Category Archives: 365 Days Of Promises

Love Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 15 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Is – Growing As Disciples

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Love Looks Like

I have no doubt that this is what love looks like. I also have no doubt, whatsoever, that this is what you look like as well. I am equally sure that my life does not measure up to this description of love. Why is that? I’m not sure. I’m human. I am a sinner. Occasionally, I am some of these things in part. I am never all of these things in full, nor do I even come close to displaying a significant portion of these qualities all together at one time. I may be patient and proud. I may be kind and boastful. I may be truthful and angry. What is quite clear, is that, I desperately need your help. Why do you need my help? You want me to become like you. I want to become like you. I want to be able to demonstrate your love to the world. I want your love to flow through me. I want to love others just as you love me. I want others to see your love in me so that they will be drawn to you. I’m sure we have the same goals. We do have the same goals, don’t we? Yes, we do have the same goals. I want you to love others just as I love you. I want you to follow my example. I do want you to become like me. That’s good. Yes, it is very good.

Well, I know what will not work. I know what has not worked. What’s that? It will not work, it has not worked, for me to simply try harder to love others. I have tried that over and over year after year. My efforts have met with miserable failure. Yes, I have noticed. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Didn’t you say you wanted to become like me? Yes, I did. How will you become like me? I will become like you as I spend time with you. I will become like you as I draw near to you. I will become like you as I walk with you. I will become like you as I am in your presence. Yes, you will. As you become like me, what won’t you need to try harder to do? I will not need to try harder to love others because you will be changing me and making me more like you. Loving others will be the biproduct of you making me to be more like you. Now, you get it. Now, you understand. Yes, I do. That is very good.  

Lord, I have not loved others just as you have loved me. My love for others has been far from perfect. Forgive me. Help me. I want to love others like you love me. Develop in me the highest and best qualities of love. Help me demonstrate your love to the world. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord provided you an example of how to love others?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord’s example by loving others just as He loves you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love others just as He loves you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is making you able to love others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love others just as the Lord loves you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Is – 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

Do Immeasurably More

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 36 - Ephesians 3:20-21 - Do Immeasurably More - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 36 – Ephesians 3:20-21 – Do Immeasurably More – Growing As Disciples

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 

Imagine That?

I have no doubt about that. You have no doubt about what? You have done in, for, and through me what I could have never thought of, or even imagined. Not in a million years could I have dreamed of being where my life is today. Where is your life today? My life is right here with you. I delight to be in your presence. I want to draw near to you. You have my full attention. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I want to know you. It is my joy to think and speak and act in ways that please you. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. Could I have pictured myself as one of your followers? Could I have dreamed up the desire to be fully devoted to loving and following and serving you? Would your plans ever be more important than my plans?  Not, a chance. But that’s what I want. That is who I am. I am your child. I am your follower. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. You turned my life around. You changed my direction. You altered my course. There is no doubt that you have been at work in me. You have been molding and shaping my life. I am the work of your hands. You are making me into your masterpiece. Now, I want what you want. Yes, that is exactly the work I am doing in you, for you, and through you.

Do you have any idea of what I will do in you, for you, and through you, in the future? Do I have any idea of what I might look like in the future? Yes, you could rephrase my question in that way. Generally, yes, specifically no. That is an interesting answer, can you say more? Generally, I know that you will be making me to be more and more like you. You will help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. You will help me to know and do your will. Others will be drawn to you, because they will see you living and shining brightly through me. You want me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Yes, I do. Is this what you want? Yes, it is. You have no idea of what I will specifically do in, and for, and through you? No, I do not. I do know one thing, however. What’s that? You will do in, and for, and through me, what I could never ask for, think or dream of, or even imagine. Why is that? Your thoughts and plans and ways, are far higher and far better than mine. Yes, they are. For that, I am grateful and thankful. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for working in, for, and through me. You have done far more than I could have ever asked for, thought or dreamed of, or even imagined. I have learned a lesson. I will no longer be timid, or reluctant to ask you to work in, for, or through me. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on the Lord to do in, for and through you what you can’t do by yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to work in, for, and through you for His Kingdom and glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will do in, for and through you what you could have not asked for or even imagined.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has powerfully worked in, for, and through you for His glory.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you allow God to do in and through you what you couldn’t ask for or even imagine.

