Monthly Archives: January 2023

Run With Perseverance

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Hebrews 12:1 - Day 26 - Run With Perseverance - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Hebrews 12:1 – Day 26 – Run With Perseverance – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Marked Out

It’s all marked out for you. What’s all marked out for me? The race that I want you to run is all marked out for you. It is? Yes, it is, that’s what I just said. What do you mean by that? You know who you are following, don’t you? Yes, I am following you. You’re not following the world and its values? No, I am not. If you are following me what will you be doing? I will be keeping my eyes on you. I will be depending on you instead of relying on myself. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask for me. I want to do what pleases you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. I want my life to be a tool in your hand. In every way I want to know and do your will. That will be very good. You are not in this race running alone. You have others that are running right alongside you. Do you know why that is important? I can give and receive encouragement, as I keep on running the race marked out for me. When others are tempted to quit the race and give up, I will be there to encourage them. When others are weary and worn out, I will be there to encourage them to keep moving forward with you. Yes, you can and yes you will. As you encourage and strengthen others you yourself will be encouraged and strengthened. You have others that have gone before you who have completed their race. They are waiting for you at the finish line. Do you know why this is important? If I become discouraged, I will know that others have run well and completed their race. If I become weary, I will know that others have kept running well right up to the finish line. Yes, and what else? Just as others have run well and kept on running right up to the finish line, so will I. One day, I want my life to serve as a witness that will encourage others. I want my life to help cheer others on as they run the race that you have marked out for them. Keep following me. Keep your eyes fixed on me.  Then you will run well and finish your race. Who else will be waiting for you at the finish line? Who else will be praying for you and giving you strength as you run your race? You are at the finish line. You are praying for me. You will give me strength to run. My eyes will be fixed on you as I run the race you have laid out for me. Run well. Run with my strength in you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, all the witnesses that have gone before me or are now beside me give me great encouragement to run the race you have marked out for me. I will throw off anything that hinders my running. I will fix my eyes on you as you lead me to the finish line. Amen

Key Question…  How will fixing your eyes on Jesus help you to run the race marked out for you?

Living It Out…  Throw off every hindrance and sin that prevents you from running the race that has been marked out for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you endurance and strength to run the race that has been marked out for you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are running with endurance the race marked out for you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you run with perseverance the race that Jesus Christ has marked out for you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 26 – Hebrews 12-1 – Run With Perseverance – 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 The Lord Your God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 113 - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - Love The Lord Your God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 113 – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Love The Lord Your God – Growing As Disciples

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)

Desires

This is what I want. What do you want? I want you to be in my heart and on my mind at all times. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to begin and end each day with you. I want my heart and mind and life to be focused on you throughout all the moments of my day. I want to know you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to be fully attentive and completely devoted to you. I want to follow you to where you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to live the life you have given me to live. I want to be the person that you have called me to be. These are all very good desires that you have in your heart. 

How will these desires be fulfilled in you? First of all, I would say that these desires come from you. You are both the giver and granter of these desires. Yes, I am. Secondly, I would say that we both want the same thing. These desires are in alignment with your will. You want to see these desires accomplished in my life. Yes, I do. Then I don’t see how these desires will not be fulfilled in my life. Am I missing something? Probably not. But let me ask you a question. I’m listening. What role do you have in these desires being fulfilled in your life? It is my role to come to you. It is my role to live in an intimate relationship with you. It is my role to make myself attentive to you. It is my role to listen to your voice. It is my role to go and do what you ask of me. It is my role to rely on you completely. It is my role to follow you fully. You have answered well. Come to me. Listen to me. Rely on me. Then all these desires of your heart will be accomplished. That is what I will do. That is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my desire to live in an ongoing intimate relationship with you. I will listen attentively to you throughout all the moments of my life. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How has your love for the Lord grown as you have continued to follow and serve him?

Living It Out… Live a life of prayer with the Lord throughout all the moments of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can live in an ongoing intimate relationship with the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fully devoted to loving, following and serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 113 – Deuteronomy 6-4-9 – Love The Lord Your 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

Paid Attention

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 25 Isaiah 48:17-18 - Paid Attention - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 25 Isaiah 48:17-18 – Paid Attention – Growing As Disciples

This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18 (NIV)

Direction

Do you want me to teach you what is best? Do you want me to show you the way that you should go? Do you want to experience my peace overflowing your life? Do you want to live a righteous life that is as consistent as the waves of the sea? Lord, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me. I want to know and do your will. I want to do whatever is pleasing to you. Nothing would give me more peace than knowing that I am doing whatever you ask of me.

