Monthly Archives: January 2026

Keep Yourself Pure

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 2 Timothy 2:21 - Keep Yourself Pure - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 2 Timothy 2:21 – Keep Yourself Pure – Growing As Disciples

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.  2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

Ready

I know that you want to be used by me. I know that you want your life to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I know that you want me to use your life according to my purposes and plans. I know that you don’t want any of the gifts, talents and resources that I have given you to go to waste. I know that one day you would like to hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You have told me all of these things in your prayers. Yes, I have prayed for all these things. It gives me great joy to know that you have heard these prayers of mine.

How you live your life will determine how fully these prayers of yours will be answered. How so? How you live your life will determine if you are ready to be used by me. I want to be ready to be used by you at all times and in every situation. If you want to be used by me you must turn and run away from evil. You must separate yourself from anything that will stimulate sinful desires within you. You must resist the urge to engage in unfruitful arguments that will only start fights. Avoid all foolish and worthless talk of every kind. Instead pursue me. Pursue the righteous life I have given you to live. You will not be alone in your pursuit of me. Be encouraged by and give encouragement to those who, with a pure heart, are also pursuing the righteous life that I have called you to live. Will you do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I will do all that you are asking of me. Then you will be ready to be used by me. You will be a tool in my hand. You will do the work that I have prepared in advance for you to do. You will know my will. You will walk in my ways. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. That is what I want. That is what you will do.

Lord, I am all yours. I will turn away and run from every evil. I will pursue you and the righteous life you have called me to live with and for you. It will be my joy and pleasure to be ready for you to use, Bear fruit and bring glory to your name though my life. Amen

Key Question… What unfruitful activity can be eliminated from your life to make you more available for the Lord’s use?

Living It Out… Turn and run away from every evil that will make unready and unusable and ineffective for the Lord’s use.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you and bear fruit through your life according to His purposes and plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how turning from every evil has made you ready for the Lord to use.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn from evil and pursue righteousness so you will be ready for the Lord to use.

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

If – 2 Timothy 2-21 – Keep Yourself Pure – 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

All Things Are Pure

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Titus 1:15-16 - All Things Are Pure - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Titus 1:15-16 – All Things Are Pure – Growing As Disciples

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:15-16 (NIV) 

Influences 

Be careful about the influences you allow into your life. What do you mean by that? I’m sure that you have a very good idea about the meaning of my question.  I would like to hear your thoughts about what influences you are allowing into your life. Do you think I have a lot to say on that subject? Yes, I do. I want to hear and you need to hear what you have to say on this subject. At one time, there was no guard over the influences that I allowed to come into my life. I allowed anything and everything from the world to speak into my life. I equally accepted the good and the bad. I was willing to listen to everything the world had to say to me. My life was shaped by both the good and the bad that I took into my life. Unfortunately, the world spoke far more of its corruption and impurity into my life. On top of that, the world has a habit of elevating what is corrupt and impure while it also ridicules what is good and right and pure. So, as I was following the values, patterns and practices of the world I was becoming more and more corrupt as I allowed the world to mold and shape my life. My heart and mind and life were becoming more and more corrupt as I followed the ways of the world. I approved of what was evil. I ridiculed and mocked all that was good and right and pure. That’s not good. No, it is not.

What happened to you? How did you change your course? How did you turn away from the evil influences of the world?The impure and corrupt life I was living left me bruised and battered. I began to suffer the consequences of my self-centered, self-indulgent and self-sufficient life. I hurt others and others hurt me. I felt weary, worn out, empty and hopeless. That is when I cried out to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to change the course of my life. I’m sure that I am incorrectly expressing what happened. Why is that? I know that you were pursuing me. I know that you were seeking me out. I know that you were calling me to come to you. I deserve no credit for crying out to you. It was you that brought me to yourself. Yes, I did. 

