Monthly Archives: December 2024

Blessed To Give

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 236 - Acts 20:35 - Blessed To Give- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 236 – Acts 20:35 – Blessed To Give- Growing As Disciples

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.‘” Acts 20:35 (NIV) 

Time, Talent, And Resources

That is what I will generously and joyously give to others. What will you generously and joyously give to others? I will give my time, talent and resources to others. Why are you willing to do that? You have given me an example to follow. I want to become like you. I want to do what you did. I want to follow your example. How have I given you an example to follow? You came into this world to give yourself in service to others. You have up all your rights and privileges. You took on the form of a servant. You came into this world to live and die for me. You made it so I could be forgiven of my sin and cleansed of my unrighteousness.  You rescued me from a life without you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. You gave yourself joyously and generously even though you knew that you would be despised and rejected and ultimately put to death on the cross. Yes, I did all these things for you even though I knew the pain and suffering I would go through. You were doing the will of your Heavenly Father. That’s right. I had joy set before me. Was that the joy of knowing that you were doing your Heavenly Father’s will? Was that the joy of being the author and perfecter of my faith? Was that the joy of giving me an example to follow? Yes, it was.

Well, I want to go and do the will of my Heavenly Father. I want to do what you did. I want to take on the form of a servant. I want to give to others what you have given to me. What have I given to you? Everything I am, everything I have, and everything I hope to be has come to me as a gift from you. So, I want to give my time and talent and resources to others. I want you to use my life to draw others to you. I want to shine brightly for you in this world. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use all that I am and all that I have in your service. Yes, I will. 

Lord, you have given me an example to follow. You came into this life to serve others. I want to become like you. I want to love like you loved, serve like you served and give like you gave. Bless me as I generously give my time, talent and resources to others. Amen

Key Question… What blessings have you received as you have generously given to others?

Living It Out… Generously and joyously give your time, talent and resources to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be blessed as you give your time, talent and resources to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how giving to others has richly blessed your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give your time, talent and resources to others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 236 – Acts 20-35 – Blessed To Give – 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

An Ever-Present Help

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 235 - Psalm 46:1-3 - An Ever-Present Help - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 235 – Psalm 46:1-3 – An Ever-Present Help – Growing As Disciples

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

No Matter What 

I’m thinking about those words. What words? The words, “no matter what” have come to mind. I would like to hear what you have to say about those words. I would be happy to share my thoughts with you. Although, I do know that you already know my thoughts. Yes, but it will be enjoyable to hear you say your thoughts out loud. Alright then, here goes. No matter what, you are with me to help me. No matter what, you are my refuge and strength. No matter what, you are my shelter in the midst of a storm of troubles. No matter what, I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. No matter what, I can draw near to you. You will guard me. You will guide me. You will protect me. Yes, I will, have no doubt about that. No matter what, I have no need to fear. No matter what, my future in heaven is secure. You have a place in heaven that is being kept and guarded for me. Yes, I do, you can be absolutely sure and certain of that.

How does knowing that your future in heaven with me is secure put the troubles of life into proper perspective? I know that this life is incredibly short. The years, race by. A whole life is here today and will be gone tomorrow. One day, the whole collection of my troubles in life will be far less than even a distant memory. I am sure that once I come to live forever in heaven with you, I will not give the troubles of this life a second of thought. If I have any questions about why this or that happened or why I went through such and such, I’ll bet that I will forget those questions. Being in your presence will surely erase from my mind all the difficulties I had in this very short life. On that day, and on every day forever after that there will be no sickness or suffering or pain or tears. I will live forever in joy with you in your heavenly kingdom. Yes, you will. So now, I will not be afraid. I will not be discouraged or depressed or defeated. I will place all my faith and hope and trust in you. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know you are my refuge and strength. No matter what happens I know you will be with me to help me in all the troubles of life. I will not fear. I will draw near to you. I will take shelter in you. I will allow you to be my refuge and strength. Amen

Key Question… How has allowing God to be your refuge and strength kept you from succumbing to fear?

