Monthly Archives: September 2022

A Furious Storm Came Up

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 232 - Matthew 8:23-27 - A Furious Storm Came Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 232 – Matthew 8:23-27 – A Furious Storm Came Up – Growing As Disciples

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)  

Storms Of Life

I have had the dumbest of thoughts. What dumb thoughts have you thought? Right now, I can think of two. Only two? That’s funny. I’m sure that there are an unlimited number of more dumb thoughts that have been in my mind. But I am calling out two dumb thoughts right here and now. I’m listening. My first dumb thought was that as your follower, I would be exempt from the storms of life. I have no idea why I ever held that thought in my mind. Tell me more. Two things are obviously true. One, is that this is a sin broken world. This world no longer functions according to your design. Sin and darkness and evil have brought storms of all shapes and sizes and kinds into the lives of everyone who have ever lived on this earth. That includes you. You went through storms in life. You were despised and rejected. You were mocked and ridiculed. You were hurt and wounded. Ultimately, you died on the cross as a result of and payment for the sin and evil in this world. Yes, all of this is true. So why, as your follower, would I be exempt from storms in life? How could I have thought that? Well, now I know better. The proof is in the pudding. My mistaken theory has been proven false. Everyone has and will go through storms in life of that I have no doubt, that is also obviously true. You mentioned you were calling out two dumb thoughts. What is the second one? My second dumb thought is that I will go through the storms of life all alone, by myself. I can’t tell you how many times I have relied on myself to try to weather and withstand the storms of life. How has relying on yourself in the storms of life worked out for you? Not well at all. The storms of life have only served to show me how weak and feeble and in need I truly am. Then the storms of life have not been all bad? No, not at all, the storms of life have caused me to cry out to you. The storms of life have caused me to draw near to you. The storms of life have caused me to come to rely on you. The storms of life have caused me to place all my faith in you. In the storms of life, you have shown me that you are with me to help me. In the storms of life, you have increased my faith and hope and trust in you. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, at one time I thought that, as your follower, I was exempt from storms in life. I don’t know why I thought that. You went through storms. I will go through storms. I will place all my faith in you as I go through storms. I know you will be with me to help me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been with you to help you to go through severe storms in life?

Living It Out… Place all your faith in the Lord as you rely on Him to help you go through storms in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be with you to help you as you go through storms in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to go through storms in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you place your faith in the Lord as you go through storms in life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 232 – Matthew 8-23-27 – A Furious Storm Came Up – 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

Got Down Out Of The Boat

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 233 - Matthew 14:25-31 - Got Down Out Of The Boat - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 233 – Matthew 14:25-31 – Got Down Out Of The Boat – Growing As Disciples

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25-31 (NIV)  

Steps Of Faith

Those are not easy steps. What are not easy steps? Taking steps of faith are not easy. Why is that? If they were easy, they would not be called steps of faith. If they were easy, they might be called my next best steps. But that is not what they are called. Taking a step of faith will cause me to leave the comfortable to do the uncomfortable. Taking a step of faith will often require me to leave the known for the unknown. A step of faith will most likely ask me to do what I cannot possible do without your help. A step of faith will almost always cause me to face my fears. What fears? Fears come in all different shapes and sizes. The most obvious fear is the fear of failure. That fear is no stranger to you. Yes, I have had to battle a fear of failure nearly my entire life. What would be a bigger failure? Would taking a step that ended in failure be a bigger failure than never taking a step of faith? No, certainly not. Never taking a step of faith would be the biggest failure of all. That’s true. That’s right. That is certain.

