Monthly Archives: August 2022

A Wise Man Listens To Advice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 243 - Proverbs 12:13-18 - A Wise Man Listens To Advice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 243 – Proverbs 12:13-18 – A Wise Man Listens To Advice – Growing As Disciples

An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:13-18 (NIV)  

Listening 

I have a growth opportunity of that I am sure. What is your growth opportunity? As you know, I have often been strong willed and opinionated. I am also one of those that is energized by the heat of a good debate. There is no doubt about that. I have not developed great skills at listening. I am afraid that I have often sent off signals that I am not always ready and willing and able to receive and act on wise advice whether it comes from you or from some wise person you have brought into my life. I know one thing for certain. What’s that? A person who fails to listen to wise advice is a fool. A person who cannot receive or act on wise advice lives in constant danger. They live with warnings never received or acted on. They think foolish thoughts, speak foolish words and take foolish actions. They suffer the natural pain and suffering of thinking and speaking and acting foolishly. I don’t want that to be me. It won’t be you, trust Me.  I have more to say. I’m listening. In the little more distant past, I have also been easily annoyed and unlikely to overlook an insult. Yes but, you have allowed me to work in you and through you so that now you are more likely to ignore and overlook an insult. I am thankful for all the progress you are making in me. That’s good. I am also thankful that I am still your work in progress. Yes, you are my work in progress. You will never stop molding and shaping me into the work of your hands. Yes, you are my masterpiece. I’m sure that you have a lot of work yet to do in me.  That’s true, but don’t be impatience or discouraged, my hands are on you. My favor rests on you. I will make you able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. It is hard to think of myself as your masterpiece. Try harder. I will. That’s good. So, I will make listening my goal. I will be listening well to you. I will be listening well to wise people you bring into my life. I will receive and act on all that you want me to hear and do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have not always listened well. I have been strong willed and opinionated. I have sent off strong signals that I have not been ready or willing or able receive and act on advice. Forgive me. I will listen attentively to any wise advice you want to give me. Amen

Key Question… How does your life send signals that you are ready and willing and able to listen and act on advice?

Living It Out… Be ready and willing and able to receive and act on wise advice from the Lord and those He brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord and others He brings into your life will give you wise advice to receive and act on.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are ready and willing to receive and act on wise advice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be ready, willing and able to receive and act on wise advice.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 243 – Proverbs 12-13-18 – A Wise Man Listens To Advice – 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

Go To

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 244 - Jonah 1:1-3 - Go To - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 244 – Jonah 1:1-3 – Go To – Growing As Disciples

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

Say Yes

That is what I always want to say to you. What do you always want to say to me? I always want to say, “yes” to you. Will it always be easy for you to say “yes” to me? It is the desire of my heart to always say “yes” to you. That is my hope and plan. You have a good desire and hope and plan. But you haven’t yet answered my specific question. Yes, I know. I’m thinking about your question. Tell me your thoughts. I know that I have not always said, “yes” to you. Sometimes, I have ignored your requests. Sometimes, I have delayed responding to your requests. Other times, I have run away from what you have asked me to do for you. Why would you ever run away from a request of mine? Your requests are not always easy. Sometimes you have asked me to leave the familiar to do what is uncomfortable. In fact, using the words, “sometimes” or “uncomfortable” or “unfamiliar” might be a bit of an understatement. Why is that? You often ask me to do things that are beyond my ability. Why would I do that? Sometimes, your requests have seemed outright scary to me. How could my requests scare you? You want to grow my faith as I rely on you to work in and through me. You want to do in and through me what only you can do. Do you have a problem with that? No, I don’t generally have a problem with that. I will confess that I have not always gone and done the difficult, unfamiliar and uncomfortable assignments you have given to me. Forgive me for that. You are forgiven.

How do you want to live your life? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you want to live with fear and doubt? Do you want to accomplish little or much? Do you want to have great or little faith? Do you want your life to bear much or little fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring a little or a lot of glory to my name? I see where all your questions are headed. I understand their meaning. I have only one answer. I want what you want. I will say “yes” to you. I will do and do whatever you ask of me, with all the power and strength you will give to me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know you will ask me to go and do things for you. What you ask may be uncomfortable and unfamiliar or difficult and challenging. Help me to always say yes to you. I want to be able to both give and receive your blessings as I serve you. Amen

Key Question… When have you wanted to run away from something that the Lord asked you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Go and do what your Heavenly Father asks of you so you can both give and receive His blessings.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to go and do what He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have gone and done what your Heavenly Father asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what your Heavenly Father asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 244 – Jonah 1-1-3 – Go To – 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

