Monthly Archives: November 2022

Has Been Born Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 170 - 1 John 5:1-5- Has Been Born Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 170 – 1 John 5:1-5- Has Been Born Of God – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5 (ESV)

I Love You

I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. How did this come to be true? When did I start loving you? How has my love for you been growing? How has loving you changed the entire course of my life? How are all my thoughts and words and actions being motivated by my love for you? How has loving you made it not burdensome for me to want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you? Why am I no longer so strongly pulled to think and speak act in ways that are not pleasing to you? I think about these questions. Do I deserve any credit for loving you? That seems like a silly question. Do I perfectly follow and obey you? That seems like an even dumber question. You have however, asked some very good questions. I would like to hear some of your answers. Maybe, I will start with my silly and dumb questions. They are not as silly and dumb as you think. I get that. Here goes. I’m listening. I don’t deserve any credit for loving you. You have made it possible for me to love you. I only love you because you first love me. You drew me to yourself. You showed me your love. Your love has surrounded me. Your love has captured my heart and mind and life. I want to live in your love. You made it the desire of my heart to want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. It is my joy to live my live with and for you. Even now, I do not perfectly follow and obey you. You will never catch me saying that I am not sinner. I still need your forgiveness and cleansing of all my unrighteousness. Yet, you keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I do. Every day you are molding and shaping my life. Moment by moment, you are changing me into the person you want me to become. Yes, I am. You never give up on me. No, I do not. No, I will not. I am the work of your hands. Yes, you are. This is an exciting journey. Yes, it is. It is my joy to walk with you through life. I have no idea exactly what you will do through my life. I do have an idea what you will do in my life? What’s that? You will help me to live in your love. You will help me to love you. You will help me to love others. You will help me to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Yes, I will. I am so thankful that you are working in and through me. It is my joy to love and follow and obey you. That is very good.

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my passionate desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Help me to live in your love. Help me to joyously follow and obey you. Help me to completely love others with your love. Amen

Key Question… How has believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord changed the entire course of your life?

Living It Out… Allow your love for God to motivate your passionate desire to obey His commandments.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to obey His commandments as you continue to love Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group why it is not burdensome for you to obey God’s commands.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you passionately love God and obey His commands.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 170 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Has Been Born 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

A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 171 - Ephesians 1:11-14 - A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 171 – Ephesians 1:11-14 – A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance – Growing As Disciples

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)

Guarantee

I have heard it said that there are no guarantees in life. I suppose people say that because life is so fragile and uncertain. But the saying, is absolutely incorrect. How so? I know without a doubt that you love and care for me. This is guaranteed to be true. Why can you say that? You came into this world to live and die for me. You gave your life as a sacrifice for me. You paid for my sins. Your blood shed on the cross cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. Could there be any clearer demonstration of your love? Could you have done anything more for me? Could you have given me a better gift than the salvation I have in you? I think not. You made me to be righteous in God’s eyes. That is also guaranteed to be true. Why is that? You are God. Your will cannot be thwarted. Your plan cannot be denied. No, it cannot. What else is guaranteed? You have a plan for my life. I am not alone in the universe. I am not wandering around with an uncertain destiny. You didn’t just save me for heaven. You saved me so that I could be used by you in this life. You have good works prepared for me to do for you. You have a purpose for my life. How do you know this to be true? You have taken the most unlikely and differing circumstances of my life and combined them to grow and develop and lead me in ways that you have given me to serve you. I could not have anticipated or predicted or prepared for how you have made me able to serve you and bring glory to your name. You are working in and through my life without a doubt. Yes, I am. It pleases me that you know this to be true. What else is guaranteed? I have a future forever in heaven with you. I have an inheritance with you in heaven that is awaiting me. How do you know this to be true? You have filled me with your Holy Spirit. Your Holy Spirit is guarding and guiding my life. Your Holy Spirit is helping me to know and to love and to follow and serve you. Your Holy Spirit has filled my life with hope and joy both now and forever. That is true. That is right. That is good. Thank you, Lord for all you have done for me. I am all yours. Yes, you are all mine. 