What about now? How are you guarding the influences that come into your life? I am separating myself from what is corrupt and impure. I am very careful about what I allow to speak into my life. As I have left my old life behind I am allowing you to change my heart and transform my mind with your word. I am allowing you to mold and shape my life as I love, follow and serve you in the new life that you have given me to live. That is very good. Now, you are using me to be an influence for what is good and right and pure. You are using me to speak what is good and right and true into the lives of others. Yes, I am. 

Lord, at one time all my thoughts, words, and actions were corrupt and impure. Thank you that you are purifying my thoughts, words and actions as I follow and serve you. May all I think, say and do be a testimony that brings glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… What new perspectives has God given you regarding people and situations you encounter in life?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to purify all your thoughts, words and actions as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will change your thoughts, words and actions from impure to pure as you follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is changing your thoughts, words, and actions.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to change your thoughts, words and actions as you follow and serve Him.

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

The Mind – Titus 1-15-16 – All Things Are Pure – 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

Shuts His Ears

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Proverbs 21:13 - Shuts His Ears - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Proverbs 21:13 – Shuts His Ears – Growing As Disciples

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13 (NIV)

Cry Of The Poor

Are you listening? Are you watching? Are you paying attention to the needs of those around you? It is easy to ignore those who are poor. Nothing will stop you from walking right on by those who are in need. Are you seeing and hearing the cries of the poor? Those are tough questions. Why is that? I can’t honestly say a wholehearted yes to any one of your questions. I probably haven’t been listening. I’m sure that I have not been watching. The poor and needy have become invisible to me. I don’t mean to walk right on by those in need. I want to hear and respond to the cries of the poor. That’s all I wanted to hear from you. 

Since you have said that you want to hear and respond to the needs of the poor you will be tested. How will I be tested? I will make it so you will be able to hear the cries and see the needs of the poor. You will no longer be able to walk blindly by those in need. You will no longer be deaf to the cries of the poor. The poor and needy are all around you. Those who need help are both near and far. Once you hear and once you see you will be tested. How will I be tested? Do you really need to ask that question? I suppose not. The test will be in how I respond to what I see and hear. That’s right. The question you will ask me is, “Will I hear and answer the cries of the poor?” That’s right. You want to know if I will help those who are in need. Yes, I do. You want me to know how I will respond to what you allow me to see and hear. Yes, I do.

I will tell you right now how I will respond to your questions. I will give my answer in advance of your test. I will make my answer firm and sure right now. I will not waver. I will not shrink back. I will not change my mind. I will hear and respond to the cries of the poor. I will help those in need. Why will you do this? I want to become like you. I want to love like you loved. I want to give like you gave. I want to do all that you would do for all those who are in need. I will do whatever you are calling me to do for you. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not shut my ears to hearing and responding to the cries of the poor. I will listen carefully and respond enthusiastically to those who are in need. Use me to help others. Help me to love like you loved and give like you gave. Amen

Key Question… What relationship is there between hearing the cries of the poor and your prayers being heard?

Living It Out… Open your ears so that you will hear and respond to the cries of the poor.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to hear and respond to the cries of the poor.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to hear and respond to the cries of the poor.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you open up your ears and respond to the cries of the poor so that your prayers will also be heard.

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

If – Proverbs 21-13 – Shuts His Ears – 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

A Gentle Answer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:1 - A Gentle Answer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer – Growing As Disciples

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) 

Stirring Up Anger

You have an easy choice to make. What’s that? You can either turn away from wrath or stir up anger. Is that really an easy choice to make? What do you think? Well, it may be an easy choice to make away from the heat of a battle. During an argument or debate, it is a very difficult choice to make. Why is that? I like to win arguments and debates. I’ve noticed. Sometimes, I will go to great lengths to win an argument or debate. How so? In the heat of an argument or debate I will sometimes say things that I know I will deeply regret later. But, I will completely lose perspective. What do you mean by that? I will make winning an argument or debate my only goal. I will use words I shouldn’t have used. My words have done damage that is hard to repair. I will have said things that are difficult to retract. Whoever said, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” was an idiot. Words do hurt. Words do cause damage. Yes, they do.

