Monthly Archives: September 2022

He First Loved Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 215- 1 John 4:19-21 - He First Loved Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 215- 1 John 4:19-21 – He First Loved Us – Growing As Disciples

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:19-21 (NIV) 

Your Love 

Your love has changed everything about me. How so? How has my love for you changed everything about you? You loved me by giving yourself for me. You lived and died for me. You paid for my sin. You secured my forgiveness. It was your love that drew me to you. It was your love that made me want to give myself to you. Your love helped me to turn away from the world to answer your call to love and follow and serve you. Your love has made me want to know you. Your love has made me want to be like you. Your love has made me want to think what you thought, say what you said and go and do what you did. Your love has changed the entire course of my life. Your love has given my life hope and meaning and purpose. Now, I want to do nothing more or less than live the life that you have called me to live. Your love has set my life on a mission. What is your mission? My mission is to love you and others with all that is within me. That is very good. 

How will you know if you really do love me? What signs will tell you that you truly do love me? I can think of three signs that will tell me that I really and truly do love you. First, I will live in your love. I will keep on drawing near to you. I will listen to your voice. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. It will be my greatest joy and highest pleasure to walk through life with you. Second, I will obey your commands. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will be at your service. I will follow and obey you not because I should or must. No, I will follow and obey you because it is the desire of my heart to love you with all my thoughts, words and actions. In fact, I will continually be looking for ways to do what is pleasing to you, because I love you. Finally, I will love others just as you have loved me. This will not be by some herculean effort on my part. No, your love has been and is now making me to be more and more like you. You love me. You love others. I love you. I will love others. This is the work your love has been doing in my heart and mind and life as I have loved and followed and served you. Yes, it is the work I have been and will continue to do in you. Keep on living in my love. Keep on following and obeying me. Keep on loving me and others just as I love you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, you demonstrated your love for me by living and dying for me. You made it possible for me to be forgiven of my sins. You made it possible for me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Help me now to love you and others with all that is within me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord made you able to love even those who are very difficult to love?

Living It Out… Allow God’s love for you to make you able to love Him and others with all that is within you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s love for you will change your heart, transform your mind and guide all your actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s love has changed your thoughts, words and actions.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s love for you make you able to love Him and others with all that is within you.

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

Day 215 – Becoming Like Christ – 1 John 4-19-21 – He First Loved Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Served To Advance The Gospel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 216- Philippians 1:12-14 - Served To Advance The Gospel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 216- Philippians 1:12-14 – Served To Advance The Gospel – Growing As Disciples

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)

Opportunities

What has happened to me so that I can advance the gospel? Where have you placed me so that I can share the good news with others? Those are questions I have not asked myself or you. Why is that? I don’t have a good answer for that question. I suspect that sharing the good news of the gospel has not been on the top of my mind, at all times. I have not been watchful. I have not been waiting. I have not been anticipating opportunities to share the good news with others. Yes, I do have regular and scheduled ministry opportunities where I have and do continually share the gospel. That’s good. But I am sure of a few things. Like what? You have prepared me to be able to share the gospel with others. You want to use me to help others to come to place their faith in you. You want me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Yes, I have prepared you to share the gospel with others. Yes, I want you to lead others to me. Yes, I want you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I have no doubt about any of what you have said to me. That’s good. I also know that you have placed me where I am. You have given me unique opportunities to be used by you. It would be a tragic mistake not to allow myself to be used by you. Why is that? Someone may have no other opportunity to come to know you unless I allow you to speak through me. You want me to be watching. You want me to be waiting. You want me to be eagerly anticipating opportunities to be used by you. You want me to courageously and fearlessly speak your words so that others will come to know you. Yes, I do. For that I am grateful. For that I am thankful.

