Monthly Archives: June 2025

Do Not Worry

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 363 - Luke 12:22-31 - Do Not Worry - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 363 – Luke 12:22-31 – Do Not Worry – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31 (NIV)

Worry

I have allowed my life to be filled with worry. What has filled your life with worry? I have worried about security. I have worried about my job. I have worried about money. I have worried about my health. I have worried about my family. I have worried about what is going on in the world. You name it, I have worried about it. Now, it seems like the whole world is in a state of worry together. These are very unsettling times. Yes, you are living in unsettling times. Is that a bad thing? It seems so to me. Who wants to live in unsettling times? Think a little more about the subject. What has happened to you when you have had no need, and everything has seemed to be going your way? Have you become complacent in your faith? Have you allowed yourself to become a little more distant from me? Have you become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and maybe even self-indulgent? None of those are good things. No, they are not. You know the answers to the questions you have asked me. Yes, I do, but do you know the answers to the questions I have asked you? Yes, I do. Let me hear your answer. My faith is much more living and active when I have been living in unsettling times. Worry has actually helped draw me back to you. How so? You have helped me to turn my worries into prayers to you. When I have been worried and unsettled and filled with fear, I have drawn near to you. What have I done? You have drawn near to me. What else? You have calmed my worries and fears. You have given me your peace. You have reminded me of the fact that you are with me to help me. You love and care for me. Yes, I do. What else have I done for you as you have drawn near to me? You have refocused my heart and mind and life. On what? You have focused my heart and mind and life on you and your Kingdom. You have reminded me of how you want me to live, where you want me to go and what you want me to do. You have helped me to take my eyes off of the things of this life so I can focus on living the Kingdom focused life you have called me to live. That is very good. Yes, it is. Keep on drawing near to me in these unsettling times. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, so much of my life has been focused on the things of earth. I have spent a great deal of time and energy worrying about the things of life that are out of my control. No more. Now, I will focus my heart and mind and life on your Kingdom as I seek you. Amen

Key Question… How are taking steps to focus your life on the Kingdom of God rather on the things of this life?

Living It Out… Focus your heart and mind and life on the Kingdom of God rather than on the things of earth.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will take care of you as you focus your life on His Kingdom.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your life is now focused on the Kingdom of God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not worry, but rather seek God’s kingdom as He takes care of you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 363 – Luke 12-22-31 – Do Not Worry – 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

He Prunes

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 303 - John 15:1-2 - He Prunes - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 303 – John 15:1-2 – He Prunes – Growing As Disciples

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2 (NIV)

Pruning

I have not had the best of attitudes regarding your pruning in my life. Why is that? Pruning is not comfortable. Pruning is not easy. Pruning is not pain free. On top of that, your pruning is not always easily recognizable. No, it is not. I can’t tell you how many times I have resisted painful circumstances that I have gone through only to realize much later that you were pruning something out of my life. I certainly wasn’t welcoming your pruning in my life. In fact, I would have to say, that I have often done everything in my power, many times unknowingly, to avoid your pruning in my life. That’s not good. No, it is not. Would you rather I did not prune your life? No, I would not. I would rather wish that I did not need any pruning. That is not going to happen. You have needed and will continue to need my pruning in your life. Don’t ever come to think that you are beyond any need of my pruning. My pruning will continue in your life until the day you come to live forever in heaven with me. I understand. Yes, I know that you do understand. It pleases me that you are now understanding and welcoming my pruning in your life. That does not mean that I am not still a little uneasy about my being pruned. Yes, I know.