Let me ask you some questions? I’m listening. When have you ended up failing because you took a step of faith with me? A failure doesn’t readily come to my mind. You have had setbacks. You have had disappointments. Sometimes, things did not go as planned. Sometimes, you have had to retrace your steps. Sometimes, you have had to try again. Sometimes, you have even had to start over. All of what you say is certainly true. Were any of these failures? No, I guess not. Why is that? I never gave up. I never quit. Most importantly, you never gave up or quit on me. No, I have not, nor will I ever give up or quit on you. You have always been with me when it has been time for me to take a step of faith. If I have had a setback, disappointment or something didn’t go as planned, you have always kept me moving forward with you. Yes, I have always and will always be with you to help you to take steps of faith and keep you moving forward with me. You have nothing to fear as you keep on following me. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on taking steps of faith with you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know you want me to get out of the boat. You want me to stop playing it so safe. You want me to take steps of faith so I can go and do what you ask of me. With your help, that is what I will do. Help me to overcome fear and take steps of faith with you. Amen

Key Question… What is the largest step of faith you have ever taken with the Lord?

Living It Out… Take steps of faith to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take steps of faith with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking steps of faith with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you step out in faith to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 233 – Matthew 14-25-31 – Got Down Out Of The Boat – 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

Unless The Lord Builds The House

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 234 - Psalm 127:1-2 - Unless The Lord Builds The House - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 234 – Psalm 127:1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds The House – Growing As Disciples

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

Labor In Vain

I don’t want to do that. You don’t want to do what? I don’t want to labor in vain. That is a good caution. That is a valid concern. What might cause you to labor in vain? That is a good question that I haven’t given much thought. Now is the time to give it some thought. Yes, it is. I could ask you some questions that will help guide your thinking. That would be helpful. I would really appreciate that. That’s good. What might be some signs that you are laboring in vain? If I am running myself ragged trying to accomplish your purpose and fulfill your plans that might be a sign that I am laboring in vain. Why is that? Running myself ragged and making myself weary may be a good indication that I am trying to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans with my own power and strength. That will never work. Why is that? You have clearly stated that apart from you I can do nothing. Doing nothing sounds a lot like laboring in vain. Yes, it is. That must make you aware of another sign that you may be laboring in vain. Yes, it does. If my labor is not bearing fruit for your Kingdom and bringing glory to your name, then surely my labor must be in vain. That is a possibility. Why is it only a possibility? Why is it not a certainty? There is a time of sowing. Then there is a time of waiting. Then there is a time of reaping. If you are in the time of waiting, the fruit will be yet to come. Don’t be impatient. Just like a farmer who has planted seed must wait for a crop so you also must wait for fruit to develop. I get it.

What can you do to make you certain that you will not be laboring in vain? I can rely on you. I can follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I can allow you to work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. If you are working in and through me, I will surely bear fruit for you and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will, without a doubt. What will your life look like as you are allowing me to work in and through you? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you be running yourself ragged and making yourself weary? No, certainly not. You will bring balance to my life. You will give me peace and rest and sleep. You will revive and refresh and renew my life so that I will be able to give my very best effort to you. Yes, I will and yes you will. Rely on me and you will never labor in vain. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have made the mistake of trying to accomplish your purposes with my own strength. I know this is not pleasing to you. Instead, I will allow you to work in and through me. Revive, refresh, and renew my life so I can give my very best effort to you. Amen

Key Question… When have you worked yourself ragged trying to accomplish God’s purposes with your own strength?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is working in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Prayer To Bless Others… Allow the Lord to work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 234 – Psalm 127-1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds The House – 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

An Ever-Present Help In Trouble

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 235 - Psalm 46:1-3 - An Ever-Present Help In Trouble - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 235 – Psalm 46:1-3 – An Ever-Present Help In Trouble – Growing As Disciples

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

No Matter What 

I’m thinking about those words. What words? The words, “no matter what” have come to mind. I would like to hear what you have to say about those words. I would be happy to share my thoughts with you. Although, I do know that you already know my thoughts. Yes, but it will be enjoyable to hear you say your thoughts out loud. Alright then, here goes. No matter what, you are with me to help me. No matter what, you are my refuge and strength. No matter what, you are my shelter in the midst of a storm of troubles. No matter what, I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. No matter what, I can draw near to you. You will guard me. You will guide me. You will protect me. Yes, I will, have no doubt about that. No matter what, I have no need to fear. No matter what, my future in heaven is secure. You have a place in heaven that is being kept and guarded for me. Yes, I do, you can be absolutely sure and certain of that.