Lord, thank you for allowing me to hear the good news of my salvation in you. Thank you for drawing me to yourself and making me one of your own. Thank you for filling me with your Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance in heaven with you. Amen

Key Question… How does the certainty of your inheritance in Christ give you joy in loving, following and serving Him now?

Living It Out… Joyfully love, follow and serve the Lord knowing that you have a guaranteed inheritance in heaven with Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit dwells in you as a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance in heaven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you came to believe in Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love, follow and serve the Lord knowing that your inheritance in heaven, with Him, is guaranteed.

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

Day 171 – Becoming Like Christ – Ephesians 1-11-14 – A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance- 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

Neither Are Your Ways My Ways

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 172 - Isaiah 55:8-9 - Neither Are Your Ways My Ways - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 172 – Isaiah 55:8-9 – Neither Are Your Ways My Ways – Growing As Disciples

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)  

Thoughts And Ways

I know that my thoughts are not your thoughts. I know that my ways are not your ways. How have you come to know this to be true?  I have thought and said and done so many things that clearly were not in alignment with your will. I have suffered the natural results of pain and suffering as I have frequently relied on myself. So, my lessons have been painful. Your lessons have also been very valuable. That is true. As a result, I have no doubt that your thoughts and ways do not come naturally to me or to anyone else for that matter. What does come naturally to you? Thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways comes naturally to me. I live in this world. It should come as no surprise to me that thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways is the natural result of not relying on you. That is true.

How do you want to live differently? How will you come to rely on me? How will you seek to know my thoughts and ways? First, let me say that I know something to be true, without a doubt. What’s that? You want me to know your thoughts and ways. You have no desire to keep your thoughts and ways secret from me. I know that I will find you when I seek you with all my heart. Yes, you will. It will be my joy for you to come to know my thoughts and ways. I want you to be able to think my thoughts, speak my words and take my actions. So, you will passionately seek me? Yes, I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That will be very good. How will you seek me? Where will you meet with me? I will meet with you in your word. There you will speak to me. I will meet with you in prayer. There you will speak to me. I will meet with you in worship. There you will speak to me. You will speak to me even as I go and do your will. You will speak to me as I follow and serve you. Yes, I will speak to you in all these ways and at all these times. Yes, you will come to know my thoughts and my ways as you seek me with all your heart. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know that my thoughts and my ways are not your thoughts and ways. I know that left to myself I will think, speak and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. Help me to know your thoughts. Help me to walk in your ways. Guide my life by your word. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord turned your life around by helping you to know His thoughts and walk in His ways?

Living It Out… Meet with the Lord in His word on a daily basis so you will be able to know His thoughts and walk in His ways.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know His thoughts and ways as you meet with Him in His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to know His thoughts and ways.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with God in His word so you can know His thoughts and ways.

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

Day 172 – Becoming Like Christ – Isaiah 55-8-9 – Neither Are Your Ways My Ways – 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

Goes Into Strict Training

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 173- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Goes Into Strict Training - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 173- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Goes Into Strict Training – Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

In Training

I have entered into training. For what are you now in training? You are asking me? Yes, I am asking you. I want you to describe your training. I was hoping that you would describe my training. You have just told me that you have entered into training. Yes, I did. You should be able to tell me the purpose of your training. That I can do. I want to run well. I want to stay on the course that you have laid out for me. I want to finish strong. I want to finish the race. I want to win the prize. I want to receive the crown that you have for me. Those are all very good desires you have in your heart. Why is that? You know the importance of spiritual training. You will not be satisfied with jogging through your race of faith. You will not sleepwalk on the course that I have laid out for you. You have a desire. You have a passion. You want to go where I lead you. You want to do what I ask of you. You will not give me half-hearted, reluctant efforts. You will give me your all and best right up until you cross the finish line. Yes, I will. But I will need your help. I cannot train alone. I cannot run alone. I need your power and strength to keep me running well. I will be with you to help you. You can be certain of that.

