Category Archives: 365 Days Of Guidance

Abraham Obeyed And Went

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Hebrews 11-8 - Abraham Obeyed And Went - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Hebrews 11-8 – Abraham Obeyed And Went – Growing As Disciples

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)

To Where?

You would like to know where you’re going wouldn’t you? Yes, actually I would. Would you get up and go to a strange place that you had never been before, if I asked you? That all depends. On what? It would depend on how clearly I heard your voice. So, if the heavens opened up and you heard my booming voice directing you to go, you’d drop everything and leave? Yes, I think I would. What if you had a really nice and comfortable situation, would you be tempted to sit tight and stay? I might, but probably not, if I heard your voice audibly directing me to go somewhere.  What if the place I asked you to go was completely unfamiliar to you, would you still set out? Would you take the first step? How specific would your directions be? What if I just pointed and said, head that direction? If that’s all the direction you gave me I might question whether or not I heard you correctly in the first place. But, with that question in the back of my mind I think I would still begin the journey. What if the journey took a very long time? How long? Let’s say years when you thought it might have taken months. You’re making this sound very difficult. I haven’t even mentioned a level of difficulty yet. How difficult could the journey be? You might have everyone questioning your sanity. They might say you’ve been hearing voices. You might feel quite lonely on your journey. On the journey you would encounter adversaries and difficult circumstances. How difficult? Real cliff-hangers, if you ask me. Great, just great. You sound discouraged. That’s because I am. Why is that? This sounds a lot like the journey I’m already on. I thought it was just a matter of time before you realized that. There’s one big difference though, isn’t there? What’s that? The heavens didn’t open up and you haven’t audibly heard my voice have you? No, I haven’t. What have you heard instead? I’ve heard your quiet whispers guiding me through life. I’ve heard your word instructing and teaching me in the way I should go. Haven’t I counseled you and watched over you? Yes, you have. Has that not been enough for you? Yes, it has. What’s the problem? I guess I’m just a little weary and worn out, that’s all. What has your weariness caused you to do? It has caused me to come to you. What have I done for you? You have refreshed me and revived my life. Come to me now and I will do that again for you. You’ll need it. Why is that? Your journey is not over yet. I will continue to take you where you have never been before. Will you follow me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have faith in you. Your calling on my life does not always need to make sense to me. I know that sometimes you will lead me to places I have never been to do what I have never done. Give me strength to follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… When have gone out to go where God guided you without knowing any details?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord to places you have never been to do what you have never done.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will call you to go to places you have never been to do what you have never done.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has called you to go and do something new for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and go wherever He guides you to do whatever He asks of you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Hebrew 11-8 – Abraham Obeyed And Went – 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

Chosen What Is Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Luke 10:38-42 - Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Luke 10:38-42 – Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

Sit

Here I am Lord. I have come to listen. I have chosen to sit at your feet. I have come to a complete stop. I have left the hurry and the noise of my life behind. I have set aside my seemingly all important to do list. I have come to choose what is better. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than to listen to you. My heart and mind and life are open to you. You have my full attention. That is very good.

Why have you made this decision? What makes you certain that you have definitely chosen what is better? What gives you confidence that you are not wasting your valuable time? I am somewhat of an expert on wasting time. How so? I have bounced around from one thing to another. I have done some of this and some of that. My life has not had a sharp focus or a clear direction. Do you know why that is? Yes, I do. I’m listening. In the past, I have not chosen to come to sit at your feet. I have done what seemed good to me. I followed my own wisdom. I listened to my own guidance. I gave myself my own instructions. I did what was good and right in my own eyes.  How has that worked out for you? Not well. I have walked a crooked path from one thing to another. I have made mistakes. I have taken missteps. I have gone the wrong direction. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to retrace my steps and start over. There is no need for you to tell me. I already know.

What have you learned? I have learned that if I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name I must come to sit at your feet. I have learned that if I want to know and do your will I must come to sit at your feet. I have learned that apart from you I can do nothing that will amount to anything of eternal value. Those are all valuable lessons. So, now you have chosen to come to sit at my feet. Yes Lord, I have. That is very good. You have chosen what is far better.

