Monthly Archives: October 2022

Let Us Not Give Up Meeting Together

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 180 - Hebrews 10:25 - Let Is Not Give Up Meeting Together - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Hebrews 10:25 – Let Is Not Give Up Meeting Together – Growing As Disciples

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Meeting Together

You have made an important discovery about your life of faith. Can you tell me what discovery you have made? I have learned that I was not designed to live a solitary life of faith. What does that mean? It is foolish to think that I don’t need others to encourage me in my life of faith. Not only do I need to receive encouragement, but I also need to give encouragement to others as I walk on my faith journey with you. You made me to live in relationship with others. Yes, I did. Over time, I have heard many say that they don’t need to gather together in a body of fellow believers. They maintain that they can worship you alone, by themselves, in the beauty of nature, by the ocean or in the mountains or in some other majestic part of your creation. Those times of worship are important and very special. But they are no substitute or replacement for gathering together with fellow believers to worship you. Why is that? What happens when a body of believers gathers together? You are in the midst of every gathering together of your followers. Yes, I am. Say more. I know one thing for sure. What’s that? You speak into my life when I gather together with fellow believers. You speak to me through the teaching of your word. You speak to me through the expression of prayers. You speak to me through the worship celebration. I never cease to be surprised what you have for me, to receive from you, as I have gathered together with fellow believers. There is more, however. What’s that? It is a dangerous decision to fail to gather together with fellow believers. Why is that? Gathering together with fellow believers is one way that you have guarded and guided my life. I have received a good deal of wise counsel as I have lived in relationship with fellow believers. I have needed to have my thoughts and opinions and values tested by others who are faithfully following and serving you. You have spoken into my life through the wise counsel of fellow believers. You have kept my life on course as I have gathered together with fellow believers. You have kept me moving forward with you as I have gathered together with fellow believers.  It is very good that you have learned these lessons.

So, what will you do as a result of the important lessons you have learned? I will make meeting together in a body of believers a regular and consistent practice and pattern in my life. I will never give up on meeting together with fellow believers as I walk through life with you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I was not designed to live a solitary life of faith. I know that you want me to be deeply rooted and fully connected in a local body of believers. I will make gathering together with fellow believers a regular and consistent pattern in my life of faith. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you are deeply rooted and fully connected in a body of fellow believers?

Living It Out… Make a commitment to be deeply rooted and fully connected in a body of fellow believers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will speak into your life as you gather together in a body of fellow believers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are deeply rooted and fully connected in a body of believers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be deeply rooted and fully connected in a group of fellow believers.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Hebrews 10-25 – Let Us Not Give Up Meeting Together – 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

Do Not Judge And You Will Not Be Judged

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 180 - Luke 6:37-38 - Do Not Judge And You Will Not Be Judged - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 180 – Luke 6:37-38 – Do Not Judge And You Will Not Be Judged – Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

A Blessing To Others

What do you hope to receive from me? What do you hope to receive from others? I’m not sure how to answer that question. I’m not positive what you are asking of me. I could ask you more questions. I would like you to ask me more questions. Do you hope to receive forgiveness? Do you hope to receive mercy? Do you hope to receive love? Do you hope to receive kindness? Do you hope to receive generosity? Now, I understand what you are asking of me. Yes, I want to receive forgiveness and mercy and love and kindness and generosity. That’s good.

How can you be sure to receive forgiveness and mercy and kindness and generosity? You seem hesitant. Would you like me to ask another question? Yes, please ask me another question. How can you be sure to not receive forgiveness and mercy and kindness and love and generosity? Well, I am certain that I will never receive what I am unwilling to give to others. If I don’t give forgiveness and mercy and love and kindness and generosity to others, I will surely not receive it from you or anyone else. I have heard you say, ‘Forgive others, just as I have forgiven you.” I know that you expect me to forgive others. I know that you want me to give to others what I have received from you. Yes, I do. If I give others forgiveness and mercy and kindness and love and generosity, I will surely receive it myself. Yes, you will. 

