Monthly Archives: December 2022

Went Off To A Solitary Place

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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Withdraw

Is there any place you would rather be? Is there anything you would rather do? No, there is no place I would rather be. No, there is nothing I would rather do. It is my honor and pleasure and joy to meet with you. That is very good. In your presence, you have been changing me. In your presence, you have been molding and shaping me. In your presence, you have been making me to be more like you. I welcome anything and everything you want to say to me. I welcome anything and everything you want to do in and through me. I am happy to have withdrawn to this quiet and solitary place so we could be alone together. I am thankful to be able to withdraw from the crazy and noisy and busy pace of life. Why is that? In my hectic day to day, on the go and busy life, it is not easy to hear your voice speaking to me. It is not easy to receive your guidance and follow your instructions. I need to leave the busyness of life to focus my heart and mind and life on you. Yes, you do.

I have something more to say about drawing near to you. What’s that? I want more of you. I want to live in a more intimate relationship with you. I hunger and thirst for a closer relationship with you. Every time I draw near to you, I am satisfied and yet left hungry for more. I want to be more reliant on you. I want to be more used by you. I want to bear more fruit for kingdom and bring more glory to your name. Most of all, I want to become more like you in all that I think, say, and do. I want to fully live the life that you have called me to live with and for you.  That is very good. But don’t be impatient. Keep on drawing near to me. Keep on listening to me. Keep on doing what I ask of you. These desires for more do come from me. I have given and I will grant your desires for more. So, day by day, I will keep on withdrawing to solitary places to meet with you. I will keep on allowing you to do whatever you want to do in and through me. I am all yours. Here I am, right now. I am glad that you have come to meet with me.  

Lord, here I am. I have withdrawn at this time to this quiet place so that I can be all alone with you. I have left the distracting, busy and noisy pace of life so that I can hear from you. Speak to me Lord. I am listening. I am very glad to be here with you now. Amen

Key Question… Why must you develop a habit of meeting with the Lord if you want to hear from Him?

Living It Out… .Go to a solitary place to meet with the Lord in prayer.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will meet with you when you go to a solitary place to pray.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when and where you go to a solitary place to pray.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw to a solitary place to meet with the Lord in prayer.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 141 – Mark 1-35 – A Solitary Place – 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

Turn From Evil And Do Good

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21750156 – have a good day concept text word in clouds on blue sky

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV)

A Good Day 

How would you describe that? How would I describe what? How would you describe a good day? That is an unusual question. Why is that? I could pick a hundred different things that might be part of a good day. Are there really that many possibilities? I’m not sure. Why don’t you try to describe just one good day? Maybe, your thoughts will become clearer as you think more deeply about this question. I could ask you other related questions that might help you. Go ahead, ask me, I’d like that. What would a good life look like? If you added up all your good days how would they end up equaling a good life? You’re right, those additional questions have helped me to think about my answer. My thoughts have become clearer. Let me hear your thoughts. A good day would be one that I lived with and for you. A good day would be one in which I walked intimately with you. A good day would be when I turned away from evil to do good. A good day would be when I kept my tongue from speaking any evil or deceitful speech. Most of importantly, good days would be when your eyes are on me and you are attentive to my prayers. Without all of these things, I could not call any day good. So, in conclusion, I would say that good days are one in which I have walked closely with you. Only these days can be added up to equal a good life that was well lived. You have answered my question well.

I have more to say. I’m listening. I want you to help me to live a life filled with good days. I don’t want to live any bad days. I want to continually turn away from evil to do good. I want to continually think good thoughts, speak good words and do good deeds. I want your eyes to be on me continually. I want you to always be attentive to my prayers. I know that you will help me to live these kinds of days and this kind of life. You will watch me. You will be with me. You will help me. You will give me prayers to prayer that you will certainly hear and answer. Yes, I will. This prayer of yours, to live good days and a good life, is one that I will certainly hear and answer. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will turn away from evil in all its forms. I will not think evil thoughts, speak evil words, or take evil actions. Instead, I will do all the good that you have called me to do for you. Help me to live the life you have called me to live. Hear and answer my prayers. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord blessed your life because you have turned away from evil to do good?

