Monthly Archives: February 2023

Those Who Wait On The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 99 - Isaiah 40:29-31 - Those Who Wait On The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 99 – Isaiah 40:29-31 – Those Who Wait On The Lord – Growing As Disciples

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV)

Power 

That is what I want. What do you want? I want power. I am weary, worn out and tired of operating under my own power. I probably should not use the word power at all when I am referring to myself. Why is that? I am weak. I have very little, if any power. That is good to admit. Why is that? You tell me. You think I can answer that question? I know that you can answer that question. You have quite a bit of experience with powerlessness. Yes, I do, I’m sad to say. There is nothing to be sad about in regard to knowing that you are powerless. So, now tell me why it is a good thing to know and admit that you lack power. If I think that I am strong, I am only pridefully and foolishly ignoring the obvious. If I think that I am strong, I am operating under a delusion. If I persist in trying to operate under my own power and strength, there are only a few possible results. Like what? I will accomplish very little with my own power and strength. I will live a self-reliant, pride-filled unproductive life. How do you know this to be true? Your word says that, apart from you I can do nothing. My experience has also confirmed the truth of your word. I think your word and my life experience have abundantly established the fact that apart from you I can do nothing. That’s true. Anything else? Yes, if I continue to operate in my own strength I will weary and wear myself out in the process of accomplishing nothing. None of these are good results. No, they are not.

Why do you want my power? I want to be able to go and do what you ask of me. I want to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Those are all very good motives.

What must you do if you want my power? I must come to trust and rely on you. I must wait on you. I must come to rest in your presence. I must live in an intimate relationship with you. I must ask you for your help. Will I give you my help? Will I answer your prayer? Yes, certainly. You will renew my strength. You will give me your power. You will make me able to do whatever you ask of me. Will you trust and rely on me? Will you wait on me? Will you rest in my presence? Will you live in an intimate relationship with me? Will you ask for my help? Yes, I will. Then you have all that you need from me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have pridefully relied on my own strength. I have run myself weary. No more. I will make it my daily practice to wait on you. I will come to rest in your presence. I know you will renew my strength. I know you will give me power to accomplish your will. Amen

Key Question… When have you foolishly and pridefully tried to rely on your own strength?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to come to wait on the Lord so that He can renew your strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will renew your strength as you come to wait on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your practice to come to wait on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait on the Lord so He can renew your strength.

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

Day 99 – Isaiah 40:29-31 – Those Who Wait On The Lord – Growing As Disciples – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guides

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

My Shepherd

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 100 - Psalm 23:1-6 - My Shepherd - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 100 – Psalm 23:1-6 – My Shepherd – Growing As Disciples

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)  

Not Want

No truer statement has ever been said. What’s that? I shall not want. Why is that? You are my Good Shepherd. You have provided for all my needs. How so? Wonderfully so. You rescued me from a life without you. You took me off the path that led away from you. If I were to say that, “I found you”, I would be quite mistaken. You pursued me. I was like a lost sheep that you relentlessly pursued. You would not let me go. You would not leave me alone. You would not let me live a life without you. You found me and brought me back to you. You redeemed my life. You paid for my sins. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You adopted me into your family or maybe I should say, “You made me a part of your flock.” Yes, I did. You brought my bruised and battered and broken life to a quiet place. You made me lie down in quiet pastures and led me by still waters so you could revive, refresh and restore my soul. Yes, I did. You have been changing my heart and transforming my mind so I can think your thoughts, speak your words, and do your deeds. You made it so I could know and do your will. In other words, it could be said that you have led me in paths of unrighteousness for your name sake. You made me able to be a witness for you in the world. You made it so I could bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I did. All through the ups and downs and twists and turns of life you have been with me to comfort, guard and guide me. Even in the very shadow of death or in the presence of enemies you have made it so I have had no reason to fear. I have been able to hold on to you because you have held on to me. You will never let me go. No, I will not. You have abundantly blessed my life. You have shown me your goodness, kindness, mercy and love both now and forever. The best is yet to come. One day I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, you will. Thank you, Lord, that you are my Good Shepherd. I will love, follow and serve you all the days of my life. That is very good. 

