Category Archives: 365 Days Of Becoming Like Christ

What Good Is It?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 179 - James 2:14-17 - What Good Is It? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 179 – James 2:14-17 – What Good Is It? – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV)

Real Faith

What do you suppose real faith looks like? Real faith is living and active. Real faith will cause me to follow you to wherever you lead me. Real faith will enable me to do whatever you ask of me. Real faith will not allow me to sit around and do nothing. If I have real faith, I will be living in an intimate relationship with you. I will hear your voice. I will follow your guidance. I will receive your instructions. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. Will faith will cause me to spring into action. That will be very good.

I have some more ideas about real faith. I have more to say about real faith. I’m listening. I have already said that real faith involves living in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, you did say that. If I have real faith, I will not run ahead of you. If I have real faith, I will not lag behind you. Real faith will keep me right beside you. I will not wander away from you to do my own thing. I will not rely on my own strength to try to accomplish your will. Real faith will prevent me from being self-reliant and self-sufficient. I will place all my faith in you. I will rely on all your help. Living my life with and for you will be the goal of my real faith in you. That will be a very good goal.

I have even more ideas about real faith. I would like to hear all your ideas about real faith. Real faith will cause me to live a life of prayer. Real faith will cause me to live a life of worship. As I live a life of real faith, I will continue to give you praise and thanksgiving as I walk through life with you. These things will all be true because you will be with me to help me. You will be near to me. I will be near to you. I will be living in an intimate, moment by moment life of real faith in you. Yes, you will. Then real life will also fill my life with peace and hope and joy as I love, follow and serve you. This is what real faith will look like. Yes, it does. Yes, it will. All my faith is you. Yes, it is. That is very good. 

Lord, you have changed the course of my life. You have given me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. It is my pleasure and joy to follow and serve you. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Bear fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord directed you to meet the needs of someone in distress?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith, go and do what the Lord asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will have you go and help others who are in distress.

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your faith be accompanied by action.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 179 – James 2-14-17 – What Good Is It? – 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

Gives Me Strength

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 92 - Philippians 4:13 - Gives Me Strength - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 92 – Philippians 4:13 – Gives Me Strength – Growing As Disciples

I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

Assignments

There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about what? There is no doubt in my mind that you will ask me to go and do things that are beyond my ability. Is this a rare occurrence? Is this something quite unusual? I wouldn’t say so. What would you say? I would say that at a minimum you frequently ask me to do what is way outside my comfort zone. It isn’t even rare for you to ask me to do something that is far beyond my ability. I can never say to myself, “This couldn’t be the Lord speaking to me; He would never ask me to do something so difficult and far beyond my ability” In fact, just the opposite is true. How so? When a difficult task is before me, I tend to believe that you are asking me to come to rely on you. In difficult moments of decision, when I am deciding to take on or reject an assignment, I often suspect that you are asking me to move forward with you. You are once again asking me if I will place all my faith and trust in you. In all of these moments of decision, when you are asking me to do something for you, I pray that I will have all the strength I will need to say, “yes” to you. That is very good.

What would your life be like if I never asked you to do something that was difficult and challenging? What would be the condition of your faith if you never needed to come to rely on me? How much fruit for my kingdom and glory would you bring to my name if you sat back and rested on easy street the rest of your life? You do make my life exciting. I know that I will never be bored as I follow and serve you. You want me to come to rely on you every day. You want me to place all my faith and trust in you with every step on my journey through life with you. Often, I have asked you to allow me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Frequently, I have said that I want to shine brightly in the world for you, so I could bring glory to your name. I know that all that you want to do in and through me will require full engagement and significant effort on my part. Make no mistake about it, I welcome you to do in and through me whatever is in your plans. I will welcome your difficult and challenging assignments. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will rely on you to make me able to do all that you ask of me. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know what you are up to. You have often asked me to go and do what was far beyond my ability. You have often caused me to cry out to ask you for help. You have made me reliant on you. Thank you for hearing my prayer and deepening my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith grown as you have relied on the Lord to help you to do an impossible task?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to go and do what is far beyond your ability.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to go and do all that He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to do what was far beyond your ability.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to give you the strength you will need to do what He asks of you.