With what measure will you use to give others your forgiveness, mercy, love, kindness and generosity? Will you give sparingly? Will you give reluctantly? Will you give begrudgingly? No, I will not. What will you do? I will generously give to others what I have received from you. I will give freely. I will give joyously. It will be my daily practice to give all of these with an abundant measure. Why will you do this? This is what you have asked of me. This is your will. You want me to become like you. You want me to go and do what you did. Yes, I do. You also want to be able to abundantly bless my life as I live as a blessing to others. Yes, I do. Will you live this kind of life for me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will use a very large measure when I decide how much to give to others. I will give to others only what I hope to receive back. I will not judge or condemn. I will make it my practice to graciously forgive others just as you have graciously forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your consistent practice to give to others only what you hope to receive?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to bless the lives of others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life as you bless the lives of others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to bless the lives of others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give to others what you hope to receive.

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

Day 181 – Becoming Like Christ – Luke 6-37-38 – Do Not Judge And You Will Not Be Judged – 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

The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 182 - Matthew 6:22-23 - The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 182 – Matthew 6:22-23 – The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body – Growing As Disciples

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

Focus

What are you focused on? What has your attention? What occupies your thoughts? What is guiding the course of your life? What are you are your desires? What are your dreams? What are your goals? What do you hope to accomplish with your life? Those are all good questions. Do you have any answers to my questions? Yes, I have an answer to your questions. Just, one answer? Yes, I have just one answer to your question that may sound like many answers. I want to know you and live the life you are calling me to live. I want to do your will. I want to go and do what you ask of me. I want to accomplish your purposes. I want to fulfill your plans. So, you have my focus. My attention is on you. Your will and ways occupy my thoughts. You are guarding the course of my life. It is my desire and dream and hope and goal to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good. 

Do you have any idea why it is critically important that you lead a focused life? Yes, I do. Tell me why your life critically needs focus. The world and all that is in it seeks to pull me in a thousand different directions, none of which would be towards you. How so? My eyes could focus on worldly pleasure. My life could become all about gratifying desires. My eyes could focus on worldly wealth and material possessions. My life could become all about acquiring wealth and materials possessions. My eyes could focus on worldly power and prestige and influence. My life could become all about living for the accolades and the applause of the crowd. Probably the biggest danger of an improper focus is that my eyes could be entirely on myself. Then I would live a self-indulgent, self-centered and self-sufficient life that would never come to rely on you. I want to live my life focused on you. I want to turn away from heart and mind and life away from all worldly focuses so that I can fully live the abundant life that you are calling me to live with and for you. That will be very good. You can very sure that I will help you to know me. I will help you to go and do my will. You will certainly live the life I am calling you to live. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will carefully guard what I allow my eyes to see. I will turn away from what is not good and right and pleasing to you. I will keep my heart and mind and life entirely focused on you. Help me to fully and abundantly live the life you are calling me to live. Amen

Key Question… How carefully are you guarding what you allow your eyes to see, heart to feel and mind to think?

Living It Out… Focus your heart and mind and life on the Lord and the life He has for you to live.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to keep your heart and mind and life focused on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 182 – Matthew 6-22-23 – The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body – 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

Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 184 - Mark 14:38 - Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 184 – Mark 14:38 – Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation – Growing As Disciples

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NIV)

Watchful And Prayerful

Are you being watchful? Are you being prayerful? Are you allowing temptation to sneak up on you? Are you allowing temptation to take you by surprise? Those are interesting questions. How so? What makes these questions particularly interesting to you? Your questions seem to indicate that if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to see temptation coming. Or, if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to recognize a temptation for what it is. And that, if I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to resist temptation. Maybe even, If I am watchful and prayerful, I will be able to make a course correction that will steer me clear of an approaching temptation. Well, what does your experience with not watching and being prayerless tell you? If I am not watching and prayerless, I will regularly fall into temptation. I will be easy prey for temptation. That is true. That is not good. Yes, I know.