What The Parable Of The Sower Means

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 245 - Matthew 13:18-23 - What The Parable Of The Sower Means- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 245 – Matthew 13:18-23 – What The Parable Of The Sower Means- Growing As Disciples

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV)

Abundant Fruit

That is sort of the bottom line. What is the bottom line? I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I don’t want my life in you to be choked off by the worries and cares of this world. I don’t want to wilt under heat of the troubles and trials of this life. I want to be able to fight against every evil and withstand all temptation. I want to be able to endure any persecution. I don’t want to get caught up and entrapped by wealth and the pleasures of this life. I want my heart and mind and life to be entirely focused on you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. You have good and right and pure desires in you. Well, they did not originate in me. Any good and right and pure desires in me certainly come from you. Yes, they do.

How will you be able to live a faithful and fruitful life that is good and right and pleasing to me? How will you be able to know and do my will? How will my good and right and pure desires that are in you, be fulfilled? Not by my own strength, that is for sure. Not by my trying harder, of that I am certain. What then? Only you can make me faithful. Only you can make me fruitful. How will I make you both faithful and fruitful? You will use your word to make me both faithful and fruitful. I meet with you daily in your word. Then and there, you will plant your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. Yes, I will. You will use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Your word will accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans in and through my life. I will allow you to use your word to do your work in me. That will be very good. Then your life will bear abundant fruit for my kingdom and glory. Thank you, Lord. 

Heavenly Father, I will meet with you daily in your word. I will listen carefully and make myself attentive to what you want to teach me. Plant your word deeply in my heart, mind and life. Allow your word to flourish in me so I can bear abundant fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… How has the growth of God’s word in you made you able to bear abundant fruit for Him?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word on a daily basis so He can plant His word deeply in your heart and mind and life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will bear abundant fruit for God as you take it deep into your heart and mind and life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to be planted deeply in you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to plant His word deep into your heart and mind and life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 245 – Matthew 13-18-23 – What The Parable Of The Sower Means – 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

Withdrew To Lonely Places And Prayed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 246 - Luke 5:15-16 - Withdrew To Lonely Places And Prayed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 246 – Luke 5:15-16 – Withdrew To Lonely Places And Prayed – Growing As Disciples

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16 (NIV) 

My Priority

That is my priority. What is your priority? It is my priority to meet with you. Tell me more about your priority. Notice, I did not say that meeting with you is my first priority. Yes, I did notice that. Why did you not say meeting with me was your first priority? I did not want to convey the idea that any other priority came even remotely close to my priority of meeting with you. That’s good. How will you be certain to establish your priority of meeting with me? That is a very good question. I know one thing for certain. What’s that? You will not receive my leftover time. I will not let a busy schedule or the demands of life crowd you out of my life. I will not meet with you only when I get around to it. Why are these thoughts of yours so important? In the past, I have had very good intentions of meeting with you. But I never actually carved out a time and set a specific place to meet with you. I never put our meeting together firmly on my schedule. I know putting meeting with you on my schedule sounds so formal and maybe even artificial. But when I haven’t put meeting with you firmly on my schedule as my utmost and highest priority then it has never happened. Days and weeks and even months went by without my meeting with you. My meeting with you was nothing more than hit or miss. That is no way to live in an intimate relationship with you. Is that your desire? Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, that is the desire of my heart. I want to know you intimately. I want to love you passionately. I want to serve you completely.  I want my heart and mind and life to be fully devoted to you. That is very good. Daily, I will meet with you in prayer. Daily, I will meet with you in worship. Daily, I will meet with you in your word. Daily, I will meet with you as I go and do all that you ask of me. In every way, I will be listening attentively to you. My entire life will be focused on you. I will allow you to guard and guide my life. Then you will be able to receive all that I have for you. Then you will have all that you want from me. Then I will be the priority of your heart and mind and life. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, I will withdraw daily to a quiet and lonely place to meet with you in prayer. I will not let a busy schedule crowd you out of my life. I will not leave our meeting to chance. You will not have my leftover time. You are the priority on my schedule. Amen

Key Question… Why must you never allow the demands of life to crowd out your time in prayer with your Heavenly Father?

