Category Archives: 365 Days Of Guidance

His Good, Pleasing And Perfect Will

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 9 - Romans 12:1-2 - His Good, Pleasing And Perfect Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 9 – Romans 12:1-2 – His Good, Pleasing And Perfect Will – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

My Will 

Do you want to know my will? Do you want to walk in my ways? Yes, I want to know your will and walk in our ways. That is very good. If you want to know my will and walk in my ways there is one thing that you must do and one thing that you must not do. Now, you have my full attention. I would say that you have made me curious. But, curious is too weak of a description of my state of mind. I am far more than curious. I passionately want to know how I can know your will and walk in your ways. Let’s start with what you must do. Let’s talk about that. Whatever you suggest.

If you want to know my will and walk in my ways you must allow me to use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. How will I go about allowing you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life with your word? That is a very important question with a very simple answer. I’m listening. You must come to meet with me in my word. That’s it? Yes, that’s it. Were you expecting something deeper. Were you anticipating something more profound. I’m not sure.

You must meet with me in my word so that my word dwells in you richly. What will that look like? How will I know if I am allowing your word to dwell in me richly? That is another good question with another equally simple answer. You must set apart a sacred time and special place to meet with me in my word. How often? How often do you need my word to dwell in you richly? I need your word to dwell in me richly every day. Then, you have your answer. 

What will I do when I meet with you in your word? You will read my word. You will study my word. You will meditate on my word. You will memorize my word. You will pray my word. Finally, you will put my word into practice. When you do all of these things with my word, you will take a firm grip on my word. When you do all these things with my word, it will take a firm grip on you. This is how you will let my word dwell in you richly when you meet daily with me in it.  

You mentioned something that I must not do if I want to know your will and walk in your ways. Yes, I did. What is that? You must not allow your heart and mind and life to be conformed to the world. If I have a firm grip on your word and your word has a firm grip on me there is no chance for that to happen. No, there is not. Then you will know my will. Then you will be walking in my ways. I am looking forward to that. That is very good.

Lord, for too long I have allowed my heart and mind to be molded and shaped by the world. Instead, I want to offer myself as a living sacrifice to you. Change my heart and transform mind, by your word, so I can know your will your will and walk in your ways. Amen

Key Question…  What would it look like for you to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God?

Living It Out…  Allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you will no longer be conforming to the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will change your heart and transform your mind so He can guide your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are offering yourself to God as a living sacrifice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s word change your heart and transform your mind so you can know and do His will.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 9 -Romans 12-1-2 – His Good, Pleasing, And Perfect Will – 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

I Will Turn Aside

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 8 Exodus 3:2-4 - I Will Turn Aside - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 8 Exodus 3:2-4 – I Will Turn Aside – Growing As Disciples

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV)

Paying Attention

How do you think you will hear from me? I’m not sure what you are asking of me. Will I shout to you over the noise of the world? Will I pull you out of the busyness of your life by making you come to a complete stop? You might, anything is possible. If I’m not paying attention, you might use just about anything to get my attention. Why is that? You love me. You don’t want me to go without hearing from you. That’s true. I want you to hear from me. I want to lead and guide your life. I want to guard and guide you. I want to teach and train you. I want to use your life to bear fruit for my Kingdom and bring glory to my name.

What will hinder or help your ability to hear me speaking to you? Being too busy will hinder me from hearing from you. Allowing my life to be constantly filled with noise will hinder my ability to hear you speaking to me. Thinking that I can bear fruit for your Kingdom with my own gifts, talents, strengths and abilities will make it very difficult for me to hear from you. Why is that? If I am self-centered, self-sufficient and self-reliant it is unlikely that I will ever develop the ability to hear from you. That’s right. I need to constantly remember that apart from you I can do nothing. What do you mean by, “nothing”? I mean that apart from you I can’t do anything that will be of lasting and eternal value. I can’t bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name without relying on you for your help. You got that right.

What will you do differently if you want to hear from me? I will set apart a time and a place to turn aside to meet with you. I will quiet myself before you. I will listen to your voice. I will listen to your instructions. I will follow your guidance. As I continue to meet with you, I know that you will strengthen my ability to hear from you. Just as a muscle needs to be exercised to become strong so also my hearing and seeing needs to be strengthened to notice your activity. You will strengthen my hearing and sharpen my eyes to hear and see your hand at work all around me. Yes, I will. I will look for your activity even in what I might consider to be distractions in life. I will keep my ears open to whatever you want to say to me. That will be very good.