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

Promises – Day 36 – Ephesians 3-20-21 – Do Immeasurably More – 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

Reap Generously

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 37 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Reap Generously - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 37 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – Reap Generously – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:6-7

A Cheerful Giver 

That is what I want to be. What do you want to be? I want to be a cheerful giver. Why do you want to be a cheerful giver? I want to follow your example. I want to do what you did. I want to live the kind of life you lived. What did I do? What kind of life did I live? You gave of yourself freely and completely. You emptied yourself of all your rights and privileges. You left heaven to come into this broken and sinful world. You were determined to do the will of your Heavenly Father. You had a mission and purpose. You did what you came into this world to do. Which was? You died on the cross as payment for my sins. You made it so I could be forgiven of my sin and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You secured a new life for me. You made it possible for me to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Now, it is my desire to live my life with and for you. It is my desire to love others just as you have loved me. Now, I want your light and love living in and shining through me so others can be drawn to you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That will be very good. 

How will you bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? How will my light and love be in you so that others will be drawn to me? I will use whatever you have given me to love and serve others. I will use all the gifts and talents and abilities and resources you have given me to sow generously the good news of the Gospel. I will tell others about the forgiveness and new life they can have in you.  I will not hold back. I will not retreat. I will not keep anything in reserve. I will pour myself out in your service. I will be a generous and cheerful giver as I live my life with and for you. What will happen, not immediately, but over time, as you continue to sow generously? I will reap a rich harvest for your kingdom and glory. I will have done what you asked me to do. I will have accomplished your mission and purposes for my life. Yes, you will, and that will be very good. Yes, it will. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to be a generous giver. 

Lord, often times I have made the mistake of holding on tightly to what I have been given. I know that you want me to be a cheerful giver. Help me to freely give to others. Help me to use what I have been given to sow generously so that I will reap generously. Amen

Key Question… Why should you not expect to immediately receive a harvest immediately after you have sown?

Living It Out… Make it your consistent practice to sow generously so that you will also reap generously.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to reap a rich harvest when you sow generously with what you have been given.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to become a cheerful giver.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you sow generously so you will be able to reap generously.

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

Promises – Day 37 – 2 Corinthians 9-6-7 – Reap Generously – 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

An Ever Present Help

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 39 - Psalm 46:1-3 - An Ever Present Help - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 39 – Psalm 46:1-3 – An Ever Present Help – Growing As Disciples

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah  Psalm 46:1-3

Help In Trouble

What do you fear? What makes you afraid? I fear failure more than anything. Sometime I am almost paralyzed by my fear of failure. It is no small thing. I can’t tell you how many times I haven’t moved forward on something because I was afraid that I might fail. You can tell me. It wouldn’t come as news to me. Yes, I know that fear of failure is a big issue in your life. It fills you with anxiety. Yes, it does.

Would you like to free of this fear of yours? Would you like to leave fear, worry and anxiety behind you? Yes, I would. Do you believe that I have the power to set you free? Yes Lord, I believe. If there is any doubt in me, then I also believe that you will help me with my unbelief. Yes, I will. Is there any reason why you might think that you are unworthy of my setting you free from fear, worry and anxiety? No, there is none. I know you are my Heavenly Father. I am your beloved child. You have already gone to great lengths to show me the depths of your love. Yes, I have. Is there any reason why you might think that I might be unable to set you free from fear, worry and anxiety. No, there is none. You have already set me free from sin. You broke the power of sin over my life and have enabled me to live a new life in you. Yes, I have. Being free from fear, worry and anxiety is part of the new life I want you to live. 

There is a battle going on related to your fear, worry and anxiety. Do you know where that battle is being fought? Yes, I do, the battle is being fought in my heart and mind. That is exactly right. Are you winning or losing the battle of fear, worry and anxiety that is going on in your mind? So far, I would say that I am losing. I’m glad that you said, “so far” because the battle isn’t over. It doesn’t work to tell yourself to just stop being fearful, worrisome, or anxious does it? No, it doesn’t. The more I tell myself to stop, the less able I am to stop. We have been through this together before related to another issue, isn’t that true? Yes, it is. You were in bondage to something else that you couldn’t stop isn’t that true? Yes, it is. Do you have any difficulty anymore with that issue that had so ensnared you? No, I don’t.