How does knowing that your future in heaven with me is secure put the troubles of life into proper perspective? I know that this life is incredibly short. The years, race by. A whole life is here today and will be gone tomorrow. One day, the whole collection of my troubles in life will be far less than even a distant memory. I am sure that once I come to live forever in heaven with you, I will not give the troubles of this life a second of thought. If I have any questions about why this or that happened or why I went through such and such, I’ll bet that I will forget those questions. Being in your presence will surely erase from my mind all the difficulties I had in this very short life. On that day, and on every day forever after that there will be no sickness or suffering or pain or tears. I will live forever in joy with you in your heavenly kingdom. Yes, you will. So now, I will not be afraid. I will not be discouraged or depressed or defeated. I will place all my faith and hope and trust in you. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know you are my refuge and strength. No matter what happens I know you will be with me to help me in all the troubles of life. I will not fear. I will draw near to you. I will take shelter in you. I will allow you to be my refuge and strength. Amen

Key Question… How has God brought you through troubling circumstances throughout your life?

Living It Out… Allow God to be your refuge and strength at all times and in the midst of any trouble.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will always be your refuge and strength in the midst of trouble.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been your refuge and strength in the midst of trouble.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to be your refuge and strength in the midst of all your troubles in life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 235 – Psalm 46-1-3 – An Ever-Present Help In Trouble – 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

It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 236 - Acts 20:35 - It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 236 – Acts 20:35 – It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive – Growing As Disciples

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.‘” Acts 20:35 (NIV) 

Time, Talent, And Resources

That is what I will generously and joyously give to others. What will you generously and joyously give to others? I will give my time, talent and resources to others. Why are you willing to do that? You have given me an example to follow. I want to become like you. I want to do what you did. I want to follow your example. How have I given you an example to follow? You came into this world to give yourself in service to others. You have up all your rights and privileges. You took on the form of a servant. You came into this world to live and die for me. You made it so I could be forgiven of my sin and cleansed of my unrighteousness.  You rescued me from a life without you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. You gave yourself joyously and generously even though you knew that you would be despised and rejected and ultimately put to death on the cross. Yes, I did all these things for you even though I knew the pain and suffering I would go through. You were doing the will of your Heavenly Father. That’s right. I had joy set before me. Was that the joy of knowing that you were doing your Heavenly Father’s will? Was that the joy of being the author and perfecter of my faith? Was that the joy of giving me an example to follow? Yes, it was.

Well, I want to go and do the will of my Heavenly Father. I want to do what you did. I want to take on the form of a servant. I want to give to others what you have given to me. What have I given to you? Everything I am, everything I have, and everything I hope to be has come to me as a gift from you. So, I want to give my time and talent and resources to others. I want you to use my life to draw others to you. I want to shine brightly for you in this world. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use all that I am and all that I have in your service. Yes, I will. 

Lord, you have given me an example to follow. You came into this life to serve others. I want to become like you. I want to love like you loved, serve like you served and give like you gave. Bless me as I generously give my time, talent and resources to others. Amen

Key Question… What blessings have you received as you have generously given to others?

Living It Out… Generously and joyously give your time, talent and resources to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be blessed as you give your time, talent and resources to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how giving to others has richly blessed your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give your time, talent and resources to others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 236 – Acts 20-35 – It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive – 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 Wait For The Lord

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 237 - Psalm 130:5-6 - I Wait For The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 237 – Psalm 130:5-6 – I Wait For The Lord – Growing As Disciples

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)