Lord, I’ve done a lot of running around here, there and everywhere trying to get everything on my to do list done. All this activity has pushed you way into the background of my life. No more! I am here now at your feet. Teach me. Amen

Key Question… How can doing all that you think you need to do push Christ into the background of your life?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place when and where you can regularly spend time with Christ to be taught and guided by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that spending time in Christ’s presence, being guided by Him, is time very well spent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Christ has guided your life as you have spent time with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose to sit at the feet of Jesus so you can be taught by Him.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Luke 10-38-42 – Chosen What Is Better – 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 Good You Ought To Do

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - James 4:17 - The Good You Ought To Do - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – James 4:17 – The Good You Ought To Do – Growing As Disciples

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17 (NIV)

Make A Commitment

I’ve noticed something about you. What’s that? You have these crazy arguments or debates with yourself. Sometimes you even include me in on them.  Arguments and debates, what kind of arguments and debates? I’m not sure what you mean? You know those conversations you have with yourself about something you don’t want to do? Like what? Can you give me some examples? Is nothing coming to your mind? I wouldn’t say that. I would just like you to give me some examples that come to your mind. Are you sure? Not really, but I won’t say no now. Please go ahead, I’m listening.

Let’s say it’s Sunday morning. You were up late Saturday night. You’re very tired. In your mind, you deserve rest because you’ve had a very hard week. Under no circumstances do you want to get out of bed. Is this sounding a little familiar to you? Yes, it is. So, a conversation begins in your mind about the idea of getting out of bed and going to church. You’re trying to sell yourself on the merits of staying in bed. After much conversation, you convince yourself that it is my will for you to stay in bed. Has this ever happened to you?  You know that it has. There is a problem with your conclusion. What’s that? It is not my will that you stay in bed instead of assembling together with other believers to worship me. Does it shock you to hear me say this to you? No, not at all. So, you know that it is my will for you to come together with other believers to worship me? Yes, I do.  How is it possible for you to have a conversation with yourself that leads you to thinking and doing otherwise? I’m not sure. I must have thought that these were special circumstances that overruled your desire to have me in worship on that Sunday morning. How does that sound to you as you say that to me now? It sounds incredibly weak and pathetic. I’m glad that you are willing to admit that.

This is part of a much larger problem. It is? Yes, it is. I’m not going to overwhelm you with examples but you have these conversations with yourself quite frequently. Do you know where the conclusions to these conversations usually end up?  I think so, but please tell me. These conversations most often end up with you concluding your decision based on what is most comfortable to you. I was afraid you might say that. It’s true, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead. How willing are you to be uncomfortable as you serve me? That’s a hard question. I can only answer it by saying that I’m sorry. Forgive me for placing my own comfort above doing what I know you want me to do for you. You are forgiven.

I don’t want to leave our conversation at this point. I want you to know how pleased I am with your love and service to me. You are? Yes, I am. I know that you want to be used by me. You want to bear abundant fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Yes, I do, above all else. I have heard that prayer of your heart and I will answer it. You will? Yes, beyond what you could ask for or even imagine. But there is one thing I want you to do. What’s that? Stop having these conversations with yourself when you already know what I’m asking you to do for me. Make a commitment now, to just do what I have asked of you. Yes, Lord, I will.

Lord, you will get no argument out of me. I want to know and do your will. I want to do all the good you want me to do for you. I know that this will cost my time, talents and resources. Use all I am, all I have and I hope to be for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… When has God taken you out of your comfort zone to do good things for Him?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to know and do the good that He wants you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know and do the good that He wants you to do for Him

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing the good that the Lord wants you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make a commitment to go and do what God asks of you without debate or argument.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – James 4-17 – The Good You Ought To Do – 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

Claims To Have Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 45 - James 2:14-17 - Claims To Have Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 45 – James 2:14-17 – Claims To Have Faith – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV)

Real Faith

There are two things about which I don’t want you to be confused. What are they? You know that my salvation is a free gift. You know that you cannot earn or in any way merit your salvation. You know that you cannot make yourself acceptable in my sight. My Son came into this world to die and pay for your sins. In faith you turned away from your sins and accepted Him into your life as your Savior and Lord. Yes, your Son, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He forgave my sin and cleansed me of all my unrighteous. He made me acceptable in your sight. Yes, He did. This is first of all what I want you to be clear about. I understand. By faith, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. By faith, you are my God and Father. By faith, I know that I am filled with your Holy Spirit. What else do you want me to be clear about?

