Monthly Archives: August 2023

What Love Is

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 98 - 1 John 3:16-18 - What Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 98 – 1 John 3:16-18 – What Love Is – Growing As Disciples

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Love Is

Do you know what love is? Have I adequately demonstrated what love looks like? Have I given you an example to follow? I don’t want to be overconfident by saying that I know what love is. Why is that? My understanding of what love looks like is growing but is by no means fully developed. Tell me what you do know. Love cannot be expressed by words alone. Thinking and speaking loving words is very important. A lack of love can certainly be demonstrated by thinking and speaking careless and hurtful words. No amount of loving actions will ever be able to overcome unloving thoughts and words. That is true. So, I want my thoughts and words to be consistently loving, with my actions. That’s good. But thinking that my thoughts and words alone can express love is foolish. In fact, it would be a cop out and illegitimate if my love did not include action. That is also true. You have more than adequately demonstrated what love looks like. How so? You left heaven and came into this world because you love me. You were unwilling to see me live a life without you, both now and forever. Your love was costly. You laid your life down for me. You paid for my sins by dying on the cross for me. You made it so I could be forgiven of my sin and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You made it so I could live my life with you, both now and forever. Yes, I did all of this for you because I love you. So, now I know what love looks like. Love requires me to lay my life down for others. How will you lay your life down for others? I will give of myself. I will share my time and talent and resources with others. When I see a need, I will not pretend I did not see it. When I see a need, I will not walk away. When I see a need, I will give of what is required of me. What will be required of you? Sometimes meeting a need will require my time. Sometimes meeting a need will require my talent. Sometimes meeting a need will require my resources, and to be clear, by that I mean my material possessions including money. All I am and have will need to be available to others, if I am to be able to love like you loved, and give like you gave, and served like you served. Yes, I will lay down my life for others. I will follow your example. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for laying your life down for me. You have given me an example to follow. Help me to lay my life down for others. Help me to love like you loved and give like you gave. Help me to serve like you served. I will share what I have with others. Amen

Key Question… What recent need have you seen that you would like to meet with your own material possessions?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you by expressing love to others by your actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you many opportunities to love others with your actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been able to love others with your actions.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you show what love is by laying your life down for others

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

Promises – Day 98 – 1 John 3-16-18 – What Love Is – 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

Another Counselor

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 97 - John 14:15-17 - Another Counselor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 97 – John 14:15-17 – Another Counselor – Growing As Disciples

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 (NIV)  

My Counsel

Do you want to receive my counsel? Do you have need any of my comfort? Could you use some of my help? Are you kidding me? I will receive all the counsel you will give to me. I need all the comfort you have for me. I need more than some of your help. I need a lot of your help. I need all your help. I have had enough of following my own counsel. My self-sufficiency and self-reliance and self-centeredness have caused me much pain and suffering in this life. I am no longer interested in relying on my own wisdom and understanding. It is good that you are admitting that you need my help. It is good that you have had enough of relying on yourself.

There is something you must do if you want my counsel and comfort and help. What is that? You must obey my commands. It is by your following and obeying my commands that you will receive my counsel and comfort and help. Will it be difficult for you to follow and obey me? That is not an easy question to answer. Why is that? On the one hand, I know that I do not obey you perfectly. I make mistakes. I take missteps. I sin. That is also good that you are willing to admit and confess your sins to me. I have and will forgive all your sins. For that, I am thankful and grateful beyond measure. I have more to say in answer to your question. Go ahead, I’m listening. I do love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I do want to obey you. I do want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. So, generally I do not find it difficult to follow and obey. It is the desire of my heart to follow and obey you. That is very good.

Now there is one more thing you must do if you want to receive my counsel and comfort and help. What is that? You must listen to me. You must quiet yourself before me. You must make yourself attentive to my voice. Does that make sense to you? It sure does. How would I ever be able to receive anything from you if I didn’t listen to you? So, you will listen attentively to me? You will quiet yourself before me so you can hear my voice? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Then you will be able to receive all that I have for you.  Thank you, Holy Spirit. 