Lord, I will never allow myself to become too busy to listen to you. I will never allow the noise of life to drown out my ability to hear from you. I will make time every day to turn aside to sit and listen to what you want to say to me. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord gotten your attention so that you could hear Him speaking to you?

Living It Out…  Be ready, willing and able to turn aside to hear all that the Lord wants to say to you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will speak to you when you turn aside to listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has spoken to you as you have turned aside to listen to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you turn aside from the noise and busyness of life so you can hear from the Lord.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 8 – Exodus 3-2-4 – I Will Turn Aside – 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

Light To The Eyes

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 7 Psalm 19:7-11 - Light To The Eyes - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 7 Psalm 19:7-11 – Light To The Eyes – 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)

A Sword

Do you want my word to do its work in your life? What kind of work do you want to do in my life? How will you do your work in my life? Yes, of course, I want you to do your work in my life. I don’t want to hinder your work in my life in any way. Why have you asked me this question? You can help or hinder my work in your life. How could I hinder your work in my life? To answer this question, I will answer one of your other questions. Which one? You asked me, “How will I do my work in your life?” Yes, I did. I have many ways that I can choose to work in your life. But, I have a primary way that I want use to work in your life. How so? I want to use my word to work in your life. You have heard me refer to my word as, “the sword of the Holy Spirit”? Yes, I have heard you mention that many times to me. What is a sword used for? A sword is used for fighting. That’s right. My Holy Spirit will take my word and fight in you, with you and for you. How will you use your word like a sword to fight in me, with me and for me? Now, we are coming to the answer of how you will be to help or hinder my work in you. How will you place my word in the Holy Spirit’s hand to fight for you? I do that? Yes, you do. If I don’t ever meet with you in your word, your Holy Spirit will never be able to use your word to fight for me. That’s right. The more I meet with you in your word, the more the Holy Spirit will be able to use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. That’s true. Then, I will meet with you every day in your word. That will be very good.

 Lord, I will meet with you every day in your word. I will allow you to use your word to do its work in and through my life. Make me wise with your word. Give light to my eyes, warn and guide my life with your word. Revive me and give me joy with your word. Amen

Key Question…  What will God not be able to do with His word if you fail to meet with Him in it?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word so He can use it to give light to your eyes and guide your path through life.

Seeing It Happen… May you have faith that the Lord will use His word to light your eyes and guide your path through life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you light and guided your path with His word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to light your eyes and guide your path through life.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 7 – Psalm 19-7-11 – Light To The Eyes – 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

Those Who Hope In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 6 Those Who Hope In The Lord - Isaiah 40:29-31 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 6 Those Who Hope In The Lord – Isaiah 40:29-31 – Growing As Disciples

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Strength

I’d like to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Do you think that you are strong? Since you are asking I know that the answer can’t be yes. Is that really the only reason? No, my life experience has taught me that I am weak and prone to get weary and stumble and fall. But, there have been plenty of times that you have thought that you were pretty strong, aren’t there? Yes, that’s true, I suppose. How strong do you feel right now? Not very. Actually, my opinion of my own strength and power is getting weaker all the time. Why do you think that is true? As I draw close to you, I’m getting a clearer understanding and picture of your power and my weakness. I look at you and say to myself, I have none of that.

Would you like strength and power from me? Yes, I definitely would. Why is that? I would like your power and strength so that I can be and do all that you ask of me. You don’t want it for yourself? You won’t strut around like some muscle man wanting to demonstrate his great strength? No, I desire your strength to accomplish your purposes and plans. You have given good answers. I won’t give my strength and power to the proud. Usually, they don’t ask for it because they think they don’t need it. That works out then. It does. I also won’t give my strength and power to those who can’t and won’t use it. What do you mean by that? Do you need my strength and power while you are sitting around on a couch watching television and eating potato chips? No, I’m sure not. My power and strength is given when you need it as you engage in the work that I’m calling you to do. I get it. Are you sure? Haven’t you tried to do my work without asking for my strength and power? Yes, many times. Why is that? I was confused. How so? I thought I had all that I needed and I was completely wrong. I’m glad that you see that now. Me too.