I want you to do something. What’s that? I want you to think back over your past and try to identify times when I was pruning your life. I will do that. I have several questions I would like you to consider. Like what? Did you know that I was pruning your life at the time? Did you try to hold on to what I wanted to prune out of your life? Did your life become more fruitful as a result of my pruning your life? Do you have any regrets about the ways in which I have pruned your life? I will do what you are asking of me. What do you think will be the value of doing what I am asking of you? I will better understand your pruning activity in my life. I will be more comfortable with and welcoming of your pruning activity in my life. I’m sure that I will also more easily recognize your pruning activity in my life. Yes, you will. I have one final question. I’m listening. Why do I prune your life? You prune my life because you love and care for me. Yes, I do. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, I have not always welcomed your pruning activity in my life. Oftentimes, I have not even been able to recognize when you were pruning me. But I now welcome all your pruning activity in my life. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for you. Amen

Key Question…  What has your Heavenly Father pruned out of your life so you can bear more fruit for Him?

Living It Out…  Welcome your Heavenly Father’s pruning in your life so you can be made more fruitful for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father will prune your life so you can be made more fruitful for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has pruned your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you welcome the Heavenly Father’s pruning in your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 303 – John 15-1-2 – He Prunes – 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 The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 276 - Romans 8:26-27- In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 276 – Romans 8:26-27- In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

Weak Or Strong?

There is no doubt about that. There is no doubt about what? I am weak. How are you weak? How much time do you have? I could go on and on about how weak I am. That wouldn’t be a bad exercise. Why is that? You don’t need to worry so much about your weaknesses. When you should begin to worry is when you begin to think you are strong. Why is that? What do you do when you know you are weak? I come to rely on you. I ask you for your help. What do you do when you begin to think that you are strong? I rely on my own gifts and talents and abilities. I try to go and do your will with my own efforts. You do now see the problem, don’t you? Yes, I do.

You had a very specific weakness in mind when you said there was no doubt about your weakness. Yes, I did. Tell me about the weakness you had in mind. I can’t tell you how often I have not known how to pray. Does that seem like a weakness to you? Yes, it does. Are you sure about that? No, I’m not. If you haven’t known how to pray what have you done? If you don’t know how to pray what will you do? If I don’t know how to pray, I will ask you to show me how to pray. That is what I have done and that is what I will do. When have you been so sure of how to pray that you didn’t need to ask me to show you how to pray? When have you not needed me to guide your prayers? You’ve got me there. I can’t say that I have ever not needed you to guide my prayers. I have always and will always need you to show me how to pray. Yes, you will.  Wouldn’t needing and relying on my help be more of a strength than a weakness? Yes, it would. Wouldn’t relying on yourself to come up with your own prayers to pray be more of weakness? Yes, it would. Aren’t you strongest when you rely on me? Yes, I am. Aren’t you weakest when you rely on yourself? Yes, I am. So, what will you do? I will rely on you to show me how to pray. I will let you guide my prayers. That will be very good.  

Holy Spirit, often I have no idea how to pray. I have no thoughts to think or words to say. I am left speechless, which is a good thing. I will rely on you to teach me how to pray. Guide my prayers. Intercede for me. Bring my prayers into alignment with God’s will. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Holy Spirit been teaching you to rely on Him to guide your prayers?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers so that they will be in alignment with God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide your prayers so that they will come into alignment with God’s will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has been teaching you how to pray.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray in and through your weakness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 276 – Romans 8-26-27 – In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us – 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

These Men Had Been With Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 128 - Acts 4:13 - These Men Had Been With Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 128 – Acts 4:13 – These Men Had Been With Jesus – Growing As Disciples