Holy Spirit, I know I have not always listened well to you. I have been hard of hearing. Help me to slow down and quiet myself before you so that I can listen attentively to you. Lead me through life as I receive your comfort and counsel, encouragement and help. Amen

Key Question… When have you desperately needed and dramatically received comfort and counsel from the Holy Spirit?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Holy Spirit so you will be able to receive wise counsel from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will give you wise counsel as you listen attentively to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening attentively to the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive the counsel the Holy Spirit want to give you.

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

Promises – Day 97 – John 14-15-17 – Another Counselor – 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

What Do You Want?

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 96 - Luke 18:40-43- What Do You Want? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 96 – Luke 18:40-43- What Do You Want? – Growing As Disciples

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,  “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.  Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:40-43 (NIV)  

What Do You Want?

What do you want? What requests would you like to bring to me? What would you like me to do for you? What prayers are you willing to keep on passionately and persistently praying to me? These should not be shocking questions to you. It should come as no surprise to you that I want to hear and answer your prayers. There is no prayer that is too small or too large for you to pray to me. It is to my delight when you bring your prayers to me. It is to my joy when you live and walk in a prayer filled life of intimacy with me. Do you have any thoughts of this subject? Why aren’t all my prayers answered immediately? Why are some of my prayers answered only after a very long period of praying? Why is being passionate and persistent in my prayers important?  Why are some of prayers answered in ways that I could have never hoped for, dreamed of or even imagined? You have asked some very good questions. Let’s start with my answering your prayers. I’d like that. You might not. Why is that? Here is why. “No”, is sometimes an answer to your prayers. Why would I ever say, “no” to you? I might ask for something that would not be good for me. That’s true. What else? I might ask for something that is not a part of your purposes or plan. My perspective is limited. I only see the here and now, and that, not even very clearly. You see everything, including the future. Sometimes, maybe many times, you have answered my prayers in ways that were far better than I could have ever hoped for, dreamed of or even imagined. It is your kindness and mercy and love that makes you say, “no” or “not yet” or “yes, but according to my will and ways”. It pleases me that you have this understanding. Why must you sometimes passionately persist in your prayers? Why must you keep on praying and never give up? Here I am guessing. For some reason, an answer is not yet ready. I may not be ready. Someone else might not be ready. Circumstances might not be ready. In many cases, I may never know why an answer is delayed. However, I do know a couple things for certain. What’s that? I know that you have instructed me to be passionate and persistent in my prayers. My being passionate and persistent will never trouble you. No, it will not. I also know that as I keep on praying, my faith and hope and trust in you keeps on growing. Yes, it does. I also know that you want me to live and walk in a prayer filled life of intimacy with you. Yes, I do. Will you keep on praying? Will you keep on asking? Will you keep on telling me what you want me to do for you? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not let anything hinder me from praying to you. I will passionately and persistently keep on bringing my needs to you. I will not give up because a prayer of mine has not yet been answered. I will give thanks and praise to you for answering my prayers. Amen

Key Question… How are your passionate prayers making it clear to the Lord what you want and need from Him?

Living It Out… Have it your pattern to passionately and persistently make your prayers known to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers that you passionately and persistently pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are passionately and persistently praying to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you passionately and persistently make your prayers known to the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 96 – Luke 18-40-43 – What Do You Want? – 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

Spur One Another On

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 95 - Hebrews 10:24-25 - Spur One Another On - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 95 – Hebrews 10:24-25 – Spur One Another On – Growing As Disciples

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Gather Together

Do you want to grow strong in your faith? Do you want to be able to live the life I have called you to live? Do you want to shine brightly as a witness in the world for me? Do you want to be able to resist temptation? Do you want to be able to stand against evil? Do you want to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? Do you want to go where I am leading you? Do you want to be able to do what I am asking of you? Do you want to be able to bear fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? You have asked me many questions for all of which, I have the same answer. What is your answer? Yes, I want all these things. That is a very good answer.

