Monthly Archives: December 2023

Humility Procedes Honor

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 219 - Proverbs 15:31-33 - Humility Precedes Honor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 219 – Proverbs 15:31-33 – Humility Precedes Honor – Growing As Disciples

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.  If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 15:31-33 (NLT)  

Will You Listen?

Will you listen?  Will I listen to who? Will I listen to what? Those are two very good questions. Let me ask you two more questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Who would you be unwilling to listen to? What would you be unwilling to hear? Those seem like harder questions. Why is that? I might start off by saying that I am willing to listen to anyone and everyone. I might also continue to say that there is nothing that I would be unwilling to hear. But those statements might not be true. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. I suppose that there are some people that don’t have my ear. Yes, there are people that I have been unwilling to listen to. What else? I have not always been willing to hear and receive and accept what others have had to say to me. Like what? I have not always accepted constructive criticism or what you might call a “life giving” rebuke. Has that been wise? What has sometimes happened to you because you failed to hear constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke? What have been the consequences of failing to listen to those who have had something important to say to you? I have suffered some pain and suffering and loss because I have pridefully and foolishly rejected wise counsel from others. So, you are willing to admit that wisdom often comes to you as constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke? Yes, I am. So, are you now much more willing to listen and hear what others have to say to you? Yes, I am. That’s good. I will tell you a little secret. What’s that? You can’t be a prideful and foolish and stubborn in your listening to others and be a wise listener to me. What will prevent you from receiving wisdom from others will prevent you from receiving wisdom from me. I’m starting to get that. I am beginning to understand. I will tell you another little secret. What’s that? I will often send people your way to speak into your life so that you can receive wisdom from me. So, be ready and willing and able to hear and receive and accept what others have to say to you. In pridefully and foolishly rejecting constructive criticism or a “life giving” rebuke from others, you may be rejecting an important word from me. So, I will ask you again, “Will you listen?” Yes Lord, I will listen attentively to you and to others you bring into my life. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will humbly accept constructive criticism. I will also welcome your corrective discipline in my life. I will not be proud. I will not be stubborn.  I will walk in humble awe of you throughout my life. Teach me your wisdom. Give me understanding. Lead my life. Amen

Key Question…  Why is it a prideful and foolish mistake to fail to listen to and accept constructive criticism?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use constructive criticism and corrective discipline to make you wise.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use constructive criticism and corrective discipline to make you wise.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you the Lord is using criticism and discipline to make you wise.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly receive constructive criticism and corrective discipline so you could be made wise.

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

Promises – Day 219 – Proverbs 15-31-33 – Humility Precedes Honor – 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

At Work In You Who Believe

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 220 - 1 Thessalonians 2:13- At Work In You Who Believe - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 220 – 1 Thessalonians 2:13- At Work In You Who Believe – Growing As Disciples

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)

Receive The Word 

Are you receiving my word?  I’m not positive that I know exactly what you mean. But I think that I am. Tell me what it means for you to receive my word? I had a feeling that you were going to ask me that question. Receiving your word begins with an attitude in my heart and mind. My attitude toward your word demonstrates the value I place on it in my life. To me, your word is more valuable than silver or gold. What do you mean by that? I spend a lot of time taking your word into my life. I meditate on it. I memorize it. I pray it. I think about your word all the time. The value of silver or gold or money does not rival or remotely come close to the value I place on your word. Why do you place such a high value on my word? Your word is how you speak into my life. I want to hear from you. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to follow and serve you. None of this would be possible without your word. No, it would not. Can you say more? Your word is what you use to change my heart and transform my mind. I know that my thoughts are not your thoughts. I know that my ways are not your ways. Your thoughts and ways are so much higher and better than mine. As I meditate on your word you are using it to work in me. How so? Your word changes my thoughts. Your word brings my heart and mind into alignment with you. If I discover that one of my thoughts or ways is not consistent with yours then I know that it is time for me to change my thought or way. Is that all? No, there is much more. Not only does your word show me your thoughts and your ways, it also gives me the power and strength to follow and obey you. Your word helps me to withstand temptation. Your word gives me strength in trials. Do you know why my word is able to strengthen you against temptations and makes you able to stand in trials? Yes, I do. Your Holy Spirit takes your word and uses it to fight in me, with me, and for me. Your word is like a sword in the hand of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it is. 

