Category Archives: Be

Anxious For Nothing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Philippians 4:6-7 - Anxious For Nothing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – Growing As Disciples

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Trust Me 

You are filled with anxiety. You are carry burdens that are too heavy for you to carry. You are worrying needlessly. Do you know why you are filled with anxiety? Do you know why you carry such heavy burdens? I live with a lot of worrisome situations. I have a lot to worry about. Does that sound like the correct answer to you? No, it doesn’t sound like the correct answer. But, I don’t have any other answer, that might sound better. Would you like to talk about why you are filled with anxiety? Would you like to discuss why you are carrying burdens that are too heavy for you to carry? Yes, I think I would like that. You seem a little hesitant. I am a little hesitant. Why is that? I may not like hearing why I worry and am filled with so much anxiety. You are right about that. I’m still willing to listen. That’s good. 

Are you ready to listen right now? Yes, I am ready to listen right now. Here we go. You think you can. I think I can what? You think you can handle your own worrisome situations. You think you are in control of your life. You think that you should be able to solve every problem and handle every circumstance. You think you are in charge of your own life. When you realize that you are not in control or in charge of your own life you worry. When situations and circumstances are beyond your control you worry about them. Does my assessment sound correct to you? Yes, it does. Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. When you asked me to be your Savior and Lord didn’t you give up control of your life to me? Yes, I did. Didn’t you tell me that you were going to let me be in charge of your life? Yes, I did. If you really let me be in control and in charge of your life would your life be filled with so much worry and anxiety? No, I suppose not. You suppose not? I am certain that my life would not be filled with so much worry and anxiety if I fully entrusted my life to you. That’s right.

I have one more question for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. What has prevented you from fully entrusting your life to me? I’m not sure. Is this the part that I may not want to hear? Good guess. Yes, it is. You have my full attention. Why don’t you tell me the answer? You have figured out the answer, of that I’m positive. My own pride has caused me to be filled with worry and anxiety. That’s right. Will you humbly turn all your worries and anxieties to me? Will you allow me to carry your burdens? Will you allow me to release you from worry and anxiety? Will you allow me to fill you with my peace? Yes Lord, I will turn every one of my worries and anxieties into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have lived a life filled with anxiety. I have carried burdens that were too heavy for me to carry. I have worried unnecessarily. Guard my heart and mind. Help me to turn every one of my anxieties into a prayer to you so that I can receive your peace. Amen

Key Question… When have you received God’s peace because you turned a worry into a prayer to Him?

Living It Out… Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to God so that you can receive His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will receive God’s peace as you turn your worries into prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group a worry that you have turned into a prayer to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your anxieties into prayers to God so that you can receive His peace.

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

Be – Philippians 4-6-7 – Anxious For Nothing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Like A Tree

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Psalm 1:3 - Like A Tree - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Psalm 1:3 – Like A Tree – Growing As Disciples

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 1:3 (AMP)

Fruit Bearing

Do you want to be like a tree that is planted by a stream of water? Do you want to be refreshed and revived and restored in your soul? Do you want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful? Do you want the work of your hands to prosper? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I want my life to prosper. Yes, I want to live a life that is lush and vibrant and fruitful. Most of all, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. How can all these things be true of my life? How can I live the life that you are calling me to live? Those are very good questions. It pleases me to hear you asking these questions.

