Monthly Archives: March 2022

Words May Be Given Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mouth - Ephesians 6:19-20 - Words May Be Given Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mouth – Ephesians 6:19-20 – Words May Be Given Me – Growing As Disciples

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Declare My Word

What would it take for you to open your mouth to speak confidently and boldly for me? I would need to know several things from you. I’m listening. I would need to know without a doubt that you are asking me to speak for you. If I have any uncertainty about that I would never have the confidence or boldness to declare your word. No, you would not. Let me be very clear on this point. I want you to confidently and boldly declare my word to others.

What else would you need from me? I would also need to know that you would give me the words that you want me to declare to others. It would never work if I ended up declaring my own words to others. That would not be your message. There would be no fruit in that. There would be no confidence or boldness in me speaking my own words. You’re right about that. What do you think the chances are that I would not give you the words that I want you to speak for me? If I come to you to ask you for the words that you want me to confidently and boldly declare to others then I am positive that I would receive them from you. That’s right. When you rely on me, then you will have the words that I want you to confidently and boldly declare to others. As you rely on me you can be very sure that when you open your mouth my words will come out.  

What else would you need from me? I would need your hand on me. I would need to be filled with the fullness of your Spirit. I would not only need your words. I would actually need you to be speaking through me. That’s also true. When do you think you will have the fullness of my Spirit speaking through you? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you have the fullness of my Spirit speaking through you before you start speaking? No, I don’t think so. I don’t know how that would be possible. It is not possible. You will have the fullness of my Spirit as I am speaking through you but not before you start speaking. So, there is an element of faith and trust in you allowing me to speak confident and boldly for you? That’s right. Will you step forward to confidently and boldly declare my word? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I don’t want to open up my mouth and have no words come out. I don’t want to open up my mouth and have my words come out. I pray that you will speak through me. Give me your words and your power as I speak for you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you confidence to speak powerful words for Him?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you the words that He wants you to speak boldly and confidently for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you pray the Lord will give you the words that He wants you to speak for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has answered your prayers and gave you words to speak.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you rely on the Lord to give you the words He want you to speak boldly for Him.

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

Mouth – Ephesians 6-19-20 – Words May Be Given Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Present You Holy In His Sight

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life - Day 352 - Colossians 1-21 -23 - Present You Holy In His Sight - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 352 – Colossians 1-21 -23 – Present You Holy In His Sight – Growing As Disciples

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–  if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV) 

That Was Then, This Is Now

That was then. This is now. What does that mean? I was once alienated from you. I was thinking and speaking and acting as your enemy. My behavior was evil in your sight. I was living for my own comfort and pleasure. I was walking on a road that led away from you. I was self-centered, self-indulgent, and self-sufficient. I didn’t think I wanted or needed anything or anyone. I especially had no time for you. I know this to be true, even though it is difficult to say and hard to acknowledge. My life was fully immersed and engaged in the darkness of this world. How did you enjoy that life? I didn’t. It is true that the wages of sin is death. I was being paid in full. My thoughts, and words and actions led to brokenness. I was experiencing pain and suffering. I had hit rock bottom. I had reached the end of my rope. I was stuck in the muck and the mire that was my life. I was without hope in the world. That sounds quite bleak. It was very bleak. But you would not let me go. You would not let me live a life without you. You allowed me to hear the Gospel. You allowed me to receive the Good News of your salvation. You forgave my sin. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You presented me to God, without any spot or blemish. I was free from any accusation. You helped me to turn my life over to you. You turned my life around. You gave me a new and fresh start. This is now. I am continuing to live the life of faith that you have given me to live. I am walking through life with you. I am living in an intimate relationship with you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. I am allowing you to use me. Where am I leading you? What am I asking you to do for me? How am I using you? Just as the Gospel of your salvation was held out to me, so also, you want me to hold it out to others. You want to speak though me so that others can hear the Good News of their salvation. You want to use me to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. You want me to become a servant of the Gospel. Yes, I do. Will you allow me to use you in this way? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I was once living as your enemy. My thoughts, words and actions were evil. How amazing it is that you helped me to hear the Gospel of my salvation. Thank you or forgiving my sin, cleansing my unrighteousness, and presenting me Holy in God’s sight. Amen

Key Question…  How did Jesus Christ make it possible for you to hear and receive the Gospel of your salvation?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to use you as a servant of the Gospel so that it can be proclaimed throughout the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use you to help others to come to know, love, follow, and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are now helping to proclaim the Gospel to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you become a servant of the Gospel proclaiming it to others.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 352 – Colossians 1-21 -23 – Present You Holy In His Sight – 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