If you want all that I want for you then you will do one thing without fail. What is that? You will make it your regular and consistent pattern to gather together with fellow believers, in my body, the church. You will allow yourself to become deeply rooted in my body, the church. You will find a place where you can love and serve others in my body. You are very emphatic on this point. Yes, I am. I am glad you noticed. It would be nearly impossible to not hear what you are clearly asking of me. I am glad that your ears are open to hear me.

Why am I so emphatic about you regularly and consistently gathering together with others in my body? I am not sure how to answer your question. Tell me what your experience has been. I can tell you that I was not made to live alone. I can tell you that I was not made to live a solitary life, all by myself. That’s true. What would happen to you if you tried to live your life of faith all alone, by yourself? I would be easy prey for the devil. I would be leaving myself wide open to spiritual attack. I would not be able to resist temptation or stand against evil. That’s true. What else? I would certainly wander off course. I would drift away from you. There is no doubt about that. What else? I would not be spurred on and encouraged by fellow believers. I would not find my place to minister in your body. I would not be used to spur on and encourage fellow believes in their faith. So, gathering together in my body is not only for your benefit? No, it is also a place for me to love and care for others. It is a place for me to use all the gifts you have given to me. It is a place for me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, it is. Will you keep on gathering together in my body, the church? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will make it my regular and consistent pattern to gather together with others in your body, the church. I will both give and receive encouragement to love others and do many good deeds. I will spur others on in their faith as I am also spurred on in my faith. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your regular and consistent practice to gather together in the body of Christ?

Living It Out… Make it your regular and consistent pattern to gather together in the body of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to spur others on to love and good deeds as you gather together.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to spur others on in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you spur others on as you continue to gather together to meet with them.

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

Promises – Day 95 – Hebrews 10-24-25 – Spur One Another On – 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

Who Gives Me Strength

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 94 - Philippians 4:13 - Who Gives Me Strength - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 94 – Philippians 4:13 – Who Gives Me Strength – Growing As Disciples

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

His Strength

How do you feel right now? I’m really tired. I feel worn out and discouraged. I’m not sure that I can keep doing the work that you have given me to do. I don’t have the strength. That’s very good. Very good, why is that good? What will you do because you don’t have the strength to continue? I’m not sure. Will you quit and give up? No, I’m certainly not going to give up. I have come this far with you already. There is no turning back. There is no giving up. So, what will you do? I will do what I have done hundreds maybe thousands of times before. What’s that? I will cry out to you and ask you for your strength. That sounds good. How has that worked for you in the past? You have never let me down. You have always met me in my weakness. In my weakness you have always shown me your strength. Yes, I have. Why then did you have a moment of hesitation about what you might do now in your present weariness, discouragement and weakness? I’m not sure. I know that I have been slow to learn. I know that I have had a tendency to forget the lessons you have taught me. Yes, that’s true.

What lesson do you think I would like you to learn and never forget? You want me to always rely on you for your strength. You want me to allow your power and strength to work in and through me. Yes, I do. What won’t happen if you rely on my strength? I won’t get so discouraged, weary and worn out. No, you won’t. Don’t think that you will never get tired. You will. Don’t think that you won’t ever be discouraged. You will. But you will not experience the same crushing weariness and complete discouragement that you now feel.

What do you think I want you to know and feel when you rely on my strength? You want me to know that you are working in and through my life. You want me to know that I am being used for your kingdom and your glory. You want me to know that you are bearing an abundance of fruit through my life. You want me to feel joy and satisfaction in knowing that I am doing what you have asked me to do for you. You want me to feel peace and rest in the midst of hard work in the knowledge that I am being used by you. Yes, I do.

