Monthly Archives: June 2022

Was Written To Teach Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 313 - Romans 15:4 - Was Written To Teach Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 313 – Romans 15:4 – Was Written To Teach Us – Growing As Disciples

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NIV)  

Teach Me

That is what I want you to do. What do you want me to do? I want you to teach me. I will be your student. I am your follower. I will listen carefully to everything you have to say to me. I will accept your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will put your word into practice. I will obey your commands. I will allow your word to form the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. That will be very good.

When will class be in session? How will I hear and learn and receive all that you want to teach me? I would like to hear your thoughts on these questions. Your class will always be in session. You will use all the twists and turns and ups and downs of life to teach me. Nothing will be beyond your use, to instruct me. That is true. But your class will especially be in session when I come to meet with you in your word. There is not a day that I will not need to receive wisdom and guidance, encouragement and endurance, patience and strength, and much that comes from your word. That is also true.

When will you meet with me in my word? When will you listen attentively to my word? When will you receive all that I have to give you from my word? I will meet with you daily in your word. I will take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. I will read and study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray and proclaim your word. Your word will be ever before me. In every way, on every day, I will take a hold of your word so that it takes a hold of me. That will be very good.

What do you expect that my word will do for you? Beyond, what I have already mentioned? Yes beyond, what you have already mentioned. I expect that your word will teach and train me to be able to hear and recognize your voice. I expect that your word will help me to come to know you intimately. I expect that your word will change my heart and transform my mind. I expect that your word will make me able to follow and obey you, to live the life that you have called me to live. Yes, my word will do all these things in you, for you and through you. Let my word dwell richly in you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Of that I have no doubt. Of that, I am certain.

Lord, I will take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life so I can receive all that you want to give to me. Give me endurance and encouragement and hope as I meet with you daily in your word. Teach and instruct me and guide my life with your word. Amen

Key Question… How have you received encouragement and been given hope from God’s word?

Living It Out… Take God’s word deeply into your heart and mind and life so you can receive all that He wants to give you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to give you endurance, encouragement and hope.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has powerfully used His word in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive endurance and encouragement from God’s word.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 313 – Romans 15-4 – Was Written To Teach Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Learned A Lesson From What I Saw

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 314 - Proverbs 24:30-34 - Learned A Lesson From What I Saw - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 314 – Proverbs 24:30-34 – Learned A Lesson From What I Saw – Growing As Disciples

I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV)

School Is In Session

I guess school is in session. What do you mean by that? By that, I mean my eyes and ears are open. I’m watching. I’m listening. I want to see and hear all that you want to teach me. I am humbly setting myself before you. I am welcoming your teaching in my life.  And I have no doubts about your wanting to teach me. What do you think I will use to teach you? You will use all the circumstances of life to teach me. Nothing from all of life will be unavailable for your use. Like what? What have I used to teach you in the past? You have used failures to teach me. You have used successes to teach me. You have used everything between success and failure to teach me. You have used highs and lows to teach me. Actually, I have never known when a teachable moment will be before me. All I know is that I want to be fully attentive to you. I’m sure that you don’t want any teachable moment for me to go to waste. No, I don’t. Neither do I.

What attitude must you have if you are to be teachable? I must be humble above all else. Nothing will make me more unteachable than being filled with pride. Nothing will close my eyes and ears more tightly to you than thinking either that I “know it all” or I “am it all.”  But I want to say something else. What’s that? Even when I have been filled with pride you have been able to teach me. However, I would rather not be taught and learn under those circumstances. Why is that? The lessons are much more difficult and painful. If and when my heart has been as hard as stone, the lesson has had to be as strong as a diamond, so to speak. You have had to break through my pride to teach me. Which you have done so, at times, because you love and care for me. You don’t want me to remain as I am. You want to keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I do. 

What effort will you make to receive my instruction? I will not be lazy. I will not be complacent. Every day I will apply myself and give my full and best efforts to learning the lessons you are teaching me. I will not simply listen to your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will go and do what you ask of me. Why will you give your all-out effort to me? I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. So, each day I will live as if school is in session, because it is. You are my teacher. I am your student. Yes, I am. Yes, you are. Let the learning begin. That will be very good.