Living It Out… Allow God to be your refuge and strength at all times and in the midst of any trouble.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will always be your refuge and strength in the midst of trouble.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been your refuge and strength in the midst of trouble.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to be your refuge and strength in the midst of all your troubles in life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 235 – Psalm 46-1-3 – An Ever-Present Help – 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

Unless The Lord Builds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 234 - Psalm 127:1-2 - Unless The Lord Builds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 234 – Psalm 127:1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds – Growing As Disciples

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

Labor In Vain

I don’t want to do that. You don’t want to do what? I don’t want to labor in vain. That is a good caution. That is a valid concern. What might cause you to labor in vain? That is a good question that I haven’t given much thought. Now is the time to give it some thought. Yes, it is. I could ask you some questions that will help guide your thinking. That would be helpful. I would really appreciate that. That’s good. What might be some signs that you are laboring in vain? If I am running myself ragged trying to accomplish your purpose and fulfill your plans that might be a sign that I am laboring in vain. Why is that? Running myself ragged and making myself weary may be a good indication that I am trying to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans with my own power and strength. That will never work. Why is that? You have clearly stated that apart from you I can do nothing. Doing nothing sounds a lot like laboring in vain. Yes, it is. That must make you aware of another sign that you may be laboring in vain. Yes, it does. If my labor is not bearing fruit for your Kingdom and bringing glory to your name, then surely my labor must be in vain. That is a possibility. Why is it only a possibility? Why is it not a certainty? There is a time of sowing. Then there is a time of waiting. Then there is a time of reaping. If you are in the time of waiting, the fruit will be yet to come. Don’t be impatient. Just like a farmer who has planted seed must wait for a crop so you also must wait for fruit to develop. I get it.

What can you do to make you certain that you will not be laboring in vain? I can rely on you. I can follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I can allow you to work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. If you are working in and through me, I will surely bear fruit for you and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will, without a doubt. What will your life look like as you are allowing me to work in and through you? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you be running yourself ragged and making yourself weary? No, certainly not. You will bring balance to my life. You will give me peace and rest and sleep. You will revive and refresh and renew my life so that I will be able to give my very best effort to you. Yes, I will and yes you will. Rely on me and you will never labor in vain. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have made the mistake of trying to accomplish your purposes with my own strength. I know this is not pleasing to you. Instead, I will allow you to work in and through me. Revive, refresh, and renew my life so I can give my very best effort to you. Amen

Key Question… When have you worked yourself ragged trying to accomplish God’s purposes with your own strength?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is working in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Prayer To Bless Others… Allow the Lord to work in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 234 – Psalm 127-1-2 – Unless The Lord Builds – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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

Out Of The Boat

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 233 - Matthew 14:25-31 - Out Of The Boat - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 233 – Matthew 14:25-31 – Out Of The Boat – Growing As Disciples

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25-31 (NIV)  

Steps Of Faith

Those are not easy steps. What are not easy steps? Taking steps of faith are not easy. Why is that? If they were easy, they would not be called steps of faith. If they were easy, they might be called my next best steps. But that is not what they are called. Taking a step of faith will cause me to leave the comfortable to do the uncomfortable. Taking a step of faith will often require me to leave the known for the unknown. A step of faith will most likely ask me to do what I cannot possible do without your help. A step of faith will almost always cause me to face my fears. What fears? Fears come in all different shapes and sizes. The most obvious fear is the fear of failure. That fear is no stranger to you. Yes, I have had to battle a fear of failure nearly my entire life. What would be a bigger failure? Would taking a step that ended in failure be a bigger failure than never taking a step of faith? No, certainly not. Never taking a step of faith would be the biggest failure of all. That’s true. That’s right. That is certain.

Let me ask you some questions? I’m listening. When have you ended up failing because you took a step of faith with me? A failure doesn’t readily come to my mind. You have had setbacks. You have had disappointments. Sometimes, things did not go as planned. Sometimes, you have had to retrace your steps. Sometimes, you have had to try again. Sometimes, you have even had to start over. All of what you say is certainly true. Were any of these failures? No, I guess not. Why is that? I never gave up. I never quit. Most importantly, you never gave up or quit on me. No, I have not, nor will I ever give up or quit on you. You have always been with me when it has been time for me to take a step of faith. If I have had a setback, disappointment or something didn’t go as planned, you have always kept me moving forward with you. Yes, I have always and will always be with you to help you to take steps of faith and keep you moving forward with me. You have nothing to fear as you keep on following me. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on taking steps of faith with you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know you want me to get out of the boat. You want me to stop playing it so safe. You want me to take steps of faith so I can go and do what you ask of me. With your help, that is what I will do. Help me to overcome fear and take steps of faith with you. Amen

Key Question… What is the largest step of faith you have ever taken with the Lord?

