Category Archives: 365 Days Of Promises

Make Them Holy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 147 - John 17:13-19 - Make Them Holy- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 147 – John 17:13-19 – Make Them Holy- Growing As Disciples

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.  I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.  And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:13-19 (NLT)

Sent Out

You are not of the world just as I was not of the world. You do not belong to the world just I did not belong to the world. You will stand out in the world. The thoughts and opinions and values of the world will not be yours. You will think and speak and act differently than those who are in the world. You will shine brightly, like a star in the universe, in the darkness of the world. You will be a bold and bright witness for me in the world. There are those that are of the world, that love the darkness. They will be repulsed by the light. They will hate you. They will reject you. They will come against you. They may even try to hurt and harm and humiliate you. You must be ready. You must be prepared. You must be strong. You are being sent out into the world just as I was sent out into the world.

How can I be prepared to be a bold and brightly shining witness for you in the world? What will help me to think and speak and act according to your will. What make me ready to be used by you to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans in the world? How can I be powerfully used by you as I am sent out into the world? You have been set apart. You have been made clean. You have been forgiven and cleansed of all your sins, on that day that you turned your life over to me. I became your Savior and Lord. I filled you with my Holy Spirit. I have been and will continue to lead and guide you through this life. My word has been and will continue to help you to think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Let my word keep on changing your heart, transforming your mind and guiding your life. Then you will be ready and prepared and strong. Then you will shine brightly for me in the world. Then you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Then you will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. This I am doing and will continue to do. Use me Lord. I am at your service. Yes, I will, you can count on it. 

Heavenly Father, I know I have been set apart to love and follow and serve you. Christ has made me holy in your sight. I have been forgiven and cleansed of my sins. Use your word now to purify all my thoughts and words and actions as I live with and for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that your life is not defined by the thoughts, opinions and values of this world?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to use His word to purify all your thoughts and words and actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father has set you apart to live a life good and right and pure and holy.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to use His word to purify your thoughts, words and actions.

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

Promises – Day 147 – John 17-13-19 – Make Them Holy – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

A Son Is Given

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 146 - Isaiah 9:6-7 - A Son Is Given - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 146 – Isaiah 9:6-7 – A Son Is Given – Growing As Disciples

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

All You Need 

I am all you need. Do you believe that? Yes, I believe that. Why do you believe that I am all you need? You came into this world. You humbled yourself. You took on the form of a servant. You gave your life to save mine. You lived and died for me. I have never received a better and lasting and more important gift than the salvation I have in you. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your very own. You turned my life around. The entire course of my life is now different and better and eternal because of all I have received in you. You have given me a completely brand-new life to live in you. I am now dead to my old life of sin. I am now alive to the new life I have in you. You filled me with your Spirit. Not one of my thoughts or words or actions has been left untouched by you. You are molding and shaping me. You are now guarding and guiding my life. I also invite you to govern my life. So yes, I do believe that you will supply all I need as I walk through life with you. That is very good. 

But be a little more specific, say more about what I have done for you. How have I been supplying your needs? You are my wonderful counselor. You have been giving me the wisdom I need to live my life with and for you. You are my prince of peace. You have been filling my life with peace that I can’t comprehend or even begin to explain. I have your peace when my circumstances have been anything but peaceful. You are my mighty God. You have power and authority over my life. Your hand has been on me. You have made it so I can be powerfully used to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have powerfully delivered me out of trouble. You have calmed my fears. You have been my rock and fortress and deliverer. I have been and can continue to rely on you. You are my everlasting father. You have comforted me. You have encouraged me. You have lifted me up and carried me. Your favor has been with me. Your hand has been on me. I have been and will continue to make all my needs known to you. You will hear and answer my prayers. You will come to my aid. You are with me to help me. Yes, I am. I know that I have just scratched the surface about what you have done for me. Yes, I have done these and many more things for you. I will continue to help you as you love and follow and serve me. Yes, I know. Thank you for supplying all my needs. I am grateful and thankful for all you have done, are doing and will do for me. That is very good. 

Lord, you are my wonderful counselor. You have filled my life with your peace. You have been powerfully present to help me in life. Thank you, I have all I need in you. You are my God and Father. You are my Savior and Lord. Guard, guide and govern my life. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord been powerfully present to help you in your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord’s powerful presence to supply all you need in life as you love and follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s presence in your life will supply all you need as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has supplied all you needed as you have followed Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to be all you need as you love, follow and serve Him.