You are a little uncertain about your training. You are not quite sure what your training will look? That’s true. You must have some ideas of what your training will look like. I do. Let me hear your thoughts and ideas. You will train me as I come to you. You will train me as I meet with you in your word. You will train me as I meet with you in prayer. You will train me as I meet with you in worship. You will train me as I gather together with other believers. You will train me as I follow and serve you. You have answered well. What is one common element to all your training? You will be at the center of all my training. You will train me as I draw near to you. Is that also true of your running? Yes, I will run well as I keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will run well as I follow you to where you lead me. I will run well as I do what you ask of me. You will be in charge of my training in every step of the race I take with you. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord. Run well. I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to run well and finish strong. Help me to stay on the course you have laid out. I will enter into strict training. My heart and mind and life will be focused on you, so I don’t run aimlessly without direction. Help me to win the crown you have for me. Amen

Key Question… What are elements of your spiritual training that will help you to run well and finish strong?

Living It Out… Enter into strict spiritual training so that you will run well and finish strong in your race of faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to run well and finish strong as you run your race of faith.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are engaged in strict training in your race of faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you engage in strict training so that you will run well and finish strong in your race of faith.

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

Day 173 – Becoming Like Christ – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Goes Into Strict Training – 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

Call To Me And I Will Answer You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 173 - Jeremiah 33:3 - Call To Me And I Will Answer You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 173 – Jeremiah 33:3 – Call To Me And I Will Answer You – Growing As Disciples

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Call To You

I will call to you. I will make it my regular practice to come to rely on you. That will be very good. Why will you make it your regular practice to come to me to call out to me? I need your help. I am not all wise. I am not all knowing. I cannot see the future. Even the very next step before me is often unclear. I don’t want to wander off course. I do not want to drift away from you. I don’t want to serve my own interests. I don’t want to follow my own plan. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to be able to go and do what you ask of me. Those are very good desires you have in your heart. I haven’t even gotten to the heart of why I will come to you and cry out to you. I’m listening. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to live my life with and for you. None of these things would be possible if I did not live my life in a dialogue of prayer with you. That is true.

Do you expect to hear from me? Do you believe that I will speak to you? Do you have faith that I will hear and answer your prayers? Are you certain that I will show you what you do not know? I have no doubt about any of these things. Your promises are true and sure and certain. I have no doubt that you will speak to me. That is very good. You have been speaking to me. You have been leading me. You have been guarding and guiding my life. You have been giving me your wisdom and counsel and understanding. That is true.

You do have more to say on the subject of hearing from me. Yes, I do. I have no doubt in you. I do have some doubt in myself. What doubt do you have in yourself? I sometime doubt that I will have the ability to hear you. This doubt does not discourage or depress me. In light of my doubt in myself, or maybe concern is a better word, I will simply pray that you will make me better able to hear from you. I suspect that as I keep on drawing near to you, I will become more able to hear your voice speaking to me. Yes, you will. Don’t you already know this to be true? Yes, I do. Then keep on drawing near to me with the certainty that I will keep on speaking to you. Be sure that I will tell you what you do not know. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, there is so much I do not know. I believe that as I meet with you in prayer you will show me what I do not know. Show me what I need to know. Guard and guide and protect my steps. Give me your wisdom and insight and understanding as I walk with you. Amen

Key Question… How are you calling out to the Lord right now to ask Him something about what you do not know?

Living It Out… Call out to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to show you what you do not know.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can call to the Lord and ask Him to show you things you do not know.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when the Lord showed you something you did not know.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you call to the Lord and ask Him to show you what you do not know.