Living It Out… Make it your daily ongoing practice to withdraw to quiet and lonely places to pray to your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will meet with you as you withdraw to quiet and lonely places to pray.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you are withdrawing to quiet and lonely places to pray.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw to a quiet place so you can be alone to pray to your Father Heavenly.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Luke 5-15-16 – Withdrew To Lonely Places – 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

My Sheep Listen To My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 247 - John 10:27-29 - My Sheep Listen To My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 247 – John 10:27-29 – My Sheep Listen To My Voice – Growing As Disciples

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 (NIV)

Noise

This world is filled with noise. This world is clamoring for my attention. A voice shouts, “go there” another voice says, “come here”. Other voices demand that I do this or do that. If I were to listen to a thousand different voices, I suppose that I would walk a crooked path, living like a pinball bouncing from one endeavor to another. My life would have no purpose or meaning or direction. I certainly wouldn’t accomplish much. Trying to please a thousand different voices would be the certain way for me to misspend my life. That is not at all what I want. What do you want? I want to quiet myself before you. I want to draw near to you. I want you to draw near to me. I want to hear your voice. I want to follow your direction. I want to receive your guidance. I want you to guard my life. I want my life to have purpose and meaning and hope and focus that can only come from you.  Those are all very good desires.

You need to know one thing. You will be greatly comforted and encouraged by what I want you to know. What do you want me to know? I want you to hear my voice. You were made to hear my voice. It is my plan that you will hear my voice. You are one of my sheep. I am your good shepherd. I laid my life down for you. I will lead you through life. I will guide you to where I want you to go. I will give you what I want you to do. You will not misspend your life. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Your future with me is secure. No evil can snatch you out of my hand. I will be with you to help you. My hand is on you. My favor will be with you. Does what I am saying give you comfort? Are you encouraged? Yes, I am. Keep on quieting yourself before me. Rest in my presence. Keep on listening attentively to my voice. Keep on following and serving me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, this is a noisy world. Voices of every kind are shouting for my attention. The world would like me to live my life according to its values, patterns and practices. I want none of that. I will listen to your voice. Guard and guide my life as I am attentive to you. Amen

Key Question… What have you done to quiet yourself so that you would be in a position to hear the Lord’s voice?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Lord so that He can guard and guide you through life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guard and guide you through life as you listen to Him..

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord guards and guides you through life as you listen to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord guarding and guiding you through life.

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

Day 247 – Becoming Like Christ – John 10-27-29 – My Sheep Listen To My Voice – 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

Feed My Sheep

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 248 - John 21:15-17 - Feed My Sheep - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 248 – John 21:15-17 – Feed My Sheep – Growing As Disciples

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (NIV)  

Fed To Feed

I know your call on my life. What call do I have on your life? I have been fed to feed. That sounds interesting. I would like to hear what you have to say on this subject. You drew me to yourself. You turned my life around. You rescued me from a life without you. You helped me to turn away from my sin to begin a life of loving, following and serving you. You restored my soul. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You set me on your path of life. Yes, I did all of these things for you. When I first started following you. I had no idea what it meant to follow you as my Savior and Lord. I was completely helpless, almost like a newborn baby. I had so much growing to do. Yes, you did. You did not let me remain in this condition. No, I did not. You fed me. You taught me. You trained me. Yes, I did. How did I feed and teach and train you? You brought people into my life that you used as your instruments. Godly men and woman served as my example. They led me in prayer. They guided me in worship. They taught me your word. They worked alongside me in ministry. You brought a multitude of people alongside me to help me on every step of my journey of faith with you. That is exactly what I have done for you. To that, I would say I have been very well fed spiritually. That’s right. That’s true.

Now, it is my turn. I have been fed to feed. Just as I have been fed, so I will feed others. Just as I have been guided in prayer, so I will guide others in prayer. Just as I have been led in worship, so I will lead others in worship. Just as I have been taught your word, so I will teach others your word. And of course, I will work alongside others just as they have worked alongside me. In every way, I will respond fully to your call. Just as you have called others to feed your sheep, so will I, feed your sheep. That will be very good. Yes, you do know my call on your life. Thank you for calling me into your service.

Lord, thank you that others have heard your call and have engaged in feeding me spiritually. Where would I be without them? Now, I know that you are calling me to feed others spiritually. Lord, it will be my joy to go and feed your sheep because I love you. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lord calling you even now to go and feed His sheep?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to feed His sheep.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you a way to feed His sheep.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you opportunities to feed others spiritually.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to feed His sheep.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 248 – John 21-15-17 – Feed My Sheep – 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

Those Who Bring Good News

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 249 - Romans 10:14-15 - Those Who Bring Good News - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 249 – Romans 10:14-15 – Those Who Bring Good News – Growing As Disciples

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)  

