Monthly Archives: June 2024

Aim For Perfection

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 2 Corinthians 13:11 - Aim For Perfection - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 2 Corinthians 13:11 – Aim For Perfection – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

Aim 

What is your aim in life? What goal would you like to complete? What mission must you accomplish for you to consider your life to be a success? Fulfilling what purpose would give your life meaning? These are very important questions for me to consider. If I do not carefully consider these questions I might end up living an aimless life that would be without a goal to complete or a mission to accomplish. Without answering these questions, I might live a life without meaning and purpose. If I don’t take time to answer these questions I would have no way to evaluate if I am making any real progress in life. That’s right. Your answers to these questions will alter your course in life. Your answers to these questions will give you an aim, goal, purpose and mission in life.  

Do you have any answers to these questions? Yes, I do. My aim in life is to know and love you. There is nothing more that I want in life than to know and love you. Knowing and loving you will change me. If I come to know and love you, I will become like you. I will think like you think. I will do what you did. I will speak like you spoke. There is nothing about my life that will not be changed and transformed by knowing and loving you. Knowing you will change my heart. Knowing you will transform my mind. All my thoughts, words, and deeds will be completely different because I will have known and loved you. If I know and love you I will be able to know your will. If I know and love you I will be able to walk in your ways. If I know and love you my life will be filled with hope and meaning and purpose. I will want to go where you guide me. I will want to do all that you ask of me. I will not live my life for myself. I will live my life for you. I will live my life for others. Knowing and loving you will form every one of my thoughts. Knowing and loving you will guide every one of my words. Knowing and loving you will direct every one of my deeds. Knowing and loving you will make me into the person you have designed me to be. If I have known and loved you, I will become mature and complete in you. This is what I want. This is my aim. That is my goal. This is my mission in life. Knowing and loving you is my hope that gives me meaning and purpose in life. That is very good. You have answered my questions well. You will have what you desire as you love, follow and serve me.

Lord, it is my desire and aim to grow into complete maturity as your follower. I know that I have fallen far short of that goal. Holy Spirit, give me the strength and power to think, act and live in accordance with God’s word and will. Amen

Key Question… What efforts are you making to grow mature and complete in Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to grow mature in Christ for the glory of God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to grow mature in Christ and experience His peace as you trust and obey Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to grow mature and complete in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make it your aim to grow mature and complete in Jesus Christ.

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

The Mind – 2 Corinthians 13-11 – Aim For Perfection – 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

The Lord Has Given Me An Instructed Tongue

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mouth - Isaiah 50:4 - The Lord Has Given Me An Instructed Tongue - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mouth – Isaiah 50:4 – The Lord Has Given Me An Instructed Tongue – Growing As Disciples

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)

Awaken

Nothing would excite me more than to know that you will wake me up in the morning so that I can be taught by you. There is no place I would rather be than in your classroom. There is nothing I would rather do than to sit down to hear from you. Then you will set a time and a place to meet with me. Yes, I will. You will guard and protect our time together so that you will continue to meet with me. Yes, I will. You will make our time together the top priority in your life. Yes, I will. You will not let the busyness of life take away from our time together. No, I will not. You will not let any of the demands of life crowd me out of your life. No, I will not. This commitment to meet with me at a set time and in a special place should come as no difficulty to you. Why is that? You have already said that there is no place you would rather be than in my presence. You have already said that there is nothing that you would rather do than hear from me. That’s true. That is what I said. You are right. It will not be difficult for me to continue to meet with you. I long to be in your presence. I hunger and thirst for you. I want to hear everything that you have to say to me. I want you to teach me. I want you to train me. I want you to mold and shape my life. Open my ears to hear you. Yes, I will.