What must you do if you want to live the life that I have called you to live? You’re asking me? I thought you might tell me. No, you tell me. First of all, I must answer your call. You called me to come to you. Yes, I did. I gave my life to you. I said that I was going to turn away from my sin to follow you as my Savior and Lord. On that day you began your new life in me. Yes, I did.

That was the start of my walk with you on my journey through life. How have you known where to walk? How have you known what to do? I have followed you. How have you followed me? I have followed you to where you have led me. I have been careful to do what you have been asking of me. How have you been paying attention to me? I have been listening attentively to you. I have been meeting with you in your word. You have spoken to me through your word. You have helped me to know you. You have helped me to do your will. You have helped me to walk in your ways. You have changed my heart and transformed my mind. You have given me the desire to love, follow, and serve you. Your word has become the subject of my thoughts. Your word has been the content of my prayers. Your word has filled my heart with praise, and thanks, and worship. Your word has sustained my life, overflowed me with your peace, and helped me to live my life fully for you. Yes, it has.

Lord, you are my God. You have redeemed my life. Thank you for teaching me your will and showing me what is best for me. You direct me on the path through life. Help me to pay full attention to you and obey all your commands. Amen

Key Question…  When have you failed to pay attention to your lack of peace about a decision and suffered for it?

Living It Out…  Pay attention to the Lord and obey His commands so that He can teach you what is best for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will teach you what is best for you as you pay attention to Him and obey His commands.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the peace you have in following and obeying God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pay attention to the Lord so He can show you what is best for you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 25 – Isaiah 48-17-18 – Paid Attention – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

In His Ways

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 24 - Psalm 25:8-10 - In His Ways - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 24 – Psalm 25:8-10 – In His Ways – Growing As Disciples

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:8-10 (NIV)

 Your Ways

I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. In the past, I know that I have been strong willed, independent, and self-sufficient. I have thought that I needed no guidance and instruction. I was quite sure that I knew all that I needed to know. I was positive of where I would go and what I would do. I was absolutely filled to the brim with my own pride. I was full of myself. No one could teach me. No one could guide me. I did not have a humble heart. I did not have a listening ear. So, I went and did my own thing. I walked on my own path and went my own way. How did that work out for you? Following my own counsel and walking on my own path did not work out well for me. I got lost along the way. I thought what I should not have thought. I said what I should not have said. I went where I should not have gone. I did want I should not have done. In every way, my life was a mess. I was weary and worn out. I was bruised and battered and broken by all my poor thoughts, words, and actions. My life was like a barren wasteland of unfruitfulness. I felt empty and without hope in the world. Yes, you were.

You learned a valuable lesson along the way. Yes, I did. What valuable lesson did your pride filled life teach you? I learned that I need all the help that I can get. I don’t know it all. I don’t have all I need. I don’t know where to go and what to do. I need your wise counsel. I need all your instruction. I need you to lead and guide me along the path of life you have laid out for me. What do you want to say to me? I want to ask your forgiveness for my prideful independence. You are forgiven. What do you now want to do differently? I want to humbly rely on you. I will trust you to teach and guide me through life. I will follow you to where you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. I will follow and obey you with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. That will be very good. I will teach you to know my will and walk in my ways. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have been proud and unteachable. I thought that I knew it all. My stubbornness has been a sin. I have headed in the wrong direction and no one including you could guide me. No more, I will humbly accept all your guidance. Amen

Key Question…  What attitude must you come to the Lord with if you want Him to guide and direct your life?