How have I set you free in the past? Your word has set me free. Your word has changed my heart and transformed my mind. Your word has cleansed my life. Your word has given me the strength to obey you. The Holy Spirit has used your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Just as my word has set you free in other areas so will it also set you free from fear, worry and anxiety. Does my word have anything to say about fear, worry and anxiety? Yes, it does. Feast on those words of mine. Take them into your heart and mind. Meditate on these words of mine day and night. Let them dwell in you richly. Let my word change your heart and transform your mind in regard to fear, worry and anxiety. Yes Lord, I will. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. I am your refuge and strength. I am here to help you. Rely on me. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, I have often relied on myself in fearful situations in life. What a mistake that has been. You are my refuge and strength. You are worthy of all my trust. I will rely on you to lead me through every fearful circumstance in life. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked God to help you when you were in a fearful situation?

Living It Out… Rely on God as your refuge and strength as you go through fearful situations in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will be ever present with you to help to be fearless through fearful situations in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been your refuge and strength through a fearful situation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s ever present help as you go through troubles in life.

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

Promises – Day 39 – Psalm 46 -1-3 – An Ever Present Help – 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

Refuge In Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 48 - Psalm 34:4-8 - Refuge In Him- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 48 – Psalm 34:4-8 – Refuge In Him- Growing As Disciples

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.  Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:4-8 (NIV)

Refuge In Me 

Will you take refuge in me? Will you seek me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Will you cry out to me? Will you make your needs known to me? Will you allow me to calm all your fears? Why would I not? What would hinder me from crying out to you? Why would I not make my needs known to you? Why would I not allow you to calm all my fears? Why would I not seek you with all that is within me? You tell me. You have answered my questions with your own questions? What answer do you have to give? I have an answer. My answer is the truth. But my answer is not a good one. The only reason I can see for not coming to rely on you completely is if I have chosen to rely on myself. Would that be a good choice? Prideful, self-reliance and stubborn, self-sufficiency are never good choices. Nothing could be more foolish. Nothing could be more unwise. Why is that? You stand ready to hear my prayers. You are ready, willing and able to meet my needs and deliver me from all my fears. Yes, I am. It is my joy to hear and answer your prayers. I delight in calming your fears. I will save you from your troubles. I will encamp around you. I will deliver you. Thank you, Lord. I will rely on you. I will place all my faith in you. You will hear my prayers. I will make my needs known to you. That will be very good.

What will happen to you as you draw near to me? What will you experience as you live in an intimate relationship with me? How will you be changed as you come to take refuge in me? I will come to know you. I will come to love you. I will come to follow and serve you. It will be my joy to live my life with and for you. You will make me radiant. Joy and hope and peace and love will show up on my face. Why is that? I will have tasted of your goodness. I will have known that your blessing has been on my life. I will have known that you have been with me to help me on every step I take in life. Yes, I will be with you. Yes, my blessing will be on you as you take refuge in me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for answering me, when I seek you. Thank you for calming my fears as you save me from trouble. Help me to look to you and be radiant. Help me to taste and see your goodness; bless my life as I take refuge in you. Amen

Key Question… How has seeking the Lord allowed you to hear from Him in ways that calmed your fears?

Living It Out… Take refuge in the Lord so that the Lord will be able to bless your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be blessed as you take refuge in the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your fears have been calmed by taking refuge in the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to bless your life as you take refuge in Him.

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

Promises – Day 48 – Psalm 34-4-8 – Refuge In Him – 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

Let Nothing Move You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 52 -1 Corinthians 15:58 - Let Nothing Move You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 52 -1 Corinthians 15:58 – Let Nothing Move You – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) 

Is It Worth It?

It is worth it? Is what worth what? Is all your faithful and hard work for me worth it? I would have never expected you to ask me that kind of question. Why do you think I’m asking you that question right now? It’s a good question to think about when I’m not weary and worn out or going through great difficulty. Why is that? I think it’s important to have an answer to that question in advance before I’m at one of my weakest points in life. Yes, it is. There will be days that your advance decision-making will help you through temptations and trials.

