Monthly Archives: December 2023

Abraham Obeyed And Went

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Hebrews 11-8 - Abraham Obeyed And Went - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Hebrews 11-8 – Abraham Obeyed And Went – Growing As Disciples

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)

To Where?

You would like to know where you’re going wouldn’t you? Yes, actually I would. Would you get up and go to a strange place that you had never been before, if I asked you? That all depends. On what? It would depend on how clearly I heard your voice. So, if the heavens opened up and you heard my booming voice directing you to go, you’d drop everything and leave? Yes, I think I would. What if you had a really nice and comfortable situation, would you be tempted to sit tight and stay? I might, but probably not, if I heard your voice audibly directing me to go somewhere.  What if the place I asked you to go was completely unfamiliar to you, would you still set out? Would you take the first step? How specific would your directions be? What if I just pointed and said, head that direction? If that’s all the direction you gave me I might question whether or not I heard you correctly in the first place. But, with that question in the back of my mind I think I would still begin the journey. What if the journey took a very long time? How long? Let’s say years when you thought it might have taken months. You’re making this sound very difficult. I haven’t even mentioned a level of difficulty yet. How difficult could the journey be? You might have everyone questioning your sanity. They might say you’ve been hearing voices. You might feel quite lonely on your journey. On the journey you would encounter adversaries and difficult circumstances. How difficult? Real cliff-hangers, if you ask me. Great, just great. You sound discouraged. That’s because I am. Why is that? This sounds a lot like the journey I’m already on. I thought it was just a matter of time before you realized that. There’s one big difference though, isn’t there? What’s that? The heavens didn’t open up and you haven’t audibly heard my voice have you? No, I haven’t. What have you heard instead? I’ve heard your quiet whispers guiding me through life. I’ve heard your word instructing and teaching me in the way I should go. Haven’t I counseled you and watched over you? Yes, you have. Has that not been enough for you? Yes, it has. What’s the problem? I guess I’m just a little weary and worn out, that’s all. What has your weariness caused you to do? It has caused me to come to you. What have I done for you? You have refreshed me and revived my life. Come to me now and I will do that again for you. You’ll need it. Why is that? Your journey is not over yet. I will continue to take you where you have never been before. Will you follow me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have faith in you. Your calling on my life does not always need to make sense to me. I know that sometimes you will lead me to places I have never been to do what I have never done. Give me strength to follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… When have gone out to go where God guided you without knowing any details?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord to places you have never been to do what you have never done.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will call you to go to places you have never been to do what you have never done.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has called you to go and do something new for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and go wherever He guides you to do whatever He asks of you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Hebrew 11-8 – Abraham Obeyed And Went – 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

Chosen What Is Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Luke 10:38-42 - Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Luke 10:38-42 – Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

Sit

Here I am Lord. I have come to listen. I have chosen to sit at your feet. I have come to a complete stop. I have left the hurry and the noise of my life behind. I have set aside my seemingly all important to do list. I have come to choose what is better. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than to listen to you. My heart and mind and life are open to you. You have my full attention. That is very good.

Why have you made this decision? What makes you certain that you have definitely chosen what is better? What gives you confidence that you are not wasting your valuable time? I am somewhat of an expert on wasting time. How so? I have bounced around from one thing to another. I have done some of this and some of that. My life has not had a sharp focus or a clear direction. Do you know why that is? Yes, I do. I’m listening. In the past, I have not chosen to come to sit at your feet. I have done what seemed good to me. I followed my own wisdom. I listened to my own guidance. I gave myself my own instructions. I did what was good and right in my own eyes.  How has that worked out for you? Not well. I have walked a crooked path from one thing to another. I have made mistakes. I have taken missteps. I have gone the wrong direction. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to retrace my steps and start over. There is no need for you to tell me. I already know.

What have you learned? I have learned that if I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name I must come to sit at your feet. I have learned that if I want to know and do your will I must come to sit at your feet. I have learned that apart from you I can do nothing that will amount to anything of eternal value. Those are all valuable lessons. So, now you have chosen to come to sit at my feet. Yes Lord, I have. That is very good. You have chosen what is far better.