What am I doing in you with my word right now? You are using your word to bear fruit in and through my life for your kingdom and your glory. How am I doing that? You are allowing me to tell others about you and your word. You are using me to proclaim your word. Just as you have allowed me to hear your word, so also do you want others to be able to hear your word. Yes, I do. Keep on hearing, receiving and accepting my word as you proclaim it to others. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to hear, accept and believe in your word. Continue to do your work in me with your word. Keep on changing my heart and transforming my mind with your word. Mold and shape my life according to your word. Amen

Key Question…  What must you do with God’s word if you want it to change your heart and transform your mind?

Living It Out… Make it your daily priority to hear, believe and obey God’s word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will be at work in you as you hear, believe and obey it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has worked in you as you heard and obeyed it.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear, believe and accept God’s word so that it can be at work in your life..

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

Promises – Day 220 – 1 Thessalonians 2-13 – At Work In You Who Believe – 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

Jesus Is The Son Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 210 - 1 John 5:1-5 - Jesus Is The Son Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 210 – 1 John 5:1-5 – Jesus Is The Son Of God – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.  We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.  Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 (NLT)  

Believe In Me

Well, do you? Do I what? Do you believe in me? Yes, of course I believe in you. What does it mean to believe in me? Does believing in me mean that you believe a set of facts about me? At one time, that is all I believed about you. I only believed a set of facts about you. Did believing a set of facts about me change your life? Did believing a set of facts about me alter your course Did believing a set of facts about me cause you to want to love and follow and serve me? I am sorry to say that believing a set of facts about you had no impact on my life. I did not think or speak or act any differently because I believed a set of facts about you. My life was not changed. My course was not altered. I did not love you more because I believed a set of facts about you. Then, what you are describing is not truly believing in me, is it? No, it is not. When did you truly come to believe in me? I came to believe in you when I desperately needed you. My life was bruised and battered and broken. My own sin had brought me pain and suffering. I had reached rock bottom. I had nowhere to turn but to you. I cried out to you. Really, I shouted at you. I demanded that you show yourself to me if you were real. Did I hear and answer that prayer? You are calling what I did, a prayer? It certainly was a prayer. Well, you answered my cry. You heard my prayer. You brought me to you. You helped me to confess my sins to you. You helped me to receive your forgiveness and cleansing. You turned my life around. I left my old life behind. You filled me with your Holy Spirit, and you gave me a completely new life to live. Now, nothing about me is the same. No part of my life has been left untouched by your hands. Day by day, you have been molding and shaping my life as I follow you. Now, all my thoughts and words and actions are different. Now, because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, it is not burdensome for me to obey your commands. In fact, it is my joy to live a life that is good and right and true. It is my pleasure to do what is pleasing to you. With me working in and for and through you, what have I also given to you? You have given me victory over the world. The world has lost its grip on me because I am holding on to you. Now, you truly do believe in me. Yes, I do. That is very good.

Lord, I believe in you with all my heart. You are my Savior and Lord. I love you with all that is within me. Loving you makes obeying your commandments not burdensome. Help me to follow and serve you. Help me to love others. Give me victory over the world. Amen

Key Question…  How has loving Christ with all your heart made it not burdensome for you to obey His commandments?

Living It Out… Believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord so you will joyfully and wholeheartedly love, follow and serve Him

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord will give you victory over the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how believing in Jesus Christ has changed the entire course of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May believing in Jesus Christ give you victory over the world.

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

Promises – Day 210 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Jesus Is The Son 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

Pray And Never Give Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 218 - Luke 18:1-8 - Pray And Never Give Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 218 – Luke 18:1-8 – Pray And Never Give Up – Growing As Disciples

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.  “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.  A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’  The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,  but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”  Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.  Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”  Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)  

