Monthly Archives: April 2025

Do Not Worry

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 213- Matthew 6:25-27 - Do Not Worry - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 213- Matthew 6:25-27 – Do Not Worry – Growing As Disciples

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)

Stop Worrying

That sounds a lot easier than it is to do. What’s that? I’m not supposed to worry. I’m supposed to stop worrying. Am I hearing you correctly? Yes, you are hearing me correctly. Where is my switch to turning off worry? What button do I press? You are very funny. Is that all I said? Did I say nothing more than, “Do not worry?” Is that all you heard? You said quite a bit more. Tell me what I said? You said the birds of the air are well cared for by your Heavenly Father. You indicated that I am much more valuable than the birds of the air. You have made it clear that my Heavenly Father knows my needs. You have made it clear that my Heavenly Father will take care of me. Do you believe what I have said? Do you believe that your Heavenly Father knows your needs and that He will take care of you? Yes, I do. Good, then you are halfway to being able to stop worrying about your needs. Believing that my Heavenly knows my needs and will take care of me is halfway to my being able to stop worrying about my needs? That’s what I said.

What else is there? What else will I need to do if I want to stop worrying about my needs? When you are worrying, what are you focusing on? I am focusing on myself. I am focusing on my needs. I am focusing on my worries. I am focusing on my circumstances. That’s true. That is exactly what you are focusing on. As long as you keep on focusing on yourself, your needs, your worries and your circumstances you will never be able to stop worrying. What must I do? You must take your focus off of yourself. You must place your focus on the kingdom of God. You must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. What does that mean? You must have your heart and mind and life focused on your Heavenly Father and the life He is calling you to live. That’s it? That’s it. Believe that your Heavenly Father knows and will take care of your needs. Focus heart and mind and life on your Heavenly Father and live your life with and for Him. Then you will be able to stop worrying. I will do both of these things. That will be very good. Yes, it will. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, I have wasted a lot of time and energy and resource by allowing myself to be filled with worry. Help me to not worry. I know you are with me. I know you will help me. Help me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you and the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question…When has focusing on the Lord and the life He has for you helped you overcome worry?

Living It Out… Overcome worry by focusing your heart and mind and life on the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to overcome worry as you focus your heart and mind and life on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to overcome worry.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you overcome worry by keeping your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 213 – Matthew 6-25-27 – Do Not Worry – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Walks With The Wise

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 8 - Proverbs 13:20 - Walks With The Wise - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 8 – Proverbs 13:20 – Walks With The Wise – Growing As Disciples

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) 

Suffering Harm

Well, I have done plenty of that. You have done plenty of what? I have suffered plenty of harm. Why is that? I have wrongly chosen to become a companion of foolish people. Sometimes, I have wondered what has been wrong with me. How so? I have attracted so many foolish people into my life. Is that right? Yes, it is. In that case, who would be a foolish person? That would be me, without any doubt. It is also true without a doubt and without any exception that a companion of fools will suffer harm. It is not a question of “if” it is just a matter of “when”. Harm comes to all those who make themselves to be companions with fools. That is true. I need no convincing. That is good.

What do you want to do with what you have learned? First, I will distant myself from foolish people. I will not let foolish people into my inner circle. I will not allow foolish people to become my counselors. I will not tag along with foolish people as they go down the path, that will certainly end in harm. Having said all of this, I will still minister to everyone who needs to come to know you. The most foolish decision of all is to live a life without you. I will allow you to use me to rescue those that are on the path that leads away from you. I will hope to be used by you ,to bring people to you, so that they will come to know and love you as their Savior and Lord. That will be very good.

What else will you do with what you have learned? I will seek to walk closely with wise people that you will bring into my life. Why is that? Walking distantly with wise people you bring into my life will be of no benefit to me. I will not become wise unless I walk closely with the wise. Walking closely with wise people will help me to see what I cannot see. Walking closely with wise people will help me to know what I have not known. Walking closely with wise people will help me to do what I almost certainly would have never done. You want to use wise people to help me to become wise. That is true. So, I will allow you to do what you want to do. I will walk closely with the wise people you bring into my life. That will be very good.  

Lord, I have made terrible choices about who I would walk with closely in life. I can’t tell you how many times I have suffered harm by allowing myself to become a companion of a foolish person. Help me now to walk closely with wise people you bring into my life. Amen

Key Question… How has your life suffered harm because you were a companion of a foolish person?

