Monthly Archives: December 2022

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 118 - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think About Such Things- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 118 – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think About Such Things- Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) 

An Example

I am thankful that I have had good examples to follow. How so? I have had many people speak good things into my life. I am who I am today because of what I have learned or received or heard or seen from you and those who you have strategically placed in my life. That’s true. You have shown me how to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. How have I shown you how to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me? You and others have spoken your word into my heart and mind and life. What has my word done for you? Your word has changed the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. How so? As I have let your word dwell in me richly you have changed my heart and transformed my mind. As I have hidden your word in my heart you have helped me to not sin against you. How have you let my word dwell richly in you? How have you hidden my word in your heart? I have meditated on your word. I have memorized your word. I have studied your word. I have prayed your word. I have grabbed a hold of your word so that it could grab a hold of me. What has happened to you as you have grabbed a hold of my word? I have put your word into practice. I have lived the life that you have called me to live. I have come to know you. I have come to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. I have been made able to live in your peace. That is very good. Yes, it is.

What do you want? You know me. Yes, I know you. You know what is on my mind. Yes, I know what is on your mind. I want you to be able to use me. How do you want me to use you? I want you to use me as an example that others can follow. I want you to speak through my life. I want others to learn and receive and hear and see good things coming out of my life that they can put onto practice. I want others to live in the same peace that you have given to me. That is a bold request. It is a request that I believe you will hear and answer. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want to be a good example for others to follow. I want to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. I will put into practice all that I have learned, received, heard or seen from you. Fill me with your peace as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How has thinking good and right and true thoughts pushed less than worthy thoughts out of your mind?

Living It Out… Think and speak and act in ways that are good and right and pleasing to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have peace from the Lord as you think and speak and act according to His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are putting into practice what the Lord has taught you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 118 – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 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

Chosen What Is Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 119 - Luke 10:41-42 - Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 119 – Luke 10:41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Sit Still

That is what I will do. What is it that you will do? I will come to sit still in your presence. Why will you come to sit still in my presence? I want to hear from you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice speaking to me. I want to receive your instruction. I want to follow your guidance. I want you to teach and train me. I want you to guard and guide me. I want you to mold and shape me. I know that I cannot live a fruitful life, apart from you. You have very good desires in your heart and on your mind. It sounds like you have plenty of experience not coming to sit in my presence. You know me. Yes, I know you. Yes, I am very experienced at not living in an intimate relationship with you. I have fruitlessly wandered from one thing to another. I have powerlessly tried to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans with my own strength. I have been slow to hear your instruction or follow your guidance. I want no more of that kind of life. Your mind is made up? Yes, my mind is made up. I will come to sit still in your presence. I want to receive everything that you have for me. That is very good.

When will you come to sit in my presence? Let me say this very clearly and emphatically, “There is not one day that I don’t need to come to sit still in your presence.” Why is that? There is not one day that I don’t need to hear from you. There is not one day that I can afford to rely on my own instruction, guidance, power or protection. I need your help every day. Yes, you do. So, I will come to sit in your presence. I will set a schedule. I will make a plan. I will carve out time. I will make coming to sit still in your presence the priority of my life. That will be very good. Why are you being so specific about when and where you will meet with me? I know that if I don’t have a very specific plan in place, I will never live out my desire to live in an intimate relationship with you. Life will get busy. I will become distracted. I will let every task and duty that cries out for my attention, crowd my time with you out of my life. I will guarantee you one thing. What’s that? I will not let anything crowd coming to sit in your presence out of my life. Hearing from you is and will continue to be the first and foremost priority of my life. That is very good. I look forward to all our times together. I do too. That is very good. 

Lord, I will make sitting still before you my daily practice. I want to be able to hear from you. I want you to teach me. I want you to train me. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. Guard and guide my life as I quietly listen to you speaking to me. Amen

Key Question… Why is choosing to sit quietly before the Lord your wisest and best use of time?