Persistent In Prayer

Will you do that? Will I do what? Will you be persistent in prayer? Will you keep on praying until you have an answer from me? Yes, I will be persistent in prayer. Yes, I will keep on praying until I have an answer from you? You do have a few questions about prayer, don’t you? Yes, I do. Go ahead, ask me. Why are not all my prayers answered immediately? Why must I sometimes wait a great deal of time before a prayer of mine is answered? Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening. Is “no” an answer to prayer? Yes, “no” is an answer to prayer. Why might I say “no” to one of your prayers? I may be asking for something that is not helpful or healthy for me. I may be asking for something far less than what you want to give me. You might have something completely different or better in mind for me. So, a “no” from me is not just an answer to your prayer, but it is a very good answer to some of your prayers. I get that, I understand. That’s good. I have another question for you. Is “not yet” or “wait” an answer to prayer? Yes, “not yet” and “wait” are both answers to prayer. Why might I say, “not yet” or “wait” to one of your prayers? The timing is not right. I may not be ready to receive what I am asking of you. Other circumstances may need to come into alignment to make it to be the right time for my prayer to be answered. Yes, those are real and true reasons why I haven’t answered some of your prayers immediately. Have I ever answered one of your prayers in a way that you could have never dreamed of, asked for, or even imagined? There is no doubt about that. Has it sometimes taken you quite a while to realize that I had in fact answered your prayer without you even noticing it right away? There is no doubt about that either. Now, for the hardest questions. Have I ever asked you to keep praying because I wanted to grow your faith and develop your persistence in prayer? Has waiting and being persistent in prayer caused you to rely more fully on me? Has waiting and be persistent in prayer caused you to draw nearer to me and made our relationship more intimate? Yes, and that is no doubt better and more important that what I was praying for anyhow. It pleases me that you know this to be true. Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your varied answers to my prayers. I will keep on being persistent in prayer. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, with a heart filled with faith, I will be persistent in my prayers. I will not lose heart. I will not give up and quit. Help me to be persistent in my prayers. Do your good work in me so that you will find me full of faith when I meet you face to face. Amen

Key Question…  What prayers have you been praying with great persistence over a very long time?

Living It Out… With a heart filled with faith may you remain persistent in your prayers until an answer comes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that answers will come as you remain persistent in your prayers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what answers have come as you have been persistent in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always keep praying and never give up until an answer comes.

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

Promises – Day 203 – Luke 18-1-8 – Pray And Never Give Up – 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

I Will Bless You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 217 - Genesis 12:1-3 - I Will Bless You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 217 – Genesis 12:1-3 – I Will Bless You – Growing As Disciples

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)

Go And Do What I Ask 

Will you listen to me? Will you go and do what I ask of you? Will you leave the comfortable and familiar to go and do what I ask of you, even it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar? Don’t answer me too quickly. Know that I will not unfold a complete and detailed road map before you. You will need to follow me. You will need to trust me. You will need to rely on me. I will take you along a path on which you have never traveled. I will have you do what you have never done. You will not have an opportunity to reason with me, to weigh the pros and cons of following and obeying me. You will have to decide if you are willing to place all your faith and hope and trust in me without your fully understanding where I am taking you or what I am asking of you. Now, let’s talk. How does all this sound to you? Do you want my honest answer? Yes, I want your honest answer. All of this sounds scary to me. This sounds difficult and demanding and challenging. Yes, it is all of that, and more. But I need to ask myself some questions. Like what?  Where would I go and what would I do if I decided not to follow and serve you? Where would my life end up if I stopped following and serving you? Wouldn’t my life be filled with regret if I didn’t keep moving forward with you? Aren’t you about to do something significant in and through my life if I say yes to going and doing what you ask of me? Won’t my faith grow stronger as I follow and serve you? Won’t you help me to go and do what you ask of me? Won’t my life be blessed as I allow you to use me? Won’t I be a blessing to others as you work in and through me? You are asking a lot of very good questions. Yes, and there is no doubt about what I will do. What’s that? I will go and do all that you ask of me. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord, for calling me to go and do what you ask of me.

Lord, help me to go and do what you ask of me. I will rely on you. Work in and through me. Bless my life so that I can be a blessing to others. Use me to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I am at your service ready for your use. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord blessed your life as you have gone and done what He asked of you?

Living It Out… With a heart filled with faith go and do what the Lord asks of you so your life can be a blessing to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to go and do what He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to go and do what He asked of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do what the Lord asks of you so you can be a blessing to others.