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

Promises – Day 131 – Isaiah 9-6-7- A Son Is Given – 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

Close To The Brokenhearted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 145 - Psalm 34:17-18 - Close To The Brokenhearted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 145 – Psalm 34:17-18 – Close To The Brokenhearted – Growing As Disciples

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)

Near To Me

You have been brokenhearted. You have gone through spirit crushing experiences. You have experienced pain and suffering and loss. Isn’t this true? Without a doubt, all of this in true. This is a sin broken world. No one is immune to the difficulties of this life. You experienced pain and suffering and loss. So, will I. That is true. But I want to ask you a few questions. Go ahead, you have my full attention. What have you done when you have been in trouble? What have you done when you have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences? I have drawn near to you. I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. Yes, you have done all these things. How have I responded to you? You have drawn near to me. You have been close to me. You have never left or forsaken me. You have heard and answered my prayers. You have helped and healed me. You have brought me through every adversity. You have delivered me from out of all my troubles. Have you always known that I was with you? Have you always been certain that I was helping and healing you? Have you always felt my closeness? Have you always been sure that I was hearing and answering your prayers? Have you always been confident that I was bringing you through every adversity? No, not always. Many times, I have had to have faith that you would be doing all these things for me. Frequently, I have had to keep praying and keep asking and keep believing that you were near to me and that you would help me. Often, my pain or suffering or loss was so all consuming that it was hard for me to perceive that you were near to help and heal me. That is true. How do you now know that I have always been with you to help you? How do you now know that I have never stopped hearing and answering your prayers? How do you now know that I have been delivering you out of all your troubles? Only by looking back. When I look back, I can see that you were near to me. When I look back, I can see that you were hearing and answering my prayers. When I look back, I can see that you were delivering me out of all my troubles. Then it is a very good thing to look back to consider how I have been helping and healing you as you have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences so you can see my hand act work in your life. Yes, it is a very good thing to be able to recognize and give thanks for your help and healing in my life. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. For that I am thankful beyond what my words can express. Keep on crying out to me. Keep on asking for my help. That is what I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, you have been close to me when I have gone through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences. You have healed and helped me when I have cried out to you. You have heard and answered all my prayers. This is something I will never forget. Thank you! Amen

Key Question… How have your cried out to the Lord during a heartbreaking, spirit crushing experience?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help and heal you when you go through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help and heal you when you go through heartbreaking, spirit crushing experiences.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord helped and healed you when your heart was broken.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you experience the Lord’s closeness, help and healing as you go through spirit crushing experiences.

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

Promises – Day 145 – Psalm 34-17-18 – Close To The Brokenhearted – 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

Life And Peace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 144 - Romans 8:5-8 - Life And Peace - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 144 – Romans 8:5-8 – Life And Peace – Growing As Disciples

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;  the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

Life And Peace 

Do you want to have life and peace? Who would not want life and peace? You would be surprised; many people do not want life and peace. Yes, of course I want life and peace. What must I do to have life and peace? That is a very good question. You must do two things if you want to have life and peace. You have my full attention. That’s good. First, you must not set your heart and mind and life on the sinful nature. You must not live according to the desires of the sinful nature. You must leave your old life of sin behind. You must become dead to sin and the old life you once lived. That old life leads to death. That old life is hostile to me. That old life wants to live and walk in darkness. That old life hates the light. That old life cannot submit to my law. Those who think and speak and act according to the sinful nature cannot live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. So, if you want life and peace you must leave your old sinful life and all its thoughts and words and actions far behind you. This is step one, do you understand? Yes, I understand quite clearly. That’s good.

What is step two? What else must I do if I want life and peace? I first want to make one point very clear. What’s that? You will never be able to take step one without taking step two. Can you explain that to me? Gladly, you will never be able to be dead to sin unless you come alive to Me. You will never be able to leave your old sinful life and its nature without allowing me to give you a new nature. You will never be able to leave the darkness of your old life unless you come to walk in the light with me. You will never be able to stop thinking worldly and fleshly and evil thoughts of the sinful nature unless you come to think thoughts of the Spirit. You must take off the stinky and dirty clothes of your old life and put on the pure and clean clothes of the new life I have for you. You will never be able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me unless you think the thoughts, speak the words and live the life in the Spirit that I have for you. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. I will leave my old life behind and live the new life you have secured for me. Then I will have life and peace. Yes, you will. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know my heart and mind are being bombarded daily to try to entice me to think of the sinful nature. I am in a battle and war. I will turn my heart and mind over to you. Use your word to help me to think of things of the Spirit so I can have life and peace. Amen

Key Question… How has meditating on God’s word helped you to set your mind on the things of the Spirit?