When do you most need courage and fearlessness in proclaiming my word to others? When is it most difficult for you to share the good news of the gospel with others? That would be one on one with people I know. Do you believe that I will help you? Do you believe that I will empower you? Do you believe that I will speak through you? Yes Lord, I do. Keep watching. Be waiting. Be ready. Rely on me, I will use you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want to be a courageous and fearless witness for you. I want others to come to know you through the testimony of my life. Help me to boldly proclaim the Gospel to those who do not know you. Give me opportunities to bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… How have circumstances opened opportunities for you to be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Allow your life to set an example to others so that they will share the Gospel more courageously and fearlessly.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to share the Gospel more courageously and fearlessly.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been a courageous and fearless witness for Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use every opportunity you are given to courageously and fearlessly proclaim the Gospel.

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

Day 216 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 1-12-14 – Served To Advance The Gospel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Have Put My Hope In Your Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 217- Psalm 119:145-152- I Have Put My Hope In Your Word – Growing As Disciples

I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that may meditate on your promises. Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws. Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. Psalm 119:145-152 (NIV)

Your Word

Your word is true. Your word is strong. Your word is completely reliable. I will put my complete hope and trust in your word. What has my word done for you? That is a short question with a very long answer. I have time. I would love to hear your long answer. Your word has changed my heart. Your word has transformed my mind. Your word has guided my life. I maybe should use the word is rather than has. Why is that? You are not finished with me yet. Your word is and will be working in and through my life until the day I come to meet you face to face. That’s true. That’s right. That’s sure. But I have more to say about what your word has done for me. Keep going. Your word has helped me to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your actions. In other words, your word has helped me to come to know you. Your word has helped me to be able to do your will. To be clearer, your word has not only helped me to know your will, it has given me the power to do your will. How so? Your Holy Spirit has taken your word and used it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word and the power of the Holy Spirit has helped me to stand against evil and resist temptation. I’m glad that you know this to be true. I’m not done. I’m still listening. Meeting with you in your word has helped me to live in an intimate relationship with you. I can hear your voice speaking to me through your word. I can joyously say that there is no place I would be than meeting with you in your word. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you. That is very good. Our thoughts and feelings are mutual. It is my joy to have you draw near to me in my word. Thank you, Lord.

I have another question for you? I’m listening. What has been required of you for my word to do its work in you? For your word to do your work in me I have had to come to meet with you in your word. I have had to make myself available to hear from you. How often have you needed to hear from me? How often do you need to make yourself available to me? I need to hear from you continually, not just every day, but moment by moment throughout my day. How is that possible? I have made your word the meditation of my heart. I think about your word and pray your word and talk with you about your word moment and moment throughout my days as I walk through life with you. That is very good. Keep on letting my word dwell in you richly. Yes Lord, I will. That is very good.

Lord, I will meditate deeply on your word. I will place all my hope in you. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Guard the course of my life by your word. Fill my life with hope as I meet daily with you in your word. Amen

Key Question… How has meditating on God’s word helped you to place all your trust in Him?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to meditate deeply on God’s word so He can use it to guard and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will guard and guide your life by His word.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you place all your hope in God’s word as you meditate on it daily.

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

Day 217 – Becoming Like Christ – Psalm 119-145-152 – I Will Put My Hope In Your Word – 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

Power To Demolish Strongholds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 218- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Power To Demolish Strongholds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 218- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – Power To Demolish Strongholds – Growing As Disciples

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)

Battleground

That’s where my battles will most often be fought. What battles? Where will your battles be fought? The spiritual battles I will fight in life will often be fought in my mind. You could even call my mind a battleground. Yes, that is true. There will always be external components to the spiritual battles I will face in life. But what I allow my mind to think about spiritual battles and evil strongholds will be critically important. You are on the right track. Tell me what you have on your mind. Let me start by describing different kinds of strongholds. That’s a good place to start. I thought so. There are many different types of strongholds that might take my heart and mind and life captive. Doubt and fear are powerful strongholds. Pride and arrogance are others. Lust and materialism are as well. The list of possible strongholds is almost endless…anger and bitterness, dishonesty and gossip, unforgiveness and resentment, selfishness and self-centeredness, greed and gluttony…it is hard to know where to stop. With each spiritual battle and stronghold a question is asked. What question is asked? What will I allow my mind to think? Will I allow my heart and mind to think doubt filled, fearful thoughts or angry and bitter thoughts or unforgiving and resentful thoughts? The heart of the question is, “Will I allow myself to think earthly and worldly and evil thoughts or will I think thoughts that are good and right and pleasing to you?” Those are very good questions to ask yourself.