A Grip On Hope

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life - Day 113 - Lamentations 3-21-27 - A Grip On Hope - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 113 – Lamentations 3-21-27 – A Grip On Hope – Growing As Disciples

But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:  GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.  They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.  GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.  It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from GOD.  It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times. Lamentations 3:21-27 (MSG)

Call To Mind

Do you want to have a firm grip on all the hope that you have in me? Do you want to be able to hold together when you go through difficult times? Would you like me to sustain and strengthen you when you are in great difficulty? Yes, of course I want all these things to be true for me. Yes, I want you to give me a firm grip on hope. Yes, I want you to hold me together when I am in great difficulty. Yes, I want you to sustain and strengthen me thorough every twist and turn and up and down in life. Is there something required of me for these things to be true for me. Is there something I must do if I want to have a firm grip on all the hope, I have in you? You are wise to ask such a question. You are correct there is something that will be required of you. There is something that you must do. What is must I do? What will be required of me? Meet with me in the morning. Seek me with all your heart and mind and strength. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Wait patiently and quietly in my presence. Be still before me. Rest in my presence. Remember who I am. Remember all that I have done for you. Consider my kindness and mercy and love for you. Review how I have met your needs. Consider how I have sustained and strengthened you.  Remember how I have been with you to help you. Never forget. My love for you is never ending. My love for you will never cease. My love for you will be refreshed and renewed every morning. Day by day, and moment by moment, you will come to better know my love for you as you meet with me. You will be more aware of all my kindness and mercy and love for you. You will indeed have a grip on hope as you meet with me in the morning and call to mind who I am and all I have done for you. That I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will meet with you in the morning. I will wait quietly and patiently before you. I will diligently seek you. I will call to mind your kindness and mercy and love for me. They are new every morning. Help me to have a firm grip on all the hope I have in you. Amen

Key Question…  How is recalling the Lord’s love for you helping you to have a firm grip on hope?

Living It Out…  Call to mind the Lord’s love for you so you can have a firm grip on hope.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord’s love and compassion never runs out and is new every morning.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how recalling the Lord’s love for you gives you hope.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you call to mind the Lord’s love for you so you will have a firm grip on hope.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 113 – Lamentations 3-21-27 – A Grip On Hope – 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

Unwholesome Talk

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character- Ephesians 4:29 - Unwholesome Words - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character- Ephesians 4:29 – Unwholesome Words – Growing As Disciples

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.        Ephesians 4:29

Your Words

This is going to be a challenge for you. What is going to be a challenge for me? Do you want to be able to build others up with your words? Is that one of the ways that you want to use me? Yes, it is. Well, I want what you want. I will do whatever you ask of me. Why will building others up with my words be such a challenge for me? I know that you already have a pretty good idea why building up others with your words will be a real challenge for you. But, I will explain it to you.

How well do you listen? Do you focus your complete attention on what others have to say to you? Do you allow yourself to become distracted? Are you thinking more about what you might say next rather than carefully listening to what others are saying to you? Do you let your mind wander on to different subjects while others are speaking to you? Lord, you know me. Listening has not been my strongest quality. I have not been a good listener. I do let my mind wander. I do think more about what I want to say than what is being said to me. I’m usually thinking about a topic that interests me more than what others are discussing. Often times, I would never be able to repeat back what has just been said to me. That’s not good. I know.

If you want to be able to build others up with your words you will need to become a good listener. This will be a challenge for me. It will be more of a challenge than you think. Why is that? You will need to become a good two-way listener if you want to be able to build others up with your words. I don’t even know what a two-way listener is. Yes, I know you don’t know what a good two-way listener is. That’s why we are having this conversation. You will need to learn to listen attentively to both the person that you are talking to and to me at the same time. As you listen to the person talking you will better understand their needs. By listening attentively to them you will be fully engaging in their life. By listening attentively to me you will know what I would like you to say to them. The words that you speak will not be your own words. The words that you will speak to build others up will come from me. I get it. Now, do you understand why this will be a real challenge to you? Yes, I do. Will you listen attentively to others? Yes, I will. Will you listen attentively to me? Yes, I will. Then I will give you the words that I want to use to build others up. Then my words will become your words. That is what I want.

Lord, no longer will I let unwholesome words linger in my mind and come out of my mouth. Help me to listen carefully to you so that I can hear wholesome words to speak to others in order to build them up according to their needs. Amen

Key Question… When have you been built up or torn down by the words of another person?

Living It Out… Allow the Holy Spirit to help you speak words that will build others up according to their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will use your words to build others up according to their needs.

