Category Archives: 365 Days Of Promises

Turn Darkness Into Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 266 - Isaiah 42:16-17 - Turn Darkness Into Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 266 – Isaiah 42:16-17 – Turn Darkness Into Light – Growing As Disciples

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. Isaiah 42:16-17 (NIV)

Lead You

What can you be sure of about where I will lead you? Where am I likely to take you? What will I do for you as I lead you? I will take that last question first. Go right ahead. You will open my eyes. Without you I was like a blind person. I was stumbling around in the darkness. I was groping my way through life. I was bouncing around from one thing to another, accomplishing nothing, and going nowhere. I had no direction and purpose or meaning to my life. But following you has changed all that. Now, my life has hope and meaning and purpose. Now, my life has direction, I am following you to wherever you lead me, to do whatever you ask of me. I will answer your first and second questions next.  I’m listening. You will guide me along unfamiliar paths of that I am certain. Is that a bad thing? No, it is a very good thing. I can’t say that it will be easy. I can’t say that it won’t be challenging. The way that you guide me will cause me to rely on you. That is a very good thing. Yes, it is. Relying on anyone or anything other than you would be a tragic mistake. Why is that? There is no blessing or fruit or hope or success in relying on an idol. And that’s exactly what relying on or following or trusting in anyone or anything other than you is; it is an idol. Neither you nor I want any of that. That’s right. So, I will keep on following you. That’s good. I know that as you guide me through life, my faith in you will grow. I know that as you guide me through life, I will live in a more intimate relationship with you. I will keep on drawing near to you, and you will keep drawing near to me. I know that you will help me every step of my way as I keep on allowing you to guide me. You will turn my darkness into light. You will smooth out rough places for me. That is true. That is right. That is sure. Trust in me, I will lead you through life. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I am no fan of darkness, rough places, and unfamiliar paths. But I know you will be my light. You will smooth put rough places before me. I will trust you because I know it is you who will lead me along unfamiliar path. And that makes all the difference. Amen

Key Question…  May you allow the Lord to give you light in darkness and lead you over rough places.

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to give you light and lead you over rough places as you follow Him along unfamiliar paths.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you light and help you over rough places as you follow Him along unfamiliar paths.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you along unfamiliar paths.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Lord to give you light in darkness and lead you over rough places.

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

Promises – Day 266 – Isaiah 42-16-17 – Turn Darkness Into Light – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Sabbath Rest

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 265 - Hebrews 4:9-11 - Sabbath Rest - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 265 – Hebrews 4:9-11 – Sabbath Rest – Growing As Disciples

There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV)

Rest

Is that what I need? Is that been missing from my life? What are you talking about? I’m talking about rest. Do I not have enough rest in my life? Do I not have good balance in my life between work and rest? Seriously, you are asking these questions? Look, if you are weary and worn out isn’t the answer obvious? If your body is often forcing you to take a rest despite your plans, what is that telling you? If you feel stressed out, frazzled, and burned out, what must be missing in your life? If you are having difficulty hearing my voice, receiving my instruction, and following my guidance what is amiss? My life is out of balance. I can see that now. I have been running fast and furious. I don’t have a heathy work and rest balance in my life. I have allowed myself to be caught up in the frantic pace of life. The busyness and noisiness of my life is no doubt making it very hard for me to hear from you. So, no, I am not hearing your voice, receiving your instruction, or following your guidance. That is not good. No, it is not. Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening. That’s good. How high of a priority do you think I place on your need to carve out one day a week for you to rest from your labors? How important do you think it is to quiet yourself and rest in my presence, so you can hear from me? What example have I given you of resting from your labors? Where did I place my command that you take a day week of Sabbath rest? Well, you worked six days and rested on the seventh day of creation. That is a powerful example, wouldn’t you say? Yes, it is. Keep answering my questions. You placed your command that I take a weekly Sabbath day of rest in your ten commandments. That is high placement isn’t it? Yes, it is. What does that tell you? Don’t overlook or skip this command, with the foolish thought that it isn’t that important. You got that right. Tell me more. Developing my ability to hear from you, so I can receive your instruction, and follow your guidance, is critically important to the entire course of my life. Yes, it is. Where will that ability to hear from me be most strongly developed? I will learn to hear from you as I rest in your presence. The best starting place for me to learn to hear from you is as I rest in your presence when I take a Sabbath day of rest, with you, each week. That’s right. We have talked enough on this topic. Now I will ask you one final question. Will you take one day of Sabbath rest each week so you can rest in my presence? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have not consistently taken a day a week to rest. I have not seen the value of resting. Now I know how foolish I have been. From now on, I will carve a day a week to rest with you. I know you will use that day to revive and refresh and restore my soul. Amen

Key Question…  How has your relationship with God grown more intimate as you have rested in His presence?