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

Day 92 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 4-13 – Gives Me Strength – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Cast All Your Anxiety On Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 54 - 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Cast All Your Anxiety On Him- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 54 – 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him- Growing As Disciples

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)  

Help Me

That is exactly what I believe that you will do. What will I do? You will help me. Why will I help you? You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. You care for me. What do you mean by that? You love me. You went to great lengths to make it possible for me to live in an intimate relationship with you. How so? You broke down the barrier that separated us from each other. You sent your one and only Son into the world to die for my sins. You made it possible for my unrighteousness to be cleansed. You made it so I could be righteous in your eyes. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I did all these things for you. Yes, I do love and care for you. Yes, I made it possible so that you can live in an intimate relationship with me. Yes, you have been forgiven of your sins and cleansed of your unrighteousness. My Son has made you pure and holy in my sight. For all of these things I am thankful beyond what my words could convey. That is very good. 

So, you know that I love and care for you. You believe that I can and will help you? Yes, I do. What are you going to do with that information? I’m not sure what you mean by that question. I will clarify what I mean by asking you a couple more questions. Have you asked for my help? Have you cast all your anxieties on to me? Not exactly, not really. What have you done? I have held on to my anxieties. I have carried the weight of my worries. Why have you done that? I’m not positive. Take a guess. I would say that my pride has told me that I don’t need to ask for help. My pride has convinced me that I should be able to fend for myself by holding on to anxieties and carrying my worries as I solve my problems by myself. How has that worked out for you? Not well, at all. How so? My life is filled with anxiety and unsolved problems. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

What will you need to do if you want my help? I will need to do two things. I will need to set aside my pride and I will need to ask you for your help. So, not only do you need to believe that I will help you; you will need to ask me to help you, is that correct? You are asking me if something is correct? Yes, I am. Yes, that is certainly correct. I do believe that you will help me. I will ask you to help me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I have proudly held on to my anxieties. I have foolishly carried the weight of my anxieties. Carrying my anxieties has worn me out. Now, I see the error of my ways. I will turn my anxieties over to you. You will help me because you care for me. Amen

Key Question…  How has your Heavenly Father brought peace into your life when you have cast all your anxieties on Him?

Living It Out…   Humbly turn every one of your anxieties over to your Heavenly Father so He can fill you with His peace.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you can turn over every one of your anxieties to your Heavenly Father.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are turning all your anxieties over to your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 54 – 1 Peter 5-6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

We Are More Than Conquerors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 364 - Romans 8:35-39 - We Are More Than Conquerors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 364 – Romans 8:35-39 – We Are More Than Conquerors – Growing As Disciples

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)  

Your Love

Your love surrounds me. Your love comforts and encourages and strengthens me. Your love guards and guides me. Your love protects me from trouble and hardship, persecution or famine or nakedness danger or sword. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. Will I go through dark and difficult days? Will the forces of evil come against me? Will I face trials and tribulations in life? Yes, without a doubt. You did, why wouldn’t I? Why would I be exempt from the pain and suffering that is in this sin broken world? Might I have to endure something quite difficult. Might some say, “I’m done for now.” It is certainly possible. But they would not know the whole truth. They would not see the entire picture. They would not know that you have always been with me. You have never abandoned me. I am yours. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. I am your child. Yes, I am your Savior and Lord. Yes, I am your God and Father. Yes, you are my child. You are holding on to me and I am holding on to you. Yes, I am holding on to you. Your grip on me is unbreakable. You will never let me go. Yes, I will never let you go. What else do you know? You have a glorious eternal future that is stored up and being kept and guarded in heaven for me. Can there be any greater hope? Can there be any greater victory? Could I have any more joy? Could I want or ask for anything more? What do you think? I think, I am and will be more than a conqueror because of all that you have done for me. That’s right. That’s true. That’s certain.