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Notice

That’s exactly what I want. What is exactly what you want? I want my life to be noticeably different because I have been spending time with you. How do you want your life to be different? I want my life to be less like my life and more like your life. How so? I want to think like you think. I want to speak like you speak. I want to act like you act. As I spend time in your presence I want to be totally changed. I want less of me and more of you. I want there to be no other explanation for the way that I think and speak and act than that I have been with you. I want others to see your life being boldly and brightly and courageously being lived out in and through me. I want others to be drawn to you because of what they see of you in me. Does that make sense? Is that possible? Is that a great desire and a good prayer? What do you think? I think these desires have developed in me only because I have been in your presence. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to conceive these desires within me. You have given me a hunger to know you. You have made it my passion to become like you. These desires so dominate my life that I want nothing less or more or else. I will be most thankful for all the work you have done, are doing and will do in and through me. There is something else I want to make clear to you and to myself. What’s that? I want none of these things for myself. I want to become more like you so that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I am not trying to be somebody. I am not trying to make a name for myself. I will be happy to be your humble servant. I will be pleased if I can serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. There is something else that I know. What’s that? You have given me these desires. You will fulfill these desires. As I remain in your presence, I cannot be unchanged. We both want the same thing. I want to become like you. You want me to become like you. So, I will continue to allow you to do your work in and through me. That will be very good. I will change you. I will mold you. I will shape you. Others will notice that you have been with me. I will make you a bold and bright and courageous witness in the world for me as you continue to remain in my presence. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, the world is trying to pull me in a thousand different directions. Busyness is what will prevent me from spending time with you. Help me to set aside a daily time and place where I can spend time with you. Make me more like you as I am in your presence. Amen

Key Question… Why is it impossible to be with Jesus and remained unchanged in the way you think, speak and act?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to spend time with Jesus so that you can become more like Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will dramatically change everything about you as you spend time with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what has helped or hindered you in spending time with Jesus.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you spend time with Jesus so you can become more like Him.

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

Day 128 – Becoming Like Christ – Acts 4-13 – These Men Had Been With Jesus – 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

They Too Will Listen To My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 330 - John 10:14-16 - They Too Will Listen To My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 330 – John 10:14-16 – They Too Will Listen To My Voice – Growing As Disciples

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14-16 (NIV) 

Your Voice

I feel like I am in training. How so? What training do you need to receive? I want and need to be able to hear your voice. Hearing your voice does not come naturally to me. It is not easy for me to hear your voice. Why is that? The world is a noisy place. Often times, I have been a busy person. The noise of the world and the busyness of my life have often made me hard of hearing. But I have no doubt about one thing. What’s that? You will speak to me. You want me to be able to hear your voice. Yes, I do want you to hear my voice. What will hearing my voice do for you? Hearing your voice will help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. That’s true, what else? Hearing your voice will help me to know and do your will. You will use your voice to guard and guide my life. Your voice will lead me to where you want me to go and give me what you want me to do. That is also correct.

What will you do if you want to hear my voice? I will do four things. I will go to a quiet place. I will leave the noisy world behind me. In a quiet place, I will also quiet myself before you. It will do no good to leave the noisy world behind if my heart and mind are racing and filled with noise within me. So, a quiet place and a quiet me are absolutely required if I want to hear from you. That is true. You might have noticed that I often withdrew to a quiet place to meet with my Heavenly Father. Yes, I did notice. I want to be like you. I will follow your example. That is very good. You have mentioned two things you will do so that you can hear my voice. What are the remaining two? I will meet with you in your word. Why is that critically important? There are a lot of voices in the world. I need to guard my heart and mind and life from deceptive voices. You will always speak to me in ways that are consistent with your word. Your word will help me to recognize your voice. Oftentimes, your voice will simply apply your word to my life in very specific ways. Is that the voice of experience? Yes, it is. That’s good. You are growing. You are learning. What else do you need to do if you want to hear my voice? I need to obey your voice. I need to go and do what you ask of me. If I am unwilling to obey your voice, there would be no point in you speaking to me or me listening to you. So, I will listen attentively to your voice so I that can hear and follow and obey you. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for being my Good Shepherd. I am one of your sheep. You know me intimately. Help me to hear and recognize your voice. I want to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… When have you stopped to wait to receive instructions and guidance from the Lord?

