Monthly Archives: October 2023

The Greatest Among You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 136 - Matthew 23:11-12 - The Greatest Among You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 136 – Matthew 23:11-12 – The Greatest Among You – Growing As Disciples

The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)  

Be Great

I know in the past, you have wanted to be great. You have wanted to stand out. You have wanted to be respected. You have wanted to be honored. You have wanted to win the applause of others in the world. Now, much of that desire is gone. Now, at times, you are repulsed by that old worldly and fleshly desire. Now, I know you are now wary of any part of that desire that remains in you. You think the only source of that desire has been your pride? You think nothing good can come of the desire, to be great, that is still within you. You believe that desire is worldly and can only come from your old sinful nature. Have I captured your thoughts and feelings about your desire to be great? Yes, you have, without a doubt.

What would you think if I told you that I want you to be great? What would you think if I told you that your desire to be great comes from me? I would be surprised. No, I would be shocked. I would need to completely readjust my thinking, if that were true. It’s true. Start readjusting. I want you to be great in humility. I want you to be great in being a servant. I want you to be great in going and doing all that I ask of you. I want you to be great in following my example. I want you to be great in thinking and speaking and acting as I did. I want you to be great in giving. I want you to be great in serving. I want you to great in loving. I want you to be great as a bright and shinning witness for me in the world. I want you to be great in bearing fruit for my kingdom. I want you to be great in bringing glory to my name. Can you see anything wrong with being great in these ways? I cannot. Would you want to be less than great in any one of these ways? No, I would not. Would being less than great in any one of these ways be pleasing to me? Certainly not.

So, how are your readjusting your thoughts? I am thinking that I want to be great in loving and following and serving you. I want to be great in humbly going and doing all that you ask of me. I want to be great in living the life you have called me to live. It is my prayer and hope and desire that you will make me able to humbly be and do great things with and for you. That is very good. 

Lord, I will follow your example. I will humble myself and take on the form of a servant. I will go and do what you ask of me. I will serve you and others with my whole heart. I want to do great things for you. Use me to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… When have you foolishly wanted to be great according to the world’s definition of greatness?

Living It Out… Humble yourself and take on the form of a servant so God can powerfully use you to bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will exalt you when you humble yourself and take on the role of being a servant.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how humbling yourself has made you able to do what God asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example by humbly being the servant of others.

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

Promises – Day 136 – Matthew 23-11-12 – The Greatest Among You – 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

His Feet Do Not Slip

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 150 - Psalm 37:30-31 - His Feet Do Not Slip - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 150 – Psalm 37:30-31 – His Feet Do Not Slip – Growing As Disciples

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.  The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31 (NIV)  

Slipping

What will prevent you from slipping? What will help you to think and speak and act wisely? What will help you to live a righteous life that is good and right and pleasing to me? Let me first say that my righteousness alone would be no better than filthy rags. My wisdom alone would be no better than the world’s foolishness. Without you, I would have no hope of thinking and speaking and acting wisely. Without you, I would never be able to live a righteous life that is good and right and pleasing to you. It is only your payment of my sin, by your sacrificing yourself on the cross, that has made me righteous in your sight. You have forgiven all my sins and cleansed me of my unrighteousness because I have received you, into my life, as my Savior and Lord. All of what you have said is true.

I do know that I have only partially answered your questions. That’s right. You do want me to live and walk in the wise and righteous life that you have secured for me. You want me to come to know you. You want me to think thoughts, speak words and take actions that are good, and right, and pleasing to you. You want me to be wise in all I think, say and do. You want me to live the righteous life that you have called me to live. Yes, I want all of this for you. To live otherwise, would be slipping away from your purpose and plan for my life. To live otherwise, would be living outside of your will for my life. That’s true

So, I have now come back to your original questions. That’s good. Here now are my answers. You will prevent me from slipping. You will help me to think and speak and act wisely. You will help me to live a righteous life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I know you want me to be more specific. Yes, I do. Taking your word deeply into my life is how you will do your work in and through me. Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my life. Your word will guide my life. Your word will make me able to resist temptation and stand against evil. As I let your word dwell in me richly, you will accomplish your purposes and plans and will in and through me. Your word will be my firm foundation. Your word will prevent me from slipping away from you. Yes, it will. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life so I can live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will keep your word in my heart day by day as I love, follow and serve you. Your word will always be before me. I will allow your word to transform the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. Use your word to keep me from slipping. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word guided the course of your life away from danger?

Living It Out… Day by day, keep God’s word in your heart so you will not slip.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that having God’s word in your heart will keep you from slipping.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are daily keeping God’s word in your heart?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep God’s word in your heart, so you do not slip.