Why must you win every argument and debate? That is a very good question. You don’t have to think twice about your answer, do you? No, I do not. It is my pride that drives me to want to win every argument and debate. That sounds and is pathetic, I know. Yes, it is. Can you lay down your pride? Can you humble yourself before me? Can you make better choices that will allow you to be my witness in the world? That is at issue here, isn’t it? Yes, it is. You cannot be filled with pride and driven to win every argument and debate and still be a bright and shinning witness for me in the world. You cannot stir up anger and bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. No one is drawn to stirred up anger. I cannot use a pride filled, angry, argumentative person. That is not who you want to be. That is not who you are. That is not the kind of life that I have called you to live. I get that. I want that. I know.

I want you to make some decisions in advance. Like what? Make serving me your goal. Choose to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Set aside your old sinful desire to win every argument and debate. Walk away from wrath. Choose to not stir up anger. Have a higher purpose in mind. Allow me to work in and through your life. Shine brightly for me in the midst of all the wrath and anger that is in the world. Will you make these decisions so that you can serve me? Will you make these decisions so I can use you?  Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, without your help there is no way I will be able to answer anger with a soft answer. I would rather fight fire with fire. Give me the strength to be your witness by answering anger softly with the grace and mercy you provide. Amen

Key Question… How hard is it to repair relationships with other people once anger has been stirred up and enflamed?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to use words that turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you words to speak that will turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord used your words to turn away wrath.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your gentle words turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-1 – A Gentle Answer – 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

Withdraw – Pray

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 5:15-16 - Withdraw - Pray - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 5:15-16 – Withdraw – Pray – Growing As Disciples

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)

Noise

My life has gotten far too busy. I have pursued a hectic and wearying schedule. I’m always on the go. I have raced from one thing to another. I have so little time and no margin. I have been crabby. I have been short tempered. I’m stressed out. I’m at my wits end. The busier I am the less I seem to get done. I feel like I am accomplishing a lot of nothing. I feel like I’m going nowhere fast. Will my life amount to anything when it is all said and done? Will I have gone where you have sent me? Will I have done what you have asked me? Will I have borne fruit for your kingdom? Will I have brought glory to your name? Those are very good questions. How will you ever know the answers to them? What do you mean by that? Where will the answers to your questions come from? Will you find the answers to your questions from within yourself? I will certainly not be able to answer my questions by myself. The answers to my questions are certainly not within myself. Only you can help me to know the answers to my questions. That’s right. 

Are you asking me a lot of questions? Are you quietly waiting to hear my answers to your questions? Do you think that I will shout out answers to your un-asked questions as you race through your busy life? Will you be able to hear me above the crowd that has pressed in on your life? You have asked me great questions. No, I have not been coming to you to ask you questions. No, I have not been quietly waiting to hear any answers from you. No, I don’t think you will shout out answers to questions that I haven’t even bothered to ask of you. No, I don’t think I will be able to hear your answers above the crowd that I have allowed to press in on my life. You have answered me well.

Is there something that you want to do differently? Is there a new pattern that you would like to establish in your life? Is there a new rhythm for your life that would help you to hear from me? Yes, I want to meet with you. I want to take time to listen to you. I want to hear from you. That sounds good. Those are great desires. What action will you take? I will set aside a time and place to meet with you. I will withdraw from the crowds. I will step away from busyness. I will eliminate all the noise in my life. I will talk and listen to you. I will wait patiently for your guidance. I will listen to your instruction. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Then I will know for certain that my life will count for something as I follow and serve you. Yes, you will.