Are you thinking about your answer? Yes, I am. What’s on your mind? I’m sure that every second, minute and hour of service to you is worth it. I want my life to be one long act of continual service to you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. I want to be well used by you. I don’t want any gift, talent, ability or resource that you have given me to go to waste. I want to better know your will and your ways as I serve you. There is a “but” coming isn’t there? Yes and no, kind of sort of, I suppose. Tell me what you are thinking. I can’t answer your question completely. The worth of my serving you can’t be completely known or fully measured in this life. I can only partially know the value of my service until the day I look back with you in the light of eternity. On that day I so want to hear you say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” I’m serving you now with that hope in mind. Hearing those words from you would make every day of my work for you worth it, of that I am sure. Yes, it will. 

Looking forward to your eternal life with me in heaven motivates your service to me today, is that right? Yes, my eyes are fixed on heaven. My focus is on you. I know my future is securely in your hands. I know that you have a place prepared for me. Knowing this has given me strength. Knowing this has given me hope. Knowing this has given me courage to stand firm, allowing nothing to move me. It is the desire of my heart to give myself fully to the work that you have given me to do. You have prepared good works for me to do and I am going to do them with all the power that you have given me. I know that all my labor will never be in vain. Yes, it is worth it! Yes, it is.

Lord, thank you that my future in heaven is secure and awaits me. Help me now to stand firm, letting nothing move me, as I give myself fully to the work that you have called me to do for you. I know my labor will not be in vain. Amen

Key Question… Why do you know for certain that your work for the Lord will never be in vain?

Living It Out… Stand firm, letting nothing move you, as you give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has work that He has given you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what work the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you stand firm, letting nothing move you, as you give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 52 – 1 Corinthians 15-58 – Let Nothing Move You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Can These Bones Live?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 71 - Ezekiel 37:1-3 - Can These Bones Live? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 71 – Ezekiel 37:1-3 – Can These Bones Live? – Growing As Disciples

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.  He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.  He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Ezekiel 37:1-3 (NIV)

Giver Of Life

I am the giver of life. I make things live. I can make what was once dead come back to life. Do you believe what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I believe. How do you know this to be true? I was once dead in my trespasses and sins. You brought me back to life. You gave me a brand-new life to live in you. So, not by your own efforts did you come back to life. No amount of your own flurry of effort could have given you a new life. Is that correct? That is correct, my new life in you has come to me as a gift.

Have you encountered dead ends? Have you experienced defeats? Has one of your dreams, even one that you thought to be God given, appeared to be dead? Yes, I have come to dead ends. Yes, I have experienced defeats. I have had dreams that have been dead so long that I have forgotten that they were once dreams of mine. Can I bring long forgotten dreams to life? Can I make a dead end a place from which you can begin again? Can a defeat be the place from which I will bring you a victory? Only you know. You can say more than that. Yes, you can do all things. With you, nothing is impossible. That is correct. That is right. That is true.

What must happen for me to turn a defeat of yours into a victory? What must you do if a dead end is to become a place to begin again? What must happen for a long forgotten, seemingly dead dream, to live again? I must come to rely on you. I must place all my faith in you. I must be willing to go wherever you ask me. I must be willing be to do whatever you ask me. What must you not do? I must not rely on myself and my own flurry of activity to accomplish what you already want to do in, for and through me. Will you rely on me? Will you place all your faith in me? Will you follow and serve me? Yes Lord, I will. Then dreams will live again. Then you will walk in victories. I will work in, for and through you. Then what was dead will come back to life. Thank you, Lord. You are the giver of life. Yes, I am. 

Lord, you are the giver of life. You can make what is dead come back to life. That is what I want and will pray for. Lord, do a miracle. Do in, for and through me what only you can do. I will trust and rely fully on you. With your power, do your life-giving work. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord brought to life a dream that you thought was deader than a door nail?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to do in, for, and through you what only He can do.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will do in, for and through you what only He can do.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when the Lord brought something to life that was as clearly dead.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to do His work in, for and through you.