The answer is obvious, I want to think thoughts that are good and right and pleasing to you. That is a good answer. How will you think thoughts that are good and right and pleasing to me? I know me, I can’t just turn off my thoughts. There is no off button. But I do know you and I do know your word. I know that your word can and will push earthly and worldly and evil thoughts out of my mind. Your world will cleanse my heart and transform my mind. Your word will give me new thoughts to think. Your word will demolish strongholds and help me to take every thought captive to you. Your word will fight in me, with me, for me and through me like a sword to give me victory over the spiritual battles and powerful strongholds I will face in life. Yes, my word will fight for you. Yes, my word will deliver you. Yes, my word will lead you in victory. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know I will face spiritual battles. I know spiritual forces of evil will attempt to set up strongholds in my life to hinder me from fully knowing and loving and following and serving you. Help me to demolish every stronghold with weapons you have given me. Amen

Key Question… When have you allowed a specific promise from God’s word to demolish a stronghold in your life?

Living It Out… Allow God to help you to demolish strongholds with the weapons He has given to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to demolish strongholds with the weapons He has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to demolish a stronghold in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the weapons God has given you to demolish strongholds in your life.

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

Day 218 – Becoming Like Christ – 2 Corinthians 10-4-5 – Power To  Demolish Strongholds – 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

We Will Serve The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 219- Joshua 24:15 - We Will Serve The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 219- Joshua 24:15 – We Will Serve The Lord – Growing As Disciples

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

Decision

I need to make a decision. Well actually, I made my decision long ago. I’m now calling to your and my attention the decision that I did make that has guided the entire course of my life. What decision did you make? I made my decision to love and follow and serve you. Why are you now reflecting on and calling attention to that decision? It is never a mistake to reflect on and reaffirm that decision. In fact, there have been many times in my life when I have gone through great adversity, difficult circumstances and almost overwhelming trials when I have needed to reflect on, rely on and reaffirm my past decision. After all, my decision wasn’t for one day, it was for today, tomorrow, and forever. That is very good. You have made a firm and irrevocable decision to love and follow and serve me. Yes, that’s it exactly. So, your past decision has helped carry through great difficulties as you have relied on me. Yes, and I would put the heavy emphasis on relying on you. You have guarded and guided me. You have picked me up and encouraged me. You have kept me going. You have made me able to continue to love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, I have done and will continue to do that for you. You can place all your faith and hope and trust in me. That I will do. That will be very good.

There is another very good reason to reflect on my decision. Why is that? My saying yes to loving and following and serving you meant that I was also saying no to many other things and possible pursuits. My decision meant that I was going to live a life that was good and right and pleasing to you. My decision meant that I was going to make it my desire to become like you. That includes loving like you loved, giving like you gave and serving like you served. You have thought quite deeply about what your decision has meant. That’s true. So, the first no answer I made was to myself. My decision meant that I was not going to live for myself. I was not going to allow my life to be filled with worldly pursuits. I would not make money and materialism and comfort and pleasure my gods. What else? I would not make power and prestige and position my gods either. The second no answer I made was to anything that was outside your will. So, it has become the goal of my life, my hope and desire, my purpose and plan to seek to know and do your will. With your power and strength, I have sought and am seeking to go and do whatever you ask me. My life is in in your hands. I am at your service. My decision has been made both for now and forever. That is very good.