Lord, you have been so very good to me. You have provided all I have needed in life. You indeed are my Good Shepherd. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. I will allow you to take good care of me as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord led you to quiet waters so He could revive, refresh and restore your soul?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord, your Good Shepherd, to provide all that you need as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is your Good Shepherd who will provide all that you need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has provided you all that you need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord, your Good Shepherd, to provide all you need.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 100 – Psalm 23-1-6 – My Shepherd – 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

Any Of You Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 40 - James 1:5-8 - Any Of You Lacks Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 40 – James 1:5-8 – Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8 (NIV)

Sure

 Do you lack wisdom? That’s a very good question. It’s very important that you are very sure of your answer. Why is that? If you are not completely convinced that you need wisdom, then you will never ask me for it. Oh, you may make some feeble, half-hearted request for wisdom from me. You will not really expect an answer from me. You almost certainly will not wait for me to answer your request. I get it. What makes you so certain that you really do lack wisdom? My experience tells me that I lack wisdom. Are you telling me that you have at least enough wisdom to know that you desperately lack wisdom? I guess so. Why is that? Take a look at my life and the history of my own decisions. When I have relied solely on my own wisdom I have had a history of making dumb decisions and stupid mistakes. My decision-making has been astoundingly poor. I’ve noticed that. So, there is no, “if” about it? You are absolutely certain that you need wisdom from me? Yes, I have no doubt in my mind that I need all the wisdom that you will give to me. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to passionately ask me for my wisdom? Yes, it is. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to wait for me to answer your request? Yes, without a doubt. That is very good. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must be sure enough that you need it, so that you will ask for it. For you to ever receive wisdom from me, you must also be sure enough that you need it, that you will wait for it from me.  I will ask for and wait for your wisdom. That is very good, but there is more that you must be sure of if you want my wisdom. What else must I be sure of?

Do you believe that I will hear and answer your request for wisdom? Do you believe that I will generously give you my wisdom when you ask for it? Are you sure that I will give you wisdom without finding fault in you for asking for it? Lord, I believe that you will give me wisdom when I ask for it. I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt in you. I know that if I don’t have faith in you, I shouldn’t bother asking you for wisdom. Why is that? You will not answer a doubting, double minded request for wisdom. That’s right. I am sure that I need your wisdom. I am sure that you will give me your wisdom as I ask you for it. So, I am asking you for your wisdom now. I am waiting for your wisdom now. That is very good.

Lord, there is no “if” about it. I’m sure I need your wisdom. I’m also sure you will generously give me your wisdom when I ask for it. I’m asking you for your wisdom. Guard and guide my life with your wisdom. Stabilize my thoughts and ways with your wisdom. Amen

Key Question…  How sure are you that you don’t have the wisdom that you need to live your life?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith ask God for His wisdom to guard and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will generously give you His wisdom when you ask Him for it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has generously given you His wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask God for all the wisdom that you will need from Him.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 40 – James 1-5-8 – Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – 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

Building Others Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 101 - Ephesians 4:29-32 - Building Others Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 101 – Ephesians 4:29-32 – Building Others Up – Growing As Disciples

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

Words Have Power

I understand that my words have power. What kind of power do your words have? My words have the power to tear others down or my words have the power to build others up. How do you know that to be true? I have been torn down by words. I have been built up by words. Harmful words can deliver a sting that lasts a lifetime. Sometimes, it is nearly impossible to unhear words that have been painful and damaging. This sound like the voice of experience. Yes, it is. Are you having a difficult time unhearing words that have torn you down? Yes, I am. Let me be clear, I have forgiven the people that have spoken damaging words to me. I am also trying to unhear what has been said to me. I am also trying to let go, forget and move on from painful words that have been spoken to me. Even so, occasionally memories of destructive and damaging words still pop into in my mind when something triggers their memory. I think you are the only one that can heal my memory of painful and damaging words that have been spoken to me. Yes, I am. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. For that I am very thankful. That is good.

