Monthly Archives: September 2025

God Sent Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Genesis 45:4-5 - God Sent Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Genesis 45:4-5 – God Sent Me – Growing As Disciples

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4-5 (NIV)

Looking Back

You will go through trials. You will experience difficulty. You will wonder what is going on. You will think that the dreams I have given you are long gone and dead. You will think that you are all alone. You will wonder where I am. You may want to give up hope. You may be about to lose faith. Is any of this sounding a little bit familiar to you? It certainly does sound more than a little bit familiar. I have wondered if I was all alone. I have had dreams that I have thought were long gone and dead. I have wondered where you are. I have almost given up hope. But, I haven’t lost faith. I’m still holding on to you. That’s very good. Can you look back at your past trials to see how I have used them to work in and through your life? Can you see how I have used trails to mold and shape your life? Can you look back and see that you never were alone. I have been with you on every step of your life. Yes, I can see that your hand was on me.  You were with me. I also know that you were not the author of my trails. You did not bring them on me. Yet, you have used every one of them to make me into the person who I am today. That’s right.

Can I ask you a few questions? Go right ahead. Are the dreams that you have given to me still alive? Will you still be using me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name? Do you still have a purpose and plan for my life? Do you still have good works prepared in advance for me to do for you? What do you think? I’m sure that you still want to use me. I think that you have been preparing me for however you want to use me. I’m sure that you have a purpose and a plan for my life. I know that you still have good works prepared in advance for me to do for you. You are right. Have faith in me. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I give you to do for me. Yes Lord, I will. My hand is on you. I will use you in ways that you could not have imagined.

Lord, thank you for giving me dreams about how you want to use me for your purpose and glory. Help me to trust you through the trials and difficulties I will face in life. Use them all to mold and shape me as your faithful servant. Amen

Key Question… When have you underestimated how long it would take for a God given dream to be fulfilled?

Living It Out… In faith, ask God to give you His wisdom and strength as you go through what seem like dream killing trials.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will work in and through all the trials you experience in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has worked in and through trials that you have gone through.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith to wait and see how God will work in and through trials you go through in life.

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

Guidance – Genesis 45-4-5 – God Sent Me – 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

My Presence Will Go With You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Exodus 33:12-14 - My Presence Will Go With You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Exodus 33:12-14 – My Presence Will Go With You – Growing As Disciples

Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:12-14 (NIV)

Help You

I have a large assignment I have given you to do for me. You can’t possible do what I have given you to do for me without my help. This should come as a great encouragement to you. This should not discourage you. This should not cause you to shrink back in doubt. This should not paralyze you with fear. Why is that? You have found favor with me.  I know you by name. My hand is on you. I will work in and through. I will be with you to help you. Be encouraged. Be strengthened. Be ready to move forward with me. Yes Lord, I will.

Can I ask you for some details? Can I have some more information? What would you like to know? Where will I go? What will I do? Who will you send with me? How will you use me? You have a lot of questions. You want to know ever step of your way. Do you think that I will answer every last one of your questions? Will I give you a complete road map before you start your journey? Is that the way I work? Is that what I will do for you? I doubt it. I’m pretty sure you won’t do that. Why is that?

You want me to trust in you. You want me to rely on you for all my help. You alone will be the only road map that you will give me. You will be my guide. You want me to follow you to where you will lead me. You want me to take one step at a time with you. I am pleased with you. I want you to know me. I want you to know my will and walk in my ways. I will teach you. I will train you. I will help you. I will use you for my purposes and according to my plan. Will you follow me? Yes Lord, I will follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me.

Lord, thank you for calling me into your service. It will be my pleasure to serve you. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I will trust you to help me with what you have given me to do. Fill me with your presence. Have your favor rest on me as I serve you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you a large assignment to do for Him?

Living It Out… Trust and rely on the Lord to be with you to help you with all the work that He gives you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have favor with God as you go and do all that He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s presence has been with you as you have served Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to do whatever He asks of you.