Lord, I will keep my eyes and ears open so that I will be able to see and hear what you want to teach me. Teach me lessons that will give me wisdom. Give me good judgement. Guide the course of my life so I will be able to know and do what is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord used something you observed to teach you a lesson?

Living It Out… Keep your eyes and ears open so you will be able to see and hear what the Lord wants to teach you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will teach you lessons that will help you to know and do what is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has taught you a valuable lesson of lifelong importance.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes and ears open to the lessons the Lord wants to teach you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 314 – Proverbs 24-30-34 – Learned A Lesson From What I Saw – 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

Make A Careful Exploration

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 315 - Galatians 6:4-5 - Make A Careful Exploration - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 315 – Galatians 6:4-5 – Make A Careful Exploration – Growing As Disciples

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)

Test Myself

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will do a careful exploration of myself. I will test myself. How will you test yourself? That is a good question. I wonder if I am capable of asking myself the right questions. That is also a good question. Some questions seem to jump out to me from your word. I probably don’t need to come up with my own questions. I could let your word help form the questions I will ask myself. That sounds good. Let me hear the questions that jump out of my word to you. Here goes. I have a lot of questions for myself. Do I know the work that you have given to me? Am I doing the work that you have given to me? If I don’t know the work you have given to me, how can I discover the work you have given to me? Have I made a good effort to discover the work you have given to me? Am I investing my life in the work you have given to me? Have I been careful to humbly do your work or am I quite impressed with myself? Am I happily and contently doing your work or am I comparing myself and my work with others? What dangers are there in comparing myself and my work with others? Have I allowed myself to become either discouraged or prideful as I have compared myself and my work with others? Finally, am I giving you my very best and most creative effort as I do the work you have given to me? Those are all very good questions.

I want to make sure that not only have I asked myself good questions, but that I have also answered them well. That makes good sense. That is wise. I am also sure that many, maybe all, of these questions will need to be asked and answered by me over and over again, over the course of my life. That is true and also wise. Most importantly, I need to let you ask me these and any other questions so that I can be properly tested. In addition, the only one that can correctly score my test is you. You will need to help me to know If I have asked and answered these questions well. You will need to help me to give my very best and most creative efforts in serving you. I need you to spur me on. I need you to encourage me. I need you to make me fruitful for your kingdom. I need you to make me able to bring glory to your name. So, I will be relying on you completely to serve you fully. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for giving me work to do for you. I will not look around and compare myself or the work you have given me with others. I will happily do what you ask of me. I will give you my very best and creative efforts to do the work I have been given. Amen

Key Question… How are you giving your very best and most creative efforts to the Lord as you serve Him?

Living It Out… Give yourself fully and creatively to the work the Lord has given you to do for Him.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fully engaged in doing the Lord’s work.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give your very best and most creative efforts to the Lord as you serve Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 315 – Galatians 6-4-5 – Make A Careful Exploration – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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

And Forget Not All His Benefits

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 316 - Psalm 103:1-5 - And Forget Not All His Benefits - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 316 – Psalm 103:1-5 – And Forget Not All His Benefits – Growing As Disciples

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–  who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,  who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)

Remembering

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will remember all that you have done for me. I won’t quickly forget what you have done for me. I won’t leave what you have done for me behind me as a distant memory. What benefit is there in remembering all that I have done for you? Remembering all that you have done for me will fill me with peace and hope and joy. Remembering all that you have done for me will fill my heart and mind and life with praise and worship and thanksgiving to you. Remembering all that you have done for me will encourage and strengthen my faith in you. Remembering all that you have done for me will help me to keep putting off my old life in the world and keep putting on my new life in you. Yes, these are all benefits you will experience as you keep on remembering all that I have done for you.