Living It Out… Take steps of faith to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take steps of faith with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking steps of faith with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you step out in faith to go and do what the Lord asks of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 233 – Matthew 14-25-31 – Out Of The Boat – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

A Furious Storm

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 232 - Matthew 8:23-27 - A Furious Storm- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 232 – Matthew 8:23-27 – A Furious Storm- Growing As Disciples

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)  

Storms Of Life

I have had the dumbest of thoughts. What dumb thoughts have you thought? Right now, I can think of two. Only two? That’s funny. I’m sure that there are an unlimited number of more dumb thoughts that have been in my mind. But I am calling out two dumb thoughts right here and now. I’m listening. My first dumb thought was that as your follower, I would be exempt from the storms of life. I have no idea why I ever held that thought in my mind. Tell me more. Two things are obviously true. One, is that this is a sin broken world. This world no longer functions according to your design. Sin and darkness and evil have brought storms of all shapes and sizes and kinds into the lives of everyone who have ever lived on this earth. That includes you. You went through storms in life. You were despised and rejected. You were mocked and ridiculed. You were hurt and wounded. Ultimately, you died on the cross as a result of and payment for the sin and evil in this world. Yes, all of this is true. So why, as your follower, would I be exempt from storms in life? How could I have thought that? Well, now I know better. The proof is in the pudding. My mistaken theory has been proven false. Everyone has and will go through storms in life of that I have no doubt, that is also obviously true. You mentioned you were calling out two dumb thoughts. What is the second one? My second dumb thought is that I will go through the storms of life all alone, by myself. I can’t tell you how many times I have relied on myself to try to weather and withstand the storms of life. How has relying on yourself in the storms of life worked out for you? Not well at all. The storms of life have only served to show me how weak and feeble and in need I truly am. Then the storms of life have not been all bad? No, not at all, the storms of life have caused me to cry out to you. The storms of life have caused me to draw near to you. The storms of life have caused me to come to rely on you. The storms of life have caused me to place all my faith in you. In the storms of life, you have shown me that you are with me to help me. In the storms of life, you have increased my faith and hope and trust in you. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, at one time I thought that, as your follower, I was exempt from storms in life. I don’t know why I thought that. You went through storms. I will go through storms. I will place all my faith in you as I go through storms. I know you will be with me to help me. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith in the Lord grown as you have relied on Him to help you to go through storms in life?

Living It Out… Place all your faith in the Lord as you rely on Him to help you go through storms in life.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will be with you to help you as you go through storms in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to go through storms in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you place your faith in the Lord as you go through storms in life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 232 – Matthew 8-23-27 – A Furious Storm – 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

Acknowledge The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hosea 6:3 - Acknowledge The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hosea 6:3 – Acknowledge The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 (NIV) 

Press On

Do you want to know me? Yes, I want to know you. How strong is your desire to know me? My heart is filled with desire to know you. Knowing and loving you is the passion of my life. There is nothing I want more than to know and love you. That’s very good. Is there something you haven’t said that I need to know? The only way that you will really know me is if you seek me with your whole heart. A half-hearted seeking of me will get you nowhere and do nothing for you. Why is that? Are you thinking that seeking me in any measure is better than not at all? That isn’t my desire at all. I have no interest in seeking you half-heartedly. However, I was wondering about the question you just asked me. Can you tell me more? Yes, I would be happy to tell you more. Seeking me is an all or nothing endeavor. There is no such thing as partially seeking me. One person cannot walk on two paths that go in the opposite direction. Following after the ways of the world leads away from me. Living a life filled with sin and darkness has nothing to do with me. If following me were like swimming, dipping your toe in the water would not help you to learn how to swim. Following me is more like diving into the water and letting me teach you how to swim. Does that sound a little scary to you? Yes, it does. That’s the way you should feel. Following me will not be easy. You will face difficulties and challenges that will require you to rely on me. You will need to hold on to me with all your strength. As you hold on to me you can be certain of one thing. What’s that? I will be holding on to you and I will never ever let you go. 

There is another thing that you can be certain of when you seek me with all your heart. What’s that? You will find me. As you draw near to me I will draw near to you. I will come to you. Just as surely as the suns comes up in the morning or just as the rain waters the earth so I will revive, refresh and renew your life. What do you have to say to me? I know that I will never ever have any regrets in seeking you with all my heart. There is nothing that would have been a better choice or use of my time. So, I give myself to you completely without any hesitation or reservation. All I am, all I have and all I hope to be is yours. I will dive in the water and rely on you to teach me to swim. That is very good.

Lord, it is the desire of my heart to know and love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. It is the priority of my life to draw near to you so I can live in an intimate relationship with you. Revive, refresh and renew my life as I am in your presence. Amen

Key Question… How have you come to know the Lord through meeting with Him in His word?

