Monthly Archives: August 2023

Demolish Strongholds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises- Day 88- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5- Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises- Day 88- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5- Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)

Your Weapons

Be very careful about what you allow yourself to think. Why is that? There is a battle going on. What kind of battle is going on and where is this battle being fought? This battle that I am referring to is being fought over your heart and mind. How will I fight and wage war in this battle? What forces am I up against? What weapons can I use in this battle? Those are very good questions. You are up against the forces of evil that are in the world. Your heart and mind are constantly under bombardment from evil thoughts, values and practices that are in the world. It is the world’s plan to try to conform you to its pattern. It is the world’s plan to enslave you to all its sinful desires and set up strongholds in your life. You must stand against this evil that seeks to fight against you. But, you will not be able to fight this battle against evil with your own power and strength. Why not? You must rely on me and use weapons that I have given to you.

I’m not even sure where to begin to stand to fight against evil in this battle. I’m not sure of what you are talking about when you say that I have weapons to fight against evil and tear down strongholds. What’s a stronghold? What are my weapons that I can use in this fight? Again, you have asked very good questions. First, you must stand with me and believe that you really are in a war and are now engaged in a battle. I have no doubt about that. You must also begin to recognize and take captive every evil thought and make them obedient to me. How do I do that? Let’s talk about my word. My word is a weapon. My word is a sword that the Holy Spirit will use to fight in you, with you and for you. Evil thoughts that are not from me set up strongholds that oppose me. These strongholds can be in the world. These strongholds can be in your life. Can you give me an example? Yes, I can. Pride is an evil thought that sets up strongholds. Pride might tell you that you don’t need me and that you can rely on yourself. This kind of pride sets up the stronghold of independence and leads people away from me. Have you ever recognized the stronghold of pride and independence in the world or in your own life? Yes, I have. This stronghold needs to be torn down so that you will humbly come to know and rely on me. Yes, it does. Will you ask me to tear down the stronghold of pride in your life? Yes, I will. When you do that you will be using two more weapons at your disposal. Can you tell me what those weapons are? I think so. I will be using the weapons of prayer and faith. I will be praying in faith as I ask you to tear down a stronghold in my life. Yes, you will. How many weapons have we talked about so far? We have talked about your word, the Holy Spirit, prayer and faith. That’s right. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead. Why do you have faith that I will fight with you against evil in the world? I know that you love me. You are with me to help me. The love you have for me has caused me to place all my faith and hope and love in you. You have mentioned two more weapons. My love and hope in you are weapons? Yes, they are, you will fight with all your heart and mind and soul because of the love and hope you have in me. Yes, I will.

Lord, thank you for giving me weapons to fight evil in the world. Help me to tear down strongholds of evil both in my life and in the world. Help me to humbly take every thought of mine captive and make them obedient to you. Amen

Key Question… What are some examples of evil strongholds that need to be torn down and demolished?

Living It Out… Use the weapons you have been given to tear down evil strongholds as you make your thoughts obedient to Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to tear down evil strongholds that are in opposition to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking thoughts captive, making them obedient to Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you tear down evil strongholds as you take all your thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.

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

Promises – Day 88 – 2 Corinthians 10-4-5 – Demolish Strongholds – 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

Heard My Cry

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 87 - Psalm 40:1-3 - Heard My Cry - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 87 – Psalm 40:1-3 – Heard My Cry – Growing As Disciples

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.  Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)

Waiting Patiently

Are you willing to wait? Will you keep coming to me? Will you persistently ask for what you need from me? Yes, I am willing to wait. Yes, I will keep coming and laying out my requests before you. You don’t like waiting do you? No, I do not like to wait. What has happened to you as you have been patient and waited in prayer before me? As I have waited in your presence I have been changed. You have made me stronger and able to endure the trials and tests of life. You have taught me to trust and rely on you as I have waited in hope before you. You have made me more able to hear your voice and know your will and your ways. You have molded and shaped my life as I have waited in your presence. In the end you have changed my attitude about waiting. How so? I no longer consider time spent in prayer with you to be waiting. Why is that? Waiting involves wanting something else that is better or different. There is nothing better than being in your presence. There is no other place that I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing else I would rather be doing than spending time with you.