Living It Out… Set your mind on the things of the Spirit so you can have life and peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have life and peace as you set your mind on the things of the Spirit.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are setting your mind on the things of the Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you set your mind on the things of the Spirit so you can live in life and peace.

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

Promises – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – Life And 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

Disciplines Us For Our Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 143 - Hebrews 12:7-11 - Disciplines Us For Our Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 143 – Hebrews 12:7-11 – Disciplines Us For Our Good – Growing As Disciples

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)  

Endure Hardship

Why is it important that you endure hardship? What do you know about hardship that will help you endure it? Those are two very good questions. I know a few things about hardship. Tell me what you know. I know that people become will either become bitter or better as a result of the hardship they go through. Why is that? How is that possible? How can two different people go through much the same hardship with one becoming bitter and the other becoming better? One person can deeply resent hardship. They regard hardship as an enemy. They are unable to conceive of any possible benefit that a hardship could accomplish in their life. What benefits can hardship accomplish in your life? Hardship can draw me closer to you. Hardship can cause me to rely more fully on you. My relationship with you can and has grown deeper and sweeter and more intimate as I have gone through hardship. How so? You have taught me what I could have never learned without going through hardship. Like what? My faith and trust in you have grown stronger as I have gone through hardship with you. I have grown more passionate and persistent in my prayers. I have learned to bring all that I need to you in prayer. I have asked for and received your help. You have been my refuge. You have been my shelter. You have been my rock. You have been my deliverer. What else? You have been molding and shaping my life as I have gone through hardship with you. You have been changing my heart and transforming my mind during hardship. You have been helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds as I have listened to your voice as I have gone through hardship. So, your entire attitude about hardship is different because you know that I will always be able to use it for your good. Instead of becoming bitter about hardship you will become better because you will allow my good work to continue in you. That’s right. That’s true. That’s certain. I welcome you to use hardship to accomplish your purposes in my life. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I will not resent or rebel against discipline. I will not allow myself to become bitter as I go through hardship. Use hardship to mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. Accomplish all your good purposes in and through me. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never regret learning the lessons you have been taught as you have gone through hardship?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to use hardship to mold and shape you into the person He wants you to become.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will use hardship to mold and shape your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has used hardship to mold and shape you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your Heavenly Father to use hardship to mold and shape your life.

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

Promises – Day 143 – Hebrews 12-7-11 – Disciplines Us For Our Good – 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

Who Is Wise?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 142 - James 3:13-18 - Who Is Wise - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 142 – James 3:13-18 – Who Is Wise – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:13-18 (NIV)  

Wisdom From Heaven

Do you know what wisdom from heaven looks like? I’m not sure. I can take a guess. Go ahead take a guess. First, I will say what wisdom from heaven does not look like. Wherever there is bitter envy or selfish ambition you can be sure that your wisdom will not be found. Bitter envy and selfish ambition bring disorder and every evil practice. Like what? Bitter envy and selfish ambition pit people against each. These desires create conflict and destruction. Nothing good will come out of bitter envy or selfish ambition. Lying and cheating and stealing come out of bitter envy and selfish ambition. Love and hope and peace and joy are destroyed by bitter envy and selfish ambition. You will not find kindness and mercy coexisting with bitter envy and selfish ambitions. These desires are the devil’s tools that he uses to steal and kill and destroy life That is true.

Your wisdom looks nothing like bitter envy and selfish ambition. What does my wisdom look like? Your wisdom is pure. Your wisdom is peace-loving.  Your wisdom is considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit. Your wisdom is impartial and sincere. These don’t sound like guesses on your part. No, I am not guessing. What I have learned and will learn about your wisdom comes from your word. You have been using your word to teach me your wisdom. That is true, my word will instruct you and teach you my wisdom. What do you want my wisdom to do in and through you? I want your wisdom to make me fruitful for you. I want your word to be make me wise in all that I think, say and do. I want to be able to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for your kingdom and glory. I want to be a peacemaker who sows peace so that I can reap a rich harvest for you. You have wise desires in you. I will make you wise as you allow my word to do its work in you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will guard against bitter envy and selfish ambition. I want to lead a good life that puts your wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others. I also want to be a peacemaker who sows in peace and reaps a rich harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… How are you asking the Lord to help you to live a life that is filled with His wisdom?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to put His wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will help you to humbly do good deeds that will display His wisdom working in and through you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you wisdom to humbly do good deeds.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds.