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

Guidance – Exodus 33-12-14 – My Presence Will Go With You – 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

Be Still And Know That I Am God

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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Meeting With You

Do you want to know me? Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Do you want to know my will and walk in my ways? Do you want to go and do what is pleasing in my sight? You know me. You know the desires of my heart. You know the thoughts of my mind. You know the words of my mouth. Nothing about me can be hidden from you. You know me better than I know myself. That’s true. Why is it then, that you are asking me these questions if you already know how I will answer them? You know the answer to that question without asking me. Answering these questions is a way for me to express my worship to you. It is good for me to state my intentions. It is good to remind myself of the desires of my heart, thoughts of my mind and words of my mouth. That’s right.

With all that is within me I want to know you. There is no higher priority in my life than to come to know you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want to live my life with and for you. It is my joy to do what is pleasing in your sight. In every way, I want my life to be an act of worship of you. I want my life to be a living sacrifice to you. But, it is no sacrifice to serve you fully because I love you completely. Yet, it is my prayer that you will fan the flames of my love of you. I want to burn white hot in my devotion to you. Keep drawing me closer. Keep helping me to walk nearer.

What is helping you to come to know me? What will fan the flames of your love for me? What will cause you to burn white hot in your devotion to me? Coming to you will make me able to know you. Being in your presence will fan the flames of my love for you. Receiving all that you have for me will cause me to burn white hot in my devotion to you. Yes, come to me. Yes, be still before me. Receive all that I have for you. Then you will know me. Then you will have the desire of your heart to live with and for me.

Father, help me to slow down. Change the pace of my life. I don’t want the busyness of life to hinder my coming to you. Meeting with you is the priority of my life. I want to be still before you so that I can know you and your will. Amen

Key Question… How have you come to know God as you have spent quite time in prayer with Him?

Living It Out… Slow down and prioritize your life so that you can have quiet times of prayer with the Lord so that you can know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will know God and His plan for your life as you spend quiet time in prayer with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has guided your life as you have come to know Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make time to be still before God so that you can come to know Him.

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

Be Still And Know That I Am God – Psalm 46-10 – 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

For Such A Times As This

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For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

Timing

 Your time is coming. What does that mean? What do you mean by saying that my time is coming? You are now in a period of waiting. You are now in a time of preparation. I’m confused. I don’t know what you are talking about. A time is coming when I will expect you to speak up. A time is coming when I will call you into action. A time is coming when an opportunity to be used by me will unfold before you. I don’t expect you to understand all that I am saying to you now. But, in this time of preparation be diligent. Don’t let this time of preparation go to waste. Apply yourself to my training. Allow me to mold and shape you. Allow me to teach and train you. Allow my training to sharpen you. You will be an instrument in my hand. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom. I will use you to bring glory to my name.

So, it seems that there are two things that I must do. I’m listening. First, I must allow you to prepare me to be used by you. This time of preparation is critically important. I must be diligent in allowing myself to be taught and trained by you. I must apply myself fully in allowing you to mold and shape and sharpen me as your instrument. That’s right. I should not become frustrated and discouraged by being in a time of waiting and preparation. I must not seek to pass through this time quickly. Your training will prepare me to do the work that you will give me to do for you. That’s correct.  

What else must you do? When the timing is right, I must be prepared to act. I must not be timid. I must not be afraid. I must realize that you have been preparing and positioning me for a time such as this. You will be with me to help me. You will work in and through me. You will make me able to go and do the work that you have called me to do. You will give me the clarity and courage to speak up and take bold action when the timing is right. That’s right. You can count on it. I will use your life to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Do your work in me. Prepare me and make me ready to serve you. Yes, I will.

Lord, as you know, sometimes I have been pretty dense and clueless about what you are calling me to do for you. At other times, I have been timid and fearful. Give me clarity and courage to speak up and take bold action in the opportunities you give to me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord uniquely positioned you to serve Him?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you the courage to speak up and take action for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will show you when and how He wants you to speak up and take action for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have spoken up and taken action for the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have the clarity and courage to speak up and take action for the Lord.

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

Guidance – Esther 4-14 – For Such A Time As This – 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

Guide You Into All Truth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - John 16:13-15 - Guide You Into All Truth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – John 16:13-15 – Guide You Into All Truth – Growing As Disciples

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” John 16:13-16 (NIV)

Coming Next

Are you telling me that you will help me to know what is coming next? Are you saying that I won’t be left in the dark? You will help me to know how to live and walk in the truth? You will guard and guide my life? You will help me to know what steps I should take next in life? Do I have this correct? Am I right in my thinking? Yes, I will help you to know what is coming next. Yes, as long as you continue to follow me you will never find yourself in the dark. You will walk in the light with me. As you follow me, I will help you to know how to live and walk in the truth. As you follow me, I will be guarding and guiding your life. You will not go where you should not go. You will not do what you should not do. I will make you able to know and do my will. This sounds very good to me. You are describing the kind of life that I want to live. It is the desire of my heart and mind and life to know you. I want to do your will. I want to live in ways that please you. I want to walk in the light with you. I want to be set free to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That is very good. 