Based on your experience with destructive and damaging words, what have you learned? I would much rather be a person who speaks words that build others up. I don’t ever want to speak words that will tear others down. That’s good. What else? Damaging and destructive words can be thoughtlessly and carelessly spoken without any evil intent. Some of the most painful words that I have ever heard were spoken more as a joke than as damaging and destructive attack. The offending person would probably not even remember the hurtful words that they spoke to me. They might even be shocked to learn that I have remembered them years later. So, what does that tell you? I need to be very careful about the words that come out of my mouth. I need to carefully consider the power of my words. Yes, you do.

What do you hope your words will accomplish? I want to speak words that will build others up. I want to speak life-giving words that will encourage others. I want to speak timely words that will positively help others, according to their need. How will you be able to speak these kinds of words? Not without your help, that is for sure. Will you ask me to help you to speak life-giving, encouraging words? Will you come to rely on my help? Yes, I will. Then I will give you words to speak so that others can be built up, according to their needs. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want to follow your example. I want to live the life you lived. I want to think and speak and act towards others, just as you would. I don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit within me. Help me to use my words to build others up according to their needs. Amen

Key Question…  When has someone spoken words that encouraged and built you up according to your needs?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use your words to build others up according to their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to build others up with your words according to their needs.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have used your words to build others up.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you build others up with your words.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 101 – Ephesians 4-29-32 – Building Others Up – 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

Fix Our Eyes On Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide -365 Days Of Guidance - Day 39 - Hebrews 12:2-3 - Fix Our Eyes On Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide -365 Days Of Guidance – Day 39 – Hebrews 12:2-3 – Fix Our Eyes On Jesus – Growing As Disciples

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Eyes On You

What are your eyes fixed on? What has your attention? I’m not really sure how to answer those questions. What occupies your attention and what your eyes are fixed will guide the course of your life. Then my answer to your questions is very important Yes, it is.  To the extent that your eyes and focus are on me, I will be guiding your life. If my eyes and focus turn away from you then I am likely to wander off the path that you are leading me on. That’s right. I will waste time and effort on things of this world that are ultimately not that important. I will expend my energy and strength on what will not bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. I will grow weary and lose heart once I see how little impact my life is making for you. Yes, you’ve got that right.

The problem of not focusing on me is larger than you may realize. How is that? I am the author and perfecter of your faith. Without keeping your eyes on me you can’t really live the life that I have laid out for you. You are not the author of your faith. I am the author of your faith. What does the author of the story know that the reader cannot know? The reader follows the story and only learns of the story while reading what the author has written. Keeping your eyes and focus on me is like reading the story of your faith. You will only know where I am leading you by following me. You will only know what I am asking of you by obeying me. The story of your life of faith with me will unfold little by little, day by day, as you keep your eyes and focus on me. I get it.

How hard has it been to keep your eyes and focus on me? It has been very hard to keep my eyes and focus on you. Why is that? The world and everything in it tries to demand my attention. The commitments that are before me grab a hold of my time. The noise of life makes it hard for me to listen to you and keep my focus on you and the life that you have for me. The pace of life wears me out and throws my life completely out of balance. So, the challenge of keeping your eyes and focus on me is great? Yes, it is. What will help you to keep your eyes and focus on me? Meeting everyday with you in your word will help me to keep my eyes and focus on you. Is that what you will do? Yes, it is. I will be looking and waiting for you to come to meet with me. I have a time and place set to meet with you. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that you are the author and perfecter of my faith. I will follow you. I will keep and my eyes on you. Help me to endure whatever opposition I will face in life. Strengthen me so I will not grow weary or lose heart.  Amen

Key Question…  How would your life change if you continually fixed your eyes on Jesus?