What else do you know about temptation? You will provide a way out of temptation for me. What does that way out of temptation often look like? That is where watchfulness and prayerfulness come into play. As I am watchful and prayerful, I will clearly see two things. I will see temptation approaching. I will see your way of escape. Often, seeing temptation coming and the way of escape available occur very early and quickly. What do you mean by that? If I am not watching and if I don’t immediately take your way of escape, I will likely, almost certainly, fall into temptation. I need to take the way of escape, that you provide, when the escaping is good. Yes, you do.

What do you know about being prayerful? Being prayerful will strengthen my desire and resolve to resist and run from temptation. Being prayerful is like deciding in advance that I will not allow myself to be overtaken by temptation. Being prayerful, is the way to submit myself to you and resist evil at the same time. I will never have the strength, in myself, to simply resist temptation under my own power. I am weak. You are strong. As I am in prayer, with my heart and mind and life focused on you, I will be able to resist temptation. Why is that? You will help me. You will be with me. You will give me strength to stand against evil and resist temptation. Yes, I will help you to stand against evil and resist temptation as you are watchful and prayerful. Thank you, Lord. That is what I will do, I will be watchful and prayerful. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will watch and pray so I will not fall into temptation. I will draw near to you and submit myself to you in prayer so I will be able to resist temptation. I will steer myself clear of temptation when I see it approaching. I will come to you for your protection. Amen

Key Question… When have you steered clear of approaching temptations because you were being watchful and prayerful?

Living It Out… Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how watching and praying has protected you from falling into temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 184 – Mark 14 -38 – Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation – 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 Am Carrying On A Great Project And Cannot Go Down

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 186 - Nehemiah 6:2-4 - I Am Carrying On A Great Project And Cannot Go Down - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 186 – Nehemiah 6:2-4 – I Am Carrying On A Great Project And Cannot Go Down – Growing As Disciples

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Nehemiah 6:2-4 (NIV)  

An Assignment

You know that you have received an assignment from me. You know that I have given you work to do for me. You are quite clear that I have asked you to go and do something for me. Do you have any doubts? Do you have any questions? Do you have any concerns? No, I do not have any doubts. Yes, I have questions. Yes, I have concerns. Let me hear your questions and concerns. I didn’t expect that the work would be so hard. I didn’t expect to encounter so much difficulty. I certainly wasn’t planning on any opposition. Did you expect your work to be smooth and easy sailing? Yes, I might have had that expectation. Can you tell me why you would have had such an expectation? No, I cannot. I guess I didn’t think things through very carefully. What do you think now? I would say that I should have expected the work to be hard and filled with difficulty and even opposition. Why is that? You experienced difficulty. You encountered opposition. Why wouldn’t I? You were even opposed by those who were your followers. Has that happened to you? Have you received what could be called, “friendly fire?” Yes, some of the most surprising and discouraging opposition I have faced has been from your followers, fellow believers and even friends of mine. I have never called the fire, “friendly”, however. It has been the most painful.  But you have kept on going. You have kept on doing the work I have given you to do for me. Yes, that’s correct. That is very good. 

Why is it so important that you have no doubts about the work I have given you to do for me? Knowing that I am doing what you have asked me to do has kept me focused, steadfast and relentless in continuing to do what you have asked of me. I have not let myself become discouraged or distracted. I have not allowed myself to say yes to some good but lesser tasks or opportunities. Day by day, I have kept on task. Day by day, I have relied on you. Day by day, you have made me able to keep on doing your work. You have been with me to help me. You have given me your power and strength. You have kept on working in and through me. For that, I am very thankful. I will keep on doing the assignment you have given to me. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to be used by you. I will joyfully go and do whatever you have ask of me. I will not quit. I will not become distracted or sidetracked. I will not leave the work you have given me to do. Give me the energy, strength and power to complete your work. Amen

Key Question… When have you had to say no to what would have distracted you from continuing to do the Lord’s work?