Living It Out…  Take a day of rest with the Lord each week so He can revive, refresh, and restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will revive, refresh, and restore your soul as you rest with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are taking a weekly day of rest.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you take a day a week to rest so the Lord can revive, refresh, and restore your soul.

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

Promises – Day 265 – Hebrews 4-9-11 – Sabbath Rest – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Love Does

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 264 - 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 - Love Does - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 264 – 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 – Love Does – Growing As Disciples

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  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 13:1-7 (NIV)

Love Is

This is a very high bar. What is a very high bar? This description of what love is, that is a very high bar. I don’t measure up. These words do not describe my thoughts and words and actions. My behavior is far below this standard of love. These words simply tell me that I am unloving and sinful person. That I freely admit, without one word of denial. Furthermore, If I have any hope whatsoever of being loving as is described here than I am going to desperately need your help. There is no doubt about that. For me to love in this way would require a miracle.  I will say one more thing, however. What’s that? I very much would like to be a loving person. I would like all these thoughts and words to describe my life. Well, you have a very good starting point. Really, how so? You recognize your shortcomings. You are acknowledging your sin. You are not living in denial. You are telling me that you need my help. You have the desire to be a loving person deep within you. Tell me, why is it that you want to be a loving person? Why do you care? Why is it even a desire in your heart? I know one thing for sure. What’s that? The desire to be a loving person did not originate with me. Where did this desire to be a loving person come from? It came from you. You placed this desire in my heart. How so? You loved me first. You loved me when I was unlovable. You loved me when I was living as if I was your enemy. You came into this world to live and die for me. You drew me to yourself. You rescued me from a life without you. You forgave my sin. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You gave me a completely new life to live. Now, I want to know and love and follow and serve you. Now, I want to become like you. I want to think like you think. I want to speak lie you speak. I want to act like you act. So, I want to love others just like you have loved me. I have one question for you. You have my full attention. If I placed this desire to love others within you, will I not also do a miracle in and through you, by making it a reality? Can I and will I accomplish this miracle in and through you? Yes, you can. Yes, you will. Of that, I have no doubt. That is good. That is right. That is true. Thank you, Lord! 

Lord, I know that I need your help. I am not loving; not like you are loving. I want to follow your example. I want to think, speak, and act like you do. I want to love like you loved. Mold and shape my life. Develop your love in me. Allow your love to flow through. Amen

Key Question…  How are you always protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering in demonstrating love to others?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to mold and shape your life so that you love others in all that you think, say, and do.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will mold and shape your life so that you are loving in all that you think, say, and do.

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May all your thoughts and words and actions be guided by the love of God in you.

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

Promises – Day 264 – 1 Corinthians 13-1-7 – Love Does – 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

He Purchased Our Freedom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 263 - Ephesians 1:3-8 - He Purchased Our Freedom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 263 – Ephesians 1:3-8 – He Purchased Our Freedom – Growing As Disciples

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8 (NLT)

My Plan

Do you know my plan? Do you realize what I had in mind? I think so, at least in some small part. Tell me then, what is my plan and what I did I have in mind. You love me. Even before you made the world and all that is in it, you chose me. I will say it again, because it is so wonderful, you love me. You chose me. You rescued me from a life without you. You chose me, in Christ, to be holy and without fault in your eyes. You made it so all my sins could be forgiven. You made it so all my unrighteousness could be cleansed. You have made me to be pure and holy in you sight. You broke the power of sin and darkness over my life. You purchased my freedom with your Son’s blood that He shed on the cross for me. You made it possible for me to leave my old life of sin in the world. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You chose me so that I could come to know and love and follow and serve you. You made it possible for me to love you with all that is within me. You made it my passionate desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. You made it possible for me to follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. I can now walk and live in the light with you. Your work in, and for, and through me, is not complete. Day by day you are molding and shaping me. You are conforming me to the image of your Son. You are helping me to think and speak and act like Him. I could desire nothing more. I could ask for nothing better. I am on fire for you. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and king. It is the joy of my heart to pour myself out in praise to you. Thank for showering me with your kindness and mercy and love. You have given me wisdom and understanding. I know without a doubt, that it has given you great pleasure to do all this work in, and for, and through me. All I can say to you is, “I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength” For that I will forever be thankful. For that, you will hear my unending praise. That is very good. You do know my plan. You do know what I had in mind for you. Thank you, Lord. 