Good News

I could have received no better news. Tell me what Good News you received. You gave up all your rights and privileges. You came into this world to live and die for me. You were sent by your Heavenly Father to rescue me from a life without you. My sin and darkness separated me from you. In my sin, I was certain to die without and apart from you. That was intolerable to you. You could not let that happen to me. No, I could not. So, you took my sins to the cross. You suffered pain and humiliation and a painful death on my behalf. You made it so I could be righteous in God’s eyes. You made it so I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteous. Now, when God looks at me, He sees your righteousness. I am clean in His sight. Without your payment for my sin, I would have never been able to come to live forever in heaven with you.  Now, I have been adopted into your family. I am welcomed and loved and accepted as your child. In fact, I understand that there was rejoicing in heaven on the day I came to believe in you. Yes, heaven rejoiced on that day. Now, I know that my future in heaven is kept and guarded for me. Nothing will ever be able to snatch me out of your hand. I have an eternal future in heaven with you. I know that to be true because you deposited your Holy Spirit as a guarantee. Yes, that is true. So, what better news could there be? There is no better news. I am all yours. It is now my passion and joy to love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You are my Savior and Lord. That is very Good News. That is the best of news. Yes, it is.

What will you do with the Good News that you have received? Will you keep the Good News to yourself? Will you go out and tell others the Good News so that they also can come to believe in me as their Savior and Lord? I certainly will not keep the Good News to myself. Why is that? I want others to receive all that I have received from you. I want others to be able to come to know and love and follow you as their Savior and Lord. I want others to come to live forever in heaven with you. I want to rejoice with you and all of heaven when someone comes to know and love and follow and serve you. So, I ask that you use me. Help me to boldly share the Good News of your forgiveness and cleansing and salvation. I will gladly hear and answer that prayer of yours. I will send you. I will use you. You will declare my Good News to others. We will rejoice together when others come to believe in me as their Savior and Lord. 

Lord, here I am, send me. Use me to share the Good News of the Gospel. Open my eyes and ears to see and hear who is ready to believe in you. Show me who to make the subject of my prayers. Open my mouth, give me the words you want me to speak. Amen

Key Question… Where has the Lord sent you to make the Good News of the Gospel known to others?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to share the Good News of the Gospel with others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will open up doors and give you opportunities to share the Gospel with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to lead someone to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to share the Good News with others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 249 – Romans 10-14-15 – Those Who Bring Good News – 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

Follow My Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 250 - 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Follow My Example - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 250 – 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow My Example – Growing As Disciples

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Example

That is quite a thought. That is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. What is quite a thought? What is difficult for you to wrap your mind around? Thinking of myself as an example for others to follow is not something that I have considered. It would have never occurred to me. It would have never entered my mind. Oh sure, I have thought about being a good example or not setting a bad example. This thought is way beyond that thought. How so? Being an example for others to follow is quite a responsibility. I’m not sure that I am up to the assignment. That’s good. That’s good? Yes, that is good. Why is that good? You will never in and of yourself be an example worthy of following. On your own, your life will never be worthy of imitating. That’s what I thought. It is good that you are ready, willing and able to admit that in and of yourself and on your own, your life is not worth following.  I couldn’t agree more completely. But you are not on your own. You are not setting yourself up as an example to follow. You are loving, following and serving me. You are seeking to live the life I lived. You want to imitate me in all that you think and say and do. Yes, I do. With all my heart and mind and soul and strength I want to love and follow and serve you. Isn’t that worth imitating. Isn’t that goal and aren’t those desires in you worth following? Without a doubt, that goal and those desires are worth imitating and following. That is a great start.

There is more. What more is there? I am doing a work in you. I am molding and shaping you. You are the work of my hands. I am making you into my masterpiece. I am changing your heart and transforming your mind. My spirit lives and dwells inside of you. My life is living in and through you. You are a light for me in the darkness of this world. You are not just a little light either. No, it is my intent that you will shine like a star in the universe for me. Will not the work I do in you be something worthy of following? Can I not make you an example worth imitating? Can I not use your life to point others to me? Lord, you can do all things. Nothing is impossible with you. Then your life, as you follow me, will be a shining example for others to follow. I welcome all that you want to do in and through me. Make me an example for others to follow. Yes, I will. 

Lord, I will follow your example. I will think like you thought. I will speak like you spoke. I will live like you lived. Help me to follow your example. Help me to imitate you. Help me to set an example for others to imitate because I am loving and following you. Amen

Key Question… How is following Christ’s example setting your life before others an example to follow?