So, what kind of thoughts will you think? What kind of life will you live? Will you be timid and weak? Will you be fearful and afraid? No, certainly not. I will not be fearful or afraid. My life is in your hands and you will never let me go. You will be with me to help me. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. So, my heart and mind and life will be focused entirely on you. I will boldly and joyfully live the life you are calling me to live. That will be very good.

Lord, I know nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. You have been with me to help me through dark and difficult days in life. You have comforted, strengthened and sustained me. You have made me more than a conqueror through your love. Amen

Key Question… Why will nothing be able to ever separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to supply all that you need through all the trials and tribulations in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has made you to be more than a conqueror through His love for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been with you to help you throughout all of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as more than a conqueror through the love of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 364 – Romans 8-35-39 – We Are More Than Conquerors – 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

Keep A Grip On Hope

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 362 - Lamentations 3:19-26 - Keep A Grip On Hope - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 362 – Lamentations 3:19-26 – Keep A Grip On Hope – Growing As Disciples

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.  I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom.  But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:  GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.  They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.  GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.  It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from GOD. Lamentations 3:19-26 (MSG)

Remember

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. When will you remember my love and compassion? How will you remember my love and compassion? Is remembering my love and compassion something that may be easier said than done? I’d like to tackle that last question first. Go right ahead, tackle that last question. Remembering your love and compassion is easier said than done. This world and this life is filled with adversity and hardship. This world and life and all its adversity and hardship could easily divert my focus and take my eyes off of you. I could be tempted to focus my heart and mind and life on all that is swirling and raging around me in this world. And at this time, in this current situation, there is plenty to make me fearful and afraid and forgetful of your love and compassion. That would be a big mistake. Why is that? You want me to know your love and compassion. You want me to live in your love and compassion. You want your love and compassion to give me a firm grip on the hope I have in you, right now, and in my eternal future in heaven with you. Yes, I do want you to have a firm grip on all the hope you have in me. It is my love and compassion that will give you hope to carry you through all the adversity and hardship you will face in this life. I get that. I understand. That’s good.

Now, I will tackle your other questions. I’m listening. To remember your love and compassion, I will meet with you in the morning. I will not let a day start without meeting with you. As I am in your presence, I will once again be reminded of your love and compassion for me. Why is that? Each morning as we meet together you will once again, as always and forever, show your love and compassion to me. Yes, I will continually show you my love and compassion as we meet together. As we meet together my heart and mind and life will be focused on you, rather than on all that swirls around me in the world. That’s good. I will be comforted and encouraged and strengthened and given an abundance of hope. Why is that? Because, I know that you have a firm grip on me, and I have a firm grip on you. Nothing could be better than or stronger than that. Yes, we both have a firm grip on each other and that is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. They are new every morning. Your love and compassion is what continues to give me a firm grip on hope. Thank you that your love and compassion has sustained my life. Amen

Key Question… How is recalling God’s unlimited love and never-ending compassion helping you to keep a grip on hope?

Living It Out… Continue to remember how God’s love and compassion has brought you through adversity and hardship in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the love and compassion of God will bring you through any adversity and hardship you face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the love and compassion of God has given you a grip on hope.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you remember your hope in God whose love never ends and His compassion never runs out.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 362 – Lamentations 3-19-26 – Keep A Grip On Hope – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide.pdf

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 Hope Of All The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 361 - Matthew 12:18-21 - The Hope Of The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 361 – Matthew 12:18-21 – The Hope Of The World – Growing As Disciples

Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.  He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.  And his name will be the hope of all the world.” Matthew 12:18-21 (NLT)

Look

“Look,” that sounds like such a casual word. It sounds not too dissimilar from a glance. I know without a doubt that this is not the intent or meaning of this word in this context. What do you think it means? I think it means to look intently. I think it means to look with intensity. I think it means to look with all that is within me. I think it means to look in such a way that my heart and mind and life will be transformed. Looking at you, cannot leave me unchanged. You couldn’t be more correct.

