Monthly Archives: April 2023

Love Comes From God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 42 - 1 John 4:7-8 - Love Comes From God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 42 – 1 John 4:7-8 – Love Comes From God – Growing As Disciples

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Love Others

Is that a difficult challenge for you? Is what a difficult challenge for me? Is it a difficult challenge for you to love others? You know how that goes. Tell me what you have on your mind. Some people are easier to love. Other people are much more difficult, sometimes seemingly impossible, to love. At one time or another everyone becomes difficult to love. Who am I calling you to love? Who have I chosen to love?  You love everyone, no matter how unlovable they have allowed themselves to become. You love even those who hurt and harmed and rejected you. You loved me, even when I had no time for you. You loved me, even when I rejected you. You loved me, even when I was living a life that was not pleasing to you. You are calling me to love like you loved. You are calling me to love everyone. How do you know that I want you to love everyone? You want me to become like you. You want your love to flow in and out of my life. You want others to see your love on display in my life. You want your love in me to shine brightly in a dark and unloving world. You want your love in me to be a witness that draws others to you. Yes, I do.

Why are you able to love others? Why is it no burdensome task for you to go and do what I ask of you? You made it possible for me to come to know and love you. Your love for me, ignited my love for you. Your love for me is continually changing my heart. How so? Every day you are helping me to know and love you more. Day by day my passionate desire to know and love you is growing. Your love for me and mine for you compels me to go and do what you ask of me. I am continually looking for ways to live a life that is pleasing you. I know that these desires did not originate with me. You have placed these desires in my heart and mind. You are fanning the flame of these desires in me. You are both the giver and granter of my desire to love you and others. You are helping and making me able to love others just as you have loved me. Yes, I am.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me so I could come to know and love you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my passionate desire and joy to go and do all that you ask of me. I want to live a life that is fully pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… What have you gone and done because you love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?

Living It Out… Draw near to God so you can come to know and love Him more everyday as you live your life with and for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s love for you and yours for Him will make you able to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how coming to know God has grown your love for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to know and love God 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 42 – 1 John 4-7-8 – Love Comes From God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

A Guard Over My Mouth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 10 - Psalm 141:3 - A Guard Over My Mouth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 10 – Psalm 141:3 – A Guard Over My Mouth – Growing As Disciples

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 

My Mouth 

Sometimes, I can’t believe what comes out of my mouth. How so? I’m not sure that I want to go into detail. I don’t want to relive and rehearse or even rethink the dumb things, I have said. I would like to move forward. I would like to think and speak and act differently. Are you asking for my help? Yes, I am asking for your help. I am asking you to change everything about me. Change my heart. Transform my mind. Give me your thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. Change me from the inside out. You know something you aren’t saying. Yes, I do. Tell me what you know. I will never be able to simply set a guard over my mouth or a door on my lips if you don’t change what is in my heart and on my mind. So, I am asking you to do a complete work in my heart and mind. You are the only one who can help me to set a guard over my mouth or a door on my lips. My efforts alone,  to do this, will only end in miserable failures. So, I’m not thinking that there is a quick and simple, band aid answer, to my prayer. That’s good. You have work to do in me. Yes, I do.

You do know that you are a work in progress? You do know that day by day, I am molding and shaping your life? You do know that my work in your life will continue every day until you come to meet me face to face? Yes, I know these things. Yes, I believe that you are doing this kind of work in me.  I am thankful that your work in me will not end until I am completely changed in your presence. That’s good. I do want to cooperate fully with your work in me. I want to submit myself completely to you so that I am not getting in the way of your work. I don’t want to slow down the pace of your work in me. That’s good. 

How have I been changing your heart? How have I been transforming your mind? How have I been giving you my thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take? In your presence you have been changing my heart. In your word you have been transforming my mind. I can’t leave your presence, meeting with you in your word, without my heart being changed and my mind being transformed, in some way. As I draw near to you and you draw near to me, you are continually making me new. You are giving me new thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. Am I also helping you to place a guard over your mouth and a door on your lips? Yes, you are. For that, I am very thankful. That’s good. 

