Monthly Archives: January 2025

A Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 259 - Isaiah 30:21 - A Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 259 – Isaiah 30:21 – A Voice – Growing As Disciples

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Your Voice

That is what I want to hear. What do you want to hear? I want to hear your voice speaking to me. Why are you so determined to hear my instruction and receive my guidance? I want to know if I should stop or start or turn to the right or to the left, move forward or step backward. I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to take missteps. I would like to go where you guide me so that I can do what you ask of me. In other words, I want to know and do your will. That is very good. But there is far more. Like what? I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to walk through life with you. That will be very good.

What will be necessary for you to hear from me? I will need to be listening to you. That seems quite obvious doesn’t it? Yes, it does. How will you go about listening to me? First, of all I will draw near to you. I will quiet myself before you. I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of life. I will separate myself from what will distract or preoccupy me from focusing my heart and mind and life on you. I will give you my full attention. I will focus myself fully on you. I will set apart a specific time and place to meet with you. How often? Every day. Not a day will go by that I won’t need to hear from you.  That sounds like a very good start.

How will you meet with me? I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in service. I will meet with you as I gather together in your body of believers. That will be very good.

What do you expect to hear from me? I expect that you will guard and guide me. I expect that you will empower and strengthen me. I expect that you will revive and refresh and restore me. I expect that you will lift me up and encourage me. I expect that you will teach and train me. I expect that you will mold and shape me. I expect that you will work in and through me. Why will I do all these things for you? You love and care for me. You lived and died for me. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. I am your child. You have adopted me into your family. Yes, I am all of these things to you. Yes, I will do all of these things for you. Listen to me, I will speak to you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, at times, I have been very hard of hearing. I have been distracted. I have been preoccupied. I have been frantically busy and wrongly focused. Help me to slow down and quiet myself so I can hear you. Help me to hear your voice guiding me through life. Amen

Key Question… How are you slowing down and quieting yourself before the Lord so you can hear from Him?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Lord’s voice guiding you through life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guide you through life as you listen to His voice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided you through life as you listened to His voice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord leading you through life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 259 – Isaiah 30-21 – A Voice – 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

You Are The Potter

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 258 - Isaiah 64:8- You Are The Potter - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 258 – Isaiah 64:8- You Are The Potter – Growing As Disciples

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) 

Potter

I am so glad that you are the potter and I am the clay. Why is that? The pressure is off. It is you who are molding and shaping my life. You will make me into your masterpiece. Yes, I am and yes, I will. That is such good news. I would make a terrible potter, especially of myself. I would be sadly misshapen if I had to make myself into a masterpiece. There would be no hope. My efforts would be comical and humorous if they weren’t so sad. So, thank you, that I am the work of your hands. You are welcome.

You do have a role in my molding and shaping you. What is my role? First, I will say that you must allow me to mold and shape you. You must be ready and willing for me to mold and shape you. You could resist my efforts. You could hinder my work. You must welcome my work in and through you. I would never knowingly resist your efforts or hinder your work. Really? Have you never been stubborn? Have you never been strong willed? Have you never been opinionated? Have you never disobeyed me? Have you never run away from me? Have you never disobeyed my instructions and rejected my guidance? Have you never determined that you were going to live your life for yourself, by doing your own thing? Well, I have done all of those things at one time or another. Will doing those things help or hinder my work of molding and shaping you? Doing any of those things will no doubt hinder your work of molding and shaping me Yes, it will. 

What must you do if you want me to mold and shape you? I must draw near to you. I must submit myself to you. I must listen attentively to you. I must follow you to where you lead me. I must do what you ask of me. I must focus my heart and mind and life on you. In a word, I must give myself fully to you, so that you can mold and shape me into your masterpiece. Couldn’t I mold and shape you against your will? You could, but you won’t. Why is that? You have given me a free will. You have given me a life to live. I can choose to live my life with and for you, or I can choose to wander away from you. It is my choice. Yes, it is. Well, without a doubt I want to live my life with and for you. I want you to mold and shape me into your masterpiece. I want to be the work of your hands. That is very good. That is what I will do for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for molding and shaping my life. I have great joy and comfort and confidence knowing that I am the work of your hands. Keep on molding and shaping my life. Make me into your masterpiece so that I can bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How has your Heavenly Father used His word to mold and shape your life?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to mold and shape your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father is the potter who will mold and shape your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has been molding and shaping your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to be molded and shaped by your Heavenly Father.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 258 – Isaiah 64-8 – You Are The Potter – 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

Answers Before Listening

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 257 - Proverbs 18:13 - Answers Before Listening - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 257 – Proverbs 18:13 – Answers Before Listening – Growing As Disciples

