Monthly Archives: April 2022

On Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Matthew 4:4 - On Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Matthew 4:4 – On Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God – Growing As Disciples

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Feast On

Are you nibbling or feasting on my word? What does nibbling on your word look like? You tell me. I suppose nibbling on your word would include hearing your word at church and reading it once in a while for myself. Nibbling on your word would probably seldom involve listening attentively to it, thinking deeply about it, remembering it, or actually putting it into practice. Nibbling on your word would be more like receiving a free sample at the grocery store but never actually buying the product. You have a very good idea of what nibbling on my word looks like. What would feasting on my word look like? Feasting on your word would certainly involve listening attentively to it, thinking deeply about it, remembering it and actually putting it into practice. Yes, it would. I would like to say more. Go ahead. Feasting on your word would also mean it was a regularly part of my daily diet. If I really wanted to feast on your word I would set aside a daily time and a place to meet with you in your word. Yes, you would. So, in answer to your question, I have been feasting on your word. Yes, you have been.

What has feasting on my word done for you? Feasting on your word has changed and is changing my heart. How so? As I have feasted on your word the desires of my heart have changed. What I want has changed. In the past I wanted all that I wanted. I was never content. I always wanted more. A lot of what I wanted was not what you wanted for me. Like what? I wanted all that the world had to offer. A lot of what I wanted was sinful. I was easily tempted by evil and controlled by my passions. I was an easy target for the Devil and all his temptations. My heart was entangled and in bondage to sin. Not now? No, not now! Now, my heart wants what you want. I want to know and do your will. Yes, I can see that. Tell me more. Your word has also transformed and is transforming my mind. How so? In the past my mind was weak. I thought about whatever came into my mind. What did you think? The world and all its values bombarded my mind and controlled most of what I thought. I thought and lived according to the world’s values just like most everyone else. My worldly thoughts and values also made me an easy target for the Devil and his temptations. My mind was darkened and under his power. Not now? No, not now! Now, I meditate on your word day and night. Now, it is my delight to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your will. Yes, I can see that.

I would like to say more. Go ahead. Your word has sustained me. You word strengthens me. You word is a shield around me. Your word fights in me, with me, and for me. Yes, it does. I can stand on your word against every attack of the Devil and his evil. Yes, you can. It is my joy to meet with you in your word. There is no place I would rather be than with you in your word. Yes, I can see that too. I will allow your word to continue to change my heart and transform my mind. That’s very good.

Lord, use your word to change my heart and its desires. Use your word to transform my mind and its thoughts. Use your word to make me able to stand against the devil and his evil temptations. Feed, sustain and strengthen me with your word. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word been transforming your mind and the way that you think?

Living It Out…  Make it your daily practice to feast on God’s word so you will have all you need to resist the Devil and his temptations.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will change your heart and transform your mind making you able to stand against the Devil.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is changing your heart and transforming your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you attentively listen to God so that you can live on every word that comes from Him.

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

Life – Matthew 4-4 – On Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God – 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

Wisdom Is Supreme Therefore Get Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom Is Supreme Therefore Get Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom Is Supreme Therefore Get Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)

Valuable

Nothing is more important than my wisdom. My wisdom will guard your life. My wisdom will guide your path. My wisdom will lengthen your days. My wisdom will bless your life. My wisdom will make you fruitful for me. My wisdom in you will bring glory to my name. Do you want my wisdom? Yes, I want your wisdom. Do you hunger and thirst for my wisdom? Do you yearn for my understanding?  How badly do you want my wisdom? Will you pursue my wisdom with all that is in you? Will you seek after my wisdom with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Would you pay all that you have for my wisdom? How valuable is my wisdom to you? Is my wisdom more valuable than silver or gold? Is my wisdom more costly diamonds? Nothing is more valuable than your wisdom. Does anything compare with my wisdom? Is anything more important than all that I have to say to you? Nothing compares with your wisdom. Nothing is more important than all that you have to say to me. I will listen to your every word. Do you really believe all that you are saying to me? Yes, I have no doubt about the value of your wisdom.