Your faith in me is real and alive and active. Your faith in me will show itself to the world. How will my faith in you show itself to the world? I will be working in and through your life every day. I will open your eyes to what I want you to see. I will open your ears to what I want you to hear. I will open your heart to what I want you to do. Because of your faith in me, you will want to do what I ask of you. Because of your love for me, you will want to do what I have given you to do for me. You will want to go where I send you. You will want to do what I ask of you. Does this sound like a hard and burdensome task to you? No, not at all, it will be my pleasure and joy to serve you. I want to be used by you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. Yes, I know that is what you want to do for me. You will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name, as your faith in me is real and alive and active. This is very clear to me. This is the desire of my heart that is filled with real faith in you.  That is very good.

Lord, I want my faith in you to be real and alive and active. I want my faith in you to be demonstrafyted to the world. Open my eyes to see how you want to use me. Open my heart to do good deeds you have given me to do. Draw others to you through my faith. Amen

Key Question…  What good works has the Lord done through your life because of your faith in Him?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to work through your life so your faith will be alive and demonstrated to others in the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will work through your life in ways that will demonstrate your faith to the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is working through your life and demonstrating your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your faith in the Lord be demonstrated to the world today.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 45 – Claims To Have Faith – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

For God So Loved

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 44- John 3:16-18 - For God So Loved - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 44- John 3:16-18 – For God So Loved – Growing As Disciples

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  John 3:16-18

Certainty

How can you be certain that I love you?  The answer to that question seems quite clear to me. You sent your one and only Son into the world to die for my sins. Who would do such a thing, no one that I know on this earth.  It had to have taken desperate circumstances for you to make that drastic choice. Well, you were living far from me in a dark, sin filled life. You were on a path headed away from me, to an eternity without me. Is there any situation more drastic than that?  No, I’m sure that no circumstance could be more drastic than that.

Why was it necessary for me to send my Son into the world for you?  There was no other way to erase the stain of my sin. My sin separated me from you. We could not live in a relationship together. There was nothing that I could do to erase my sin. I couldn’t earn your forgiveness. No matter how hard I would try to live a good life I would never be pure in your sight. You are Holy and I was not.  It took your Son’s blood shed on the cross to wash away my sins so I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my unrighteousness.  Yes, it did. Now, you are holy in my sight because of all that my Son has done for you. Now, we can live in a relationship together. For that I am so thankful.

Let’s talk about believing. For quite awhile you believed all the important facts about my Son, didn’t you? Yes, I did. Did you really believe in Him then? You must have heard me say, “I believe everything about Jesus Christ but what difference does that make to me?” Yes, I heard that. At that time, I didn’t really believe in him. Explain that. Well, I certainly hadn’t turned away from my sin. I didn’t ask for or want forgiveness of my sins. I was enjoying my sin. One day that all changed didn’t it? Yes, it did. I had to hit rock bottom before I was ready to turn away from my sin and ask for your Son’s forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. But, you did that.  Yes, I did.

What has happened to your life since you began to follow my Son as your Savior and Lord? Well, the whole course of my life has changed as a result. How so? I now want to follow Him. What’s that mean?  I want to go where He guides me, to do all that He asks of me. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name.  I’m living my life according to your will, instead of my own. It is my joy to serve you. It is my desire to know you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I know for sure that you are my Father and I am your child.  Yes, you are. I am certain that I have already started to live the eternal life that I have in you. Yes, you have.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and sending your Son into the world to die for my sins. I believe in Jesus Christ and I’m following Him as my Savior and Lord. I look forward to the day when I will live in heaven with you. Amen

Key Question…  How has believing in Jesus Christ changed the entire course of your life?