Living It Out… Make it your plan to walk closely with the wise people the Lord brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to grow wise as you walk closely with the wise people He brings into your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how walking closely with other wise people has helped you to grow wise.

Prayer To Bless Others… Walk closely with the wise people the Lord brings into your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 8 – Proverbs 13-20 – Walks With The Wise – 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

What Do You Want?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 343 - Matthew 20:29-34 - What Do You Want - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 343 – Matthew 20:29-34 – What Do You Want – Growing As Disciples

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.  “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34 (NIV)

What Do I Want? 

What do I want? That is quite a question. What would I ask for if I was certain that my prayer would be heard and answered? What would I most want from you? I know my request without a doubt. I have no hesitation in my request. You are quite confident? You are absolutely certain? You have no second guesses or alternate requests? There is nothing you want more? No, I do not. Then tell me what is the request that you have to ask of me. Lord, I want to be powerfully used by you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to shine brightly in this world. I want people to be drawn to you through the work you do in and through my life. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. One day, I want to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is a very good request, that I will certainly answer.

You know something about your request that you haven’t mentioned. Yes, I do. What is that? I can’t be powerfully used by you unless I know you intimately. If I know you intimately, I will love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. If I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, then I will follow and serve you with all that is within me. I will live my life with and for you. I will be fully devoted to you. So, your one request includes much more than just being powerfully used by me? Yes, it does. If it did not, I would not have asked for it from you. That makes your request even better. Yes, it does. That is very good. You will have all that you have asked of me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, what a wonderful question that is, “What do you want me to do for you?” I have one answer. I want to be powerfully used by you, so I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to be used by you, to accomplish your purposes. Amen

Key Question… Why is it important for you to make your wants and needs known to the Lord?

Living It Out… Make all your wants and needs known to the Lord so He can hear and answer your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers that you pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the prayers you are praying to the Lord in this season of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make your wants and needs known to the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 343 – Matthew 20-29-34 – What Do You Want? – 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

In My Prayers

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 351 - Ephesians 1:15-16 - In My Prayers - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 351 – Ephesians 1:15-16 – In My Prayers – Growing As Disciples

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV)

Remembering Prayer

That is what I will do. That is what I want to do. That is what I will not fail to do. What will you do? What do you want to do? What will you not fail to do? I will give thanks for the fellow believers that you have brought into my life. Why is that? Where would I be without the encouragement I have received from my fellow believers? That is a very good question. That is a question you should reflect on and deeply consider. Now, I want to ask you why is that? Have I not spurred you on in your faith by the fellow believers I have brought into your life? Have I not picked you up off the carpet by the encouragement you have received from others? Yes, you have spurred me on, and picked me up by the encouragement I have received from fellow believers. There is something you have not yet said that I might as well confess up front. I’m sure that you want to have a fuller discussion on this topic. You are correct. There is another strong reason why I need to reflect on and deeply consider the encouragement and spurring on I have received from fellow believers. Yes, there is another very important reason I want you to consider. Do you want to say it, or do you want me to confess it? It would be far better for you to confess it. Alright, here goes. I have been somewhat of a loner. Somewhat? Alright, I have kept to myself. I have not shared my life fully with other believers. I have not asked for prayer, nor have I given thanks or prayed for others as fully as I am sure that you have desired. You want me to live and walk in a closer relationship with others. Yes, I do. You want me to both make and receive prayers. And the emphasis, at the moment, may be more on my being willing to receive prayer from others. You think? Yes, I am beginning to get this into my thick head. You want me to open up to receiving prayer from others. As I am willing to receive prayer from others, I am sure that I will also be more energetic in praying for them as well. That will be true without a doubt. So, what will you do? I will do two things. I will ask others how I can pray for them. I will ask others to pray for me. Prayer will become a two-way street in my life. I will make and receive prayers, as I live my life with and before you. That will be very good. In this way you will continue to both give and receive encouragement as you love, follow and serve me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I give thanks to you for all the fellow believers you have brought into my life. You have encouraged and spurred me on by their faith. Help me to regularly intercede in prayer for the needs of others. Help me also to welcome and receive prayer from them. Amen

Key Question…  How are you regularly interceding in prayer for the needs of people that are all around you?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to guide you to give thanks and intercede in prayer for the needs of others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will guide you to give thanks and intercede in prayer for the needs of others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to intercede in prayer for others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give thanks and intercede in prayer for your fellow believers.