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

Promises – Day 150 – Psalm 37-30-31 – His Feet Do Not Slip – 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

Completely Calm

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 149 - Matthew 8:23-27- Completely Calm - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 149 – Matthew 8:23-27- Completely Calm – Growing As Disciples

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)  

Storms Of Life

Here I am again. Where are you again? Here I am in another storm. You call this a storm? Yes, I call this a storm. It may not look like much of a storm to you. But it looks like a big storm to me. So, what if it is a big storm? What will you do with all the storms you face in life, whether they are big or small? What have you learned as storms have raged against you? What have you learned as you have gone through storms with me? I know that I can cry out to you in all the storms of life. I am never alone. You are with me. You will not forsake me. You will help me to weather all the storms of life. You will bring me through all the storms of life.  So, if a storm causes you to draw nearer to me and to rely more fully on me, it cannot be all bad. Is that true? Would you agree? Yes, as I have gone through the storms of life, with you, I have benefited greatly. How so? I have known that you have heard and answered my prayers. I have seen your power and strength. I have been astonished at how you have calmed storms that raged all around me. You have been my refuge and strength and deliverer. I have learned that you are worthy of all my hope and faith and trust. I have come to know that I can rely more fully on you. That is all very good.

Are you done learning all that you can in the storms of life? Are there no longer any valuable lessons you can learn? Certainly not, I still have much to learn. I’m listening. What can you still learn? I can still learn how to rely on you more fully. I can still learn how to place my faith in you more completely. I can still learn to pray more passionately and persistently.  I can still be astonished and thankful and grateful as you deliver me out of all the storms of life. I can still be overcome by your kindness and mercy and love for me.  I can still be wowed and in awe of all your power and strength and majesty. Will you allow me to continue to teach you all these lessons? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, I have gone through raging storms with you. I thought I might drown. I have cried out in prayer to you. You have calmed my storms and given me peace. Thank you that I can rely on you in the storms of life. You are my refuge and strength and deliverer. Amen

Key Question… How have you cried out to the Lord in prayer when a storm raged against you?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord and ask Him to calm storms that rage against you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will calm storms when they rage against you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has calmed storms that raged against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to calm storms that rage against you.

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

Promises – Day 149 – Matthew 8-23-27 – Completely Calm – 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

Walks In Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 148 - Proverbs 28:26 - Walks In Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 148 – Proverbs 28:26 – Walks In Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

Kept Safe

Do you want to be kept safe? Yes of course, I want to be kept safe. Only a fool would not want to be kept. That is correct and you are not a fool. That’s good to hear. I know that I have acted foolishly in the past. Now, that brings forth a topic worth considering. How so? How have you acted foolishly in the past? I have been foolish to think and speak and act like a “know it all.” How does a “know it all” think and speak and act? A “know it all” is foolishly filled with pride. Such a person is stubborn and strong willed. They are self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-centered and usually self-indulgent. They think that the world revolves around their thoughts and opinions and values. A “know it all” is a very poor listener. They will not hear advice. They will not accept wise counsel. No one can speak wisdom into the heart and mind and life of a “know it all.” This is a very dangerous way to live. Why is that? Everyone has blind spots that they cannot see. No one can recognize and see all their own flawed ways of thinking and speaking and acting. We all need wise people to speak wisdom into our lives. No one can see all the factors that go into making a good and wise decision. You sound like you are speaking from personal experience. Yes, I am. If there is a foolish way to think and speak and act, I have probably done it many times before. If there is a dumb decision to make or a foolish course to set, I have probably made it and set it. You are being a little hard on yourself. You haven’t made every foolish mistake there is to make. Am I close? No even near. Well, I haven’t even stated the worst. What is the worst? Just as a “know it all” is a poor listener to others, they are also a poor listener to you. I think I can say, without a doubt, that a poor listener to others is never a good listener to you. That is true.

You may be describing yourself of the past. This not you now. What are you doing differently? I am no longer relying on myself. I am now placing all my faith and hope and trust in you. I much more likely to humbly think that I know very little than to be “a know it all”. That’s good. Now, I am listening attentively to your voice. I am meeting with you daily in your word. I am receiving your instruction. I am following your guidance. I am also listening to wise counselors that you bring into my life. I am watching for your activity in and all round me. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. This is very good. How do you like living and walking in my wisdom? I am filled hope and joy. I am at peace because I am being kept safe by you. I would not want to live any other kind of life. That is very good. 

Lord, I have been stubborn and strong willed. I have been filled with pride. I have been a “know it all” and as a result I have suffered harm. No more! Now, I will trust you. Now, I will rely on you. Help me to live and walk in your wisdom so I can be kept safe. Amen

Key Question… When have you foolishly relied on your own wisdom and suffered as a result?