So, tell me now, what have I done for you? You rescued me from a life without you. You pulled me out of the muck and mire and set me on solid ground. You led me out of the darkness of this world and brought me into the light of your presence. You redeemed and healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You revived and refreshed and renewed and restored my soul. You have filled me with your Spirit. You set me on the path of life so I could love and follow and serve you. You adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You gave my life purpose and meaning and hope. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom. You have made me able to bring glory to your name. My old life without you is gone. My new life with you is here. You are now leading and guiding my life. My future is in your hands. Yes, I have done and am doing all these things for you.

What do you have to say about all that I have done for you? I am grateful and thankful, beyond any words that I can express. It is my joy to live my life with and for you. Thank you, for your kindness, mercy and love. You have filled my life with your goodness. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good. 

Lord, I will take time to consider all you have done for me. You have richly blessed my life. I have an abundance of reasons to give my thanks and praise to you. You have redeemed, healed and blessed my life. You have helped me to love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why is it a very good and important activity to take time to remember all that the Lord has done for you?

Living It Out… Take time to remember and give thanks and praise to the Lord for all that He has done for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is well worth your time to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all He has done for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what thanks and praise you would like to give to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give thanks and praise to the Lord for all that He has done for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 316 – Psalm 103-1-5 – And Forget Not All His Benefits – 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

To Prepare God’s People

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 317 - Ephesians 4:11-13 - To Prepare God's People - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 317 – Ephesians 4:11-13 – To Prepare God’s People – Growing As Disciples

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

My Role

That has been a big question for me. What has been a big question for you? What is my role in the body of Christ? What is my role in your church? What work have you assigned to me? How do you want to prepare me to do the work you have given me to do for you? I noticed that you said this has been a big question for you. Is it less of a question for you now? Yes, I finally feel like I have found my place and my role in your body. That’s good. I would agree. You are doing the work that you have been prepared to do. That’s good to hear.

You do have some questions. You do have some concerns. You do have some frustrations. Yes, I do. Tell me about them. I’m not sure that leaders in the church have gotten the message. I’m not sure that leaders in the church understand their primary role. I’m not sure that the members in your body understand their primary role either. How so? Leaders like apostles and prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are supposed to prepare and build up the members of the body to do the work of ministry. That is correct. What do you see happening? I see leaders doing most, maybe nearly all the work of ministry. They become overworked and heavily burdened and burn out because there is too much work to be done. That’s not good. No, it’s not. That is only half the problem. What else do you see? I see large numbers, maybe most, of the members of the body becoming underutilized spectators. They are weak, untrained, inadequately prepared and insufficiently built up. Seldom do they discover and use the gifts you have given to them. Seldom do they find the role in ministry that you have prepared for them. That’s not good either. No, it’s not. That is not all the problem either. How so? Underutilized members of your body, that have become spectators, will not be able to bear much fruit for your kingdom. Nor will they be able to bring much glory to your name. They will not shine as brightly for you in the world as you intend. They will not grow up fully in their faith. They will not become fully like you in loving and serving others. No, they will not. 

Do you have a prayer? Do you have a request? Yes Lord, help me to be prepared as I prepare others. Help me to be built up so I can build others up. Help me to do the work of ministry as I also help others do the work of ministry. Help me to find my role in your body as I help others find their role in your body. Let none of your body become spectators. Engage us all in your work. Help us all to become more and more like you as we love, follow and serve you. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want to find and fulfill my role in your body, the church. Help me to be prepared and built up to do the work of ministry you have assigned to me. Help me to become more like you as I remain rooted and growing and serving others in your body. Amen

Key Question… How have you allowed yourself to be prepared and built up to do the work of ministry?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to be prepared and built up so that you will be able to do the work of ministry.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use the body of Christ to prepare and build you up to do the work of ministry.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fulfilling your role in the body of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to both be prepared and prepare others to do the work of ministry.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 317 – Ephesians 4-11-13 – To Prepare God’s People – 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

Remain In My Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 318 - John 15:9-12- Remain In My Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 318 – John 15:9-12- Remain In My Love – Growing As Disciples