Get Ready To Share…Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has used your words to build others up.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use your words to build others up according to their needs.

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

Character – Ephesians 4-29 – Unwholesome Talk – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Slaves Of Righteousness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Virtuous Life - Day 237 - Romans 6-15-19 - Slaves Of Righteousness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 237 – Romans 6-15-19 – Slaves Of Righteousness – Growing As Disciples

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.  I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Romans 6:15-19 (ESV)

Obey Me

Why do you want to obey me? Is it tremendously hard for you to obey me? Is obeying me an exceedingly difficult decision for you to make? Are you torn between different priorities when you are thinking about obeying me? Do some of these questions seem ridiculous to you? I wouldn’t say that. You might think it? That is possible. But I would like to answer these questions right now. Go ahead. In fact, the words, “right now” are important. How so? The time to decide to obey you is “right now.” Why is that? “Right now”, I am not facing a temptation. “Right now”, the world and all the evil in it is not attempting to entice me. “Right now”, I do not feel the allure that temptation can present. So, making an advance decision that I will obey you is timely and important. Attempting to make that decision later, in the heat of the moment, is the wrong time and too late. Can you say more about why making an advance decision to obey me is so important? Yes, I can. If I am determined to obey you, I will not allow myself to enter into tempting situations. That is at least half the battle. Yes, it is. Once more, If I am determined to obey you, I will have a list of things that I will never do. My advance decision will guide to where I will not go and to what I will never do. That is very good. 

You have highlighted when it is the best time to decide to obey me. You have not told me why you want to obey me. Where does your desire to obey me come from? My desire to obey you comes from my heart. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Obeying you is what I want to do. I am not torn between priorities when I must reaffirm my decision to obey you. Obeying you is not an exceedingly difficult decision to make. It is not tremendously hard for me to obey you. Do I obey you perfectly? Do I never sin? The answer is obvious. I do not obey you perfectly. I am not without sin. But the overwhelming desire and course of my life is to follow and obey you with all that is within me because I love you. That is very good.  Thank you, Lord, for your love for me. Help me to keep on obeying you from my heart. You can count on it.

Lord, I will not allow myself to become a slave of sin. Those days are gone. You set me free. You broke sin’s power over me. Now, I will distance myself from sinful temptations. Now, I will be obedient from the heart to what you have and are now teaching me. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you never regret being obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you?

Living It Out…  Be obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be obedient from the heart to all that you have been taught.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being obedient from the heart to the Lord’s teaching.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 237 – Romans 6-15-19 – Slaves Of Righteousness – 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

Holds A Grudge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Genesis 50:15 - Holds A Grudge - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Genesis 50:15 – Holds A Grudge – Growing As Disciples

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 (NIV)

 Pay Back

Has someone done something evil against you? Are you having a hard time forgiving them? Are you carrying a grudge and thinking ways to pay them back? I would never try to pay someone back for the evil that they have done against me. You would just think about a lot of different ways to pay them back. I suppose so. It does you no good to carry a grudge. Failing to forgive others harms you far more than it harms them. It is a heavy burden to carry unforgiveness around in your heart and on your mind. Unforgiveness will eat you alive from the inside out. Unforgiveness will make you a bitter person. I have forgiven you of all your sins. Yes, I am so thankful that you have forgiven me of all my sins. I expect you to forgive others of the evil that they have done against you. Yes Lord, I will forgive others of the evil that they have done against me. Extending forgiveness to others may open up an opportunity for you to minister to them. You will be doing what those that are of the world do not do. They may wonder why you are so kind and loving and forgiving. Then you will have an opportunity to tell them about me. That would be amazing.

There is something very important that I want you to remember. What’s that? I can bring good out of the evil that has been done against you. Can you think of ways that I have already brought good out of evil that has been done against you? Yes, in some ways evil that has been done against me has changed the entire course of my life. You have been able to redirect my life in response to the evil that has been done against me. You have been able to send me in a new direction and use me to do new things for you as a result of something evil that has been done against me. That’s right. I didn’t author the evil. I didn’t bring the evil against you. But, I have been able to bring good out of evil that has been done to you. That is for sure. There is no doubt about that. Let me ask you a couple questions. If you allowed yourself to hold on to unforgiveness and grudges would you be able to recognize the good that I had brought into your life as a result of the evil done against you? No, probably not. How long has it taken for you to be able to look back to see the good that I have brought out of evil done against you? Sometimes, it has taken quite a bit of time. Yes, it has. Will you forgive others? Will you let go of grudges? Will you stop think about paying others back for the evil that has ben done against you? Will you wait to see the good that I will bring into your life even out of evil that has been done against you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have had a hard time forgiving others of evil they have done to me. It has been easy to carry a grudge and think about ways to pay them back. No more. I will forgive others and wait to see the good you will bring even out of the evil done against me. Amen

Key Question… Why will it never benefit you to carry a grudge against someone who has done evil against you?