He who answers before listening– that is his folly and his shame. Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) 

Listen Carefully, Speak Wisely 

That is exactly what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to be able to listen carefully and speak wisely. It is good that you have linked those two thoughts together. Why is that? Those thoughts are intertwined. Those two ideas are inseparable. How so? You will never be able to speak wisely without learning to listen carefully. Do you know why that is? No, I don’t think so. Maybe I do, but I’m not sure. Take a guess. Not listening is a sure sign of pride. Not listening conveys the attitude that I have much to offer and no need to receive. It is the attitude of a “know it all”. A poor listener cuts themselves off from learning from others. A poor listener will never have the benefit of other’s insight. A poor listener will live forever with their blind spots that they can’t see by themselves. Why is that? It is easy to recognize a poor listener. A poor listener sends out signals that shout, “Don’t bother with me, because I won’t listen to you.” I don’t want to be that person. That’s good. 

How will you become a good listener? Where you will start? What will you do? I will start with you. It is the desire of my heart to hear from you. I want to listen to every word that you have to say to me. There is no one I want to hear from more than you. That’s good. So, I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of life. I will go to a quiet place. I will slow down and make myself attentive to you. I will separate myself from the swirl of activity all around me. Why will that be necessary? I am hard of hearing. Listening to you does not come naturally to me. No, it does not. Quieting myself before you will take all the strength that you will give to me. Why is that? Activity and busyness is my norm. Racing here and there and everywhere is my strength. It’s not really a strength. I know. It’s a huge weakness. But there is one thing I know for certain. What’s that? You will speak to me as I meet with you. You will speak to me as I meet with you in your word, and in prayer, and in worship. Yes, I will. 

What will happen to you as you listen attentively to me? You will give me wise words to speak as I listen attentively to you. Yes, I will.  What else? You will strengthen and develop my ability to listen to others as I keep on listening to you. Yes, I will. What else? As I listen to others, I will be more able to minister to them. You will give me wise and caring and loving words to speak that will bring life and healing to others. Yes, I will. Keep on listening to me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know I have pridefully spoken quickly without listening carefully. I have often spoken unhelpful and unhealthy words I have deeply regretted. Help me to listen attentively to you. Help me to speak wise words that will build up and encourage others. Amen

Key Question… When have you made the mistake of speaking without listening carefully?

Living It Out… Listen carefully to the Lord so that you will be able to speak wisely to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wise words to speak as you listen carefully to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening carefully so you will be able to speak wisely.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen carefully to the Lord so you will be able to speak wisely to others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 257 – Proverbs 18-13 – Answers Before Listening – 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

Told Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 256 - 2 Kings 5:13-15 - Told Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 256 – 2 Kings 5:13-15 – Told Him – Growing As Disciples

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant.” 2 Kings 5:13-15 (NIV)

Who Am I?

Who am I that I need to figure everything out? Who am I that I need full understanding? Who am I that I need to be in complete agreement? What are you talking about? What don’t you need to figure out? About what do you not need full understanding? Why don’t you need to be in complete agreement? I’m talking about your will. I am thinking about following your guidance and receiving your instruction. Am I the evaluator of your guidance and instruction? I think not. Will I only do as you ask of me only if I understand or agree or am in complete agreement? I think not. Will I do what you ask me simply because it is you that has asked me? I hope so. I believe so. I pray so. Where would faith and hope and trust be if I only did what made sense to me? Would I ever be taking a step of faith with you if you needed to convince me to do what you asked of me every time? That would be no faith at all. That’s true. If I need to figure everything out, fully understand or be in complete agreement, then I would be simply relying on my own thoughts and ideas and understandings. That is also true. 

I know something for certain. What’s that? You will call me to leave the familiar to do the uncomfortable. You will cause me to come to rely on you. You will stretch and grow my faith in you by asking me to do what does not seem understandable, likely or even possible. Taking a step of faith with you into the unknown to do the impossible is a real step of faith. Yes, it is. That is what I want to do. I want to take real steps of faith with you. I want you to do in and through me what only you can do as I come to rely on you. That will be very good. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, I have not always followed your guidance or accepted your instruction. I have foolishly thought that I had a better way that was an improvement on your guidance and instruction. Obviously, that was a huge mistake. Help me now to follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord blessed your life as you have followed and obeyed His instructions?