Living It Out…  Believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness of all your sins so you can live forever in heaven with Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that by believing in Jesus Christ you will be forgiven of your sins and be able to live in Heaven with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you came to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savor and Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 44 – John 3-16-18 – For God So Loved – 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.

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

Please HIs Neighbor

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 43 - Romans 15:1-3 - Please His Neighbor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 43 – Romans 15:1-3 – Please His Neighbor – Growing As Disciples

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” Romans 15:1-3 (NKJV)

Out Of My Way

Are you willing to go out of your way for others? Are you willing to be inconvenienced in order to serve people in need? Will you do for others what I have done for you? Will you humble yourself and take on the form of a servant? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me. Will you set aside your comfort and pleasure to serve me? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me. Will you give your time, talent, and resources to those who are in need? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me.

I’m asking you to open your eyes to those who are in need all around you. I’m asking you to soften your heart to those who need your help. I’m asking you to reach out your hands to those I want you to serve. Will you do this for me? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me. 

Haven’t I shown you how to live? Haven’t I shown you what I want you to do? Haven’t I been your example? Do you want to do for others what I have done for you? I’m thinking of a question that I dare not ask. I don’t want to seem ungrateful. Go ahead and ask it. I won’t think that you are ungrateful. I want to hear your answer so that I can serve you more fully. I want to be like you. I want to do what you have done. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. I want to live like you lived. So, here is my question, “What have you done for me?” I left heaven to come to earth for you. I became a man so that you could know me. I gave up all my rights. I humbled myself and took on the form of a servant. I allowed myself to be spurned and rejected. I allowed myself to be hurt and humiliated. I allowed myself to be crucified on a cross so that you could be forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. I gave you salvation as a free gift. You will now live forever in heaven with me. I am so thankful for all that you have done for me. You went way out of your way for me. You gave everything that you had to give. You didn’t hold back anything. Is that what you will do for me? Will you give me all that you have to give? Will you go way out of your way to serve me? Will you go out of your way to serve others? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not live to please myself. I will not live for my own comfort and convenience. Help me to go out of my way to help people in need. Use me to always encourage, build up, and strengthen those who are weak in their faith.  Amen

Key Question…  How are you following Jesus Christ as your role model for going out of your way to help someone in need?

Living It Out…  Go out of your way to help people who are in need and especially those who are weak in their faith.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use you to encourage and strengthen those who are weak in their faith.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to strengthen others in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you go out of your way to help people in need and especially those who are weak in their faith.

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

365 Days of Guidance – Day 43 – Romans 15-1-3 – Please HIs Neighbor – 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 You Forgive Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 42 - Matthew 6:14-15 - If You Forgive Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 42 – Matthew 6:14-15 – If You Forgive Others – Growing As Disciples

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)

Forgiveness

You have said that you want to know me. You have told me that you want to be like me. Is this true? Yes, I want to know you. Yes, I want to be like you. You want to know my will and walk in my ways. You want to join me in what I am doing. Is this true as well? Yes, I want to know your will, walk in your ways, and join you in what you are doing. These are very good desires that you have in your heart and on your mind. I have one more question for you. Go ahead, ask me, I’m listening. What do you think I’m doing? That seems like an impossible question. How can I possibly know what you are doing? I will ask you a different question? What have a done for you? I could answer that question a thousand different ways. You have done so much for me. However, I think you are looking for one particular answer at this moment. Yes, I am. Do you have the answer that I am looking for? I think so. You forgave my sins. Yes, I did. That is exactly the answer I was looking for. Did I forgive some of your sins, or did I forgive you of all your sins? You forgave me of all my sins. Yes, that is exactly what I did for you. Once I forgave your sins what were we able to do together? We were able to live in a relationship with each other. Nothing separated us from each other. There was no longer a wall that divided us from each other. Yes, that’s right.