I have heard your cry. I have answered your prayers. I have pulled you out of the muck and the mire. I have set your feet on solid ground. I have put on new song of praise on your lips, in your mouth and on your heart. Yes, you have done all these things for me. As I have waited in your presence you have realigned my prayers and given me prayers that I would have never thought or desired to pray. Like what? It was you that showed me that my life was stuck in the muck and the mire. On my own I wouldn’t even been able to recognize that. You caused me to cry out to ask you for help. You gave me prayers to pray that you would certainly hear and answer. You made it my desire to love you with all my heart and soul and mind. You gave me faith and hope in you. You have set my feet on solid ground as I follow and serve you. You have filled my life with joy. You have put a new song of praise and thanks in my heart that I sing to you. Yes, you have heard and answered my prayers. Yes, I will keep coming to you. Yes, I will delight to wait in your presence. That will be very good.

Lord, I will wait patiently before you. I will make known my prayers to you. I will put my trust in you as I cry out for help. You do hear and answer my prayers. You have pulled me out of muck and set me on solid ground. All praise and thanks belong to you. Amen

Key Question… When have you waited patiently for the Lord to hear and answer your prayers?

Living It Out… Wait patiently before the Lord as you bring all your prayers to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you patiently pray and wait for Him to act.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the prayers that you are patiently praying to the Lord right now.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait patiently and persistently before the Lord as you make known all your prayers to Him.

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

Promises – Day 87 – Psalm 40-1-3 – Heard My Cry – 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 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

Helps Us In Our Weakness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 86 - Romans 8:26-27 - Helps Us In Our Weakness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 86 – Romans 8:26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV) 

Troubling Days 

These are troubling days there is no doubt about that.  In these days of trouble, there have been numerous reasons why it has been harder to pray. Why is that? My emotions have run the gamut. They have covered the spectrum. I have been overcome with a constellation of emotions. I have been fearful. I have been angry. I have been discouraged and depressed. I have been filled with anxiety. I have been weary and worn out. I have been bewildered and confused. I have also had my doubts. Have you had doubts in me? No, but I have certainly had doubts in me. What has been troubling you? To be clear, these are not all my problems alone. It has been a tough year. There has been a global pandemic. There has been blatant racism and police brutality. There has been widespread looting and rioting. Innocent people have lost their businesses. One man lost his life in the most inhumane display of racism and police brutality I have ever witnessed. Did I mention, I have also felt nauseated and disgusted by the evil in our society. These recent events are on top of the rampant displays of hate and intolerance that has been regularly going back and forth in our deeply divided society. Could things get worse? I heard that an asteroid is headed our way. Well, not really, unless 3 million miles away, is “heading our way.” But yes, things could be worse. Sickness and disease, broken relationships and death have come near to us. It is a good time to pray. Yes, it is.

What will happen to you if you simply cannot pray? What will you do when words of prayer will not come out of your mouth? I will rely on you. I will trust you to pray in and through me, when I cannot pray. When only groans will come out of my mouth, I will trust that even my groans will come from you. You will intercede for me. You will pray through me. You will pray for me. You will lift me up. You will carry me. You will revive and refresh and restore me. You will help me to keep on moving forward with you through all the troubling days that are part of living in this sin broken world. Yes, I will pray for you. Yes, I will pray through you. Yes, I will intercede for you every day as you love, follow and serve me. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me to pray in all my weaknesses. You have helped me to pray when I have been overcome with emotion or confused and bewildered or weary and worn out or weak in faith. Intercede for me now, in all these troubling days. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit made you able to pray whenever you thought you could not?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you to pray in every one of your weaknesses.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will help you to pray in every one of your weaknesses.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has helped you to pray in your weaknesses.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you to pray.