Living It Out… Follow and imitate Christ’s example in all that you think, say and do so you will be a worthy example to follow.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow His example so you can be an example for others to follow.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been helping you to follow His example.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example so you can also set an example for others to follow.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 250 – 1 Corinthians 11-1 – Follow My Example – 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

Bad Company Corrupts Good Character

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 251 - 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Bad Company Corrupts Good Character - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 251 – 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character – Growing As Disciples

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Friends

I haven’t given that much thought. You haven’t given what much thought? I haven’t given my friends much thought. What do you mean by saying that? I haven’t actually evaluated the character of my friends. I haven’t considered the positive or negative impact a friend might have in my life. Doesn’t that seem a little odd to you? Can’t you recall the positive or negative impact a friend has had in your life? I can recall things that my friends have said or done. I can remember having liked or disliked things that my friends have said or done. But beyond that it has been rare for me to reach a conclusion on the positive or negative impact friends have had on my life. What would you think if I were to say that you will become like your closest and most intimate friends? I would say that it is critically important for me to evaluate the character of my friends. If I would not want to become like one of my friends, then maybe it is better for them to not be my friends. I would rather have my friends encourage good and godly character in me than to discourage me in my desire to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want my friends to spur me on as I love and follow and serve you. I want to spur my friends on in their desire to love and follow and serve you. That is very good.

There is an important distinction to make. What’s that? I want you to be friendly and to befriend others. I want you to love and minister to all people. I want you to express care and compassion and kindness and love to everyone you encounter in life. You are to welcome the stranger. You are to love the unlovable. You are to feed the hungry and cloth the needy. You will be my hands and feet in this world. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. No one is beyond your reach. No one is unworthy of your kindness, mercy and love. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. So, how do these thoughts relate to those people you allow into your inner circle to become your intimate friends? I am to love and minster to everyone. I am also to be very careful in choosing my close and intimate friends. That is correct. I should choose friends of good and godly character who will spur me on in my faith. My close friends should encourage my character in ways that will cause to think and speak and act in ways that are good and right and pleasing to you. But I will also love and minster to all. No one will be beyond my kindness, mercy and love.  That is right. That is good. That is true.

Lord, I have not always been wise about who I allowed into my circle of friends. I have had friends who caused me to think, speak and act in ways that were not pleasing to you. Bring good and godly friends into my life. Use good friends to develop my character. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used good friends to help develop good and godly character in you?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are surrounding yourself with good friends that will help develop your character.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use good friends to help develop your character.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used good friends to help develop your character.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you surround yourself with good friends who will help develop good character in you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 251 – 1 Corinthians 15-33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character – 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

Examine Yourselves To See

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 252 - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves To See - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 252 – 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine Yourselves To See – Growing As Disciples

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Examine

 At one time that was a scary word. What was a scary word? Examine, was a scary word. The idea that I would invite you to examine my life was a scary thought. The thought that together we might both take a close look at life made me very uncomfortable. Why is that? I was afraid of what might you and I might find. Do you think that anything from your life remains hidden from me? Is any one of your thoughts or words or actions a secret to me? No, I am certain that nothing about my thoughts or words or actions can remain hidden to you. Everything about me is like an open book to you. On top of that, you are a speed reader. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my actions before I take them. Yes, I do. That is true.

Are you no longer scared of your life being under my and your examination? No, I am not. Why is that? First of all, it makes no sense to hide what we both know to be true. Which is? I am a sinner. I have sinned. I will sin. But it is also true you have forgiven and cleansed me of my sin. You have made me to be righteous in your eyes. You are now my Savior and Lord. You are leading and guiding my life. You are molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become. You are making me into your masterpiece. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Yes, I will continue to do all these things for you. So, it is my joy to welcome your work in my life. Any changes you want to make in me will be for your kingdom and glory. You want to help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I do. Why would I be afraid of that? Why would I not welcome that? Why would I not want what you want. Second by second, minute by minute and day by day, I want to become more like you. So yes, I welcome your examination of my life. Let’s you and I take a close look at my life together. Show me what you want me to see. Change what you want to change. Make me more like you as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will. You can count on me to do that in you, with you and for you. Let this all be for your kingdom and glory so I can shine brightly for you. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know I am not living a perfect life. I know I sin in my thoughts, words and actions. It is my desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. Help me to examine myself. Help me to turn from sin and keep on passionately loving and following and serving you. Amen

Key Question… How are you examining your thoughts, words and deeds to see if they are in alignment with Christ?

Living It Out… Make it your regular, end of the day practice, to examine yourself as you love, follow and serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to examine yourself as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are regularly examining yourself as you follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you examine yourself as you love, follow and serve the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 252 – 2 Corinthians 13-5 – Examine Yourselves To See – 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