Living It Out… Trust in the Lord and rely on wisdom to keep you safe.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wisdom to keep you safe.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you wisdom to keep you safe.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you walk in the Lord’s wisdom so you will be kept safe.

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

Promises – Day 148 – Proverbs 28-26 – Walks In Wisdom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Make Them Holy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 147 - John 17:13-19 - Make Them Holy- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 147 – John 17:13-19 – Make Them Holy- Growing As Disciples

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.  I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.  And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:13-19 (NLT)

Sent Out

You are not of the world just as I was not of the world. You do not belong to the world just I did not belong to the world. You will stand out in the world. The thoughts and opinions and values of the world will not be yours. You will think and speak and act differently than those who are in the world. You will shine brightly, like a star in the universe, in the darkness of the world. You will be a bold and bright witness for me in the world. There are those that are of the world, that love the darkness. They will be repulsed by the light. They will hate you. They will reject you. They will come against you. They may even try to hurt and harm and humiliate you. You must be ready. You must be prepared. You must be strong. You are being sent out into the world just as I was sent out into the world.

How can I be prepared to be a bold and brightly shining witness for you in the world? What will help me to think and speak and act according to your will. What make me ready to be used by you to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans in the world? How can I be powerfully used by you as I am sent out into the world? You have been set apart. You have been made clean. You have been forgiven and cleansed of all your sins, on that day that you turned your life over to me. I became your Savior and Lord. I filled you with my Holy Spirit. I have been and will continue to lead and guide you through this life. My word has been and will continue to help you to think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Let my word keep on changing your heart, transforming your mind and guiding your life. Then you will be ready and prepared and strong. Then you will shine brightly for me in the world. Then you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Then you will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. This I am doing and will continue to do. Use me Lord. I am at your service. Yes, I will, you can count on it. 

Heavenly Father, I know I have been set apart to love and follow and serve you. Christ has made me holy in your sight. I have been forgiven and cleansed of my sins. Use your word now to purify all my thoughts and words and actions as I live with and for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that your life is not defined by the thoughts, opinions and values of this world?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to use His word to purify all your thoughts and words and actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father has set you apart to live a life good and right and pure and holy.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father is purifying your thoughts, words and actions.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to use His word to purify your thoughts, words and actions.

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

Promises – Day 147 – John 17-13-19 – Make Them Holy – 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

A Son Is Given

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 146 - Isaiah 9:6-7 - A Son Is Given - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 146 – Isaiah 9:6-7 – A Son Is Given – Growing As Disciples

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

All You Need 

I am all you need. Do you believe that? Yes, I believe that. Why do you believe that I am all you need? You came into this world. You humbled yourself. You took on the form of a servant. You gave your life to save mine. You lived and died for me. I have never received a better and lasting and more important gift than the salvation I have in you. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your very own. You turned my life around. The entire course of my life is now different and better and eternal because of all I have received in you. You have given me a completely brand-new life to live in you. I am now dead to my old life of sin. I am now alive to the new life I have in you. You filled me with your Spirit. Not one of my thoughts or words or actions has been left untouched by you. You are molding and shaping me. You are now guarding and guiding my life. I also invite you to govern my life. So yes, I do believe that you will supply all I need as I walk through life with you. That is very good. 

But be a little more specific, say more about what I have done for you. How have I been supplying your needs? You are my wonderful counselor. You have been giving me the wisdom I need to live my life with and for you. You are my prince of peace. You have been filling my life with peace that I can’t comprehend or even begin to explain. I have your peace when my circumstances have been anything but peaceful. You are my mighty God. You have power and authority over my life. Your hand has been on me. You have made it so I can be powerfully used to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have powerfully delivered me out of trouble. You have calmed my fears. You have been my rock and fortress and deliverer. I have been and can continue to rely on you. You are my everlasting father. You have comforted me. You have encouraged me. You have lifted me up and carried me. Your favor has been with me. Your hand has been on me. I have been and will continue to make all my needs known to you. You will hear and answer my prayers. You will come to my aid. You are with me to help me. Yes, I am. I know that I have just scratched the surface about what you have done for me. Yes, I have done these and many more things for you. I will continue to help you as you love and follow and serve me. Yes, I know. Thank you for supplying all my needs. I am grateful and thankful for all you have done, are doing and will do for me. That is very good. 

Lord, you are my wonderful counselor. You have filled my life with your peace. You have been powerfully present to help me in life. Thank you, I have all I need in you. You are my God and Father. You are my Savior and Lord. Guard, guide and govern my life. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been powerfully present to help you in your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord’s powerful presence to supply all you need in life as you love and follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s presence in your life will supply all you need as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has supplied all you needed as you have followed Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to be all you need as you love, follow and serve Him.