How do you feel right now? Weariness and discouragement have left me. I feel revived in my heart and mind and soul. Have you taken a nap since we began our conversation? No, you know that I haven’t. Why are you now revived? In your presence I have been revived. I fell your encouragement, power and strength. Will you go on? Will you continue to serve me? Yes Lord, it is my joy to serve you.

Once again you have learned a valuable lesson. Yes Lord, you have taught me another lesson. Tell me what you have learned. I have learned again that I can come to you. You will revive me. You will strengthen me. You will encourage me. You will lift me up. You will help me to keep following and serving you. Yes, I will.

Lord, there have been many times I have felt unable to do what you have given me to do. My weakness has caused me to come to ask for your strength. You have taught me to rely on you. Thank you for giving me your strength and helping me to do all things. Amen

Key Question… When do you feel weakest and most in need of God’s strength?

Living It Out… Rely on God to give you His strength to do everything He has given you to do in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will give you His strength to help you be able to do all that He has given you to do in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you His strength to do all things.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on Jesus Christ to give you strength to do whatever He gives you to do for Him.

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

Promises – Day 94 – Philippians 4-13 – Who Gives Me Strength – 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

Renew Their Strength

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 93 - Isaiah 40:30-31- Renew Their Strength - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 93 – Isaiah 40:30-31- Renew Their Strength – Growing As Disciples

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Wait 

You look really worn out. I feel exhausted. I don’t think that I can take one more step. I hate being this weary. I don’t like seeing you like this either. You don’t? Of course not, it isn’t my plan for you to be unhappy, overworked and worn out. Can I ask you a question? Go right ahead. Why do you give me so much work to do if you don’t like seeing me weary and worn out? Are you sure that you aren’t doing more than I have asked you to do for me? Am I? Now, that’s a good question at the wrong time. Why is that? You tell me. It’s probably better to ask you if you want me to take on an assignment before I start rather then while I’m worn out trying to complete it. You got that right. So, what will you do differently in the future? I will ask you to help me to know if I should or shouldn’t take on a new assignment. That will be very good. Trying to do too much is not the only explanation for why you might be weary in your work. What might be another explanation?

You were right about one thing. What’s that? I will always give you more than you can accomplish. I thought you didn’t like seeing me weary and worn out. I don’t. Now, I’m confused. Why do you think I will always give you more than you can accomplish? I’m not sure. If I only gave you what you could accomplish, who would you rely on to accomplish it? I would rely on myself. That’s right and is that a good thing? No, it’s not. Why is that? You want me to come to rely on you for your strength to accomplish what you have given me to do. Yes, I do. Why do you think I want you to come to rely on me? I’m not sure. Think hard. You want to develop a relationship with me. Yes, I do. Do you think it is possible that I am more interested in developing a relationship with you than I am in seeing you accomplish great things for me? Is that true? Yes, it is. In fact I will not let you accomplish great things for me unless we have developed a close relationship with each other. My coming to rely on you is that important to you? Yes, it is. That makes me glad. Yes, I knew it would. There is another reason I will not give you my power and strength to accomplish things for me without us developing a close relationship with each other. What’s that?

Who would get the credit if I allowed you to accomplish great things with your own strength? I suppose that I would. Yes, you would. Would anyone be drawn to me through the great things you did with your own strength? Probably not. Would you have any sense that I was working in and through your life if you only accomplished what you could do with your own strength? No, I wouldn’t. Can you see the point? You want me to rely on you so I can come to know you. Yes, I do. You want others to be drawn to you through the work that you do in and through my life. Yes, I do. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that’s exactly what I want. I will come to rely and wait on you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I will never have enough of my own power and strength to follow and serve you. That’s a good thing. Otherwise I might be tempted to rely on myself. Instead I will rely on you and wait for you to renew me with your strength. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never have enough of your own strength to do what the Lord has given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Wait on the Lord to renew your strength so you will be able to follow and serve Him with the power that He gives you.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has renewed your strength as you have waited on Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait on the Lord so that He can renew your strength as you follow and serve Him.