Lord, I have allowed myself to be surrounded by busyness in life. I have been swallowed up by continually answering the never-ending needs of those around me. Help me to take time and make a place when and where I can withdraw to meet with you in prayer. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a rhythm in your life to withdraw from the crowds and noise of life so you can pray?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to withdraw from the crowds and the busyness of life so you can pray to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is well worth your time to withdraw from the crowds and busyness of life so that you can pray.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when and where you withdraw so you can pray to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw from the crowds and busyness of life so that you can pray to the Lord.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

Rhythms – Luke 5-15-16 – Withdraw – Pray – 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 Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Jeremiah 29:13 - Seek Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Jeremiah 29:13 – Seek Me – Growing As Disciples

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

All Your Heart

That is a very important concept. What’s that? I want you to think deeply about seeking me with all your heart. I want you to consider what it means to seek me with all your heart. I want you to take the thought of seeking me with all your heart deeply into your heart and mind and life. What does seeking me with all your heart look like? Why do you want to seek me with all your heart? Why is seeking me with all your heart a worthy pursuit for your entire life. How will your life look different because you are seeking me with all your heart? Where will you go because you are seeking me with all your heart? What will you do because you are seeking me with all your heart? What will you let go of and leave behind because you are seeking me with all your heart? What will you take hold of and move forward with because you are seeking me with all your heart? How will seeking me with all your heart change your thoughts and words and deeds. What will hinder or help you to seek me with all your heart? When have you sought me with less than your whole heart? Are you now seeking me with all your heart? What will need to happen for you to decide to seek me with your whole heart? How will you keep on seeking me with your whole heart? Have I asked you enough questions? Have I given you enough to think about? You have asked me enough questions. I don’t know how I will ever be able to fully answer all your questions. I did not ask you all these questions with the expectation that you would answer every one of them. I asked you all these questions to help you to think about the importance of seeking me with all your heart. I get it.

I know that I have not always sought you with all my heart. I know that there have been many times that I have followed you half-heartedly. At times, there has been a battle raging in my heart and mind and life over the question of seeking you with all my heart. Yes, I know, what about now? Now, seeking you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength is an answered question. I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. How has this become an asked and answered question for you? I can tell you one thing for certain. What’s that? Seeking you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength is not an effort of my will. It’s not, then what is it? Seeking you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength is an act of my heart. I am seeking you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength because I love you. I have no other desire. I have no other hope. I have no other purpose. Your love for me and my love for you makes me want to seek you with all my heart. It is no sacrifice for me to seek you with all my heart. It is my joy to seek you with all my heart. I am doing what I was made to do. I am doing what I want to do. I am doing what is pleasing to you. I am fully living my life with and for you. Yes, you are and that is very good. 

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to seek you with all my heart. It is my desire to do what is pleasing to you. I want to fully live my life with and for you. I will follow and serve you wherever you lead me. Amen

Key Question…Why is seeking the Lord with all your heart a worthy pursuit for your life?

Living It Out… Let the Lord’s love for you and yours for Him drive your desire to seek Him with all your heart.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s love for you and yours for Him will give you the desire to seek Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for the Lord drives you to seek Him with all your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May the Lord’s love for you and yours for Him drive you to seek Him with all your heart.

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

Heart – Jeremiah 29-13 – Seek Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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.

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

Do Not Love The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love 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 

At one time, I was captivated by the world. I loved the world and everything in it. I wanted everything that the world had to offer. I chased after every comfort. I sought every pleasure. I lived entirely for my own gratification. I was filled with sinful cravings. My eyes allured me into lustful desires. I boasted about all that I had and all that I had done. I was pleased with myself and with all my accomplishments. I’m sure that I was very full of myself. I was hard to like. I was difficult to be around. I know that I was not living in ways that were pleasing to you. You got that right.

What happened to you? What has changed? Why are you no longer pursuing the world and all that it has to offer? The world never satisfied me. My life became a continual desire for more of what I did not have. I was not content. I was restless. I was empty. The next latest and greatest thing never brought me pleasure. That’s not all. What else? Pursuing the world and all that it has to offer leads to a broken and bruised and battered life. A life cannot go unscathed while pursing sinful cravings and lustful desires. A life cannot be healthy and whole when it is filled with prideful boasting about what one has or what one has done. No, it cannot. There is painful price to pay for living that kind of life. Yes, there is. Your word says that, the “wages of sin is death.” Yes, it does. Death was an apt description of my life. Death well describes a life that is lived apart from you. That’s right. 