Living It Out…  Listen attentively to the Lord’s voice so He can guide you through life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will guide your life as you listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group you are listening to the Lord’s voice guide you through life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord so you can follow Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 330 – John 10-14-16 – Listen To My 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

Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 57 - 1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 57 – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)  

The World 

The world is an enticing place. When did you discover that? I know, I know, it should come as no huge revelation to me that the world is an enticing place. But for some reason my eyes were blind to the fact that I have been captivated by all that the world has to offer. Materialism and a continual desire for more has been a nearly constant temptation for me. The world seems to bombard me with the idea that I must have the latest and greatest thing, or I will be incomplete and unfulfilled. The world and all its cravings and lusts ask me, “How could I possibly live without this?” The continual desire for more is bad enough but trying to pursue and fulfill that desire could easily cause my life to go off course. I could misspend my entire life by pursuing all that the world has to offer. Why won’t that happen to you? I love you. I want what you want. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. Your love for me and my love for you is guarding and guiding my life. I am on the path of life, walking with you. Yes, you are. It is the utmost desire of my heart to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. How is our love for each other guarding and guiding your life? I am drawn near to you. You draw near to me. I want to enter into your presence. I want to listen to your voice. I want to hear your instructions. I want to follow your guidance. In your presence you have set me on fire to love, follow and serve you. You have given me a passionate desire to live my life with and for you. In your presence, you are making me to be like you. You are helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your actions. Yes, I am. My desire for you has pushed the desire for the world out of my heart and mind and life. The more devoted I am to you, the less interested I am in the world. That is very good. 

Heavenly Father, I know that I have been in love with the world. I have loved the things of this life. Help me to make a clean break with the world so I can be fully devoted to loving, following and serving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Amen

Key Question… What are signs or symptoms of someone who has fallen in love with the world?

Living It Out…  Make a break from the world and be devoted to loving, following and serving your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father’s love for you and yours for Him will protect you from loving the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your love for your Heavenly Father causes you to obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make a clean break with the world so you can love, follow and serve your Heavenly Father.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 57 – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World – 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

Hidden Your Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 59 - Psalm 119:9-16 - Hidden Your Word- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 59 – Psalm 119:9-16 – Hidden Your Word- Growing As Disciples

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)

Hidden 

That is what I have been doing with your word. What have you been doing with my word? I have hidden your word in my heart. How have you hidden my word in your heart? I have let your word dwell in me richly. I have read your word. I have meditated on your word. I have memorized your word. I have studied your word. I have prayed your word. I have even taught your word. Most importantly, I have taken hold of your word so that your word will take hold of me. That is very good.

How do you want my word to take hold of you? I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I want your word to help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want your word to help me to know you. I want your word to help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want your word to help me resist temptation and stand against evil. I want your word to help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good.

How often do you feel a need to take hold of my word so my word will take hold of you? There is not a day that goes by that I don’t need to take hold of your word. Likewise, I need your word to take hold of me every day. So, what does that mean to you? That means that I will come to meet with you every day in your word. That is very good.

What has wanting to meet with me every day in my word required of you? I have needed to set apart a time and a place to meet with you. Why is that? That seems so formal. Wouldn’t it work to meet with me when a time and place opens up in your daily schedule? We both know the answer to that question. Yes, but I would still like to hear your answer. That approach never works. Time never opens up on my schedule. A quiet place never makes itself available to us either. A pattern and practice of meeting with you in your word will never randomly develop. Life is busy. Life is noisy. Life is chaotic. No, meeting daily with you in your word will not happen consistently if I don’t set an appointment with you. So, meeting with you in your word is on my every day schedule. So, a special time and sacred place has been set aside for us to meet together. That is very good. As meet together, my word will accomplish in and through all that you could hope for and far more than you could ever imagine. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will hide your word in my heart. I will memorize and meditate on your word. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Use your word to help me resist temptation and stand against evil. I will allow you to use your word to guide my life. Amen

Key Question… What strategies are you using to hide God’s word in your heart?