Living It Out… Hear, follow, and obey all the Lord’s guidance and instruction.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life as you follow His guidance and accept His instruction.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how following the Lord’s guidance and instruction has blessed your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow and obey the Lord’s instructions.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 256 – 2 Kings 5-13-15 – Told 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

The Lord’s Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 255 Luke 1:37-38 - The Lord's Servant - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 255 Luke 1:37-38 – The Lord’s Servant – Growing As Disciples

For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 (NIV)  

What You Say

That is exactly what I will do. What exactly will you do? I will do what you say. I will go wherever you guide. I will do whatever you ask of me. That sounds like a blank check. Yes, it is definitely a blank check. There is one thing I know about the blank check I am giving to you. What’s that? You will write in, all I am, all I have, and all I hope to be, on that blank check. You don’t want part of me. You don’t want a half-hearted me. You don’t want a reluctant me. No, I do not. There is something else I know. What’s that? I don’t want to give you part of me. I don’t want to give you a half-hearted me. I don’t want to give you a reluctant me. Then we both want the same thing. Yes, we do. Why is that true? Why do you want to give yourself so fully and completely to me? You gave yourself fully and completely to me. You didn’t hold anything back when you demonstrated your love to me. You went wherever your Heavenly Father directed you. You did whatever your Heavenly Father asked of you.  Why did I go and do whatever my Heavenly Father asked of me? Why was no cost too great? Why was nothing too little or too much for me to do for Him? Your love for your Heavenly Father caused you to go and do His will. Yes, it did. Is that all? No, your love for me also caused you to go and do your Heavenly Father’s will. You are correct, my life was guided by my love for my Heavenly Father and my love for you. I have the same reason for my wanting to give myself fully and completely to you. Tell me more. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My love for you makes it no burden for me to give myself fully and completely to you. The love you have placed in my heart for others is also motivating my desire to go and do whatever you ask of me. So, I can truly say, “I will do what you say”. May your will be done in and through me. That is very good. I will certainly do my will in and through you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I am your servant. I am at your disposal. Use my life to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. Lead me to where you want me to go. Give me what you want me to do. I will engage fully in your work. Do your miraculous work in and through me. Amen

Key Question… How willing are you to allow the Lord to do the impossible in and through you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to do His miraculous work in and through you as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will do miraculous things in and through you as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is doing His miraculous work in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you as the Lord’s servant, allow Him to work in and through you as He desires.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 255 – Luke 1-37-38 – The Lord’s Servant – 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

Become Less

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 254 John 3:30 - Become Less - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 254 John 3:30 – Become Less – Growing As Disciples

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)

Less

I need to keep that word ever before me. What word? I need to keep the word, “less” in my conscious and ongoing thoughts. Why is that? At times, I have had a pretty high opinion of myself. That is hard to acknowledge. But it has been true. I have certainly thought more about my needs and wants and opinions and desires than almost any other subject. “What do I want?” “What do I desire? “What do I need?” Those questions have driven a good share of my life. As hard as it is to admit, I would say that I have been very full of myself. How full? Imagine a glass full to the very brim. Now try to pour in some additional water. That is how full I have been of myself. I have been so full of myself that nothing more could be poured into my life. Others couldn’t pour anything into my life. You couldn’t pour anything into my life. That is not good. Yes, I know. But that is all about to change.

What would you like to change? How differently would you like to live your life? For starters, I want less of me. I want to take my eyes off of myself. No longer do I want my life to be consumed and guided and surrounded by thoughts of me, myself and I. Frankly, I am more than a little tired of me, myself and I. I don’t want to continually think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me. Living for myself, my comfort and my pleasure will no longer drive my life. I want my focus to be on you. I want to be completely open to whatever you have to say to me. I want you to be able to pour your guidance and instruction into my life. I want to receive whatever you have for me. Why do you want this? I want to be able to know and do your will. I want my heart and mind and life to be centered on you. As I decrease, as there is less of me, I want there to be more of you in my life. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your actions. Why do you want this? I want my life to point others to you. I want to shine brightly and burn hotly for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. It is my prayer that there will be far less of me and far more of you in my life. Help me to decrease, so you can increase in all that I think, say and do. Allow me to be a bold and bright witness for you in this world. I will hear and answer your prayer. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know life does not revolve around me. I’m not the center of the universe. I’m not the object of everyone’s attention. Far from it. It is my desire to become less and less so you can become more and more in my life. Be exalted in my life for your glory. Amen

Key Question… How are you becoming less so that the Lord can become more in your life?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to become less, so that the Lord will become more in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you become less, the Lord will become more in your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how as you have become less, the Lord has become more in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you become less so that the Lord will become more in your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 254 – John 3-30 – Become Less – 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

Other’s Burdens

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 253 Galatians 6:2-3 - Other's Burdens- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 253 Galatians 6:2-3 – Other’s Burdens- Growing As Disciples