If you want to live the life of fruitfulness that I am calling you to live you must do two things at the same time. Are you ready to hear what I have to say to you? Yes, you have my full attention. I am listening attentively to your every word. That’s good. First, you must remove yourself from evil of every kind. You must not allow yourself to hang around evil of any kind. Run from evil. I’m not sure what you mean. You know that there are places you should not go. You know that there are things you should not do. The world and all its evil is constantly trying to mold you into its pattern of values and practices. The world and all its evil will hinder you from living the life that I am calling you to live. The world and all its evil will deaden you to hearing my voice. You must guard what you allow yourself to hear so that you will be able to hear from me. Do you have some ideas of what influences you should eliminate from your life? Yes, I do. Keep a careful watch over what you allow to come into your life. I got it, what then, what’s next? Not next, but at the same time, feed your heart and mind and life and soul on my word. You will be putting evil on a starvation diet while you feast on my word. Meditate on my word day and night. When I say, “day and night” I am not exaggerating. Carry my word with you wherever you go. Have my word constantly in your heart and on your mind. As you do this, my word will change your heart and transform your mind. You will begin to think my thoughts. You will know my will and walk in my ways. You will do what is pleasing to me. I will bless the work of your hands. You will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That’s what I want. That is what you will have as you starve evil and feast on my word.

Lord, I will separate myself from anything that might hinder me from living the life that you have called me to live for you. I will meditate on your word day and night so you can nourish my heart, mind, life and soul and make me abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you eliminating anything from your life that might hinder your fruitfulness for God?

Living It Out… Meditate on God’s word day and night so that you can live a life that bears fruit for God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that meditating on God’s word will nourish your heart, mind, life and soul so you can bear fruit for God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are meditating on God’s word day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so He can refresh your life and make you fruitful for Him.

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

Be – Psalm 1-3 – Like A Tree – 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

Full Of Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Matthew 6:22-23 - Full Of Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Matthew 6:22-23 – Full Of Light – Growing As Disciples

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

Your Focus

What has the focus of your attention? What are you allowing yourself to see with your eyes? Is this an important question?  Yes, this is a very important question. Your entire destiny will be guided by what you allow yourself to see with your eyes. What you allow your eyes to see will become the thoughts of your mind. The thoughts of your mind will become the actions of your life. The actions of your life will define who you are and what you have done. So, I had better think long and hard about what I am allowing myself to see with my eyes. That’s right. 

You have very important choices before you. What are my choices? You can choose to focus your eyes on what will fill your heart and mind and life with light. You can choose to focus your eyes on what will fill your heart and mind and life with darkness. Obviously, I don’t want to focus my eyes on what will fill my heart and mind and life with darkness. No, you do not. How can I focus my eyes on what will fill my eyes and heart and mind and life with light? You must choose to focus your eyes and heart and mind and life on me. In choosing to focus your entire being on me, you will also be taking your focus off the world and all the darkness that is in it. You will walk on the path of light with me. That is what I want. That is what I will do. I will walk with you through life. That will be every good. 

What can I expect and look forward to as I walk through life with you? What will I see as I keep my eyes focused on you? You can look forward to knowing me. You can anticipate being able to know and do my will. You will walk in my ways. You will go where I send you. You will do what I ask of you. It will be your joy to live your life with and for me. As your eyes and heart and mind and life are focused on me you will see me using you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Your focus will no longer be on the treasures of this life. Your focus will be on the rewards of heaven. You will live with eager expectation to the day that you will come to live forever in heaven with me. That is what I want. That is what will you will have as you live your life with and for me.

Lord, my eyes have not always looked in the proper direction. That is an understatement. I have allowed my eyes to see what has brought darkness into my life. No more! Now, I will focus my eyes, heart and mind on you so I can live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you carefully guarding what you allow your eyes to see and mind to think?

Living It Out… Focus your eyes and heart and mind on Jesus Christ so that you can live the life that He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be filled with light as you focus your eyes on Jesus Christ

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your eyes are focused on Jesus Christ and the life He has for you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ, so you can live and walk in the light with Him.