Since you so value my wisdom what will you do to acquire it? I will ask you for your wisdom. I will never stop praying for your wisdom. I will never stop seeking your guidance. I will always listen to your instruction. I will watch for your direction. I will wait for you to lead and guide my life. I will set aside my thoughts. I will put aside my ways. Your thoughts are so much higher than mine. Your ways are so much better than mine.  I will rely on your wisdom. I will seek your understanding. I will rest in your presence. I will quiet myself before you. I will set apart a place to be with you. I will make time to listen to you. My heart and mind and life will always be open to you. I will receive all the wisdom you have to give me. My prayer for wisdom will never be a one and done prayer. I will continually pursue you and all that you have to say to me. I will follow you and your wisdom. I will obey your wisdom. I will hold on to your instruction. I will put your wisdom into practice as I live my life with and for you.  That will be very good.

Lord, I will listen attentively to your wisdom. I will pursue your wisdom. I will treasure your wisdom. I will hold on to your wisdom. I will put your wisdom into practice as I follow and obey you. Guard and guide my life with all your wisdom. Amen

Key Question…  How will obeying or disobeying wisdom have an impact on the quality and length of your life?

Living It Out…  Be careful to obey all the wisdom that God wants to give to you as you follow Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that nothing is more valuable than living your life according to God’s wisdom.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how following God’s wisdom has protected your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you let God’s wisdom guard and guide your life as you follow and obey Him.

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

Therefore – Proverbs 4-7 – Wisdom Is Supreme Therefore Get 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

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Think About Such Things - Philippians 4:8-9 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Think About Such Things – Philippians 4:8-9 – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Fix Your Thoughts

What do you think about? I think about a lot of things. Are there thoughts that you wish you would not think? Yes, there are quite a few thoughts that I wish I would not think. Like what? You know. Yes, I do but I would like you to tell me. Sometimes I have thoughts of fear and doubt. Sometimes I have thoughts of worry and rejection. Do you like thinking these thoughts? No, not at all. Do you know that you have the ability to choose what you will think about? It doesn’t seem like it. These thoughts just seem to pop into my head. I didn’t invite them into my mind. It is like they barge in without invitation. I know that it seems like you have no control over the thoughts of your mind but you really do. How is that?

Each day you make a multitude of decisions of what you want to think about. If your mind is weak you really have no control over what you’ll think about. But, you can train your mind.   Your mind can be strengthened. Just as your body can grow stronger by lifting weights so also your mind can be strengthened by what you think deeply about. But you will have to begin to make choices about what you subject your mind to. How do I do that? Think for a minute about all that you allow yourself to see and hear. Is all of it helpful? No, not at all. How many unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful things are you allowing yourself to hear and see? Quite a bit I guess. Those go directly into your mind and become your thoughts. Your thoughts become who you are and determine how you will live and act. Can you see how important it is to place a guard on what you think about? Yes, I can now.

I want you to do two things. What is that? First, cut it out. Cut out what? Cut out of your life all the sources of unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful material that is feeding your mind. If you have any confusion about what these might be, just ask me. Usually if you have to ask, you will have your answer even before you ask. But I don’t mind you asking me one bit. What else? This is the most important part. Without this second part, you will not be successful. So pay careful attention. Get ready to grab a hold of this thought. I’m ready. I want you to fill your mind with my word. I want you to take it in and meditate on it on a daily basis. Meditating on my word will be like weight lifting for your mind. My word will strengthen and transform your mind. This will be a process that will start now and continue throughout your entire life. So don’t expect immediate results. But don’t give up. Sooner than you can imagine, my word and my thoughts will change not only your thoughts but also the way that you live and act. In no time at all, people will begin to notice that you are a different person. You may be the last one to realize how much I have transformed your mind and changed your heart. But, a day will come when you will realize that many of the battles you once had in your mind are gone. Why is that? My word will have so filled and strengthened your mind that your thoughts are fixed on me and the life I want you to live. How does that sound? It sounds great. Are you ready to begin? Yes Lord, I am.