Lord, nothing and no one other than you is worthy of my service. Today, I will only give my heart and mind and life to you. No other, so called gods will have any place in my life. You and you only will I serve with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Amen

Key Question… Why is important for you to make an advance decision to serve the Lord throughout your life?

Living It Out… Make a decision today for now and for all time that you will serve the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you many different opportunities to serve Him throughout your life.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you decide today to serve the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

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

Day 219 – Becoming Like Christ – Joshua 24-15 – We Will Serve The Lord – 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

Let Us Exalt His Name Together

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Psalm 34:3- Let Us Exalt His Name Together - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Psalm 34:3- Let Us Exalt His Name Together – Growing As Disciples

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:3 (NIV)

Together

Would you like your life to be radiant and filled with joy? Would you like your face to shine brightly for me? Would you like joy to overflow your life? Yes, I would without a doubt. Would you like your life to encourage others to come to worship me? Would you like it if I heard and answered your prayers? Would you like to be delivered from all your fears? Do you want to taste of my goodness, kindness, mercy and love? Do you want to have strength that only I can provide? Do you want to be taught by me? Yes, of course I do. Every question of yours is a statement of what I hope for as I follow and serve you.

How can I live the kind of life that your questions describe? If you really want your life to be radiant, spend time in my presence. If you really want joy to overflow your life, live in an intimate relationship with me. If you really want me to hear and answer your prayers, cry out to me for all that you need. I will hear your prayers. I will deliver you from all your fears. If you really want your life to encourage others to come to worship me, then draw near to worship me yourself. Let others see the life that you are living with and for me. They will want what you have. They will be drawn to me through the testimony of your life. If you want to be taught by me, then listen to my word. If you want strength that only I can provide then seek me with all your heart. Lions will grow tired and weary, but you will lack no good thing. Are you seeing a common thread to all that you hope for and want from me? Yes, I am. If I want to live the kind of life that you are offering to me then I must live in an intimate relationship with you. I must rely on you. I must trust you. I must draw near to you. I must love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Every good gift comes from you. I must ask you for all that I need as I walk with you through life. I must give thanks and praise and worship to you for the greatness of who you are and the goodness of all that you have done. Is that what you will do? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I give thanks and praise and worship to you for who you are and for all you have done. Let my testimony of your goodness help others to join in giving glory to you. Fill me with your radiance and joy as I draw near to worship you. Amen

Key Question… What would you most like to thank and praise God for right now?

Living It Out… Consider all that the Lord has done and is doing for you; then give Him all your thanks, praise and worship.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is worthy of all your thanks, praise and worship because of who He is and what He has done.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you would like to thank and praise God for right now.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you join together with others to give thanks and praise to the Lord for who He is and for what He has done.

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

Let Us – Psalm 34-3 – Let Us Exalt His Name Together – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Love Your Enemies And Pray For Those Who Persecute You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 220- Matthew 5:43-48 -Love Your Enemies And Pray For Those Who Persecute You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 220- Matthew 5:43-48 -Love Your Enemies And Pray For Those Who Persecute You – Growing As Disciples

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)  

Love My Enemies

That hasn’t always been my first reaction. What hasn’t always been your first reaction? Loving my enemies and praying for those who persecute me has not always been my first reaction. What has been your first reaction to your enemies and to those who persecute you? I have wanted to defend myself.  I have wanted to strike back. I have wanted to get even. I have wanted to put others in their place. I wanted to set the record straight. How has that approach worked out for you? Not well, it has left me in constant turmoil and ongoing conflict. It has made me to be a very poor, probably nonexistent, witness for you. Why is that? Getting even, striking back, responding with hate to hate is nothing like the way that you lived. With such an attitude in me and with such a response from me, others will never see your life being lived in and through me. No, they will not.