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:9-12 (NIV)

Obey You

How sad would it be if I tried to obey you simply because I should or must? How pathetic would it be if my desire to obey you was only a compulsion rooted in a sense of obligation? How successful would I be in obeying you, if I would rather not, and my heart was not in it? Those are very interesting questions. You already know what I am going to say, don’t you? Yes, I do. You are going to ask me to answer my own questions. Yes, I am. I’ll answer that last question first. Go ahead, I’m listening. I would have no chance of being successful in obeying you, if I would rather not, and my heart was not in it. Of that, I am certain. Of that, I am sure. Why is that? Let me say this, I do not have a sad and pathetic reason to obey you. I don’t obey you because I should or must. I don’t obey you because I feel a compulsion that is rooted in a sense of obligation. Furthermore, I don’t believe that you would be pleased or have any joy in seeing me try to obey you for those reasons. No, I would not. You are correct. Why then do you obey my commands? I want to obey you because I love you. It is the passionate desire of my heart to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. My love for you has filled me with desire to know and do your will. I want to live in your love. I want to obey your commands. I want to live a life that is filled with the same joy that you had in loving and following and obeying your Heavenly Father. I want to follow your example. I want to love you like you loved.  I want to do what you did. So, I will love you. I will love my Heavenly Father. I will love others just as you have loved me. This is what is good and right and pleasing to you. Yes, it is. This is the life I want to live with and for you, because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good. Yes, it is. It is way beyond very good. It is all that I could have every hoped for, dreamed, or desired. Yes, it is. 

Lord, thank you for loving me. Help me to live and remain in your love. Help me to fully demonstrate my love for you by obeying your commands. Help me to follow your example by loving others deeply from my heart. Help me to live a life of complete joy in you. Amen

Key Question… How has the entire course of your life been changed because you love the Lord?

Living It Out… Allow your love for the Lord to motivate your desire to obey Him in all that you think, say, and do.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your love for the Lord will make you fully able to obey His commands.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how loving the Lord is guiding the entire course of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live and remain in the Lord’s love as you continue to obey His commands.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 318 – John 15-9-12 – Remain In My Love – 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

Follow Me, Jesus Said To Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 319 - Luke 5:27-32 - Follow Me, Jesus Said To Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 319 – Luke 5:27-32 – Follow Me, Jesus Said To Him – Growing As Disciples

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,  and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”  Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32 (NIV)

Old For New

That is exactly what I have left. What have you left? I have left my old life in the world. I have left the old and sinful patterns and practices of my old life for the completely new life I have in you. Was that difficult? Was that painful? I will tell you this. My old life in the world was no prize. I fully lived out the verse in your word that says, “The wages of sin is death.” How so? My sinful life left me bruised and battered and broken. My sinful life left me at rock bottom. My sinful life made me see the error of my own ways. My sinful life helped me to cry out to you. I am thankful that you came into this world for a person such as me. I was certainly sick. I definitely needed a doctor. I needed a doctor that could heal my life. I needed a doctor who could restore and refresh, revive and most importantly save my soul. Only you, are such a doctor. Yes, I am.

What did you need to do so that I could heal your life? I needed to acknowledge and confess my sin. I need to turn away from my old life of sin. I needed to ask for and receive your forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. I needed to completely turn my life over to you. I need to respond affirmatively to your call for me to follow you. Any less of a response to you would not have allowed your healing to come into my life. Why is that? How could I be healed from the sickness of my old life if I were not willing to live the new life that you secured for me? You could not be, that is true.  

What must you keep on doing? That is a very good question. Leaving my old life of sin was a one time, for all of life, decision that I need to keep on reaffirming every day. Why is that? Every day I need to keep on distancing myself from my old life so I can keep on living the new life I have in you. Every once in a while, elements from my old life seem to want to check back with me to see if I have any ongoing interest in them. With all the power and strength that you will give me, the answer is and will continue to be no. I will keep on living the completely new life I have in you. I will keep on following you to where you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. Yes, I am.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. Thank you, for healing my bruised and broken, sinful life. Thank you for helping to leave my old life in the world, so I can live the completely new life I have in you. I will follow you wherever you lead me. Amen

Key Question… How has Jesus Christ given you a completely new life to live since you started following Him?