Living It Out…  Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith, so will not grow weary or loose heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that as you fix your eyes on Jesus you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are fixing your eyes on Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fix your eyes on Jesus so you to not grow weary or lose heart.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 39 – Hebrews 12-2-3 – Hebrews 12-2-3 – Fix Our Eyes on Jesus – 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

Know How To Answer Everyone

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Colossians 4:6 - Know How To Answer Everyone - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Colossians 4:6 – Know How To Answer Everyone – Growing As Disciples

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Salt

Let’s talk about that word salt. What do you want to say to me about salt? You like salt quite a bit. Yes, I do. Is there anything that you don’t salt before you eat it?  You’ve noticed? There isn’t anything that I don’t notice. Yes, I salt almost everything I eat even without tasting it first. Why is that? I like the way that salt makes my food taste. What would your food taste like without salt? My food would taste bland without salt. You might want to lay off some of the salt. Too much salt isn’t good for you. I want you to live a long life as my servant in the world. That isn’t why I brought up the subject of salt, however. What do you want to say to me?

I want you to be like salt in the world. The world is bland and tasteless. I want your life to be a witness for me in the world. How you live and all that you say and all that you do will be like salt seasoning the world with my goodness, kindness, mercy, and love. Then all my words and actions better taste good to those around me. I don’t want to add a bad flavor to the world. You’re getting the idea. What you will add to the world, as my witness, will be different and attractive. Your life will look and taste good to others. Others will be drawn to you because I am living inside of you. People will be drawn to you because they will wonder what makes you so different. They will want to know why you are so loving, kind, and gracious. They will see that you forgive others even when you have been wronged. They will want what you have. They will want to live the kind of life that you are living. They will ask you about the hope that you have in you. Then you will have an opportunity to tell others about me. What if other people are not drawn to me? What if I don’t look and taste good to those who don’t know you? What if they don’t want to live the life that I am living? Those are good questions. What do you think might be the answers? If people are not asking me why I am so different, that would mean that I am not living as your salt in the world. It would mean that others are not seeing your goodness, kindness, mercy, and love in me. At that point I would desperately need your help. Yes, that’s right. Will you ask for my help to make you my salt in the world? Yes Lord, I want to be your witness in the world. I want you to use me for your kingdom and glory. I want others to be drawn to you through my life. Then come to me now. You will have all the help from me that you will ever need. Thank you, Lord.

 Lord, thank for giving me a new life to live and a new hope to share. Help me to live my new life in a way that is attractive to others. Give me kind, gracious, and life-giving words of faith so I will always be ready to share the hope I have in you. Amen

Key Question…  When has your kind and gracious manner caused others to want to know more about your faith in Christ?

Living It Out…  Be always ready to share with others the faith that you have in Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use your kind and gracious words as a witness for Him in the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group when you have had an opportunity to share your faith with someone.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you always be ready to graciously share with others the faith you have in Jesus Christ.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 38 – Colossians 4-6 – Know How To Answer Everyone – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

The Lord’s Discipline

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 102 - Proverbs 3:11-12 - The Lord's Discipline - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 102 – Proverbs 3:11-12 – The Lord’s Discipline – Growing As Disciples

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)

Discipline

I may have been thinking of your discipline incorrectly. How so? In the past, I have thought of your discipline only as some form of correction. Is that incorrect? No, I’m sure that thought is not completely incorrect. But I’m now sure it is incomplete. So, to think of your discipline as only correction is incorrect. What else is my discipline? Your discipline is teaching. Your discipline is training. Your discipline is your developing godly patterns and practices within me. That’s true.

What discipline or disciplines have I been developing in you? You have developed in me the discipline of meeting with you in your word. We talk together about your word. You help me to understand your word. You have caused me to meditate on your word. You have helped me to take your word deep into my heart and mind. You have led me to take hold of your word by putting it into practice. You have encouraged me to pray your word. You have used your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Your word has been disciplining and strengthening my mind so that I can think your thoughts. Your word has grown my faith and made me able to go and do your will. All the work that you have done in and through me with your word has been a form of discipline that you have been developing in me. That is very true. That is very good.