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:2-3 (NIV)

Focus

What is your focus? That is quite a broad question. I’m not sure what you mean. I can be much clearer. I’d like that. Go ahead, I’m listening. Is your focus solely on yourself? Are you preoccupied with your thoughts, concerns, problems and issues? Are you the center of your own world? Does everyone and everything revolve around you? Are you consumed by your own life? Are you too busy and preoccupied to notice the pain and suffering of those around you? Is your life and your concerns so important that you cannot notice others who might need your help? You weren’t kidding when you said you could be clearer. No, I was not. I suppose those aren’t rhetorical questions. You would like me to answer your questions. Yes, I would. There is no point in denying that quite often I am busy and preoccupied with myself. I have been racing through life trying to check off boxes on my “to do list”. The needs of others have not often risen to my priority list. My focus has too often been on myself. My ability to hear or see others in need has often been muted from my hearing or obscured from my sight. That is regrettable. That is unfortunate. That is a terrible mistake. Yes, it is.

How do you want to change? What would you like to do differently? You know that I want to become like you in all that I think, say and do. I want to follow your example. It is the desire of my heart to live like you lived and do what you did. How did I live? What did I do? You slowed down to love others. You didn’t race through life. You took notice of the pain and suffering all around you. Your focus was not on yourself. You came into this world to serve others. You loved others completely. You noticed and picked up and carried the burdens of others. Is that what you want? Yes, it is. I want to give like you gave. I want to serve like you served. I want to love like you loved. In every way and on every day, I want to follow your example. That is a good and right and pure desire in you. Is that the prayer of your heart? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, my focus has often been on myself and my concerns and problems. My eyes and ears have been closed to others who have far greater need. Help me to take my focus off myself. Help me to become like you in loving others. I want to carry other’s burdens. Amen

Key Question… What joy has been yours because you were able to help carry someone’s burden?

Living It Out… Carry other’s burdens so that you will be able to love like Christ loved.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will show you how to carry other’s burdens so you can love like He loved.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is teaching you how to carry other’s burdens.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you carry other’s burdens so you can love like Christ loved.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 253 – Galatians 6-2-3 – Other’s Burdens – 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

Examine Yourselves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 252 - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 252 – 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine Yourselves – Growing As Disciples

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Examine

 At one time that was a scary word. What was a scary word? Examine, was a scary word. The idea that I would invite you to examine my life was a scary thought. The thought that together we might both take a close look at life made me very uncomfortable. Why is that? I was afraid of what might you and I might find. Do you think that anything from your life remains hidden from me? Is any one of your thoughts or words or actions a secret to me? No, I am certain that nothing about my thoughts or words or actions can remain hidden to you. Everything about me is like an open book to you. On top of that, you are a speed reader. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my actions before I take them. Yes, I do. That is true.

Are you no longer scared of your life being under my and your examination? No, I am not. Why is that? First of all, it makes no sense to hide what we both know to be true. Which is? I am a sinner. I have sinned. I will sin. But it is also true you have forgiven and cleansed me of my sin. You have made me to be righteous in your eyes. You are now my Savior and Lord. You are leading and guiding my life. You are molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become. You are making me into your masterpiece. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Yes, I will continue to do all these things for you. So, it is my joy to welcome your work in my life. Any changes you want to make in me will be for your kingdom and glory. You want to help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I do. Why would I be afraid of that? Why would I not welcome that? Why would I not want what you want. Second by second, minute by minute and day by day, I want to become more like you. So yes, I welcome your examination of my life. Let’s you and I take a close look at my life together. Show me what you want me to see. Change what you want to change. Make me more like you as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will. You can count on me to do that in you, with you and for you. Let this all be for your kingdom and glory so I can shine brightly for you. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know I am not living a perfect life. I know I sin in my thoughts, words and actions. It is my desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. Help me to examine myself. Help me to turn from sin and keep on passionately loving and following and serving you. Amen

Key Question… How are you examining your thoughts, words and deeds to see if they are in alignment with Christ?