Living It Out…  Meditate and memorize God’s word so that it will be hidden in your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use His word to help you to resist temptation and stand against evil.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been guarding and guiding your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hide God’s word in your heart so you will not sin against Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 59 – Psalm 119-9-16 – Hidden Your Word – 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 Good Name In The Sight Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 29 - Proverbs 3:3-4 - A Good Name In The Sight Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 29 – Proverbs 3:3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God – Growing As Disciples

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Love And Faithfulness

I want to live a life of love and faithfulness. Why is that? You lived a life of love and faithfulness. How did I live a life of love? You loved the unlovable. You forgave the unforgivable. No one was outside the bounds of your love. No one was beyond your reach. No one could not receive your forgiveness. Your love was not some untested theory. Your love was costly. Your love was sacrificial. Your love had no limits. Your love was put into practice. Your love was on display. You humbled yourself and came into this world to die on a cross so that my sins could be forgiven, and my unrighteousness cleansed. Your love made it so I could be adopted into your family. Your love made it possible for me to live in a new and intimate relationship with God. I now love you, because you first loved me. I want to keep on living in your love. I want your love to flow in and through me. To sum it all up, I want to be like you. I want to love others just as you have loved me. That is very good.

Why do you want to live a life of faithfulness? I want to live a life of faithfulness because I love you. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask me. Again, you are my example. How am I your example? You were faithful. You didn’t retreat. You didn’t give up. You didn’t quit. You kept on moving forward despite the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. You endured temptation. You faced rejection. You suffered persecution. You were faithful to do everything your Heavenly Father asked you to do for Him. This even as you suffered and died on the cross. Nothing could thwart you from completing your mission. You remained entirely faithful. Yes, I did. I want to remain faithful just as you were faithful. That is very good.

What is your prayer? Without your help, I know that I cannot love like you loved. Without your strength, I know I cannot remain faithful as you were faithful. So, I am asking for your help to love like you loved and to be faithful like you were faithful. There is something else I know. What’s that? You will certainly help me to love like you loved and be faithful like you were faithful. I have no doubt. I am filled with faith. That is very good. You will hear and answer this prayer. Yes, I will. 

Lord, this is the life I want to live. This is the kind of life you lived. You lived a life of love and faithfulness. You loved those who were thought to be unlovable. You were faithful in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. Help me to be loving and faithful. Amen

Key Question…  How has your life filled up with anxiety and stress and pressure because you have relied on yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord, to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so that you will come to fully rely on Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with humility.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to clothe yourself with humility.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually live a life of love and faithfulness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Proverbs 3-3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Container

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 328 - 2 Timothy 2:20-21 - Container - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 328 – 2 Timothy 2:20-21 – Container – Growing As Disciples

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage.  Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (MSG)  

Instrument

Do you want to be an instrument that is ready for my use? Do you want to be a container that I can use to bless the lives of others? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want me to use you to draw others to me? Yes Lord, I want to be a container and instrument that is ready for your use. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want you to use me to lead others to you. That is very good.