Lord, I’ve done a lot of running around here, there and everywhere trying to get everything on my to do list done. All this activity has pushed you way into the background of my life. No more! I am here now at your feet. Teach me. Amen

Key Question… How can doing all that you think you need to do push Christ into the background of your life?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place when and where you can regularly spend time with Christ to be taught and guided by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that spending time in Christ’s presence, being guided by Him, is time very well spent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Christ has guided your life as you have spent time with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose to sit at the feet of Jesus so you can be taught by Him.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Luke 10-38-42 – Chosen What Is Better – 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

Be Patient As You Wait

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 229 - James 5:7-11 - Be Patient As You Wait - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 229 – James 5:7-11 – Be Patient As You Wait – Growing As Disciples

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.  You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.  Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!  For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:7-11 (NLT)

Patiently Wait

What will happen to you as you patiently wait my return? If I patiently wait for your return my heart and mind and life will be focused on you. My attention will not be captured by the thoughts and opinions and values of this world. My life will not be one long pursuit of all the comforts and pleasures that this world has to offer. I will live with the knowledge that this world is not my true home. I am just passing through this brief life. Whether you come quickly and return to this earth, or I leave this life very soon, it does not amount to much difference to me personally, at least in one regard, I will be seeing you soon. That is true.

You will be seeing me soon, there is no doubt about that. How does that knowledge impact your life today?  Knowing that I will see you soon reorders my priorities. I want my life to count. I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to misspend my life. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to know and do your will. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to live a bold life as a bright witness for you in the darkness of this world. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you because they have seen your life being lived out in and through me. You have very good desires within you. Do you believe that I will fulfill these desires of your heart? Yes, I do. You put these desires in my heart. You will certainly fulfill them. Yes, I will, you can count on me.

As you go through different seasons in life how are you able to endure them? As you encounter twists and turns and ups and downs and trials of every kind, how do you find strength to overcome them? Not by myself, not with my own strength, not under my own power, that is for sure. As my heart, and mind, and life are focused on you and your return I am encouraged. You give me hope. You give me strength. You keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will. Keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. I will supply all you need. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, patiently waiting is not one of my stronger gifts. That is an understatement, I know. Help me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on your return. Help me to patiently endure even the difficult seasons of life, as I continue to love, follow, and serve you. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord helped you to patiently endure a difficult season in your life?

Living It Out… Expectantly and patiently wait the Lord’s return as He helps you to endure difficult seasons in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to endure difficult seasons as you expectantly await His return.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to endure difficult seasons in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait patiently for the Lord’s return.

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

Promises – Day 229 – James 5-7-11 – Be Patient As You Wait – 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

Keep Watch And Pray

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 228 - Mark 14:37-38 - Keep Watch And Pray - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 228 – Mark 14:37-38 – Keep Watch And Pray – Growing As Disciples

Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?  Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:37-38 (NLT)