What other discipline have I been developing in you? You have been developing in me the discipline of meeting with you in solitude and silence so that I can hear from you. Why is this so important? The world is a busy and crazy and noisy place. If I want to hear from you, I will need to withdraw from the frantic activity of the world. Yes, you will. If I want to grow in prayer, I will need to set aside a time and place for you to teach and train me. Yes, you will.

What other discipline have I been developing in you? You have developed in me the discipline of finding and using the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. It has always been your purpose and plan to use me in your service. You want me to go and do what you ask of me. You want me to bear fruit for kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I do.

What other discipline have I been developing in you? It seems like you are continually and daily developing some new discipline in me. Can you name a few more? Yes, I can. You have been developing in me the discipline of relying on you rather than on myself. You have been developing in me the discipline of giving thanks to you in all circumstances. You have been developing in me the discipline of forgiving others just as you have forgiven me. The list of discipline or disciplines that you are developing in my life is almost endless. Yes, it is. Will you continue to welcome my discipline in your life? Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I welcome your discipline in my life. Correct my behavior. Change my course. Help me to follow you. Bring my life into alignment with your will and your ways. Help me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Help me to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord’s discipline and rebuke helped you to come to know and do His will?

Living It Out… Welcome the Lord’s discipline into your life so that your life will align with His will and ways.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will discipline you because He loves you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord’s discipline has helped you to align your life with His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you welcome the Lord’s discipline into your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 102 – Proverbs 3-11-12 – The Lord’s Discipline – 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

Renewed Like The Eagle’s

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Discipleship Study - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 37 - Psalm 103:1-5 - Renewed Like The Eagle's - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 37 – Psalm 103:1-5 – Renewed Like The Eagle’s – Growing As Disciples

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)

Don’t Forget 

Does all that is within you praise me? Do you think about all that I have done for you? Do you remember to give thanks to me? Not all that is within me gives praise to you. A lot of the time, I don’t think about or remember all that you have done for me. I’m sorry about that. I ask for your forgiveness for being so forgetful. You have my forgiveness. I am thankful for all that you have done for me. I want to live with the conscious awareness of all that you have done, are doing, and will do for me. Keeping my heart and mind on your activity in my life will only bring joy and blessing into my heart. Why is that? Living more aware of your activity will help me to know that you are always with me. Living more aware of your activity will help me to join you in what you are doing all around me. Living more aware of your activity will give me joy and fill me with the desire to thank and praise you. Yes, it will. I don’t want to live in a fog of forgetfulness. I don’t want to be blind to your working. I don’t want to be empty and joyless and ungrateful because I can’t see and remember your blessings. I need your help. Open my eyes. Help me what you have done, are doing, and will do in my life and in the world around me. Is that a prayer? Is that what you are asking of me? Yes, it is the desire of my heart to know you, to walk in your ways, to join you in what you are doing, and to live a life filled with joy and thankfulness. I want my life to give you glory, and to overflow with thanksgiving and praise to you.

If that is your prayer then here is what I want you to do. I’m listening. Yes, I can see that. At the end of each day reflect on what you have to be thankful for. Consider all that I have done. Make a list if you must. Then give thanks and praise to me. In this way you will learn to see and remember all that I have done. In this way you will learn to give thanks and praise to me. As you give thanks and praise to me you will be filled with joy. You will become aware of what I am doing. You will join me in the work that I have prepared for you to do. Will you do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, you have blessed my life. You have pulled me out of darkness and redeemed my life. You have forgiven my sins and cleansed my unrighteousness. You have renewed my life and granted me the desires of my heart. I give all my thanks and praise to you. Amen

Key Question…  When do you sit down to consider all the ways that the Lord has blessed your life?

Living It Out…  Remember all that the Lord has done for you so you can continually offer praise and thanks to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord is worthy of all your praise and thanks for all He has done for you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what helps you to remember and give thanks to God for all he has done.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you continually remember all that the Lord has done for you so you can continually praise and thank Him.