Waiting

That does not come naturally to me. What does not come naturally to you? Waiting does not come naturally to me. Running and racing comes naturally to me. Busyness and being constantly in motion or on the go comes naturally to me. Impatience and worry and anxiety come naturally to me. How has being constantly busy and always in motion worked out for you? Not well, not well at all. Why not? I can’t tell you how mistaken my thoughts and words and actions have been because I rushed into them. There is an irony here. Really, what’s the irony? I’m sure I have thought that if I run faster and harder, I will accomplish far more and that being busy is far better than waiting. That is clearly not the case. Why is that? Failing to wait on you as I put my hope in your word has left me with only my own thoughts and words and actions. I have not received your instruction. I have not followed your guidance. I have not been able to know and do your will because I haven’t waited on you or listened to your word. So, I have wasted time and talent and resources by doing what seemed right in my own eyes. The problem is that my eyes do don’t have your perspective. Without waiting, I will never have your wisdom. So, in my life of busyness and constant motion I have made a ton of mistakes. That is not good. No, it is not. It is no fun to have to stop and turn around and start over. No, it is not. 

So, what do you want to do differently? I want to wait for you. How will you wait for me? I will draw near to you. I will rest in your presence. I will listen to all that you have to say to me. I will allow you to speak into my life. I will meet with you in prayer. I will live my life in a constant dialogue with you. I will meet with you in worship. I will bow myself down before you. I will give you all my thanks and praise. I will meet with you in your word. I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will eagerly and expectantly wait for you to guide my life. I will go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. I will follow word and put into practice whatever you show me. In every way and on every day, I will be waiting before you. That will be very good. Yes, it will.

Lord, I will quiet myself before you. I will make myself fully available to you. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. I will eagerly wait to hear from you. My expectant hope will be fully in your word. Amen

Key Question… How are you being challenged to go deeper by waiting for the Lord as you hope in His word?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to wait for the Lord as you put your hope in His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can wait for the Lord as you put your hope in His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you wait for the Lord as you put your hope in His word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait for the Lord as you meet with Him in His word.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 237 – Psalm 130-5-6 – I Wait For 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

That They May Have Life And Life To The Full

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 238 - John 10:10 - That They May Have Life And Life To The Full - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 238 – John 10:10 – That They May Have Life And Life To The Full – Growing As Disciples

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV) 

Abundant Life

Not one day of my life has been the same. What are you taking about? Your life has never been the same as what? Not one day of my life has been the same since the day that I came to know you as my Savior and Lord. I’d like to hear more about this from you. My life was a complete and total mess before I gave my life to you. I was bruised and battered and broken. I was discouraged and depressed. It seem like my life was one long stream of disastrous misadventures. If something could go wrong, it did. If I could experience any more pain or suffering or loss, I did. I don’t know how I could have felt more hopeless. I may be exaggerating. Maybe, I am being melodramatic? No, I don’t think so. I agree with you, your life was a mess. So, would you also say that I had reached rock bottom? Yes, your life was at rock bottom, on that we have agreement. That was a very good place for you to be. Why do you say that? It didn’t feel like a good place to me. I would like to ask you a couple of questions to help you to answer your own question. I’m listening. Would you have cried out to me if your life had not reached rock bottom? Would you have asked for my help? Would you have been willing to turn your life over to me? Would you have told me that you wanted to follow me as your Savior and Lord? Certainly not, I was a strong willed and independent person. I thought I didn’t need or want anything from anyone, including you. I wanted to live my life, my way, all by myself. No one could tell me anything. I was absolutely full of myself. Being at rock bottom stripped me of my prideful independence. Being at rock bottom caused me to cry out to you to ask for your help. Being at rock bottom showed me that I wanted more and something else. I now know I wanted you. I wanted to know and love and follow and serve you. I wanted to live my life with and for you. So, being at rock bottom was a good place for you to be after all? Yes, it was a very good place to for me to be.

So now, I am thankful beyond measure. You have given me a completely new life to live. You have helped me to come to love you with all my heart and mind and strength. You have given me a passionate desire to know and do your will. You have made it my joy to walk with you through life. You are the focus of my life. You are at the center of all that I think and say and do. That is why I can confidently say that my life has never been the same since you became my Savior and Lord. That is very good. Yes, it is unimaginably good. You have given me an abundant life to live with and for you. Yes, I have. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for giving me fullness of life. You have forgiven me and freed me from my old life. You have accepted and adopted me into your family. You have filled my life with hope and meaning and purpose. You have given me a bright future now and forever. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord given you a life that is filled with hope and meaning and purpose?