I am delighted that you hunger and thirst for me. It gives me great pleasure to know that you want to hear every word that I have to say to you. We both want the very same thing. You want to hear from me. I want to speak to you. You want to be used by me. I want to use you. As you meet with me you will hear from me. As you hear from me I will give you my words. My words will not only be for you. My words will not just teach and train you. My words will instruct your tongue so that you can speak my words. The words that I speak through you will sustain the weary. You will comfort and encourage others with my words. In this way you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Are you ready for me to use you? Yes Lord, I am. Keep on meeting with me so that I can give you my words. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, awaken me morning by morning to meet with you. Awaken my heart and mind to you. Give me ears to hear all that you have to say to me. Teach and train me with your word. Instruct my tongue so I can speak words to encourage and sustain the weary. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you His words to speak to help sustain someone who was weary?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to awaken you morning by morning so he can instruct your tongue with words to sustain the weary.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will teach you and instruct your tongue with His words with which you can sustain the weary.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has made you able to sustain the weary with His words.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to teach you and instruct your tongue so you will have His words to sustain the weary.

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

Mouth – Isaiah 50-4 – The Lord Has Given Me An Instructed Tongue – 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

Serve Wholeheartedly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Servanthood - Ephesians 6:7-8 - Serve Wholeheartedly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Servanthood – Ephesians 6:7-8 – Serve Wholeheartedly – Growing As Disciples

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)

Your Work 

In the past I have not always had the best attitude about my work. Frequently I have moaned and groaned about my job. I have gone along to get along. I have done just a little more than enough to get by. I have dreaded each day of work and looked forward to when I would be off work. My heart has certainly not been fully in my work. My effort has been nothing that could be called anything like wholehearted. I have always known that I could do better. I have always thought that I could work harder and accomplish more.

Why haven’t you always worked hard and accomplished more? At times my attitude and perspective have been all wrong. I have thought that I was working at a job to please an employer. So, I would do just enough to satisfy my boss. Who is your employer and your boss? That is a very important question. The answer to that question has changed my entire attitude and perspective about my work. How so? I have come to realize that I am not working for an earthly employer and boss. I am working for you. You see my effort. You see all that I have accomplished. You know how hard I have worked. You know if my effort has been half-hearted. Yes, I do. One day I want to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. I will never hear that if my work is half-hearted. No, you will not. But, you are now giving yourself fully to the work that I have set before you. Yes, I am. That pleases me. 

I am glad that you want to serve me with all your heart. As you give yourself fully to your work you will be a bright and shining witness for me in the world. There is something important that I want you to know. What’s that? You are a very hard worker. I have seen all your hard work. You stick to a job and don’t give up. You persevere and keep on going. You are tenacious in your efforts. That brings me to a concern that I have for you. What’s that? You can work too hard. You can be too focused. You can burn yourself out physically, emotionally and spiritually. I don’t want you to be always working. There is a time to rest and relax. There is a time to be renewed, refreshed and revived. You cannot keep on serving me with all your heart if you don’t continually take steps be renewed, refreshed and revived. There is a time to leave your work and come to me. Come rest and relax in my presence. Let me give you new strength to serve me. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, I have allowed myself to become depleted. I’m worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is no wonder why I have not been joyfully serving you. Help me to have new zeal, meaning, purpose and wholehearted attitude in the work I do for you. Amen

Key Question… What steps are you taking to continually renew yourself so that you can wholeheartedly serve the Lord?

Living It Out… Make sure that you give yourself wholeheartedly to all the work that the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will reward you for all the work that you wholeheartedly do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used your wholehearted work as a witness for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you serve the Lord wholeheartedly in everything that He gives you to do for Him.