Living It Out… Make sitting still before the Lord a daily practice so that you will be able to hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will speak to you as you sit still before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have made sitting still before the Lord a daily practice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose what is better by sitting still before the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 119 – Luke 10-41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – 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 Works For The Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 120 - Romans 8:28-30 - God Works For The Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 120 – Romans 8:28-30 – God Works For The Good – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

Purpose 

I know the purpose of my life. The purpose of my life is no mystery to me.  Really, you are that clear on your purpose in life? You have not one bit of doubt about your purpose in life? You have unwavering confidence about the purpose of your life? That’s right. I have no doubts about my purpose in life. I have unwavering confidence that I know my purpose in life. Well then, tell me what is your purpose in life. Before I do that, I must say a couple things. I’m listening. I only know my purpose in life because you have shown it to me. I am only confident about my purpose in life because you have given it to me. In fact, it would have been more accurate and proper to say that I know your purpose for my life. I can only say that I know my purpose in life because I have made your purpose my purpose. My passionate desire has taken hold of your purpose of my life. This desire clearly could have only come from you. Are you done qualifying your statements? Yes, I am. My purpose in life is to become like your son, Jesus Christ.  Yes, it is. It pleases me that you know and have made this purpose your very own. Becoming like your son is defining and directing my purpose and the entire course of my life. That is very good.

There is more. There is something else that I am supremely confident about. What’s that? I am confident about you. That’s good. You will use all of life to mold and shape my life so I will keep on being conformed into the likeness of your son. You will take the good and bad things that happen in my life to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans for my life. I know that you are not the author of trials and suffering and difficulty. I know that you weep with me as I go through pain in life. In every trial, suffering and difficultly, you will draw near me as I draw near to you. You will hear my prayers as I cry out to you. Yes, I will. I will have no doubts that you will keep on taking all of life to use it to mold and shape me into the likeness of your Son. I welcome all your good work in me. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to come to you. Through your son, Jesus Christ, you made it so I could be righteous in your sight. Use everything I go through in life for your purposes. Mold and shape my life so I will be conformed to Christ’s likeness. Amen

Key Question… When has God taken something very negative and used it for something very positive in your life?

Living It Out… Make it the purpose of your life to love, follow and serve God with all that is within you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will work everything you go through in life into something useable for His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for God is defining and directing the purpose of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you welcome your Heavenly Father’s work in you of conforming you into the likeness of His Son.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 120 – Romans 8-28-30 – God Works For The Good – 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

Must Be Slave Of All

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 121 - Mark 10:43-45 - Must Be Slave Of All - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 121 – Mark 10:43-45 – Must Be Slave Of All – Growing As Disciples

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45 (NIV)

True Greatness

My whole understanding of what constitutes true greatness has changed. How so? At one time I thought a great person had power and authority over others. What else? A great person was the recipient of praise and adoration. A great person won the highest of honors. A great person had the most noteworthy of accomplishments. A great person was seated in the highest of positions. A great person would be remembered throughout all history. Monuments would be constructed to celebrate the life of a great person. People would fawn over a great person. People would live to serve a great person. A great person would live in comfort and experience unlimited pleasure. Is that about it? I could go on and on. No need. That is what you thought about greatness. That is how the world might evaluate greatness. How has your understanding changed? What do you now think constitutes true greatness? You are my example of true greatness. You lived a life of true greatness. How so? You came into this world with a mission. Which was? It was your mission to go and do your Heavenly Father’s will. You lived your life to do what was good and right and pleasing to your Heavenly Father. You emptied yourself of all your rights and privileges. You took on the form of a servant. You gave yourself in service to others. You did not live to be served, but to serve. You did nothing for selfish motives. You were not filled with vain ambition. You did not seek honor and glory. There was nothing you tried to win for yourself. There was no place you would not go to serve your Heavenly Father. There was nothing you would not do to serve your Heavenly Father. You gave yourself fully and completely in His service. Your service ending up costing you your life. You died on the cross so that you could accomplish the purpose for which you came into this world. Which was? Your death on the cross secured the forgiveness and cleansing of sin for all who would come to believe in you. You restored a multitude of humanity into a new and living relationship with their Heavenly Father. No greater life has ever been lived, than yours. No greater accomplishment has ever been achieved, than yours. So, I want to follow your example. I want to live like you lived. I want to serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. That is greatness. That is what I now understand. That is very good.

Lord, I want to live the same kind of life that you lived. You became a servant. You gave your life in service to others. A servant is who I want to be. Serving is what I want to do. Help me to live a great life of following your example. Use me for your purposes. Amen

Key Question… What must you be willing to do if you want to be great?

Living It Out… Live a life of true greatness by taking on the role of a servant leader.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take on the role of a servant leader.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have made it your goal to be a servant leader.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you become like a slave to all.

