Monthly Archives: July 2023

Many Advisers

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 57 - Proverbs 15:22 - Many Advisers - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 57 – Proverbs 15:22 – Many Advisers – Growing As Disciples

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Wise Counsel

Do you want to receive wise counsel? Will you listen to trusted advisors? Those are two questions that seem very easy to answer. But you aren’t so sure of your answers, are you? No, I am not. Why is that? I know that it is easy, in theory to say that I want wise counsel and that I will listen to trusted advisors. So, saying yes in theory is much harder than saying yes in your actual practice, is that correct? The difficulty is correct. My answer, however, is not correct. I would like to hear more from you on this subject. As you know, I have been stubborn. I have been filled with pride. I have tended to follow my own advice and listen to my own counsel. Yes, that comes as no surprise to me. I have observed you in action. Keep talking, I’m listening. Well, because I have not received wise counsel from trusted advisers, I have experienced many setbacks. I have suffered many defeats. I have had to retrace my steps. I have had to start over. Fortunately, you have always allowed me to begin again. You are the God of second chances, there is no doubt about that. You have forgiven my sins. You have cleansed my unrighteousness. You have shown me your kindness and mercy and love. You have even allowed me to learn from my mistakes, missteps, and sins. That is a painful way to learn, don’t you think? Yes, it is. What would you like to do differently? What changes are you willing to make? I am willing to listen attentively to you. I am willing to slow down and quiet myself before you, so I can hear from you. I am willing to set aside my thoughts and plans and goals. I am willing to let go of my agenda. Why are you willing to do all these things? I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I would much prefer your thoughts and plans, and goals. Why is that? Your ways are so much higher and better than mine. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That is very good.  Tell me what you know about trusted advisers. They are valuable. They are rare. They may not offer wise counsel without being given permission. Explain what you mean. If I send off signals that I will not receive wise counsel from trusted advisers, I will be unlikely to hear any. That’s true. Will you seek wise counsel? Will you listen to trusted advisers? Yes, I will. That’s good, because I have been and will continue to bring them into your life.  Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, in times past, I have not sought out trusted advisers. I have relied on myself by following my own counsel. What a mistake. I have suffered unnecessary setbacks. Plans have failed. I have experienced defeat. Now, I will listen to trusted advisers you give to me. Amen

Key Question… Why is it a foolish mistake to think that you don’t need trusted advisers to give you wise counsel?

Living It Out… Rely on God to place trusted advisers in your life to give you wise counsel.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will place trusted advisers in your life to give you wise counsel.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used trusted advisers to give you wise counsel.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive wise counsel from trusted advisers the Lord brings into your life.

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

Promises – Day 57 – Proverbs 15-22- Many Advisers – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

More Than Conquerors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 55 - Romans 8:35-39 - More Than Conquerors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 55 – Romans 8:35-39 – More Than Conquerors – Growing As Disciples

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)  

More Than A Conqueror

You will go through pain and suffering and loss in this life. This is a sin broken world. This world no longer functions according to its original design. I suffered. I felt pain. I experienced loss. Why would your experience be any different than mine? Do these thoughts surprise you? Do these thoughts overwhelm you? I have been no stranger to pain and suffering and loss. So, no these thoughts do not surprise or overwhelm me. I know this is a sin broken world. I don’t expect to live a life that was different than yours. You suffered, you felt pain, you suffered loss, so will I. Does this realization discourage, depress or defeat you? No, not at all, not in the least. Why is that? I have hope. I have faith. I have trust. Tell me about your hope and faith and trust? I can place all my hope and faith and trust in you. You will be with me in every adversity. You will carry me through every difficulty. I can rely on you in every trouble. How do you know that? You love and care for me. You came into this sin broken world to live and die for me. You demonstrated your love for me by paying for my sins by your death on the cross. You poured yourself out for me. You made it so I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You have been leading and guiding me through life. You have been my shelter in every storm. Never have you abandoned me. Never have you forsaken me. You have comforted me in every affliction. You always been with me to help me. For that I am thankful. For that I am grateful. That is very good.