You did not leave me to live the life I was living. You did not let me continue on the path that led away from you. No, I did not. You pursued me. You reached out to me. You showed me your love. You let me taste of your kindness and mercy. Your love drew me to you. Your love changed the course of my life. Yes, it did. Your life is continuing to change the course of my life everyday as I continue to follow and serve you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. Your love for me and my love for you is now overpowering all my old sinful cravings and lustful desires. Yes, it is. Your love for me has humbled me. Your love has bowed me down. Now, my only boast is that I know and love you. It is now the pursuit of my life to follow and obey you. That is very good.

Lord, your love for me has drawn me away from loving the things of this world. Your love for me has caused me to love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Your love has given me the desire to know your will and walk in your ways. Amen

Key Question… How is your love for God overpowering your old desires for the things of this world?

Living It Out… Let your love for God overpower your old desires for the things of this world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your love for God will overpower your old desires for the things of this world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for God is overpowering your desires for worldly things.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your love for God cause you to leave behind your desire for the things of this world.

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

Love – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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.

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

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

Come After Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Luke 9:23-25 - Come After Me- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Luke 9:23-25 – Come After Me- Growing As Disciples

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)

Deny Myself 

What do you want? Your entire life will be guided by how you answer that one question. All that you think, say and do will be directed by what you want. There are really only two answers to my question. How could there be only two answers to your question. Oh, I’m absolutely sure that you already know the two answers to my question. If you’re positive then I must have the answers. That’s right. 

I will start with my answer. I want you. I know that you want me. You love me. You came into this world to rescue me from a life without you. You died on the cross so that I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my righteousness. You pursued me when I was walking on a path away from you. You turned my life around. I told you that I would turn away from my sin so I could follow you. What do you mean by saying that you want me? I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to serve you. My life is in your hands. I am at your service. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you ask of me. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I will deny myself and take up the cross and follow you. How often will you deny yourself and take up the cross and follow me. I will deny myself and take up the cross to follow you everyday from now and until I meet you face to face. That will be very good. What is the other answer to my question?

The other answer to your question is not my answer. Let me hear the answer that you have rejected. There are two answers. There are only two choices. I can live my life with and for you or I can live my life for all that the world has to offer. I can lose my life for you by going and doing whatever you ask of me or I can lose my life by pursuing all that the world has to offer. Pursuing the world and all it has to offer is a tragic mistake. Yes, It is. Pursuing the world and all it has to offer leads to death now and forever. Yes, it does. Choosing to deny myself, take up my cross and follow you leads to life now and forever. Yes, it does. I am choosing to live the life that you have called me to live. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for drawing me to you. I am coming after you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will deny myself and take up the cross, as I love, follow, and serve you. It is my joy to lose myself in your service. I am all yours. Amen

Key Question… What has denying yourself and taking up the cross of Christ looked like in your daily life?

Living It Out… Lose your life for Christ by denying yourself and taking up the cross as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to deny yourself and take up the cross daily as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what denying yourself and taking up the cross has meant in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you lose your life for Christ by denying yourself and taking up His cross daily.

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

If – Luke 9-23-25 – Come After Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Obey Your Instructions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Therefore - Psalm 119:55-56 - Obey Your Instructions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Therefore – Psalm 119:55-56 – Obey Your Instructions – Growing As Disciples

I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD; therefore, I obey your instructions. This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments. Psalm 119:55-56 (NLT)

Reflection

Set apart a place to come to meet with me. Set apart a time to come to know me. Reflect on who I am. Consider all that I have done. In my presence, I will change your heart. In my presence, I will transform your mind. It will become the desire of your heart to follow my instructions.  It will become the thought of your mind to obey my commands. As you come to know and love me you will want to live your life for me. I will change your thoughts and words and deeds. You will know my will. You will walk in my ways. You will fulfill my plans. You will accomplish my purposes. You will do what I have prepared for you to do. You will spend your life serving me. This is what I want. This is more than I could have hoped. This is more than I could have dreamed. This is more than I could have asked for or imagined.