Living It Out… Keep on leaving behind your old life in the world so you can keep on living your completely new life in Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord your old life in the world is gone and your new life is now here for you to live.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have left your old life to live your new life in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep on leaving your old life in the world so you can fully live your new life in Christ.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 319 – Luke 5-27-32 – Follow Me, Jesus Said To Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Arm Yourselves Also With The Same Attitude

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 321 - 1 Peter 4:1-2 - Arm Yourselves Also With The Same Attitude - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 321 – 1 Peter 4:1-2 – Arm Yourselves Also With The Same Attitude – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.  As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 (NIV)

Armed 

That is what I want to be. What do you want to be? I want to be armed with your mind. I want to be able to think your thoughts. I want to think thoughts that are good and right and pure and true. That is a very good desire that you have in you. Why is it so important for you to think my thoughts? I live in a hostile and sinful world. The thoughts and attitudes, patterns and practices of the world wage war against my soul. Daily, my mind is being bombarded by the world. The world would like me to be molded according to its patterns and practices. The world desires that I think and speak and act like everyone else in it. Without your mind, I am left with my mind. My mind is not strong. My mind is not powerful. My mind cannot withstand the onslaught and constant bombardment that the world launches against it. Without your mind, I will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. Without your mind, I will live a sinful and worldly life. That would not be good. No, it would not.

How will you arm yourself with my mind? I think only you can arm me with your mind. How will you allow me to arm you with my mind? I will leave the world behind. I will put off the world, along with all its patterns and practices. I will draw near to you. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. I will meet with you in your word. I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will allow your word to form your thoughts and words and actions in me. I will allow your word and your Holy Spirit to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word will make me able to stand against temptation and resist evil. I will put on the new life I have in you. I will follow you to where you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. I will be at your service. I will be ready for your use. I will live the life you are calling me to live. I will no longer live for earthly and human desires. I will live to know and do your will. That will be my goal. That will be my purpose. That will be my prayer. That will be very good. That will be a prayer that I will answer for you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know I am living in a sinful and hostile world. I know I will suffer simply because I am one of your followers. I also know that the attitudes, patterns and practices of the world wage war against my soul. Arm me with your mind so I can live my life fully for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you thinking and acting differently because your mind is aligned with the mind of Christ?

Living It Out… Arm yourself with the Mind of Christ so that you will be able to live for the Lord in a sinful and hostile world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that having the mind of Christ will arm you with the ability to live for Him in a sinful and hostile world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how being armed with the mind of Christ has helped you to live for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you arm yourself with the mind of Christ so you can live your life fully for Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 321 – 1 Peter 4-1-2 – Arm Yourselves Also With The Same Attitude – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love What You Reveal

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 323 - Psalm 119:161-168 - Love What You Reveal - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 323 – Psalm 119:161-168 – Love What You Reveal – Growing As Disciples

I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.  I’m ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.  I hate lies—can’t stand them!— but I love what you have revealed.  Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.  For those who love what you reveal, everything fits— no stumbling around in the dark for them.  I wait expectantly for your salvation; GOD, I do what you tell me.  My soul guards and keeps all your instructions— oh, how much I love them!  I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life’s an open book before you.  Psalm 119:161-168 (MSG)