What else do you know? This life is not all that there is. What else is there? You have secured a place for me in heaven. My life in heaven with you, is being kept and guarded by your power. So, no matter what happens to me in this life; victory has already been won. I am more than a conqueror because you lived and died for me. You made me to be your very own. I am your child. One day soon, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. That will be very good. Yes, It will.

Lord, I know I will go through pain and suffering and loss in this life. I also know you will be with me to help me. You will comfort and encourage and strengthen me. You will bring me through every adversity. Your love has made me more than a conqueror. Amen

Key Question… When have you known that the Lord was with you in the deepest and darkest moments of your life?

Living It Out… Hold on to Jesus Christ and the love He has for you as you go through adversities in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be with you to help you through every adversity you will face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the love of Christ has sustained you through every adversity.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hold on to Jesus Christ and His love for you as you go through every adversity in life.

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

Promises – Day 55 – Romans 8-35-39 – More Than Conquerors – 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 Word Aptly Spoken

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 54 - Proverbs 25:11-13 - A Word Aptly Spoken - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 54 – Proverbs 25:11-13 – A Word Aptly Spoken – Growing As Disciples

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.  Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. Proverbs 25:11-13 (NIV)

Speak And Act Wisely

Do you want to be able to speak the right words at the right time? Do you want to be able to share wise words that will uplift, encourage, and guard and guide others? Do you want to be able to speak life giving words that will refresh others like the coolness of snow at harvest time? In other words, do you want me to speak through you? Do you want me to use you? Do you want to be able to speak and act wisely? How could I say no to any of your questions? I would be foolish to say no to any one of your questions. Yes, I want to be able to speak the right words at the right time. Yes, I want to be able to share wise words with others. Of course, I want to speak life giving words. I do want you to use me. I do want you to speak through me. I want to be able to speak and act wisely. I am glad to hear you saying yes to all my questions. Now, comes the hard part. What must you do if you want to be able to speak the right words at the right time? What must you do if you want my wisdom to come out of your mouth? What must come before wise speaking or wise acting? I see where this is headed. Let me hear what you have to say. Wise listening comes before wise speaking or wise acting. That is correct. Why do you suppose I referred to that has the hard part? I have not been known to be a good listener. Why is that? To be honest, at many points, I have been full of myself. I have been something of a know it all. I have been filled with pride. Instead of being quick to listen and slow to speak, I have been just the opposite. I have been quick to speak and slow to listen. If I want to speak wisely, I will need to listen wisely. I need to listen more attentively. I need to speak more carefully. Wisdom does not reside in me. Wisdom does not come naturally to me. Without your counsel, without your help, I am sure to offer my own foolish and unwise opinions. So, to be clear, for me to be able to think and speak and act wisely, I need to ask you for wisdom. When you give me wisdom, I need to listen to it and act on it. So, I need to slow down and ask for your wisdom. I need to wait to hear from you. Only then will I be able to speak and act wisely. Will you ask for my wisdom? Will you listen attentively to me? Will you act on the wisdom I give to you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know pride has hindered my ability to hear words of wisdom. I have been something of a know it all. Forgive me. Help me to be able to hear and receive and act on words of wisdom. Help me to also be able to speak life giving words of wisdom to others. Amen

Key Question… Why will you suffer if you think you know it all and are unable to hear and receive words of wisdom?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to be able to both hear and speak words of wisdom.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to both hear and speak words of wisdom.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how words of wisdom have changed the course of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be able to hear and speak words of wisdom.