Lord, help me to place a guard over my mouth. When I should not speak, help me to keep my mouth firmly shut. Steer me away from worthless conversations that will discourage me and others in our faith. Use my words to boldly spur others on in their faith. Amen

Key Question… What kind of conversations do you find most encouraging or discouraging to your walk of faith?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to place a guard over your mouth.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to place a guard over your mouth.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your words to encourage others in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to help set a guard over your mouth.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 10 – Psalm 141-3 – A Guard Over My Mouth – 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

Fight The Good Fight

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 43 - 1 Timothy 6:11-12 - Fight The Good Fight - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 43 – 1 Timothy 6:11-12 – Fight The Good Fight – Growing As Disciples

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)

Confession

I will have to make a confession at this point. What kind of confession must you make? I must confess that I have not done a good job of fleeing the world and all that it has to offer. Furthermore, I could say I have not been content with what you have given to me. I am not happy to make this report. It is more than a little embarrassing to say these words. But, own them I must. I have been captivated by the world. I have continually wanted money and pursued worldly possessions. At times, I am sure that I have lived as if this life was all there was. I have been on a mission to acquire possessions and live in comfort. There you have it; I have confessed my sin before you. I am asking for your forgiveness. You have my forgiveness.

Is there another, much different, confession that you want to make, before me? Yes, I have a much different confession to make before you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. It is my utmost desire to flee evil and pursue the life you have called me to live. I want to fight the good fight of faith. I want to firmly take hold of the new and eternal life I have in you. What will that look like? My heart and mind and life will be focused on you. The world and all that it has to offer will mean nothing to me. I will love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will live to do what is pleasing in your sight. I will go wherever you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good.

Will you be able to do what is pleasing in my sight with your own efforts? Will you be able to fight the good fight of faith with your own strength? Will you be able to take hold of your new and eternal life with your own power? Certainly not. What will you do to accomplish these things? I will come to rely on you. I will live in your presence. I will walk closely with you. I will listen to your voice. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I know that you will draw near to me as I draw near to you. You will help me. You will strengthen me. You will give me the power to go wherever you guide me to do whatever you ask of me. You make me able to take hold of the new and eternal life I have in you. Yes, I will. That is what I will do. That will be very good.  

Lord, at times I have been tempted by the love of money and the pursuit of material possessions. Now, I am fleeing evil and pursuing the new life you have called me to live. I am fighting the good fight of faith and taking hold of the eternal life I have in you. Amen

Key Question… Why will it be impossible to pursue your life in Christ if you are chasing after money and worldly possessions?

Living It Out… Flee evil, fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the eternal life you have in Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to flee evil, fight the good fight of faith and take hold of your eternal life in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking hold of your new and eternal life in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you flee evil, fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life that I have in you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 43 – 1 Timothy 6-11-12 – Fight The Good Fight – 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

Not His Own

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 44 - Jeremiah 10:23 - Not His Own - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 44 – Jeremiah 10:23 – Not His Own – Growing As Disciples

I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV)

Director

I know that you are the director of my life. I know that everything good that I am, have or hope to be, has or will come from you. You have given me many good gifts. You have drawn me to yourself. You have given me grace. You have forgiven my sins. You have cleansed my unrighteousness. You have adopted me into your family and made me to be your child. You have allowed me to taste of your kindness, mercy, and love. You have made it so I can live in an intimate relationship with you. You have withheld no good thing from me. I am most happy that you have set me on fire to want to love, follow, and serve you. You have given me gifts and talents and abilities with which I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I have done all of these things for you. For that, I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good.

What else do you want? I want everything. What do you mean by that? I want to receive everything that you want to give me. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. I want to fully live the life you have called me to live. I want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to discover and use all the gift and talents and abilities you have given to me. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I want you to do in and through me what I could not even think or imagine so I can shine brightly as your witness in the world. All these are very good desires. I know. How so? They come from you. Yes, they do.

Is there one very specific thing that you would like to receive from me? Yes, there is one specific thing I want you to do with me. What’s that? I want you to make me to be a man of prayer. I want to live my life in a constant dialogue with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to receive your instruction. I want to follow your guidance. I want you to teach me how to pray. How is that for being specific? That is very specific. You have asked for something that it will be my delight to hear and answer. Keep on drawing near to me and I will teach you how to pray. I will speak to you. I will guard and guide your life. I will lead you to where I want you to go. I will give you what I want you to do. You will live your life in a constant dialogue of prayer with me. How is that? That is beyond what I could ask for or imagine. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have taken missteps in life. Frequently, I have followed my own instruction and relied on my own guidance. What a mistake that has been. You are the leader of my life. I will follow you to where you lead me so I will be able to do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… Where have you foolishly gone because you tried to direct your steps without consulting with the Lord?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord to where He wants to lead you so you will be able to do what He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guide your steps as you follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are following the Lord to where He wants to lead you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly and thankfully acknowledge that the Lord is the director of your life.