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

Day 121 – Becoming Like Christ – Mark 10-43-45 – Must Be Slave Of All – 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

Being Transformed Into His Likeness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 122 - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 - Being Transformed Into His Likeness- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 122 – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – Being Transformed Into His Likeness- Growing As Disciples

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NIV)

In Your Presence

I know that you are changing me. You are doing a work in me that I couldn’t do for myself. What kind of work am I doing in you? I know day by day you are making me to be more like you. You think so? I know so. That’s good. You are right, I am making you to be more and more like me.  How am I making you to be more like me? You are drawing me to yourself. You are giving me this insatiable hunger for more of you. I want to draw near to you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than give praise and honor and glory and worship to you. I have learned one thing, What’s that? I cannot be in your presence and remain unchanged. In your presence you are changing my heart. In your presence you are transforming my mind. You are giving me thoughts to think. You are giving me new words to speak. You are giving me new deeds to do. I am not the person I was yesterday. I am not the person I will be tomorrow. You are molding and shaping my life every day as I continue to remain in your presence. Yes, I am. You have learned a very important lesson. I am so grateful. I am so thankful. I am so humbled. I don’t know how to thank you enough for all the work have been, are doing and will do in and through me as I continue to remain in your presence. I am thankful beyond what my words can express. That is very good.

There is one thing else I have learned. What’s that? As I remain in your presence you are allowing me to bring glory to your name. You are making me able to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. You are allowing me to bear fruit for your kingdom. How so? Others are being drawn to you because your life is being lived out in and through me. This is not to my credit. This is not some work that I have done. No, it is you that are using me as your instrument. I said that there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Yes, you did. I can also say that there is nothing I would rather do than serve you. Use my life to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. Yes, I will. You can be certain of that. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself. You have turned my life around. It is now my joy to live my life with and for you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Keep on making me more like you as I continue to remain in your presence. Amen

Key Question… Why is it impossible to be in the Lord’s presence and remain unchanged?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern and practice to remain in the Lord’s presence so that you can be transformed by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will become more and more like the Lord as you remain in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been making you to be more and more like Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be made to be more and more like the Lord as you remain in His presence.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 122 – 2 Corinthians 3-16-18 – Being Transformed Into His Likeness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Go To The Land I Will Show You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 123 - Genesis 12:1-3 - Go To The Land I Will Show You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 123 – Genesis 12:1-3 – Go To The Land I Will Show You – Growing As Disciples

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)

Go

You have my full attention. I will listen attentively to your voice. I don’t want to fail to hear whatever you want to say to me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will go wherever you guide me. I am willing to leave the unfamiliar to do what is uncomfortable. Why is that? I want to keep on moving forward with you. I don’t want to find myself stuck in a rut. I don’t want to live a life filled with regrets. I don’t want to sadly look back at what could have been. Most importantly, I want to be able to know and do your will. Most certainly, I want to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. One day I want to hear you say that I have been a good and faithful servant. That is very good. What will happen to you as you go and do my will? I will come to know you more intimately. Why is that? There is a way that I can only come to know you as I go and do what you ask of me. Why is that? I know that you will ask me to do what I cannot accomplish with my own gifts and talents and abilities or with my own power and strength. You will cause me to come to rely on you more fully. You will cause me to ask for your help. You will cause me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I will. You will lead me to the unfamiliar to do the uncomfortable. Yes, I will. You seem to like stretching me beyond my limits so that you can grow my faith and trust in you. I’m glad that you have noticed that I want you to come to rely fully on me. It would be hard, maybe even impossible not to notice. What else will happen to you as you go and do my will? You will bless my life. How so? You will bless my life so that I will be able to bless the lives of many others. You will work in and through me so that others can come to know and love and follow and serve you. Yes, I will bless your life so that you will be able to bless the lives of many others. 

Lord, I will attentively listen to your voice. I am willing to leave the uncomfortable and unfamiliar. I will go and do what you ask of me even when it is difficult. Thank you for blessing my life and the lives of others as I follow and serve you. I am at your service. Amen

Key Question… What is God asking you to go and do for Him in this season of your life?