That was then, that was the past, what about now? How are you responding to your enemies and to those who persecute you now? First of all, now I would have a hard time identifying someone that I would call my enemy. Now, I don’t feel like anyone is persecuting me. Something must have changed. Tell me what has changed? You have been changing my heart. You have been transforming my mind. You have been guiding my life. You have been helping me to be more like you. You have been helping me to pray for those who mistreat me.  What has happened to you as you have loved and prayed for others? The more I love and pray for others, the more I love and care for them. It’s like you are giving me your heart for people. It’s like, you are helping me to love like you loved. That is exactly what I am doing in and through you. Well, I welcome that work of yours in me. What has been the result of you loving others with my love? Some have come to know and love you through your life being lived out in and through me. Some former enemies I can now count as my friends. More importantly, I have been able to be your witness in the world. I have been able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good.

Lord, I want to love like you loved. You loved everyone. You loved your enemies. You prayed for those who persecuted you. You loved me even when I was living as your enemy. Change my heart. Make me to be like you. Help me to love and pray for my enemies. Amen

 Key Question… How have you expressed love to someone who has been your enemy?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to change your heart so that you will be able to love and pray for your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will change your heart and make you able to love and pray for your enemies.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are now loving and praying for your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 220 – Matthew 5-43-48 – Love Your Enemies And Pray For Those Who Persecute You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

We Must Pay More Careful Attention

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 221- Hebrews 2:1 - We Must Pay More Careful Attention - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 221- Hebrews 2:1 – We Must Pay More Careful Attention – Growing As Disciples

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

Attention

You have my full attention. Why did you say that? What do you have on your mind? I want to pay careful attention to all that I have heard from you. I want to take every thought and word that I have heard and received from you deep into my heart and mind and life. Those are very good desires. I have more to say. I’m listening. I don’t want the busyness of life to distract or divert or dissipate me from coming to know and do your will. I don’t want sin or the cares of this life to cause me to wander off and drift away from you. I want to vibrantly and passionately live my life with and for you. I have no interest in partial efforts or half-hearted attempts to go and do what you ask of me. I want to be white hot for you and the life you have called me to live. I will hold nothing in reserve. I will make no retreats. I will have no regrets. I will go to wherever you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Those are also very good desires. Yes, I know. These desires are not my own. These desires have not come from me. I can take no credit for having these desires in me. You have planted these desires deep into my heart and mind and life. It makes me glad that you know this to be true. It makes me glad as well. Why is that? I know you to be a giver and granter of desires. These desires you have placed in me are ones that you will fulfill in me. You will make me faithful. You will help me to be fruitful. You will keep me moving forward with you. You will fan the flame of my desire for you. Yes, I will do all these things for you.

I do have a question for you. I’m listening. What are you hearing from me? You want me to draw near and go deep with you. You want me to draw near to you in your word, in worship and in prayer. You want me to be still before you so that I can hear from you. You want me to be attentive to everything you have to say to me. Yes, I do. Do this and you will never wander off or drift away from me. Do this and my desires for you will be fulfilled in and through you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will pay careful attention to what I have heard from you. I will put into practice all that you have taught me. I will live the life you have called me to live. I won’t be distracted, diverted, or dissipated. I will do what you ask as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

 Key Question… How could simply being preoccupied with the busyness of life cause you to drift away from the Lord?

Living It Out… Pay careful attention to what you have heard so you can continue to live in an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live in an intimate and vital relationship with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living in an intimate and vital relationship with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pay careful attention to the Lord so that you do not drift away from Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 221 – Hebrews 2-1 – We Must Pay More Careful Attention – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 222- Hebrews 3:1 - Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 222- Hebrews 3:1 – Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus – Growing As Disciples

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

Fix My Thoughts 

I know that my thoughts are not your thoughts. I know that my ways are not your ways. Your thoughts and ways are much higher and better than my thoughts and ways. That seems like a little gigantic understatement. Your thoughts and ways are higher and better than mine by something like the entire universe. That is true. I can’t tell you how many times I have discovered that my thoughts and words and actions were completely out of alignment with your will and your ways. Then of course there are the almost unlimited amount of times that I have been completely unaware of how out of sync I have been with you. If I didn’t know better, I would say that I am a hopeless case, that there is no chance for me to be able to know and do your will. But that would be completely incorrect. Why is that? What is it that you know? I know that you want me to know your thoughts and ways. Not only that, you want me to live and walk in your ways. Even better than that, you will make me able to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. You seem quite confident. My confidence is not in myself, that is for sure. My confidence is in you. That is a very good place for you to place your confidence. I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, you can.