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

Promises – Day 142 – James 3-13-18 – Who Is Wise? – 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

God Cares

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 141 - James 5:10-11 - God Cares - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 141 – James 5:10-11 – God Cares – Growing As Disciples

Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God.  What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. James 5:10-11 (MSG)  

Staying Power

What will give you staying power? What will make you able to put up with anything? What will make you able to go through everything? Those are all very good questions. There is no “what” that will give me staying power. There is no “what” that will make me able to put up with anything. There is no “what” that will make me able to go through everything. Believe me, I have tried relying on a whole constellation of “whats” to try to put up with anything and go through everything. Like what? That question has a funny ring to it. It does, doesn’t it?  Well, I have tried relying on my own will power. I have tried relying on my own positive attitude. I have tried relying on my own strength. I have tried relying on what seemed like great advice. I have tried relying on a thousand different voices of encouragement. I have tried relying on the thoughts and opinions and values of this world. How has relying on all these “whats” worked out for you? Not well, not well at all, not well in the least little bit. So, I know that the true answer to your question does not involve a “what”. What does the answer to my question involve or require?

If I am to be able to put up with anything and going through everything, I will need to rely on you. So, the answer to your answer involves and requires a “who”, not a what. The “who” is you. Without you, I will never be able to put up with anything. Without you, I will never be able to go through everything. Without you, I will never be able to keep on moving forward with you. Then you can have great hope and peace and joy, can you not? Yes, I can have great hope and peace and joy because I have you to help me. No detail of my life is too small for you to notice. No trial or difficulty or set back is too small for you to come to my aid. You will help me. You love me. You care about me. You are always with me. You will never leave me. You will always keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I care about you. Yes, I love you and will always keep you moving forward with me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, you know what I have gone through in life. You know the difficulties and troubles I have faced. I will not quit or give up. I will keep on moving forward with you. Help me to have staying power to put up with anything and go through everything, by your power. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on the Lord to give you staying power through every difficultly you will go through?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to give you staying power to put up with anything and go through everything you will face in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to put up with anything and go through everything you will face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you staying power to follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to put up with anything and go through everything.

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

Promises – Day 141 – James 5-10-11 – God Cares – 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

I Am The Gate

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 140 - John 10:7-10 - I Am The Gate - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 140 – John 10:7-10 – I Am The Gate – Growing As Disciples

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.   John 10:7-10 (NIV)  

Fullness Of Life

Do you want life? Do you want to live in the fullness of life that I have for you? Do you want life that starts now and continues forever? Yes, I want life. Yes, I want to live in the fullness of life you have for me. Yes, I want life that starts now and continues forever. How can I have such life? You already have eternal life in me, that will continue forever. You have come to believe in me. You turned your life over to me. You left your old life of sin. You turned away from darkness. You have me as your Savior and Lord.  But something is missing in my life, isn’t it? Maybe I should rather say, I am not receiving all that you want to give me. That would be true. Tell me what I am missing?

You have been listening to what is not true. You have been listening to lies from the devil and all his evil. You have been allowing words that steal, kill and destroy to come into your heart and mind and life. That is not good. You will be unable to receive the fullness of life that I have for you now as long as you continue to listen to words that will kill and steal and destroy life in you. How can I guard against life killing, stealing and destroying words from coming into my life? That is a very good question. You are wondering how you can stop thinking destructive thoughts. That’s true. The more I determine to not think a thought, the more I think it. Yes, you will never win that battle. Instead of not thinking destructive thoughts I want you to replace those thoughts with the thoughts that I think about you. How do I do that? Listen to me. Listen to my voice. Hear what I am saying to you. Meet with me daily in my word. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. My word will cleanse your mind. My word will strengthen your mind. My word will transform your mind. My word will push words that steal and kill and destroy far from your heart and mind and life. Will you listen to me? Will you meet with me? Will you allow me to give you fullness of life both now and forever? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, oftentimes I have listened to what was not true. I have allowed the devil and his evil to speak words, that steal, kill and destroy, into my life. No more! You are my Savior and Lord. I will listen only to your voice. Give me fullness of life both now and forever. Amen

Key Question… How are you listening to life giving words from the Lord instead of life destroying words from evil?

Living It Out… Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord so He can give you life both now and forever.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ is your door to truth and life both now and forever.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing the Lord to speak truth and life into you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you enter into the life Jesus Christ wants to give you both now and forever.