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

Day 44 – Becoming Like Christ – Jeremiah 10-23 – Not His Own – 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

Where I Am

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 45 - John 12:23-26 - Where Am I - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 45 – John 12:23-26 – Where Am I – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:23-26 (NIV)

Where Am I

That is my question. What is your question? Where am I? That is an odd question. What do you mean by asking me that question? Well, I want to serve you. I want to go and do what you ask of me. I don’t want to wander off to do my own thing. I don’t want to misspend my life by doing what will amount to nothing. I want to faithfully and fruitfully serve you. Your word says that if I am going to serve you then I will need to be where you are. So, that is why I am asking, “Where am I?” Am I in the right place? If I am not in the right place, how can I be where you are. So, you’re not really asking me about your geographic location? No, I am not. I knew that. I do however enjoy hearing you explain yourself to me. That is why you ask me so many questions, isn’t it? Yes, that is why I ask you questions. I also know that you think more clearly when you explain your answers to me in some detail.

So, your real question is how can you be where I am? That is where I need to be if I want to faithfully and fruitfully serve you. Yes, that’s right. What do you think is the answer to your question? I knew you were going to ask me that. That’s good. Do you have an answer? Yes, I do. If I want to be where you are then I will need to set aside all my so-called bright ideas and brilliant plans. Why is that? I have learned that you might not be in my bright ideas and brilliant plans. You might, and quite frequently do, have something entirely different in mind for me. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. Sometimes, I have had to labor fruitlessly to discover you weren’t in my bright ideas and brilliant plans. Those have been painful and frustrating discoveries for you. Well, at least I have learned to seek to know and do your will. That’s good. How will you seek to know and do my will? I will draw near to you. I will listen carefully to you. I will receive your instruction and follow your guidance. I will follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. You will have set aside your plan and take up my plan? Yes, I will. Then you will be able to faithfully and fruitfully serve me. I will be working right where you have placed me. That will be very good.

Lord, I will set aside my so-called bright ideas and brilliant plans. I want to know and do your will. I don’t want to wander off to do my own thing. I will follow you to where you lead me, so I can do what you ask of me. Help me to faithfully and fruitfully serve you. Amen

Key Question… Where has the Lord led you and what has He given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord to where He leads you so that you can faithfully and fruitfully serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you to where He wants you to be so you can faithfully and fruitfully serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group where the Lord has led you to faithfully and fruitfully serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be where the Lord is so that you can fruitfully and fruitfully serve Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 45 – John 12-23-26 – Where I Am – 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

Boast In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 46 - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - Boast In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – Boast In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

Nothing To Boast About

That is obvious to me. What is obvious to you? I have nothing to boast about. Why is that so obvious to you? Before I came to know you, I was nothing special. I did not stand out from the crowd. Far from it, before I came to receive you as my Savior and Lord, my life was bruised and battered and broken. Anyone taking a close look would have said that my life was a mess. In fact, some did say exactly that. So, I know that everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be has and will come from you. You have showered me with your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. You have withheld no good thing from me. Have I always gotten what I wanted? No, but, I haven’t always wanted what was good for me. You have given me gifts of value that are beyond compare. Like what? You have given me your salvation. You have given me your forgiveness and cleansing. You have become my righteousness, holiness and redemption. You have adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You have made it so I can come to know and love you. You are helping me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You are helping me to follow and serve you. None of things have come from myself. None of these things have been earned or merited by my efforts. You have given all of these things to me as a gift. That’s true. But you have given me even more. What else? You have given me your Spirit. You have made me alive in you. You have given me an inheritance in heaven. You have a place in heaven prepared for me. Yes, I do. For all of these things I am thankful beyond words that I can adequately express. That is very good.

What would you like to do now? I would like to brag about you. What? How can I contain myself? How can I remain silent? How can I not go and tell others about your goodness, kindness, mercy and love? I cannot remain silent. I must speak up. I want to be your witness in the world. I would like others to receive all that you have given to me. I want others to be able to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I want you to be able to do for others all that you have done for me. That is very good.

