Category Archives: 365 Days Of Becoming Like Christ

Demolish Strongholds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 10 - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

Strongholds

This world would like nothing better than to take captive hearts and minds. This world is filled full of strongholds of evil that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I need to be on guard against strongholds of evil. I must not let my heart and mind be taken captive by the thoughts and values and principles of this world. What are some examples of strongholds of evil? What types of thoughts and values and principles are taking hearts and minds captive? What specifically do you need to be on guard against? First, of all I need to be on guard against any thought or idea or value or principle that sets itself up against you. Strongholds of evil do just that. Strongholds of evil will prevent many from coming to know and love and follow and serve you. Strongholds of evil can even hinder your followers from coming to live fully in the freedom you have secured for them. Nothing will be more depressing or discouraging to one of your followers than to be held captive by a stronghold of evil. Nothing will be more defeating to one of your followers than to allow themselves to be made unproductive or unfruitful, because they are ensnared in a stronghold of evil. Would you like me to name some strongholds of evil? Yes, I would. Strongholds of evil come in a wide variety of types. Fear and doubt, greed and lust can and often are strongholds of evil. Pride and envy and anger can and often are very powerful strongholds of evil. Any one of these can take a heart and mind captive. That’s true.

Where is the battle fought against strongholds of evil? The battle ground is in the heart and mind. What are the weapons that are used in the battle against stronghold of evil? Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit fights against strongholds of evil. How so? Your word changes hearts and transforms minds. Your word is continually changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has pushed worldly thoughts out of my heart and mind. Your word has strengthened my heart and mind so that I can take every thought and make it captive to you. That is true. That is right. That is good. But I am not alone in this fight. No, you are not. Your Holy Spirit takes your word and uses it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit tears down strongholds, they have done so in my life, that is for sure, without a doubt. So, I will continue to allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to tear down strongholds in my life and in the lives of others. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want anything to be a stronghold that has control over any portion of my life. I want to live in all the freedom you have secured for me. I will allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to take my thoughts and make them obedient to you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord broken down a stronghold that once had control over a portion of your life?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit to break down any stronghold that has control in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will break down any stronghold that has control over a portion of your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has broken down a stronghold over your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to help you to take every though captive and make it obedient to Christ.

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

Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 – Demolish Strongholds – 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

Do Not Judge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 14 - Matthew 7:1-2 - Do Not Judge- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 14 – Matthew 7:1-2 – Do Not Judge- Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)  

Judging Others

I have been proud. I have been arrogant. I have thought that I was in some way better than others. It is hard to admit. It is embarrassing to say out loud. But, it is true. It has been so easy to see the faults of others and so difficult to see the faults of my own. I have been so willing to closely examine someone else’s life and so unwilling to examine my own. What a joke. What a hypocrite. Sometimes I nauseate myself when I get a true glimpse of my own behavior. All I can ask is that you forgive me. All I can say is that I need your help. You are asking for my forgiveness and help? Yes, I am. That is my prayer. You will have both. You are forgiven and I will help you.

Tell me exactly what you want. I want to be like you. I want to be kind. I want to be gracious. I want to be forgiving. I want to love others just as you have loved me. I want to be able to follow your example. What is my example? You loved and forgave people while they rejected you. You loved and forgave people as they were hurting you. You prayed for your enemies as they were crucifying you on the cross. What clearer example of love and forgiveness can there be? I will answer my own question. There can be no clearer example of humbly loving and forgiving others. You have given me a crystal-clear example to follow. You want me to love and forgive others regardless of how they have or are currently treating me. That’s true.

Why do you want to become like me? You love me. I love you. You rescued me from a life without you. You made it so I can live in an intimate relationship with you. As I am in your presence, I am being changed. How so? I am becoming more like you. I am learning to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want to live as you lived. I want to do what you did. Why is that? It was your pleasure to serve your Heavenly Father. It was your desire to bear fruit for His kingdom and bring glory to His name. That’s right. As I am loving and forgiving others, I will be doing the same. Yes, you will. That is why I want to become like you. That is why I will not engage in judging others. That is very good.