Heavenly Father, it is astounding that you decided to love and adopt me into your family before the world was made, long before I was born. Thank you for choosing and forgiving me. In Christ, you brought me to yourself. Now I can live in freedom secured for me. Amen

Key Question…  How did Jesus Christ purchase your freedom and make it so you could be forgiven of your sins?

Living It Out…  Live the life of freedom that has been bought and paid for by Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God has purchased your freedom so you can live a new life with and for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are living a life of freedom that has been secured for you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give praise to God for all He has done for you.

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

Promises – Day 263 – Ephesians 1-3-8 – He Purchased Our Freedom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

The Meditation Of My Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 262- Psalm 19:14 - The Meditation Of My Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 262- Psalm 19:14 – The Meditation Of My Heart – Growing As Disciples

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Heart And Mind

Do you want the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart to be pleasing to me? Do you want to think and speak, and act like me? Do you want to follow my example and live a life that will shine brightly for me in the darkness of this world? Do you want others to be drawn to me because they see my life being lived out in and through you? Yes, without any doubt, I want to live this kind of life. How can I have thoughts in my heart and on my mind that are pleasing to you? How can I learn to think and speak and act like you?  How can I follow your example? Those are all very good questions. You have had quite a struggle with your thoughts and words and actions. That is true. You have wondered how it would ever be possible to have the meditation of your heart and the words of your mouth be pleasing to me. At times, you have thought that you have very little control over what you think and say and do. That’s true. That has been my thinking. Well, that is only partially true. How so? With your own efforts, under your own power, you will be unable to think and speak and act in ways that please me. But you are not under your own power. I am your redeemer. I am your rock. You’re your fortress. I am your deliverer. I have broken the power of sin and darkness and evil over your life. I have given you my word that is living and active and powerful. You can take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will mold and shape you. My word will guard and guide you. My Holy Spirit will take my word and use it like a sword to fight in you, with you, and for you. My word will replace your old thoughts and words. My word will help you to think my thoughts. My word will you to speak my words. My word will help you to know and do my will. Will you take my word deeply into your heart and mind? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart will truly be pleasing to me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know there is a battle going on in my heart and mind. Without your help, I will lose this battle. Help me. You are my rock and redeemer. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so I can think and speak and act in ways that please you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you allowing God to use His word to change your heart and transform your mind?

Living It Out…  Allow God to use His word to change your heart and transform your mind so your thoughts and words will please Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is making your thoughts and words pleasing to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May the meditation of your heart and the words of your mouth be pleasing to the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 262 – Psalm 19-14 – The Meditation Of My Heart – 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

Put On All Of God’s Armor

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 261- Ephesians 6:10-13 - Put On All Of God's Armor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 261- Ephesians 6:10-13 – Put On All Of God’s Armor – Growing As Disciples

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

Stand Firm And Fight

You are in a battle. You are in a war. You may not have realized it. You may have been unaware of it. You may have thought that all your trials and troubles, and struggles and conflicts, were simply flesh and blood type struggles. You may have thought you were simply facing difficulties of a relational nature with unpleasant and disagreeable people in the world. There is no wonder why that has been your dominant thought, plenty of that is also taking place in the world. Make sure that you are not one of those unpleasant and disagreeable people. Make sure that you are winsome and pleasant and attractive, spreading the fragrance of me everywhere. That I will do. That will be very good.

But you are also in a battle with supernatural evil. You are in a war with the devil and all his evil spirits. Be sure of this, there is an unseen world of evil rulers, and authorities, and powers. Their schemes and strategies are evil and filled with darkness. Their goal is to steal, kill and destroy life. Wherever there is death and destruction, wickedness and ungodliness, disunity, and strife, you can be sure that this dark evil is close at hand and at work. The goal of this evil is to darken hearts and minds and lives so that a multitude will never come to know and love and follow and serve me. It is their plan to prevent fruit from being born for my kingdom and glory being brought to my name.

All alone, by yourself, with your own power and strength, you will never be able to stand and fight against this evil and darkness that is in the world. What must I do to be able to stand and fight against this evil and darkness? You must be strong in my might power. You must come to rely fully on me. You must put on the full armor that I have made available to you. That I will do. Then I will fight in you, with you, for you and through you. Then I will bring you victory over the evil and darkness that is in the world. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, many times I have mistakenly thought my battles were against flesh and blood enemies. Thank you for helping me to see when I am really battling evil that is in the world. Thank you, that I rely on all your power to help me stand and fight against evil. Amen

Key Question…  How are you relying on God’s power to stand and fight against evil in the world?