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

Be – Matthew 6-22-23 – Full Of Light – 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

Wiser

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Proverbs 9-9-11 - Wiser - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – Growing As Disciples

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11 (NIV)  

Becoming Wise

Do you want to grow in wisdom? Do you want to grow in your knowledge and understanding? Do you want to live a long life with many good days? Yes, I want to grow in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Yes of course I want to live a long life with many good days. How is all this possible? Where do I begin? Is there a starting point? What is step number one? Yes, there is a place to begin. There is a starting point. There is a first step to take. You have my full attention. I am ready and willing to listen to you. If you are ready to listen to me then you are already at the starting point and have taken your first step. I’m not sure what you mean. If you want to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding you must be teachable. You must listen to my words. If you are truly listening to me that means that you have humbled yourself before me. You are not filled with your own pride. You have come to me in humble and reverent awe. You have acknowledged me as your God and Father. I am the Savior and Lord of your life. You are my child. You have been adopted into my family. It is your joy to listen to me. It is your plan to walk with me. You want to live your life with and for me. It is your passion to follow and serve me. Your attitude toward me is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge and understanding. Not only have you taken your fist step with me but you are now walking in all that I want you to receive. You want to be wise. You want to grow in knowledge and understanding. You want to live the life that I have called you to live. Yes, I do. I want to walk with you. I want to live for you. I want to receive all that you have for me. That is very good. I want all these things for you as well. 

As you continue to walk with me and listen to all that I have to say to you, I will teach you. Day by day you will grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You will live the life that I have called you to live. My word will guard and protect you. My word will make you able to live a long life with many good days. You will go where I send you and do what I ask of you. Not only will you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding for your own life; I will use you to teach others as well. My thoughts will be on your heart. My words will in your mouth. You will teach the wise grow wiser. You will help the righteous to add to their learning. I will use you for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. 

Lord, in the past I had a proud and unteachable heart. I was unwilling to receive instruction, wisdom, and knowledge. I did not live in awe and humble reverence before you. Now, I want to know you and walk in your ways. I want to live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you have a teachable heart that is willing to receive instruction?

Living It Out… Make receiving instruction from the Lord the priority of your life so you can grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge as you receive instruction from the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are receiving instruction from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive instruction from the Lord so that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge.

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

Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – 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

Careful To Obey

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Joshua 1:7-9 - Be Careful To Obey - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Joshua 1:7-9 – Be Careful To Obey – Growing As Disciples

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

Day And Night

Do you want to be strong and courageous? Do you want to be successful? Do you want your life to prosper? Do you want to be able to know my will? Do you want to be able to walk in my ways? Do you want to be protected so that you will not be overcome with fear and discouragement? Do you want to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans? Do you want to be able to go and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I want all these things. That is very good. I want these things for you in abundance.

How can I have all these things? How can I be sure that these things will come to pass in my life? That is a very good question. Your question has a very simple answer. The answer to your question is so simple you may not receive it. The answer to your question is so simple you may not believe it. The answer to your question is so simple that you may pass right over it and never put it into practice. What is the simple answer to my question?

What do I need to hear and put into practice? Meditate on my word day and night. That is the answer to your question. Let my word dwell in you richly. Let my word be on your mind. Let my word be in your heart. My word will make you strong and courageous. My word will give you success and make you prosper. My word will make you able to know my will and walk in my ways. My word will protect you from fear and discouragement. My word will make you able to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans. My word will make you able to go and do all that I ask of you. Meditate on my word day and night. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will receive all that I want to give to you. 

Lord, I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will constantly be on my mind and in my heart. Guard and guide my life by your word. Help me to know and do your will. Help me to be strong and courageous as I follow and obey you throughout my life. Amen

Key Question… How has following and obeying God’s word brought His blessings into your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how meditating on God’s word as you follow and obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so that you will be careful to do all He asks of you.

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

Be – Joshua 1-7-9 – Careful To Obey – 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

Self-Controlled And Alert

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Peter 5:8-11 - Self - Controlled And Alert - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Peter 5:8-11 – Self – Controlled And Alert – Growing As Disciples

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)  

Napping 

Be self-controlled. Be alert. Don’t be caught napping. Don’t think that you can sleep walk through your life of faith. The devil and all his evil has filled this world. He is roaming all around, like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Don’t let that be you. Stand firm in your faith. Draw near to me. Submit yourself to me. Resist him and he will flee from you. Do you understand all that I am saying to you? I’m not sure. Can I ask you some questions? You may always come to me to ask me questions.  