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

Promises – Day 86 – Romans 8-26-27 – Helps Us In Our Weakness – 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

Mouth Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 85 - Matthew 4:4 - Mouth Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 85 – Matthew 4:4 – Mouth Of God – Growing As Disciples

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”   Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Every Word

You will be tempted. That comes as no surprise to me. You will be tempted in ways that are expected and predictable and also in ways that are unexpected and unpredictable. I have experienced and gone through both of those types of temptation. Yes, I know. How are you on guard against temptation? That’s a good question. I know that I need to be on guard against temptation. So, I don’t allow myself to be in obvious situations or circumstances that will cause me to be tempted. I also don’t participate in anything that I know will feed improper desires and cause me to be tempted. Those are very good and wise decisions.

How will you know when you are nearing a dangerous and tempting situation or circumstance? How will you ever know for sure if you are allowing yourself to feed on something that will lead you into temptation? I know one thing for certain. What’s that? I am not wise enough or strong enough to always make the right decisions. No, you are not. I need to be led by your Spirit. Your Spirit will lead and guide me. Your Spirit will strengthen me. I will not rely on myself. Instead I will rely your Spirit. Yes, you will. 

What will help you to stand against temptation? You will help me to stand against temptation. Yes, I will. Your word says that if I draw near to you, you will draw near to me. If I draw near to you and resist the devil, he will flee from me. Yes, he will. Nothing will help me to stand up against temptation more than a close and intimate relationship with you. That’s right. The closer I draw near to you the less attractive temptation and sin will be to me. That’s true but don’t ever begin to think that you are beyond temptation. You will experience temptation until the day we meet each other face to face in heaven. I understand. I will be on guard against temptation.

What weapon do you have in your battle against temptation and sin? I have your word. Your word is like a sword that your Spirit will use to fight in me, with me and for me. Yes, it is. How has my Spirit been using my word to fight in you? Your word has been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. Your word has been cleansing my mind of my old thoughts. Your word has given your thoughts to think. Your word has been changing my heart and removing sinful desires, patterns and practices that were once part of my life. Your word has helped me to know and receive your love. Your love for me has caused me to love you more and more everyday. My love for you motivates my desire to not give into temptation. I want to do what pleases you. How has my Spirit been using my word to fight with you and for you? When temptation is actually upon me your Spirit uses your word and does battle in my heart and mind and spirit against the temptation I am facing. Your Spirit has brought your word into my heart and mind and spirit so that I have been able to resist temptation. What does that tell you? I need to let your word dwell in me richly. I need to feed on every one of your words. I need to know, follow and obey your word. Yes, you do. Yes, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word feeds, strengthens and sustains me. Help me to live on every word that comes from your mouth. Use your word to strengthen me and make me able to stand against every temptation. Amen

Key Question… How are you feeding and living on God’s word so you will be strengthened against temptation?

Living It Out… Make sure that every day you really are living on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that knowing, relying and living on God’s word will make you able to stand up against temptation.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has strengthened you to stand up against temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you know, rely and live on God’s word so that you will be able to stand up against temptation.

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

Promises – Day 85 – Matthew 4-4 – Mouth Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

With You Always

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 84 - Matthew 28:18-20 - With You Always - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 84 – Matthew 28:18-20 – With You Always – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) 

Go Make Disciples 

There is no need to wait. There is no need to wait for what? There is no need for you to wait to start making disciples. What do you mean by that? Have you been thinking that I might send you somewhere distant to go and make disciples? Your commission does say to go and make disciples of all nations. Yes, that is the commission I have given to you as one of my followers. You do live in one of those nations don’t you? Yes, I do. Then, there is no need to wait.

