Monthly Archives: January 2022

Dwell In You Richly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Colossians 3:16 - Dwell In You Richly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Colossians 3:16 – Dwell In You Richly – Growing As Disciples

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Dwell Richly 

Now those are two very important words. What’s that? Dwell and richly, those are the words that I want you to consider. What would your life look like if my word dwelt in you richly?  I know one thing that would need to happen for sure. What’s that? I would need to set a time and a place to meet with you in your word on a daily basis. Your word dwelling in me richly will never happen on a “when I get around to it, hit and miss basis.” If I don’t set a time and a place to meet with you in your word it will never happen on anything close to a regular basis. So, you want to make meeting with me a priority in your life. Yes, I do. That has been a big struggle for you. Yes, it has been. You have tried to meet with me in my word on a regular basis many times before, isn’t that true. Yes, I have. Were your efforts successful? No, they were not. Why is that? I didn’t really take the time to develop a strategic plan to meet with you. I was doomed to failure right from the start. What do you mean by that?  I started with unrealistic goals. Like what? I said to myself that I would meet with you every morning for an hour. What was wrong with that? I haven’t been a morning person and the length of time I selected with was far too long, at least to start. So what would happen? I would have very short-term success, end up getting up late and need to rush off to work without meeting with you. Then I would give up and feel very guilty about my failed effort.

That was then. What about now? I have developed a regular pattern of meeting with you in your word. What does your regular pattern look like? How did you get started? First of all I didn’t pick an exact time to meet with you. I picked a particular space in my day. When was that? I said that I would meet with you in your word every night just before I went to bed. This worked well for me because nothing would compete with this space in my day. I could have picked right after work or any other space in my day that didn’t face a lot of competition for my time. So, you set apart a sacred time in your day that would be our time to meet together in my word. Yes, I did. Did you also select a particular place? Yes, I did. I should tell you that I wasn’t alone in selecting a time and place to meet with you. Tell me about that. My spouse and I made this decision together. So, you could each encourage other then? Yes, that’s exactly what has happened. We selected our bedroom as the place where we would meet together with you in your word. So, every night for many years now we have been meeting with you in your word without fail. We started really small. How small? I’m almost embarrassed to say that we started reading your word and praying together for five minutes just before bed every night. Why would you almost be embarrassed at only meeting with me for five minutes? Five minutes doesn’t sound anything like letting your word dwell in me richly. But, you’re not embarrassed are you? No, I am not. Why not? That small amount of time with you in your word gave us a taste of meeting with you. Now, we hunger and thirst for meeting with you in your word. Our time meeting with you in your word and praying together at night has grown dramatically. We now also have our own separate time and place to meet with you in your word. Meeting with you in your word has now become an absolute priority in our lives. We now are truly letting your word dwell in us richly. Yes, you are and that is very good and pleasing to me. Tell me the prayer that was on your heart when you first began to meet with me in my word. Here it is…

Lord, I will meet with you daily to pray and read your word. I have picked out a time and a place. This will be our time. I know it’s just a beginning. I want you and your word to dwell richly in me. I’m excited. Let’s begin right now. Amen

Key Question… What have you learned and been able to teach others as a result of God’s word dwelling in you richly?

Living It Out…  Set a time and a place to meet with God in His word on a daily basis.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s word dwelling in you richly will change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are letting God’s word dwell in you richly on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you let the word of God dwell in you richly, so you can live the life He has given you to live.

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

God’s Word –  Colossians 3-16 – Dwell In You Richly – 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

Have This Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mind - Philippians 2:5-7 - Have This Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mind – Philippians 2:5-7 – Have This Mind – 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.          Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)

Your Rights

What rights do you have? Do you have a right to be treated with honor and dignity? Do you have a right to be treated with courtesy and respect? Are you someone special that others should notice and hold in high regard? Should everyone take note of what you desire and make every effort to meet your every need and want so you can be made completely comfortable? I’m not sure that I like this line of questioning. Why is that? It would be quite embarrassing to admit that I have ever held any of these kinds of thoughts in my mind. Do you think that these are some of your deep dark secret thoughts that no one would ever be able to guess that you have held in your mind? That sound like a sarcastic question to me. It might have been. So, my own pride has not been very well hidden has it? Only one person has been completely unaware of your pride. I’m guessing that one person is me. You got that right.