Watchful And Prayerful 

Do you need any convincing? Do I need to be convinced about what? Do you need to be convinced that you will need to be watchful and prayerful if you will have any hope or chance at being able to resist temptation? No, I don’t need to be convinced. I have no doubts about my need to be watching and praying so that I will be able to resist temptation. Before we go any further let’s be clear about how you need to watch and pray. I’m listening. That’s good. I will ask you a few questions. Go right ahead. Who do you need to keep your heart and mind and life focused on? Who needs to have your undivided attention? Already you have asked me questions I would not have anticipated. How so? It is surprising that your questions begin with the word who. I would have thought your questions would have begun with the word what. Can you give me some examples? I thought you might ask me, “What do I need to watch out for or be on guard against?” or “Under what circumstances do I need to be especially watchful and prayerful?” Yes, those are good questions. Those are questions that you will need to carefully consider. They, however, are not the first and most important questions. Why is that? To that question, which is a good one, I will ask you another question. Do you think it is your watchfulness or your prayerfulness that will make you able to resist temptation? In other words, do you think it is your own efforts that will bring you victory? Now, I am beginning to understand. Tell me what you understand? My heart and mind and life need to be focused on you. As I watchfully and prayerfully set my heart and mind and life on you, you will make me able to resist temptation. You are the subject of my watchfulness and prayerfulness. Before now, before this very moment, I had thought that the subject of my watchfulness and prayerfulness was evil in the world. I thought something like, “Be watchful and prayerful so that evil doesn’t sneak up on me.” Don’t completely discard that thought. That thought is not wrong. But the priority of your focus needs to be on me. Your heart will be changed, and your mind transformed, and your life guided has you focus your full attention on me. Remember you have been told to submit yourself to me and the devil will flee from you? Yes, I remember that well. That’s good. You submit yourself to me by being watchful and prayerful in my presence, by giving your full attention to me. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. Will you be watchful and prayerful with me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not sleepwalk through life. I will be watchful and prayerful. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused sharply on you. I will withstand temptation with all the strength that you give to me. I will live the life you have called me to live with and for you. Amen

Key Question…  When have you been overcome by temptation because you were not being watchful and prayerful?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to be watchful and prayerful so you will be able to resist temptation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be able to resist temptation as you remain watchful and prayerful.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how being watchful and prayerful is helping you to resist temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be watchful and prayerful so you will be able to resist temptation.

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

Promises – Day 228 – Mark 14-37-38 – Keep Watch And Pray – 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

We Are God’s Workmanship

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Discipleship Devotional Study - Promises - Day 227 - Ephesians 2:10 - We Are God's Workmanship - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study – Promises – Day 227 – Ephesians 2:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship – Growing As Disciples

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Molding And Shaping

You are my masterpiece. You are the work of my hands. I have molded and shaped your life according to my purposes and plans. You are the person that I have made you to be. I have designed you to join me in doing the work that I have prepared for you to do. What do you think about all of this? These thoughts are wonderful to hear. To think that you have taken the time and made the effort to mold and shape my life leaves me in humble thankfulness. To think that I might be inadequate to do what you have called me to do couldn’t be true. Why is that? You have not only uniquely prepared me to do good works but you are inviting me to join you in doing them. I am not alone. No, you are not. You are working in me and through me. Yes, I am.

I am not finished with you. What does that mean? I’m still molding and shaping your life. My work in your life will continue until the day we meet each other face to face. How does that sound to you? Well, I would rather be a completed work. Yes, I am sure that you would. Being a completed work sounds more comfortable to you doesn’t it? Yes, It does. You know that some of my molding and shaping of your life might make you uncomfortable, don’t you? Yes, I do. Tell me more about that. There is no “might” about it. Whenever you have molded and shaped my life you have always taken me out of my comfort zone. You don’t like that? Not too much. Would you rather that I stopped molding and shaping your life? Would you like to remain as you are right now? No, I don’t want that, not at all. What do you want? I am thankful that I am your masterpiece. I am grateful that you are continuing to mold and shape my life. So, you want me to continue to my work of molding and shaping your life, is that true? Yes Lord, it is. I would like to say more on this subject. What’s that? I welcome your ongoing work in my life. You might hear a groan or a sigh here or there. It might seem like I am protesting and that I want you to go no further, that I want you to stop molding and shaping my life. Do me a favor. What’s that? Ignore my groans and sighs. Disregard what may seem like a protest on my part. Know this, I want you to keep working in my life. I don’t want you to stop molding and shaping me until we meet each other face to face. I’m glad to hear this prayer of yours. You, know this, under no circumstance will I stop making you into the person I want you to be. Then we are in complete agreement. Yes, for the moment we are in complete agreement. There will be times and moments in the future I may remind you of this conversation. Will that be all right with you? Yes, I’m sure that I will need every reminder that you will give to me. So, here I am. Keep on molding and shaping me. Keep on working in and through me. Use me according to your purposes and plans. Help me to join you in the work that you have given me to do for you. Use me for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, I will.