You don’t have far to go. You can start making disciples the minute you leave your front door. You might also have opportunities to make disciples the second you go out your bedroom door. I can help my own family members to become your disciples. Yes, that’s right. How tragic would it be if you neglected your own family to go to make disciples somewhere else? Yes, that would be a tragic mistake. I won’t let happen. Our family members can all encourage each other to live and walk as your disciples. That’s a good plan.

You will be leading by example. What do you mean by that? You will be teaching others to do all that I have commanded you. You will be living as my witness in the world. You won’t be able to teach anyone anything if you are not living the life I want you to live. As my witness others must be able to see me living inside of you. You are my light in a world of darkness. What kinds of qualities do you think might be most attractive to potential disciples? I would say that the fruit of your Spirit living inside of me is what those living in the world need to see. Yes, that’s exactly right. Tell me again what is the fruit of my Spirit living inside of you. The fruit of your Spirit living inside of me is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That’s right. All of this fruit needs to be on display in and through your life. Anything less than this and you will not be shining brightly for me. Anything less than this and you will not be able to make disciples because the world will not be attracted to me through your life.

You won’t be on your own or working under your own power as you go into the world to make disciples. That is very good news. I will be with you every step of the way. I will be working in and through your life. I will lead you where I want you to go and give you all that I want you to say. I will be speaking through both the witness of your life and words of your mouth. In many cases people will seek you out and want to hear more about me. In other cases it will become very obvious to you who I’m leading you to talk to about me. There will be no need for you to be timid or fearful. In every case my hand and my power will rest on you. I will help you to go and make disciples now. Will you follow me to where I lead you to do what I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for calling and commissioning me to go into the world to make disciples of all nations. I will start right now, where I am, in my circle of influence. Help me to be an attractive witness that draws others to you. Amen

Key Question… Why is your circle of influence a great part of the world for you to go into to make disciples?

Living It Out… Go into the world starting with your circle of influence to make disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the power and presence of Christ will make you able to go into the world to make disciples.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Christ has been using you to make disciples in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go into the world, starting with your circle of influence, to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Promises – Matthew 28-18-20 – With You Always – 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

An Ever Present Help

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 39 - Psalm 46:1-3 - An Ever Present Help - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 39 – Psalm 46:1-3 – An Ever Present Help – Growing As Disciples

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah  Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

Help In Trouble

What do you fear? What makes you afraid? I fear failure more than anything. Sometime I am almost paralyzed by my fear of failure. It is no small thing. I can’t tell you how many times I haven’t moved forward on something because I was afraid that I might fail. You can tell me. It wouldn’t come as news to me. Yes, I know that fear of failure is a big issue in your life. It fills you with anxiety. Yes, it does.

Would you like to free of this fear of yours? Would you like to leave fear, worry and anxiety behind you? Yes, I would. Do you believe that I have the power to set you free? Yes Lord, I believe. If there is any doubt in me, then I also believe that you will help me with my unbelief. Yes, I will. Is there any reason why you might think that you are unworthy of my setting you free from fear, worry and anxiety? No, there is none. I know you are my Heavenly Father. I am your beloved child. You have already gone to great lengths to show me the depths of your love. Yes, I have. Is there any reason why you might think that I might be unable to set you free from fear, worry and anxiety. No, there is none. You have already set me free from sin. You broke the power of sin over my life and have enabled me to live a new life in you. Yes, I have. Being free from fear, worry and anxiety is part of the new life I want you to live. 

There is a battle going on related to your fear, worry and anxiety. Do you know where that battle is being fought? Yes, I do, the battle is being fought in my heart and mind. That is exactly right. Are you winning or losing the battle of fear, worry and anxiety that is going on in your mind? So far, I would say that I am losing. I’m glad that you said, “so far” because the battle isn’t over. It doesn’t work to tell yourself to just stop being fearful, worrisome, or anxious does it? No, it doesn’t. The more I tell myself to stop, the less able I am to stop. We have been through this together before related to another issue, isn’t that true? Yes, it is. You were in bondage to something else that you couldn’t stop isn’t that true? Yes, it is. Do you have any difficulty anymore with that issue that had so ensnared you? No, I don’t.