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

Servanthood – Ephesians 6-7-8 – Serve Wholeheartedly – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Crave Pure Spiritual Milk

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Crave Pure Spiritual Milk - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Crave Pure Spiritual Milk – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

Crave

“Crave”, now that is quite a word. What does the word crave mean to you? When I crave something, I can’t live without what I am craving. When I crave something, it is constantly on my mind. I can think of little, maybe even nothing else, when I am craving something. Exactly! Could you hold on to deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander in your heart and mind when you are craving my word? No, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander are very far from my mind when I am craving your word. Why is that? I can’t let my craving for your word go unfed. When I am craving your word, I feed that craving by feasting on your word. When I am feasting on your word, your word has all my attention and focus. I want to hear and obey your word. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways by putting your word into practice. Feasting on your word has had the effect of completely pushing deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander completely out of my heart and mind and life. I will tell you what. What? There are many other very negatives and sinful thoughts, attitudes and actions that your word has pushed completely out of my heart and mind and life. That is very good. Yes, it is. I am so very thankful for how your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. I can’t tell you how many negative and sinful thoughts, attitudes and actions that are no longer in my heart and mind and life because your word has pushed them right out of me, as I have feasted on your word. You could tell me. Yes, I could. But, I already know. I’m sure of that.

What else has craving and feasting on my word done for you? As I have feasted on your word I have tasted of your goodness. I have come to know and love you more and more every day as I have met with you in your word. It is now the desire of my heart to love you with all my heart and mind and soul in strength. Above all else in life, I want to know and love and follow and serve you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do or no place I wouldn’t go to serve you. I want to know and do your will. I want to accomplish your purposes and plans. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to completely grow up in you and fully live the life that you have given me to live. That is very good.

Lord, I crave your word. I hunger for your word. I want to feast on your word. Every day I want to take in a steady diet of your word. Help me to hear and obey your word. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so I can grow strong in you. Amen

Key Question… How has feeding on God’s word helped you to rid yourself of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy or slander?

Living It Out… Crave God’s word and feed on it daily so that you will be able to grow up in Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you crave God’s word and feed on it daily you will grow up in Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are craving and feasting on God’s word daily.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you crave God’s word allowing yourself to be feed by it so that you grow up in Him.

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

Transformation – 1 Peter-2-1-3 – Crave Pure Spiritual Milk – 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

Ineffective And Unproductive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 2 Peter 1:8-9 - Ineffective And Unproductive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 2 Peter 1:8-9 – Ineffective And Unproductive – Growing As Disciples

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

An Instrument

Do you want to bear fruit for me? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want me to be able to use you as my instrument in this world? Do you want to be able to go and do the good works that I have planned for you to do for me? Do you want to be found faithful in my sight? Do you want to one day hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Lord, you know my answers to your questions. Yes, I do. I want you to hear your answers to my questions. I want them to be front and center in your heart and mind and life. I passionately want to say an emphatic yes to all that you are asking of me. I don’t want anything to hinder me from being fruitful for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I don’t want to fail to do anything that you have planned and prepared for me to do for you. I don’t want to look back from heaven to this life and see what I could have done or could have been for you. I want you to be able to accomplish all your purposes and plans in and through my life. I want to fully do all that you have made and designed me to do for you. I want to be your instrument in this world. I want to be completely in tune with you. That is very good. 

Is there more that you want to say? Yes, I have more to say. Only you can make me faithful. Only you can bear fruit through my life. Only you can make me able to accomplish your purpose and plans. Only you can help me to bring glory to your name. On my own I can do none of these things. That’s right. I desperately need your help. You do need my help. You do need to rely on me. I will make you faithful. I will make you fruitful. I will make you able to accomplish my purposes and plans. You will bring glory to my name. Will you allow me to develop my character in you? Yes, Lord, I will. Then one day you will hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant because you will have been my instrument in the world.” You will have remained in tune with me.

Lord, my character needs work. I don’t want anything in my character to hinder my fruitfulness in serving you. Use your word to speak into my life. Mold and shape my life by your word. Develop Godly character in me so that I will be abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word to develop His character in you?

Living It Out… Allow God’s divine power to develop Godly character qualities in you so you will be productive in His service.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to develop qualities that make you productive for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Godly character qualities are making you productive for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to develop Godly character in you so you will be productive and fruitful for Him.