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

Promises – Day 131 – Isaiah 9-6-7- A Son Is Given – 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

Close To The Brokenhearted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 145 - Psalm 34:17-18 - Close To The Brokenhearted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 145 – Psalm 34:17-18 – Close To The Brokenhearted – Growing As Disciples

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)

Near To Me

You have been brokenhearted. You have gone through spirit crushing experiences. You have experienced pain and suffering and loss. Isn’t this true? Without a doubt, all of this in true. This is a sin broken world. No one is immune to the difficulties of this life. You experienced pain and suffering and loss. So, will I. That is true. But I want to ask you a few questions. Go ahead, you have my full attention. What have you done when you have been in trouble? What have you done when you have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences? I have drawn near to you. I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. Yes, you have done all these things. How have I responded to you? You have drawn near to me. You have been close to me. You have never left or forsaken me. You have heard and answered my prayers. You have helped and healed me. You have brought me through every adversity. You have delivered me from out of all my troubles. Have you always known that I was with you? Have you always been certain that I was helping and healing you? Have you always felt my closeness? Have you always been sure that I was hearing and answering your prayers? Have you always been confident that I was bringing you through every adversity? No, not always. Many times, I have had to have faith that you would be doing all these things for me. Frequently, I have had to keep praying and keep asking and keep believing that you were near to me and that you would help me. Often, my pain or suffering or loss was so all consuming that it was hard for me to perceive that you were near to help and heal me. That is true. How do you now know that I have always been with you to help you? How do you now know that I have never stopped hearing and answering your prayers? How do you now know that I have been delivering you out of all your troubles? Only by looking back. When I look back, I can see that you were near to me. When I look back, I can see that you were hearing and answering my prayers. When I look back, I can see that you were delivering me out of all my troubles. Then it is a very good thing to look back to consider how I have been helping and healing you as you have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences so you can see my hand act work in your life. Yes, it is a very good thing to be able to recognize and give thanks for your help and healing in my life. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. For that I am thankful beyond what my words can express. Keep on crying out to me. Keep on asking for my help. That is what I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, you have been close to me when I have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences. You have healed and helped me when I have cried out to you. You have heard and answered all my prayers. This is something I will never forget. Thank you! Amen

Key Question… How have your cried out to the Lord during a heartbreaking, spirit crushing experience?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help and heal you when you go through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help and heal you when you go through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord helped and healed you when your heart was broken.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you experience the Lord’s closeness, help and healing as you go through spirit crushing experiences.

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

Promises – Day 145 – Psalm 34-17-18 – Close To The Brokenhearted – 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

Life And Peace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 144 - Romans 8:5-8 - Life And Peace - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 144 – Romans 8:5-8 – Life And Peace – Growing As Disciples

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;  the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

Life And Peace 

Do you want to have life and peace? Who would not want life and peace? You would be surprised; many people do not want life and peace. Yes, of course I want life and peace. What must I do to have life and peace? That is a very good question. You must do two things if you want to have life and peace. You have my full attention. That’s good. First, you must not set your heart and mind and life on the sinful nature. You must not live according to the desires of the sinful nature. You must leave your old life of sin behind. You must become dead to sin and the old life you once lived. That old life leads to death. That old life is hostile to me. That old life wants to live and walk in darkness. That old life hates the light. That old life cannot submit to my law. Those who think and speak and act according to the sinful nature cannot live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. So, if you want life and peace you must leave your old sinful life and all its thoughts and words and actions far behind you. This is step one, do you understand? Yes, I understand quite clearly. That’s good.

What is step two? What else must I do if I want life and peace? I first want to make one point very clear. What’s that? You will never be able to take step one without taking step two. Can you explain that to me? Gladly, you will never be able to be dead to sin unless you come alive to Me. You will never be able to leave your old sinful life and its nature without allowing me to give you a new nature. You will never be able to leave the darkness of your old life unless you come to walk in the light with me. You will never be able to stop thinking worldly and fleshly and evil thoughts of the sinful nature unless you come to think thoughts of the Spirit. You must take off the stinky and dirty clothes of your old life and put on the pure and clean clothes of the new life I have for you. You will never be able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me unless you think the thoughts, speak the words and live the life in the Spirit that I have for you. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. I will leave my old life behind and live the new life you have secured for me. Then I will have life and peace. Yes, you will. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know my heart and mind are being bombarded daily to try to entice me to think of the sinful nature. I am in a battle and war. I will turn my heart and mind over to you. Use your word to help me to think of things of the Spirit so I can have life and peace. Amen

Key Question… How has meditating on God’s word helped you to set your mind on the things of the Spirit?