Living It Out… Live out the fullness of life that the Lord has given to you both now and forever.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live the fullness of life that He has given you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to live the fullness of life He has given you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live out the fullness of life that the Lord has secured for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – John 10-10 – That They May Have Life – 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

Sacrifice

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 239 - Genesis 22:2 - Sacrifice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 239 – Genesis 22:2 – Sacrifice – Growing As Disciples

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Genesis 22:2 (NIV) 

Your Promises 

I know something about your promises. What do you know about my promises? I know that your promises are true. I know that your promises are reliable. I know that your promises are trustworthy. I can place all my faith in your promises. You know some very important things about my promises. Can you say more? I know that you made a promise to Abraham. Yes, I did. You promised that out of Abraham you would make a great nation. You said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him. You said that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore. Yes, I promised all of this to Abraham. This tells me more about your promises. What does this tell you? Sometimes, my belief in your promises will be tested. How so? Why do you come to this conclusion? If Abraham didn’t have a son, it would be impossible for your promises to come true for him. If he did not have a son, then he would have no descendants. His descendants would not be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand of the seashore. That’s true. Yet, you tested his faith in you. You tested his belief in your promises. Yes, I did. So, I ask myself these questions, “If you tested Abraham’s faith in you and his belief in your promises, will I not also be tested as I love, follow and serve you throughout my life?” “Will I not also need to place my faith in you?” “Will I not also need to rely on your promises?” Those are all very good questions to ask yourself.  What is your answer to these questions? My faith in you and my belief in your promises will certainly be tested. I will need to place all my faith in you when I go through dark and difficult days. I will need to come to fully rely on your promises. Why else do you know this to be true? It was not only true in Abraham’s life. It has been true in the lives of all who have followed you. It has already been true in my own life. I have had days where all I could do to move forward with you was to place my faith in you and keep on believing in your promises. That is true. How has that worked out for you? You have never left me all alone. You have always been with me to help me. I have never regretted placing my faith in you and relying on your promises. That is very good. Yes, you and your promises are very good. For that you have my never-ending thanks and praise and worship. Keep me moving forward with you. Keep helping me to hold on to you and your promises. Yes, I will. 

Heavenly Father, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am fully devoted to you. All my faith is in you. I will hold on to your promises as I go through dark and difficult days. I know you will accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. Amen

Key Question… When has one of your God given hopes and dreams and desires faced adversity?

Living It Out… Rely on the promises of God as you go through dark and difficult days.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will fulfill His promises to you as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the promises of God has you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the promises of God as you go through dark and difficult days.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 239 – Genesis 22-2 – Sacrifice – 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

God Intended It

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 241 - Genesis 50:19-21 - God Intended It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 241 – Genesis 50:19-21 – God Intended It – Growing As Disciples

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV)