Now, I have another question for you. Ask, away. If you want to be like me and join me in what I am doing what will you do for others?  I see where this conversation is headed. I have some barriers that exist with some people. Like who? There are people that have hurt me.  I could say that they have sinned against me. I don’t really like them. I don’t want to be around them. If I never saw them again that would be just fine with me. Are you still holding on to bitterness towards them? Have you forgiven them of what they have done to you? I’m still bitter. I’m still hurt. I’m pretty sure that I haven’t forgiven them yet. This is a new day, isn’t it? You no longer need to carry bitterness and unforgiveness. You can be set free from carrying that heavy burden. How is that? Oh, I’m sure that you know the answer to that question. You want me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Yes, I do. Is that what you want to do? Is that what you will do? Yes Lord, I will let go of bitterness and unforgiveness. I will forgive others just as you have forgiven me. I will set down the heavy burden that I have been carrying. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. Help me to do for others what you have done for me. Just as you have forgiven me, so I will also forgive everyone who has sinned against me. Help me to both give and receive your forgiveness. Amen

Key Question…  Why is it critically important that you forgive others just as you have been forgiven?

Living It Out…  Forgive others who have sinned against you, just as your Heavenly Father has forgiven your sins against Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father will forgive all your sins just as you have also forgiven others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how forgiving others has brought God’s healing into your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you forgive others just as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you.

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

Guidance – Day 42 – Matthew 6-14-15 – If You Forgive Others – 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

 

Hearer Of The Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 41 - James 1:22-25 - Hearer Of The Word - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 41 – James 1:22-25 – Hearer Of The Word – Growing As Disciples

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:22-25 (ESV)

Hearing And Doing

Do you want my blessing to be on your life? Do you want to live in the freedom that I have secured for you? Yes, of course I want your blessing to be on my life. Yes, I want to live in the freedom that you have secured for me. If you want to receive my blessing and live in my freedom there are two things that you must do without fail. What are they? What does my word tell you? You want me to hear your word. You want me to listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. You don’t want half-hearted listening or quick glances into your word on my part. No, I do not. You want me to look intently into your word. You want your word to be in my heart and on my mind continually. You want me to focus all my attention on your word. Yes, I do. Why do you think I want you to give attention to my word? Your word is how you will speak to me. Your word is the foundation of our relationship. The only way that I will come to know you is by listening to your word. That’s right.

If you want to receive my blessing and live in the freedom that I have secured for you what else must you do? I must put your word into practice. How will you begin to put my word into practice? I will start putting your word into practice by listening attentively to your word. As I listen to your word, you will change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, I will. Listening to your word will change the thoughts of my mind, and the desires of my heart. That’s true. As I continue to listen attentively to your word it will become my joy and desire to know your will and walk in your ways. It will be no burden for me to follow and obey you. It will be no heavy task to put your word into practice. It will be the desire of my heart to live my live fully and completely for you. How do you know this to be true? It is now my desire to do whatever pleases you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am receiving your blessings and living in your freedom. Yes, you are. Thank you, Lord.

 Lord, I will not allow myself to be fooled. I will both hear and do your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will remember to put into practice all that you have to teach me. I will live in all the freedom that your word will give to me. Amen

Key Question…  When have you recently put something into practice that you heard from God’s word?

Living It Out…  Listen attentively to God’s word so you will be able put it into practice as you follow Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will bless your life as you listen to and put His word into practice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has blessed your life as you have heard and done His word.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be both a hearer and doer of God’s word.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 41 – James 1-22-25 – Hearer Of The Word – 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

Any Of You Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 40 - James 1:5-8 - Any Of You Lacks Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 40 – James 1:5-8 – Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8 (NIV)

Sure

 Do you lack wisdom? That’s a very good question. It’s very important that you are very sure of your answer. Why is that? If you are not completely convinced that you need wisdom, then you will never ask me for it. Oh, you may make some feeble, half-hearted request for wisdom from me. You will not really expect an answer from me. You almost certainly will not wait for me to answer your request. I get it. What makes you so certain that you really do lack wisdom? My experience tells me that I lack wisdom. Are you telling me that you have at least enough wisdom to know that you desperately lack wisdom? I guess so. Why is that? Take a look at my life and the history of my own decisions. When I have relied solely on my own wisdom I have had a history of making dumb decisions and stupid mistakes. My decision-making has been astoundingly poor. I’ve noticed that. So, there is no, “if” about it? You are absolutely certain that you need wisdom from me? Yes, I have no doubt in my mind that I need all the wisdom that you will give to me. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to passionately ask me for my wisdom? Yes, it is. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to wait for me to answer your request? Yes, without a doubt. That is very good. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must be sure enough that you need it, so that you will ask for it. For you to ever receive wisdom from me, you must also be sure enough that you need it, that you will wait for it from me.  I will ask for and wait for your wisdom. That is very good, but there is more that you must be sure of if you want my wisdom. What else must I be sure of?

