. I am grateful for how you have been molding and shaping my life. You have been treating me as your son. You have used every twist and turn and up and down in my life to teach me to hold on to you. You have helped me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. You have been my shelter in every storm. You have been my refuge and strength. You have been my rock and deliverer. Would an easy and comfortable life have taught me any of this? Not hardly. So, I will say to you, “Keep on doing your work in my life.”  You are my son. You are my child. I am your Father. I have been, will now, and forever take care of you. I love you with an everlasting love. You are the work of my hands. I am molding and shaping your life. And yes, I am making you into a masterpiece. Have faith in me. Keep on moving forward with me. Place all your faith and hope and trust in me. Yes, I will, with all the strength that you will give to me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have not welcomed your discipline into my life. I have not wanted to be uncomfortable. But now, I welcome your discipline into my life. Use your discipline to train me. Use your discipline to mold and shape me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question…  What has God used to discipline you to accomplish His good purposes in your life?

Living It Out…  Welcome God’s discipline to train you to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His discipline to train you so you can live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has used His discipline to train you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God’s discipline to train you.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 345 – Hebrews 12-7-11 – God Disciplines 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

He Rewards Those Who Earnestly Seek Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 103 - Hebrews 11-6 - He Rewards Those Who Earnestly Seek Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 103 – Hebrews 11-6 – He Rewards Those Who Earnestly Seek Him – Growing As Disciples

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Faith In Me

What does it mean for you to have faith in me? How is your faith in me guiding the course of your life? How are your thoughts and words and actions different because you are placing all your faith in me? How have your opinions, values, and priorities changed because you believe in me and are seeking me with all your heart? There is not one area of my life that has not been dramatically transformed since the day I came to believe in you and accept you as my Savior and Lord. How so? I left my old sinful life in the world so that I could begin to love and follow and serve you with all my heart. I have thrown off anything and everything that has hindered me from living my life with and for you. Am I doing this perfectly? No, not hardly. But my heart and mind and life are focused on you. I am no longer pursuing what this world offers. I am pursuing you. I am fully devoted to you. I am listening attentively to you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing whatever you ask of me. Am I in this effort alone? Absolutely not. Does my success or failure in seeking you depend entirely on me? Certainly not. You are with me to help me. You are working in me, for me, and though me. You are using your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. You are helping me to think your thoughts. You are making me able to speak your words. You are guiding me to take your actions. You are the one who is molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become. Your hand is on me to help me to live the life you have called me to live. Now, there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Now, there is nothing I would rather do than your will. It is very good that you know that I am with you to help you. It is very good that you know that I am guarding and guiding your life. It is very good that you know that I will keep on working in you, for you, and through you as you keep on placing all your faith in me as you seek me with all your heart. It is my hope and desire and plan to live my life in an intimate relationship with you. Now, I know that nothing could be more rewarding than living my life with and for you. Keep on seeking me. Keep on following me. Keep on living your life with and for me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will earnestly seek you. I will seek you with everything that is within me. I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will live my life with and for you. Amen

Key Question…  What has helped or hindered you in seeking the Lord with all your heart?

Living It Out…  Earnestly seek the Lord with all your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will reward you as you earnestly seek Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are earnestly seeking the Lord.

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

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 103 – Hebrews 11-6 – He Rewards Those Who Earnestly Seek 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                                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Like Clay In The Hand Of The Potter

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Like Clay In The Hand Of The Potter - Jeremiah 18-1-6 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Like Clay In The Hand Of The Potter – Jeremiah 18-1-6 – Growing As Disciples

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV

Potter

Do you really believe this? Believe what? That you are the work of my hands. I think that I do. You seem a little tentative in your answer. What would it mean if I did or didn’t fully believe this? That’s a good question. Let’s talk about that.

If you don’t believe that I am like a potter shaping you into the work of my hands, then who is in charge of shaping you? If it’s not you, then I guess it would have to be me. If you were not in charge then someone would have to take charge. Isn’t that what you have done for much of your life? Take charge? Yes, that’s true I suppose. Why do you like being in charge?   I’m not sure exactly. Take a stab at it. I want to make progress and fulfill a good purpose in life. That’s very good. So, when I think that I have a sense of what that might be, I take charge and head off in that direction to try to make it happen. How has that worked out for you? I have had very mixed success. Sometimes I’ve made bad decisions, gotten into trouble and wasted a lot of time. That’s been very frustrating for me. Me too. Do you want me to describe to you what has been happening to you from my perspective? Yes, very much so. One minute, you are on my potter’s wheel, being shaped by me, the next moment you’ve jumped off. Then after awhile when you’re all bent out of shape, you come back and jump back on my potter’s wheel. So, I go from being glad to sad to glad again. It saddens me when you’ve taken charge of your life and jumped off my potter’s wheel. As you have made bad choices and gotten all bent out of shape, I have felt sadness and pain right along with you.