How has looking intently at me changed you? How have you been transformed by looking at me with all that is within you? I have come to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It has become my passionate desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. It is my joy to follow and serve you. Say more. Looking intently at you has filled my life with hope and peace and joy. I have been able to place my full and complete trust in you as I have remained in your presence, keeping my focus on you. That is very good.

Say more. Even in the midst of a significant crisis, which we are all now in, I have been able to live in the fullness of hope that you have given to me. Is this a hope that you wish to hold on to and keep to yourself? No, not at all. Now, more than ever it is my desire and plan to proclaim to all, the hope that is available in you. You are not only my hope. You are the hope of all the world. So, it is my prayer that you will powerfully use me and all your followers to boldly proclaim you to the world. There is hope in no one or nothing else. Your kindness and mercy and love is available to all. All who hear your call have an open invitation to come to you. So, powerfully use me to proclaim the hope and salvation available to all through you. That is a prayer that I will certainly hear and answer. Proclaim me to the world. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, thank for being my hope. I will place all my faith, hope and trust in you. Thank you for also being the hope of the whole world. Help me to be a bold witness for you in the world. Guide my prayers today, as I pray through these times of significant crisis. Amen

Key Question… When have times of crisis caused you to even more consciously place all your hope in Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to boldly use you as His witness in the face of significant crisis.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ is not only your hope but also the hope of all the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are placing all your hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be a bold witness for Christ because He is the hope of the whole world.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 361 – Matthew 12-18-21 – The Hope Of All The World – 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

My Refuge And My Fortress

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 360 - Psalm 91:1-6 - My Refuge And My Fortress - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 360 – Psalm 91:1-6 – My Refuge And My Fortress – Growing As Disciples

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91:1-6 (NIV)

Dwell

That is what I want to do. That is what I will do. What do you want to do? What will you do? I will dwell in your presence. Why will you dwell in my presence? I will dwell in your presence because you are my Savior and Lord. I will dwell in your presence because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will dwell in your presence because I want to live and walk through life with you. I want to know you intimately. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. That will be very good.

What will happen to you as you dwell in my presence? As I dwell in your presence, I will know you and have faith to declare that you are my refuge and fortress. You are my hope and deliverer. In you, I can confidently place all my trust. That conviction is yours because you have come to know me as you have dwelt in my presence. Yes, that is true without a doubt.

What has dwelling in my presence also done for you? As I have dwelt in your presence you have changed my heart and transformed my mind. I have wanted to know and do your will.  As I have dwelt in your presence, you have guided the course of my life. You have led me to where you wanted me to go. You have given me what you wanted me to do. Living the life, you have called me to live has been like a shield all around me. Following you has led me away from dangerous traps and hidden hazards. You have been my place of protection. You have been my shelter in the midst of storms. I have been able to hold on to you. I know that you have been holding on to me. Has the road always been easy? No. Have there been bumps and bruises along the way? Yes. Do I know that no matter what life throws at me, my eternal future, is secure and being kept and guarded by you? Yes, I do. And that has made all the difference. I know that my life now and forever is in your hands. In that, I have all the peace and hope and comfort and joy that I need. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, you are my refuge and fortress. You are my hope and deliverer. Thank you that I can dwell in your presence and have peace and rest in even the most troubling of times. You will help me. You will bring me through. I will hold on to you as you hold on to me. Amen

Key Question… When has dwelling in the presence of the Lord given you peace and rest in troubling times?