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

Promises – Day 217 – Genesis 12-1-3 – I Will Bless 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

Listen Carefully To My Words

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 215 - Proverbs 4:20-27 - Listen Carefully To My Words - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 215 – Proverbs 4:20-27 – Listen Carefully To My Words – Growing As Disciples

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.  Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.  Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.  Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:20-27 (NLT) 

Penetrate Deeply Into Your Heart 

Will you pay attention to what I say? Will you listen carefully to my words? Will you keep your eyes focused intently on my word? Will you allow my word to penetrate deeply into your heart? Will you allow my word to bring life and healing to your entire being? Do you know why I am asking you all these questions? Do you understand the importance of my word?  I think I do know why you are asking me all these questions. I think I do know the importance of your word. I do know why your word is of utmost importance in my life. Let me hear your thoughts. Say what you are thinking out loud. My entire being is under attack. This world is full of temptation and evil. This world and all the evil in it would like nothing better than to sidetrack my life. This world and all the evil in it would like to divert my attention and take me off course, far away from your purpose and plan for my life. The battleground and where I am under attack, is in my heart and mind. I need to take the utmost care in guarding my heart and mind and life from the evil that is in the world. What I allow my heart and mind to feel and think will certainly determine the entire course of my life. What I allow my heart and mind to feel and think will determine the health of my entire being. It will not be nearly enough to guard my heart and mind and steer clear of evil. That is a very good first step. That step alone, however, will not bring me victory. I must also allow your word to deeply penetrate my heart.  I must allow your word to continually change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. My full attention and entire focus need to be on you and your word. Only then, will I be able to walk a straight and safe path. Only then, will I be able to know and do your will, without being sidetracked. Then I will be able to hear and follow and obey you. Then my life will be filled with the health and wholeness you have for me. You have answered my questions well. Keep on allowing my word to penetrate deeply into your heart. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will allow your word to penetrate deeply into my heart. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Keep me on a straight and safe path so I don’t get sidetracked by evil. I will hear and follow and obey your word. Amen

Key Question…  How are you allowing God’s word to penetrate deeply into your heart?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to penetrate your heart so you will have life and health in your entire being.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart will bring life and healing to my entire being.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to penetrate your entire being.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to deeply penetrate your heart so they can bring life to your being.

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

Promises – Day 201 – Proverbs 4-20-27 – Listen Carefully To My Words – 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

To Teach Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 213 - Romans 15:1-4 - To Teach Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 213 – Romans 15:1-4 – To Teach Us – Growing As Disciples

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.  For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”  Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:1-4 (NLT)  

Fill My Life With Hope

Why have I given you my word? What will my word accomplish in your life? Why is it important that you listen attentively to my word? How are you making it your daily practice to meet with me in my word? Those are all very important questions. I need to carefully consider all that you are asking of me. Why is that? If I don’t carefully consider your questions and adequately answer them, I might fail to meet with you in your word. Meeting with you in your word might become a random and infrequent activity if I fail to understand the value of your word working in my life. Meeting with you in your word is not one more good idea among many other possible good ideas. Meeting in your word needs to be the number one priority of my life. Why is that? You speak to me through your word. You mold and shape my life by your word. You guard and guide me by your word. You encourage and build me up and strengthen me by your word. You fill my life with hope and joy and peace by your word. If I were to fail to meet with you in your word, it would be as if I were saying that I need none of these things from you. That would be a very foolish mistake. As it is, there is no place I would rather be than in your word. There is nothing I would rather do than to receive your instruction and follow your guidance. I want to hear from you. I welcome you to use your word to keep on doing your work in and for and through me. Those last couple words bring another thought to my mind. What’s that? You not only want to use your word to work in me. You want to use your word to work through me. Yes, I do. Whatever you do in, or for me, by your word, you want me to share with others what I have received form you. Like what? You want me to share hope and peace and joy. You want me to share instruction and guidance. You want me to share encouragement and strength and protection. You even want me to share the molding and shaping I have received from you, by your word. Yes, I do. There is nothing that I have received from your word that you don’t want to share with others. That is correct. So, you will continue to meet with me daily in my word? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will allow you to teach me. I will receive your instruction and follow your guidance. Use your word to fill me with hope. Use your word to encourage me. Build me up with your word so I can build up and encourage others with all I have receive from you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you allowing God’s word to teach you so He can mold, shape and guide your life?