Living It Out… Make it the priority of your life to know and love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength/

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will revive, refresh and renew your life as you come to know and love Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has shown Himself to you as you have come to know Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May it be the priority of your life to know and love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

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

Let Us – Hosea 6-3 – Acknowledge 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

Stored Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 230 - Luke 6:43-45 - Stored Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 230 – Luke 6:43-45 – Stored Up – Growing As Disciples

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)  

Brought Out

What will be brought out of your life? I’m not sure what you mean. What thoughts will you think? What words will you speak? What deeds will you do? I hope that I will think and speak and do what is good and right and true.  It is the desire of my heart to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. I want my life to bear good fruit for your kingdom. I want my life to bring glory to your name. I want my life to shine brightly for you as a witness in the world. I want others to be drawn to you because they see the light of your life shining in and through me. Those are all very good desires.

You have a choice to make if you want all these good desires to come true in your life. What choice must I make? You must decide what you allow your heart and mind and life to feed on. Could you be clearer? Yes, I can be clearer. You have heard it said that you must not allow yourself to be conformed to the world and that you must allow yourself to be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Yes, I have that thought fixed firmly in my heart and mind. That is very good. Then you must know that there are worldly and evil and dark and sinful thoughts that are trying to conform you into their mold. Yes, I am well aware of what you are describing. You must reject all these thoughts. You must not feed on any of these thoughts. You must remove any source of worldly and evil and dark and sinful thoughts from your heart and mind and life. That I will do. That will be very good. But that will not be enough. What more must I do? What other choice must I make? You must allow yourself to feed on my word. You must store up my word in your heart and mind and life. You must allow my word to dwell in you richly. Then you will have what you want. Then you will have what you been asking for. Then you will have the desires of your heart. Then you will live a life that is good and right and pleasing me to me. Then you will shine brightly for me as a witness in the world. Then good fruit will be brought out of your life. I will leave behind worldly and evil and dark and sinful thoughts as I allow my mind to feast on your word. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. Daily, I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. That will be very good. Then your hopes and dreams and desires and prayers will be answered. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, I will remove toxic material from my life and not allow it to be stored up in my heart. Instead, I will make it my daily practice to store up your word in my heart. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and bring good things out of my life. Amen

Key Question… Why can you be certain that whatever is stored up in your heart will certainly come out of your life?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to store up God’s word in your heart so good things will be brought out of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring good things out of your life as you store up His word in your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are regularly storing up God’s word in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store God’s word in your heart so your life will bear good fruit for Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 230 – Luke 6-43-45 – Stored Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

A Cup Of Cold Water

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 231 - Matthew 10:42 - A Cup Of Cold Water - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 231 – Matthew 10:42 – A Cup Of Cold Water – Growing As Disciples

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

Give Generously

That is what I want to do. That is what I will do. What is it that you will do? I will give generously to others who are in need because I am one of your followers. Why now? It isn’t like I have not been giving to others. No, you have given quite generously of your time, talent and resources. What has changed in you? You are asking me that question? Yes, I am asking you that question. You have changed something in me. What do you think I have changed in you? Well, first of all, you have helped me to see the foolishness of trying to store up treasures for myself here on earth. I brought nothing into this world. I will take nothing out of this world. I really own nothing. Nothing is truly mine. I only have temporary stewardship of all that you have given to me. Secondly, you have helped me to see the brevity of life. This life is like the blink of an eye or a snap of the fingers. My life on this earth is like a mist that will soon pass away. So, my attention is more clearly focused on thinking and saying and doing what is good and right and true. I want to fully live a life that is pleasing to you. What kind of life will please me? If I live a life of following your example, I will be living a life that pleases you. You want me to follow you. You want to live like you lived. You want me to do what you did. What did I do? You love and served and gave. You didn’t give a little bit here and there. You didn’t give a little bit now and then. You gave generously and tirelessly. Yes, I did.

So, what will you do? I will ask you to open my heart and eyes and hands to those who are in need. I will no longer walk right on by those who are in need. I will no longer close my eyes to the poor and needy. I will give as you guide me. I will go and do what you ask of me. Will this be a painful and reluctant sacrifice on your part? Will this be an onerous and heavy burden for you to carry? No, not at all. I want to know and do your will. It will be my joy to go and do what you ask me. I believe that you will richly bless my life now and forever as I love and serve and give like you loved and served and gave. Yes, I will richly bless your life now and forever. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know that you gave generously and tirelessly to others who were in need. I will follow your example. I will do what you did. I will give as you gave. Guide my giving. Open my heart and eyes and hands to give generously to all those who are in need. Amen

Key Question… Why do you shine most brightly for Christ when you are helping someone else who is desperate need?