How much of my strength and power do you want? All that I need to live for you and accomplish the tasks that you have called me to do. How willing are you to come and ask and wait for my strength and power? I will devote myself to coming, asking, waiting, and relying on you for all your help. Let’s review this. You will come? You will ask? You will wait? You will work? Are all these true? Yes, these are the commitments that I am making to you today. Good. When you do these I will most certainly hear and answer your prayer. You will have my power and strength.

Lord, life has left me weary and worn out. I’m tired and weak. I need your power and strength. I will wait here in your presence. Refresh, revive and renew my life. Help me to soar like an eagle on currents of wind as I trust in you.  Amen

Key Question… Why did God design you to need His power and strength to live your life for Him?

Living It Out… Determine a time and place to meet with the Lord, to wait in His presence, so that He can renew your strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will renew your strength as you wait, hope, and trust in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you strength to live for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to Lord to ask Him to give you His strength to accomplish all His plans in and through you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 6 – Isaiah 40-29-31 – Those Who Hope In 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

Making Your Ear Attentive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 5 - Proverbs 2:1-6 - Making Your Ear Attentive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 5 – Proverbs 2:1-6 – Making Your Ear Attentive – Growing As Disciples

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:1-6 (ESV)

Listening

Here I am Lord. I am here to listen to you. I want to hear every word that you have to say to me. I will treasure your words in my heart and mind and life. I will take your words in. I will hold on to your words. Your words will not simply go in one of my ears and out the other. I will allow your words to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Give me your wisdom as I turn my heart and mind and life toward you. You are the pursuit of my life. I want to come to know you. I want to live and walk in your ways. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. Help me, to receive your wisdom. Help me, to find your knowledge and understanding. What you have to say to me is far more valuable than silver or gold or any other hidden treasure. I will not stop seeking you. I will not stop meeting with you in your word. I hunger and thirst for you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than your will. That is very good.

You will find me when you seek me with all your heart. Your heart and mind and life will be changed as you let my word dwell in you richly. You will receive wisdom from me when you come and ask me for it. I will not turn you away. I will not leave you empty handled. You will come to know me. You will walk in my ways. You will accomplish my purposes. You will fulfill my plans. You will do what is pleasing in my sight. You will have knowledge and understanding that comes from me. Seek me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes Lord, that is what I will do. That will be very good. Then you will live and walk with me. Then you will live the life that I have called you to live.

Lord, your words are more valuable to me than silver or hidden treasures. I am raising my voice and crying out for understanding. I will make my ears attentive to what you want to say to me. Give me your wisdom. Help me to know you and walk in your ways. Amen

Key Question… How has meeting with God in His word helped you to come to know Him and walk in His ways?

Living It Out… Make your ears attentive to the Lord so that you can hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that when you make your ears attentive to the Lord you will hear from Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making your ears attentive to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose what is better by sitting still before the Lord.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 5  Proverbs 2-1-6 – Making Your Ear Attentive – 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

Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Matthew 11:28-30 - Day 4 - Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Matthew 11:28-30 – Day 4 – Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened – Growing As Disciples

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Rest In My Presence

Stop. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Give yourself a break. Get some rest. Those are words that I really need to hear. I have been running myself into the ground. I am weary. I am worn out. Taking a break and getting some rest sounds so inviting to me. Then you have heard my invitation. I am calling you to come to me. I will give you rest. I will help you to lay your burdens down. Come to me. Rest in my presence. Let me revive and refresh your life. Let me help you to set your burdens down.

What has the frantic place of your life done for you? How have you benefited from running from one thing to another? Has all your activity born an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Has your weariness brought glory to my name? Has your life been a bold and bright witness for me? Do others look at your life with great admiration? Do you have what others want? Are others attracted to what you have? No, not hardly. I’m glad that you know that. Why is that?

I know that you hunger to know me. I know that you thirst for an intimate relationship with me. You want what I want. We both want the same thing. I want you to know me. I want you to live fully for me. I want you to hold on to me as I hold on to you. I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. Come now and rest in my presence.