Living It Out… Allow the teaching of God’s word to fill your life with hope and encouragement.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the teaching from God’s word will fill your life with hope and encouragement.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is using you to encourage and build others up with hope.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the teaching of God’s word to give you hope. 

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

Promises – Day 198 – Romans 15-1-4 – To Teach Us – 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

God Who Chose You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 214 - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - God Who Chose You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 214 – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – God Who Chose You – Growing As Disciples

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NLT)  

Become Like Me

I want that for you. What do you want for me? I want you to become like me. I want you to think and speak and act like me. I chose you. You are my child. I am your Heavenly Father. What father does not want his child to become like him? I am Holy. I chose you to become holy like me. That is a high calling. That seems like an impossible task. I am thankful and grateful that you chose me. I want nothing more than to be like you in all I think and say and do. But with my own strength, under my own power, I don’t know how I could possibly live such a life. Who said you could think and speak and act like me with your own efforts, under your own power and by your own strength? Certainly not me. No doubt, living your life with and for me with require your full attention and all-out effort. But your full attention and all-out efforts will never enable you to live a life of thinking and speaking and acting like me. You will never be able to make yourself holy. To think otherwise would be foolish. I’m confused. How then will I ever be able to live the life you have called me to live? First, you must know and believe and accept that you have been made holy in my sight by my Son’s payment of your sins. His sacrifice made it so you could be forgiven of your sins and cleansed of your unrighteousness. When He became your Savior and Lord you left your old sinful life behind you. You are now dead to sin and alive to me and the holy life I have called you to live. Second, you must keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. I will mold and shape you. I will change your heart and transform your mind. I will guard and guide you. I will protect and strengthen you. I will make you able to live the life I have called you to live. I will give you my thoughts to think. I will give you my words to speak. I will give you my deeds to do. Will you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Will you live the life of salvation you have been given to live? Will you rely on me? Yes, I will rely on you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That will be very good. Then you will be able to live the life I have called you to live.

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me. It is my desire to become like you in all I think, say and do. Mold and shape me so I can become like you. I will not slip back into living my old sinful life. Instead, I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. Amen

Key Question…  is setting your hope on, and looking forward to, your salvation in Christ guiding your life today?

Living It Out… Think clearly, exercise self-control and set your mind on your salvation in Christ so you can live as He called you to live.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can rely on God to help you to live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share… May you be holy in all you think and say and do.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pleasing prayers to God that He will hear and answer.

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

Promises – Day 214 – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – God Who Chose You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

He Hears Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 212 - 1 John 5:13-15 - He Hears Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 212 – 1 John 5:13-15 – He Hears Us – Growing As Disciples

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.  And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:13-15 (NLT)  

I Will Hear You 

Do you know that to be true? Do I know what to be true? Do you believe that I will hear you? Do you believe that I will answer your prayers? Yes, I believe that you will hear me. Yes, I believe that you will answer my prayers. Will I answer every prayer that you pray? No, I’m sure that you will not answer every prayer that I pray. What prayers will I not hear and answer for you? You will not hear and answer prayers that are not pleasing to you. What kind of prayers are not pleasing to me? You will not hear and answer prayers that are outside of your will. You will not hear and answer prayers that are not according to your purposes and plans. You will not hear and answer prayers that are outside of your timing. You will not hear and answer prayers that would ultimately be unhelpful or unhealthy for me. You will not hear and answer prayers that are self-centered, self-indulgent and self-sufficient. You will not hear and answer my prayers if they are filled with my own sin. That is true. But I should stop here for a moment and clarify my thinking and response to your question. Go right ahead. “No”, is an answer to prayer. Sometimes, “no” is your very best answer to my prayer. I can think of many prayers that I am now glad that you did not answer. So, you often hear and answer my prayers, that are not pleasing to you, with a “no” because you have something more or something else or something better for me. That is true. “Not yet”, is also an answer to prayer. I am often impatient. I hate to wait. There have been many times that you have heard and answered my prayers with a different timing or in a different way than I could have ever anticipated. You have often delayed hearing and answering my prayers until I was ready to receive what I wanted to give me. That is also true.

