Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 208 – Matthew 5:10 – Those Who Are Persecuted – Growing As Disciples

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

Witness

I want to be your witness in the world. I want the faith that I have in you to stand out from the darkness of this world. I want to shine brightly as a light in the world. I want others to be able to see and recognize that your life is being lived out in and through me. Those are all very good desires that you have within you. As you love and follow and serve me, you will shine brightly for me. I will powerfully use you as my witness in the world. Others will be drawn to me because my life is being lived out in and through you. The righteousness you have in me will boldly stand out in the darkness of this world. For that, I am thankful beyond words. I can think of nothing more that I want than to be used by you. That is very good.

What can you expect as the righteousness you have in me boldly and brightly stands out in the darkness of this world? I can expect to be verbally abused and mocked because of the faith I have in you. I can expect to be ostracized, treated harshly and even persecuted because I am your follower. I can expect to be slandered, cursed at and even lied about because I will be living the new life that you have called me to live. All of these things happened to you. I should not be surprised when any of these things happen to me. The darkness of this world does not like the light I have in you. The sinfulness of this world does not and cannot accept the righteousness I have in you. No, it does not. No, it cannot. Yes, my life will live in and through you. Yes, you will shine brightly for me in the darkness of this world. For that, you will be persecuted.

Will you be disappointed when you are rejected? Will you be discouraged when you are persecuted? Will you be depressed when you are mistreated? No, I will not, not for one minute, not even for one second. Why is that? I will know that your word is true. I will know that I have been forewarned. I will know that I am being treated as you were treated. I will know that it is your righteousness being lived out, in and through me that is being rejected. I will know that I am truly living the life that you have called me to live. The more light I have in you, the more the darkness of the world will come against me. In those moments, I know that you will be with me to help me. You will guard and guide me. You will lead me through the darkness of this world as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I am thankful for the new life I have in you. You have made me righteous. You have forgiven and cleansed my sins. You are using me as your witness in the darkness of this world. I joyfully anticipate that I will be persecuted because I am your follower. Amen

Key Question… How does the righteousness you have in Christ make you stand out from the world?

Living It Out… Joyfully anticipate that you will be persecuted because the righteousness you have in Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the righteousness you have in Christ will stand out from the evil that is in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the righteousness you have in Christ stands out in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the righteousness you have in Christ stand out as a witness in the world.

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

Day 208 – Becoming Like Christ – Matthew 5-10 – Those Who Are Persecuted – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 206 – Matthew 5:8 – The Pure In Heart- Growing As Disciples

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV) 

Guard Your Heart

That is exactly what I will do. What will you do? I will guard my heart and mind. It sounds like you have a very strong desire to guard your heart and mind. Yes, that is a very strong desire in me. Why is that a strong desire in you? Well, I should first say that the desire to guard my heart and mind did not originate with me. I can take no credit for this desire in me. You placed this desire in my heart and mind. You have fanned the flame of this desire within me. For that I am very thankful. Why is guarding your heart and mind so important to you? Why is guarding your heart and mind of the highest priority to you? I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice speaking to me. I want to be able to see your activity in my life and in the world around me. I don’t want to be dull of hearing. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to be able to receive your guidance and accept your instruction. I want your favor to rest in me. I want you to use me. I want to able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans.  Above all, I want to walk through life with and for you. That is very good. I have more to say. You asked another question. Yes, I did. I will listen to your answer. None of what I have just said I wanted to happen will come about if my heart and mind and life are filled with impurity. Impurity in my heart and mind and life will dull my hearing and make me uninterested and undesirous of your activity in my life. I want to live my life in tune with you. My life will do nothing but play sour notes if it is filled with impurity. That is true. I have more to say. I’m still listening. My life is under constant bombardment by the thoughts and opinions of the world. My life is also subject to being influenced by sin, the flesh and the devil. In other words, my heart and mind and life lives in a completely hostile environment. If I am not careful, if I am not watchful, If I am not diligently and continually guarding my heart it could easily become filled with impurity. That’s true. I also know that I cannot keep and guard my heart alone. To rely on my own strength alone would be foolish and ineffective. I need your help. So, what will you do to receive my help? I will draw near to you. Daily, I will meet with you in your word, in prayer and in worship. I will submit myself to you. I will resist evil of every kind. That is very good. Then evil will flee from you. Then you will have a pure heart. Then you will hear and see me today, tomorrow and forever. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, only you can make my heart and mind pure. Only you can forgive and cleanse my heart and mind. Thank you for giving me a heart and mind that loves, follows and seeks you. Help me to continually guard my heart and mind so impurity does not enter it. Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word to guard your heart and purify your mind?