Living It Out… As a follower of Christ give generously to others who are in need.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will one day be rewarded, as a follower of Christ, for giving generously to others in need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you, as a follower of Christ, are giving generously to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give to others in need because you are one of Christ’s followers.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 231 – Matthew 10-42 – A Cup Of Cold Water – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Into His Harvest Field

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 229 - Matthew 9:35-38 - Into His Harvest Field- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 229 – Matthew 9:35-38 – Into His Harvest Field- Growing As Disciples

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

Go Out

I have heard you say that you want to be like me. I have heard you say that you want to do what I did. I have heard you say that you want to love like I loved, serve like I served and give like I gave. Have I heard you correctly? Are these your true thoughts and feelings? Yes, you have heard me correctly. Yes, these are my true thoughts and feelings. That’s good. I had no doubt that you have said these things and that you want them to be true in your life. I just wanted to remind you of them as we discuss how I loved, served and gave. Now, I have a couple questions for you. What do you notice about me? I’m not sure what you mean. Did I sit around and wait for people to come to me? Could you be a little more specific? Yes, I can be much more specific. The world is full of people who do not know me. Did I sit around and wait for them to come to know me? No, certainly not. You went through all the towns and villages. You went out searching for people who did know you. You engaged with people so that they could come to know you. How about you? Did I sit around and wait for you to come to know me? No, you did not. You sought me out. You tracked me down. You brought people into my life so that I could come to know you. You used people to help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Yes, I did. Have I set before you an example to follow? Have people that have helped you to come to know me set before you an example to follow? There is no doubt about that. I understand what you are saying to me. What am I saying to you? You want me to go out. You want me to help others to come to know you. You want me to engage with others with the hope and desire and plan that they will also come to know and love and follow and serve you. Yes, I do. You are hearing me loud and clear. That’s good. Yes, it is. I will do what you ask of me. I will go out to help people to come to know you. I will allow you to use me in your harvest field. There is one more thing I would like you to do for me. What’s that? Pray that an abundance of workers will join you in my harvest field so that a multitude of people will come to follow me as their Savior and Lord. That I will also do. Doing both will be very good.

Lord, I will go out to work in your harvest field. Use me to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I will also pray for workers to join me in your harvest field so a multitude of people will come to follow you as their Savior and Lord. Amen

Key Question… Who went out of their way to help you to come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?

Living It Out… Pray for others to join you as you go out to work in the Lord’s harvest field.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring an abundance of workers to join you in working in His harvest field.

Get Ready To Share…Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to go out and work in His harvest field.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pray for an abundance of workers to join you in the Lord’s harvest field.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 229 – Matthew 9-35-38 – Into His Harvest Field – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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

Do Not Give Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 224- Galatians 6:7-10- Do Not Give Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 224- Galatians 6:7-10- Do Not Give Up – Growing As Disciples

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)

Sow What?

That is a good question. What is a good question? Will I sow to the Spirit or will I sow to the sinful nature? What will nurture and feed my life? Will I live for comfort and pleasure? Will I allow myself to become immersed in the thoughts and patterns and practices of this world? Will my life be dominated by fleshly and sinful and evil desires that are commonly accepted in this world today? Will my thoughts and words and actions look, and sound be just like everyone else around me? Will I simply conform and blend into a dark and drab and evil life that is quite distant from you and your will for me? No, no, no, absolutely not! That is not the life I will live. That is not the life that I want. Nor do you want that life for me. You did not call me to come to you only to have me to think and act and live my life according to and in conformity with all the evil in the world. It is your plan that I will shine brightly for you like a star in the universe. Yes, it is. You want me to sow to the Spirit. You want my life to be filled with good deeds that will bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, that is the life that I am calling you to live. 

How will you sow to the Spirit? How will you live a life that is filled with good deeds that I have given you to do for me? I will draw near to you. I will submit myself to you. I will resist evil of every kind. I will listen attentively to you. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I will still live in the world, but I will not be of the world. That will be very good.

What will be the outcome of your life as you continue to sow to the Spirit and do the good, I give you to do? I will reap a rich harvest for you. I will bear fruit for your kingdom. I will bring glory to your name. Yes, you will. That will be very good. Yes, it will. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will not sow to the sinful nature. Instead, I will keep on sowing to the Spirit. Help me to say yes to you by doing the good you have given me to do for you. Help me to never grow weary. Help me to never give up. Help me to reap a rich harvest for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your daily and ongoing choice to sow to Spirit rather than to the sinful nature?

Living It Out… Keep on sowing to the Spirit and doing what is good so you will be able to reap a rich harvest for the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to sow to the Spirit and keep on doing what is good.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have reaped a harvest by continuing to do what is good.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never grow weary of sowing to the Spirit and doing what is good.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 224 – Galatians 6-7-10 – Do Not Give Up – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

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

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