I want to be self-controlled and alert. I want to stand firm in my faith. I don’t want to sleep walk through my life of faith. I want to resist the devil. I don’t want to fall into temptation. I don’t want to let myself be devoured by the devil and all his evil. I’m not sure how all this is possible. If I rely on my own strength, I will surely fail. That’s true, you cannot stand firm in your faith and resist the devil with your own strength. You must submit yourself to me. What does that mean? How can I submit myself to you? Leave your old life of sin behind you. Flee every evil. Don’t allow yourself to be in the wrong places at the wrong times. Don’t go where you should not go. Don’t do what you should not do. Run to me. I have made you dead to your old sin filled life. I have made you alive to me. Don’t ever submit yourself again to your old sin filled life. Instead draw near to me. Live the new life that I have called you to live. Go where I guide you. Do what I ask of you. Let my word dwell in you richly. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will make you able to think my thoughts and speak my words. My word will make you able to stand firm in your faith. My word will fight in you, with you and for you. My word will make you able to stand against the devil and all his evil attacks. My word will make you strong, firm and steadfast. My word will make you able to stand in victory with me. Now, do you understand? Yes Lord, I understand. 

Lord, I will not be caught napping. I will be self-controlled and alert against the devil and all his attacks. I allow your word to make me able to stand against evil. I will allow you to restore, support, strengthen and establish me as I stand firm in my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… Where are you most likely to experience an attack from the devil and all his evil?

Living It Out… Be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm against the devil and all his evil attacks.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to stand firm and resist the devil and all his evil attacks.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has made you able to stand firm against evil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm in your faith and resist the devil and his evil attacks.

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

Be – 1 Peter 5-8-11 – Self-Controlled And Alert – 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

Wiser

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Proverbs 9-9-11 - Wiser - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – Growing As Disciples

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11 (NIV)  

Becoming Wise

Do you want to grow in wisdom? Do you want to grow in your knowledge and understanding? Do you want to live a long life with many good days? Yes, I want to grow in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Yes of course I want to live a long life with many good days. How is all this possible? Where do I begin? Is there a starting point? What is step number one? Yes, there is a place to begin. There is a starting point. There is a first step to take. You have my full attention. I am ready and willing to listen to you. If you are ready to listen to me then you are already at the starting point and have taken your first step. I’m not sure what you mean. If you want to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding you must be teachable. You must listen to my words. If you are truly listening to me that means that you have humbled yourself before me. You are not filled with your own pride. You have come to me in humble and reverent awe. You have acknowledged me as your God and Father. I am the Savior and Lord of your life. You are my child. You have been adopted into my family. It is your joy to listen to me. It is your plan to walk with me. You want to live your life with and for me. It is your passion to follow and serve me. Your attitude toward me is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge and understanding. Not only have you taken your fist step with me but you are now walking in all that I want you to receive. You want to be wise. You want to grow in knowledge and understanding. You want to live the life that I have called you to live. Yes, I do. I want to walk with you. I want to live for you. I want to receive all that you have for me. That is very good. I want all these things for you as well. 

As you continue to walk with me and listen to all that I have to say to you, I will teach you. Day by day you will grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You will live the life that I have called you to live. My word will guard and protect you. My word will make you able to live a long life with many good days. You will go where I send you and do what I ask of you. Not only will you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding for your own life; I will use you to teach others as well. My thoughts will be on your heart. My words will in your mouth. You will teach the wise grow wiser. You will help the righteous to add to their learning. I will use you for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. 

Lord, in the past I had a proud and unteachable heart. I was unwilling to receive instruction, wisdom, and knowledge. I did not live in awe and humble reverence before you. Now, I want to know you and walk in your ways. I want to live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How has receiving instruction from the Lord become a priority in your life?