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

Promises – Day 71 – Ezekiel 37-1-3 – Can These Bones Live? – 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

To Those He Loves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 83 - Psalm 127:1-2 - To Those He Loves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 83 – Psalm 127:1-2 – To Those He Loves – Growing As Disciples

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

Unless

“Unless” is a very important word for you to hear and understand. Why is that? If you don’t hear and understand the word “unless” you could waste your entire life. How could that be possible, it’s such a small word? Have you ever wasted a day running around racing to do something that wasn’t all that important? I’ve wasted a lot of days doing just that. Have you ever evaluated your “to do” list and discovered that it had a bunch of meaningless tasks on it that won’t add up to anything of real value? I’ve noticed that far too often. Have you ever made your own plans without asking me what I thought? Yes, I’ve done that.  Have you ever relied solely on your own strength to accomplish your work? I’ve done that as well. Are you wondering how that little word “unless” relates to all my questions? Yes, I am. Are you still wondering how not understanding that little word “unless” could cause you to waste your life? Yes, I am.  But, I think I’m beginning to figure out where you have been headed. Let me hear your thoughts. I will give you a little clue. What’s that? Begin your thoughts with the word “unless”. All right, I will. Unless, I take time to know your will, I will be spinning my wheels in life. Unless, I understand what you want me to do, I may waste my life working on what was of little value. I may think that I have or I am accomplishing a lot. But, one day I may look back only to realize that my life has accomplished next to nothing of lasting and eternal value. My own thoughts and plans and accomplishments will amount to nothing without you. Apart from you, I can do nothing that will bear fruit for all eternity. Unless, I rely on your power and strength to work in and through me, I will never be able to accomplish the work that you have given me to do. No, you will not. You must rely on me. 

Do you have any more thoughts about this little word “unless”? Yes, I do. Unless, I rely on your power and strength I will work even harder because I will see how little I have accomplished in life. Unless, I rely on you to work in and through me I will get up early and stay up late working in vain. Unless, I know that I am bearing the fruit that you want me to bear, I will work myself weary and never get the sleep and rest you want to give to me. My life will have no rhythm or balance. No, it will not and why is that? It will be because I did not understand the value of the little word, “unless.” That’s right. I want you to guard and guide and bring balance to my life. I can see that. So, I will not fail to understand hear and understand all that you are saying to me through this little word “unless.” I will let you work in and through me. I will do the work that you have given me to do. I will rely on your power and strength. I will allow you to guard and guide my life. I will allow you to bring balance into my life. I will slow down and accept the sleep and rest that you want to give to me. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to know and do the work you have given me to do for you. I want my life to bear fruit for you that will last for eternity. Guide me to do your work. Bless my efforts as I rely on you. Guard, protect and balance my life according to your will and plan. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on the Lord to direct, guide and bless your work in this life?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to know and do the work that He wants you to do for Him in his life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will direct, guide and bless the work that He wants you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your work is bearing fruit that will last for all eternity.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you know and do the work that the Lord has given you to do for Him.

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

Promises – Psalm 127-1-2 – To Those He Loves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Goes With You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 92 - Deuteronomy 31:6 - Goes With You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 92 – Deuteronomy 31:6 – Goes With You – Growing As Disciples

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) 

Courageous

You will face battles in life. You will be called upon to stand up and fight. You are sure to find yourself in fearful and terrifying situations. I don’t like the sound of this. That comes as no surprise to me. Why is that? Do you want me to work in and through your life? Yes, I want you to work in and through my life. Do you want to know me? Yes, I want to know you intimately. What does you working in and through my life and knowing you intimately have to do with facing and fighting battles in life? That’s a good question. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead. Have you come to know and rely on me more in and through the battles in life or when you were resting in your comfort zone? Obviously, I have come to know and rely on you more in and through the battles of life. I’ll ask you another question. I’m listening. Have you born more fruit for my kingdom and glory when you have been challenged beyond your gifts, talents and abilities or when the task at hand was very easy to accomplish? I have born more fruit when I have been challenged beyond my gifts, talents and abilities. Then would you say that a lot of good has happened, as you have had to stand up and fight battles in life? Yes, that’s true.

Let me ask these questions to you again. I want us to spend more time on them. Go right ahead. What’s good about battles in life? What’s good about going through fearful and terrifying situations? What’s good about having to stand up and fight? What have you learned? What have I taught you? You have taught me to cry out to you for help. Have I answered your prayers? Yes, you have answered my prayers. Have I brought you through fearful and terrifying situations? Yes, you have brought me through every trial and difficulty I have ever faced. Sometimes, I have had to look back with the perspective of time and distance to clearly see that you have always had a hold of me and were leading me through every battle I faced in life.

