Monthly Archives: May 2024

Sower And The Soils

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Parable Of The Sower And The Soils - Matthew 13:34-8,18-23 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Sower And The Soils – Matthew 13:34-8,18-23 – Growing As Disciples

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23  (NIV)

Fruitful Heart

What is the condition of your heart? That depends, I suppose. What do you mean by that?  I wish that I could say that the condition of my heart is always soft and fertile, like a very well cared for garden. What is it that changes the condition of your heart? How can you continually take care of your heart so that it will be like a well cared for garden?

I know that the condition of my heart can become hard. How is that? There are any number of possibilities. Can you name one? I’ll try. When I allow myself to be filled with pride my heart can become quite hard. How so? My pride tells me that I know it all. I can become so certain of something that I am completely unteachable. That’s not good. I know. In this condition I’m not able to receive anything from you or anyone else. You don’t want that. No, I don’t. I can’t tell you how many dumb mistakes I’ve made because I failed to hear and understand what you or others have wanted to say to me.

What else would you like to say about the condition of your heart? I know that my heart can be fickle and fragile. Can you give me an example? One day I can be so excited to know that you have a purpose and plan for my life. Yes, I do. I know, that’s what your word says. But, the next day I might be completely discouraged. How is that possible? It’s easy. Why is that?  Sometimes, I let difficult circumstances. delay or roadblocks cause me to forget the promise that you have a purpose and plan for my life. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve sometimes lived as if I don’t believe or haven’t heard your word.  It’s as if I haven’t taken a firm grip on your word or let it take a firm grip on me. This is not good either. I would have to agree with you.

Is there one final thing that you would like to say about the condition of your heart? I know that my heart can become entangled in the things of this world. What do you have in mind? It seems like I’m constantly being bombarded with the message that I don’t have enough. I shouldn’t be content with what I have. I should want or need more. It almost doesn’t matter what the “more” is. It’s the pursuit of this “more” and my lack of contentment that causes me to chase after what I don’t need or shouldn’t have. It’s this pursuit leading me to run in the wrong direction that does damage to my heart. What direction is that?  It’s any direction that leads away from you and all that you have for me. It’s any direction that replaces what you have for me with the things of this world. You don’t want that. No, I don’t.

What do you think will guard your heart so that you will be fruitful for me? Guarding and tending my heart all comes down to one thing. What’s that? When I spend time with you in your word; it is you that will guard, keep and protect my heart. Yes, I do. You will sow your word into my heart and mind. You will mold and shape my life by your word. It is you that will make me fruitful for you. Your word being lived out in my heart, mind and life will bear a rich harvest for your Kingdom and Glory. Is that what you want me to do in you, for you and through you? Yes, more than anything else. Make my heart fruitful for you. Yes, I will.

Lord, prepare my heart so that your word will take root and grow in me. Help me to hear and obey all you say to me. Transform my heart and mind by your word. Make my life abundantly fruitful for your kingdom and your glory.  Amen

Key Question… What will be the result of God’s word taking root and growing in your life?

Living It Out… Allow the seed of God’s word to take root in your life and grow so that you will bear abundant fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bear an abundance of fruit through your life as you let His word take root in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s word to take root in you and grow.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the Lord bear an abundance of fruit through your life as you let His word take root in you.

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

Parables – Matthew 13-23 – Sower And The Soils – 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                              http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Wise And Foolish Builders

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Wise And Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:24-27 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Wise And Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24-27 – Growing As Disciples

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)

Two Choices

You have a choice to make, two choices actually.  What are they? The first choice is easy to miss. People take the first choice as a given, forget it and move on. What’s the first choice? Will you hear my words? That sounds easy enough. Yes it does, but it is actually quite difficult. It doesn’t seem so. Hearing my word is not the hardest part. What is then? It’s choosing to hear my word that is difficult. Why is that so hard? You tell me, what would distract you from hearing my word? How much of my word is enough for you to hear? Is hearing my word once or twice a week enough for you? Do you want all my word to be spoon fed to you by others or do you want to be able to feast on it for yourself? If my word were more valuable than silver or gold, which it is, how much of it would you want? How many, do you think, really desire my word and value it above silver, gold or anything else? You certainly have a lot of questions for me. Yes I do, tell me what you think.