I don’t want to be filled with pride. I don’t want the world to revolve around me. I don’t want to live for my own comfort and pleasure. I don’t want my thoughts to center on my needs and desires. What do you want? I want to be like you. How so? You gave up all your rights. You had the right to be worshipped. You had the right to be honored. You had the right to be served. You never asserted your rights. You never demanded respect. You didn’t live to be the center of attention. Instead of demanding to be served you chose to give yourself fully to serving the needs of others. You emptied yourself of all your rights and took on the form of a servant. Yes, I did. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that’s what I want.

What are you willing to do? Where are you willing to go? How can I use you to serve others? I am willing to do whatever you ask of me. I am willing to go wherever you send me. My life is in your hands. I am completely at your disposal. I want to be used by you. I want your love to flow through me in service to others. I want others to be drawn to you because of what they see of you in me. Go ahead, you can use my life however you desire. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that.

Lord, in theory I have been ready to lay down my rights so that I can love and serve others. Accepting a theory is easy. Help me to actually show your love to others by serving them in very specific ways. Make this real in my life. Amen

Key Question…  How is Jesus Christ your model for the attitude you want to have toward serving others in life?

Living It Out…  Ask the Lord to show you very specific ways that you can love and serve others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to lay down your rights so you can be His servant to serve others in this world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to show His love to others by serving them.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have the same attitude of Christ by allowing Him to use you as His servant in the world.

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

The Mind – Philippians 2-5-7 – Have This Mind – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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

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

You Remain Silent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Esther 4:14 - You Remain Silent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Esther 4:14 – You Remain Silent – Growing As Disciples

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

A Time Such As This

Is this a special time? Have you been preparing me for a time such as this? That’s a very good question. Do you have an answer for me? What do you think? I’m not sure. Can you imagine what I want you to do? I’m guessing that you want me to always live with these questions. That’s a very good guess. You want me to think about what you want me to say and do at this time and in every moment of my life. There is not a time or moment when you don’t want me to be ready to speak and to act. You will continually give me things to say and do for you. Yes, I will. There are no times that aren’t special to you. All the time you have given to me is to be used for your kingdom and glory. Yes, I do want you to be ready to serve me at all times. Don’t ever think that you are off duty. I get that.

You must also know that I will be teaching and training and preparing you for special times of ministry. You will not know what is coming next. You will not know how I will use you. You must trust that I will use you. You must believe that I have been preparing you. I will use one thing after another to prepare you for what I will give you to say and do for me. You must not lose heart while you wait for the opportunities that I will give to you. Keep a watchful eye open. Give a listening ear to what you hear. Be ready and willing to serve me. Don’t run ahead of me. Don’t lag behind me. Follow me to where I lead you. Don’t shrink back when your opportunity to serve me unfolds before you. Remember that I have been teaching you. Remember that I have been training you. Remember that I have been preparing you for “a time such as this”. You will be able to look back and see and know how I have made you ready. I will have made everything to fall in place so that you can go and serve me. Make sure that you are ready and willing to say yes to me when your calling for “a time such this” is upon you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for preparing me for the role in which you have placed me. I will watch and wait and listen so that I will know what you have given me to say and do for you. Use me to bless others as I bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord uniquely prepared you for the role in which He has placed you?

Living It Out…  Watch and wait and listen to the Lord so that you will know what He has given you to say and do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you things to say and do for Him.

Get Ready To Share…   Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to uniquely bless the lives of others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fulfill the role that God has given you by speaking the words he gives you.

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

If – Esther 4-14 -You Remain Silent – 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

Built An Ark

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Hebrews 11:7 - Built An Ark - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Hebrews 11:7 – Built An Ark – Growing As Disciples

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  Hebrews 11:7 (NIV)

An Assignment

Would you take on a very long and difficult assignment from me? Would you do what I asked of you even if you didn’t fully understand everything that I was asking of you? Would you continue to do the work that I had given you to do with little or no affirmation from others? Would you keep on working for me in the face of ridicule, scorn and rejection? Are you going to ask me to work on an assignment like this? You know that I am. You know that I will. You know that I have already asked you to take on such an assignment. Then I must have already said yes to you. Yes, you did.