Lord, I was not wise, special or outstanding when you drew me to yourself. You took me off my dark path. You became my Savior and Lord. I give you thanks and praise for rescuing me from a life without you. I will testify to your goodness, kindness and mercy. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a pattern in your life to give thanks for all that the Lord has done for you?

Living It Out… Humbly give thanks for and bear witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord chose you and has become your righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are bearing witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly give thanks and bear witness to the goodness, kindness and mercy of the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – 1 Corinthians 1-26-31 – Boast In The Lord – 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

Came To His Senses

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 45 - Luke 15:17-20 - Came To His Senses - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 45 – Luke 15:17-20 – Came To His Senses – Growing As Disciples

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:17-20 (NIV)

My Senses

I’ve done that. You’ve done what? I have come to my senses. How have you come to your senses? I have seen what living a life without you looks and feels like. I have wandered away on a path that led away from you. I have lived according the values, principles and practices of the world. I have been bruised and battered and broken by living a worldly life. I have felt the weariness of living outside of an intimate relationship with you. It is probably a mistake to say that I came to my senses. That gives me too much credit. It would be far more accurate to say that you brought me to my senses. That’s true. You turned my life around. You showed me the error of my ways. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.

What have you learned about me? I have learned that you are good and kind and loving. I have learned that you are gracious and forgiving. I have learned that you are merciful. I have learned that you are patient. How have you learned all of these things about me? You have showed all of these things about you to me. I have deserved none of these things from you. You drew me back to yourself. You ran to accept me into your fellowship. You threw your loving arms around me. You welcomed me back into an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I did. You have not stopped loving me. You have not stopped caring for me. I am your child. You are my Heavenly Father. Yes, I am. You will continue to lead my life. You will guard and guide me as I love, follow and serve you. You will continue to mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I will. It will be my joy to live in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good. 

Holy Spirit, in the past I have not guarded what I allowed my mind to think. I have not set my mind on what you desire. I have not welcomed you to change my heart and transform my mind with God’s word. Well, I am now. Amen

Key Question… Why can you be certain that your Heavenly Father will wholeheartedly welcome you to Himself?

Living It Out… Live in an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father so you will be able to love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will wholeheartedly welcome you to live in an intimate relationship with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living in an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to your senses and return to love, follow and serve your Heavenly Father.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 47 – Luke 15-17-20 – Came To His Senses – 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

Those Who Are Led By The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 46 - Romans 8:12-14 - Those Who Are Led By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – Romans 8:12-14 – Those Who Are Led By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NIV)

Led

That is what I want above all else. What do you want above all else? I want to be led by your Spirit. I want to live the new life you have given me to live. I want to leave my old sinful and worldly life behind me. I want to put to death the misdeeds of my body and old sinful nature. That is very good.

How will you be able to live the new life you have in me? That is a very good question. I know that you have broken the power of sin over my life. That’s true. I am no longer controlled by my old sinful and worldly nature. I am under no obligation to live as I once did. That’s right. I have and will continue to leave that old sin filled and worldly life behind me. I will allow you to lead into the completely new life you have given me to live. I will welcome you to make all things new for me. How so? I will allow you to give me new thoughts to think. I will allow you to give me new words to speak. I will allow you to give me new actions to take. I know that you will change everything about me. I know that you will help me to put on the completely new life to live that I have in you. Yes, I will.

What will I use to mold and shape your life? How will I change your heart and transform your mind? How will I guide and guard your life? What will I use to help you to live the new life you have in me? You will use your word to change everything about me. You will use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guard and guide my life. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it, like a sword, to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. You will use your word to speak into my life. You will use your word to help me to know and do your will. You will use your word to help me to live and walk in ways that are good and right and pleasing to you. Yes, I will. Then I will be able to live as your child. Yes, you will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will live my new life in you. I will put to death my old life along with its sinful practices. I will allow your Spirit, living in me, to change everything about me. I will think thoughts, speak words and take actions guided by your Spirit. I will live as your child. Amen

Key Question… How is your new life different from your old life as a result of the Holy Spirit leading you through life?