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

Becoming Like Christ -Day 351 – Ephesians 1-15-16 – In My Prayers – 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

Under Control

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16582155 – illustration depicting a roadsign with an under control concept. white background.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

Be Wise

That is what I would like to be. What would you like to be? I would like to be wise. I would like to think and speak and act wisely. Why would you like to think and speak and act wisely? Living a life that is wise would be pleasing to you. Living a life that is wise would allow me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Living a life that is wise would make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Being foolish would hinder all of these things from being true of my life. You have very good reasons for wanting to be wise. You are not wanting to be wise so you can become the center of attention. You are not wanting to be wise to win applause and accolades from the world. You are not wanting to be wise to become powerful or so you can acquire possessions in this world. You want to live wisely because you want to live the life that I am calling you to live. Is that true? Am I correct? You are never wrong. You are never misinformed. You know my heart. You know my thoughts. You know my desires. Yes, I do know everything that there is to know about you. That’s good. Yes, it is good. 

How will you become wise? That is a very good question. I know how I will not become wise. How is that? I will not become wise by trying harder. I will not become wise by being more determined. I will not become wise because I have made some new and better resolutions or set some higher and clearer goals. Why is that? Only you can make me wise. Only you can change my heart. Only you can transform my mind. Only you can make me new. You can give me your thoughts to think, your words to speak and your actions to take. You can make me to be more like you. You can mold and shape my life. You can make me into your masterpiece. You can help me to live as you have called me to live. Yes, I can. Yes, I will.

What must you do if you want to be wise and live the life that I have called you to live? What is your part? What is your role? I must come to you. I must submit myself to you. I must live my life with and for you. In your presence you will change me. You will make me to be more like you as I spend time with you. I must live and walk in an intimate relationship with you if I desire to be changed. Is that what you will do? Yes, that is what I am doing. That is what I will do. That is very good. Yes, it is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, at times, I have given full vent to my anger. I have held nothing back. I said exactly what I thought. What a foolish mistake. What an unwise action. Forgive me. Help me to be wise by keeping myself under control. Help me to be a bold witness for you. Amen

Key Question… Why will giving full vent to your anger only serve to nourish and feed more anger in you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to be wise by keeping yourself under control.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help to be wise by keeping yourself under control.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to keep yourself under control.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to be wise by keeping yourself under control.

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

Becoming Like Christ -Day 352 – Proverbs 29-11 – Under Control – 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

What You Hear

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 183 - Mark 4:21-25 - What You Hear - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 183 – Mark 4:21-25 – What You Hear – Growing As Disciples

He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” Mark 4:21-25 (NIV)

Pay Attention

Are you paying attention? Am I paying attention to what? Are you paying attention to me? Are you listening to my voice? Can you hear my gentle whisper? Are you quieting yourself before me? Are you withdrawing from the noise and busyness of the world so that you will be able to hear from me? Those are very good questions. How can I answer them? It is the desire of my heart to listen to your voice. I want to be able to hear your gentle whispers. I want nothing more than to hear from you. Sometimes, maybe more often than not, I think that I am hard of hearing. I am quite sure that I have not heard what you have wanted to say to me. That’s not good. No, it is not.

What would you like to do differently? What kind of effort are you willing to make so that you will be able to hear from me? I will establish a regular time and place to meet with you. I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of the world. I will quiet myself before you. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will draw near to you. I know that you will draw near to me. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. I will ask you to guard and guide my thoughts. I will ask you to show me what I do not know. I will allow you to speak into my life. That will be very good.

Is there anything else you would like to do differently? Yes, without a doubt. What’s that? I have been uncritically allowing my ears to hear what is neither healthy nor helpful to me. I have allowed my heart and mind and life to become polluted by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. That is not good. No, it is not. So, I will ask you to help me to place a guard over my ears to protect me from what I should not allow into my heart and mind and life. That will be very good.

What will you do when you have heard from me? First of all, I will assume that you are not simply conveying information to me. That may be possible. But it is much more likely that you are wanting me to take some course of action. So, I will take action. I will put into practice whatever you have shown me. I will not sit around. I will go and do what you ask me. That will be very good. Speak to me Lord, I am listening. Yes, I will, you can count it. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will pay careful attention to what you say to me. I welcome you to speak into my life. Guard and guide my life by your words. Mold and shape my life by your words. Make me fruitful for you by your words. I will put into practice whatever I hear from you. Amen

Key Question… How are you distancing yourself from what is not healthy or helpful for you to hear?