If I have already said yes to taking on a very long and difficult assignment from you why are you asking me these questions now? You already know the answer to that question. I do? Yes, you do. So you tell me why I have asked these questions of you. You want to remind me that the assignment I have taken on comes from you. You want me to be encouraged and strengthened in the work that you have given me to do for you. You don’t want me to become discouraged. You don’t want me to give up. You want me to know that your hand is on me. You want me to remember that you are working in and through me. You want me to know that you are using me according to your purposes and plans. Yes, all of this is true. 

Why is the work so long and difficult? Why is the assignment so large and demanding? You asked for this kind of assignment. You said that you wanted me to use you. You said that you wanted to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You said that you wanted me to use you however I saw fit. You said that you were completely at my disposal. You didn’t want some small assignment from me. You said that you didn’t want to give me anything less than your fullest wholehearted effort. Have I misheard you? Did I get something wrong? No, you have not gotten anything wrong. You have not misheard me. I am fully at your service. I am thankful that you are using me. I am encouraged that your hand is on me. Nothing will please me more than to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will keep doing the work that you have given me to do. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to listen to your voice so that I will be able to hear and obey you. Give me courage, strength and faith so I will be able to continually do all you are asking me to do for you. Use me according to your purposes and plans. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord asked you to do something for Him that required you to have faith in Him?

Living It Out…  Say yes to the Lord and be faithful to do all that He asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will ask you to do things for Him that will test and grow your faith in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what the Lord has asked you to faithfully do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continue to do whatever difficult thing the Lord has asked you to do for Him

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

Faith – Hebrews 11-7 – Built An Ark – 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

Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - James 1:5-8 - Lacks Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – James 1:5-8 – Lacks Wisdom- 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)

Sure

Do you lack wisdom? That’s a very good question. It’s very important that you are very sure of your answer. Why is that? If you are not completely convinced that you need wisdom then you will never really ask for it from me. Oh, you may make some feeble, half-hearted request for wisdom from me. You will not really expect an answer from me. You almost certainly will not wait for me to answer your request. I get it. What makes you so certain that you really do lack wisdom? My experience tells me that I lack wisdom. Are you telling me that you have at least enough wisdom to know that you desperately lack wisdom? I guess so. Why is that? Take a look at my life and the history of my own decisions. When I have relied solely on my own wisdom I have had a history of making dumb decisions and stupid mistakes. My decision-making has been astoundingly poor. I’ve noticed that. So, there is no, “if” about it? You are absolutely certain that you need wisdom from me. Yes, I have no doubt in my mind that I need all the wisdom that you will give to me. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to passionately ask me for my wisdom? Yes, it is. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to wait for me to answer your request? Yes, without a doubt. That is very good. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must be sure enough that you need it so that you will ask for it. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must also be sure enough that you need it that you will wait for it from me. I will ask for and wait for your wisdom. That is very good, but there is more that you must be sure of if you want my wisdom. What else must I be sure of?

Do you believe that I will hear and answer your request for wisdom? Do you believe that I will generously give you my wisdom when you ask for it? Are you sure that I give you wisdom without finding fault in you for asking for it? Lord, I believe that you will give me wisdom when I ask for it. I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt in you. I know that if I don’t have faith in you I shouldn’t bother asking you for wisdom. Why is that? You will not answer a doubting, double minded request for wisdom. That’s right. I am sure that I need your wisdom. I am sure that you will give me your wisdom as I ask you for it. So, I am asking you for your wisdom now. I am waiting for your wisdom now. That is very good.

Lord, there is no “if” about it. I’m sure I need your wisdom. I’m also sure you will generously give me your wisdom when I ask for it. I’m asking you for your wisdom. Guard and guide my life with your wisdom. Stabilize my thoughts and ways with your wisdom. Amen

Key Question… When has God generously responded to your prayers and given you the wisdom you needed from Him?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith ask God for His wisdom to guard and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will generously give you His wisdom when you ask Him for it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has generously given you His wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you ask God for all the wisdom that you will need from Him.

