Monthly Archives: January 2026

A New Creation

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - A New Creation - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – A New Creation – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!   2 Corinthians 5:17  (NIV)

What’s New?

What’s New? That is an interesting question. Why are you asking me, “What’s new?”  I want you to think about what is new in your life since the day that you came to believe in me. That would be quite a long list. I have plenty of time to hear all that you have to say to me. The newness that you brought into my life began on day one with you. What do you mean by that? On day one with you I turned away from my sin to follow you. I asked you to forgive me of my all sins and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I said that I was giving my life to you and that I would follow you as my Savior and Lord. You answered my prayer and did all that I asked of you. Yes, I did. There was something more that I didn’t know was coming. What’s that? You filled me with your Holy Spirit. Your Holy Spirit made it so I could be born again to a new life in you. On day one, you made me to be your new creation. Yes, I did.

What changed since you become my new creation? I could live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I could talk to you in prayer. We could have an ongoing conversation together. You would draw near to me as I would draw near to you. I could listen to you as you also listened to me. That’s right. What else? Did everything in your life change all at once? What do you mean by that? Did you completely leave your old life so that you could live the new life I had for you to live? There were many things from my old sinful live that fell away right away. Much of my old life no longer appealed to me. I wanted to fully live the new life that you had given me to live in you. What happened? I began to see that not all of my old life of sin fell away. I found that quite discouraging. Why is that? I thought that you would make me a completely new creation all at once. That’s exactly what I did. Your spirit was reborn. I gave you a new heart and mind. Didn’t it become your desire to love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes, that was and still is my desire. You thought you might be a completely new creation on day one? You thought I might finish all my work in your life in one day? I guess so. Well, you now know that my work continues in your life every day. Yes, I now know that and I welcome your ongoing work in my life. I will make you and every day new as you continue to love, follow and serve me.

Lord, thank you for drawing me to you. You made it possible for me to come to believe in you. You have made me to be a completely new creation. You have given me a completely new life to live you in you. Keep on molding and shaping my life as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been continuing to make you new every day as you follow Him?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to continue to make you into His new creation as you live the new life that He has given you to live.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord made you into a new creation, giving you a new life to live since you came to believe in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what has changed in your life since you came to believe in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as the new creation that the Lord has created to be since you came to believe in Him.

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

If – 2 Corinthians 5-17 – A New Creation – 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

Is Perfect

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Psalm 19:7-11 - Is Perfect - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Psalm 19:7-11 – Is Perfect – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV) 

My Next Step

You need my word. You need to hear all that I want to say to you. I’m here. I’m listening. What do you want to say to me? My word will supply what you need. What do I need? You tell me. Right now, I am weary and worn out. You have come to the right place. As you meet with me in my word I will revive your soul and refresh your life. What else do you need? I need guidance and direction. I’m not sure about my next steps in life. I don’t know where to go and what to do. I lack wisdom. I desperately need help. Are you asking me for help? Yes, I am. My word will give you wisdom. My word will give you guidance. My word will shed light on your path and help you to know your next steps in life. Will you let my word guide your life? Yes, I will. I know that there is much more that you want and need. I have been discouraged and depressed. I have been lacking in joy. That will happen when you allow yourself to become weary and worn out. As you meet with me in my word I will not only revive and refresh your soul. I will also fill you with joy. My joy will make your face radiant. My joy will brighten your eyes. My joy will fill you with hope today, tomorrow and forever. Do you want to live in my fullness of joy? Yes Lord, I do. Then come to me to meet with me in my word. Listen to all that I have to say to you. I’m here. I’m listening. That’s very good. 

You can trust in my word completely. You can rely on my word fully. My word is sweeter than honey. My word is more precious than silver or gold. Nothing in all of life is more valuable than my word. My word will protect your life. My word will guard you from danger. There is nothing more rewarding than living according to my word. There is nothing more important than listening to all that I have to say to you. Will you listen to me? Will you make my word your pursuit? Will you live your life according to my word? Yes Lord, I will.

Has my word already started to revive you? Is my word refreshing you? Is hearing my word giving you joy? Is my word showing you your next step in life? Yes to all that you have asked me. My next step in life is to keep on meeting with you in your word. That will be very good.