I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. There is nothing I would rather do than hear from you. I will leave the noise and busyness of life so that I can hear from you. I will humble myself before you so that I can receive all that you have to say to me. I will open myself up to you so that I can accept all that you want to give to me. I will reflect on who you are. I will consider all that you have done. I will let you change my heart. I will allow you to transform my mind. I will welcome you to mold and shape my life. Make me into the person that you want me to be. Use me however you see fit. I want to know and do your will. I want to love you just as you love me. I want to follow you to where you lead me. I want to do all that you ask of me. I am all yours. I am at your service. I am at your disposal. I will spend my life in your service. I will speak to you. I will change you. I will use you. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name.  

Lord, it is the joy of my life to come to meet with you. It is the passion of my heart to come to know and love you. Knowing and loving you has motivated my desire to follow your instructions and obey every one of your commands. I will spend my life serving you. Amen

Key Question… How has reflecting on who the Lord is motivated your desire to follow and obey Him?

Living It Out… Reflect on who the Lord is so that you will be able to follow His instructions and obey His commands.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you reflect on who the Lord is, you will be able to follow His instructions and obey His commands.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how knowing the Lord has helped you to follow and obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you reflect on who the Lord is, as you live by His word and follow His counsel.

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

Therefore – Psalm 119-55-56 – Obey Your Instructions – 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

Great Peace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Psalm 119:165 - Great Peace - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Psalm 119:165 – Great Peace – Growing As Disciples

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.  Psalm 119:165 (NIV)

Your Word

I love your word. I love listening to all that you have to say to me. Your word guides my life. Your word gives me great peace. Your word keeps me from stumbling. You are using your word to change my heart. You are using your word to transform my mind. Your word has helped me to think your thoughts. Your word has helped me to walk in your ways. Without your word I would not know you. You have revealed yourself to me by your word.

Your word strengthens me. Your word is my delight. I want to meditate on your word. I want your word to dwell in me richly. I want to feast on your word. I want to rest in your word. I want to be revived, refreshed and restored by your word. I want to be taught and trained by your word. I want to be molded and shape by your word. I want to live my life according to everyone one of your words.

Your word is making me usable in your service. Your word is helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Your word is helping me to bring glory to your name. Your word is helping me to shine brightly as your witness in the world. I will remain in your word. Apart from your word I can do nothing. Your word guides me to where you want to me to go. Your word gives me what you want me to do for you.

I will follow and obey your word. I will set aside my thoughts for your thoughts. I will set aside my ways for your ways. I will humbly come to meet with you in your word. I will be still before you. I will open my heart and mind to all that you have for me. I will not run ahead of your word. I will not turn to the left or the right of your word. I will not lag behind your word.

I will hold on to your word. Your word is strong. Your word is sure. You word gives me a level path. Your word helps me to walk on solid ground. Your word lifts me up out of the muck and the mire. Your word keeps my feet from slipping. Your word fills me with peace as I listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. Help me to live my life according to your word. Yes, I will.

Lord, I love your word. You teach me and guide my life by your word. As I rely on your word you give me peace and stability. I know that you are with me. You are leading me along life’s path. I will live in peace and stability by following and obeying your word. Amen

Key Question… How can it be demonstrated from your life that you really do love God’s word?

Living It Out… Determine to live your life by loving and following and obeying God’s word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will bring peace and stability into your life as you follow and obey it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has brought peace and stability into your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your love for God’s word bring you great peace.

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

God’s Word – Psalm 119-165 – Great Peace – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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.

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

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