Living It Out… .Turn away from evil and do good so you can live a life that the Lord will bless.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear your prayers and bless your life as you turn away from evil to do good.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have turned away from evil to do good.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn away from evil to do good.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 142 – 1 Peter 3-10-12 – Turn From Evil – 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

Train Yourself To Be Godly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 143 - 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - Train Yourself To Be Godly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 143 – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train Yourself To Be Godly – Growing As Disciples

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

Training

What are important elements of training? I’m not sure what you are asking of me. Think of physical training for a moment. What would be desirable elements of physical training? It would be important to develop a plan and consistently follow that plan. A hit or miss approach to physical training would not be good. Why is that? I would not receive much benefit from hit and miss training that was not consistent. To benefit from physical training, it would be very important to continue with it day in and day out. What else? Physical training, to be most effective would need to consider a variety of related elements. Such as? Diet and rest are a very important aspect of physical training. For my body to receive the greatest benefit I would need to develop a rhythm of exercise and rest along with a proper diet to feed my body. That’s true. I want you to engage in this kind of training for your body. Why is that? For you to be most vibrant, healthy and alive you will need to take care of your body. I understand.

But it is far more important that you take care of your spiritual life. It is of some value for you to engage in consistent physical training. It is of far more benefit for you to engage in spiritual training. Why is that? Do you want to live a godly life? Do you want to become more like me? Do you want to think godly thoughts, speak godly words and do godly deeds? Yes, I do, without a doubt. Then you must enter into spiritual training. How will I do that? You tell me. I will make a plan to meet with you every day in your word. I will make a plan every day to meet with you in prayer. I will put your word into practice. I will listen to your voice. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will allow you to work in and through my life. I will continually be at your service. Does that sound like a plan? Yes, it does.

There is one thing you should know about having a plan. I think I know what you are going to say. What’s that? A plan is only good if it is followed day in and day out on a consistent ongoing basis. I must not grow weary. I must not become impatient. I must not give up. I may be the last one to notice my own progress. But you will help me every step of the way as I continue to follow and serve you. You will keep me going. You will help me to be strong. You will make me to be like you in all that I think, say and do. Yes, I will. 

Lord, I will engage in physical training to keep my body healthy. But far more importantly I will engage in daily and ongoing spiritual training so I can become more like you. Make me to be like you in all that I think, say and do, so I will bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… What elements of spiritual training are you engaged in on a consistent daily basis?

Living It Out… .Engage in spiritual training on a daily basis so that you will become godlier in all you think, say and do?

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you to be more like Him as you engage in spiritual training.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are engaged in spiritual training on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you train yourself to be godly in all you think, say and do.

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

Day 143 – Becoming Like Christ – 1 Timothy 4-7-8 – Train Yourself To Be Godly – 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

Love Your Enemies

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 144 - Luke 6:27-31 - Love Your Enemies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 144 – Luke 6:27-31 – Love Your Enemies – Growing As Disciples

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

Your Example 

I am speaking to you. Are you listening to me? Yes, I am listening to you. How will we both know for sure that you are really listening to me? That easy to determine. How so? If I am really listening to you, I will do what you are asking of me. I will put into practice what you are showing me. I will follow your example. I will do what you did. I will live as you lived. That is a very good answer to my question. What am I saying to you right now? What am I asking of you right now? What example are your seeing in me right now? You are asking me to live unlike those in the world live. You are asking me to go against every human and earthly and natural instinct that I have within me. How so? When someone is my enemy, I want to be on guard against them. I don’t want to give them any opportunity to harm me. I want all my defenses to be up when I encounter an enemy. I especially don’t want to extend any kindness and mercy and love to an enemy. Far from it, I want to get even with every one of my enemies. My human and earthly and natural desires call for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth with anyone who has hated, cursed, or mistreated me. That is not how I lived. That is not the life that I am calling you to live. Yes, I know. So, it will be very easy to determine if I am really listening to you. My old human and earthly and natural life looks nothing like the life you are calling me to live. No, it does not. You are calling to live a godly, spiritual and supernatural life that will stand out as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. You want me to love my enemies. You want me to do good to those who hate me. You want me to bless those who curse me. You want me to pray for those mistreat me. You want me to treat others just how I would like to be treated. Yes, I do. I am excited about living this kind of life. I will happily listen to you. I will joyfully follow your example. Why is that? What is the cause of your excitement, happiness and joy? I know that you will help me to live this kind of life. You will make me able to live like you lived. You will cause me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Yes, I will. Nothing is better than that. Listen to me and follow my example. Yes Lord, I will. That is very good.