Living It Out… Forgive others and let go of grudges so you can see the good the Lord will be bring even out of evil done against you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring good even out of evil that has been done against you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has brought good even out of evil done against you.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you never hold a grudge but rather recognize that God can bring good even out evil done against you.

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

If – Genesis 50-15 – Holds A Grudge – 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

The Life Of Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Sacramental Life - Day 363 - 2 Corinthians 4-7-12 - The Life Of Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 363 – 2 Corinthians 4-7-12 – The Life Of Jesus – Growing As Disciples

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (ESV)

Jar Of Clay

That us what I am like, of that there is no doubt. What’s that? I am like a jar of clay. How so? I am weak. I am frail. At one time I foolishly thought that I could be self-reliant and self-sufficient. What convinced you otherwise? I experienced all the separation and suffering and sin that is part of living a life without you. I went my own way. I did my own thing. I was discouraged, depressed, and defeated. My sinful life was receiving its payment in full, which is death. I was bruised and battered and broken by the life I was living without you. What happened to you? You turned my life around. You drew me to yourself. You helped me to turn my life over to you. I left my sinful life in the world so that I could love and follow and serve you. You gave me a new life to live. You filled my life with hope and peace and joy. You made me to be your child. You adopted me into your family. You filled me with your Spirit. You are helping me to know you. I am now living in an intimate relationship with you. I can hear your voice speaking to me. You are leading me through life. Now, nothing that life throws at me can stop me. You are with me to help me. You are sustaining and strengthening me. You are empowering me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I have done and will continue to do all these things for you.

In your jar of clay do you carry a treasure? Yes, I do. You live in me by your Spirit. You have given me a valuable message to share with others. Because I am weak, your power can be seen. Because I am weak, others can see that you are living and working in and through me. Because I am weak, your light and life can shine through me in the darkness of this world. Because I am weak, others will come to know and love and follow and serve you as I rely on your power to fulfill your purpose and accomplish your plans in and through my life. Yes indeed, you do have this treasure in you. Keep on relying on me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, there is no doubt. I am weak and like a frail clay pot. Yet your treasure is in me. You have filled me with your Spirit. You are working in and through me to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I will rely on you to sustain and strengthen me. Amen

Key Question…  Why would it be a foolish and tragic mistake to live your life solely under your own power?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to work in and through you to fulfill His purposes and accomplish His plans.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will powerfully work in and through your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the Lord to powerfully work in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to work in and through you to fulfill His purposes and accomplish His plans.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 363 – 2 Corinthians 4-7-12 – The Life Of Jesus – 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

According To His Will

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 109 - 1 John 5-13-15 - According To His Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 109 – 1 John 5-13-15 – According To His Will – Growing As Disciples

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15 (NIV)

My Will

Do you know my will? That is a very good question. Often times, I do not know your will. Would you like to know my will? That is also a very good question. Why is that? I can think of times when I liked my will. What does that mean? It means that I didn’t want to know your will if it differed from my will. I preferred my will over your will. That’s honest, that is wise to acknowledge. How about now? I want to know and do your will. If my will is not in alignment with your will, I want to know. I will change my will to line up with your will, that is my desire, plan, and goal. I want to love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. I want to go and do whatever you ask of me without any wavering or hesitation. That is very good. Let’s take a step back for a moment. I have a few questions for you. I’m listening. When you wanted your will, what kind of prayers did you pray? I prayed prayers that were according to my will. What kind of answer could you expect from me when you prayed prayers according to your will? I could expect that they would not be heard or answered. If they were answered, the answer would have been no. Why is that? You wanted and still want my will and my prayers to be in accordance with your will. You want me to be in alignment with you in my thoughts and words and actions. You want me to pray prayers that you can hear and answer. Yes, I do. So, if you don’t know my will what will you do? If you do not know how to pray what will be your course of action. I think it would be wise to assume that I don’t know your will or how to pray. Why is that? Then I will draw near to you in prayer. Then I will draw near to you in your word. Then I will draw near to you in praise and worship. When I seek you with all my heart, I will know you and your ways. When I draw near to you, you will draw near to me. You will give me prayers to pray. You will guide me to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. Yes, you can be sure of that. Will you draw near to me in prayer, in my word and in praise and worship? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then I will surely hear and answer your prayers. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, looking back over time, I can recall prayers I prayed that were clearly not according to your will. They were according to my will, but not yours. Help me to prayer prayers that are according to your will. Help me to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. Amen

Key Question…  When has God heard and answered your prayers in a way that you did not anticipate?