Do you believe that I will hear and answer your request for wisdom? Do you believe that I will generously give you my wisdom when you ask for it? Are you sure that I will give you wisdom without finding fault in you for asking for it? Lord, I believe that you will give me wisdom when I ask for it. I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt in you. I know that if I don’t have faith in you, I shouldn’t bother asking you for wisdom. Why is that? You will not answer a doubting, double minded request for wisdom. That’s right. I am sure that I need your wisdom. I am sure that you will give me your wisdom as I ask you for it. So, I am asking you for your wisdom now. I am waiting for your wisdom now. That is very good.

Lord, there is no “if” about it. I’m sure I need your wisdom. I’m also sure you will generously give me your wisdom when I ask for it. I’m asking you for your wisdom. Guard and guide my life with your wisdom. Stabilize my thoughts and ways with your wisdom. Amen

Key Question…  How sure are you that you don’t have the wisdom that you need to live your life?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith ask God for His wisdom to guard and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will generously give you His wisdom when you ask Him for it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has generously given you His wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask God for all the wisdom that you will need from Him.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 40 – James 1-5-8 – Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – 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

Fix Our Eyes On Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide -365 Days Of Guidance - Day 39 - Hebrews 12:2-3 - Fix Our Eyes On Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide -365 Days Of Guidance – Day 39 – Hebrews 12:2-3 – Fix Our Eyes On Jesus – Growing As Disciples

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Eyes On You

What are your eyes fixed on? What has your attention? I’m not really sure how to answer those questions. What occupies your attention and what your eyes are fixed will guide the course of your life. Then my answer to your questions is very important Yes, it is.  To the extent that your eyes and focus are on me, I will be guiding your life. If my eyes and focus turn away from you then I am likely to wander off the path that you are leading me on. That’s right. I will waste time and effort on things of this world that are ultimately not that important. I will expend my energy and strength on what will not bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. I will grow weary and lose heart once I see how little impact my life is making for you. Yes, you’ve got that right.

The problem of not focusing on me is larger than you may realize. How is that? I am the author and perfecter of your faith. Without keeping your eyes on me you can’t really live the life that I have laid out for you. You are not the author of your faith. I am the author of your faith. What does the author of the story know that the reader cannot know? The reader follows the story and only learns of the story while reading what the author has written. Keeping your eyes and focus on me is like reading the story of your faith. You will only know where I am leading you by following me. You will only know what I am asking of you by obeying me. The story of your life of faith with me will unfold little by little, day by day, as you keep your eyes and focus on me. I get it.

How hard has it been to keep your eyes and focus on me? It has been very hard to keep my eyes and focus on you. Why is that? The world and everything in it tries to demand my attention. The commitments that are before me grab a hold of my time. The noise of life makes it hard for me to listen to you and keep my focus on you and the life that you have for me. The pace of life wears me out and throws my life completely out of balance. So, the challenge of keeping your eyes and focus on me is great? Yes, it is. What will help you to keep your eyes and focus on me? Meeting everyday with you in your word will help me to keep my eyes and focus on you. Is that what you will do? Yes, it is. I will be looking and waiting for you to come to meet with me. I have a time and place set to meet with you. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that you are the author and perfecter of my faith. I will follow you. I will keep and my eyes on you. Help me to endure whatever opposition I will face in life. Strengthen me so I will not grow weary or lose heart.  Amen

Key Question…  How would your life change if you continually fixed your eyes on Jesus?

Living It Out…  Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith, so will not grow weary or loose heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that as you fix your eyes on Jesus you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are fixing your eyes on Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fix your eyes on Jesus so you to not grow weary or lose heart.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 39 – Hebrews 12-2-3 – Hebrews 12-2-3 – Fix Our Eyes on Jesus – 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