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

Promises – Day 54 – Proverbs 25-11-13 – A Word Aptly Spoken – 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 Pure Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 53 - 2 Timothy 2:22-26 - A Pure Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 53 – 2 Timothy 2:22-26 – A Pure Heart – Growing As Disciples

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,  and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (NIV)

My Witness

Do you want to be my witness in the world? Do you want me to use your life to draw others to me? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Yes, I want to be your witness in the world. Yes, I do want you to use my life to draw others to you. I would like nothing better than to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. It is my highest priority and strongest desire to fully live the life you have called me to live. That is very good. What must you do if you want all these things to be true and come into being in your life? I can think of several things. Go ahead, I’m listening. I must flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace so I can call on you with a pure heart. That is true. I must guard against being drawn into foolish and stupid arguments. Why is that? Foolish and stupid arguments lead to quarreling. Quarreling will make me ineffective as a witness for you in the world. How so? People are not drawn to a quarreler. People are repulsed by a quarrelsome person. If I am quarrelsome, no one will want to listen to me. That is also true. What must you be instead of being quarrelsome? I must be kind and gentle. I must be willing to gently instruct others who need to know the truth. I must be willing to help others to break free from deceptive traps of the devil, so that they can turn from their sin and begin to love and follow and serve you. Will you be this kind of person? Will you live this kind of life? Will you allow me to use you in these ways? Yes, Heavenly Father, I will. That will be very good. Then you will be my witness in the world. Then you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, I will flee the evil desires of youth. I will pursue righteousness, faith and love, so I can call on you with a pure heart. Help me to live the life you are calling me to live. Use me to kindly and gently minister to others so they can come to know you. Amen

Key Question… How will pursing righteousness, faith, love and peace make you able to call on God with a pure heart?

Living It Out… Allow God to use you to kindly and gently instruct others so that they will come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use your life as a witness to draw others to Jesus Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is using you to minister to others who are in need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you call on God out of a pure heart so you can live the life He has called you to live.

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

Promises – Day 53 – 2 Timothy 2-22-26 – A Pure Heart – 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

Opened Their Minds

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Meeting Of Bible Study Group

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:45-49 (NIV)

Open My Mind

Would you like me to do that for you? Would I like you to do what for me? Would you like me to open your mind so you can understand the Scriptures? Would like my word to come alive in your life? Would you like me to use my word to change your heart and transform your mind? Would you like my word to form the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life? Would you like my word to guard your life from all the evil and darkness that that surrounds you? Would you like my word to guide the entire course of your life? Would you like my word to make you into a powerful witness for me in the world? Yes, I would like your word to do all these things in me, for me and through me. Why is that? I want to know you. I want to follow you. I want to serve you. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That is very good.

What must you do If you want me to open your mind to understand the Scriptures? It occurs to me that I need to do two things. I’m listening. First, I must ask you to open my mind so I can understand the Scriptures. How often will you do that? Every day, I will ask you to open my mind so I can understand the Scriptures. Why would you pray that prayer every day? That leads me to my second thought. If I want you to open my mind to understand the Scriptures, I must meet with you in your word daily. Why is that? There is not a day that I don’t need your guidance. There is not a day that I don’t need your instruction. There is not a day that I don’t need your word to work in me, for me and through me. Daily as I meet with you in your word you have been and will continue to open my mind to understand the Scriptures. Yes, I have been and will continue to open your mind so you can understand the Scriptures as you meet with me in my word. That I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, that is my prayer. Open my mind to understand the Scriptures. Use your word to speak into my life. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Use your word in me, for me, and through me so I can be a powerful witness for you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord opened your mind so you can understand Scripture?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to open your mind so you will be able to understand the Scriptures.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will open your mind so you can understand the Scriptures.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has opened your mind so you can understand Scripture.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to open your mind so you can understand the Scriptures.