Living It Out… Attentively listen to God and go and do what He asks of you even when it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to go and do what is uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when God has asked you to go and do something for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what the Lord asks of you even when it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

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

Day 123 – Becoming Like Christ – Genesis 12-1-3 – Go To The Land I Will Show 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

I Will Go Over And See

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 124 - Exodus 3:1-4 - I Will Go Over And See - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 124 – Exodus 3:1-4 – I Will Go Over And See – Growing As Disciples

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight–why the bush does not burn up.” When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:1-4 (NIV)  

Interruptions

I have never liked interruptions. Why is that? I like to remain focused on the task that is before me. I don’t want to be distracted. I don’t want to be diverted. That’s not all bad. That can be quite good. It is good for you to be focused and wholehearted and fully engaged in the work I have given you to do for me. But there can be a danger in being too focused. How so? Think about it. You tell me. Sometimes, my intense focus might put blinders on my eyes or ear plugs in my ears. I might fail to see something you want to show me. I might fail to hear something you want to say to me. Sometimes, I might frantically race right on by your activity in my life. Being too focused could leave me completely inattentive to you. That is very true.

Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. How likely is it that I will interrupt your schedule? How frequently do you think I might want you to see or hear something from me? How often might you need additional guidance or a course correction from me? How often are you likely to need wisdom and instruction from me? You are likely to interrupt my schedule quite frequently. I will need to see what you want me to see with great regularity. I will need to hear what you want me to hear moment by moment as I walk through life with you. How is your understanding of interruptions changing? I need to welcome interruptions into my life. You will often speak to me or show me something in the interruptions of life. When an interruption occurs, I need to be fully attentive to what you want me to see or hear. Real life and ministry and opportunities can and do and will often occur in what I have considered to be inconvenient interruptions. That’s right. So, I welcome you to interrupt my life at any time and in any moment. That I will do, you can count on it. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not frantically race through life. I will not be constantly distracted and preoccupied. I will make myself attentive to you. I will watch for your activity around me. I will listen to your voice speaking to me. I will take on the assignments you give to me. Amen

Key Question… Why might you fail to notice the activity of God when you frantically race through life?

Living It Out… Make yourself attentive to God by watching out for His activity in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will notice the activity of God when you make yourself attentive to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given and you have taken on an assignment from Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make yourself attentive to the activity of God in your life.

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

Day 124 – Becoming Like Christ – Exodus 3-1-4 – I Will Go Over And See – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Send Someone Else To Do It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 125 - Exodus 4:10-13 - Send Someone Else To Do It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 125 – Exodus 4:10-13 – Send Someone Else To Do It – Growing As Disciples

Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Exodus 4:10-13 (NIV)  

Excuses

I have come up with a lot of those. You have come up with a lot of what? I have come up with a lot of excuses. How so? I’m sure that you know every excuse I have ever given to you. Yes, I know. Yes, I remember. Yes, I knew your excuses before you even opened your mouth. But I would like us to talk about your excuses for not wanting to go and do what I have asked of you. Right now? Yes, right now. Let me hear your excuses. I have said that you have asked too much from me. I have thought that your assignments have been far beyond what my gifts and talents and abilities could accomplish. That’s true. Are you saying that I am correct? Are you saying that you have asked me to do what I could not accomplish? That’s exactly what I am saying. I don’t get it. Why would you asked me to do what I could not accomplish? Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Have you ever asked me to work in and through you? Have you ever asked me to make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I have asked you to work in and through me hundreds of times. I couldn’t begin to count how many times I have prayed that prayer. Did you want me to hear and answer that prayer? Yes, of course, I did. Would you like to know that I have heard and answered that prayer? Yes, without a doubt, I want to know that you are working in and through me. Do you see any problem here? I’m not sure what you mean. You will never need me to hear and answer your prayers if you only attempt to do what you can do. You will never know if I am working in and through you unless I make you able to do what you cannot do. I see, I’m beginning to understand. That’s good. The truth of the matter is that you will never be able to accomplish anything of lasting and eternal value without my help. So, you will not bear fruit for my kingdom or bring glory to my name unless I am working in and through you. I get it. I have a few more questions for you. I’m still listening, you have my full attention. Haven’t you also said that you wanted to grow strong in your faith? Haven’t you told me that you want to come to rely fully on me? Haven’t you also said that you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, I have said all of these things. My asking you to take on large assignments that you cannot accomplish by yourself is my way to accomplish all of these purposes in you. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I understand. Will you stop making excuses and start saying yes to me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I have wanted to run away from many of your assignments. I have thought that they were too difficult for me. I have been sure that my efforts alone would never be enough to accomplish your work. I was right. Help me to rely fully on you. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith in the Lord grown as you have come to rely on Him for His help?