How can I make sure that I am following you? Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Hold on to me as I hold on to you. Sit at my feet. Listen to my instructions. Follow my guidance. Listen to my word. Put into practice all that I am teaching you. Separate yourself from evil. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Do not allow yourself to be conformed to this world. Focus your heart and mind and life on me. Let me use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. Then you will know for certain that you are following me. All of these things I will joyfully do. That will be very good.

Holy Spirit, speak to me now. Show me what is to come and the next steps you want me to take. I’m here in your word attentively listening for your instructions and following your guidance. Take my hand and lead me on the path of life. I will follow you. Amen 

Key Question… When has the Holy Spirit shown you what is yet to come and your next steps to take in life?

Living It Out… Attentively wait for the Holy Spirit to speak to you as He guides you into all the truth and shows you what is to come.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all the truth and show you what is yet to come in your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has guided you into the truth as you listened to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth and show you what is to come.

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

Guidance – John 16-13-15 – Guide You Into All Truth – 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

He Leads Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Psalm 23:1-6 - He Leads Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Psalm 23:1-6 – He Leads Me – Growing As Disciples

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)  

Seasons

I am your Good Shepherd. You are one of my sheep. I will lead you. I will guide you. I will carry you. I will comfort you. I will give you courage and strength as you follow me. That is very good to hear. Will anything be required of me? That is a very good question. What do you think? I think I could choose to not let you lead and guide me. I could be stubborn. I could be hard hearted. I could be self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-centered. I could tell you that I don’t want you to be my Good Shepherd. I could fend for myself. I could go my own way. How smart would that be? How wise would you be if you refused to allow me to be your Good Shepherd? You said I was one of your sheep. Yes, I did. Well, sheep are not very smart. Sheep are not particularly wise. That’s an understatement. Yes, it is. I know that for sure. Why is that? I have wandered like a lost sheep. I have made dumb decisions. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. My poor decisions left me like a bruised and battered and broken lost sheep. That’s right.

When you wandered away from me what did I do? Did I leave you alone? Did I let you go your own way? Did I let you fend for yourself? No, you did not. You pursued me. You would not let me go. No, I would not. You were right there when I cried out to you. You met me in my need. You made me lie down in green pastures. You led me by still waters. You allowed me to taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You restored my soul. You healed my bruised and battered and broken life. Yes, I did. You gave me a new life to live. You are now leading me on new path. What path is that? You are leading me on your path righteousness. You are helping me to go where you lead me and do what you ask of me. You are helping me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I am. You are guiding me through all the seasons of life. You are with me to help me when I go through dark valleys. You give me courage and comfort when I am surrounded by evil. You will be with me every day until I come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, I will. You are my Good Shepherd. Yes, I am. I am one of your sheep. Yes, you are. That is very good.

Lord, you are my Good Shepherd. You have led me through the seasons of life. You have met my needs. You restored my soul, carried me through valleys, given me courage and comfort and richly blessed my life as I have loved, followed and served you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord met your needs as He has led you through all the seasons of your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to lead you through every season of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you through every season of your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been leading you through every season of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to lead you through all the seasons of your life.

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

Guidance – Psalm 23-1-6 – He Leads Me – 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

Whoever Follows Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - John 8:12 - Whoever Follows me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – John 8:12 – Whoever Follows me – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

Light Of The World

Without you I was walking in darkness. I was on a path that led away from you. I was living entirely for myself. I was pursuing my own purposes. I was seeking my own plans. Everything in life centered around me. I did what I wanted, when I wanted. I had no higher purpose or greater plan than seeking my own comfort and pleasure. I was into acquiring things and using people. I was independent and self-sufficient. I did not want or need anything from anyone, or so I thought. I was living a foolish life. I was lonely. I was suffering. The foolishness of my ways brought me brokenness. I was unhappy, unfulfilled and discontent. I was struggling. I was questioning. I was searching. I was wandering. I was looking for more. I wanted hope and meaning. I wanted a future that was worth living. I was empty. I was without hope in my broken, sin filled darkened life. I reached the end of my rope. I was at the bottom of a pit of despair. It was then that I cried out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me, if you were real. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was a prayer of mine.