Your Word

What has my word revealed to you? How can I answer that question? Does that seem like a difficult question to you? No, it is not a difficult question. It is a question that has an almost unlimited amount of answers. Your word has done so much for me. Good, then you will have no difficulty in beginning to answer my question. I know that you cannot completely answer my question. Let me start by saying that I love your word. It is my joy and delight to hear from you. I am so thankful that you speak to me through your word. Your word has richly blessed my life. Being able to hear your instructions and follow your guidance has made me feel like I have struck it rich. Living by your counsel is guarding my life. Your word has made it so I will not stumble around in the darkness of this world. Your word has made me able to know and live by the truth. The entire course of my life is being guided by your word. How am I doing? Am I answering your question well, so far? Yes, you are doing very well, keep going. Yes, I feel like I have only begun. Your word is changing my heart. Your word is transforming my mind. Your word is forming all my thoughts, words and actions. Your word is making me able to stand against temptation and resist evil. Most importantly, your word has made me able to know and love and follow and serve you. Your word has shown me that you are both my Savior and Lord. Your word has shown me that I am your child. I have been adopted in your family. You have made me to be your own. There was a celebration in heaven on the day I turned my life over to you. I can keep going. That’s good. Hearing your word, has strengthened my faith. Your word is guiding my prayers. Your word has made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Your word has helped me to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. Your word has filled my heart with thanksgiving and praise to you. Yes, my word has done all these things and many more for you. Keep on meeting with me in my word. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for your word. I love to hear you speaking to me. Your word has been guarding and guiding the entire course of my life. I will receive your instruction and follow your direction as I abide by your counsel. Thank you for all your goodness to me. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word kept you from stumbling around in the darkness of this world?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to guard and guide the course of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will guard and guide the course of your life as you abide by His counsel.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on God’s word to guard and guide you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to guard and guide your life as you abide by His counsel.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 323 – Psalm 119-161-168 – Love What You Reveal – 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

Take Up The Sword Of The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 324 - Ephesians 6:16-18 - Take Up The Sword Of The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 324 – Ephesians 6:16-18 – Take Up The Sword Of The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:16-18 (NIV)  

Under Attack

Have you ever felt like you were under attack? Have you ever known that evil had come against you? Has it ever seemed like the devil was shooting flaming arrows at you? I can say yes to all your questions. I have definitely been under attack from the devil and all his evil. What protection do you have against the devil and all his evil? How will you be able to stand up when you are under attack? You will make me able to withstand up when I am under attack. How so? Right now, I can think of four ways that you will protect me when I am under attack. I’m listening. First, you have given me the shield of faith. You have helped me to place all my faith in you. You have helped me to come to rely fully on you. When I am under attack, I can come to you. I can draw near to you. I can submit myself to you. I can resist the devil and all his evil and he will flee from me. This shield of faith will protect me from whatever the devil tries to launch against me. Yes, it will. What else? You have given me a helmet of salvation. The life of salvation you have given me to live will protect my mind. You will help me to fix my thoughts on you. Instead of thinking evil thoughts, you will help me to think thoughts that are good and right and pleasing to you. You will guard my thoughts as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will. What else? You have given me your word. You have filled my heart and mind and life with your word. It is my delight to meet with you in your word. Your word is changing my heart, transforming my mind, and guiding my life. It is my joy to hear you speaking to me in and through your word. I am especially thankful that your Holy Spirit takes your word, and at just the right time, uses it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word is making me able to resist temptation and fight against evil. Yes, it is. What else? Your Holy Spirit is helping me to remain alert and watchful and prayerful. You are helping me to live and walk through life with you in an ongoing dialogue of prayer. You are giving me prayers to pray. You are granting answers to my prayers. You are leading to pray for both myself and others. This life of prayer you have given me will be protecting me whenever I am under attack. Yes, it will. It pleases me that you know that you will have my protection when you come under attack. Thank you, Lord. I will rely on all your protection. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for your armor of protection. Thank you for the life of salvation you have given me to live. Help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your actions. Use your word as a sword to fight for me. Help me to be alert and prayerful. Amen

Key Question… When has God’s word fought like a sword in you, with you, for you and through you?

Living It Out… Allow the armor of God to protect you against every attack of evil you will face in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the armor of God will make you able to withstand all the attacks of evil you will face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has used God’s word like a sword to fight for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Holy Spirit to use God’s word like a sword to fight in you, with you, for you, and through you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 324- Ephesians 6-16-18 – Take Uo The Sword Of The Spirit – 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