Living It Out… Gladly accept the assignments that the Lord gives you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to do whatever He asks you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what assignment the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you gladly accept the assignments the Lord gives to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 125 – Exodus 4-10-13 – Send Someone Else To Do It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 126 - Colossians 3:16 - Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 126 – Colossians 3:16 – Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly- Growing As Disciples

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Dwell 

I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. How will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? Why will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? When will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? I didn’t see those questions coming. Do you have answers for them? Yes, I do. That’s good. Why is it important that I have answers to these questions? If you cannot answer these questions, then it will be unlikely that you will actually let my word dwell in you richly. I see. Then let me state my answers to your questions. I’m listening.

I will let your word dwell in me because your word instructs me to do so. I don’t need to understand every one of your instructions for me to obey them.  I will follow and obey you even when I do not fully understand what you are asking of me. In this case I do understand why you are instructing me to let your word dwell in me richly. That’s good. You will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. You will use your word to guide my life. You will use your word to set me free from the evil that is in the world. You will use your word to help me to resist temptation and stand against evil. You will use your word to make me wise in all that I think, say and do. Finally, and most importantly, you will help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you as I allow your word to dwell in me richly. Yes, I will use my word will do all of these things for you.

I will meet with you daily with you in your word so that I will be allowing it to dwell in me richly. Meeting with you will be the priority of my life. I will not give you left over time that may never come. Our time together will be carved out and set apart. We will have a special time and place when we will meet together. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than listen to you. That will be very good.

I will read and study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray and teach your word. In every way possible I will grab a hold of your word so that it will grab a hold of me. I will truly allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will allow your word to form my thoughts, fill my mouth and guide my actions. I will allow your word to help me to know your will and your ways. I will allow your word to make me wise. Finally, and most importantly I will obey your word by putting into practice as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will read and study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray and teach your word. I will put your word into practice. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Amen

Key Question… What are different ways in which you can allow God’s word to dwell in you richly?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to dwell in you richly so that you will be able to think and speak and act wisely.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to make you able to think and speak and act wisely.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to dwell in you richly.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 126 – Colossians 3-16 – Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly – 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

Be Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 127 - James 1:19-20 - Be Quick To Listen- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 127 – James 1:19-20 – Be Quick To Listen- Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Quick Listener

I have not been the best of listeners. I’m sure that I could never be described as a quick listener. Why is it that you have been neither a good nor quick listener? That is a very good and difficult question. By difficult, I don’t mean that your question is difficult to understand but that my answer is difficult to admit. You can be sure that your answer will come as no great surprise to me. Then I might as well give my answer without any hesitation. I’m sure that you know my answer and the reason I have been both a poor and slow listener. Yes, I do. I have obviously thought that I have much more to add by speaking than by listening. How does that sound to you? It sounds pathetically proud to me. It is difficult and embarrassing to admit that my pride has made me a poor listener. Instead of listening well, I have thought about what I might say next. At times, I have thought so hard about what I might say next that I probably haven’t even heard what has been said to me. How does that sound to you? That sounds obnoxious and annoying. You are quite hard on yourself about your slowness to listen and quickness to speak. Yes, I am. It is appropriate. My listening and speaking skills need to drastically change. Yes, they do.

How do you hope to change as a listener and as a speaker? I would like to listen well. I would like to speak far less. I will like to understand others far better. There is more. There is something else that I have not mentioned. What’s that? Not only have I not listened well and been quick to speak, I have also been quick to become angry. Why is that? I have jumped to conclusions. I have made assumptions. I have been easily offended. I have not carefully and prayerfully considered what others have said to me. My pride has not only led to quick speaking but also to quick anger. That’s not good. No, it’s not. There is one more thing of which I am certain. What’s that? If I am not listening well to others, I am not likely to be listening well to you either. That’s true. What else could you say about slow listening, quick speaking and quick anger? That combination will never result in my living the kind of righteous life that you desire for me. No, it will not. So, I am asking you to change me. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. That is my prayer. That is a prayer that I will hear and answer. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have not been quick to listen. I have been slow to listen and quick to speak and become angry. I know this is not the kind of life you want me to live. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry so I can live a righteous life. Amen

Key Question… How has God been helping you to become quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry?

Living It Out…  Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry so you can live the righteous life God desires.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live the righteous life that He desires.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to live the righteous life He desires.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

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

Day 127 – Becoming Like Christ – James 1-19-20 – Be Quick To Listen – 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