How will you come to know me? How will you come to know my thoughts and ways? How will you be able to live and walk in my ways? I will draw near to you. I will quiet myself before you. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. I will fix my thoughts on you. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will listen to what you have to say to me. I will allow you to change my thinking and reorder my priorities. I will put your word into practice. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will follow and obey you. I know that you will give me your thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. You will fix my thoughts as I fix my thoughts on you.  Yes, I will, you can be certain of that. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, if there is one thing I need to do, it is to fix my thoughts on you. My heart and mind and life need to be focused on you. I want to know you. I want my life to be in alignment with you. I want to know and do your will. I want to live my life fully for you. Amen

Key Question… How has fixing your thoughts on Jesus Christ changed your thinking and reordered your priorities?

Living It Out… Make it your ongoing and daily practice to fix your thoughts on the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that fixing your thoughts on the Lord will bring your life into alignment with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your practice to fix your thoughts on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fix your thoughts on the Lord.

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

Day 222 – Becoming Like Christ – Hebrews 3-1 – Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

I Will Give You Rest

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 223- Exodus 33:1 - I Will Give You Rest - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 223- Exodus 33:1 – I Will Give You Rest – Growing As Disciples

Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:12-14 (NIV) 

Your Rest 

There is no doubt about it, my life has been filled with strenuous effort that has left me weary, worn out and exhausted. Is that my will for you? Is that my plan for your life? Do you think that I want you to be weary and worn out and exhausted? Well, you have given me large assignments that have been far beyond my ability to accomplish. Yes, that is true. Why have I given you assignments that are far beyond your ability to accomplish? You can’t think that I have given you large assignments to make you weary, worn out and exhausted. No, that is not what I think. What do you think? I think you want me to come to rely on you. Why do you think that I want you to come to rely on me? You want me to come to know you. Yes, I do. Have you come to know me as you have relied on me? Yes, I have, without a doubt. That is good. What has happened to you as you have come to know me? As I have come to know you, I have come to love you. What has happened to you as you have come to know and love me? As I have come to know and love you, I have been filled with passion to follow and serve you. Isn’t that great? Yes, for that, I am very thankful. That’s good.

What else have you learned from the very large assignments that I have given to you? I have learned that you are working in and through me to accomplish your purposes and plans. I have learned that you are with me to help me every step of my way through life. I have learned that your favor is resting on me. Now let me ask you a question. I’m listening. Have you experienced rest in your life as a result of your coming to know and love and follow and serve me? Yes, I have a rest within me that can only come from you. Do you also have rest in your life because you know that I am with, I will help you, my favor rests on you, and I will make you able to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? Yes, you have filed my life with your rest even in the midst every unrestful circumstance, difficult task or large assignment that may come my way in life. Live in my rest. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want nothing more than to live in your rest. I know that your rest does not come by my efforts. My efforts simply wear me out. No, I want the rest that can only be mine by coming to know, love, follow and serve you. Help me to live fully in your rest. Amen

Key Question… What rest have you experienced as a result of your coming to know, love, follow and serve God?

Living It Out… Live in the rest that only comes from knowing, loving, following and serving God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you the rest that only comes from knowing, loving, following and serving Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to live in His rest.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live in the rest that comes from knowing, loving, following and serving God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 223 – Exodus 33-12-14 – I Will Give You Rest – 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