Living It Out… Pay careful attention to what you hear from the Lord so you will be able to put it into practice.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to pay attention and put into practice what you hear from Him.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pay attention to what you hear from the Lord.

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

Day 183 – Becoming Like Christ – Mark 4-21-25 – What You Hear – 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

With Great Boldness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 356 - Acts 4:29-30 - With Great Boldness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 356 – Acts 4:29-30 – With Great Boldness – Growing As Disciples

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)  

Great Boldness

Well, I don’t think that exists within me. It certainly does not come naturally to me. What does not exist within you? What does not come naturally to you? I don’t have great boldness within me. No, you do not have great boldness within you. No, great boldness does not come naturally to you. But that should not discourage you. Why is that? It is a very good thing that you know without a doubt that you do not have great boldness within you. Why is that? What have you done when you have faced a significant threat? I have done three different things when I have faced a significant. Sometimes, I have foolishly tried to face a significant threat with my own power and strength. How has that worked out for you? Those efforts could best be described as timid and feeble and highly unsuccessful. That’s not good. No, it’s not. But my second response to significant threats has been even worse and if possible, even less successful. What has been that response? I have avoided significant threats at all costs. I have run away from significant threats as I have seen them approaching. How do you feel about that approach to significant threats? Nothing could be more defeating or discouraging or depressing. Why is that? You did not create me to be timid or run away from significant threats. You did not design me to wilt under pressure. No, I did not.  

You mentioned that you have had a third response to significant threats. Yes, I did. Surely that response must be better than the first two that you have mentioned. My third response to significant threats is far better. Tell me about that response. My third and only successful response to significant threats is to call out to you and ask for your help. You have helped me to think and speak and act boldly when I have relied on you. You have filled me with your Spirit. You have given me your power. You have enabled me to think and speak and act with courage. You have helped me to do what I could have done by myself. You have helped me to overcome significant threats in life. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name in the face of significant threats. To you belongs all the honor and glory. To you belongs all the thanks and praise. Will you continue to ask for my help? Will you continue to rely on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, on my own, with my own power, I will only speak and act timidly in the face of significant threats. That is not your will and plan for my life, of that I am sure. Empower me to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats, so I can bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord for great boldness in the face of significant threats?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has empowered you as a bold witness for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to live life with great boldness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 356 – Acts 4-29-30 – With Great Boldness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Set Apart Christ As Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 336 - 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Set Apart Christ As Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3:15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – Growing As Disciples

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Lord

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean that I am Lord? Let me start by saying that you are not just Lord generally. You are Lord specifically of my life. By that, I mean you have authority over my life. You are in charge of my life. I have bowed myself down to you. I want your will to reign over my life. You are on the throne of my life. I can say more. Go ahead, I am listening. I am not the evaluator of you. You are the evaluator of me. If my thoughts or words or actions are not in alignment with you, someone has got to change and its not you. If your word says something is true, I dare not think it is false. If your word says one thing, I better not do another. If your word says something is false, it would be foolish to think it was true. My heart and mind and life are centered on you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. I have set you apart as Lord of my life because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to live my life with or for you. I could have no greater peace or joy or hope than I do in loving, following and serving you. That is very good.

Will you keep silent about the peace and hope and joy you have in me? Is this a secret that only you should know? No, not at all. I want to share the good news. I want to be a bold witness for you. I want to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. I want others to wonder and ask why I have such radiant hope and joy within me. Speak through me. Help me to lead others to you. Use my life to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Let the good that you are doing in and through me speak powerfully to others so that they will want to live their lives with you both now and forever. That I will do. I will shine brightly in and through your life. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have set you apart in my heart as my Lord. I know you will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Give me opportunities to share the reason for the hope that I have in you. Help me to shine brightly in the world for you. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lordship of Christ over you guiding the way you think, speak and act?