Did I answer your prayer? Did I show myself to you? Did I lift you out of your pit of despair? Did I give you a new life that is worth living? Did I give you a higher purpose and greater plan to pursue? Yes Lord, you did show yourself to me. You pulled me out of darkness and brought me into the light. Now I know, that I will never be alone. I will never live in despair. I now live for what is far greater than my own comfort and pleasure. What’s that? I now live to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I now want to know and do your will. I now want to do what is pleasing in your sight. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to bring glory to your name. I am happy. I am at peace. I am filled with joy. I have purpose and meaning in my life as I love, follow and serve you. You are the light of the world. You are the light of my life. You have given me far more than I could have hoped for or dreamed of. I am so glad that I am all yours. I am so thankful that you called me to come to follow you. I am filled with joy as I walk in the light with you. That is very good.

Lord, thank you that you are the light of the world. Following you has made it possible for me to never walk in the darkness, but have the light of life. Help me to always follow you and live in your light. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. Amen

Key Question… How has following Jesus Christ continued to lead you away from darkness?

Living It Out… Follow Jesus Christ so that will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life as you follow Jesus Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how following Jesus Christ has helped you to walk in the light.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Jesus Christ so you have the light of life.

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

Guidance – John 8-12 – Whoever Follows Me – 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 Is With Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Numbers 14:8-9 - The Lord Is With Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Numbers 14:8-9 – The Lord Is With Us – Growing As Disciples

If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:8-9 (NIV)

Too Big

What would you do if I gave you an assignment that was too big for you? What would you do if I gave you an assignment that seemed completely overwhelming? Is this a trick question? Are you kidding me? No, I am not asking you a trick question. No, I am not kidding you? Why would you think that? You used the word, ‘if”. Yes, I did. There is no, “if”, about your question. “If” indicates that there may be a possibility that you might give me an overwhelming assignment that is too big for me. You have a problem with my use of the word, “if”? No, not really. I do think you could replace that word, “if”, with, “when”. Yes, I could. Why is that? You have already given me assignments in the past that were overwhelming and too big for me. You are certain to give me assignments that are overwhelming and too big for me in the future. Yes, I will.

What have you done and when I have given you an assignment that is overwhelming and too big for you? Sometimes, I have run from overwhelmingly large assignments. Sometimes, I have argued with you over overwhelmingly large assignments. I have doubted. I have been filled with fear. I have complained. I have debated. I have dodged and I have ducked. You have done all of these things and more with my large assignments. Is this what you will continue to do? No, it is not.

What will you do now, when I give you an assignment that is overwhelming and too big for you? I will say yes to you. I will rely on you. I will ask you for your help. I will have faith that you will give me all I will need to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That’s good. There is something I have come to know. What’s that? You have given me large and overwhelming assignments that are too big for me because you love me. What does my love have to do with the size of the assignments I have given to you? You want me to know you. You want me to draw near to you. You want me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, I do. Nothing has drawn me closer to you than to have an overwhelming assignment that is too big for me. As I have come to rely on you for your help I have come to know you and your will and your ways. That’s right. So, count on receiving more large assignments from me. Yes, I will. That is very good.

Lord, I will not let fear and doubt prevent me from saying yes to what you are asking me to do for you. I will trust and believe that you are with me and will give me all that I need to accomplish the assignment you have given to me. Amen

Key Question… What assignment has the Lord given you that will require you to trust Him for His help?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to step forward in faith to do what He is asking you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you all that you need to accomplish the assignment that He has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group an assignment that the Lord is helping you to accomplish for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith that the Lord is with you to help you to do what He asks of you.