Lord, thank you for designing and creating me as your masterpiece. It is so healing and encouraging and humbling to know that I am the work of your hands. It is my honor and joy to join you in doing the good works you have prepared for me to do. Amen

Key Question…  How healing and encouraging is it for you to know that you are a masterpiece created by God?

Living It Out… As God’s masterpiece join Him in doing the work that He has designed and prepared you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as God’s masterpiece He has designed and prepared you to do good works for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has designed and prepared you to do good works for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you accept the fact that you are God’s masterpiece created in Christ to do good works with and for Him.

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

Promises – Day 227 – Ephesians 2:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

A Quiet Place And Rest

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 226 - Mark 6:30-31 - A Quiet Place And Rest - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 226 – Mark 6:30-31 – A Quiet Place And Rest – Growing As Disciples

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught.  Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:30-31 (NLT)

A Quiet Place 

Is there somewhere you would rather be? Is there something you would rather do? No, there is no place I would rather be. No, there is nothing I would rather do. I have made this choice. I have left the busyness of life far behind me. I have gladly entered this quiet place to be with you. You have my full attention. I have no distractions. My heart and mind and life are focused entirely on you. That is very good. What has happened as you have left the busyness of life to enter a quiet place to be with me. I am not primarily talking about right now. Over time what has happened to you because you have chosen to meet with me nearly every day over many years? What hasn’t happened to me? None of my life has been untouched by your hand as I have rested in your presence. Yes, that is true, but it will be beneficial for you to say out loud what has happened to you as you have drawn near to me. I agree and I am ready to answer your question. Go ahead, I am listening. In your presence, I have grown to love you with all my heart and mind, and strength. In your presence, I have come to know you and follow you and serve you. In your presence, you have revived and refreshed and restored my soul. You have brought your healing to me. You have healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You have made me whole. Yes, I have done all these things for you as you have quietly and attentively rested in my presence. What else? You have guarded and guided my life. You have given me a hope filled future. You filled me full of your Holy Spirit so I can shine like a star in the universe for you. Others have been drawn to you because they have seen your life being lived out in and through me. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Is that it? Certainly not, I am only scratching the surface describing what you have done, are doing and will do as I withdraw from the busyness of life to quietly meet with you. That is correct, without a doubt. Will you keep on meeting with me in a quiet place? Yes Lord, with a joy filled heart that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have worked myself ragged and run myself weary. I have failed to take a break to leave the busyness of life, to go to a quiet place to rest in your presence. Help me to withdraw daily to meet with you. Fully revive and restore my soul in your presence. Amen

Key Question…  How has leaving the busyness of life to meet with the Lord made you able to receive guidance from Him?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that it will be well worth your time and effort to leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you leave the busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you leave the busyness of life to go to a quiet place to rest in the Lord’s presence.

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

Promises – Day 226 – Mark 6-30-31 – A Quiet Place And 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

What Do You Want?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 225 - Matthew 20:32-34 - What Do You Want? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 225 – Matthew 20:32-34 – What Do You Want? – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”  Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. Matthew 20:32-34 (NLT)