What will prepare me for your use? How can I make sure that I a container and instrument you can use? Those are good questions that I will let you answer. I had a feeling you might ask me to answer my own questions. Why is that? You have already provided me the answers to those questions. Repeating back the answers to you will help them to become more deeply rooted in my heart and mind. That is correct. So, I am listening. To be a container and instrument you can use I must flee evil desires. I must leave my old life of sin behind. I must not allow myself to engage in sinful thoughts or words or actions that will render my life unusable to you. I must not think or speak or act according to the values and principles and practices of the world. I must resist temptation and fight against evil. I must throw off the dirty and stinky clothes of my old life. That is what I did when I gave my life to you. That is what happened when you became my Savior and Lord. I left my old life behind. Yes, you did and that is very good. What else? As I am fleeing my old life there is something I must also pursue. With just as much determination to flee the old life behind me, I must pursue the new life ahead, that you have given to me. Not only have you forgiven and cleansed me of my sins. But you have clothed me with a completely new life to live. Yes, that is true. I must put on my new life by living in a close and intimate relationship with you. I must listen attentively to you. I must follow you to where you lead me. I must do whatever you ask of me. I must allow you to use me for your purposes to fulfill your plans. Will this be difficult? Will it be a great burden for you to follow and serve me? No, it will not be difficult or a great burden to follow and serve you. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your love for me has filled me with desire to love you. It is now my desire to do what pleases you. I want to be a container and instrument in your hands. That is very good. Yet, you will have battles. You will come under attack. The world and all its evil will try to lure you back into your old life. Does this come as a surprise to you? No, it does not. What have you been given to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? What will strengthen you against every attack from the world and all its evil? You have given me your word. What will you do with my word? As I am fleeing my old life and pursing my new life in you, I will allow your word to do its work in me. I will meet daily with you in your word. That will be very good, then you will certainly be a container and instrument ready for my use. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have turned away from sin and confessed you as my Savior and Lord. I have given all I am and hope to be to you. I want to be a container and instrument that is ready for your use. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word been preparing you and making you ready for His use?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to be a container and instrument to be used by God so you can bring honor and glory and praise to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use you as His container and instrument to bring glory to His name.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are determined to be a container ready for God’s use.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to be a container that God can use for His glory.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 328 – 2 Timothy 2-20-21 – Container – 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

Imitate Their Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 347 - Hebrews 13:7 - Imitate Their Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 347 – Hebrews 13:7 – Imitate Their Faith – Growing As Disciples

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

Imitate Me

That is a thought I never thought I would think. What’s that? What thought did you never think you would think? I would have never thought that any life other than yours would be worthy of imitating. Why is that? You are the only one that is without sin. We are all broken. We are all imperfect. We all take missteps. We all make mistakes. We all sin. Yes, that is true. But I haven’t yet fully stated the full thought I thought I would never think. Go ahead, I’m listening. You have brought leaders into my life that proclaimed the word of God to me. My life has been profoundly changed by what I have heard and seen in the faithful leaders you have brought into my life. How so? They hungered for your word. They proclaimed your word. They lived their lives of faith according to your word. Yes, they did. Their lives have been well worth remembering, considering and imitating. That is true. Just as they hungered for your word, so will I hunger for your word. Just as they proclaimed your word, so will I proclaim your word. Just as they lived a life of faith, so will I live a life of faith. Yes, you will. It seems to me you still haven’t said the thought that you never thought you would think. That is true, I haven’t. It seems to me that you want me to also live a life of faith that is worth remembering, considering and imitating. That is exactly what I want you to do. Why does that seem so impossible? Why does that seem so unlikely? Why is it that you can hardly bring yourself to think and speak those words? Well, as I have said, “I am broken. I am imperfect. I take missteps. I make mistakes. I sin.” Yes, but you are forgiven and cleansed of your sins. You have been given a completely new life to live. You are fully devoted to me. You love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. You hunger for my word. You listen attentively to me. You are following me to where I lead you. You are doing what I have given you to do. We agree that you are doing none of these things perfectly. You, nor any of mankind, will ever live a perfect life, except in and through me. You and I and everyone else knows that. So, isn’t your life a worthy example to imitate? If you say so. I say so, do you believe me? Yes Lord, I believe you. That is very good. Keep on loving, following and serving me. Keep on being an example, others can imitate. That is what I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for bringing faithful leaders into my life to proclaim the word of God to me. They have set a powerful example before me for me to imitate. They hungered for your word. I will hunger for your word. They lived a life of faith. I will live a life of faith. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lord making your life of faith worthy of being remembered, considered and imitated?

Living It Out… Life a life of faith that the Lord can use as an example for others to imitate.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make your life a faith an example that others can imitate.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a life of faith worth imitating.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a life of faith that is worthy of being imitated.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 347 – Hebrews 13-7 – Imitate Their Faith – 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