I have a completely new and different life for you to live. What kind of life do you have for me? Give up on your pride. Leave your independence. Let me refresh you. Let me revive you. Let me teach you all that I want you to know. Let me mold and shape you into who I want you to be. Humbly come to me. Rely on me. Trust me with your life. Do what I ask of you. Go where I guide you. Live the life that I will give to you. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. You will be a bold and bright witness for me. Others will be drawn to me through the witness and testimony of your life. Will you come to me now? Will you make it your priority to rest in my presence so that you can hear from me? Will you listen to all that I want to teach you? Will you live the life that I give you to live? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to rest in your presence. I’m weary and burdened. Life has beaten me up. Refresh my life. Relieve me of my burdens. I’m here now to humbly learn from you. Teach me how to take on your yoke and carry your burden. Amen

Key Question… What burdens would you like to give to the Lord so that you don’t have to carry them anymore?

Living It Out… Make it your priority to rest in the Lord’s presence so He can refresh your life, relieve your burdens and teach you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is calling you to come to Him so He can refresh your life, relieve your burdens and teach you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what the Lord has taught you as you have rested in His presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to rest in the Lord’s presence so He can refresh your life, relieve your burdens and teach you.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 4 – Matthew 11-28-30 – Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened  – 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

Teach You In The Way You Should Go

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 3 -Matthew 11:28-30 - Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 3 -Matthew 11:28-30 – Come To Me All You Who Are Weary And Burdened – Growing As Disciples

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)

Full Stop

Do you think that you know it all? Do you need no instruction? Do you have all of life figured out? Do you have no need for anyone to teach you? Do you know exactly where you should go? Do you know for sure what you must do? Lord, I know nothing. I need all the instruction you will give me. I have nothing figured out. I need you to teach me. I have no idea where I should go. I don’t have a clue what I must do. I need you to counsel me. I want you to guide me. I desperately want you to watch over my life. Your answers are a little surprising. You’re surprised? No, I’m not surprised. Nothing ever surprises me. You should be surprised by your own answers. Why is that?

You seem desperate for help. I am desperate for help. No one would ever guess that by watching you. Why is that? A desperate person asks for help. A desperate person cries out for help. A desperate person goes no further until they receive the help that they will need to move forward. A desperate person comes to a complete stop and waits for help. I don’t see you waiting. I don’t hear you asking. I don’t hear you crying out. Your life looks nothing like a complete stop. Your life looks more like one frantic activity after another. You are trying one thing after another. Yes, it looks and feels like I am going and doing nothing pretty fast. I’m wearing myself out as I waste my life on what will not amount to anything of real value. That’s right.

I know what’s wrong. What’s that? I have been full of myself. I have been filled with pride. I have thought that I knew it all. I have not stopped to ask for directions. I have not listened for instructions. I have done only what seemed right to me. I have been stubborn. I have been unwilling to receive directions. I have not been open to correction. That’s not good. I know.

Here I am right now. I ask your forgiveness for my stubbornness. I confess that I need you. I need your help. I want to know you and your ways. I want to do what pleases you. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do all that you ask of me. Instruct me, teach me, guide me, counsel and watch over me. My life is in your hands. I’m at a full stop. I’m waiting. I’m watching. I’m listening. Help me please. Yes, I will.

Father, thank you that your loving eyes are on me. My eyes are also on you. You have my full interest and attention. Instruct and teach me now. Counsel and guide my life according to your purposes and plans. I’m listening to you. Amen

Key Question…  What must you do to be able to receive instruction, counsel and guidance from your Heavenly Father?

Living It Out…  Keep your eyes on your Heavenly Father and listen to Him so that He can instruct, counsel and guide you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father has His eye on you and He will instruct, counsel and guide you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Father has given you instruction, counsel and guidance.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you humbly accept how the Lord wants to instruct, teach, counsel and watch over you today,

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 3 – Psalm 32-8-9 – Teach You In The Way You Should Go – 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

Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Proverbs 3:5-8- Day 2 - Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Proverbs 3:5-8- Day 2 – Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)  

Lesson Learned

What will you do when life gets tough? I’m not sure what you’re asking me. When life gets tough, will you trust in me or will you rely on your own understanding? Now, I understand what you’re asking of me. While you are thinking of your answer consider this question as well. Who will you trust in the day in day out, average days of your life? I’m not sure why you are asking me your second question. I understand why you are asking me the first question. On the tough days, you might say that you will trust in me. On the tough days, you might say that you will not rely on your own understanding. It would be easy to answer my first question in that way. Why is that? On the tough days, that are overwhelming, do you really have any choice? When you have nowhere else to turn, it would be obvious that you would turn to me. When you are at the end of your rope of course you will cry out to me. That’s true. Isn’t that a good thing? Yes, that is a good thing. You can always come to me. You can always cry out to me. You can always ask for my help.  