Living It Out… Make receiving instruction from the Lord the priority of your life so you can grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge as you receive instruction from the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are receiving instruction from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive instruction from the Lord so that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge.

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

Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – 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

Mature And Complete

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Working In You 

I am working in your life. Day by day and moment by moment, I am changing you. I am molding and shaping your life. I am making you into the person I want you to become. How are you working in my life? What are you using to change me moment by moment and day by day? How are you molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become? How can I recognize your activity in my life? Why do you want to know? Why are you asking me these questions? I want to welcome your activity in my life. I don’t want to get in the way of your working in my life. I don’t want to hinder anything that you want to do in me, with me or through me. Those are good thoughts. Those are good desires. With the wrong attitude, you could hinder my working in your life. With the wrong attitude, you could short circuit what I want to do in you, with you and through you. I don’t want that. No, you don’t.

How can I guard against having an attitude that would hinder your working in my life? What must I be on guard against so that I don’t short circuit what you want to do in me, with me or through me? Those are good questions. You may not like my answer. Why is that? I have watched you when trials of various kinds have come upon you. What have you seen? You certainly haven’t welcomed trials into your life as your friends. You have wanted to get over trials as quickly as possible rather than joyfully grow through them. You want me to be joyful as I go through trials? You want me to welcome trials into my life as my friends? Yes, I do. Why is that? How strong would your faith be if you never went through a trial? How often would you have come to rely on me if you never went through a trial? How have trials strengthened your faith in me? How are trails causing you to grow mature and complete as you continue to love, follow and serve me? Haven’t you drawn nearest to me and felt my presence in the midst of every trail you have faced? I see your point. I now see why I should welcome trials into my life as my friends. I now know without a doubt that you have been working in my life in the midst of every trial that I have faced. I will change my attitude. I will stop whining about the trials I am going through. I will joyfully look with great anticipation for how you will be working in me, with me and through as I go through trials in life. That will be very good.

 Lord, I have wanted to quickly get over trials rather than joyfully grow through them. I have not welcomed trials into my life as an opportunity to persevere and grow in my faith. Now, do whatever you need to do to make me fully mature and complete in you. Amen

Key Question… How willing are you to allow trials to do a complete and thorough work in your life?

Living It Out… Joyfully welcome trials into your life so that you will become mature and complete as you persevere through them.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use your trials to help you to grow mature and complete in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how a trial has helped you to grow mature and complete in your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you persevere through trials so that the Lord can make you mature and complete.

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

Be – James 1-2-4 – Mature And Complete – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:19-20 - Quick To Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:19-20 – Quick To Listen – Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Take Notes 

Are you ready to take notes? Are you ready and willing to listen carefully to what I want to say to you? You have my full attention. I’m ready to take notes and write down everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Start writing. You have not been a good listener. Have you ever thought of listening without thinking about what you might say next? Not really. You have been far more concerned about what you might say than with what you might hear. I’m sure that’s true. Why is that? I have liked to debate. I have wanted to present my point of view. I have wanted to make my case. I have wanted to win arguments. That’s funny. What’s funny about that? You want to win. You have been so concerned with winning an argument or debate that you haven’t listened well. You have been quick to speak. You have been slow to listen. You have allowed yourself to angrily debate an issue, when the far better course would have been to listen and keep your mouth shut. What’s funny, ironic really, is that the sure way to lose out in life is to not listen well to what others are saying to you. You would be far better off to listen carefully to others rather than to quickly speak what is on your mind. I have a question for you. I’m listening. How many ears have I given to you? You have given me two ears. That’s right. How many mouths have I given to you? You have given me one mouth. That is also right. Your answers should give you a clue about how much I want you to listen and how much I want you to speak. You want me to listen twice as much as I speak? Sometimes, I want you to speak far less than that.