I think that your word is not valued as it should be.  There have been times in my life when I have let just about anything distract me from prayerfully reading and hearing your word.   It pains me to know that I’ve spent more time watching television or playing on the computer than I have spent prayerfully reading and hearing your word. That’s like trading garbage for gold.  Yes, it is.  Why has all this changed for you? You led me to carve out a specific time and place to meet with you in your word everyday.   That’s an interesting choice of words. Why is that?  Why did you use the word carve?  It took a real rock solid commitment to set apart an uninterrupted time to meet with you. What helped you do that? I realized that our special time together would only be consistent if nothing was allowed to compete with it.  I knew that I should start very small and let our time together grow over time.  That’s why you chose to meet with me just before you went to bed every night?  Yes, I knew that nothing would compete with that time and place. That became a sacred time and place for you didn’t it? Yes, it did. Have other things tried to compete with this time that you have set apart to meet with me? No, not really.  It’s like there has been a wall of protection over our time together that distractions of any kind are not allowed to penetrate.  Very quickly our meeting together became an automatic pattern that is as regular as clockwork.  Actually, as we’ve met together, my hunger and desire to spend more time with you has grown. Yes, it has.

Have you noticed anything about the second choice? What’s that? It’s putting my word into practice. Yes, actually I have. What’s that? I’ve noticed that when I’m hearing and praying over your word; obeying you and putting your word into practice has become the desire of my heart. I don’t obey you because I should or because I must.  You don’t?  Why do you obey me? I obey you and put your word into into practice because I love you. I want to do whatever pleases you. The more I’m with you in your word the less interest or attraction I have for the things of this world. You have been transforming my heart and mind by your word. Your word is helping me to think your thoughts. You are molding and shaping my life by your word.  You are making me into who you want me to be by your word. Yes, I am. Your word has become a firm foundation for me.  It is now a wall of protection around me.  I have discovered that your word really is more valuable than silver or gold. Yes it is.  Continue hearing my words and putting them into practice. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, in the past I have allowed shaky materials to be the foundation of my life. These will not help me to withstand the storms of life. Give me a firm foundation that is built on your word. Help me to continue to come to you to hear your word and to put it into practice. Amen

Key Question… What construction materials are being used to build and shape the person you are becoming?

Living It Out… Carve out a time and set aside a special place to meet with God in His word on a daily basis.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that there is nothing more valuable or important than meeting with God in His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is the foundation on which your life is being built.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with God in His word and put into practice all that you are hearing.

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

Parables – Matthew 7-24-25 – Wise And Foolish Builders – 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

Lamp Under A Bowl

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Lamp Under A Bowl - Matthew 5:14-16 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Lamp Under A Bowl – Matthew 5:14-16 – Growing As Disciples

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16  (NIV)

 Say Yes

Do you know who you are? Do you know what I want to do in you and through you? Do you know what is the purpose of your life? Those are very significant questions that aren’t that easy to answer. Would you be willing to help me out with the answers? Yes, I would. In fact the answers can’t and won’t come from you. If they did then they wouldn’t be correct. So, it is a good thing that you’re relying on me for the answers.

You are the light of the world. You know why that is possible and true? I think so. Tell me what you think. I am the light of the world because I am your child. A child is like his parents. You are my Father. You rescued me from the darkness that I was living in. You saved, forgave and cleansed me through all that Christ did for me on the cross. You sent your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Now, day-by-day, you are transforming me and making me more like you. Each day I shine a little brighter for you as I allow you to mold, shape and change my life. Yes, that is exactly what I’m doing in and through you and for you.

As I change you and you shine more brightly, what am I leading you to do for me? You are leading me to let the light that is you, in me, shine out into the darkness of this world. Yes, and how does that actually happened? It happens when I say yes to what you’re asking me to do for you. What happens when you say no to me and just sit around and do nothing for me? That would be like putting my light under a bucket or bowl. What would happen then? My light would grow very dim and others would not see that your light was shining through me. Can you see how my light will shine even brighter through you as you serve me? Yes, I can. The light that you give me is to be shared; it is not meant to be kept hidden or secret. It is for all to see.