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

Promises – Day 93 – Isaiah 40-30-31 – Renew Their Strength – 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

Goes With You

Posted on by
Reply

51283333 – leave comfort zone words circled on a calendar day or date to illustrate a need or reminder to expand your horizons and achieve success and growth

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) 

Courageous

You will face battles in life. You will be called upon to stand up and fight. You are sure to find yourself in fearful and terrifying situations. I don’t like the sound of this. That comes as no surprise to me. Why is that? Do you want me to work in and through your life? Yes, I want you to work in and through my life. Do you want to know me? Yes, I want to know you intimately. What does you working in and through my life and knowing you intimately have to do with facing and fighting battles in life? That’s a good question. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead. Have you come to know and rely on me more in and through the battles in life or when you were resting in your comfort zone? Obviously, I have come to know and rely on you more in and through the battles of life. I’ll ask you another question. I’m listening. Have you born more fruit for my kingdom and glory when you have been challenged beyond your gifts, talents and abilities or when the task at hand was very easy to accomplish? I have born more fruit when I have been challenged beyond my gifts, talents and abilities. Then would you say that a lot of good has happened, as you have had to stand up and fight battles in life? Yes, that’s true.

Let me ask these questions to you again. I want us to spend more time on them. Go right ahead. What’s good about battles in life? What’s good about going through fearful and terrifying situations? What’s good about having to stand up and fight? What have you learned? What have I taught you? You have taught me to cry out to you for help. Have I answered your prayers? Yes, you have answered my prayers. Have I brought you through fearful and terrifying situations? Yes, you have brought me through every trial and difficulty I have ever faced. Sometimes, I have had to look back with the perspective of time and distance to clearly see that you have always had a hold of me and were leading me through every battle I faced in life.

What has knowing that I am always with you done for you? Knowing that you are with me has given me courage and strength. Knowing that you are with me has helped me to stand up and fight. Knowing that you are with me has helped me to trust and rely on you. Knowing that you are with me has helped to leave my comfort zone to follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you have asked of me. Yes, these are all true. 

If you could choose a life of constant comfort or a life filled with battles that I led you through which would you choose? Without hesitation I would choose a life of following you even knowing that you will lead me through battles and challenges in life. You really do want to know me? You really do want to be used by me? Yes Lord, I do. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you that you are always with me to help me in and through the battles that I face in life. I will trust you for all my courage and strength as I rely on you to help me. It is my joy to know that you will never leave or forsake me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been with you to help you through the battles you have faced in life?

Living It Out… Have courage and strength in the battles you face in life because you know that God is with you to help you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith, courage and strength in knowing that the Lord is with you to help you in all the battles you face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God was with you to help you in a battle you faced in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be strong and courageous in the battles of life because you know that God is with you in them.

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

Promises – Day 92 – Deuteronomy 31-6 – Goes With You – 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

Watch Over You

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 91 - Psalm 32:8 - Watch Over You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 91 – Psalm 32:8 – Watch Over You – Growing As Disciples

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

Come And Ask

Come and ask. Come and ask for what? Come and ask for directions. Come and ask for teaching. Come and ask for instructions. Come and ask for counsel and guidance. I have my eye on you. I know exactly what you need. I know exactly what I want to teach you. I know exactly where I want you to go. I know exactly what I want you to do. Do you know any of these things with absolute certainty? No, I do not know.

What would prevent you from coming to ask me for all that you need in life? Do you think I would withhold my wisdom and instruction from you when you ask? No, I do not think you would withhold any good thing you want to give me. Do you believe that I want to instruct, teach, counsel and guide you as you go through life? Yes, I’m positive that you want to do all this and even more for me. Yes, I do. 