Living It Out… Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to live as a child of God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Spirit will lead you to live as a child of God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how are you being led by the Spirit to live as a child of God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be led by the Spirit and live as a child of God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 48 – Romans 8-12-14 – Those Who Are Led By The Spirit – 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

Discipleship Devotional – Delight Yourself In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 49 - Psalm 37:4 - Discipleship Devotional - Delight Yourself In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 49 – Psalm 37:4 – Discipleship Devotional – Delight Yourself In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Desires

My desires have changed dramatically since I started loving, following and serving you. How so? At one time, all my desires were focused on worldly things. Like what? I lived solely to earn money and acquire possessions. I wanted all that money could buy. I sought comfort and pleasure. My heart and mind and life were focused on the things of this life. I foolishly lived as if this life was my final destination. I did not see the folly of trying to store up treasures on earth. That’s not good. I know it’s not.

What about now? You have completely changed the desires of my heart. How so? Now, I know that I do not desire to store up treasures on earth. Now, nothing is more desirable to me than to live a life that is good and right and true and pleasing in your sight. Now, I want to know you. Now, I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to draw near to you. I want to receive your instruction. I want to follow your guidance. Now, I want to go and do your will. Now, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good. Yes, I know it is.

What do you know about me? I know that you are both the giver and granter of desires. What do you mean by that? You give or place desires in my heart. How do you know that? I now have desires in my heart that certainly could not have come from me. I now have desires in my heart that can only have come from you. That is true. How do you know that I am the granter of desires? You have been granting my desires. How so? I have wanted to come to know you. You are helping me to come to know you. I have wanted to serve you. You are helping me to serve you. I have wanted to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You are helping me to love you with all that is within me. I have wanted to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You are helping me to be a faithful and fruitful witness for you in the world. Yes, I have and will continue to do all these things for you. There is no doubt in my mind that you will continue to give and grant me the desires of my heart. Yes, I will. You can count on that. That is what I will do, I will keep counting on you.  That is very good.  

Lord, it is my joy to take delight in you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I want more than to hear from you. I want to live my life with and for you. Thank you for both giving and granting me the desires of my heart. Amen

Key Question… How has your delight in the Lord grown as you have spent time in His presence?

Living It Out… Take delight in the Lord so He can both give and grant you the desires of your heart.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give and grant you desires as you delight in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking delight in the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you take delight in the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 49 – Psalm 37-4 – Discipleship Devotional – Delight Yourself In The Lord – 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

Set You An Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 50 - John 13:12-17 - Set You An Example - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 50 – John 13:12-17 – Set You An Example – Growing As Disciples

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17 (NIV)

Do For Others 

I will do that. You will do what? I will do for others what you have done for me. What have I done for you? What haven’t you done for me? I could start listing what you have done, are doing and will do for me; that list would never end. I will say that everything you have done for me can be categorized as being sacrificial. You gave your all for me. You poured yourself out for me. You gave your life completely for me. You humbled yourself and came into this world to die for me. You paid for my sins by your death on a cross. You made it so I could be cleansed of my unrighteousness. You filled me with your spirit. You have lavished me with your love. You have shown me your kindness and mercy. You have allowed me to taste of your goodness. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. You are now leading and guiding me through life. You are molding and shaping me. You are making me into your masterpiece. I now love you because you first loved me. You are now using me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. One day, I will come to live in the place you have prepared for me in heaven. Yes, I have done all of these things for you.

What do you want to do for me? What don’t I want to do for you? Your love for me and my love for you has made following and serving you not burdensome to me. I want to go and do what you ask of me. I am looking for ways to do what is pleasing in your sight. I want to serve others just as you have served me. I want to follow your example. I want to give myself fully to you in service to others. I want to pour myself out in ministry to others. I will go where you send me to do what you ask of me. Will you ask me to do what is uncomfortable and unpleasant? Will you ask me to do what is taxing and difficult? Yes, you will, I have no doubt about that. But, it is the desire of my heart to be used by you. I want your kindness and mercy and love to flow through me so that others will be drawn to you. These are the things that I want to do for you and for others. That is very good. I will use you as my servant and witness in the world. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, you have given me an example to follow. You gave yourself completely in serving others. You went and did what your Heavenly Father asked of you. That is exactly what I will do; I will go and do all that you ask of me, so I can be your witness in the world. Amen

Key Question… How has your love for Christ made it not burdensome for you to go and do what He asks of you?

Living It Out… Follow Christ’s example by going and doing all He asks you to do in serving others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live as His example and witness in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Christ has asked you to be a servant to others.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you follow the example that Christ has set before you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 50 – John 13-12-17 – Set You An Example – 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