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

Promises – Day 43 – Luke 24-45-49 – Opened Their Minds – 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

Our Citizenship Is In Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 51 - Philippians 3:17-21 - Our Citizenship Is In Heaven - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 51 – Philippians 3:17-21 – Our Citizenship Is In Heaven – Growing As Disciples

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.  For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:17-21 (NIV) 

Your Citizenship 

Your citizenship is not on this earth. You are just passing through this life. Your life on earth is like the snap of the fingers or the blink of an eye. Your life on earth is like the mist on the ground in the morning but by midday is completely gone. All that you now see is like the water on the sun scorched road just ahead. Don’t live for a mirage. Don’t seek what will not satisfy. Don’t allow your life to become all about seeking comfort and pleasure. Don’t try to accumulate what you cannot keep. Do all these thoughts discourage you? Does the shortness of your life on earth sadden you? No, these thoughts do not discourage me. No, the shortness of my life does not sadden me. Why is that? What is your hope? One day I will come to live forever in heaven with you. You have a place prepared and kept and guarded in heaven for me. Yes, I do. The glories of this life will not compare to the splendor of heaven. In heaven there will be no sickness or sadness or mourning or death. Your glory will fill heaven. I will be breathless and in awe and bowed down before you in heaven. Praise and worship and thanksgiving will fill my heart and mind when I am in heaven with you. I will be made new in heaven. My old and tired and worn out earthly body will no longer be with me. I will have a new and glorious body like yours, when I join you in heaven. Yes, you will. 

So, how will you use your remaining time on earth? What will be your focus? What will be your passion? I will tell you one thing for certain. What’s that? My heart and mind and life will be focused on you. I am eagerly waiting your return or my coming to you, whichever comes sooner. How will focusing your heart and mind and life on me guide the use of your time? I will invest my life in the things of heaven rather than on the things of earth. How so? I will seek to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will allow you to use me as your witness in the world. I will go wherever you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will allow your light and life to shine through me so that others will come to know and love and follow and serve you. That will be very good. Yes, it will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, my heart and mind and life are completely focused on you. Thank you that my citizenship is in heaven with you. One day I will come to live forever in heaven with you. In the meantime, help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… When have you discovered that your heart and mind and life were wrongly focused on earthly things?

Living It Out… Make sure that your heart and mind and life are focused on heavenly things rather than on earthly things.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your citizenship is in heaven with the Lord where you will one day soon live forever with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your heavenly focus impacts and directs your use of your time?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you focus our heart and mind and life on the Lord and your citizenship in heaven.

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

Promises – Day 51 – Philippians 3-17-21 – Our Citizenship Is In Heaven – 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

Were Taught In Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 50 - Ephesians 4:20-24 - Were Taught In Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 50 – Ephesians 4:20-24 – Were Taught In Him – Growing As Disciples

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.  Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)  

Been Taught

What have you been taught about your old life and your old self? My old life and old self are dead and gone. They no longer live. As of when, did your old life and old self die? On the day, I received a new life in you. Tell me more. What have I done for you? You broke the power of sin over my life. You made it so I can be forgiven of my sin and cleansed of my unrighteousness. My old sinful life, and my old selfish self, died on the cross with you. That is where, when, and how the power of sin was broken over my life. That is true. So, you have completely left your old life and old self behind when you received my salvation and allowed me to be your Savior and Lord? You are dead to sin and alive to me? Yes, that is true. So, you no longer have any difficulty with sinful thoughts, sinful words or sinful actions, is that correct? I would not say that. What would you say? I would say that my old life and old self try to live again. I’m glad that you know that to be true. But you have put off your old life and old self? Yes, that is true. What will help you to keep on continually putting off your old life and old self? What have I provided for you? You have given me your word. How will my word make you able to put off your old life and old self? Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will make me able to think your thoughts, speak your words, and do your deeds. Your word, and the power of your Holy Spirit, will fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word will guard and guide my life. Your word will make me able to resist temptation and fight against evil. Yes, my word and the power of my Holy Spirit will do all those things in, with, for and through you. What must you do with my word? If I want a changed heart and renewed mind, I must allow your word to dwell in me richly. That’s true. So, you have put off your old self, and are being renewed in your mind, what else must you do if you want to live a holy and righteous life in me? I must put on the new life I have in you. What does that mean? I must go where you guide me. I must do what you ask of me. I must live my life in an intimate relationship with you. Then I will be able to live the life that you have called me to live. That is true. Will you keep on putting off your old life and old self? Will you be renewed in your mind? Will you put on your new life in me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for drawing me to you. You are now my Savior and Lord. I am dead to my old life. I have put off my old life and old self. Renew my mind with your word and the power of your Holy Spirit so I can live the new and righteous and holy life I have in you. Amen

Key Question… How has the renewal of your mind by God’s word helped you to put off your old life and old self?