Living It Out…  Humbly come to the Lord to ask Him to guide your life as you allow Him to teach you His will and ways.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will guide your life as you humbly come to ask him for His help.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided your life and shown you His will and ways.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you humbly allow the Lord to teach and guide you in His ways.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 24 – Psalm 25-8-10 – In His 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

He Got Down On His Knees

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 23 - Daniel 6:10 - He Got Down On His Knees - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 23 – Daniel 6:10 – He Got Down On His Knees – Growing As Disciples

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

On My Knees

Will you get down on your knees? Will you humble yourself before me? Will you make meeting with me in prayer, the priority of your life? Notice, I did not say a priority in your life. I noticed. Are you clear about what I am asking of you? Yes, I understand what you are asking of me. You are asking me if I will make meeting with you in prayer a priority, above all other priorities, in my life. Yes, I am. Do you believe that there is no better way for you to spend your time than in meeting with me in prayer? Yes, I am positive that there is no better way to spend my time than meeting with you in prayer. Then you have set aside a special time and place to meet with me in prayer, is that right? Yes, that is right, I have a special time and place to meet with you in prayer. Then you are spending a significant amount of time meeting with me in prayer, is that true? Well, I don’t know if that is completely true yet. What do you mean by that? I feel like I am just starting out in prayer. I am launching out into prayer with you. My journey in prayer with you is just beginning. My life with you in prayer now, is not what it will be in the future. You are correct. But you are fully committed and completely convinced in your desire to meet with me in prayer? Yes, it is the desire of my heart to have a close and intimate relationship with you. I want to draw near to you, as you draw near to me. I want to be refreshed in your presence. I want to taste of your goodness. I want you to mold and shape my life as I meet with you in prayer. I want you guard and guide my life as I meet with you in prayer. I want you to develop my thoughts, form my words, and empower my deeds, as I meet with you in prayer. On every day, and in every way, I want to live and walk in a dialogue of prayer with you. I want to be persistent and consistent, as I meet with you in prayer. You will have these desires of your heart fulfilled as you come to meet daily with me in prayer. For that I am completely grateful and fully thankful. That is very good.

 Father, thank you that I can come to meet with you in prayer. Meeting with you has become a consistent, daily priority in my life. I have set apart a time and place to regularly meet with you. It is my joy to live my life with you in an ongoing dialogue of prayer. Amen

Key Question…  How has God guided your life as you have met with Him in prayer?

Living It Out…  Make meeting with God in prayer a consistent daily priority in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that no time is better spent than the time you meet with God in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how meeting with God in prayer has become a priority in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you get down on your knees to meet with God in prayer.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 23 – Daniel 6-10 – He Got Down On His Knees – 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

Humble Themselves

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 114 - 2 Chronicles 7:14 - Humble Themselves- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 114 – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble Themselves- Growing As Disciples

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Humble Myself

I do need to humble myself before you, there is no doubt about that. Why is there no doubt about your need to humble yourself before me? I have been proud. I have been stubborn. I have been self-reliant. I have lived as if I could handle all the circumstances of life, on my own, without your help. I have lived as if I had no need for prayer. Nothing could be further from the truth. Why is that? I am not all knowing. I am not all powerful. I am not wise. I have made plenty of mistakes. I have taken many missteps. I have sinned against you in many ways. Without you, I have stumbled through life. I have bounced back and forth from one unproductive endeavor after another. The truth is that I desperately need your forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. I could start by confessing my pride. I could continue by confessing my stubborn self-reliant and independent streak. That would be very good. That is what I am now doing. I am bowing myself down before you. I am turning away from my sin. I am turning away from any and every wicked way that has been in me. I am turning to love and follow and serve you. I know that you will forgive my sin. I know that you will cleanse all my unrighteousness. Yes, I will. You will bring your healing into my life. You will revive and refresh and restore my soul. You will guard and guide the course of my life. You will lead me to where you want me to go. You will give me what you want me to do. Yes, I will.

There is something else that I want you to know. What’s that? My humbling myself in prayer before you is not a one-time act. This is not something that I am only doing today. My life will be daily and continually bowed down before you. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. Daily, I will seek your face. Daily, I will come to meet with you. Daily, I will listen to your voice. Daily I will rely on your help. Daily I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I want to live and walk every day in an intimate relationship with you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will humble myself before you. I will bow down and confess my sin to you. No longer will I live a proud and self-reliant life. I will turn to love, follow and serve you. Thank you for healing my life. Thank you for setting me on a new course in life with you. Amen

Key Question… When have you proudly thought that you could handle your life without any need of prayer?