How have I set you free in the past? Your word has set me free. Your word has changed my heart and transformed my mind. Your word has cleansed my life. Your word has given me the strength to obey you. The Holy Spirit has used your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Just as my word has set you free in other areas so will it also set you free from fear, worry and anxiety. Does my word have anything to say about fear, worry and anxiety? Yes, it does. Feast on those words of mine. Take them into your heart and mind. Meditate on these words of mine day and night. Let them dwell in you richly. Let my word change your heart and transform your mind in regard to fear, worry and anxiety. Yes Lord, I will. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. I am your refuge and strength. I am here to help you. Rely on me. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, I have often relied on myself in fearful situations in life. What a mistake that has been. You are my refuge and strength. You are worthy of all my trust. I will rely on you to lead me through every fearful circumstance in life. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked God to help you when you were in a fearful situation?

Living It Out… Rely on God as your refuge and strength as you go through fearful situations in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will be ever present with you to help to be fearless through fearful situations in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been your refuge and strength through a fearful situation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s ever present help as you go through troubles in life.

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

Promises – Day 39 – Psalm 46 -1-3 – An Ever Present Help – 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

Everyone Who Asks Receives

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises Day 83 - Luke 11:9-10 - Everyone Who Asks Receives - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 83 – Luke 11:9-10 – Everyone Who Asks Receives – Growing As Disciples

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

Keep On Praying 

Are you asking me for what you need? Are you seeking what you want from me? Are you knocking to ask for the door to be open for you?  Those are really good questions. I’m sure that I have not asked you for all that I need. I’m positive that I have not asked you for what I want. I know that I have not been persistent enough to ask for the door to be open to me. Why is that? I have prayed. I do pray. I pray to you ever day. Yes, you do.  Why do you feel unable to say yes to each of my questions? I’m not sure what I need. I’m not positive what I want. I know that I have not burned with desire for a particular door to be open to me. I don’t believe any of what you just said is true. Why is that? I have heard your prayers. You have been passionate about your prayers. You have stated clearly what you want. You have told me what you must have. You have been persistently and passionately praying about the same things over and over again. Then you will need to remind me what I have been praying about. I don’t think so. You may be a little weary and worn out right at the moment. This is a good time to renew and continue your prayers to me. I will ask you a couple questions to help you to get started.

What must you have? What do you really want from me? If you knew that I would hear and answer every one of your prayers, that we are talking about now, what would they be? Now, you have reminded me of the prayers that never leave my heart and mind and soul. Tell me what they are? I want to know you intimately. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to talk with you. I want to walk with you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul. I want to be set on fire to serve you. I want to know your will and your ways. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and glory. What do you mean by fruit? I want to bear fruit that will last for all eternity. Those kinds of fruit are people that have been drawn to you through my life. They will have seen you living in and through my life. I want to be a bright and shining witness for you in this dark world. One day I want to be able to hear you say, “well done good and faithful servant.” I want to be known as a man that had a heart for you. Where have all these prayers come from? These prayers have come from you. You have placed these prayers in my heart. You have given me these desires. You are right about that. How often have you prayed these prayers? I have no idea. They never leave my heart and my mind and my soul. You are telling me by your persistence that you really want me to answer these prayers for you. Yes, I am. Do you believe that I will hear and answer every one of these prayers of yours? Yes, I do. Will you keep on praying these prayers that I have given you to pray? Yes Lord, I will. Then you can be positive that I will hear and answer every one of them.

Lord, thank you for giving me prayers to pray. Thank you for helping me to know what I really want. Thank you for showing me what I must have. Thank you for making me persistent in prayer for what you certainly want to give to me. Amen

Key Question… How has your trust in the Lord grown as you have continued to ask Him for what you need?