Living It Out…  Rely on the power of God to stand and fight against evil in the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will give you power and make you able to stand and fight against evil in the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has given you power to stand and fight against evil in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rely on the power of God to stand and fight against evil in the world.

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

Promises – Day 261 – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Put On All Of God’s Armor – 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

Compelled By The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 259- Acts 20:22-24 - Compelled By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 259- Acts 20:22-24 – Compelled By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.  Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)

Use Me

Where do you think I will guide you? What do you think I will ask of you? Isn’t that a question that is impossible to answer? If I were to see where I am today, say, thirty years ago, I would be more than surprised. I would be shocked. I could have never predicted where you have guided me and what you have asked of me. Not really. Not really? Can you explain, I don’t understand. Let me ask you some questions. I’m listening. Would you agree that I have asked you to serve others? Would you agree that I have asked you to use your gifts and talents and abilities to serve me? Would you agree that I have asked you to leave the comfortable and familiar to do what was uncomfortable and unfamiliar? Would you agree that I have even asked you to do something that was difficult and dangerous? Would you agree that I have asked you to do what was far beyond your gifts and talents, abilities, and resources? Would you agree that going and doing what I have asked you would cause you to rely on me? Would you agree that I would cause your faith in me to grow as you have continued to rely on me? Finally, would you agree that I have asked you to bear fruit for my kingdom, bring glory to my name, and shine brightly for me in the world? Are there any mysteries here? Do any of these questions surprise you? Could you not have predicted that I would do this kind of work in and through you? No, I guess I have come to understand quite a bit about your will and ways, purposes, and plans. None of these questions have surprised me. There is no mystery here for me. Will you continue to welcome me to work in and through your life in these ways? Yes Lord, I will. I am at your service. Use me, work in and through me. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord. 

Holy Spirit, I welcome your guidance into my life. I am willing to go and do whatever you ask of me. Use me fully in your service. Help me to minister to others. Help me to share the Good News of the Gospel. Help me to complete all the tasks you give to me. Amen

Key Question…  Why can you be sure that the Holy Spirit will often compel you to go and do something for Him?

Living It Out…  Be ready and willing to do what the Holy Spirit asks you to go and do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will compel you to go and do things for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are going and doing what the Holy Spirit asks of you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow the Holy Spirit’s leading to go where He guides you to do what He asks of you.

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

Promises – Day 259 – Acts 20-22-24 – Compelled By The Spirit – 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

Written To Teach Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 258- Romans 15:1-4 - Written To Teach Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 258- Romans 15:1-4 – Written To Teach Us – Growing As Disciples

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:1-4 (NIV)  

Meeting Daily With Me In My Word

I know where I need to be. I know what I need to do. Where do you need to be and what do you need to do? I need to be in your word. I need to make it my daily practice to meet with you in your word. Why is this vitally important? I need to be taught by you. I need to be trained by you. I need to be guarded and guided by your word. I need to be mold and shaped by your word. I need to be lifted up and encouraged and inspired by your word. Your word will strengthen me. Your word will feed and sustain me. Your word will change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. What will happen to you if you fail to meet with me in my word? Not much, none of what I have already mentioned. It is your will and way to use your word to powerfully work in my life. My life, as one of your followers, will be nothing but anemically pathetic if I fail to meet with you in your word. I will not know your will. I will not understand your ways. I will not be able to walk on the path that you have laid out for me. You have very strong opinions on this matter? Yes, I have strong opinions, but I believe that they are not my own. I have made them my own, but they do not originate with me. It is you that has said that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. You have also said that I should remain in you and your word should remain in me. If I do not remain in you and your word does remain in me, my life will bear no fruit and my prayers will not be heard and answered. How said would that be? Very sad, indeed. You are correct, if you want to live the life, I have called you to live, you must meet with me in my word.

Is there a day that will go by that you do not need to hear from me? Is there a day that you don’t need me to teach and train you? Is there a day that you don’t need me to mold and shape you? Is there a day that you don’t need me to guard and guide you? Not one, Lord. Will you keep on meeting daily with me in my word? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I do need your word to work in my life. I need to be taught and trained by your word. I need to be guarded and guide by your word. I need to receive encouragement and hope from your word. Use your word to reorder my thoughts, opinions, and values. Amen

Key Question…  Why will your life with God never grow and flourish without regularly meeting with Him in His word?