Lord, I am listening. I will follow your example. I will do what you have done. I will love my enemies. I will do good to those who hate me. I will bless those who curse me. I will pray for those who mistreat me. I will do to others what I would like done to me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making every effort to follow the Lord’s example?

Living It Out… .Love your enemies and do good to those who have hated, cursed or mistreated you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love your enemies.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how loving an enemy has turned them into a friend.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and follow His example by loving your enemies.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 144 – Luke 6-27-31 – Love Your Enemies – 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

Like A Man Building A House

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 145 - Luke 6:46-49- Like A Man Building A House - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 145 – Luke 6:46-49- Like A Man Building A House – Growing As Disciples

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)  

Foundation

Your word will be the foundation of my life. How will my word be the foundation of your life? Let me start by saying what will not be the foundation of my life. The thoughts and opinions of the world will not be the foundation of my life. The current values and beliefs that are prevalent in society will not be the foundation of my life. What is commonly practiced and acted on in this current age will not be the foundation of my life. Not even my thoughts, opinions and values will be the foundation of my life. Say more about that last one. I will not set myself up as the final authority of what will or will not be the foundation of my life. Why is that? I am not God. It is not uncommon for me to be incorrect in my thinking. It has not been rare for me to discover that I have believed something that was untrue or unhelpful or unwise. It is good for you to acknowledge this. I know.

Your word alone will be the foundation of my life. That’s good. I will allow your word to form my thoughts and guard my words and guide my actions. That’s good. If I discover that one of my thoughts or opinions or values is not in harmony with your word, I will know that it is I that needs to change and not your word. Your word will give me wisdom to know what to think, how to speak and how to act. Your word will guard and guide my life. Your word will help me to resist temptation and stand against evil. Your word will mold and shape me. Your word will build me into the person you want me to become. Your word will sustain and strengthen me in and through all the storms of life that are certain to come. Yes, my word will do all these things for you.

How will you make my word the foundation of your life? I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. How so? I will read your word. I will study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will teach your word. I will consume your word until your word consumes me. What does that mean? I will take a hold of your word until it takes a hold of me. I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will never stop meeting with you in your word. When will you meet with me in my word? Every day, I will meet with you in your word. There is not a day that goes by that I do not need to hear from you. Keep on being hungry for my word. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will hear and put your word into practice. I will allow your word to be the foundation of my life. I will not build my life on the thoughts, and opinions and values of the world. Guard and guide my life with your word. Help me to withstand storms in life. Amen

Key Question… Why would hearing but not putting God’s word into practice be a foolish life building practice?

Living It Out… .Hear and put God’s word into practice so that it will be the foundation of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will be your foundation that will withstand all the storms of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has helped you to withstand storms in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life be built on the foundation of God’s word.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 145 – Luke 6-46-49- Like A Man Building A House – 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

He Gave The Right To Become Children Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 147 - John 1:10-13- He Gave The Right To Become Children Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 147 – John 1:10-13- He Gave The Right To Become Children Of God – Growing As Disciples

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:10-13 (NIV)