Living It Out… Be persistent in prayer, asking the Lord for all that you need from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers that you keep on praying to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has heard and answered prayers you have prayed to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep on asking, seeking, knocking so you receive all that the Lord wants to give to you.

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

Promises – Day 83 – Luke 11-9-10 – Everyone Who Asks Receives – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Your Word Is Truth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 81 - John 17-17-19 - Your Word Is Truth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 81 – John 17-17-19 – Your Word Is Truth – Growing As Disciples

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. John 17:17-19 (NIV) 

Your Word

You have been set apart to live your life with and for me. I have made you to be my very own. You are my child. I am your Father. I am molding and shaping your life. I am using my word to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life. I am using my word to transform the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life. I will be using my word to prepare and powerfully use you as my servant in the world. Make no mistake about it, I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. You have been and will continue to be sent out into the world. You will shine as a bright witness for me. My light will shine through you. My life will be lived out in you. Many will come to know and love and follow and serve me because I will have worked in and through your life. You will indeed bear fruit for my kingdom. You will indeed bring glory to my name. How does all this sound to you? Is what I am saying fully agreeable to you? Nothing could sound better to me. It is the desire of my heart to live my life with and for you. I am so thankful and grateful that you have made me to be your very own. All that you have said, is fully agreeable to me. That is very good.

There is one thing that you must do if you want me to prepare and powerfully use you as my witness in the world. What is that? Name it and I will do it. You must draw near to me. You must quiet yourself before me. You must listen attentively to me. You must listen to my word. You must allow me to speak into your life. You must allow me to use my word to prepare and powerfully work in and through you. Is that clear? Have I said anything that is a mystery to you? No, you are being very clear. I understand you completely. That’s good. When will we meet? Meet? Yes, meet. Do you think you will draw near to me, to listen to me, if you don’t set aside a time and place to meet with me? No, probably not. Probably not? No, certainly not. Why is that? If I don’t set a time and place to meet with you in your word, it will never happen, at least not with any regularity. Is that from your voice of experience? Yes, it is. So now, I have set a time and place to meet with you. Our time together will be of the highest priority. That is very good. 

Lord, I welcome you to use your word to do your work in and through me. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Use your word to prepare and powerfully use me to serve you in the world. Help me to accomplish your plans. Amen

Key Question… Why can you be sure the God’s word is a powerful tool that He will use to work in and through you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use His word to do His work in and through you as His servant in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use His word to do His work in and through you as His servant in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used His word to do His work in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to prepare and powerfully use you as His servant in the world.

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

Promises – Day 81 – Promises – John 17-17-19 – Your Word Is Truth – 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

Works In You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 80 Philippians 2:12-13 -Works In You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 80 Philippians 2:12-13 -Works In You – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

My Good Purpose

I have a plan relating to your life, do you know what my plan is? Not exactly, no not really, I’m not sure what your plan is. I think that we both have a very similar plan relating to your life. I’m not sure how that could be possible since I don’t know what your plan is for my life. Let me hear what your plan is for your life? My plan for my life is to allow you to do in and through me whatever you have in mind. I want to humbly submit myself to you so I can know and do your will. I want to allow you to mold and shape my life so that I become the person that you have planned that I will become. I want to end up doing all the good works that you have planned for me to do. Think about what you have just said. You have basically said you want to know and do my will. That’s your plan? Yes, it is. Well, it is my plan that you will know and do my will. We don’t have similar plans. We have the exact same plans. Yes, it seems that we do have the same plans. That’s good.

How do you feel knowing that you and I both have the same plans for your life? I feel very good about that. Why is that? I have great confidence that you will help me to fulfill your plans for my life. Yes, I will. I feel far less confident that I will be faithful to do all that you have planned for me to do in life. So, it is very encouraging to know that you and I both want the same thing. Why is that? I know that you will help me to know and do your will even when I am weak, weary, worn out and even tempted to give up. You will be my strength when I might become discouraged or even depressed. How do you know that?  You have encouraged and strengthened me every step of the way so far. Yes, I have. I have always been able to rely on you. Yes, you have.