Living It Out… Humbly turn away from sin so that you can turn to love, follow and serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will heal your life as you humble yourself in prayer before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly praying to the Lord on a regular basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself and pray to the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 114 – 2 Chronicles 7-14 – Humble Themselves – 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

Submit Yourselves To God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 22 - James 4:7-10 - Submit Yourselves To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 22 – James 4:7-10 – Submit Yourselves To God – Growing As Disciples

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7-10 (ESV)

Drawing Near

I know that I am a sinner. I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and deeds. I have done what I shouldn’t have done. I have left undone what I should have done. My heart has not been pure. I have had a double mind. My behavior has been wretched. I take my own sinfulness seriously. This is no laughing matter. I am deeply sorry that I have sinned against you in so many ways. With a humble heart, I am bowing down before. I am admitting my sin to you. That’s good.

I am so thankful that you have made it so I can turn away from my sin to follow you. You got my attention. You turned my life around. You helped me to see the error of my ways. You gave me a desire to know you. You gave me a hunger to seek you. Now, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Now, I want what you want. Now, I want to live my life completely for you. That’s very good.

I am holding on to your promises. I am drawing near to you. I know that you will draw near to me. There is no exception clause. No, there is not. I can count on you drawing near to me as I draw near to you. Yes, you can. I will never leave you or forsake you. You may not always feel my closeness. You may not also realize that I am with you. But, you can hold on to me because I will be holding on to you. You are my child. I am your Heavenly Father.

I am counting on you. I am trusting in you. I know that I cannot live a life that pleases you without your power and strength. No, you cannot. As I draw near to you and you draw near to me I will be resisting the devil and all the evil he will try to throw at me. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I know that your word will help me to think your thoughts and do your will. Yes, it will. I know that your word will change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, it will. I know that your word will push evil thoughts out of my heart and mind and life. Yes, it will. You will cleanse me with your word. Yes, I will. Your word will make me able to live and walk in ways that please you. Your word will make me able to stand against every evil and temptation. I will trust in you and all that you have to say to me as I draw near to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I am drawing near to you. I am humbling myself before you. I am turning away from evil and withdrawing from sin. I am submitting myself to you. Cleanse and heal me. I will walk in your ways. Use your word to push evil out of my heart and mind. Amen

Key Question…  How are you submitting yourself to God’s will and His ways?

Living It Out…  Draw near to God and resist the devil so you will be able to turn away from evil and stand against temptation.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be able to overcome temptation as you immediately draw near to God and resist the devil.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to strengthen you against temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you draw near to God and resist the devil so you will be able to stand against temptation.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 22 – James 4-7-10 – Submit Yourselves To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Jesus Answered

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 21 - Matthew 4:1-4- Jesus Answered - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 21 – Matthew 4:1-4- Jesus Answered – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)

Live On

How will you live on my word? How will you allow my word to feed you? How will you allow my word to sustain you? How will you allow my word to strengthen you so you can stand against evil and resist temptation? Those are good questions. Every day, I would like to meet with you in your word. I will enthusiastically welcome your word into my heart and mind and life. I will listen attentively to everything you have to say to me. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. 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 proclaim your word. Most importantly, I will put your word into practice. I will do what your word tells me to do. In every way I will take hold of your word just as it will take hold of me. Your word will be my firm foundation. Your word will be my fortress of strength. I know that your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in, with, and for me, in all the battles I will face in life. That’s true. That’s right. You have answered my questions well.

How has my word been working in your life? How is my word been changing your heart as you live on it? Your word has been changing my heart. The more I meet with you in your word, the hungrier I am for all that you have for me. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to go and do all that you ask of me. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to know and do your will. I want your favor to rest on me. I want your power to work in and through me so I will be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good.

How has my word been transforming your mind as you put it into practice? Your word has been transforming the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth, and deeds of my life. I am thinking your thoughts, speaking your words, and doing your deeds. Your word has been pushing my old worldly thoughts out of my heart, and mind. and life as I have meditated on and memorized your word. You have been giving your thoughts to think. Yes, I have. Will you keep on living on my word? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Key Question…  How has God’s word in your heart and mind and on your lips helped you to resist temptation?