Lord, I don’t know why it is easy to see others faults and so difficult to see mine. Why have been I been so willing to give judgement when I have only wanted to receive grace? Forgive me. Help me to be as gracious and kind to others as you have been to me. Amen

Key Question… Why is it so easy to see other’s faults and so difficult to see your own faults?

Living It Out… Don’t ever let yourself take up a judgmental attitude toward others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to refrain from judging others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to refrain from judging others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never engage in judging others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 14 – Matthew 7-1-2 – Do Not Judge – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Is

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

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

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

Love Looks Like

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Is – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Bear With Each Other

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 16 - Colossians 3:12-14 - Bear With Each Other - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 16 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Bear With Each Other – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Fully Clothed

That’s what I want. What’s that? I wanted to be fully clothed with your love. I want to be filled with compassion and kindness. I want to be gentle and patient. I want to live a life of humility. That’s good. But, I’m not there yet, that is for sure. It is very hard for me to bear with other’s weaknesses. It is not easy for me to overlook and let go of grievances. I want to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Above all else, I want to put on love. I want your love to flow through me. I want your love to live in me. I want to be able to live in perfect unity with others. That’s very good.

So, what are you asking of me? I want to be changed. I want to be different. I want to be like you. I want to live the life you are calling me to live. That is the most important starting point. Why is that? You desire to live the life that I am calling you to live. Not many have that desire. Not many want to be changed. Not many want to be different. Most are living, self-satisfied lives. They see weaknesses in others but none of their own. They hold on to anger and bitter grievances with others. Their lives are filled with disunity of every kind. So, your desire is very good. 

What has your desire to be like me caused you to do? I have drawn near to you in prayer. I have come to rely on you. I have come to be in your presence. I have continued to meet with you in your word. What has been happening to you as you have drawn near to me? Are you the same person? Can you be in my presence and remain unchanged? No, I cannot be in your presence and remain unchanged. No, I am not the same person that I was before I started meeting with you. Are you encouraged or are you discouraged? Are you learning to clothe yourself with my love? I am encouraged. I know that you are working in my life. You are helping me to fully clothe myself with your love. Yes, I am. Will you keep on allowing me to change you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Day by day, I will continue to help you to keep on clothing yourself with my love. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want to love and forgive others as you love and forgive me. Help me to be fully clothed with your love. Help me to forgive and set aside every grievance I have with others. Help me to live in perfect unity with others so I can live as your child in this world. Amen

Key Question… How is your being clothed with Christ’s love helping you to bear with the weaknesses of others?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love and bear with the weakness of others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with His love so you will be able to love and forgive others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been clothing you with His love.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow Christ to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 16 – Colossians 3-12-14 – Bear With Each Other – 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

Abstain From Sinful Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 17 - 1 Peter 2:11-12 - Abstain From Sinful Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 17 – 1 Peter 2:11-12 – Abstain From Sinful Desires – Growing As Disciples

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)

My True Home

I think I am just starting to see life in its proper perspective. How so? I am like an alien or stranger just passing through this life. This is not my true home. In a very brief amount of time, my life on this earth will be over. It will be nothing but a foolish waste of time and effort for me to try to make myself too cozy in this life. After all, I brought nothing into this world, I will take nothing out of this world. Why is it significant that you see the brevity of your life? Why is it important that you identify your true home? Why is critical for you to know that you can take nothing out of this world? Well, I will tell you one thing for sure. What’s that? The world and all that is in it, is trying to wage war against my soul. How so? The world is trying to captivate me and allure me and entice me into pursuing all that it has to offer. Why is that so bad? I really have two choices. I can either pursue the life you want me to live or I can pursue the life that the world is trying to entice me to live. I can pursue earthly or heavenly treasure. My heart and mind and life can be focused on heaven or on earth. There is no middle ground. I can’t have it both ways. No, you cannot. Not only that, time is flying by. I don’t have an unlimited number of days to live. You have given me places to go. You have given me things to do. I want to live each day faithfully and fully and fruitfully for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That’s very good.