Living It Out… Guard your heart and mind so that impure thoughts do not enter it.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to guard your heart and mind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are guarding your heart and mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you guard your heart so that impurity does not enter into it.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 206 – Matthew 5-8 – The Pure In Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 205 – Matthew 5:7 – The Merciful- Growing As Disciples

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NIV) 

Mercy

You have given me an example to follow. What example have I given to you to follow? Well, you have given me many examples to follow, but I have one in mind right now. You have been merciful to me. You have given to me what I have not deserved. What’s that? You have given to me your forgiveness of my sin and cleansing of my righteousness. You have given to me your love and care. You have given to me your help and encouragement. You have given to me your kindness and love. None of these have you have given to me in small measures. You have lavished with your kindness and love. You have surrounded me with your love and care. You have given me your complete forgiveness and cleansing. You have restored me to a new and intimate relationship with you. You have adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You have filled me with a passionate desire to be like you in all that I think, say and do. That is very good. Yes, it is.

You are a generous giver. So, I want to be a generous giver. There is no limit to your kindness and mercy and love. So, I want your kindness and mercy and love to flow in me and through me to others. What you have generously given to me, I want to generously give to others. Isn’t that the way it should be? Aren’t your blessings meant to be passed on to others? Yes, I have richly blessed your life. Yes, I want you to richly bless the lives of others. What I have freely given to you, I want you to freely give to others. So, I am on the right track. I have the right desire in me. Yes, you have the right desire in you. Yes, you are on the right track. Your desire to generously give kindness and mercy and love to others definitely comes from me.

What will happen as you give my kindness, mercy and love to others? Others will be drawn to you. Others will want to give their lives to you. Others will want to become your followers. Why is that? They will have seen your life being lived out in and through me. I will be a witness for you in the world. Yes, that is true. Is that what you desire? Yes Lord, above all else, I want to be used by you. I want to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. That is very good. Help me to be kind and loving and merciful to others, just as you have been and continue to be to me. You will have my help. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, you have generously shown me your mercy. You have forgiven all my sins and cleansed all my unrighteousness. I want to be like you. Help me to generously give mercy to others. Help me to love and care for others just as you have loved and cared for me. Amen

Key Question… When has extending mercy to someone required you to see life from their perspective?

Living It Out… Generously give your mercy to others so that you will also be a generous recipient of mercy.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be a recipient of mercy as you continue to give mercy to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have given and received mercy throughout your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be merciful to others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 205 – Matthew 5-7 – The Merciful – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 204 – Matthew 5:6 – Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness- Growing As Disciples

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Hunger And Thirst 

I have this hunger and thirst within me. It isn’t a slight hunger for a sample or a snack. I am not a little hungry and thirsty. I don’t want or need just a bit of something to tide me over. Can you describe your hunger and thirst more specifically? I am hungry and thirsty for you. I want you to feed my hunger and satisfy my thirst. How will I do that for you? Well, my hunger and thirst draws me to you. My hunger and thirst causes me to seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My hunger and thirst for you fills me with desire to love and follow and serve you. My hunger and thirst for you makes me want to be the person you have called me to be. My hunger and thirst for you makes me want to go and do whatever you ask of me. This need and desire you have placed in me is passionate and insatiable. It never quits. It never gives up. It always wants more. For that, I am very thankful. In your presence, my hunger and thirst is satisfied. Yet, you always leave me wanting more. Isn’t that good? Yes, that is very good. I always want to be seeking you. I always want to be hungry for you. I always want to be living in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good. Yes, it is.

How has hungering and thirsting for me and my righteousness changed the course of your life? That is exactly what hungering and thirsting for you and your righteousness has done for me. You have changed my heart, transformed my mind and guided my life as I have hungered and thirsted for you. Your righteousness has left nothing about me unchanged. Your righteousness has been, is doing, and will continue to do its work in me. Day by day, moment by moment, you are changing the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and actions of my life. You are making me into the person you want me to become. You are giving me the work you want me to do. Am I a finished product? Am I completed work? No, I am not. But I am excited about your work continuing in and through me. I invite you to keep on doing your work in me. I am hungry and thirsty for you. I am hungry and thirsty to live in an intimate relationship with you. I am hungry and thirsty for your righteousness. I want to become like you in all that I think, say and do. I will continue my work in and though as you draw near to me, as you walk through life with me. I will fill you as you continue to hunger and thirst for my righteousness. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I hunger and thirst for your righteousness. My hunger and thirst is not for little samples and snacks. I want to drink deeply and feast fully of the righteous life you are calling me to live for you. Stir up and satisfy my desire for you and your righteousness. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been both stirring and satisfying your hunger and thirst for His righteousness?