Living It Out…  Pray prayers that are in accordance with Gods will, that He can hear and answer.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will hear and answer the prayers you pray that are in accordance with His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what prayers you are now praying to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pray prayers, in accordance with His will, that He can hear and answer.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 109 – 1 John 5-13-15 – According To His Will – 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

I Will Instruct You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 110 - Psalm 32-8-9 - I Will Instruct You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 110 – Psalm 32-8-9 – I Will Instruct You – Growing As Disciples

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9 (ESV)

The Way You Should Go

Do you want to know the way you should go? What is the alternative? That is an excellent question. Why is that? You could stumble through life bouncing from one meaningless, unfruitful endeavor, to another. You could misspend your life and waste it on what will amount to nothing of value, especially in light of all eternity. You could live and be guided solely by your own thoughts, opinions, and values. You could miss out on my plan and purpose for your life. You could one day live with deep regret over what you could have been and could have done. Now, I understand the importance and gravity of your question. I most certainly want to know the way that I should go. That’s good.

What will help or hinder me from knowing the way I should go? That is also a very good question. Pridefully thinking that you know the way you should go is your biggest danger. Thinking that you don’t need or want my wise counsel would be your most tragic mistake. Relying solely on yourself for wisdom and guidance and instruction would be the height of foolishness. I need no convincing. Why is that? I have made many foolish decisions. I have chosen the wrong course of action far too often. I have indeed bounced around from one meaningless, unfruitful endeavor to another. I have suffered the pain and suffering that comes from self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Without a doubt, I know that I need your wisdom and counsel and instruction. That knowledge will serve you well.

How will knowing that you need my wisdom and counsel and instruction guide your actions? I will draw near to you. I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in worship. My entire being will be focused on you. I will listen to you. I will listen to and act on all the wisdom, counsel, and instruction I receive from you. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Then you will know the way you should go. Then you will live a fruitful life without regrets. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know I have been stubborn. I have been like a mule with my own headstrong ideas and plans. Forgive me. I will listen to you. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in your word. Teach and guide me in the way I should go. I will follow you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making it your daily practice to meet with the Lord so you can receive guidance from Him?

Living It Out…  Listen to and act on all the wise counsel you receive from the Lord.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you wise counsel to guide your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are following wise counsel you have received from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you listen to and act on wise counsel you receive from the Lord.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 110 – Psalm 32-8-9 – I Will Instruct You – 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

Your Heart Will Also Be

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Virtuous Life - Day 234 - Matthew 6-19-21 - Your Heart Will Also Be - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 234 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Your Heart Will Also Be – Growing As Disciples

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

A Well Lived Life

Do you want to live a well lived life? Would you one day like to look back over your life without regret? Do you want to make sure that your life was well spent and invested in what will last? Would you like to hear me one day say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Who would not want to live a well lived life? Who would not want to live a life without regrets? Who would not want to spend and invest their life in what will last? Who would not want to be called a good and faithful servant, especially by you? You would be surprised at how many will waste and spend their lives on what will amount to nothing of eternal value. Not many make storing up treasure in heaven with me the priority of their lives. I pray that will not be me. It is not you. It will not be you. That, I am glad to hear. Help me to better understand how I can store up treasure in heaven with you. That is a very good question.

Keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. Do not be allured and enticed by all that the world has to offer. All worldly possessions will one day amount to nothing. What you have now is only on a short-term loan to you. Do not labor to possess what you surely cannot keep. You brought nothing into this world. You will take no possessions out of this world. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I ask of you. Help others to come to know and love and follow and serve me. Shine as a bright light for me in the darkness of this world. Love like I loved. Give like I gave. Serve like I served. Teach what I taught. Live as I lived. Humbly allow me to use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Become like me in all that you think and say and do. Then you bear fruit for my kingdom. Then you will bring glory to my name. Then you will store up treasure in heaven with me. All this I will do with all the strength and ability you will give to me. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not store up treasure on earth that will one day amount to nothing. I know that all my prized earthly possessions are only on a short-term loan to me. I will not spend my life on what will not last. Instead, I will store up treasure in heaven with you. Amen.

Key Question…  What specific activities will certainly store up treasure in heaven with the Lord?

Living It Out…  May storing up treasure in heaven with the Lord be a priority in your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to store up treasure in heaven with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up treasure in heaven with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you store up treasure in heaven with the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 234 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Your Heart Will Also Be – 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