What do you think that I want from you? Under what circumstances will you not receive all that I want to give to you? What would prevent you from coming to me? You want us to live in a relationship with each other. You want me to come to you to ask you for all that I need. You want me to rely on you for your help. You want me to know that your hand is on me and that you are blessing my life. You want me to receive absolutely everything you want to give to me. You don’t want me to miss out on even one good thing that you have prepared for me. You want to do things in and through my life that only you can do. In this way my life will give honor and glory to you. You have all this right so far. You haven’t yet told me what might prevent you from coming to me to rely on me. I can think of a couple reasons why I haven’t come to you in the past. Go ahead and tell me why you haven’t come to me. They are not good reasons. I would never claim that I had good reasons for not coming to you. I’m listening. My pride and independence has prevented me from coming to you. I have thought that I knew it all and really did not need your help. Were you right? No, I have been absolutely wrong. I need all the help that you will give to me. What are you learning? I am learning to lay down my pride and independence so that I can come to fully rely on you. That is a very good lesson, isn’t it? Yes, it is. What else has prevented you from coming to me to rely on me? Sometimes, knowing my own sinfulness has made me not want to come to you. I have felt so unworthy and unclean and unable to come into your presence. That is not good. In those moments what have you forgotten? I have forgotten that I have been made worthy, clean and able to come before you. Why is that? Your Son, Jesus Christ paid for my sin. He has forgiven and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. He has made me able to come into your presence. Yes, He has done all that for you. Do you have any other reasons why you have not come to me to ask for all that you need? No, I do not. Then you have no good reason to not come to me, do you? No, I do not. Will you come to me to receive all that I want to give to you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I will not be stubborn or filled with pride. You will have no need to convince me to come to you. I welcome you to instruct, teach, counsel and guide me. I am relying on you to be with me to help and watch over my life as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… When have you foolishly relied on yourself for your own instruction, counsel and guidance in life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to instruct, teach, counsel and guide your life as you rely on Him to be with you to watch over you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will instruct, teach, counsel and guide you in life as you rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you rely on God to instruct, teach, counsel and guide you in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to instruct, teach, counsel and guide your life as you rely on Him to watch over you.

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

Promises – Day 91 – Psalm 32-8 – Watch Over You – 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 You Rest

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 90 - Matthew 11:28-30 - Give You Rest - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 90 – Matthew 11:28-30 – Give You Rest – Growing As Disciples

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Lay Your Burdens Down 

Can you hear me calling you? Yes, I can. Come to me now. You are weary and worn out. Yes, I am. You have been carrying a heavy burden. Yes, I have. Would you like to lay your burden down? Yes, I would. Do you have any idea of what burdens you have been carrying? Do you know their names? I know some of them. Tell me about your burdens. What are their names? I have been carrying the weight of my own sin. I am coming to you to receive my forgiveness and cleansing. I am coming to you to live a new life with you. I’m leaving my old sinful life behind. Yes, that is quite a heavy burden. I carried the burden of your sin to the cross so you could be forgiven and cleansed and have a new relationship with me. How do you feel now that you have set that burden down? I feel set free. I feel fresh and alive. I feel much lighter. Yes, you have been set free. Yes you have been given a fresh start. Yes, you are alive in me. You are no longer weighed down by the weight of your sins. 

What are you doing now? Right now? Yes, right now. I’m sitting here talking to you. I’m here to listening to all that you have to say to me. How do you feel right now? I feel at peace. I feel like my soul is being restored. As I listen to you I feel like I am being healed in your presence. Why do you feel at peace? I feel like I don’t need to figure everything out. I don’t have to know every answer. I don’t have to know every step I will take in life. Why is that? I can rest here in your presence. You will teach me. You will guide me. You will show me my next steps in life. Yes, I will.

So, as you rest here in my presence what burdens are you actually laying down? I’m laying down the burden of trying to figure out all my next steps in life. You will guide my life. Yes, I will. I’m laying down the burden of relying on myself to guide the course of my life. I can rely on you. Yes, you can. I’m laying down the burden of thinking that I need to know and have all the answers to questions in life. I can ask for and receive wisdom from you. Yes, you can. I’m laying down the burden of racing through life. I can rest here in your presence. This is a very good place to be. Yes, it is. I’m laying down the burden of thinking that I am all alone in life. You are always with me. You will never leave or forsake me. No, I will not. I’m laying down the burden of my future. My future is in your hands now and forever. One day I will come to live forever in heaven. Yes, you will.