What will happen to others when they see my light shining through you? They will see the good things that you have done in me for me and through me. They will know that it has been you at work. They will want to give thanks and praise to you because you are the source of light shining through me.  Yes, I am. What else will others want to do because of what I’ve done in you? They will want to give their lives to you as well. They will want to love you, follow you and serve you. Yes they will.

What then would you say is the purpose of your life? The purpose of my life is to say yes to you so that I can shine brightly for you and bring glory to you. That is what I will do with all my heart and mind and soul because I love you. I am your child. I am all yours. Yes, you are. 

Lord, help me to say yes to all that you want to do for me, in me and through my life so that I can shine brightly in the world. Let all the good deeds that you lead and enable me to do bring thanks, praise, honor, and glory to you. Amen

Key Question… How will saying yes to what God wants to do through you allow His light to shine brightly for Him?

Living It Out…Say yes to all that God wants to do in and through your life so that you can shed light and bring glory to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your light will shine brightly in this world when you say yes to what God wants to do through you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used you to shed light in this world for His glory.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you say yes to all that God wants to do through your life so you can shine brightly and bring glory to Him.

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

Parables – Matthew 5-14-16 – Lamp Under A Bowl – 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

For Such A Time As This?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 137 - Esther 4:4 - For Such A Time As This - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 137 – Esther 4:4 – For Such A Time As This – Growing As Disciples

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)  

Your Instrument

Here I am. I am watching. I am waiting. I am ready to be used by you, as your instrument. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I will not hesitate. I will not make excuses. I will jump at the chance to serve you. Don’t think that you will have to wait too long. Don’t think that you will need to go too far. Why is that? I have placed you right where you are. You will have plenty of opportunities to serve me right here and right now. How will I know when and where and how you want to use me? If you are truly watching and waiting and ready to serve me, your opportunities to serve me will become quite obvious to you. Is that right? Yes, it is. I am so glad to hear that. Why is that? I thought maybe I had been set on the shelf. I thought maybe I would be of little use to you.  I thought maybe I had missed my time or lost my opportunity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing could be a more deceptive lie from the devil. I have been preparing you for my use. I have given you many gifts and talents and abilities with which you can serve me. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. For that, I am so thankful. I have no greater desire than to be used by you. I want to go and do all that you ask of me. It will be my joy and pleasure to serve you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. That is very good. But I must tell you something. What’s that? You already are being used by me. You have already been bearing fruit for my kingdom and bringing glory to my name. You are already going and doing what I have asked of you. Really? Yes, really. Be encouraged. Be lifted up. Be strengthened. That is such good news to hear. But be ready. Why is that? Greater opportunities for you to serve me are coming. Use every opportunity I give you. Make the best use of the time, that is coming to you. Don’t let any opportunity slip by you. Don’t let any opportunity go to waste. I won’t Lord. Help me to be faithful. Help me to say yes to everything you ask of me. You will have my help. I will work in and through you. You will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. You will continue to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for placing me right where I am. You have given me unique opportunities to serve you here and now. Help me to go and do all that you ask of me. Help me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Fruitfully use me in your service. Amen

Key Question… Where has the Lord uniquely placed you so He can use you for His purposes to accomplish His plans?

Living It Out… Allow God to use you to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has uniquely placed you in a position to serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to accomplish His purposes and plans.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go and do all that the Lord asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 137 – Esther 4-14 – For Such A Time As This?- 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide.pdf

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

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 118 - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think About Such Things- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 118 – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think About Such Things- Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) 

An Example

I am thankful that I have had good examples to follow. How so? I have had many people speak good things into my life. I am who I am today because of what I have learned or received or heard or seen from you and those who you have strategically placed in my life. That’s true. You have shown me how to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. How have I shown you how to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me? You and others have spoken your word into my heart and mind and life. What has my word done for you? Your word has changed the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. How so? As I have let your word dwell in me richly you have changed my heart and transformed my mind. As I have hidden your word in my heart you have helped me to not sin against you. How have you let my word dwell richly in you? How have you hidden my word in your heart? I have meditated on your word. I have memorized your word. I have studied your word. I have prayed your word. I have grabbed a hold of your word so that it could grab a hold of me. What has happened to you as you have grabbed a hold of my word? I have put your word into practice. I have lived the life that you have called me to live. I have come to know you. I have come to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. I have been made able to live in your peace. That is very good. Yes, it is.