Living It Out… Set apart Christ in your heart as Lord over your life so that you will think, and speak and act in ways that please Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that setting apart Christ as Lord will change your heart and transform the way that you think, speak and act.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you have shared the reason for your hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May setting Christ apart as Lord guide the way you think, speak and act.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3-15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Call To The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 342 - Psalm 18:1-3 - Call To The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18:1-3 – Call To The Lord – Growing As Disciples

I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV)  

My Strength

I am so glad that you are my strength. Why is that? I know that I am weak. In the past, when I was younger and dumber, I thought that I was strong. I thought that I could face every difficulty and overcome every problem. It didn’t take long for life to convince me otherwise. How so? I have had crushing defeats and significant setbacks. They have been my insightful but unwelcome teachers. I have gone through trouble and experienced difficulties that only you could have solved. In the mid st of pain and suffering I have cried out to you. I am no fan of pain and suffering, but I would have to say that I have learned to cry out in prayer to you in my most painful and darkest moments. That’s good. You have never left me alone. You have never abandoned me in my troubles. You have been near to me when I have been brokenhearted. I have felt your nearness. I have experienced your closeness. You have been with me to comfort me. You have lifted me up and carried when I have been sure that I could go no further. How valuable are those lessons? Beyond compare. Knowing that you love and care for me is far beyond priceless. You have been my strength. You are my fortress, rock and deliverer. You have been my refuge and shield. You have saved me from out of my troubles. You have delivered me from all my fear. I know, without a doubt, that I can trust you. I know, with certainty, that I canhold on to you because you are holding on to me. You will never let me go. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Yes, I am all these things to you. You can cry out to me. I will hear your prayers. I will be with you to help you every step of your way through life. I have a hold of you. I will never let you go. Thank you, Lord. My only response to you is one of praise and thanksgiving. You deserve all the honor and praise and glory. As long as I have breath within me, I will joyfully give all my thanks and praise to you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. You are so good and kind and merciful to me. You hear my cry and answer my prayers. Thank you for being my rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer. All my thanks and praise go to you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you strength to overcome something that was far too strong for you?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to the Lord for His being your rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can rely on the Lord to be your rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how thankful you are for the Lord delivering out of troubles in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make your needs known to the Lord by asking Him for His help.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18-1-3 – Call To 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

Seek Peace And Pursue It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 28 - 1 Peter 3:10-12 - Seek Peace And Pursue It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 28 – 1 Peter 3:10-12 – Seek Peace And Pursue It – Growing As Disciples

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV)

See Many Good Days

What would that look like? What would what look like? What would a good day look like? Would you like to love life and see good days? Yes of course, who wouldn’t want to love life and see many good days? Then wouldn’t it be important for you to have some idea of what a good day would look like? Yes, it would, I can see that now. Your question does make sense. Your question is worthy of considerable thought and needs a good answer. Yes, it does. I would describe a good day as one that is good and pleasing to you. It is the desire of my heart to do what is pleasing to you. If I had a day that was successful in that regard, I would call it a very good day. I would very much like to live many of those kinds of good days. Can you describe that kind of day a little more clearly? Yes, I can. If I keep my heart and mind and life away from evil that would be part of a very good day. If I turned from evil and did good, that would also be part of a very good day. If I sought peace and eagerly pursued it by working for it, that would again be part of a very good day. Basically, any good day, would be one in which I went and did your will and lived the life you are calling me to live. A good day would include bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. Most importantly, a very good day would include and require me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. None of what I have described would be remotely possible unless I lived and walked closely with you. Why is that? Apart from you, I can do nothing. Without you, living a good day would not be possible! That’s true.

I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is the desire of my heart to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. Nothing would please me more than to live out many good days with and for you. Nothing would thrill me more than for you to give me prayers to pray that would be your delight to hear and answer. Use my life for your glory. Bear fruit through my life for my kingdom. Use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Let me see many of these kinds of good days with you. Yes, you will, you can be sure of that. I will hear and answer your prayers. You will see many good days with me both now and forever. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know your eyes are on me. You can see and hear all I think, say, and do. Help me to seek peace, do good and live a righteous life that is pleasing to you. Give me prayers to pray that it will be your delight to hear and answer. Help me to bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making it your continual practice to turn away from evil to do good?

Living It Out…  Make it your continual practice to seek peace, do good and live a righteous life so the Lord can answer your prayers.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you seek peace, do good, and live a righteous life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking peace, doing good and living a righteous life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you seek peace, do good and live the righteous life the Lord has called you to live.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 28 – 1 Peter 3-10-12 – Seek Peace And Pursue It – 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