Heavenly Father

There is something that I sometimes lose track of. There is something I don’t always live with, in the very forefront of my mind. There is something that I need to remind myself of, on a moment by moment basis. What is all this that you are talking about? What do you sometimes lose track of? What do you need to keep in the forefront of your mind? What do you need to remind yourself of, on a moment by moment basis? I’m sure you know. There is nothing about me that comes as a mystery or surprise to you. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my actions before I take them. Yes, I do. Nevertheless, I want you to say out loud what is in your heart and on your mind. Sometimes, I lose track of the fact that I am your child. Sometimes, I lose sight of the fact that you are my Heavenly Father. Why do you think that? If I firmly held these facts in my heart and mind would I ever be filled with worry and anxiety? How much anxiety and worry could I carry if I always knew that you were with me to help me. How burdened could I be if I always consciously knew that you had me in the palm of your hand, as my loving Heavenly Father? On the other hand, how much joy and happiness would overflow my life If I always knew that you, the God who made the entire universe loved and cared for me. I am not small and insignificant. I am not a nobody. I am not less than nothing. I am precious in your sight. You take joy and pleasure in me. Yes, I do take joy and pleasure in you. Yes, you are my child. Yes, I do love and care for you. Yes, you are precious in my sight. I have you in the palm of my hand. I will lead and guide you through life. My favor rests on you. My hand is on you. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Do you have a prayer on your heart? Yes, I do. Help me to always live with the conscious awareness that you are my Heavenly Father and that I am your child. That is a prayer that I will hear and answer. 

Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you for helping me to receive you into my life. Thank you for causing me to come to believe in you. You have made me to be a child of God. Thank you that I can now know and love and follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How have you been completely changed because you are living as a child of God?

Living It Out… .Receive and believe in Jesus Christ and live as the child of God that He has made you to be.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you have become a child of God on the day you came to receive and believe in Him.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive Jesus Christ and believe in His name so you can be a child of God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 147 – John 1-10-13 – He Gave The Right To Become Children 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

Which Of The Two Did What His Father Wanted?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 148 - Matthew 21:28-32 - Which Of The Two Did What His Father Wanted?- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 148 – Matthew 21:28-32 – Which Of The Two Did What His Father Wanted?- Growing As Disciples

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)

Reluctant

I have been reluctant. You have been reluctant about what? I have been reluctant to go and do all that you ask of me. Is that what you think? You know that is what I think. Let’s talk about that. I’d like that. Let’s be clear about the first and greatest and most important things that I have asked of you or will ask of anyone else. What’s that? I have asked you and I will ask everyone to come to believe and place all their faith in my Son. I have asked you and I will ask everyone to turn away from their sin to receive the forgiveness and cleansing that they have in my Son’s sacrifice for them on the cross. I have asked you and I will everyone to love and follow and serve my Son as their Savior and Lord. Have you heard me ask these questions of you? Have you had to decide how you will respond to each of these questions? Yes, I have heard all these questions. Yes, I have had to decide how I would respond to each one of these questions. Did you respond reluctantly or slowly to any of these questions? I wouldn’t say that I responded reluctantly or slowly. Neither would I. What would you say? I would say that I have enthusiastically turned away from my sin to receive the forgiveness and cleansing I have in your Son’s sacrifice for me on the cross. I would say that I am passionately following your Son as my Savior and Lord. I would say that I am placing all my faith in Him. I am thankful beyond words for all that you have done, are doing and will do for me. Beyond that I would say that I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I have heard all these answers from you both loudly and clearly. That’s good. Yes, it is.

Where then is your reluctance? How have you been like a reluctant son? Well, I have not taken on every one of your assignments with great enthusiasm. Sometimes, I have slowly and reluctantly gone and done what you have asked of me. Sometimes, I have wanted you to send someone else. Sometimes, I have wanted you to relieve me of an assignment. What do you want now? I want you to help me to be faithful. I want you to give me boldness and courageous and strength to be able to go and do all that you ask of me. I want you to strengthen my faith so I can say yes to whatever you ask of me. Those are prayers that I will hear and answer. Thank you, so much.

Heavenly Father, I have been that reluctant son. I have been slow to go and do all that you ask of me. But thank you for turning my life around. Thank you for helping me to say yes to you. I will joyfully, thankfully and faithfully go and do all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How has the course of your life been changed by going and doing what your Heavenly Father asked of you?

Living It Out… .Say yes to your Heavenly Father by going and doing all that He asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will regularly ask you to go and do things for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what your Heavenly Father has asked you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do all that your Heavenly Father asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 148 – Matthew 21-28-32 – Which Of The Two Did What His Father Wanted? – 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