Living It Out… Remain focused on going and doing whatever the Lord has asked of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you great projects to go and do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have continued to go and do what the Lord has asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep on doing the work the Lord has given you to do.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 186 – Nehemiah 6-2-4 – I Am Carrying On A Great Project And Cannot Go Down – 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

Return And Give Praise To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 187 - Luke 17:11-19 - Return And Give Praise To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 187 – Luke 17:11-19 – Return And Give Praise To God – Growing As Disciples

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 (NIV) 

Attitude Of Gratitude

This is an area where I really need to grow. Where do you need to grow? I need to grow in my gratitude. I don’t have much of an attitude of gratitude. I’m not ungrateful. I’m not unthankful. I just fail to recognize and acknowledge and take time to give you thanks and praise for all your goodness to me. I know that this is no small problem. It is a significant flaw. I know without a doubt that it is a sin to fail to give you thanks and praise for all your goodness to me. So, I am confessing my sin to you. I ask you to forgive my lack of . You are forgiven. I am also asking you to help me to develop an attitude of gratitude. I want to be able to recognize and remember and give thanks to you for all your goodness to me. That will be very good.

Where would you like to begin? When do you think might be the time and place for you to give thanks and praise to me? I think that my daily prayers to you should begin with my giving thanks to you. I can enter your presence with praise and thanksgiving. Does that idea have a familiar sound to you? Yes, I have heard that idea expressed frequently in the Psalms. I could recall your goodness and give you glory every day when I draw near to you in prayer. That’s good. When else? I could be watchful and thankful for the goodness of your activity in my life, moment by moment throughout my day. I could spontaneously express gratitude and thankfulness as I recognize your goodness, as I walk through life with you. That will be very good. 

How do you think you might benefit by watching for and recognizing and acknowledging my goodness to you? I will be more aware of your activity in my life. I will be lifted up. I will be encouraged. I will be strengthened. Yes, you will. What else? I will have more joy in my life. Why is that? I will be more aware that you are with me to help me. Yes, you will. That is what I desire for you. You have all my thanks and praise. To you belongs all the glory. It is good to hear all your thanksgiving and praise. Thank you, Lord for your goodness to me. 

Lord, you have done so much for me. You saved me from a life without you. You have made me to be your child. You have given me a life to live with you. You are working in and through my life. You have a place in heaven for me. You have my thanks and praise. Amen

Key Question… Why is it vitally important that the attitude of gratitude is strongly developed in you?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to God for all that He has done, is doing and will do for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has done, is doing and will do much for you that is worthy of all your thanks and praise.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are giving your all your thanks and praise to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give thanks and praise to God for His goodness to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 187 – Luke 17-11-19 – Return And Give Praise To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

In The Morning You Hear My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 188 - Psalm 5:1-3 - In The Morning You Hear My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 188 – Psalm 5:1-3 – In The Morning You Hear My Voice – Growing As Disciples

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)

Time And Place

I have set a time and a place to meet with you. I have you firmly on my schedule. I have made meeting with you the absolute priority of my life. I will not let a day go by that I have not met with you. Why is that? Why am I on your schedule? I get distracted. I lose track of what is vitally important. Many times, what has seemed to be urgent but is ultimately unimportant has pushed aside what is actually urgent and of ultimate importance. You are on my schedule, first and foremost, because I have nothing of higher priority or of greater importance than meeting with you. I have not squeezed you into my schedule. No, not at all, everything else in my life comes after and is built around my meeting with you. That is very good.

I have more to say about meeting with you. I’m listening. Having you on my schedule does not mean that once we have met, we are done meeting for the day. Having you on my schedule, in the morning, is the beginning of what I hope will be our dialogue of prayer together throughout each moment of my day. Our meeting together in the morning is the way that I want to start my day with my heart and mind and life focused on you. I know that you will help me to remain attentive to you throughout my day. I will do that for you. 