At one time I thought it might be a burden to try to please you. I wondered if I would ever be able to please you. I have also laid this burden down. I know that you love me. Yes, I do. I also love you with all my heart and soul and mind. As I come to you I know you and your love. As I come to you I grow more and more in love with you every day. I am living in your love. Yes, you are. Now it is my joy and no burden at all to do what pleases you. It is the desire of my heart to obey, follow and serve you. Yes, it is.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. I was weary and carrying a heavy burden. You forgave my sin and cleansed me within. Now, I am being refreshed in my soul as I am being taught by you. Love has made it no burden to obey, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How has receiving forgiveness and cleansing of your sin released you from carrying a heavy burden?

Living It Out… Come to Jesus Christ so He can give you rest to your soul as you are being taught by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will give rest to your soul as you come to be taught by Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has given rest to your soul as you have come to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to Jesus Christ to receive rest for your soul as you are taught by Him.

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

Promises – Day 90 – Matthew 11-28-30 – Give You Rest – 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 Law Of The Lord

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 89 - Psalm 19:7-11 - The Law Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 89 – Psalm 19:7-11 – The Law Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)

How Valuable?

How valuable is my word to you? Nothing in this entire world is more valuable to me than your word. If there were two lines that either gave out free gold or your word I would get in line to receive your word. My word is that valuable to you? Yes, it is. Why is that? What has my word done for you? You speak to me as I meet with you in your word. You show me what you want me to see in your word. You open my ears to what you want me to hear from your word. Yes, I do.  My relationship with you is centered in your word. Without your word I wouldn’t be able to know you. Without your word I would not be able to follow and serve you. Your word makes me able to obey you. I am pleased to hear what you are saying to me. 

How does my word make you able to obey me? Your word is what your Holy Spirit uses to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. At one time I found it very difficult to want to obey you. Obeying you was a test of my will. Sometimes I would obey you. Sometimes I wouldn’t obey you. Now, it is the desire of my heart to obey you. I can see that in you. That is quite a change. We both know that I am not perfect. Yes, we do. But, I love you. I want to obey you. It is my joy to do what pleases you. You have changed my heart by your word. Yes, I have done that. But, that’s not all, there is much more. Tell me about it. I can see that you are excited. Yes, I am. Your word is transforming my mind. You are helping me to know you and to think your thoughts. Yes, I am. At one time I was embarrassed about the thoughts of my mind. I would have been horrified to have people know the thoughts of my mind. I tried to keep a tight lid on improper thoughts that would come into my mind. But, not now? Now, I can’t say that every thought that comes into my mind is pure. But, your transformation of my mind is changing my thoughts and is making me able to follow and obey you. I am quick to kick improper thoughts out of my mind thanks to how your word has been transforming my mind. It is like your Holy Spirit uses your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Yes, He does.

How does my word guide your life? Your word has changed my thoughts, words and deeds. I am now guided by doing what pleases you. At one time I lived solely to please myself. But, not now? Now, I am looking for ways to please you. I am excited to do your will. Most of all I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. Everyday I come to meet with you in your word so that I can receive instructions from you. That’s very good.

Lord, your word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey. You have revived my soul, given me joy, made me wise and opened my eyes with your word. Thank you for warning and rewarding me as I have heard and obeyed your word. Amen

Key Question… Why is God’s word more precious to you than gold and sweeter to you than honey?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word on a daily basis so you can hear and obey everything He wants to say and do in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing and obeying God’s word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is blessing your life as you meet with Him in His word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with God in His word so you can receive all that He wants to give to you.

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

Promises – Day 89 – Psalm 19-7-11 – The Law Of 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