Living It Out… Make it your regular, end of the day practice, to examine yourself as you can love, follow and serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to examine yourself as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are regularly examining yourself as you follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you surround yourself with good friends who will help develop good character in you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 252 – 2 Corinthians 13-5 – Examine Yourselves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Good Character

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 251 - 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Good Character - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 251 – 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Good Character – Growing As Disciples

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Friends

I haven’t given that much thought. You haven’t given what much thought? I haven’t given my friends much thought. What do you mean by saying that? I haven’t actually evaluated the character of my friends. I haven’t considered the positive or negative impact a friend might have in my life. Doesn’t that seem a little odd to you? Can’t you recall the positive or negative impact a friend has had in your life? I can recall things that my friends have said or done. I can remember having liked or disliked things that my friends have said or done. But beyond that it has been rare for me to reach a conclusion on the positive or negative impact friends have had on my life. What would you think if I were to say that you will become like your closest and most intimate friends? I would say that it is critically important for me to evaluate the character of my friends. If I would not want to become like one of my friends, then maybe it is better for them to not be my friends. I would rather have my friends encourage good and godly character in me than to discourage me in my desire to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want my friends to spur me on as I love and follow and serve you. I want to spur my friends on in their desire to love and follow and serve you. That is very good.

There is an important distinction to make. What’s that? I want you to be friendly and to befriend others. I want you to love and minister to all people. I want you to express care and compassion and kindness and love to everyone you encounter in life. You are to welcome the stranger. You are to love the unlovable. You are to feed the hungry and cloth the needy. You will be my hands and feet in this world. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. No one is beyond your reach. No one is unworthy of your kindness, mercy and love. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. So, how do these thoughts relate to those people you allow into your inner circle to become your intimate friends? I am to love and minster to everyone. I am also to be very careful in choosing my close and intimate friends. That is correct. I should choose friends of good and godly character who will spur me on in my faith. My close friends should encourage my character in ways that will cause to think and speak and act in ways that are good and right and pleasing to you. But I will also love and minster to all. No one will be beyond my kindness, mercy and love.  That is right. That is good. That is true.

Lord, I have not always been wise about who I allowed into my circle of friends. I have had friends who caused me to think, speak and act in ways that were not pleasing to you. Bring good and godly friends into my life. Use good friends to develop my character. Amen

Key Question… How are you being very careful about who you allow to become one of your good friends?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are surrounding yourself with good friends that will help develop your character.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use good friends to help develop your character.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used good friends to help develop your character.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you surround yourself with good friends who will help develop good character in you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 251 – 1 Corinthians 15-33 – Good Character – 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

Good News

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 249 - Romans 10:14-15 - Good News - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 249 – Romans 10:14-15 – Good News – Growing As Disciples

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)  

Good News

I could have received no better news. Tell me what Good News you received. You gave up all your rights and privileges. You came into this world to live and die for me. You were sent by your Heavenly Father to rescue me from a life without you. My sin and darkness separated me from you. In my sin, I was certain to die without and apart from you. That was intolerable to you. You could not let that happen to me. No, I could not. So, you took my sins to the cross. You suffered pain and humiliation and a painful death on my behalf. You made it so I could be righteous in God’s eyes. You made it so I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteous. Now, when God looks at me, He sees your righteousness. I am clean in His sight. Without your payment for my sin, I would have never been able to come to live forever in heaven with you.  Now, I have been adopted into your family. I am welcomed and loved and accepted as your child. In fact, I understand that there was rejoicing in heaven on the day I came to believe in you. Yes, heaven rejoiced on that day. Now, I know that my future in heaven is kept and guarded for me. Nothing will ever be able to snatch me out of your hand. I have an eternal future in heaven with you. I know that to be true because you deposited your Holy Spirit as a guarantee. Yes, that is true. So, what better news could there be? There is no better news. I am all yours. It is now my passion and joy to love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You are my Savior and Lord. That is very Good News. That is the best of news. Yes, it is.

What will you do with the Good News that you have received? Will you keep the Good News to yourself? Will you go out and tell others the Good News so that they also can come to believe in me as their Savior and Lord? I certainly will not keep the Good News to myself. Why is that? I want others to receive all that I have received from you. I want others to be able to come to know and love and follow you as their Savior and Lord. I want others to come to live forever in heaven with you. I want to rejoice with you and all of heaven when someone comes to know and love and follow and serve you. So, I ask that you use me. Help me to boldly share the Good News of your forgiveness and cleansing and salvation. I will gladly hear and answer that prayer of yours. I will send you. I will use you. You will declare my Good News to others. We will rejoice together when others come to believe in me as their Savior and Lord. 

Lord, here I am, send me. Use me to share the Good News of the Gospel. Open my eyes and ears to see and hear who is ready to believe in you. Show me who to make the subject of my prayers. Open my mouth, give me the words you want me to speak. Amen

Key Question… Who made it possible for you to hear the Good News of the Gospel?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to share the Good News of the Gospel with others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will open up doors and give you opportunities to share the Gospel with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to lead someone to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to share the Good News with others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 249 – Romans 10-14-15 – Good News – 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