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

Character – 2 peter-1-8-9 – Ineffective And Unproductive – 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

Refused To Be Known As

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Hebrews 11:24-27 - Refused To Be Known As - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Hebrews 11:24-27 – Refused To Be Known As – Growing As Disciples

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:24-27 (NIV)

Your Choice

How you live your life will be your choice. You can live for the pleasures of sin for a short time. You can chase after all that the world offers. You can choose to live for the praise of the world and the applause of this life. You can focus all of your attention entirely on the here and now with no thought for the future. You can fix your eyes on what is seen and be completely blind to what is unseen. You can pursue pleasure and live entirely for comfort. You can do whatever you please, whenever you please. I’m glad to know that I have choices to make. I don’t like the sound of the choices that you have described to me so far though. Why is that? You know why. Yes, I do. I have made many of these choices. I have lived this empty life. I have discovered that the pleasures of sin last only for a very short time. Then come the consequences of a sin filled life that is lived entirely for comfort and pleasure. This is a pain filled life. This is an empty life that leads nowhere. This is a life without hope. Why is that? This is a life that is without you. Yes, it is.

I don’t want to live a life without you. That is not my choice. What is your choice? I will not chase after what the world offers. Instead, I will chase after a life that is pleasing to you. I want to love you and follow you and serve you. I want to know you. I want to live my life with and for you. I want my heart and mind to be set on you. I want my eyes to be focused on you and the life that you have given me to live both now and forever. I want the way that I live my life to make me easily identifiable as one of your followers. I want to shine brightly for you in the world. I will not pursue the world. I will not seek the praise of the world and the applause of this life. What will you seek? I will seek to know and do your will. I will seek to walk in ways. I will seek you. I will love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. This is my choice. You have made a very good choice.

Lord, I want to be easily identifiable as one of your followers. I want to live my life in every way that is pleasing to you. I want to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. I will choose loving, following and obeying you over the temporary pleasures of sin. Amen

Key Question… What labels are you willing to refuse to identified by in favor of being a Christ follower?

Living It Out… Make a choice to follow and serve Christ with all your heart over the short-lived pleasures of sin.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the rewards of following and serving Christ far exceed the short-lived pleasures of sin.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how choosing to follow and serve Christ is your ongoing daily decision.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be easily identifiable as a follower of Jesus Christ by the way that you live your life.

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

Identity – Hebrews 11-24-27 – Refused To Be Known As – 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

No One Can Boast

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 2:8-10 - No One Can Boast - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 2:8-10 – No One Can Boast – Growing As Disciples

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Masterpiece

You are my workmanship. You are my masterpiece. I created you for a purpose. I had a plan in mind when I made you. I prepared good works in advance for you to do for me. I’m so excited to hear this from you. I couldn’t be more delighted. I want to be used by you. It is my joy and pleasure to serve you. I welcome your work in my life. I want you to mold and shape me into a living masterpiece that will bring honor to your name. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. That is exactly what I will do in and through you.

Let’s take a pause here for a moment. There is one thing that I always want you to remember. What’s that? You can’t merit or earn your salvation. You have received your salvation and have faith in me as a free gift. Yes, I have. I know that all I have received from you has come to me as a gift. My service to you is being given because I love you. I’m not trying to earn your love or your favor. Why is that? You already love me. You have already shown me your favor. My service to you is not being given in an attempt to pay you back for all that you have done for me. Why is that? I could never pay you back. To even try to pay you back would be a sin. Your gift of salvation would not be a gift at all if I had to pay you back. That’s right. I am indebted to you however. What do you mean by that? Maybe, I’m not expressing myself correctly. Here is what I mean. Because you love me I love you. Because you gave yourself to me I’m giving myself fully to you. Because you have done so much for me I’m giving you all my thanks and praise.  I’m not trying to pay you back. I’m not trying to earn anything from you. It is just my desire to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, when you say that you have good things planned in advance for me to do my only questions are, “When and where do I start?” Those are good questions.