Lord, change my heart and transform my mind by your word. Help me to think and act according to your will. Train me to put into practice all I have heard, learned and received from you so that I will be able to live in your peace. Amen

Key Question… What feeds ungodly thoughts and how can you eliminate them from your life?

Living It Out…Allow God’s word to fill your heart and mind so that you will be able to put into practice all that He shows you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have God’s peace as you think and act according to His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how thinking and acting according to God’s will has brought you peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think excellent, pure and praiseworthy thoughts so you can do God’s will and live in His peace.

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

The Mind – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Stay Awake At All Times

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Prayer Filled Life - Day 112 - Luke 21-34-36 - Stay Awake At All Times - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Prayer Filled Life – Day 112 – Luke 21-34-36 – Stay Awake At All Times – Growing As Disciples

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 (ESV)

Be Watchful

That is what you must be. What must I be? You must be watchful and prayerful. You must live with the constant anticipation of my imminent return. You must not allow yourself to be caught off guard or taken by surprise. One way or another the time is very short. It should not matter to you whether my return to you or your return to me is imminent. One or the other is imminent. That is an absolute certainty. You must live your life with urgency. You must make the best use of your time. You must make the best use of your gifts, and talents, and abilities in serving me. The time is now for you to bear fruit for my kingdom. The time is now for you to store up treasure in heaven with me. The time is now for you to shine brightly in the darkness of this world. The time is now for you to bring gory to my name. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. I get it. I only have one life to live. My time on this earth is like a snap of the fingers or a blink of an eye. I am like a mist that is here in the morning and gone by afternoon. The permeance of the things of this life is like a mirage on a sun scorched highway just ahead. The things of this life will all quickly fade away. Living for the things of this life is no treasure but is rather a trap. I will not pursue what this life offers. I will not chase after the things that I can see. No, I will live my life with and for you. I will live to do your will. I will go where you send me. I will do what you ask me. I will use all that you have given me to serve you. I will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will store up treasure in heaven with you. I will live a life without regret. I will not be caught off guard. I will not be taken by surprise. I will be living my life with and for you when either you return to me, or I return to you. Help me to always be prayerful and watchful. That I will do. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, we live in perilous and troubling times. Could the time of your return be coming soon? Help me to always be prayerful and watchful so I am not caught off guard or taken by surprise. Help me to best use the time as I anticipate your imminent return. Amen 

Key Question…  Why should you always live your life with expectant anticipation of the Lord’s return?

Living It Out…  Always be prayerful and watchful as you anticipate the Lord’s return.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prayerful and watchful at all times, as you anticipate His return.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being prayerful and watchful as a follower of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be prayerful and watchful at all times as you anticipate the Lord’s return.

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

The Prayer Filled Life – Day 112 – Luke 21-34-36 – Stay Awake At All Times – 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

I Have Fought The Good Fight

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life - Day 235 - 2 Timothy 4-6-8 - Fought The Good Fight - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 235 – 2 Timothy 4-6-8 – Fought The Good Fight – Growing As Disciples

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.   2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)

Finish Strong

What will help you to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as one of my followers? That is a very good question. Do you have an answer? I know what won’t help me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as your follower. What’s that? A strong will and determined effort based on my own will power and strength will not help me. Why is that? I am weak. I may have the best of intentions. I may have the strongest of desires. I may make the firmest commitment and clearest resolution. But without your power and strength, I will certainly fail in fighting hard, running fast, and finishing strong. Why is that? I will face strong head winds. The world, my own flesh, and even the devil and all his evil will rise up and bring storms against me. I may be blown off course. I might be stuck in a rut. I may be stopped dead in my tracks. Without your help, I will certainly become discouraged, depressed, and defeated. Only you can keep me moving forward. Only you can empower me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong. It is wise that you know this to be true. It has never been my intent that you live your life under your own power and strength. You have my spirit living and dwelling inside of you. I will spur you on. I will strengthen you. I will lift you up. I will keep you from becoming discouraged, depressed, and defeated. Will you rely on my help? Will you ask me for what you want and need? Will you be fully devoted to me? Will you live in an intimate relationship with me? Will you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Will you long for my appearing? Will you pour yourself out in serving me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will surely have everything you need from me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will fight hard and run fast so that I can finish strong as your follower. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you as I long for your appearing. Help me to live a life that is a bold and bright witness for you. Help me to live without any regrets. Amen

Key Question…  How are you keeping your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord as you love, follow, and serve Him?