Lord, I trust your word. Your word guides my life and directs my steps. Your word gives me joy. You refresh and revive my life by your word. You warn me and make me wise by your word. Your word is more valuable than gold. I will follow and obey your word. Amen

Key Question… What makes you positive that you can have absolute confidence in God’s word?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word do His work in and through your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word is more precious than gold in your life both now and forever.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how valuable God’s word is to your life and walk with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to work in and through your life.

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

Gods Word – Psalm 19-7-11 – Is Perfect – 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 Christ Lives In Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Galatians 2:20 - But Christ Lives In Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Galatians 2:20 – But Christ Lives In Me – Growing As Disciples

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 

Dead And Alive

How can I be both dead and alive? Aren’t I either dead or alive? Your question seems logical enough. But, the only way that you can be alive is if you are dead. I’m confused. I hope you will explain this to me. Yes, I will. At one time, you were very much alive to the evil of this world. You were ruled by your passions and lusts. Your thoughts, words and actions were all thought, said, or done according to the values and wisdom of this world. You lived a self-centered, self-indulgent, and self-reliant life. You did whatever you wanted whenever you wanted. You lived entirely for your own comfort and pleasure. You had no time for me. You had no interest in me. Am I painting a fair picture of your old life? Yes, you are. You were also living a bruised and broken life. You were experiencing the wages and consequences of your sin. Which is death. Yes, it is. You were living in darkness. You were living in death. You were living apart from me. Yes, I was.

I may confuse you a little more. Go ahead. The only way you can be alive is if you are dead. The only way you can be dead is if you are alive. You are right I’m even more confused. Be patient, I’ll explain. You’ll get it, I know that you will.  I’m listening. You have my full attention. I was unwilling to leave you living in your sin filled dead life. I was unwilling to leave you forever separated from life with me. So, I came into this world to die on the cross for your sins. I broke the power that sin held over your life. I made it possible for you to cry out to me. Which, I did. Yes, you did. You asked me to forgive your sins. You asked me to cleanse you of all your unrighteousness. Yes, I did. Well, I did forgive and cleanse you of all your sins. Your sins and your old life were nailed to the cross with me. Your old life died on the cross with me. Are you getting this now? Maybe, tell me more. Your old life died on the cross so you could live a new life with me. You were dead in sin. But, now you are dead to sin. There is a huge difference. I see it. When I was dead in sin I was powerless to live the life you wanted to give to me. Now, because I am dead to sin, it has no power over me. That’s right. Now, I am free to live the life that you have given me to live. Yes, you are. 

Really, I could also say, I no longer live. It is you that is living in and through me. Yes, I am. My old life is dead and gone. It was put to death on the cross with you. Yes, it was. The life that I am now living is the life that you have given me to live. Yes, it is.

Lord, thank you that my old sin filled life is dead and gone. All my sin was nailed on the cross. Now, I am forgiven. Now, I have been cleansed by your blood. Now, I have been set free. Now, I have a completely new life to live. Amen

Key Question… How does your new life in Jesus Christ compare with the old life you once lived?

Living It Out… Live the life of being dead to sin and alive to God that Jesus Christ has secured for you on the cross.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you are now dead to sin and alive to God because of what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has given you a completely new life to live with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be dead to sin and alive to God through all that Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross.

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

Life – Galatians 2-20 – But Christ Lives In 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

Wait For The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart- Psalm 27:14 - Wait For The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart- Psalm 27:14 – Wait For The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

How Long

How long? How long, what? How long do I need to wait? You are impatient. You want quick answers and easy results. It is very difficult for you to wait. Yes, I am sorry to say that I have not been a big fan of waiting. I have found it very difficult to wait. You are right, I have wanted quick answers and easy results. I have been and still am an impatient person. You have made a lot of progress. How so? You are much more patient than you once were. I have been developing patience in you. Your ability to wait before me as grown immensely. At one time, you were so impatient you could hardly sit still. Don’t you remember those restless days of your life. Yes, I remember.