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

If – James 1-5-8 – Lacks Wisdom – 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

Who Then Is This?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Mark 4:39-41 - Who Then Is This? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Mark 4:39-41 – Who Then Is This? – Growing As Disciples

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:39-41 (ESV)

Facing Storms

You will face storms in life. You can be certain of that. How you face a storm will harm or help you. What do you mean by that? You have seen others that were either made bitter of better by the storms of life. You have seen others either grow or shrivel up in their faith as a result of the trials they have gone through. You have seen others either draw near or distance themselves from me in times of trouble. You have seen others rely on themselves or on me when they have been in great need. Yes, I have seen all these possibilities in others. I have seen all these potentialities in myself. Then you have been watching. You have been learning. You have been growing.

These possibilities and potentialities all come about as a result of choices that you will make when you are in the storms of life. Storms and trials and difficulties will always pose questions that you must answer. What questions must I answer? You tell me. I want you to hear what questions you have answered and what you have learned. There are a lot of questions that I have been forced to answer as I have gone through storms, trials and difficulties. I have plenty of time. I’m listening. Do you want me to list them? Yes, I do. Here goes. I’m ready. Will I draw near to you when I go through trials? Will I ask for your help when I go through storms? Will I rely on your strength when I face difficulties? Will my faith grow stronger as I place all my trust in you? Will I hold on to you as you hold on to me? Will I have faith that you are with me to help me even if I can’t perceive it at the time? Will I look to see how you are accomplishing good even through the most difficult storms, trials and difficulties in my life? Will I look back to see how you have been with me through storms and trials and difficulties of every kind? Will I ask you to help me to come to know you better through whatever storm, trial or difficulty life throws at me? That is quite a list. How do you want to answer all of these questions? “Yes I will”, that is the only answer I want to give to each one of these questions. Only you can give me the wisdom and strength to say, “yes I will”, to each one of these questions. Is this your prayer? Yes, it is. This is a prayer that I will certainly hear and answer.

Lord, you have never left me. You have always been with me in the storms of life. Thank you for taking my worst storms and using them to accomplish something good in my life. Help me to know you better and receive your peace and calm in every storm.  Amen

Key Question…  How have you come to know God better as you have gone through storms in life with Him?

Living It Out…  Have faith in God and rely on Him so you can come to know Him better as you go through storms in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will come to know God even better as you go through storms in life with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to know God better through a storm in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith to believe that Jesus Christ will calm the storms in your life.

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

Knowing God – Mark 4-39-41 – Who Then Is This? – 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

Fix Your Thoughts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Thoughts - Hebrews 3-1 - Fix Your Thoughts - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Thoughts – Hebrews 3-1 – Fix Your Thoughts – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Hebrews 3:1 (NIV)

Fix My Thoughts

Fix my thoughts. Now, that is a thought. My thoughts have been all over the map. I have thought high and lofty thoughts. I have thought good and pure and right thoughts. I have thought helpful thoughts. Then I have thought what I shudder to think. I have thought dark and sinful thoughts. I have thought what I would be embarrassed to admit. My mind has been a battleground between opposing thoughts that war against each other. I have been trying to guard my thoughts. I have been resisting thoughts that I know are not pleasing to you. I know that I am in danger. Why is that? Thoughts become words and words become deeds and deeds add up to how a life is lived. In every way I want to live a life that is pleasing in your sight. Without a change in my thinking I know that will not be possible. Do you have any idea what I am going through? Can you help me in anyway? Can I help you in anyway? I can help you in every way. I know exactly what you are going through. I lived a life filled with temptations just like yours. Because I was tempted I am able to help you in all your temptations. How can you help me?