Living It Out…  Make it your daily practice to meet with God is His word so He can encourage you and fill you with hope.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have what you need to live a godly life as you continue to meet with God in His word.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group details of your practice of meeting with God daily in His word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet daily with God in His word so that He can teach you.

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

Promises – Day 258 – Romans 15-1-4 – Written To Teach Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Follow The Spirit’s Leading

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 257- Galatians 5:22-26 - Follow The Spirit's Leading - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 257- Galatians 5:22-26 – Follow The Spirit’s Leading – Growing As Disciples

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:22-26 (NLT)

Leading You

How will you know if I am leading you? How will you know if you are following me? Those are very good questions. Don’t expect me to answer them for you. Why is that? Why would I answer a question for you when you already know the answer? Why would I answer a question for you when I want to hear the answer from you? You wouldn’t. You haven’t. You won’t. That’s right. So, go ahead and answer my questions. Here goes. I will know if you are leading me and I am following you if your fruit is being developed in my life. You want the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to overflow my life. You want to see this fruit to be fully formed in me.  Yes, I do, there is no doubt about that. This fruit will only form if I am living in an intimate relationship with you. As hard as I could or might try, this fruit will never form in me by my very best efforts. No, it will not. Something else is also true. What’s that? This fruit will only form in me if I have walked away and continue to keep on walking away from my old life in the world. And the only way to walk away from my old life in the world is to fully enter in to living the life that you have secured for me. You broke the power of sin over my life. My old life and all its sin were nailed to the cross and they died there with you. Yes, they did. And now I am following your leading. I am keeping in step with you because my heart and mind and life are focused on you. I am becoming who you called me to be. I am doing what you have asked me to do. Both are true because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Yes, you do, I can see that. That is how I know that you are leading me, and I am following you. Yes, you do, and that is very good.

Lord, thank you for setting me apart to be one of your followers. Thank you for forgiving my sin and cleansing my unrighteousness. Thank you for purifying my heart and mind. Help me to continually call on you for all that I need. Hear and answer my prayers. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making sure that you keep in step with the Holy Spirit guiding you through life?

Living It Out…  Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading as He develops His fruit within you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will develop His fruit within you as you keep in step with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit is leading you as He develops His fruit in you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow the Holy Spirit’s leading as He develops His fruit in you.

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

Promises – Day 257 – Galatians 5-22-26 – Follow The Spirit’s Leading – 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

Know God Better And Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 256- Colossians 1:9-14- Know God Better And Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 256- Colossians 1:9-14- Know God Better And Better – Growing As Disciples

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.  We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,  always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:9-14 (NLT)

Pray For Others

You have told me many times that you want to come to know me. You have said that you want to be able to know and do my will. You have indicated that that you want spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you can live a life that is pleasing to me. You have stated that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You will not be satisfied unless you come to know me better each day as you love, follow, and serve me. You want to be strengthened by my power so that you will have patience and endurance as you go through life with me. You would like your life to be filled with joy and overflowing with thankfulness. You would like to give me praise because you have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred in the kingdom of my Son, who purchased your freedom and forgave all your sins. Is this all true? Am I stating your desires correctly? Yes, I want all these things to be abundantly and obviously true for me. That is very good. We both want the same thing.

I want to tell you a secret. Now, you really have my attention. Actually, it is not much of a secret.  What I am about to tell you should be obvious to you and to all my followers. I’m listening attentively. What you want for yourself, pray for others. Pray that others will come to know and love and follow and serve me. Pray that others will come to know me better every day. Pray that others will be strengthened by my power so that will have patience and endurance on their way through life with me. Pray for others to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Pray for others to be filled with joy and overflowing with thankfulness. You get the idea? Yes, I do. If I want something from you, I am to also ask for it for others. That’s right, you got it. The surest and quickest way for you to receive something from me is to ask for it for others. That I will do. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, it is the desire of my heart to know you better and better every day as I love, follow, and serve you. I want to know and do your will. I want your spiritual wisdom and understanding. I want to bear fruit for you. I will pray the same for others. Amen

Key Question…  How are you coming to know God better day by day as you love, follow, and serve Him?

Living It Out…  Make it your desire to know God better and better every day as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will help you to come to know Him better and better as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to come to know Him better every day.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you come to know your Heavenly Father better and better every day as you love, follow, and serve Him.

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

Promises – Day 256 – Colossians 1-9-14 – Know God Better And Better – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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