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

Day 174 – Becoming Like Christ – Jeremiah 33-3 – Call To Me And I Will Answer 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 Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 175- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 175- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – We Can Comfort Those In Any Trouble – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)  

Give What You Received

I know something about what you have given to me. What do you know about what I have given to you? You often have two purposes in mind when you give something. What two purposes do I have in mind? One, you want to give something to me. Two, you want me to give to others what I have received from you. Can you give me some examples? Yes, I can give you some examples. You have given me your love. You want me to love others with your love. You want your love to flow into and out of my life. You want my life to be a demonstration of your love to others in the world. Yes, I do want you to demonstrate my love to others in the world. Others will be drawn to me by my love following into and out of your life. What are some more examples of how you can share with others what you have received from me? I have received your wisdom and counsel. You have given me insight when I have needed it the most. You have kept me on course with you. You have kept me from stumbling. You have guided and guarded my path as I have walked through very difficult times. I can definitely share the wisdom and counsel and insight I have received from you with others. Yes, you can. What else? You have given me faith to believe in you when I have found myself in great adversity. I can encourage and help spur others on in their faith when they are going through dark and difficult times. I can stand in faith with others when they are in a crisis. I can pray faith filled prayers on behalf of others when they are in great need. Yes, you can. How about giving me one more example of something you have received from me that you can share with others. I can simply be present with others when they are in trouble. I can comfort them with the very same comfort with which you have comforted me. I will help them to know and remember that they are not alone. Both you and I are with them. Both you and I will help them. Together, we can give you thanks and praise for all your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. Together, we can rely on all your help. Yes, you can. That will be very good.

Lord, you have been with me to help me. You have never left me alone. You have abundantly comforted me in every discouraging adversity I have gone through in life. Help me to comfort others with the same comfort I have been able to receive from you. Amen

Key Question… When have you been able to comfort others with the same comfort you have received from the Lord?

Living It Out… Comfort others with the comfort you have received from the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that will make you able to comfort others with the comfort you have received from Him.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you comfort others with the comfort you have received from the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 175 – 2 Corinthians 1-3-4 – We Can Comfort Those In Any 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

We Live By Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 176 - 2 Corinthians 5:7 - We Live By Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 176 – 2 Corinthians 5:7 – We Live By Faith – Growing As Disciples

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) 

Steps Of Faith

Here I am. I am ready. You are ready for what? I am ready to take steps of faith with you. Really, what has made you ready to take steps of faith with me? Maybe saying I was ready to take steps of faith with you was somewhat of an overstatement. Maybe I should have said I am willing to take steps of faith with you. Why is that? I’m pretty sure that only you can make me fully able to take steps of faith with you. I know that taking steps of faith has not been my strongest quality or best ability. I have been reluctant. I have been hesitant. I have been timid. I have been fearful. I want no more of that. That’s good. I am ready to place all my faith in you. I know that you will help me to take steps of faith with you. I know that you will lead me to where you want me to go. I know that you will give me what you want me to do. No longer will I shrink back from your call on my life. I want to keep on moving forward with you. That is very good. 

How do you suppose you will be able to keep on moving forward with me? I will hold on to you. I know that you will hold on to me. I will draw near to you. I know that you will draw near to me. I will follow you. I know that you will lead me. Yes, I will do all these things for you. I will also keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will hold on to your promises. I will allow your promises to strengthen and sustain me. I will allow your promises to guard and guide me. I will allow you to strengthen me by your word. I will allow your Holy Spirit to take your word to use it to fight in me, with me, for me and through me as I go and do whatever you ask of me. To sum it all up, I will rely on you completely to help me to take steps of faith with you. So, I am asking you to grow my faith. I am asking you to help me to live by faith rather than by sight. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. Thank you, Lord. Lead me, I will follow you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not shrink back. I will not remain frozen in position. I will move forward with you. Help me to take steps of faith with you. Help me to live by faith rather than by sight. Lead me to where you want me to go. Give me all that you want me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith grown stronger as you have taken little steps of faith with the Lord?

Living It Out… Take steps of faith with the Lord so you can go and do what He 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 take steps of faith with the Lord.