You need to do two things. First you need to take your mind off of evil thoughts. Where you go and what you do can feed evil thoughts. Remove yourself from any person, place, activity or circumstance that will feed evil and sinful thoughts. You are going to put sinful and evil thoughts on a starvation diet. Do you understand exactly what I am saying to you? Yes, you are telling me to completely leave my life of sin. You have heard that before. You are listening to me. Yes, I am. When you left your life of sin you started following me. Yes, I did. That’s good. Did you think leaving your life of sin and deciding to follow me was a one-time decision? I thought it was a one-time decision. You are only partly right in that thought. You did make a once and for all time decision. I am your Savior and Lord. My Holy Spirit lives and dwells inside of you. Every day and through every moment of each day you will have the opportunity to reaffirm your decision by walking away from sin to keep on following me. You will be taking your heart and mind off of evil and sinful thoughts. Then, you will fix your heart and mind and thoughts on me. I will be the focus of your attention. I will help you to think my thoughts and walk in my ways. I will lead you through life. I will help you on your way. I will help you to live a life that is pleasing to me. Do you get all of this? Yes, I do. I will take my thoughts off of sin and fix them on you. That’s right. Will you do that? Yes, I will.

Lord, often my thoughts have wandered from one worry to another. At other times temptations have tried to attack me through my thinking. Help me to fix my thoughts on you. Change my heart and transform my mind as I keep all my thoughts on you. Amen

Key Question…  How have you grown closer to the Lord as you have fixed your thoughts on Him?

Living It Out…   Develop a new pattern of meditating on and praying God’s word throughout your day as you fix your mind on Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that Jesus Christ will change your heart and transform your mind as you fix your thoughts on Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are going about fixing your thoughts on Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fix your thoughts on Jesus Christ as He leads you through life.

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

Thoughts – Hebrews 3-1 – Fix Your Thoughts – 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

Because You Say So

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Miracles - Luke 5:5 - Because You Say So - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – Luke 5:5 – Because You Say So – Growing As Disciples

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 (NIV)

Move Forward

You’re tired and worn out. I can see that. You have worked long and hard, that’s for sure. Do you want to take a break and rest for a while? Yes, you’ve got that right. What if it’s not time to rest? What if it’s time to get up and move forward? Will you obey me? Is there a battle going on in your mind? Are you telling yourself that because you’ve worked so hard you deserve a break and time to rest, even relax? Yes, I am.

Do I never let you rest? Do I always ask you to move forward when you are weary and worn out? No, not usually, hardly ever in fact. But, now is different isn’t it? Yes, it is. I know how hard you have worked and I’m asking you to not let up. Now is not the time to rest and relax. Now is the time to get up and move forward. Will you obey me now?

Yes, Lord I will obey you now. What is it that you want me to do? I want you to continue to do the work that I have already given you to do. Dig deeper, work harder, apply yourself fully to the ministry that I have given you to do for me.

Do not think that I will leave you weary and worn out. I will refresh and revive you as you follow and obey me. My power and strength will be with you. My hand will rest on you. You will have my favor with you. I will pour out my Spirit on you. You will be filled to overflowing with my Spirit. You will live the life that I have given you to live for me. I will accomplish my purposes and plan in and through your life.

As you follow and obey me you will bear abundant fruit for my kingdom and glory. You will be a witness and shine brightly for me. Others will be drawn to me through your life.

So, keep moving forward with me. Do not shrink back. Do not give yourself what you think you deserve. I have far more for you than that. Let me use you according to my purposes and plans. Follow me now. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have worked hard. I am worn out. Are you sure that it is not time for me to take a rest? My efforts have not born fruit. Nevertheless, I will move forward with you and do all that you ask of me. Help me bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… What gives you confidence to obey the Lord even when you don’t fully understand His will and ways?

Living It Out…  Be willing to humbly set aside your thoughts and experiences so you can say yes to all that the Lord asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith to follow the Lord and move on with Him even when you don’t fully understand all that He is asking of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has blessed your life as you have obeyed Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you do all that the Lord asks of you even when you don’t fully understand.