Living It Out… Set your mind on the things of the Spirit so you can have life and peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have life and peace as you set your mind on the things of the Spirit.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are setting your mind on the things of the Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you set your mind on the things of the Spirit so you can live in life and peace.

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

Promises – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – Life And Peace – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Disciplines Us For Our Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 143 - Hebrews 12:7-11 - Disciplines Us For Our Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 143 – Hebrews 12:7-11 – Disciplines Us For Our Good – Growing As Disciples

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)  

Endure Hardship

Why is it important that you endure hardship? What do you know about hardship that will help you endure it? Those are two very good questions. I know a few things about hardship. Tell me what you know. I know that people become will either become bitter or better as a result of the hardship they go through. Why is that? How is that possible? How can two different people go through much the same hardship with one becoming bitter and the other becoming better? One person can deeply resent hardship. They regard hardship as an enemy. They are unable to conceive of any possible benefit that a hardship could accomplish in their life. What benefits can hardship accomplish in your life? Hardship can draw me closer to you. Hardship can cause me to rely more fully on you. My relationship with you can and has grown deeper and sweeter and more intimate as I have gone through hardship. How so? You have taught me what I could have never learned without going through hardship. Like what? My faith and trust in you have grown stronger as I have gone through hardship with you. I have grown more passionate and persistent in my prayers. I have learned to bring all that I need to you in prayer. I have asked for and received your help. You have been my refuge. You have been my shelter. You have been my rock. You have been my deliverer. What else? You have been molding and shaping my life as I have gone through hardship with you. You have been changing my heart and transforming my mind during hardship. You have been helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds as I have listened to your voice as I have gone through hardship. So, your entire attitude about hardship is different because you know that I will always be able to use it for your good. Instead of becoming bitter about hardship you will become better because you will allow my good work to continue in you. That’s right. That’s true. That’s certain. I welcome you to use hardship to accomplish your purposes in my life. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I will not resent or rebel against discipline. I will not allow myself to become bitter as I go through hardship. Use hardship to mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. Accomplish all your good purposes in and through me. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never regret learning the lessons you have been taught as you have gone through hardship?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to use hardship to mold and shape you into the person He wants you to become.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will use hardship to mold and shape your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has used hardship to mold and shape you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to use hardship to mold and shape your life.

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

Promises – Day 143 – Hebrews 12-7-11 – Disciplines Us For Our Good – 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 Is Wise?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 142 - James 3:13-18 - Who Is Wise - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 142 – James 3:13-18 – Who Is Wise – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:13-18 (NIV)  

Wisdom From Heaven

Do you know what wisdom from heaven looks like? I’m not sure. I can take a guess. Go ahead take a guess. First, I will say what wisdom from heaven does not look like. Wherever there is bitter envy or selfish ambition you can be sure that your wisdom will not be found. Bitter envy and selfish ambition bring disorder and every evil practice. Like what? Bitter envy and selfish ambition pit people against each. These desires create conflict and destruction. Nothing good will come out of bitter envy or selfish ambition. Lying and cheating and stealing come out of bitter envy and selfish ambition. Love and hope and peace and joy are destroyed by bitter envy and selfish ambition. You will not find kindness and mercy coexisting with bitter envy and selfish ambitions. These desires are the devil’s tools that he uses to steal and kill and destroy life That is true.

Your wisdom looks nothing like bitter envy and selfish ambition. What does my wisdom look like? Your wisdom is pure. Your wisdom is peace-loving.  Your wisdom is considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit. Your wisdom is impartial and sincere. These don’t sound like guesses on your part. No, I am not guessing. What I have learned and will learn about your wisdom comes from your word. You have been using your word to teach me your wisdom. That is true, my word will instruct you and teach you my wisdom. What do you want my wisdom to do in and through you? I want your wisdom to make me fruitful for you. I want your word to be make me wise in all that I think, say and do. I want to be able to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for your kingdom and glory. I want to be a peacemaker who sows peace so that I can reap a rich harvest for you. You have wise desires in you. I will make you wise as you allow my word to do its work in you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will guard against bitter envy and selfish ambition. I want to lead a good life that puts your wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others. I also want to be a peacemaker who sows in peace and reaps a rich harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… How are you asking the Lord to help you to live a life that is filled with His wisdom?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to put His wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will help you to humbly do good deeds that will display His wisdom working in and through you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you wisdom to humbly do good deeds.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds.

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

Promises – Day 142 – James 3-13-18 – Who Is Wise? – 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