Living It Out…  Keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord as you serve Him and long for His appearing.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as His follower.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are fighting hard and running fast as a follower of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as a follower of Christ.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 235 – 2 Timothy 4-6-8 – I Have Fought The Good Fight – 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

Put On The New Self

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Ephesians 4:20-24 - Put On The New Self - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Ephesians 4:20-24 – Put On The New Self – Growing As Disciples

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)

Set Free

What happened to the old life that you once lived? It is dead and gone. It was left behind when I turned away from it and began to follow and serve you. You took me from being dead in my trespasses and sins and made me alive. I am now alive to you and dead to the sin I once lived in. Are you completely dead to sin and fully alive to me? That is a good question that I don’t fully understand. What don’t you understand? When I turned away from sin you made me alive in you. Yes, I did. Your Spirit came to live and dwell inside of me. Yes, He did. The power of sin over my life was broken. I was set free to live my life for you. Yes, you were. Your question is coming, isn’t it? Yes, it is. How come I still struggle with sin? It doesn’t seem completely dead to me. I know that I took off the old clothes of my sinful life. Yes, you did. Why then do I sometimes feel tempted to put those old and stinky clothes of the sinful life back on? It is like my old life and my new life are at war with each other. Yes they are, but I have already won the victory for you. You still live in a sin filled, broken world, that is filled with temptations. The world, sin and the devil will never stop waging war against you. Temptations will come your way. They came my way. You must stand against them. How will I do that? I’m sure that you already know the answer to your question.

You tell me, what have I given you to strengthen you so that you will be able to stand against temptation? You have given me your word. Yes, I have. What has my word done for you? Your word has been transforming and renewing my mind. Yes, it has. What has the world, sin and the devil been attempting to do? They are continually trying to corrupt my mind. Yes, they are. You must separate yourself from all their corruption and immerse yourself in my word. Let my word dwell in you richly. My word will set you free. My word will strengthen you against every attack of temptation and evil. My word will help you to put on the new life that I have given you to live. My word will transform and renew your mind so that you can think my thoughts and be able to know and do my will. Is that what you desire? Yes Lord, it is my delight and desire to live my life completely for you.

Lord, thank you for helping me to turn around and walk away from my old life when I came to know you. You helped me to set aside my old life as you renew my mind and help me put on the new life you have given me to live for you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit been renewing your mind and helping you to live your new life in Christ?

Living It Out… Allow the Holy Spirit to use God’s word to renew your mind and empower you to live your new life In Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to set aside your old life and live your new life in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has been helping you to live your new life in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you quietly and anonymously and generously give to others.

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

Transformation – Ephesians 4-20-24 – Put On The New Self – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Sound No Trumpet

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life - Day 362 - Matthew 6-1-4 - Sound No Trumpet - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 362 – Matthew 6-1-4 – Sound No Trumpet – Growing As Disciples

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV)