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

Miracles – Luke-5-5 – Because You Say So – 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

Renewing Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Conformed Or Transformed

Let’s talk about your mind. I’m listening. Your mind is a battleground. How so? All that you think, say and do in life will be guided by your mind. There is not one thing that you have thought, said or done that hasn’t started in your mind. Your mind is being bombarded daily by all that is in the world. The world is continually trying to conform your heart, and mind and life according to its patterns and practices. If you do nothing at all you will think and speak and act like all those who are in the world. You will think worldly thoughts. You will speak worldly words. You will live a worldly life. None of this kind of living is pleasing to me. None of this kind of living is according to my will and my ways. This kind of thinking, speaking and living is the way of the world. I don’t want to live my life according to the patterns and practices of this world. I want to know and do your will. I want to live in ways that are pleasing to you. That’s good.

If you want to know and do my will then you must know my thoughts. How can I know your thoughts? You must meet with me in my word. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must let my word dwell in you richly. Instead of letting the world conform you, you must allow my word to transform you. My word will change the way that you think, speak and act. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to live in ways that are pleasing to me. That’s what I want. That is the desire of my heart.

How often do you think it would be good to meet with me in my word? How often do you want to grow in your knowing my will and walking in my ways? How often do you want to be made able to live in ways that are pleasing to me? How often is the world trying to conform you to according to its patterns and practices? There is one word that answers all of these questions. I want to meet with you in your word everyday. I want your word to be working in my heart and on my mind every day. That will be very good.

Lord, for so long my heart and mind were in the grip of this world as I was being conformed to its patterns, values, and practices. Thank you, for changing my heart and transforming mind by your word so I can know you and do your will. Amen

Key Question…  How has God used His word to transform your mind so you could know Him and do His will?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to both know Him and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you can know Him and do His will.

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

The Mind – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

Train Yourself

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - Train Yourself - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train Yourself – Growing As Disciples

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

In Training

What do you think it would require for someone to train to become an Olympic athlete? I’m sure that it would take their all out, fully committed efforts to become an Olympic athlete. Give me some examples. They would need to devote their entire life to their goal. So, that would require rigorous physical training every day. Their diet would be limited to only what would be healthy for the care and maintenance of their body. No junk food would go into their mouth that’s for sure. They would also need to make absolutely sure that they were receiving the optimal amount of sleep and rest. Beyond that they would never stop studying how they might gain an advantage in both their training and actual competition. Then they would compete regularly against the best competition in the world so that they would continually be pushed to their limits. After all these fully devoted efforts they might reach their goal of being an Olympic athlete. You have a good grasp of what it would cost to be an Olympic athlete.

Of how much value do you think it might be to be an Olympic athlete? It would certainly be of value to be in great shape physically. I know that you want me to take care of my body. Yes, I do. Being an Olympic athlete might give someone a platform from which they could do great work in society. Yes, it might. Good health might help someone to be able to energetically serve you for a longer period of time. That’s also true. But at the end of a life how much value will there be in physical training? At the end of life there will be no value in physical training. Physical training adds value only in this life. Yes, that’s right.

What kind of training holds value in this life and for all eternity? Training in godliness holds value both now and forever. Yes, it does. Are you training in godliness? Yes, I am. As I meet with you daily in your word I am in training. As we talk together in prayer I am in training. As I follow, obey and serve you I am in training. As I worship you, together in the body of believers I am in training. As I live as your witness in the world I am in training. Yes, you are. What do you hope will be the end result of all your training in godliness? I want to know and love you well. I want to be changed by being in your presence. I want you to mold and shape my life according to your purposes and plans. I want to be the person you want me to be. I want to live the life you have given me to live. I want to have done what you have asked me to do. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. These are all very good desires. As you are in training with me do you believe that I will accomplish all of these things in and through your life? Yes, I do without a doubt. You are right.

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

Life – 1 Timothy 4-7-8 – Train Yourself – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Lord, help me to be diligent, devoted and committed to growing in my relationship with you. I want to know you. I want to be changed by you. I want my life to be molded and shaped by you. I want to love, follow and serve you well. Amen

Key Question… What patterns, practices, and habits in your life are helping you to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out…  Be diligent, devoted and committed to spending time and effort daily to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that whatever time and effort you commit to growing in your relationship with the Lord will not be wasted.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are vibrantly growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be diligent, committed and devoted to your training in godliness as a follower of Jesus Christ.

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