Do you like what has happened to you when you have allowed yourself to get caught up in a heated debate? No, not really. Why is that? I have not enjoyed the experience of rushing into a debate. Then, I know that I have not listened well. I know that I have not taken in what has been said to me. I have not allowed myself to benefit from what others have said to me. The words of others have gone in one ear and out the other, if they have entered my hearing at all. Why is that? I have been filled with pride. I have not valued the thoughts and words of others. I have thought that I knew better. I have thought that I knew it all. Do you know it all? No, I know very little. I need all the help and wise counsel I can receive. That’s very good. Yes, you do need wise counsel from people that I will bring into your life. To receive that counsel, you must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. I will listen more carefully. When you listen more carefully, speak less often and don’t allow yourself to become angry, you will be able to live the righteous life that I am calling you to live. That’s what I want.

Lord, I have been impatient and filled with pride. I have been a poor listener that thought I knew it all. I have been quick to speak to offer my opinion. In the heat of debate, I have allowed anger to grow in me. No more! Help me to live the life you desire for me. Amen 

Key Question… How have you been harmed by being slow to listen carefully to what others had to say to you?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life He desires.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be quick to listen to all that He wants you to hear.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being quick to listen to what others say to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life God desires for you.

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

Be – James 1-19-20 – Quick To Listen – 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

Prepared

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 2 Timothy 4:2 - Prepared - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 2 Timothy 4:2 – Prepared – Growing As Disciples

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Make Me Ready

It would be a great honor and privilege if I could proclaim your word to others. I can think of nothing more exciting than to be able to encourage others with your word. It is the prayer of my heart that you would prepare me and make me ready to proclaim your word. Is this true? Are you sure that you want me to speak through you? Do you really want me to use you to proclaim my word to others? I know exactly why you are asking me these questions. I’m quite sure that you know exactly why I am asking you these questions. I suppose you would like it if I would say the truth out loud. Yes, I would like it quite a bit if you said the truth out loud. Well, here goes. I have avoided opportunity after opportunity to proclaim your word to others. I haven’t just avoided nearly every opportunity to proclaim your word, I have continually run away from opportunities to proclaim your word. I have been like Jonah. How so? You have been leading me in one direction and I have been running away in the opposite direction. No wonder you are so afraid of large fish. Now, that’s funny. Yes, it is.  

Why have you run away from nearly every opportunity to proclaim my word? I have been afraid. I have been filled with fear. I have doubted that you could possibly want to use me to proclaim your word. You knew this day was coming, didn’t you? You knew that one day we would have this conversation about facing your fears, isn’t that right? Yes, I knew that this day was coming. What have you also known? I have also known that you haven’t stopped preparing me to proclaim your word. That’s right. As you have faithfully met with me in my word, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. As you have been meditating continually on my word I have been changing your heart and transforming your mind. I have been molding and shaping your life with my word. As you have been putting my word into practice, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. So here we are on this day. You are now asking me to prepare you and make you ready to proclaim my word, is that right? Yes, that is right. 

I want you to keep on letting me make you ready to proclaim my word. But now, I want you to look for every opportunity to proclaim my word. Don’t shrink back. Don’t run away. Allow me to use you. My hand will be on you. I will speak through you. I will use you to correct, rebuke and encourage others with my word. With great patience, you will speak careful words of instruction as you boldly and passionately proclaim my word.

Lord, I will set aside a time and place to meet with you in your word. I will place myself before you so that you can teach and train me with your word. It is you who will prepare me and make me completely ready to boldly proclaim your word to others in need. Amen

Key Question… How are you putting God’s word into practice in your own life so you will be ready to proclaim it to others?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place when and where you can prepare to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prepared and ready to proclaim His word to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are preparing to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always be prepared and ready to proclaim God’s word with great patience and careful instruction.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship study guide click here:

Be – 2 Timothy 4-2 – Prepared – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Individual users may save the Discipleship 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