What have you learned as you have learned patience? What have you learned as you have come to sit still in my presence? I have learned that there is no greater lesson to learn than to sit still before you. In your presence, I have come to know you, your will and your ways. I have discovered that there is no place that I would rather be than in your presence. I have learned that there is nothing I would rather do than to draw near to you. In your presence, you have taught and trained me. In your presence, you have guarded and guided me. There has been no other way for me to receive your wisdom than to come and ask you for it, as I have waited in your presence. You have blessed my life as I have sat still and waited before you. That’s right.

Let’s return to your first question. How long? Yes, how long. How long do you think you will need to wait before me? That’s a hard question to answer. I don’t know how long. Yes, you do. Tell me what you know. My life will consist of continually waiting before you. I will learn to love to wait before you. Waiting before you will not be a chore. Waiting before you will be a joy. Waiting before you will never be a waste of my time. As I wait before you, I will receive instructions. As I wait before you, I will receive direction. As I wait in your presence, I will know when to go and where to do all that you ask of me. As I wait before you, I will be given power and strength to do whatever you have given me to do for you. Yes, you will. I will be strong and bold and confident because I will know that you are with me to help me. How will you know for certain that I am with you to help you? I will know that you are with me to help me because I will have heard your voice speaking to me as I have sat still and waited in your presence. That’s right.

Lord, I have never liked waiting. I have been impatient and wanted instantaneous results. So often I have raced ahead of you into plans that were not yours for me. Now, I will expectantly and patiently wait for you to act in my life. Amen

Key Question… When have you come to realize that your schedule and the Lord’s schedule were not the same?

Living It Out… Patiently and expectantly wait for the Lord to work in, with and for you as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will act on your behalf according to His purposes and plans for your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has worked in and through your life as you waited on Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you expectantly and patiently wait for the Lord to act in your life according to His purposes and plans.

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

Heart – Psalm 27-14 – Wait For The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Love With Actions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - 1 John 3:18 - Love With Actions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – 1 John 3:18 – Love With Actions – Growing As Disciples

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV) 

Action

You will never be able to express love to others by your words alone. Love will require that you back up the words of your mouth with actions that come from your heart. I get that. Tell me how I backed up my words with my actions that come from my heart. How have I demonstrated my love to you through both my words and my actions? Your words have told me that you want me to know you. Your words have told me that you want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Your words have told me that you want me to love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Your words have told me that you want me to become like you. If you only spoke these words to me I would never be able to know you. I would not be able to live in an intimate relationship with you. I would not be able to love you. I would not be able to become like you. Why is that? My sin would prevent me from hearing your words. My sin would prevent me from desiring or receiving everything that you want for me. If you let me remain in my sin I would never have been able to become alive to you. I never would have loved you. I never would have wanted to know you. I never would be able to become like you. No, you would not. But, I did not just speak words to you, did I? No, you did not. You acted on my behalf. You rescued me from a life of sin and separation from you. You sent your Son into the world to die as payment for my sins. You forgave me of my sin and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You turned my life around and set me on the path so I could love, follow and serve you. Yes, I did. Now, I can know and love you. Now, I can live in an intimate relationship with you. Now, you are making me to be like you. Yes, I am.

What have you learned about love being expressed in words and actions? Loving words without loving actions will never be enough. Words of love are made real when they are backed up by actions. Words of love can be heard and received and acted on when they are accompanied by action. You speak words of love and back them up with action. Yes, I do. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. Then I will also back up my words of love with actions. When I back up my words of love with actions the world will see your love flowing in and through me. Yes, and that will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to say one thing and do another. I want my words and my actions to be consistent in their message. Use both my words and my actions to express love to those around me. Use my life so others can see your love flowing in and through me. Amen

Key Question… Why is love most powerfully expressed with both words and actions together?

Living It Out… Make sure that both your words and your actions express love to other people.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use both your words and your actions to express love to other people.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used your words and actions to express love to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love others with both your words and your actions.

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

Let Us – 1 John 3-18 – Love With Actions – 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

Hears The Word And Understands

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Matthew 13:23 - Hears The Word And Understands - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Matthew 13:23 – Hears The Word And Understands – Growing As Disciples

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Hear And Understand

Do you want to live a life that bears fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to live a life that brings glory to my name? Yes, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. What must I do if I want to bear fruit for kingdom and bring glory to your name? That is a great question. You must do two things if you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You have my full attention. I will be listening very carefully to your every word. That’s very good. Then, you have already answered your own question. What’s that? I have no idea what you mean. What did I say that answered my own question? You said that I had your full attention. Yes, I did. You also said that you would listen carefully to every one of my words. Yes, I said that as well. I still don’t understand. 