What do you want? You know me. Yes, I know you. You know what is on my mind. Yes, I know what is on your mind. I want you to be able to use me. How do you want me to use you? I want you to use me as an example that others can follow. I want you to speak through my life. I want others to learn and receive and hear and see good things coming out of my life that they can put onto practice. I want others to live in the same peace that you have given to me. That is a bold request. It is a request that I believe you will hear and answer. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want to be a good example for others to follow. I want to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. I will put into practice all that I have learned, received, heard or seen from you. Fill me with your peace as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How has thinking good and right and true thoughts pushed less than worthy thoughts out of your mind?

Living It Out… Think and speak and act in ways that are good and right and pleasing to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have peace from the Lord as you think and speak and act according to His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are putting into practice what the Lord has taught you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 118 – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 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

Love The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 32 - Matthew 22:36-40 - Love The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 32 – Matthew 22:36-40 – Love The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)  

I Love You 

There is one thing I know for sure. There is one thing I know without a doubt. What’s that? I now love you because you first loved me. You made it possible for me to come to know and love you. You started me on this journey of knowing, loving, following and serving you. I deserve no credit for the fact that I am living in an intimate relationship with you. Without you drawing me to yourself, I would still be walking on a dark path that led away from you. You rescued me from a life without you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You now call me your friend. Day by day, you are helping me to come to know and love you. You are fanning the flame of my desire for you. Yes, I am. 

You have more that you want to say, don’t you? Yes, I do. I am impatient. I am unsatisfied. Tell me more. That is just it, I want more. I want to know you more intimately. I want to love you more fully. I want to serve you more boldly. I do not want to remain as I am. I want to keep on moving forward with you. Could I call what I am feeling, “a holy dissatisfaction?” I hope so. I don’t want more for myself. I want to more fully live the life you are calling me to live. I know that you want me to be patient. I know that you want me to be filled with faith. I know that you want me to trust your timing. I will be and do all these things. That’s very good. I will also trust that you will continue your good work in me. You will mold and shape me. You guard and guide me. You will use me to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I know that you will one day bring your work in me to completion. I look forward to that day. On that day, it is my hope and prayer that we will look back over my life and I will hear you say that I have been a good and faithful servant who has accomplished the work you have given me to do for you. Only you can make that happen. Only you can make that certain. I am trusting fully in you. My life is in your hands. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

Lord, I have no higher desire than to know and love you. No priority or pursuit of mine is even remotely close to my wanting to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Fan the flame of my love for you. Help me to fully know and love you. Amen

Key Question… What spiritual disciplines has the Lord used to help you to know and love Him more intimately?

Living It Out… Live in an intimate relationship with the Lord so you will know and love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know and love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for the Lord is growing stronger and deeper every day.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 32 – Matthew 22-36-40 – Love The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Everything That Hinders

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 21 - Hebrews 12:1-3 - Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12:1-3 – Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)  

A Race

I know that I am in a race. I know that a course has been marked out for me. There is even a cheering section surrounding me, filled with faithful men and women who have gone before me. They are spurring me on. They are encouraging me to run well. They are cheering for me. Their lives have served as a testimony. They have given me an example to follow. I want to run well. I want to persevere. I want to finish the race. I definitely don’t want to grow weary and lose heart. I will not quit. I will not give up. I will keep on moving forward with you. That is very good.