Want And Need 

Ask you what? What do you want and need from me? What can I do for you? Just like that, I can ask you for what I want and need? You will hear and answer my prayers? Yes, I will hear and answer your prayers. Yes, you can make your wants and needs known to me. Really? Yes, really. Would it surprise you to know that you often have not, because you ask not? That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Why is that? I am sure that you have wanted me to come to ask you for what I want and need. For some reason, unknown to me, I have seldom made my wants and needs known to you. Yes, I know. But that is about to change. How so? I will make it my daily practice to bring my wants and needs to you. That will be very good. Do you think that I will hear and answer every prayer that you pray? Well, no, I am sure that I have prayed plenty of prayers that were not according to your purpose and plan or will for my life. I can think of some very misguided and unwise prayers that I have prayed over time. I reflect with gratitude that you have not answered every prayer that I have prayed. You are somewhat mistaken on this point. How so? Many times, the best answer I could give your prayers was “no” or “net yet”. At other times, I have answered your prayers in ways that you could not have possibly hoped for, dreamed of, or even imagined. Sometimes, your prayers have been tested. How so? I have asked you to be persistent and passionate in your prayers. Sometimes, I have required you to ask in faith, over great lengths of time, for what you have wanted or needed. In this way, your faith and hope and trust in me has grown. In this way, you have come to rely on me more fully. Don’t I know that! That does remind me of my highest and best prayer. That brings to the front of my heart and mind what I want and need most from you. What’s that? I want to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. If you were to do only one thing for me, this is what I would ask of you. You can be certain that I will do this in, for and through you. I will answer this prayer far beyond what you could ever ask for, dream of, or even imagine. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know I have not always brought my wants and needs to you. Why that is, I don’t know. That is going to change. I will bring all my wants and needs to you. I will make my prayers know to you. With faith, I will ask you for what I want and need from you. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord often filled your wants and needs in unanticipated ways?

Living It Out… Make it your faith filled prayer to ask the Lord for what you want and need from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can ask the Lord what you want Him to do for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you are asking the Lord to do for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask the Lord for what you want and need from Him.

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

Promises – Day 225 – Matthew 20-32-34 – What Do You Want? – 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

Acting As True Children

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 223 - Matthew 5:43-48 - Acting True Children - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 223 – Matthew 5:43-48 – Acting True Children – Growing As Disciples

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.  If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

Act Like A Child 

That’s a good thing? That is how I should act? What are you talking about? How should you act? Should I act like a child? I know what you are thinking. What am I thinking? You often heard, during your younger years, that you should grow up and stop acting like a child. I can’t tell you how many times I heard that as I was growing up. And now, I am being told that I need to act like a child. That sounds confusing, I know. But there is a huge difference between acting childish and acting like a child. You are going to need to clarify the difference for me. We’ll see about that. Let me ask you a couple questions first. Alright, I’m listening. How would you describe childish behavior? Childish behavior is self-centered and self-indulgent. A child is focused on one person. Who is that? A child is focused solely on themselves. That’s true. What else? A child is focused on one thing. What’s that? A child is focused solely on their wants and needs. If a child does not get what they want, when they want it, look out, a tantrum is on the way. That’s also true. You can be sure that I do not want you to behave in these childish ways. I have no doubts about that. That’s good.

If I asked you to behave like a child, but not any child, but my child, what would you think? That puts a completely different thought on behaving like a child. If I am to behave like your child, that means I would want to become like you. As your child, behaving like your child, I would want to think and speak and act like you. I would want to do what is pleasing to you. I would want to love you, just as you love me. I would want to love others, just as you love them. I would want to follow your example. I would want to go and do what you did. Now, you are understanding how I could ask you to act like a child, my child that is. Yes, I understand. That’s good. 

Now, I am asking to act like a child, my child, in a very specific way. Do know what I am asking of you? Yes, I do. You want me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Yes, I do. Will you become like me in this way? Will you love others, just as I have loved you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, it is my desire to become like you in all that I think and say and do. Help me love like you loved. I will love my enemies and I will pray for those who persecute me. Help me to live like one of your true children as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you never be a bright witness for Christ in the world if you only love those who love you?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to become a true child of God by loving and praying for your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to become a true child of God by loving and praying for your enemies.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are loving and praying for your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as a true child of God by loving others just as He loves you.

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

Promises – Day 223 – Matthew 5-43-48 – Acting As True Children – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Depended On God’s Grace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 222 - 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 - Depended On God's Grace - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 222 – 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 – Depended On God’s Grace – Growing As Disciples

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.  Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (NLT)