So, what will you do? How will you live your life differently? I will guard my heart and mind and life from being captivated by the world and all that is in it. I will rely on you to help me to live a faithful and fruitful and good life. I will endeavor to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. It will be my hope and desire and plan to do good works that will cause even unbelievers to give thanks and praise to you. These will not be my good works. These will be the good works that you give me to do. It is my prayer that these good works will help draw a multitude of people to you. Then many will come to know and love and follow you. Then I will be storing up treasure in heaven with you. Yes, you will and that will be very good.  

Heavenly Father, I know I am just passing through this life. This world is not my true home. I am like a stranger in this world. So, I will not try to make myself too cozy in this life. Instead, help me to do good works that cause even unbelievers to give thanks to you. Amen

Key Question… How are you guarding your life so you will remain a faithful and fruitful witness for Christ in this world?

Living It Out… Know that you are a stranger and alien in this world as you faithfully and fruitfully do good works for the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live a faithful and fruitful life as a stranger or alien passing through this world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group why unbelievers might thank God for your good works.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you abstain from worldly desires as you do the good works God gives you to do for Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 17 – 1 Peter 2-11-12 – Abstain From Sinful Desires – 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

Being Poured Out

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 18 - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 - Being Poured Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 18 – 2 Timothy 4:6-8 – Being Poured Out – Growing As Disciples

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)

Poured Out?

Now that’s a thought. There a lot of good questions I need to ask myself. Like what? Am I being poured out? Am I gladly and joyfully pouring myself into living the life you have given me to live? Am I giving you my all? Am I listening to your voice? Am I hearing your instructions? Am I receiving your guidance? Am I going where you guide me? Am I doing all that you ask of me? Am I following and obeying you? Am I fighting a good fight? Am I running a good race? Will I keep the faith and finish the race you have laid out before me? You’re right. You have a lot of questions you want to ask yourself.

Do you have any answers to your questions? I have thoughts. I’m not positive that I would call them answers. Tell me your thoughts. I’m glad that these questions are in my heart and on my mind. Why is that? These questions have certainly not originated in me. You have put these questions in my heart and on my mind. I’m glad that these are not just hypothetical questions in my heart and mind. What are they? They are far more than hypothetical questions. They are burning desires. They are hopes and dreams. Again, these burning desires and hopes and dreams have certainly not originated in me. You have put these burning desires and hopes and dreams in my heart and on my mind. I’m glad that these are not just hypothetical questions, burning desires or hopes or dreams. What are they? They are far more than hypothetical questions, burning desires or hopes or dreams. They are prayers. They are prayers that have not originated with me. You have put these prayers in my heart and on my mind. Yes, I have put these questions, burning desires, hopes and dreams and prayers in your heart and on your mind.

Why is it important for you to know that I have placed these questions, burning desires, hopes and dreams and prayers in your heart and on your mind? You want all of these things for me. This is your will and purpose and plan for me. You will hear and answer these questions, burning desires, hopes and dreams and prayers for me. You will help me to pour myself out in your service. You will help me to fight a good fight. You will help me to keep the faith, run well, and finish the race that you have laid out before me. Yes, I will. I know that without a doubt. That is very good. 

Heavenly Father, it is the desire of my heart, the thought of my mind and the goal of my life to pour myself out as a sweet offering to you. I want to joyfully live the life you have given me to live. I want to run well and finish the race you have laid out before me. Amen

Key Question… How are you pouring yourself completely into doing the work God has given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Pour yourself out to God as a sweet offering to Him as run well the race that He has laid out before you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to run well and finish the race that has been laid out before you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are running the race that God has laid out before you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live your life as an offering to God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 18 – 2 Timothy 4-6-8 – Being Poured Out – 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

Watch Yourself Closely

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 19 - Deuteronomy 4:9 - Watch Yourself Closely - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4:9 – Watch Yourself Closely – Growing As Disciples

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV) 

Be Careful And Watch

Well, I did it again. You did what again? I thought and spoke and acted in ways that I regret. I’m quite sure that my thoughts and words and actions were not pleasing to you. How so? I was argumentative. I was combative. I was opinionated. Most of all, I was overbearing. None of this behavior is acceptable to me, nor to you, I’m sure. I can hardly believe that I fell into the trap of allowing myself to become so passionately involved on a topic that I was not at all careful with my thoughts, words and actions. That is quite a trap, isn’t it? Yes, it is. It is good that you are evaluating your behavior. It is good that you are willing to admit your mistakes. It is very good that you are confessing your sin. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I am confessing my sin to you. I’m sorry that I let my thoughts and words and actions get carried away in the heat of the moment. It is as if I have forgotten so much of what you have taught me. That is what I find most disappointing. I can see that in you.