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

Promises – Day 140 – John 10-7-10 – I Am The Gate – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Lord Gives Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 139 - Proverbs 2:6-11 - The Lord Gives Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 139 – Proverbs 2:6-11 – The Lord Gives Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,  for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:6-11 (NIV)

My Wisdom

How do you want to live your life? That is quite a broad question. I will narrow the scope of my question. Will you rely on your wisdom or will you rely on my wisdom to guide the course of your life? Will you allow my wisdom to form all your thoughts and words and actions or will you follow your own counsel and live by your own guidance? How is that? Have I made my questions clear enough for you to consider? Can you see two distinctly different choices before you relating to the leadership of your life? I could also ask, “Who will be in charge of your life?” Will you be in charge of your life or will I be in charge of your life? Your questions are now quite clear. I have no confusion about what you are asking of me. I do see two very clear and opposing choices before me. There is no doubt about that. That’s good. I believe that I have already answered your questions, once and for all time. How so? On the day that I asked you to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord, I turned the leadership of my life over to you. I acknowledged and confessed my sins to you. I left my old life of sin and darkness, in the world, and began to walk in the light with you. I told you that I wanted to know you. I told you that I wanted to walk in your ways. I told you that I wanted to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. My old life is gone. My new life with you is here. Does that seem like an adequate answer to your questions? It is more than an adequate answer to my questions. You have answered my questions well. That’s good.

You have answered my questions well on a once for all time basis and that is very good. But what about on a day to day basis? I’m not sure what you mean. Would it be good for you to keep on reaffirming your once and for all time decision to rely on my wisdom? Would it be good for you to commit to ask for, receive and act on my wisdom everyday as you love, follow and serve me? Yes, that would be very good. Why is that? I need to continually remind myself that I will be relying on your wisdom as I walk through life with you. That is something I must never forget. That is something I must always do. I must always ask for and continue to live by your wisdom. That will be very good. 

Lord, I desperately need your wisdom. Without your wisdom I will make many foolish mistakes and take many dumb missteps. So, I am asking for your wisdom to guide all my thoughts, words and actions. Guide the entire course of my life with your wisdom. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on God’s word to give you the wisdom you will need in life?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to guide all your thoughts, words, and actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wisdom to guide your thoughts, words and actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are asking for, receiving and acting on God’s wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask for and receive and act on all the wisdom the Lord wants to give to you.

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

Promises – Day 139 – Proverbs 2-6-11 – The Lord Gives 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

Told You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 138 - Micah 6:8 - Told You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 138 – Micah 6:8 – Told You – Growing As Disciples

The LORD has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God. Micah 6:8 (NCV)

What I Want

Do you know what I want? I’m not sure what you have in mind. I do know many things that you want from me. What have you heard? What have I told you? What have I shown you? You have told and shown me that you want me to do what is right, I know that without a doubt. What does that mean? Well, if I have the conviction that you do or don’t want me to do something and I do the opposite, that would be a sin. Not doing what you ask of me is not pleasing to you. Doing what you have told me not to do is also not pleasing to you. Following and obeying you is what you want from me. That is true. What motivates you to follow and obey me? Why do you want to do what is right? I want to do what is right and follow and obey you because I love you. My love for you causes me to not only follow and obey you but to also look for ways to please you. That is the desire of my heart and mind and life. That is very good.

How will you know if you are doing what is right? I will live as you lived. I will do what you did. I will think and speak and act like you. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave.  I will treat others to the same kindness and mercy and love that I have received from you. I can’t go wrong by patterning my life after yours. No, you cannot. I will follow your example. That will be very good.

How will you live before me? How will you live before others? How will you live as my witness in the world? What will be your attitude? I will live humbly before you. I will live humbly before others. You did not come into this world to be served. To the contrary, you took on the form of a servant. You did not insist on rights or privileges for yourself. You lived to serve your Heavenly Father. You lived to serve the needs of mankind. You gave your all. You held nothing in reserve. You lived with no regrets. You made no retreats. You kept on moving forward with your Heavenly Father to go where He guided you to do what He asked of you. That is the same kind of life I want to live before you and others so I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That will be very good.

Lord, I will do what is right. I will follow your example. I will do what you have asked of me. I will be kind to others in thought, word, and deed. I will show mercy just as you have shown mercy to me. I will live humbly as I love, follow, serve and obey you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making every effort to treat others with loving kindness?

Living It Out… Make very sure that you are doing what is right, being kind to others, and walking humbly with God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to do what is right, be kind to others, and walk humbly with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing right, being kind, and walking humbly with God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do what is right, be kind to others, and walk humbly with God.

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

Promises – Day 138 – Micah 6-8 – Told 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