If you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name you must hear and understand my words. As you hear and understand and put my words into practice you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Now, I get it. Now, I understand. That’s good.

How will you go about hearing, understanding and putting my words into practice? Can I first ask you a question? Go right ahead. You said I needed to two things to be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I did. Hearing, understanding and putting your word into practice sounds like three things. Yes, it does. Let me ask you a question. Go right ahead. How will you and I both know if you have truly heard and understood my word? If I have truly heard and understood your word I will certainly put it into practice. Yes, you will. Now, I get it. Putting your word into practice is like the proof that I have truly heard and understood your word. Yes, it is. Now let’s go back to my first question. How will I go about hearing, understanding and putting your word into practice? Yes. Every day, I will meet with you in your word. I set a time and place when and where I can listen to all that you want to say to me. As I listen attentively, you will help me to understand. Yes, I will. As I hear and understand, you will help me to put your word into practice. Yes, I will. As I hear and understand and put your word into practice, I will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will.

Lord, prepare my heart to hear and understand your word. Break up anything in me that is resistant to your word. I want to fully hear and understand and put your word into practice. Produce an abundant crop of fruit for your kingdom and glory through my life. Amen

Key Question… How are you putting into practice all that you have heard and understood from God’s word?

Living It Out… Hear, understand and put God’s word into practice so that your life will bear fruit for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing, understanding and putting God’s word into practice will make you able to bear fruit for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what fruit God has been bearing through your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear and understand the word of God so you can bear fruit for Him.

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

God’s Word – Matthew 13-23 – Hears The Word And Understands – 4-Page Discipleship-Devotional 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.

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

Every Good Path

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Proverbs 2:6-9 - Every Good Path - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Proverbs 2:6-9 – Every Good Path – Growing As Disciples

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. Proverbs 2:6-9 (NIV) 

Guard And Guide

Do you want what I want to give to you? What do you want to give to me? I will give you wisdom. I will give you knowledge and understanding. Yes, I desperately want your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. What must I do if I want to receive your wisdom, knowledge and understanding? You have already taken your first step toward receiving what I want to give to you. I’m not sure what you mean. You must want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The key word in your first step is “wanting”. You didn’t say that you were interested in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You didn’t say that you were curious about my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You didn’t indicate that you would give my wisdom, knowledge and understanding your strong consideration. You did not say that you may or may not follow my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. No, I did not. You have expressed a strong desire to receive what I want to give you. You said you were desperate to receive my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s right, I did. That’s your first step to receiving what I want to give to you. What are my next steps?

What will you do because you desperately want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding? I will regularly ask for your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s right. How often will you ask for my wisdom, knowledge and understanding? I will ask you for it everyday. I will ask you multiple times in every day. I will continually rely on you to give me your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That’s a good second step. What will you do with my wisdom, knowledge and understanding once you have received it from me? I will put your wisdom, knowledge and understanding into practice in my daily life. That’s very good. If you want my wisdom, knowledge and understanding and ask for it and put it into practice then you will really be receiving all that I want to give you. You can count on that.

What will my wisdom, knowledge and understanding do for you? Your wisdom, knowledge and understanding will guard and guide my life. It will be a shield that protects my life. It will help me to walk according to your will and your ways. It will lead me on the path of life as I follow and serve you. It will help me to know and do your will. It will lead me in victory. Yes, it will.

Lord, open my ears to hear your words of wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that I will walk uprightly, blamelessly, justly and faithfully with you. Guard and guide my life on the path that you have laid out for me. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord to give you wisdom to guide the course of your life?

Living It Out… Rely on wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God to guard and guide the course of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guard and guide your life as you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding from Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided you to do what is right and just and fair.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding to guard and guide your course in life.