What part of you doesn’t like to be in charge? The part of me that knows better and is becoming a little wiser. Tell me what you mean. I’ve started to be able to sense when I’m jumping off your potter’s wheel. How’s that? It’s like your voice is whispering to me saying, “don’t go there, be careful, don’t do that.” That has been me, you’re right. So, I stop and return to ask for your help and direction. Why do you need my help and direction? I’ve learned that I’m not a good potter. I don’t have the right perspective. I don’t see things that you see. I don’t know what you know. My efforts leave me sadly misshapen. Are you saying that you would like to relinquish the potter’s role to me? Yes, I am. Do you trust that I will continue to make you into the work of my hands? Yes, I do. How do you think that you will look when I’ve finished with you? I will be beautiful in your sight and in the sight of all! When do you think I will be finished molding and shaping your life? When I’m in heaven with you? Exactly, you got that right. Won’t that be a great day? Yes, it will.

Father, thank you that you are the potter and I am the clay. I trust you. My life is in your hands. Mold and shape my life according to your purposes and plans. Make me beautiful in your sight for your kingdom and glory. Amen

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

Identity – Jeremiah 18-1-6 Like Clay In The Hand Of The Potter – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

You Are The Salt Of The Earth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Virtuous Life - Day 231- Matthew 5-13-16 - You Are Salt Of The Earth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 231- Matthew 5-13-16 – You Are Salt Of The Earth – Growing As Disciples

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

Salt And Light

Do you want to be salt and light, for me, in the world? Do you want to bring glory and honor and praise to my name? Do you want others to be drawn to me through the witness of your life? Yes Lord, I want all these things to be true of my life. I want my life to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. I want my life to add your flavor and preservative to what would otherwise be foul corruption in the world. How can I be salt and light for you in the world? That is a very good question. If you want to be salt and light for me in the world there is one thing you must not do and another thing that you must do. You have my full attention. I am listening carefully to you. That’s good. First, you must not let the corruption that is in the world destroy your saltiness or diminish your light. That means that I must not allow myself to be conformed to the values, patterns, and practices of the world. I must throw off anything and everything that would hinder my being salt and light for you. That means that I must not allow myself to become enticed and entrapped by sin. That is correct. 

What must I do if I want to be salt and light for you in the world? You tell me. I must go and do what you ask of me. I must do the good works that you have prepared in advance for me to do. Throwing off sin and not getting entangled in worldly pursuits will make it so my saltiness is not destroyed, or my light is not diminished. But going and doing what you ask of me will help me to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. Accomplishing your purposes and fulfilling your plans will help me to bring the flavor of your goodness to others all round me. Others will be drawn to you as I remain salty and shiny for you. That is true. That is right. That is certain. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for making me to be salt and light in the world. Thank you for giving me good deeds to do for you. Use me to bring glory and honor and praise to your name. Draw a multitude of others to yourself through the salt and light of my life. Amen

Key Question…  How are your good deeds bringing glory and honor and praise to God?

Living It Out…  Allow your good deeds to be like salt and light in the world to bring glory, honor, and praise to God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use your good deeds as salt and light in the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your good deeds are bringing glory to God.

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

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 231- Matthew 5-13-16 – You Are The Salt Of The Earth – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Had Called Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Holy Spirit - Acts 16:6-10 - Had Called Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Holy Spirit – Acts 16:6-10 – Had Called Us – Growing As Disciples

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.  Acts 16:6-10 (NIV) 

Shut Doors

The doors seem closed to you, don’t they? Yes, they do. You are a little discouraged that the doors that you’ve tried have not opened to you? Yes, I am a little discouraged and probably more than just a little. You have even begun to wonder if there is something wrong with you? Yes, I have. I have been hurt and wounded by shut doors when I expected them to be wide open. Instead of a warm and healthy greeting, I have been ignored, set aside and forgotten. All I wanted to do was freely give of my time, talent and resources. Who ever says no to that unless they think that there is something wrong with the gift or the giver?  Doesn’t that have to be it?

Do you know why the doors that you’ve tried seemed to be shut to you?  No, not really, I don’t have a clue. They seem to be shut to you because they really are shut. You haven’t been wrong about that.  Why have they been shut? That’s a good question for which you have believed a wrong answer that has wounded and hurt you. What’s that? You just told me. You’ve believed that doors are shut because something is wrong with you. Isn’t that a logical conclusion? It may be logical, but it’s also wrong. It is? Yes, it is. Let me ask you some questions. Go ahead, I’m listening.  Who do you think has kept the doors shut that you have tried to open? Would you feel better or worse if I told you that it was me who was keeping doors shut that you have wanted to open? Why would you be keeping doors shut for me? Why do you think? I’m guessing that you don’t want me to go through those doors. You must have something else in mind for me. Those are really good guesses, only they aren’t really guesses, are they? No, I suppose that they are not. You know that I have something else in mind for you don’t you? Yes, I do.

I want you to be encouraged. You need to know that I have a purpose and plan for your life. I don’t want you to open a wrong door and settle for less than what I have planned for you to do for me. What do you want me to do? I will lead you to where you need to go. I will show you what I want you to do. Don’t run ahead or lag behind me. Keep in step with me. Listen to me leading and guiding you through life. Soon enough you will need to be ready to open a door to go and do what I will ask you to do for me. Alright, I will watch and wait for you to open that door for me.

Holy Spirit, help me to understand when you are opening a door that you want me to walk through. Help me to recognize a shut door so that I will not try to break through it. Thank you for guiding my life so I can follow you.  Amen

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

Holy Spirit – Acts 16-6-10 – Had Called 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