What will you do so that you will be able to run well and finish your race? First, I will throw off everything that will hinder me from running well. Like what? I won’t carry around anything extra that will weigh me down. Like what? I won’t pursue the comforts and pleasures of the world. I won’t seek after what the world has to offer. What else? Well, I won’t let sin entangle me. How will you do that? Not, with my own strength and ability alone, that is for sure. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I won’t look back. I won’t look around. I won’t waste time and effort on what will amount to nothing. I will run away from sin as I run to you. My eyes will be firmly fixed on you. I will love and follow and serve you. I will run to where you lead me. I will run to do what you ask of me. In every way and on every day, I will rely on your power and strength. You will teach me. You will train me. You are the author and perfecter of my faith. Yes, I am. You will help me to give my all. You will make me able to run well and finish strong. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will throw away everything that will hinder my running the race of faith marked out before me. I will run with perseverance as I keep my eyes firmly fixed on you. I know you will help me to run well. You will keep me from growing weary or losing heart. Amen

Key Question… How have men and woman of faith, that have gone before you, inspired you in your faith?

Living It Out… Throw away everything that hinders your ability to run the race marked out before you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to run the race marked out before you as you keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus as you run your race.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you throw off everything that hinders your ability to run the race that has been marked out before you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12-1-3 – Everything That Hinders – 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 The Door

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 20 - Matthew 6:6 - Close The Door - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6:6 – Close The Door – Growing As Disciples

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Time To Pray

That is exactly what I will need. What’s that? I need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you. That will be very good. I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why is it necessary for you to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? The world is a busy and noisy place. I need to separate myself from the world so I can hear from you. I need to leave the frantic pace of life so I can slow down to listen to you. I know myself. You know me. Yes, I do. Setting aside a special time and place to meet with you in prayer is essential. Why is that? If I don’t make a firm commitment to meet with you in prayer, it won’t likely happen. I am easily distracted. Minutes and hours and days race on by me. Days become weeks and weeks become months and months become years more quickly than I could imagine. I don’t want opportunities to meet with you in prayer to race on by me. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you in prayer. I have no higher desire than to live in an intimate relationship with you. So, I will close the door to the world and open my heart to you in prayer. That is very good.

Will you always need to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? Will that be the only time and only place in which you will pray to me? Certainly not, it is my hope and dream and desire to live my life in a constant dialogue of prayer with you. Will there be a time when I no longer need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you? Will I move beyond this need? Absolutely not, I will always need to withdraw from the noise and busyness of life to meet with you in prayer. This is my starting point. In our time together you will teach and train me. In our time together I will hear from you and you will hear from me. This is where living my life in a dialogue of prayer will begin and continue and never end. So, I will always close the door to meet with you in prayer. I will carry our times together in prayer out into every moment of life. That’s good. That’s true. That’s right. Yes, you will. I will hear and answer this hope and dream and desire of yours.

Heavenly Father, I will shut the door to the world so I can open up my heart in prayer to you. Help me to leave the noise and busyness of life so that I can hear clearly from you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you as you hear and answer my prayers. Amen

Key Question… Why is it necessary to shut your door and withdraw from the world so you can enter into prayer to God?

Living It Out… Shut your door to the world and open your heart in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will reward you as you make a habit of regularly meeting with Him in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are opening up your heart in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you close the door to the world and open your heart in prayer to God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6-6 – Close The Door – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Watch Yourself Closely

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 19 - Deuteronomy 4:9 - Watch Yourself Closely - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4:9 – Watch Yourself Closely – Growing As Disciples

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV) 

Be Careful And Watch

Well, I did it again. You did what again? I thought and spoke and acted in ways that I regret. I’m quite sure that my thoughts and words and actions were not pleasing to you. How so? I was argumentative. I was combative. I was opinionated. Most of all, I was overbearing. None of this behavior is acceptable to me, nor to you, I’m sure. I can hardly believe that I fell into the trap of allowing myself to become so passionately involved on a topic that I was not at all careful with my thoughts, words and actions. That is quite a trap, isn’t it? Yes, it is. It is good that you are evaluating your behavior. It is good that you are willing to admit your mistakes. It is very good that you are confessing your sin. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I am confessing my sin to you. I’m sorry that I let my thoughts and words and actions get carried away in the heat of the moment. It is as if I have forgotten so much of what you have taught me. That is what I find most disappointing. I can see that in you.