Credit

Do you need credit? Are you seeking recognition? Must you have worldly rewards for the good things you do for others, in this life? Those are all very good questions. Why do you think I have asked good questions? It is good for me to evaluate my motives, not once and a while, but every day as I follow and serve you. What are your motives? I will say what I think is true. I will say what I hope is true. I am serving you because I love you. It is my desire to know and do your will. It is my pleasure to go and do what you ask of me. I am certainly not serving or giving with the hope or desire to receive worldly recognition and rewards. That would be foolish. Why is that? Life in this world is like a snap of the fingers or the blink of an eye. Every reward given in this life will soon be left behind. I brought nothing into this world. I will take nothing out of this world. That is only partly true. Why is that only partly true? You can store up treasure in heaven with me. Make no mistake about it, you will be one day be rewarded for everything that you did for me in this life. I have no doubt about that. I do want to say something. I do want to make one thing very clear. What’s that? First, let me say that I am aware of that fact that you will have rewards waiting for me when I come to heaven to live with you. I would also like to say that I am not serving you with even the hope of heavenly rewards. I won’t turn them done. But I prefer to think that I am serving you and doing good things in this life only because I love you. That is enough for me. I need or want nothing more. I want to know your will. I want to go and do what is pleasing to you. I want to live my life with and for you both now and forever. Could anything be better? Could I ask for more. I think not. So, it is my prayer that you will show me where you want me to go and give me what you want me to do. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is enough, because I love you and I know that you love me. My life is in your hands. I am at your service. That is very good. You will have all that you have asked of me. Thank you, Heavenly Father. Amen

Heavenly Father, it is my delight to serve you. I am not serving you because I am seeking recognition or rewards from the world. I am serving you because I love you. I delight in doing your will. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  When have you done something extravagantly generous without any desire for recognition or reward?

Living It Out…  Give quietly and anonymously and generously to others without seeking reward or recognition.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father will one day reward you for the work you have done for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are learning to give to others without receiving recognition.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you quietly and anonymously and generously give to others.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 362 – Matthew 6-1-4 – Sound No Trumpet – 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

Keeps Silent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 17:28 - Keeps Silent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 17:28 – Keeps Silent – Growing As Disciples

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) 

Wait To Speak

You think that you talk too much, don’t you? Yes, I certainly do. I can’t tell you how many times I have opened my mouth and said something that I regret. Why can’t you tell me? If I really knew how often, I suppose that I could tell you. But you already know all the regrettable things that I have ever said. Yes, I do.

Why do you want to talk to me about the foolish and regrettable things that I have said? Wouldn’t it be better to forget them and just move on? Do you really think so? No, not really. Why not? I regret opening my mouth and saying what I regret. Those regrets don’t just go away. No, they don’t. They nag at me constantly. Wouldn’t it be better if we talked about them? Yes, I suppose that it would be better.

What kinds of words have you regretted saying? I have mostly regretted proud, impatient, angry or judgmental words. I know that those words can hurt others and even damage me. Yes, they can. Does it seem to you that you say out loud most of the thoughts that come into your mind? Yes, it does. Worse than that, I say words that I haven’t really even thought about. That’s not good. It is pretty foolish, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

Would you like me to help you to be wise with the words that you speak? Yes, I would. How can you help me? I want you to slow down. There is no race to see how quickly you can respond with your words. The more quickly you speak, the more foolish your words will be. But slowing down will not be enough of a guard over the words of your mouth. What will be?

We are having a conversation right now, aren’t we? Yes, we are. Is there any reason we can’t continue this conversation throughout the seconds and minutes of your life? No, there is not. Do you think that talking with me throughout your day will change the words that come out of your mouth? I’m positive that it will. When you wait to speak, what will people think? They will think I am wise. When I give you the words to say, what will people know? They will know that I am wise. Why is that? They will hear words that you have given me to say. Yes, they will. Is that what you want? Do you want to wait to speak the words that I will give you, or do you want to rush to say your own words. I want to wait to speak the words that you will give to me. Is that your prayer? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer that prayer of yours.

Lord, I have been quick to speak and slow to listen. I have foolishly rushed to offer my opinion. Help me to remain silent and consider what you want me to think about a matter before I speak. Give me your wise words to say. Amen

Key Question… When have you opened up your mouth and said something that you really regretted?

Living It Out… Allow yourself time to be silent to carefully consider what the Lord wants you to think about before you speak up.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know when to speak up and when to remain silent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to wisely remain silent.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and carefully consider what He wants you to say before you speak.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 17-28 – Keeps Silent – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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