You mentioned being weak, weary, worn out, discouraged and even depressed. Yes, I did. Will the road ahead be easy? I doubt it. Will what I call you to require discipline, diligence and hard work? I’m sure that it will. Will you need to come to rely on me more and more as you walk with me?  Yes, I will. Will you welcome or run away from the challenges that are ahead of you? With your help I will welcome any and every challenge that is before me. Why is that? I know that you want to take me deeper with you. I know that you want to do more work in me. I know that you want to mold and shape my life even more than you have already. You want to continue to do your complete work of salvation in me until the day I meet with you in heaven. Yes, I do. I want that too. We have the same goal and the same plan. Yes, we do. That is very good.

Father, thank you for working in my life according to your good purpose. You have given me a passionate desire to love, follow and serve you. I want to go and do what you ask of me. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I welcome your work in my life. Amen

Key Question… What are some of the ways that your Heavenly Father has already been acting in your life?

Living It Out… Allow God to work and act in your life according to His will and good purpose.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will work and act in your life according to His will and good purpose.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been working and acting in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to work and act in your life according to His good purposes.

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

Promises – Day 80 – Philippians 2-12-13 – Works In 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

New Creation

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 79 -2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 79 -2 Corinthians 5:17 – New Creation – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

New Life 

You have been made new. You have been given a new life in me. Your old life has passed away; it is dead and gone. You are my new creation. Was I changed all at once or will I continue to be changed? You know the answer to that question. You were changed all at once and you will continue to be changed until the day we meet face to face. Then you will become like me because you will see me as I am. I thought I was becoming like you now. Yes, you are becoming like me now. Now you see in part. Then you will see me face to face. Now you know in part. Then you will know in full.

I welcomed you into my life. Did you welcome me all at once or will you continue to welcome me into your life every day as you follow me? That sounds a lot like the question I just asked you. Yes, it is. I will answer your question in the same way that you answered mine. I welcomed you into my life all at once and I will continue to welcome you into my life every day as I follow you. Yes, you will. 

I will be changing you, day by day, as you continue to welcome me into your life. I will continue to make your life new every day as you follow me. Have you noticed how I have been changing you? Yes, I have noticed that you have been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. I’m thinking new thoughts. I’m feeling new feelings. I’m doing your will. I’m following you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. Yes, you are. 

What are some of the new thoughts and feelings I have given you to think and feel? You speak to me, every day as I meet with you in your word. I never know what you are going to say to me. I never know what you are going to show me. Following you is a journey and an exciting adventure. But, I’m not sure how to answer your question. Go ahead anyhow. The priorities of my heart and mind have changed. The focus of my life is different. How so? I am no longer living for the pleasures and the comforts of this life. I want to think your thoughts. I want to feel your feelings. I want to do whatever pleases you. At one time I tried to follow, obey and serve you because I thought I must. Now, I follow, obey and serve you because I love you. Of course, the reason I love you is because you loved me first. You continue to show me your love. Yes, I do. In response to your love I want to love you right back. So, it is no burden for me to love, follow, obey and serve you. The desire of my heart, mind, and life is to love you with all that is within me. That is how my heart and mind and life are being changed. This is the new life that you have given to me. Yes, it is. That is my answer to your question. That is a very good answer.

Lord, thank you for giving me a new life and fresh start. My old life has passed away and is dead and gone. You have made me into a new creation. Make my life new every day as I continue to follow you as my Savior and Lord. Amen

Key Question…What are some examples of what is alive and part of your new life you have in Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Leave your old dead life behind to follow Jesus Christ in the new life He has given you to live with Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ has made your old life dead and gone so that you can live a new life in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ is continuing to make your life new on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live the new life that Jesus Christ has given you to live as you follow Him as your Savior and Lord.

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

Promises – 2 Corinthians 5-17 – Day 79 – New Creation – 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