What do you hope to accomplish as you meet with me in prayer? What is your goal? What is your hope? What is your dream? What is your desire? I am glad that you have asked me these questions. It is my hope and dream and desire to know and to love and to follow and serve you will all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. Do you believe that I will hear and answer these prayerful desires of your heart? Yes, I believe you will answer these prayerful desires of my heart far beyond what I could ask for or even imagine. It is good that you believe I will hear and answer these prayerful desires of your heart. Why is that? Because this is exactly what I will do for you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will make our time together the absolute priority of my life. Transform my heart and mind and life as I meet with you in prayer. Thank you, for hearing and answering my prayers as I expectantly lay them before you. Thank you for your goodness to me. Amen

Key Question… When are you speaking up in prayer and making your voice known to God?

Living It Out… Make it your consistent daily pattern to meet in prayer with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you make them known to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has heard and answered your prayers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you lay all your prayers before the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 188 – Psalm 5-1-3 – In The Morning You Hear My Voice – 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

Do Not Fear, I Will Help You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 189 - Isaiah 41:13 - Do Not Fear, I Will Help You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 189 – Isaiah 41:13 – Do Not Fear, I Will Help You – Growing As Disciples

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Hold On 

Do not Fear. Hold on to me. I am holding on to you. Yes, you will go through twists and turns and ups and downs in life. You live in a sin broken world. I went through pain and suffering and difficulty. You will go through pain and suffering and difficulty.  I will be with you to help you. You can rely on me. For that I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good.

It is important that you know one thing and do one thing. Can you guess what that would be? Yes, I don’t need to guess. Why is that? You have already told me. What have I told you? You have told me that you are with me. You will help me. You will hold on to me. I must never forget that. That’s right. What must you do? I must hold on to you. I must draw near to you. I must come to rely on you. I must place all my faith and hope and trust in you. You will hold on to me. You will bring me through every difficulty. Yes, I will. You can count on me.

There is something that I have learned as I have looked back over my life. What’s that? I have more clearly seen how you have been with me to help me. I have been able to recognize how you have held on to me. I have come to understand how you have brought me through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of life. That is very good.

There is something else I have learned as you have brought me through difficulties in life. What’s that? Our relationship has grown more intimate as you have held on to me and I have held on to you. That’s true. I know without a doubt and without hesitation that I wouldn’t trade a pain free, smooth sailing life for the intimacy that we have between us because I have learned to hold on to you as you have held on to me. I have come to know you more intimately as I have cried out to you for help. I have come to walk more closely with you as you have helped me through every difficulty in life. Yes, you have. That is very good. Yes, it is and for that I am also thankful beyond measure. I will trust you. I will rely on you. I will place all my faith in you. You will be with me to help me. Yes, I will. Thank you. Lord. 

Lord, I have gone through many twists and turns and ups and downs in life. I have been in fearful situations. You have never left me alone. You have been with me to help. Thank you for taking me by the right hand and leading me through every difficulty in life. Amen

Key Question… How has looking back over your life helped you to more clearly see how the Lord has helped you?

Living It Out… Hold on to the Lord as He holds on to you through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will take you by the hand and hold on to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has held on to you throughout life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hold on to the Lord as He holds on to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 189 – Isaiah 41-13 – Do Not Fear, I Will Help You – 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

Find The Knowledge Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 190 - Proverbs 2:1-6 - Find The Knowledge Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 190 – Proverbs 2:1-6 – Find The Knowledge Of God – Growing As Disciples

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,  and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6 (NIV)