Unique Position

Here I am. I’m right here. I could have never predicted that I would end up in this place. My life has taken so many twists and turns and up and downs to arrive in this unique position. Do you have any comments to make? Not at the moment, right now, I’m enjoying listening to what you have to say. I will continue then. That will be very good. For a very long time I could not figure out what was going on in my life. How so? My course had changed and not entirely by own choosing or liking. I particularly did not like the bumps and bruises I experienced along the way. My attitude was not always positive and pleasant. That sounds like an understatement to me. I suppose so. I was crabby, wasn’t I? That’s true. I don’t like to be uncomfortable. I don’t like to be inconvenienced. I particularly don’t like to be misused, abused or mistreated. How about undervalued? Yes, I especially don’t like that much either. Another understatement. That’s for sure. Anyhow, in all of these twists and turns and ups and downs in my life it was hard for me to recognize when and where and how you were working in my life. Sometimes, I may have doubted that you actually were working in my life. I don’t know if I did or not. I will tell you one thing for certain. What’s that? My faith wasn’t strong. I was filled with doubt. I felt a little like Joseph must have felt. How is that? He had one setback after another. He was misused, abused and mistreated. He was certainly undervalued. He was literally in a dungeon of darkness. His dreams must have seemed like a distant memory. He must have asked, “Why me?” He must have wondered what he did to deserve what He was going through. There is no record of him thinking or speaking in these ways. I’ll bet he did on occasion. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. There is one point of which I am absolutely certain. What’s that? At some point he recognized that your hand was on him. He came to know that all the adversity he had gone through had not gone to waste. He came to understand that you had been preparing and placing him in a unique position to serve you. Have you come to realize these things for yourself? Yes, I know that your hand is on me. You want to use me. You have been preparing and placing me in a unique position to serve you. I could not have arrived where I am today without traveling the course you have laid out for me. Looking back over my life I can see that you have never left me. You have always been with me to help me. You held on to me. You helped me to hold on to you. Yes, I have done all of these things for you. Now, I have only a couple of things to say. What’s that? Thank you, for how you have been working in and through my life. Use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, sometimes I have not understood what was going on in my life. I wondered where and how you were working in and through me. Thank you, for helping to look back over time to understand how you have uniquely placed me to be used by you. Amen

Key Question… When has it taken many years to understand how God was working in and through your life?

Living It Out… Allow God to use you, in the unique position He has placed you, to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has placed you in a unique position to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group where God has uniquely positioned you to be used by Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use you in the unique position He has placed you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 241 – Genesis 50-19-21 – God Intended It – 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

Had Asked For This

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 242 - 1 Kings 3:10-12 - Had Asked For This - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 242 – 1 Kings 3:10-12 – Had Asked For This – Growing As Disciples

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 1 Kings 3:10-12 (NIV)

Request

I know that you delight to hear my prayers. I know that I can bring any and all my prayer requests to you. I know that there is no prayer that is too small or too large to for you to hear and answer. I know that you want me to live my life in a constant and ongoing dialogue of prayer with you. I know that, you want to me to know you intimately and follow you passionately. Yes, I want all of these things for you. That’s good and for that I am very thankful.

I am thinking a related but different thought. I’m listening. You asked Solomon what he wanted from you. Yes, I did. If you were to ask me what I wanted from you, I have an answer. If you were to give me the answer to one very large request, I know what I would ask of you. I like where you are headed in or conversation. So, you want me to make my request? Yes, absolutely. Make your request. I am listening to your every word. Well, my words will not be eloquent. My request won’t be complicated. But here goes. I want to know you. That’s it? Yes, that’s it. Now, I should clarify my request. Yes, say more. I don’t want to know you a little bit. I want to know you intimately and follow you passionately. You already know that I want that for you. Yes, I do. I am affirming that I want what you want. That is very good. We are in agreement. Without a doubt. Do you believe that I will hear and answer this prayer of yours? Yes, I do, with all my heart. You are correct. This is a prayer that I will hear and answer. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

There is much more that you know that you are not saying. That is true. Tell me what is on your heart and in your mind. If I come to know you, I will also come to love you. If I come to love you, then I will also follow and serve you. If I follow and serve you, I will also bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. All of this adds up to me living a life that is wise and good and right and true and pleasing to you. I will be able to know and do your will. Yes, it does. Yes, you will. So, I have no greater request or no more passionate desire than to come to know you. That is my prayer. That is my request. You have made a very good and wise prayer request to me.

Heavenly Father, I know for certain that wisdom does not come naturally to me. Left to my own thoughts, I will make dumb decisions and foolish mistakes. It will be my continual, ongoing prayer to ask you for wisdom so I will be able to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… When have you delayed a decision until you were confident you had wisdom from God?

Living It Out… Make it your continual and ongoing daily prayer to ask God for wisdom so you can know and do His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will give you wisdom so you can know and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you wisdom to know and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask your Heavenly Father for wisdom so you can know and do His will.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 242 – 1 Kings 3-10-12 – Had Asked For This – 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