But there is good news. What’s that? You have not forgotten what I have taught you. You are learning from your mistakes. You are evaluating your behavior. You are taking a hard look at your thoughts and words and deeds. You are confessing your sin. You are receiving my forgiveness. You will be careful and watch yourself more closely the next time. That, I will. You can be sure of that. Of that, I have no doubt. There is one more thing that you are learning. What’s that? This was a stumble. This was a mistake. This was a sin that you have confessed. You have received my forgiveness. Now you are determined to continue on with me. You are learning to move forward with me. You are not falling under condemnation. You are not becoming discouraged and depressed. You are gladly and joyfully continuing to live the life I have called you to live. Yes, I am. That is very good.

What would you like to teach others about your experience? I would like to teach others about being careful and watching closely one’s thoughts and words and actions. I would like to teach others how helpful it is to take time to evaluate one’s behavior. Most of all, I would like to teach others the importance of confessing a sin and receiving forgiveness from you. I would like others to know that you forgive sin and cleanse unrighteousness. I would like others to know that you are ready to help them to continue to walk on the path of life with you. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Lord, I know I need to be careful to watch myself. I know I must not forget what I have heard and seen and learned as I have followed you. Help me to remember all you have taught me. Guard me from slipping. Help me to teach others what you have taught me. Amen

Key Question… How are you being careful to watch yourself so that you don’t forget what you have been taught?

Living It Out… Closely watch that you do not forget all that you have heard and seen and learned as a follower of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to remember all that you have heard and seen and learned as a follower of Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being careful to remember all you learned in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you remember and teach others what the Lord has taught you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4-9 – Watch Yourself Closely – 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

Do Not Be Proud

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 2 -Romans 12:16 - Do Not Be Proud - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 2 -Romans 12:16 – Do Not Be Proud – Growing As Disciples

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 (NIV)

 Associate With Others 

I want to follow your example. I want to imitate your behavior. I want to do what you did. What did I do? What do you have on your heart and in your mind? You need to be a little more specific. I want to associate with others. I don’t want to associate with only those who are like me. I want to associate with those who are quite different than me. I want to live in relationship with a wide diversity of different kinds of people. Why is that? First of all, that is what you did. You lived in relationships with a wide diversity of kinds of people. Yes, I did. No one was beyond your love. You did not exclude anyone from your life. No, I did not. Secondly, I want to acknowledge a couple things. Like what? I don’t “know it all”. I don’t want to pridefully live as if I “know it all.” I can greatly benefit by the thoughts and opinions and perspectives of different kinds of people,  I should not be in the habit of excluding others from my life. No, you should not. I have a lot to learn. I can certainly benefit by allowing wise people to speak into my life. Yes, you can. What else do you want to acknowledge? I am not better than others. I am not above others. There is no one that is unworthy of my time. There is no one that is unworthy of my love. There is no one that is unworthy of my help. Why can you say that? I can say that because I know that you loved and gave your life for others. You lived and died for everyone. There is no one that has been excluded from your kindness, mercy and love. There is no one that has not been offered your salvation. You came into this world and took on the form of a servant. You let go of all of your rights and privileges. You counted others as better than yourself. You lived and died for everyone. Yes, I did.

That is what I want. I want to live like you lived. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. I want to serve like you served. For me to live in this way there will be no room for pride. There will be no room for conceit. There will be no room for disunity. No, there will not be room for any of these things. It is my prayer that you will make me to be  like you. Help me to be able to take on the form of a servant. Free me from pride and conceit. Help me to be willing to humbly associate with everyone. Bring a diversity of different types of people into my life. Help me to live as your servant in the world. Yes, I will. You can count on it. 

Lord, I have been proud. I have had a “know it all” attitude. I have thought I was better and wiser than others. Forgive me. Help me to follow your example. Help me to humbly live in relationship with others different than myself. Help me to fully serve others. Amen

Key Question… When have you been greatly harmed by having a “know it all” attitude?

Living It Out… Follow Christ’s example by being willing to associate yourself and live in relationship with others different than yourself.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can follow Christ’s example and benefit by living in relationship with others different than yourself.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are considering others better than yourself.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example by associating with others different than yourself.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 2 – Romans 12-16 – Do Not Be Proud – 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