Know Me 

Do you want to know me? How well do you want to know me? What would you be willing to do to try to know me more intimately? Yes, I want to know you. Nothing is more important to me than to come to know you more intimately. I would be willing to do anything to come to know you more intimately. Give me some examples of what you would do or are doing because you want to know me more intimately. I am meeting with you in prayer. I have been quieting myself before you so that I will be able to hear from you. I am inclining my ear to you. I am listening attentively to you. I have treasured whatever you have had to say to me. I have been asking you for wisdom, insight and understanding. Yes, you have. That is very good. I am meeting with you in your word. Your word is more valuable to me than any hidden treasure. I am storing up your word in my heart. I am letting your word dwell in me richly. I am putting your word into practice. I know that you have been using your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. You have been using your word to mold and shape me. You have been guiding and guarding my life by your word. Yes, I have been using my word in your life in these ways. I have been going and doing what you have asked of me. I have been allowing you to work in and through me. It has been my goal to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to be used by you. I am at your service. I know that I have been coming to know you more intimately as I have followed and served you. Yes, you have. That is very good. I have been allowing you to examine my life. I have been confessing my sins to you. I know that I have received your forgiveness. I have been allowing you to change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. Yes, you have. That is very good.

Have I done all these things perfectly? Have I loved and followed and served you completely? Have I always been filled with passion to live the life you have called me to live? No, I have fallen short. But I know you are with me to help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, I am. Keep on seeking me. Yes, I will. That is very good.

Lord, I want to come to know you. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to have your wisdom and insight and understanding. I will listen carefully to you. I will store up your word in my heart. Guide and guard my life by your word. Amen

Key Question… How are you going about storing God’s word in you on a daily basis?

Living It Out… Store up God’s word in your heart so that you will be able to come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will come to know God as you store up His word in your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to change your heart and mind and life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store up God’s word in your heart so you can come to know Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 190 – Proverbs 2-1-6 – Find The Knowledge Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

The Law Of God Is In His Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 191 - Psalm 37:30-31 - The Law Of God Is In His Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 191 – Psalm 37:30-31 – The Law Of God Is In His Heart – Growing As Disciples

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31 (NIV)

My Word

What has my word done for you as you have stored it in your heart? I’m not sure where to begin. Your word has changed my heart and transformed my mind. How so? Your word has given me new thoughts to think and words to speak. It is as if your word has scrubbed the crud out of my mind. There were many unhelpful, unhealthy, and unholy thoughts that once occupied my heart and mind. I would battle against ungodly thoughts. I would reject them. I would try to distance myself from them. Most of my efforts were quite unsuccessful. I felt discouraged and depressed and defeated. The more I struggled against improper thoughts the less successful I was. I asked myself, “How can I stop thinking thoughts I don’t want to think?” I did not have the answer. I did not have a clue. Then you came to my rescue. You showed me your way of escape. What was my way of escape? I was trying so hard to not think certain thoughts. That plan was filled with failure. Instead, I began to fill my heart and mind with your word. I listened to your word.  I read and studied your word. I meditated on and memorized your word. I turned your word into my prayers. I taught and shared your word with others. I put your word into practice. In every way, I took hold of your word and your word took hold of me. It has been as if your word has pushed unhelpful, unhealthy and unholy words out of my heart and mind. Your word has certainly given my heart and mind a good scrubbing. I know that 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 has been molding and shaping me. Your word has been guarding and guiding me. Your word has made me able to stand against temptation and resist evil. Your word has been given me wisdom. I am no longer discouraged or depressed or defeated. Your word has made it possible for me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, my word and my Spirit have been doing these things in you, with you, for you and through you. I am so thankful for your word. Keep on storing my word in your heart and mind. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, it is my delight to hear your word. It is my joy to have your word hidden in my heart. Use your word to change my heart. Make me able to speak words that are wise and just. Help me to live the life you are calling me to live. Keep my feet from slipping. Amen

Key Question… What practices have helped you to hide God’s word deeply in your heart?

Living It Out… Store God’s word in your heart so that you will be able to live the life He is calling you to live.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your heart will be changed as you store God’s word in it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing God’s word in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store God’s word in your heart.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 191 – Psalm 37-30-31 – The Law Of God Is In His Heart – 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