Living It Out…  Hide God’s word in your heart so that the Holy Spirit will be able to use it to help you to resist temptation.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to help you to resist temptation when it comes to attack you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God’s word in your heart has helped you to resist temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 21 – Matthew 4-1-4 – Jesus Answered – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

It Is The Gift Of God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 116 - Ephesians 2:8-10 - It Is The Gift Of God- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 116 – Ephesians 2:8-10 – It Is The Gift Of God- Growing As Disciples

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

A Masterpiece

That’s what I want to be. What do you want to be? I want to be your workmanship. In fact, I am very glad that I am your workmanship and I will be your masterpiece. Why is that? If I were my own workmanship, I’m pretty sure that I would look nothing like a masterpiece. I have no idea of how to mold and shape myself into a masterpiece that will be pleasing to you. So, what will you do? Well, you started me on this journey of faith with you. You made it so I could be saved. You forgave all my sins. You cleansed all my unrighteousness. You put your Holy Spirit in me. You have given me a completely new life to live. You have helped me to love and follow and serve you. Yes, I have done all of these things for you. None of what you have done for me could I have accomplished, nor could I have earned or merited any of it. My life of salvation has come to me as a gift. Yes, that’s right. So, I will keep on coming to you. I will keep on relying on you. I will keep on following you to where you lead me. I will keep on doing what you ask of me. I will keep on living in an intimate relationship with you. That will be very good.

What else? I know that you have prepared good works in advance for me to do. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You have work that you want me to join you in doing. It is the desire of my heart to go and do what is pleasing to you. I want to fully live out the new life you have given me to live. I want to faithfully and fruitfully keep on serving you. I know that I will be molded and shaped and changed into a masterpiece day by day and moment by moment, as I love, follow and serve you. So, I will not concern myself with anything other than coming to rely on you. You will do your work in me. You will do your work through me. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. I will be your workmanship. I will be your masterpiece. Yes, you will. I have no doubt about that. That is very good. 

Lord, thank you for giving me your salvation as a gift. There is nothing I could ever do to earn or merit your salvation. Keep on doing your work in and through me. Make me into your masterpiece. Help me to join you in doing the work you have given me to do. Amen

Key Question… Why can you do nothing to merit or earn the salvation you have received as a gift?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to mold and shape your life so you will become His masterpiece as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you have received your salvation in Christ and have been given a completely new life to live.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been saved and given a completely new life to live.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you faithfully and fruitfully live out the life of salvation that you have in Jesus Christ

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 116 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – It Is The Gift 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

Prepare Your Minds For Action

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 20 - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Prepare Your Minds For Action - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 20 – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Prepare Your Minds For Action – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

Your Mind

How will you prepare your mind for action? Whatever I set my mind on will determine the action I will be prepared to take. What do you mean by that? If I set my mind on my job, then I will be preparing myself to be successful in my career. If I set my mind on power and prestige and position, then I will be preparing myself to do whatever it takes to get ahead. If I set my mind on comfort and pleasure, then I will be preparing to seek fleshly desires. If I set my mind on material possessions. then I will be preparing myself to acquire all that this world has to offer. Are any of these pursuits worthy of setting your mind on? What do you mean by that? Will you allow any of these pursuits to determine who you are and what you will become? Are you going to allow yourself to be defined by any of these things? Those are life-changing questions. Yes, they are depending on how you answer them.

What do you want to set your mind on? What action do you want to be prepared to take? Who do you want to become? What do you want your life to look like? I want to set my mind on you. I want to set my mind on the hope that I have in you, both now and forever. I have said goodbye to my old life. Nothing from my old life is worth setting my mind on. I don’t want to live for comfort and pleasure. I’m not drawn to power, prestige, and position. I’m not attracted to all false treasures and riches that the world has to offer. It would be a fool’s errand to live for what I could only temporarily acquire. Yes, it would. I want my mind to be ready for action. What action? I want my mind to be prepared for whatever action you ask me to take. I want to know and do your will. I want to wholeheartedly live the life that you have called me to live. I want my life to conform to your purposes and plan. How will you know if you are on the right track? You have called me to be holy. You want me to become like you. Yes, that’s right. As you daily make me more like you, I will notice that. Yes, you will. That is my hope. That is my desire. That is my plan. That is my goal. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for the hope I have in you. Help me to set my mind on you. Prepare my mind for action. I will no longer think and live my life in conformity to the world. Change my heart and transform my mind so I can live the holy life you have called me to live. Amen

Key Question…  What will hinder your mind from being prepared and ready for action as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to change your mind and prepare you for action as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will change your mind and prepare you for action, as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has changed your mind and prepared you for action.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you set your mind on Christ so your mind can be prepared for action.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 20 – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – Prepare Your Minds For Action – 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