But there is good news. What’s that? You have not forgotten what I have taught you. You are learning from your mistakes. You are evaluating your behavior. You are taking a hard look at your thoughts and words and deeds. You are confessing your sin. You are receiving my forgiveness. You will be careful and watch yourself more closely the next time. That, I will. You can be sure of that. Of that, I have no doubt. There is one more thing that you are learning. What’s that? This was a stumble. This was a mistake. This was a sin that you have confessed. You have received my forgiveness. Now you are determined to continue on with me. You are learning to move forward with me. You are not falling under condemnation. You are not becoming discouraged and depressed. You are gladly and joyfully continuing to live the life I have called you to live. Yes, I am. That is very good.

What would you like to teach others about your experience? I would like to teach others about being careful and watching closely one’s thoughts and words and actions. I would like to teach others how helpful it is to take time to evaluate one’s behavior. Most of all, I would like to teach others the importance of confessing a sin and receiving forgiveness from you. I would like others to know that you forgive sin and cleanse unrighteousness. I would like others to know that you are ready to help them to continue to walk on the path of life with you. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Lord, I know I need to be careful to watch myself. I know I must not forget what I have heard and seen and learned as I have followed you. Help me to remember all you have taught me. Guard me from slipping. Help me to teach others what you have taught me. Amen

Key Question… When do you take time to evaluate how you have thought, spoken or acted during the course of your day?

Living It Out… Closely watch that you do not forget all that you have heard and seen and learned as a follower of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to remember all that you have heard and seen and learned as a follower of Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being careful to remember all you learned in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you remember and teach others what the Lord has taught you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 19 – Deuteronomy 4-9 – Watch Yourself Closely – 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 The Door

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 20 - Matthew 6:6 - Close The Door - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6:6 – Close The Door – Growing As Disciples

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

Time To Pray

That is exactly what I will need. What’s that? I need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you. That will be very good. I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why is it necessary for you to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? The world is a busy and noisy place. I need to separate myself from the world so I can hear from you. I need to leave the frantic pace of life so I can slow down to listen to you. I know myself. You know me. Yes, I do. Setting aside a special time and place to meet with you in prayer is essential. Why is that? If I don’t make a firm commitment to meet with you in prayer, it won’t likely happen. I am easily distracted. Minutes and hours and days race on by me. Days become weeks and weeks become months and months become years more quickly than I could imagine. I don’t want opportunities to meet with you in prayer to race on by me. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you in prayer. I have no higher desire than to live in an intimate relationship with you. So, I will close the door to the world and open my heart to you in prayer. That is very good.

Will you always need to close the door to the world so you can open your heart in prayer to me? Will that be the only time and only place in which you will pray to me? Certainly not, it is my hope and dream and desire to live my life in a constant dialogue of prayer with you. Will there be a time when I no longer need to close the door to the world so I can open my heart in prayer to you? Will I move beyond this need? Absolutely not, I will always need to withdraw from the noise and busyness of life to meet with you in prayer. This is my starting point. In our time together you will teach and train me. In our time together I will hear from you and you will hear from me. This is where living my life in a dialogue of prayer will begin and continue and never end. So, I will always close the door to meet with you in prayer. I will carry our times together in prayer out into every moment of life. That’s good. That’s true. That’s right. Yes, you will. I will hear and answer this hope and dream and desire of yours.

Heavenly Father, I will shut the door to the world so I can open up my heart in prayer to you. Help me to leave the noise and busyness of life so that I can hear clearly from you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you as you hear and answer my prayers. Amen

Key Question… Why is it necessary to shut your door and withdraw from the world so you can enter into prayer to God?