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

Day 176 – Becoming Like Christ – 2 Corinthian 5-7 – We Live By Faith – 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 Loves A Cheerful Giver

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 177 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - God Loves A Cheerful Giver - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 177 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

Cheerful Giver

That is what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be a cheerful giver. Why is that? I know that being a cheerful giver is good and right and pleasing to you. I know that you want me to give to others what you have given to me. You have richly blessed my life so that I can be a rich blessing to others. That’s true.  I also know that there is no joy in being a reluctant giver who gives under compulsion. If I am going to give with that attitude, I might as well not give at all. To fail to give cheerfully and generously to others would be a tragic mistake. Why is that? It is without a doubt true that I will reap generously as I sow generously. The opposite is also true, I will reap sparingly if I sow sparingly. That is absolutely true. Haven’t I said many times that I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom? Yes, I have heard you say that time and time again. Haven’t I also said that I wanted to bring glory to your name. Yes, I have heard you say that many times as well. I have also said that I want to be used by you as your witness in the world. Additionally, I have said that I want to store up treasure in heaven with you and that I have no interest in acquiring wealth and the material possessions of this world. Those amount to nothing. That’s true. Yes, I have heard all of these thoughts and words from you. Now, I want to back them up with my actions. Now I want to be a cheerful and generous giver. None of the true desires of my heart will be fulfilled unless I become a cheerful and generous giver. So, it is my prayer that you will help me to become a cheerful and generous giver. We both want the same thing. Do your work in and through my life. Help me to live the life that you are calling me to life. Help me to give like you gave. Help me to serve like you served. Help me to love like you loved. Make me to be like you. I will cheerfully and generously give to others what you have given to me. That will be very good. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have not always been a cheerful and generous giver. Even now, there are times when I feel like I am giving somewhat reluctantly. Help me to be a cheerful and generous giver, without hesitation. I want to sow generously and reap generously for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been helping you to become a cheerful and generous giver?

Living It Out… Decide in your heart to be a cheerful giver who gives generously to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be a cheerful giver who gives generously to others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to be a cheerful giver.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be a generous and cheerful giver.

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

Day 177 – Becoming Like Christ – 2 Corinthians 9-6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

They Are More Precious Than Gold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 178 - Psalm 19:7-11 - They Are More Precious Than Gold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 178 – Psalm 19:7-11 – They Are More Precious Than Gold – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)  

Most Valuable

What is most valuable to you? If someone were to do a close analysis of your life, how valuable would they guess that my word is to you? Would they come to think that my word was more valuable to you than gold? Would your life demonstrate that my word is sweeter to you than honey? Those are all very good questions. I have many more questions to ask you. Go ahead, I am listening very carefully to you. How are you allowing my word to revive your soul? How have you allowed my word to make you wise? How has hearing and obeying my word brought joy into your life? How has my word made your life radiant and filled your path through life with light? How has my word helped you to respond to me with awe filled wonder and respect and even healthy fear? What rewards have you found in living your life according to my word?  I don’t know the answers to all your questions. Do you have anything to say to me? Yes, I do. I am meeting with you every day in your word. I am allowing your word to dwell in me richly. I am taking your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I am reading and studying your word.  I am meditating on your word. I am memorizing your word. I am praying your word. I am holding on to your word. I am following and obeying your word. Your word is the foundation of my life. Your word is changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. I do believe that your word is more valuable than gold. I have found the sweetness of listening attentively to your word. I want to hear your voice. I want to follow your instructions. I want to receive your guidance. Every day, every hour, every second, I want to live my life according to your word. Am I doing all these things perfectly? Certainly not. But I invite you to fill my heart and mind and life with your word. Speak into my life. Use your word to guard and guide me. Use your word to mold and shape me. Use your word to revive and refresh and restore me. I will keep on coming to meet with you in your word every day of my life as I love, follow and serve you. You have answered my questions well. I will use my word to work in you, for you and through you for my kingdom and glory. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, your word is far more valuable to me than gold. Nothing compares with the value of your word. Every day I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. Use your word to work in and through my life. Amen

Key Question… How has taking God’s word deeply into your heart and mind and life revived your soul?

Living It Out… On a daily basis, take God’s word deep into your heart and mind and life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word is far more valuable to you than gold.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking God’s word deep into your heart and mind and life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to do His work in your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 178 – Psalm 19-7-11 – They Are More Precious Than Gold – 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