You start by listening to me. You continue by following me. You do know that apart from me you can do nothing that will bear real fruit and last for all eternity? Yes, I know that. Then listen to me. Then follow me. I will speak so that you can hear from me. I will lead you to where I want you to be. I will give you what I want you to do for me. Yes, Lord, that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for making my salvation and faith in you available to me as a free gift. Keep molding and shaping my life. Make me into the masterpiece that you want me to be. Guide me to do the good works that you have planned in advance for me to do. Amen

Key Question… Why is your salvation and faith in God something that cannot be merited or earned?

Living It Out… Receive your salvation and faith in God, through Christ, as a free gift and then allow Him to use you for His glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has designed your life of faith in Him as a living masterpiece that He will use for His glory.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you came to receive your salvation and faith in Christ as a free gift.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as God’s workmanship, do the good works He has planned for you to do for Him.

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

So That – Ephesians 2-8-10 – No One Can Boast – 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

Flee From All This And Pursue Righteousness

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Discipleship Study - Rhythms - 1 Timothy 6:11-12 - Flee - Pursue - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Rhythms – 1 Timothy 6:11-12 – Flee – Pursue – Growing As Disciples

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)

Take Hold

Do you want to take hold of the life of salvation that you have in me? Do you want to live the life that I have given you to live? Yes, I want nothing more than and nothing less than to live the life that you have given me to live. How can I fully take hold of the life of salvation that I have in you? How can I live my life fully with and for you? Those are very good questions that I know you can answer. Have you started to notice that I won’t answer a question that I know you can already answer? Yes, I have just started to notice that. It took me awhile. You won’t mind if I keep asking you a lot of questions. No, you can ask me any question. Don’t be real surprised when I ask you to answer some of your own questions. I will be listening to every word that you have to say. There is one more time when I might not give you an answer to your questions. When is that? I won’t give you an answer to your questions when my answer is already right in front of your eyes as you look in my word. That’s the case right now, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

What answer to your questions is my word giving to you? If I want to take hold of the life of salvation I have in you I will do two things. If I want to live the life that you have given to me I will do two things. What are the two things you must do? Tell me what two things you will do as you continue to live your life with and for me? First, I will flee the desire for more. I will flee the desire for worldly wealth and earthly possessions. I will not try to find my peace and joy and contentment through all that the world has to offer. I will not allow my life to become a continue quest for more. I will get off that never ending treadmill. I will step away from worldly desires that will lead me away from you and the life that you have for me. That will be very good. There is more. I’m listening. Second, as I am fleeing worldly desires I will pursue you and the life that you have for me. I will pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Will these be easy to pursue? No, I will need all the help that you will give to me. I will need to come to rely on you for strength. Yes, you will. Fleeing worldliness and pursuing the righteous life you have given me to live will be a battle. It will be a fight. But, I know that you will help me to take hold of my salvation and fight the battle of faith as I pursue you. Yes, you will have my help. You will have my strength.I will help you to pursue me and the life I have for you.

Lord, I have found myself being captivated by the things of this world. I have had to fight against the continual desire for more. Help me to be content with what I have. Help me to flee worldly pursuits so that I can pursue you and the life that you have for me. Amen

Key Question… Why will your happiness, contentment and peace never come from the things you own in this world?

Living It Out… Take a hold of the salvation you have in Christ by fleeing the world and pursuing Him and the life He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that fleeing a worldly life and pursuing a life with and for Jesus Christ is worthy of all your effort.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking a hold of your life of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you flee the desire for material things of this world so that you pursue Christ and the life He has for you.