Living It Out… Hunger and thirst for the Lord’s righteousness in who you are and in all that you think, say and do.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will satisfy your hunger and thirst for His righteousness.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been stirring up your hunger for righteousness.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hunger and thirst for the Lord and His righteousness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 204 – Matthew 5-6 – Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 203 – Matthew 5:5 – The Meek- Growing As Disciples

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 (NIV) 

Meekness 

That is exactly what I need. What do you need? I need meekness. I need to have a meek and humble heart. Why is that? What have you learned? What has been your experience? I have experienced the foolishness of being a “know it all.” I have suffered under my own self-sufficiency and self-reliance. I have followed my own wisdom and received my own guidance. How has that worked out for you? I have made a boat load of mistakes. I have gone and done what has unwise. I have foolishly wasted time. I have unwisely spent resources. I have lived as if I was a full glass. What does that mean? No one, not you, not others could tell me anything. Nothing could be poured into my life. I was entirely full of myself. That is not good. No, it is not. That will lead you to live a bruised and battered and broken life. That is a life filled with pain and suffering. Yes, it is, I know that to be true. That is a life that I cannot bless. That comes as no surprise to me. That’s good.

But there is good news. What’s that? The pain of a self-sufficient and self-reliant life is difficult to endure. Yes, it is. I could not stand it. I could not live it for long. No, you could not. That bruised and battered, and broken life got my attention. My pride and arrogance led me to rock bottom. Guess who was there with me at rock bottom? I don’t need to guess. I suppose not. You were there at my rock bottom. Yes, I was. You heard my cry. You heard my plea. You answered my prayer. Yes, I did. 

How have you changed? I am all ears. I am ready and willing and able to hear from you. Why is that? You have changed my heart. I want nothing more or less than your wisdom. It is my joy follow your guidance. It is my pleasure to receive your instruction. I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything without you leading me. I want to know and do your will. I want to follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. My heart and mind and life are in your hands. Yes, they are. I humbly and meekly ask you to use me to accomplish your purpose and fulfill your plans. May your favor rest on me. It will. I am at your service. Yes, you are. That is very good. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I don’t think I know it all. I need your wisdom. I will follow your guidance and receive your instruction. I will accept your warnings and hear your caution. With a humble and meek heart, I will listen attentively to you. I will love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why will an arrogant and prideful heart make you unable to hear caution and accept warnings?

Living It Out… Live a life of humble meekness before God so you can receive all that He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be richly blessed as you live a meek and humble life before God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have humbly and meekly received what God has for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you with a humble and meek heart receive all that God has for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 203 – Matthew 5-5 – The Meek – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 201 – Matthew 5:3 – Poor In Spirit – Growing As Disciples

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

Spiritual Poverty

Nothing is more certain. Nothing is surer of being true. What is that? Apart from you, I live in spiritual poverty. Apart from you, I am a spiritual pauper. That is a very important discovery. That is a very important acknowledgement. I know that to be true, without a doubt. Why is that? It was the discovery and acknowledgment of my spiritual poverty that led me to you. I did not know why I felt empty. I did not know why I felt no hope and meaning in life. I did not know why I had no purpose and direction in life. I just knew that I was living a bruised and battered and broken life. I was certainly living and walking on a path that led away from you. There is no doubt that I was living a life that was not good and right and pleasing to you. I was weary and worn out. I was desperate for something more or different. I wanted something else. What that was, I did not know. If someone would have told me that I was poor in spirit, they would have received no argument from me. That’s good.

What happened to you? You are asking me that question? Yes, I am. You happened to me. You would not let me go. You rescued me from a life without you. You heard my poverty filled cry. I asked you to show yourself to me. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. Not that I get any credit for crying out to you. It was you who drew me to yourself. It was you that made me able to see and acknowledge my spiritual poverty. It was you who forgave my sin and cleansed my unrighteousness. It was you who has enabled me to live in a vibrant and intimate relationship with you. I love you now, because your first loved me. You adopted me into your family and made me your own. Yes, I have done all these things in you and for you. For that, I am thankful beyond words. That is very good.

What do you know now? I know that apart from you, I will always live in spiritual poverty. I know that living in a vibrant and intimate relationship with you will bring your blessings into my life. You will guard and guide me. You will lead and direct me. You will use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. You will allow me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You will bless my life as I love, follow and serve you. Nothing will ever be better than living my life with and for you. That is true. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know that, apart from you, I live in spiritual poverty. I know that I need to come to rely on you for all my spiritual needs. I know that you will revive, refresh, restore and bless my spiritual life as I live in a vibrant and intimate relationship with you. Amen

Key Question… How has acknowledging your own spiritual poverty brought God’s blessings into your life?

Living It Out… Acknowledge your spiritual poverty and rely on the Lord to meet your spiritual needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life as you rely on Him to meet your spiritual needs.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how acknowledging your spiritual needs keeps you reliant on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live in a vibrant and intimate relationship with the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 201 – Matthew 5-3 – Poor In Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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