Living It Out… Put off your old self and life, be renewed in your mind, and put on your new life in Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to put off your old life, be renewed in your mind and put on your new life in Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are now living your new life in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you put off your old life, be renewed in your mind, and put on your new life in Christ.

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

Promises – Day 50 – Ephesians 4-20-24 – Were Taught In Him – 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

Intended It For Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 41 - Genesis 50:20 - Intended It For Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 41 – Genesis 50:20 – Intended It For Good – Growing As Disciples

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Intended For Good 

Do you believe that I can do that? Do I believe that you can do what? Do you believe that I can bring good, even out of bad? Do you believe that I can take someone’s awful behavior and terrible mistreatment of you and use it for good? In other words, can I use whatever happens to you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? I will tell you what I don’t believe. What don’t you believe? I don’t believe you are the author of my being harmed and mistreated by others. That’s good, because I am not the author of your harm. But you have not answered my question. Can I take what has caused you pain and even suffering and turn that around and bring good out of your life? I believe that you can do all things. With you nothing is impossible. With you all things are possible. You can redeem every situation. You can use any and every circumstance of my life for your kingdom and glory. Yes, I have. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. I will however say two things. Go ahead, I’m listening. I don’t expect to like going through pain and suffering even with the knowledge that you will be able to use it in some way for your kingdom and glory. No one likes going through pain and suffering. What else do you want to say? I don’t expect to understand or know how you will someday use even painful and troubling circumstances to accomplish your purposes and plans through my life. Sometimes, I may understand by looking back over my life. Maybe, I will never, in this life, understand how you have or will use something I have gone through for your purposes and plans. Do you always need to understand? Must everything always make sense to you? No, I don’t always need to understand. No, everything doesn’t always need to make sense to me. I do know that I can and will place all my faith in you, even when something doesn’t make sense, or I do not understand. My overriding desire is to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good.

I do want to discuss one more thing with you. There is something that will short circuit my ability to work in and through you. There is something you must do when you are harmed and mistreated. What is that? You must forgive others. You must not harbor anger and resentment. You must not become bitter or resentful. You must love and forgive others just as I love and forgive you. That I will do. Then I will be able to use every circumstance you go through in life for my kingdom and glory. You will shine brightly in the world for me. You will bear fruit for my Kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is the desire of my heart. That is very good.

Lord, when someone has deliberately harmed me it has been hard for me to forgive them. I have held on to bitterness and anger. Forgive and heal me. Take the harm done against me and powerfully use it for your good purposes. Bear fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question… How difficult has it been for you to forgive someone who took deliberate actions to harm you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use even the harm done against you to accomplish His good purposes through you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord can even use the harm done against to accomplish His good purposes through you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used harm done against you to accomplish good.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith to believe that God will take bad done against you and use it for good.

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

Promises – Day 41 – Genesis 50-20 – Intended It For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Carry It On To Completion

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 45 - Philippians 1:3-6 - Carry It On To Completion - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 45 – Philippians 1:3-6 – Carry It On To Completion – Growing As Disciples

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Good Work

Do you believe that I am doing a good work in you? Are you sure that I am molding and shaping you? Are you positive that I have been and will continue to do my good work in you? Can you rest with confidence in knowing that my work in you will continue right up until the day you come to meet me face to face? I suspect that I know why you are asking me these questions. Why is that? Sometimes, I get discouraged. Sometimes, I want to see more progress and the results of your work in me. Sometimes, I have even become depressed that I am not further along in my life of faith with you. You are even understating the depth of these negative thoughts, aren’t you? Yes, I am. Do you know where these discouraging and depressing thoughts come from? Not from you, of that, I am sure. That’s right. You do know where they come from don’t you? Yes, these discouraging and depressing thoughts do not encourage me, they do not spur me on in my walk of faith with you. Yes, these discouraging and depressing thoughts are not the truth, they are an attack on my faith. These thoughts are designed to try to undue or unravel your good work in me. They are an attack of the devil and all his evil. Yes, they are, you can be sure of that. These discouraging and depressing thoughts will not keep you moving forward with me. I don’t want that. That’s good.