There is a lesson that I want you to learn from the tough days of life. There is a lesson I want you to learn from the days when you are completely overwhelmed. What’s that? I want you to come to rely on me on every day. There is not one day that you should be relying on your own understanding. There is not one day that you don’t need my help. There is not one day that you don’t need to listen to my instructions and follow my guidance. Carry the lessons that you have learned from your tough days into your average day in day out days. Don’t ever rely on yourself. Don’t ever lean on your own understanding. Rely on me and I will direct your paths. I will lead you to where I want you to go. I will give you what I want you to do. Will you trust in me rather than lean on your own understanding? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, much of my life I have trusted in my own understanding. As a result, I have walked a crooked path. Instead, I will trust and follow you. You are the leader of my life. Straighten out my path and give me health as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… What has happened when you have relied on your own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are trusting in the Lord and turning away from evil as you follow Him to where He leads you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guide your life as you trust Him, instead of relying on your own understanding.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you trusted the Lord and did not rely on your own understanding.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you trust in the Lord rather than lean on your own understanding.

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

355 Days Of Guidance – Day 2 – Proverbs 3-5-8 – Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart – 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

You Ought To Say

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - 365 Days Of Guidance - Day 1 - James 4:13-17 - You Ought To Say - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 1 – James 4:13-17 – You Ought To Say – Growing As Disciples

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.  So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17 (ESV)

I’m Listening

I have made so many mistakes. How so? I have raced through life. I have run from one thing to another. I have headed a thousand different directions. I have dabbled a little bit here and a little bit there. I have bounced from one priority to another. My life has lacked focus. I have lacked direction. I have misspent time. I have wasted resources. What has been the source of your lack of focus and misdirection? That is an easy answer. Really? I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. I have allowed myself to get caught up in the noise and busyness of life. My life has been a fast-paced blur and flurry of activity. My life has been a frantic attempt to go and do things that I thought would be of great value. How has that worked out for you? I have worn myself out. I have become weary. I have been unfruitful. That’s not good. No, it is not. Have you identified the only problem? No, I am not finished yet. Keep going, this is getting good. I have lived my life as a “know it all”. How so? I have thought that I could adequately guide and direct my own life. I have listened to my own counsel and followed my own advice. I have gone and done whatever seemed best to me. How has that worked out for you? I have learned that I need help. I am not wise. I am not all knowing. I don’t even know what the next day or even the next hour will bring. Do you want help? Are you willing to admit to me that you need help? Yes, I desperately need help. Yes, I want all the help you will give to me. I want to be fruitful in serving you. That is very good. What are you prepared to do so that you can hear from me and receive my guidance? I will slow down. I will stop. I will quiet myself before you. I will meet with you in your word. I will listen to all that you have say to me. When will you do this? I will set aside time every day to meet with you. That will be very good. What else will you do? I will put into practice whatever show me. I will go and do your will. How do you think this will work out for you? I will be able to know and do your will. You will lead me on a good path. I will be fruitful in serving you. Yes, you will. Thank you, Lord. Guide my life as I listen to you. You can rely on Me. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Here I am Lord. I have slowed down. I have withdrawn from the busyness of life. I have come to a complete stop. I have set aside this time to be with you. I want to hear from you. I want to walk through life with you. Help me to hear and follow your direction. Amen 

Key Question…  Why is it dangerous to live your life as a stubborn “know it all” who is unwilling to receive guidance?

Living It Out…  Make it your consistent daily practice to quiet yourself before the Lord so you can listen to Him.

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

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been guiding your life as you listen to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you quiet yourself before the Lord so you can hear from Him.

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

365 Days Of Guidance – Day 1 – James 4-13-17 – You Ought To Say – 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