What has knowing that I am always with you done for you? Knowing that you are with me has given me courage and strength. Knowing that you are with me has helped me to stand up and fight. Knowing that you are with me has helped me to trust and rely on you. Knowing that you are with me has helped to leave my comfort zone to follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you have asked of me. Yes, these are all true. 

If you could choose a life of constant comfort or a life filled with battles that I led you through which would you choose? Without hesitation I would choose a life of following you even knowing that you will lead me through battles and challenges in life. You really do want to know me? You really do want to be used by me? Yes Lord, I do. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you that you are always with me to help me in and through the battles that I face in life. I will trust you for all my courage and strength as I rely on you to help me. It is my joy to know that you will never leave or forsake me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been with you to help you through the battles you have faced in life?

Living It Out… Have courage and strength in the battles you face in life because you know that God is with you to help you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith, courage and strength in knowing that the Lord is with you to help you in all the battles you face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God was with you to help you in a battle you faced in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be strong and courageous in the battles of life because you know that God is with you in them.

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

Promises – Day 92 – Deuteronomy 31-6 – Goes With You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Renew Their Strength

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 93 - Isaiah 40:30-31- Renew Their Strength - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 93 – Isaiah 40:30-31- Renew Their Strength – Growing As Disciples

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 40:30-31 (NIV)

Wait 

You look really worn out. I feel exhausted. I don’t think that I can take one more step. I hate being this weary. I don’t like seeing you like this either. You don’t? Of course not, it isn’t my plan for you to be unhappy, overworked and worn out. Can I ask you a question? Go right ahead. Why do you give me so much work to do if you don’t like seeing me weary and worn out? Are you sure that you aren’t doing more than I have asked you to do for me? Am I? Now, that’s a good question at the wrong time. Why is that? You tell me. It’s probably better to ask you if you want me to take on an assignment before I start rather then while I’m worn out trying to complete it. You got that right. So, what will you do differently in the future? I will ask you to help me to know if I should or shouldn’t take on a new assignment. That will be very good. Trying to do too much is not the only explanation for why you might be weary in your work. What might be another explanation?

You were right about one thing. What’s that? I will always give you more than you can accomplish. I thought you didn’t like seeing me weary and worn out. I don’t. Now, I’m confused. Why do you think I will always give you more than you can accomplish? I’m not sure. If I only gave you what you could accomplish, who would you rely on to accomplish it? I would rely on myself. That’s right and is that a good thing? No, it’s not. Why is that? You want me to come to rely on you for your strength to accomplish what you have given me to do. Yes, I do. Why do you think I want you to come to rely on me? I’m not sure. Think hard. You want to develop a relationship with me. Yes, I do. Do you think it is possible that I am more interested in developing a relationship with you than I am in seeing you accomplish great things for me? Is that true? Yes, it is. In fact I will not let you accomplish great things for me unless we have developed a close relationship with each other. My coming to rely on you is that important to you? Yes, it is. That makes me glad. Yes, I knew it would. There is another reason I will not give you my power and strength to accomplish things for me without us developing a close relationship with each other. What’s that?

Who would get the credit if I allowed you to accomplish great things with your own strength? I suppose that I would. Yes, you would. Would anyone be drawn to me through the great things you did with your own strength? Probably not. Would you have any sense that I was working in and through your life if you only accomplished what you could do with your own strength? No, I wouldn’t. Can you see the point? You want me to rely on you so I can come to know you. Yes, I do. You want others to be drawn to you through the work that you do in and through my life. Yes, I do. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that’s exactly what I want. I will come to rely and wait on you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I will never have enough of my own power and strength to follow and serve you. That’s a good thing. Otherwise I might be tempted to rely on myself. Instead I will rely on you and wait for you to renew me with your strength. Amen

Key Question… How has relying on the Lord and keeping your eyes focused on Him given you peace in life?

Living It Out… Place your complete trust in the Lord your eternal rock so that you will receive His perfect peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith to believe that you will have perfect peace as you place your complete trust in the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how placing your trust in the Lord has brought you His perfect peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive perfect peace from the Lord as you place your complete trust in Him.

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

Promises – Day 93 – Isaiah 26-3-4 – Perfect Peace – 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