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

Guidance – Proverbs 2-6-9 – Guard And Guide – 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

The Unmerciful Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Matthew 18:23-34 - The Unmerciful Servant - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Matthew 18:23-34 – The Unmerciful Servant – Growing As Disciples

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 (NIV)

Weight Lifted

I want you to do something for me.  Anything Lord, you just say the word.  What is it?  I want you to think about all the people that have hurt you in some way throughout your life.  That might take some time.  I’m sure that it will.  It’s going to be a fairly long list.  The longer, the better.  I don’t want you to forget anyone or anything that has been done to you.  This seems like kind of a weird request coming from you.  Yes, I’m sure that it does.  Take however long you need to today to work on your list and come back to me.  Will you do that?  Yes Lord, I will.

I’m back.  That took quite a while.  Yes it did.  Is your list as exhaustive as it can possibly be?  I think so.  Do you have all your enemies written down?  Yes, it was easy to remember them.  How about everyone that has cheated, lied or stolen from you? They’re all on here.  How about people who broke their promises or betrayed you?  Oh, a couple more names just came to mind.  Write them down.  Got it.  Do you have everyone that hurt, rejected, judged or manipulated you?  You weren’t kidding about not leaving any names off the list.  No, I wasn’t.  Ok, I’ve added a few more names.  How about anyone who disappointed you, didn’t follow through or live up to your expectations?  Slow down a little bit.  I’m writing.  Has anyone ever used, rejected or devalued you?  Yes!  Are they on the list?  Not yet.  I’ll wait.  Are you done now?  Yes, I think so.  That’s good.

What would you like to do with the people on that list?  Could you zap them for me?  No, I cannot.  This is a serious moment for you, let’s not joke around.  Alright, I’m just a little nervous about how long this list is.  Why is that?  I’m pretty sure that I shouldn’t have this kind of a list.  Why not?  It’s a really heavy burden to carry.  How so?  It has worn me out carrying anger and unforgiveness around for so long.  Yes, it has.  That’s why I had you make a list.  I wanted you to see that you are being weighed down by unforgiveness.  I’m getting a pretty clear picture right now, that’s for sure.

What do you want to do with all these people on your list?  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  What’s that?  I want to love and forgive them.  There are some pretty nasty people on your list.  Are you sure you want to forgive them?  I was once a pretty nasty person.  Yes, you were.  You forgave me.  Yes, I did.  So, yes I want to forgive everyone on my list.  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  So, I’m forgiving them all right now.  That’s very good.  How do you feel?  Like a weight has been lifted.  As a matter of fact, it has.

Lord, you have forgiven me of an enormous debt of sin, at great cost to you, that I could never hope to repay. I am so thankful for your forgiveness. Help me to have a forgiving heart towards others like you have had toward me. Amen

Key Question… How has the forgiveness you received from Christ motivated you to want to be forgiving toward others?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you a soft heart that is willing to forgive others just as you have also been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you a forgiving heart so that you can be a witness for Him in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been able to forgive others when you were wronged.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you having a forgiving heart that offers to others the same forgiveness you have received from the Lord.

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

Parables – Matthew 18-32-25 – The Unmerciful Servant – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

So That You May Be Healed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - James 5:16 - So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – James 5:16 – So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Powerful And Effective

Do you want to be able to pray prayers that are powerful and effective? Do you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer? Do you want to pray prayers that will bring healing to others and yourself? Yes of course, I want to pray powerful and effective prayers. I really do want to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. I want to pray healing for others and for myself. How can I pray these kinds of prayers? That is a very good question.

One thing is necessary if you want to pray prayers that are powerful and effective. One thing is required if you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer. What one thing is necessary? You must hear from me. I will give you the prayers that I want you to pray. You must pray prayers that are according to my will. You must pray prayers that are according to my purposes and my plans.

How will I ever be able to hear from you? How will I be able to know if you have given me a prayer to pray? What will hinder you from hearing from me? Sin will hinder me from hearing from you. If I am living in sin I will have a very difficult time hearing from you. That’s right. I will also have a very hard time hearing from you if I have not confessed my sins to you. Why is that? When I know that I am either living in sin or not confessing my sins I am likely to be distant from you. Instead of drawing near to you I am more likely to want to hide from you. You’re right again. So, if you want to hear from me what will you do? I will both leave sin behind and confess my sins to you. You will draw near to me to confess your sins to me? Yes, I will. You will draw near to me as you leave sin behind? Yes, I will. Then you will hear from me.  There is more that you want to tell me, isn’t there? Yes, I have one more question for you.