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

Guidance – Numbers 14-8-9 – The Lord Is With Us – 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

If Anyone Loves Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - John 14:23-24 - If Anyone Loves Me- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – John 14:23-24 – If Anyone Loves Me- Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24 (NIV)  

What I Want

I don’t obey you simply because I should or must. I don’t think you would find much pleasure in my feeling obligated to obey, follow and serve you. You would not be happy with however much I gave to you if I gave it to you with a reluctant heart. Not that I can give you anything that you don’t already have. Not that I can give you anything that you haven’t already given to me. I know that all I am, have and hope to be comes from you. Yes, it does.

It would never work if my obeying, following and serving you was motivated by a feeling that I should or must obey you. Why is that? I am not that strong willed. I am not that disciplined. I am not that consistent. I would never be able to keep on doing something simply out of a sense of obligation. No, you would not. I’m not saying that I obey or follow or serve you perfectly. It would be foolish to think I had done or would be able to do that. Yes, that would be foolish.

You are passionately following. It is your desire to serve me. You do want to do what is pleasing in my sight. I have even heard you say that there is no place you would rather be than in my presence. You have also said that there is nothing that you would rather do than my will. I know these things about you. Why is it that you want to obey, follow and serve me? Why do you want to know me? Why do you want to know and do my will? I want to obey, follow and serve you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I love you because you first loved me. You have lavished me with your love. You have allowed me to taste of your goodness, kindness and mercy. The desire of my heart is to draw nearer to you. The desire of my heart is to serve you more perfectly. The desire of my heart is to obey you more perfectly. Loving, obeying following, and serving you is what I want to do because you love me and I love you. That is very good.

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Show me how I can live in your love. Come and make your home with me. I’m here to listen to all you have to say to me. May my love for you guide all my thoughts, words, deeds and course of my life. Amen

Key Question… How does your love for Christ motivate your desire to follow and serve Him?

Living It Out… Love Jesus Christ by following and obeying Him as you do whatever He asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your love for Christ will grow stronger and more passionate as you follow and obey Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for Christ has determined how you will live your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love for Jesus Christ motivate your desire to follow and serve Him.

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

Guidance – John 14-23-24- If Anyone Loves Me – 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

But They Shouted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - John 19:14-16 - But They Shouted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – John 19:14-16 – But They Shouted – Growing As Disciples

It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. But They Shouted “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. John 19:14-15 (NIV)

Voices

You will hear many different voices in life. You will see and hear things from a variety of sources. Not everything you hear and see will be healthy and helpful for you as one of my followers. Does that surprise you? No, it doesn’t, not at all. Why is that? This is a broken and sinful world. I’m surprised by your saying, not everything I hear and see will be healthy and helpful for me, as one of your followers. You could have said, most of what I hear and see will not be healthy and helpful to me as one of your followers. Yes, that’s right, I could have said that. That is true.

You will have a choice to make about what you hear and see and take into your heart and mind and life. How so? You will not always be able to divert your eyes or close your ears to the sights and sounds of the world.  But, you will be able to make a choice about what sights and sounds you take into your heart and mind and life. Can you say more? I’m not sure that I understand what you are saying. I will ask a few questions for you to consider. Go ahead, I’m listening. Will you listen to the sights and sounds and voices you hear from the world? Will you follow their direction? Will you receive their guidance? Will you follow the crowd by going where they are going? Will you follow the crowd by doing what they are doing? Will your life be guided by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world? No, it will not. That will be very good.

It is not enough to say that you will not follow the sights and sounds and voices of the world. Why not? You will never be able to keep that commitment by yourself, with your own strength. If you try, on your own, you will be overwhelmed by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. Your statement of commitment is only half of what you must do. What else must I do? You must draw near to me. You must listen to my voice. When you draw near to me, I will draw near to you. My voice will guide and guard you. My voice will teach and train you. My voice will lead you to where I want you to go. My voice will give you what I want you to do. Will you choose to listen to my voice over the voices from the world? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have allowed myself to hear and see things that have been unhealthy and unhelpful to my walk with you. Help me to remove that garbage from my life. Instead, I want to hear and see what you want me to receive as direction from you. Amen

Key Question… How has following the loud voices and shouts of the crowd led you where you did not want you to go?

Living It Out… Eliminate from your life unhelpful and unhealthy messages and images that are harming your walk with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to eliminate from your life what He does not want you to hear and see.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and seeing what the Lord wants you to receive.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you stop listening to the voices of the crowd so you can hear from the Lord.

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

Guidance – John 19-14-16 – But They Shouted – 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