Depend on Me

Will you do that? Will I do what? Will you depend on me? Of course, I will depend on you. Who or what else would be worthy of my trust? Who or what else could I attempt to rely on? Those are good questions. Many depend and rely on someone or something other than me. Like what or who? You tell me. I thought you might say that. It will be a good exercise for you to consider and eliminate the alternatives that some choose to follow. Alright, here goes. I could depend and rely on the wisdom of the world. I could allow my thoughts and words and actions to be guided by the ideas and opinions and values of the world. I could be guided the winds of popular opinion. I could conform to the world so that I would think and speak and act like all everyone in it. If I take no action. If I just go with the flow. I will be just like very one else in the world. I would be conformed to its pattern. I would be shaped according to its mold. That would not be good. No, it would not. Or I could choose a slightly different alternative. Like what? Instead of following the wisdom of the world. I could simply do what is right in my own eyes. I could rely on myself. I could depend on my own wisdom. I could follow my own path. I could set my own course. I could make my own rules. Would that be good? Would living by either alternative make you able to live the life that I have called you to live? Would you be able to live a Godly life? Would you have a clear conscience? Would you have any confidence that you were doing what is pleasing to me? Would you be a witness for me in the world? Would you bear any fruit for my kingdom? Would you bring any glory to my name? There is nothing good or right or true in relying on the wisdom of the world or depending on myself. So yes, I will depend you. I will on you to guide my life. That will be very good. You will make me able to live the life that you have called me to live. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will not rely on myself or my own thinking. Nor will I rely on the wisdom of the world to guide my thoughts and words and actions. Instead, I will rely on you. I will depend fully on your grace to make me able to live a wise and Godly life for your glory. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you never be able to live a Godly life by relying on your own human wisdom?

Living It Out… Depend on the grace of God to enable to live a Godly life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that depending on the grace of God will enable you to live a Godly life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are depending on God’s grace to live a Godly life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you depend on God’s grace to help you to live a life of wisdom.

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

Promises – Day 222 – 2 Corinthians 1-12-14 – Depended On God’s Grace – 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

On Your Feet And On Your Way

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 221 - Jonah 1:1-3 - On Your Feet And On Your Way - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 221 – Jonah 1:1-3 – On Your Feet And On Your Way – Growing As Disciples

One day long ago, GOD’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son:  “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”  But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from GOD. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from GOD as he could get. Jonah 1:1-3 (MSG)

Assignment

Will you do this for me? Will I do what for you? Will you get up off your feet and be on your way to go and do what I ask of you? Will you take the assignment I want to give you? Before you answer me, you need to know that I do know your thoughts. So, don’t try to pull on over on me. Alright, I will confess that two words came into my mind about taking on an assignment from you. Let me hear those words. “That depends” came into my mind when I thought about taking on unknown assignment from you. Why is that? I’m not saying that I am proud of that response. I am also not saying that I will allow those two words to be my final answer to you. Just because those two words popped into my mind does not mean that I will grab a hold of them and make them my own. What you are saying is true. What you are saying is also being evasive. Why would the words, “it depends” pop into your mind when I ask you to go and do something for me? What thoughts are behind those two words? I do know that you like to give me a difficult and challenging assignment. You want the difficulty of my assignment to cause me to draw near to you. You want me to ask for your help. You want me to rely on you. You want to grow my faith as I go and do what you ask me. Yes, I want all these things for you. But the truth is, I don’t like to be uncomfortable. I don’t want to be inconvenienced. I don’t want to leave my comfort zone to take on a difficult and demanding assignment. You are making an honest confession. Yes, I am. That’s good. But none of what you have said is your final answer to me, is it? No, it is not. What is your final answer to me? I will take on any assignment you give to me. I want you to work in and through me. I want to be used by you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. So, my final answer will always be yes to you. That is very good. 

Lord, I will accept any assignment you give me. I will not run away from you. I will not bail out on any difficult task you ask me to do for you. Fully use my life. Accomplish your will, purposes and plan in and through me. I am at your service, ready for your use. Amen

Key Question…  How have you tried to avoid going and doing something that the Lord asked of you?

Living It Out… Get on your feet and be on your way to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life and the lives of others as you go and do what He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has blessed lives as you have done what He asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you get on your feet and be on your way to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

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

Promises – Day 221 – Jonah 1-1-3 – On Your Feet And On Your Way – 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