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

Rhythms – 1-Timothy 6-11-12 – Flee – Pursue – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Marked In Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Ephesians 1:13-14 - Marked In Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Ephesians 1:13-14 – Marked In Him – Growing As Disciples

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Guarantee

I’m so glad that I can look forward to more than what this life offers. Why is that? This life has more than its share of disappointments, pain and suffering. I know that this life was not how you designed it. This world and the life in it is broken. What you created has been damaged by sin and is beyond repair. Yes, it is. I know that you don’t want me to become too attached to life in this world. No, I do not. This life is like a blink of an eye or a snap of the fingers in comparison to all of eternity. That’s right. I am here on this earth for a very short time. This is not my real home. I am just passing quickly through this life. All that I see that seems so real and permanent is like a mirage on a sun scorched road. All I see here today, will be gone in not too many tomorrows. That is true. I could be discouraged. I could be disappointed. I could be worried about the temporary nature of life as I now know it. I am none of these things. I am not discouraged, disappointed or worried. Not, in the least. Why is that?

I have a promise from you. Yes, you do. I have a guarantee. Tell me about it. Your Holy Spirit lives and dwells in me. Your Holy Spirit came to live and dwell in me on the day that I became your permanent possession. You redeemed my life. You purchased my forgiveness. You secured my cleansing. You made me your very own. Yes, I did. You marked and sealed me with your Holy Spirit on the day that I came to believe in you. Yes, I did. I now have a forever future with you in heaven. I now have an inheritance that is certain and guaranteed by the deposit of your Holy Spirit living inside of me. Yes, you do. So now, I am encouraged. I am filled with joy. My heart and mind and life are overflowing with praise and thanksgiving for who you are and for all that you have done for me. Now, I want to live my life to the fullest for you. In the time, I have left on this earth and in this life, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to name. I want to faithfully follow and serve you until the day I come to live forever with you. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that I have been marked with the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing that I am yours. You have redeemed my life and given me an inheritance in heaven with you. Help me to live now for your praise and glory. Amen

Key Question… What guarantee do you have that you are redeemed and have an inheritance in Christ?

Living It Out… Live your life believing in Christ, living for Him, knowing that you are marked by the Holy Spirit for redemption.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you have been marked by the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance in Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has put His mark on you and changed your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life bring glory to God as you live as His redeemed possession.

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

Identity – Ephesians 1-13-14 – Marked In Him – 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

Set You An Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - John 13:14-17 - Set You An Example - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – John 13:14-17 – Set You An Example – Growing As Disciples

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.  John 13:14-17 (NIV)

Do As I Have Done

I have set before you an example to follow. What have I shown you? You have shown me what it looks like to have the heart of a servant. What does the heart of a servant look like? It looks like your heart. How so? A servant is willing to do what you did. A servant is willing to serve like you served. A servant is willing to give like you gave. You humbled yourself. You had no regard for your rights. You had no concern for your position. There is nothing you wouldn’t do. There is no one you wouldn’t serve. There was no one who was outside of your concern. There was no one that was beyond your care. There was no one that was unworthy of your love. You poured yourself out. You held nothing back. You kept nothing in reserve. You laid your life down for others. You went where you were asked to go. You did what you were asked to do. Your mission, your goal and your tasks were to do the will of your Father. You lived to know and do His will. You served Him with all your heart, and mind and soul and strength. Yes, I did.

Why did I do what I did? You did what you did because you love your Father. You did what you did because you love others. Your love made you willing to lay down your life in service to God. Your love made you willing to lay down your life for others. That’s right. Does that sound familiar to you? Yes, it does sound familiar to me. The two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart and soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. That’s exactly what you did. That is the example that you have set before me. Yes, it is. Will you love like I loved? Will you do as I have done?  Will you go where I send you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you serve me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for setting an example before me to follow. You humbled yourself in service to others. I will follow your example. Use my life in humble service to others. Help me to be your witness in the world as I do for others what you have done for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you coming to know the Lord by following the example He has set before you?

Living It Out… 

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life as you follow His example by humbling yourself in service to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are following Christ’s example by humbling serving others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow the example Christ has given to you by humbly serving others.

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

Knowing God – John 13-14-17 – Set You An Example – 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