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

365 Days of Guidance – Day 37 – Psalm 103-1-5 – Renewed Like The Eagle’s – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

His Divine Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 103 - 2 Peter 1:3-4 - His Divine Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 103 – 2 Peter 1:3-4 – His Divine Power – Growing As Disciples

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)  

Power And Promises

I want to live a godly life. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. On my own, under my own power and strength, I know that I cannot live such a life. No one is asking you to live a godly life under your own power. You will never hear such a request from me. You are right, that would be an impossible task. Do you know how I will make you able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me? Yes, I think I do. Let me hear your thoughts. Say out loud what is on you heart and in your mind. Your power and promises will help me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Your power and promises will help me to escape the corruption that is in the world. Yes, they will.

You have more to say. Yes, I do. You have called me to come to you. You have turned my life around. You helped me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. You have given me a burning desire to live my life with and for you. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. You have forgiven my sins. You have cleansed my unrighteousness. You have been using your power and your promises to change everything about me. How so? Your power and promises have changed the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. Your power and promises have formed the hopes and dreams and goals of my life. You have used your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I now love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. This is not to my credit. This is not something I have accomplished. You have done this work in me. You are continuing this work in me. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. You have helped me to have a passionate desire to do what is pleasing to you. For that, I am very thankful. For that, I give you all the praise and honor and glory. That is very good. 

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. Thank you for helping me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Thank you that your mighty power and great promises will give me all I need to live a godly life that is good, right and pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your practice to take hold of the promises in God’s word?

Living It Out… Rely on the power and promises of God to help you to live a godly life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the power and promises of God will give you all you need to live a godly life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking hold of promises in God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s power and promises to help you to live a godly life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 103 – 2 Peter 1-3-4 – His Divine Power – 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

Give Up Everything

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 104 - Luke 14:33 - Give Up Everything - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 104 – Luke 14:33 – Give Up Everything – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 (NIV) 

Your Disciple

That is what I want to be, without question. What do you want to be? I want to be your disciple. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to go to where you will guide me. I want to do whatever you will ask of me. You are sure about all of this? There is no reluctance or hesitation within you? None whatsoever. You seem quite confident. Well, I do know that you will make me able to be your disciple. It is you who has put this passionate desire within me to love, follow and serve you. I didn’t conceive or conjure up this desire within me. I find it quite surprising that I want nothing more or nothing less than to be able to know and do your will. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than serve you. This is not a thought or effort of my own self-will. This has to be your Holy Spirit living and working inside of me. Yes, it is. So, my confidence does not rest on myself. That would be prideful and foolish. My confidence rests on you and the work you are doing in and through me. That is very good.

Is your decision to give up everything to be my disciple a once and for all time decision? Yes, it is. I will not reevaluate my decision based on where you send me or what you ask of me. I will not decide to follow and obey only if I completely understand or fully agree with where you are sending me or what you are asking of me. I do know that I will be given many opportunities to keep on reaffirming my decision to be your disciple. In these moments of reaffirmation, I am trusting that you will strengthen and encourage me to keep on giving myself fully and unreservedly to you. I know that you are likely to ask more, rather than less of me, as I keep on moving forward with you. That’s right. I know that you will continue to ask me to do only what I can do with your power and strength. You will keep me reliant on you. You will keep me dependent on you. You will keep me near to you as I continually ask you for your help. I will keep on drawing near to you. I will keep on trusting you. That is very good. You will make me able to live as your disciple. Yes, I will. You can count on me. Thank you, Lord 

Lord, I will joyfully give myself fully and completely to you. All that I am, all that I have, and all that I hope to be is yours. I am at your disposal. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will go to wherever you direct me. I will do whatever you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How has your love for Christ made you joyfully willing to give yourself completely to Him?

Living It Out… Give yourself completely to Jesus Christ so that you can be one of His disciples.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will never regret giving yourself completely to Jesus Christ so you could be His disciple.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are giving yourself completely to Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give up everything to Christ so you can be His disciple.

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

Day 104 – Becoming Like Christ – Luke 14-33 – Give Up Everything – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide.pdf

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