What kinds of prayers are pleasing to me? Before I answer that question, I need to clarify one more thing. What’s that? I need you to guide my prayers. I need you to teach me how to pray. I need you to help me to know what prayers would be pleasing to you. Yes, you do. So, prayers that are reliant on you are on the right track. Yes, they are. Prayers that bring you honor, and glory are pleasing to you. Prayers asking for your help are pleasing to you. Prayers asking for wisdom are pleasing to you. Prayers of adoration, confession and thanksgiving are pleasing to you. Prayers of intercession for others are pleasing to you. Prayers that are according to your will are pleasing to you. Prayers that will accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans are pleasing to you. Yes, all these prayers are pleasing to me. Yes, I will hear and answer these prayers. Will you keep on praying prayers that are pleasing to me? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Then I will hear you. Then I will answer your prayers. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father guide my prayers. Help me to pray prayers that are good and right and true. Help me to pray prayers that are according to your will and purposes and plans. Help me to pray prayers that are pleasing to you, that you will hear and answer. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you are praying prayers that are pleasing to God?

Living It Out… Make it your practice to pray prayers that are pleasing to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will hear and answer prayers that are pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what prayers you are praying that are certainly pleasing to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pleasing prayers to God that He will hear and answer.

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

Promises – Day 197 – 1 John 5-13-15 – He Hears Us – 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

Equip You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 206 - Hebrews 13:20-21 - Equip You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 206 – Hebrews 13:20-21 – Equip You – Growing As Disciples

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) 

Doing Your Will

I will equip you. I will give you every good thing you need to do my will. I will work in you so you can do what is pleasing to me. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and glory. You will bring praise to my name. Do you know why this is possible? It is your will. Yes, it is my will, but say more. Your love has saved me. You sent your Son into the world to redeem my life. He paid for my sins. His blood cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. I have been forgiven. I have been set free from the power of sin over my life. I have been given a new life in and through Him. I can now live in an intimate relationship with you. I can now live my life with and for you. I can do your will and what pleases you. Yes, you can. Is that what you want to do? Yes, it is. Let’s talk more about doing my will and what pleases me. That would be great.

I will give you every good thing so that you can do my will. What do you think about that statement? That is a very powerful promise. Yes, it is. What does it mean to you? You will make your will known to me. That must be true. It is. I would never be able to do your will if I did not know what your will was. No, you would not. How do you think I will reveal my will to you? I know how you will reveal your will to me. You sound very confident. I feel very confident. I think you have made it very clear how you will reveal your will. Go ahead. You will reveal your will to me through your word. As I meet with you in your word, you will reveal your will to me. Yes, I will. You used a very important key word that I want to highlight. What word was that? You used the word “as”. You said “as” you meet with me in my word, I will reveal my will to you. Yes, I did. What will happen if you don’t meet with me in my word? Then I won’t be able to know your will. That’s right. So, I will keep meeting with you in your word so I can know your will. That will be very good. How else will I reveal my will to you? You will reveal your will to me as I meet with you in prayer. Yes, I will. What will happen if you rely on yourself and feel no need to meet with me in prayer? Then I won’t be able to know your will. That’s right. So, I will keep meeting with you in prayer. That will be very good. How else will I reveal my will to you? You will reveal your will to me as I am led by your Spirit. Yes, I will. What will happen to you if listen to all the voices in the world and fail to listen to the voice of my Spirit leading you? Then I won’t be able to know your will.  That’s right. So, I will keep on listening to the voice of your Spirit leading me. That will also be very good. What can you be certain of as you follow and serve me? You will show me your will and give me everything I will need to accomplish your will and do what pleases you. You will allow me to bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. You will allow me to bring praise to your name  through Jesus Christ who lived and died and rose again for me. Yes, I will. Why is that? This is your will. Yes, it is.

 Heavenly Father, I welcome your work in my life. I ask that you will equip me with every good thing so I can do your will and everything pleasing to you. May my life and work bring praise and glory to Jesus Christ now and forever. Amen

Key Question… How has God been equipping you with every good thing to do His will?

Living It Out… Allow God to work in you to equip you to do everything that is pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God is working in you to equip you to do everything that is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been working in you to equip you to do what pleases Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to work in you to equip you with every good thing to do His will and what is pleasing to Him.

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

Promises – Day 206 – Hebrews 13-20-21 – Equip 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