What will help to recognize the good work I have and am continuing to do in you? I need to look back and remember the good work you have done in my life. I can see where I was, where I have been, where you have led me, what you have done in me and where I am today. Yes, that’s right. Stop and look at what I have done in your life. Remember all that I have done in your life up until this very moment. With such a glance backward are you encouraged or discouraged? I am greatly encouraged. Why is that? I can see that your hand has been on me. You have been molding and shaping me. You have been guarding and guiding me. Your favor has rested on me. You have been using me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, at any time in the past, have I ever stopped doing my good work in you? No, you have never stopped working in me. What does that tell you about right now and into the future? You are and will keep on doing your good work in me. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord. Keep on allowing me to mold and shape your life. Keep on believing that I am working in you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know I have been impatient. I have wanted to see more progress and results of your daily working in me. Only by looking back over time can I recognize your good work in me. Keep on doing your good work in me. Mold and shape me according to your plan. Amen

Key Question… How has God been powerfully using His word, as a tool, to do His good work in you?

Living It Out… Allow God to continue to do His good work in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will bring to completion the good work that He has begun in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God began and is continuing His good work in you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to do His work in you.

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

Promises – Day 45 – Philippians 1-3-6 – Carry It On To Completion – 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

So Great Is His Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 47 - Psalm 103:11-14 - So Great Is His Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 47 – Psalm 103:11-14 – So Great Is His Love – Growing As Disciples

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:11-14 (NIV)

My Love

Do you know how much I love you? Can it be stated more emphatically? Could it be said more clearly? Step outside. Look up. Take a long look at the sky. As high as is the sky above the earth, so great is my love for you. I will say it again. Use the strongest telescope that has ever been made. Take another long look. As high as is the sky above the earth, so great is my love for you. Imagine what you cannot see. Imagine the size of the universe. Let your head spin with the immensity of it all. So great is my love for you. I am in awe. I am undone. I am thankful. I am grateful. I love you because you first loved me. You have drawn me to yourself. I want loving you to be the passion of my life. Help me to know you. Help me to know your love for me. Help me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. Help me to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That I have done. That I am doing. That I will do.

But I am not finished yet. I have much more to say. I have demonstrated my love for you. At the highest possible cost, with the greatest possible investment, your sins have been forgiven. I sent my Son into this world to die on the cross as payment for your sins. His blood was shed for you. You have now been forgiven and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have been made clean in my sight. You have been adopted into my family. Nothing now separates you from living in an intimate relationship with me. You may doubt, you may say, “Am I really forgiven, have my sins really been washed away. Could I have received such a gift? Could such a present have been given to me?” To you I will say, “As far as the east is from the west, so have your sins been removed from you.” In case you are wondering. Nothing is as far as the east is from the west. The east and west never ever meet. So, live in my love. So, live in my forgiveness. Yes, I will. That will be very good. You are my child and I do love you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for your surpassingly great love for me. Your love for me is greater than the heavens are high. Thank you that your love for me has removed my sins so far from me they will not be seen again. Thank you for helping me in all my weaknesses. Amen

Key Question… What has the Lord’s surpassingly great love for you, done for you?

Living It Out… Rest in knowing that the Lord’s love for you has removed your sins far from you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s love for you has made it possible for Him to remove your sins far from you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to come to know His love for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live in respectful awe of the Lord who loves you beyond measure.

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

Promises – Day 47 – Psalm 103-11-14 – So Great Is His Love – 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