Living It Out… Shut your door to the world and open your heart in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will reward you as you make a habit of regularly meeting with Him in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are opening up your heart in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you close the door to the world and open your heart in prayer to God.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 20 – Matthew 6-6 – Close The Door – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Everything That Hinders

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 21 - Hebrews 12:1-3 - Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12:1-3 – Everything That Hinders- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)  

A Race

I know that I am in a race. I know that a course has been marked out for me. There is even a cheering section surrounding me, filled with faithful men and women who have gone before me. They are spurring me on. They are encouraging me to run well. They are cheering for me. Their lives have served as a testimony. They have given me an example to follow. I want to run well. I want to persevere. I want to finish the race. I definitely don’t want to grow weary and lose heart. I will not quit. I will not give up. I will keep on moving forward with you. That is very good.

What will you do so that you will be able to run well and finish your race? First, I will throw off everything that will hinder me from running well. Like what? I won’t carry around anything extra that will weigh me down. Like what? I won’t pursue the comforts and pleasures of the world. I won’t seek after what the world has to offer. What else? Well, I won’t let sin entangle me. How will you do that? Not, with my own strength and ability alone, that is for sure. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I won’t look back. I won’t look around. I won’t waste time and effort on what will amount to nothing. I will run away from sin as I run to you. My eyes will be firmly fixed on you. I will love and follow and serve you. I will run to where you lead me. I will run to do what you ask of me. In every way and on every day, I will rely on your power and strength. You will teach me. You will train me. You are the author and perfecter of my faith. Yes, I am. You will help me to give my all. You will make me able to run well and finish strong. Yes, I will.

Lord, I will throw away everything that will hinder my running the race of faith marked out before me. I will run with perseverance as I keep my eyes firmly fixed on you. I know you will help me to run well. You will keep me from growing weary or losing heart. Amen

Key Question… What have you thrown away so that you will not be hindered in running the race marked out before you?

Living It Out… Throw away everything that hinders your ability to run the race marked out before you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to run the race marked out before you as you keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus as you run your race.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you throw off everything that hinders your ability to run the race that has been marked out before you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 21 – Hebrews 12-1-3 – Everything That Hinders – 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

Minds Set

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 22 - Romans 8:5-8 - Mind Set - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8:5-8 – Mind Set – 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) 

Mind Set

I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is what I desire. That is my hope. That is my dream. That is my prayer. That is very good. How will you live a life that is pleasing to me? There is no mystery in knowing the answer to that question. Knowing how to live a life that is pleasing to you is not something that is hidden and difficult to understand. It is quite obvious that I, and every other person, have a choice to make. Two different choices are before me. That’s right. One choice, setting my mind on the sinful nature will ultimately lead to death. That choice will lead me away from you. That choice will offer me the world and all that is in it and nothing more. Following that choice will lead me to live a bruised and battered and broken life. That life is filled with darkness and discouragement and depression. That life is without hope and meaning and purpose. It sounds like you have some experience with living that life. Yes, I do. I was on that road. I was living that life. I was pursuing my own comfort and pleasure. I was living for all that the world and had to offer. It was an alluring and deceptive life. It gave false hope and meaning and purpose. It gave me no joy. It brought me nothing but darkness and discouragement and depression. I saw first-hand what life without you looked like. I felt the bruising and battering and brokenness of life in this world. I saw clearly the death this life was bringing to me. I wanted no more. I wanted none of it. I wanted something else. I wanted more. I know now, that I wanted you. I cried out to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sins. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. You heard and answered my prayer. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.

What about now? You mentioned you had two choices. Yes, I did. Tell me more about the choice you made. I have chosen to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. What does that mean? My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My life is in your hands. I am listening to your voice. I am being guided by your Spirit. I am relying on your help. I am going where you guide me. I am doing what you ask me. My life is not focused on what this world has to offer. In every way, on every day, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I will set my mind on the things of your Spirit. Help me to fully live the life you have called me to live. Fill me with your life and peace. Amen

Key Question… How is daily setting your mind on the things of the Spirit helping you to live a life that pleases God?

Living It Out… Set your minds on the things of the Spirit so you will live a life that is pleasing to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will live a life that is pleasing to God 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 will live a life that is pleasing to God.

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

Day 22 – Becoming Like Christ – Romans 8-5-8 – Minds Set – 4 Page Discipleship Study Devotional 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