What will help you to hear from me? We just talked about what would hinder me from hearing from you. Yes, we did. This is other half of the answer to your questions. What were my questions? How will you ever be able to hear from me? How will you be able to know if I have given you a prayer to pray? I don’t know the answer to your question. Oh, I’m sure that you do know the answer. I don’t think so. What would you do if you desperately wanted to hear from me? I would seek you with all my heart. I wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t let up. I would be urgent. I would be unrelenting. I would be insistent and persistent. You know what that sounds like to me? I’m not sure. It sounds like the answer to my question. Really? Yes, really. Seek me with all your heart. Don’t give up. Don’t let up. Be urgent and unrelenting. Be insistent and persistent and you will certainly hear from me. You will know that I have given you prayers to pray. You will know that you are praying powerful prayers that I will hear and answer. Then that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not try to cover up or hide from my sins. I will confess all my sins to you and to any one I have sinned against. I don’t want anything to get in the way and hinder my prayers. I want to be able to pray powerful prayers that you will hear and answer.  Amen

Key Question… Why will unconfessed sin hinder your ability to pray prayers that are heard and answered?

Living It Out… Make confessing your sins your regular practice so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will enable you to prayer powerful prayers that He will hear and answer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your regular practice to confess your sins.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make it your regular practice to confess your sins so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

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

So That – James 5-16 – You May Be Healed – 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

Lack Of Counsel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Plans - Proverbs 15:22 - Lack Of Counsel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Plans – Proverbs 15:22 – Lack Of Counsel – Growing As Disciples

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Plans Fail

I have been proud. I have thought that I did not need wise counsel. I have made plans without seeking your advice. I have not listened well. I have not heard all that you had to say to me. I have not heeded your warnings. I have raced headlong to implement my own plans. I have wanted to achieve my own purposes and fulfill my own goals. I have experienced failure. I have suffered loss. I have gone through painful experiences because I thought I knew it all. What mistakes I have made. What missteps I have taken. Oh, how I have wasted time and expended energy going in the wrong direction to do what was not your will or plan for my life. All has not been wasted. All is not lost. I have used your mistakes and missteps. Your painful experiences have taught you valuable lessons. You have been humbled by your own pride. Was there any other way for you to learn? Hasn’t it been important for you to see the error of your own ways? In your pain and suffering you have cried out to me. You are now ready and willing to ask for my help. I have your attention. You are willing and able to listen to my voice. You are seeking my guidance. You want my plan. You want to fulfill my purposes. Yes, I want your plan. Yes, I want to fulfill your purposes. It is true, you do have my attention. My eyes and ears are focused on you. I am watching and waiting for your guidance. I welcome your instruction. I want your advice. I will go no further. I will not take another step without your wisdom and counsel guiding my life. That is very good.                                                                 

How do you think I will speak to you? How will I give you my wise counsel? How will you receive my advice? I know that you will speak to me through your word. I know that your Holy Spirit will take your word and apply it directly to my life. That’s right. How else? You will bring wise counselors into my life. You give me people to see what I cannot see. You will use others to help me to know what I do not know. You will speak to me in and through the circumstances of my life. That is also true. What do you most need in order to hear from me? I will need humility. I will need to continually remember that I desperately need wise counsel. I cannot get along without your advice. What will humility cause you to do? Humility will cause me to listen. Humility will cause me to seek wise counsel and accept advice. Will you listen carefully to my wise counsel? Will you accept my advice? Yes, Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I do not know it all. I have blind spots. There are things that I do not see or understand. Instead of rushing ahead with my own plans I will seek your counsel and that of trusted advisors you have placed in my life. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a regular habit and pattern in your life to seek wise counsel from the Lord?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord’s wise counsel to guide your plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you His wise counsel to guide your plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you His wise counsel to guide your plans.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your plans be guided by wise counsel that you receive from the Lord.

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

Plans – Proverbs 15-22 – Lack Of Counsel – 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