Living It Out… Dwell in the presence of the Lord so you can receive His peace and calm and rest in the storms of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be your refuge and fortress through all the storms of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been your refuge and fortress in the storms of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you dwell in the presence of the Lord so you can receive His peace in the midst of storms.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 360 – Psalm 91-1-6 – My Refuge And My Fortress – 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

This Ministry

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 359 - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - The Ministry - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 359 – 2 Corinthians 4:1 – The Ministry – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV)

Don’t Quit

Alright, I won’t. You won’t what? I won’t quit. You won’t quit what? I won’t quit serving you. I won’t quit doing the ministry you have given to me. Have you been tempted to quit? You know the answer to that question. Yes, I know the answer to that question. Remember, I know your thoughts even before you think them. Then why ask me? I want to talk to you about your temptation to quit. Why haven’t you quit? What has kept you going? Knowing that you have given me this ministry has kept me going. Knowing that you will help me has kept me going. Knowing that you have gifted me to do this work has kept me going. Wanting to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name has kept me going. Wanting to do what is good and right and pleasing to you has kept me going. Those are all very good reasons to keep on serving me. Those are all very good reasons to keep on doing the work I have given you to do. That is what I thought. That is what I think.

But I don’t want you to be weary. I don’t want you to be worn out. I don’t want you to be burned out and on the verge of quitting. That is not my desire and plan for you. What do you want from me? What do you expect from me? What is your plan for me? Those are all very good questions. Let me ask you some more questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. How have I helped you? How have I strengthened you? How have I refreshed and revived and strengthened you? What has helped and hindered you from continuing to move forward with me? Letting my life get out of balance has hindered me from moving forward with you and continuing your work. Failing to come to rest in your presence has left me weary and worn out. So, what will you do differently? I will make sure that I am take care of my body. How so? I will get enough sleep. I will get enough exercise. I will eat a healthier diet. That is a good start, what else? I will allow you to take care of my soul. I will come to rest in your presence. I will take time just to be with you. I will listen attentively to you. I will meet with you in prayer and worship. I will offer to you all my praise and thanksgiving. That will be even better. Take care of your body and let me take care of your soul. Then you will have all that you need to keep on moving forward with me, to do the work I have given you. Does this sound like a good plan? This is a great plan. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for preparing me to join you in what you are doing. Thank you for giving me a ministry to do for you. Strengthen and empower me to keep on serving you. Help me to never lose heart, quit, or give up doing the work you have prepared for me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord uniquely prepared you to do the ministry He has given to you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to empower and strengthen you to do the ministry He has given to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to keep on doing the ministry He has given to you.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not lose heart so you can do the ministry the Lord has given to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 359 – 2 Corinthians 4-1 – This Ministry – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Salt Of The Earth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 210 - Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt Of The Earth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 210 – Matthew 5:13-16 – Salt Of The Earth – Growing As Disciples

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on. “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NCV)

Salt And Light

I want to be like salt for you in the world. What does that mean? You’re asking me that question. Yes, I am asking that question. I thought you might tell me what that means. No, I would prefer to hear from you. I want to season the world with your flavor so that people will be attracted to you. I want to flavor the world with all your goodness. I want others to fully taste of your goodness by the flavor that you bring out of my life. That’s good. What else? I want my life to act as a preservative that will prevent the world from falling into corruption and experiencing decay, as I live the life you have called me to live, by going and doing all that you ask of me. I expect that you will use me to right wrongs. I expect that you will use me flight injustice. I expect that you will give me good deeds to do for you that will bring praise and glory to your name.  Yes, I will. What else?

I also want to be like a light in the world. What does that mean? I want to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. I want your light in me to overcome the darkness of the world. I want you to use me to change what is not good and right and pleasing to you. I want you to use me to overturn what is evil and establish what is right. I want others to see your kindness and mercy and love through the testimony of my life. I want your light in me to draw others to you. I want a multitude to come to know and love and follow and serve you because they see you in me. That will be very good. I will use you to be my salt and light in the world.  You will help a multitude to taste and see my goodness. You will help a multitude to come to know me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want to be used as your salt and light in the world. Help me to bring the flavor of you to everyone I meet. Help me to shine your light in the world so many will come to know, love and follow you. Use my life to do good deeds that brings glory to you. Amen

Key Question… How has the flavor of your life helped others to taste the goodness of the Lord?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you as His salt and light in the world so that others will be drawn to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be used by Him as His salt and light in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to be his salt and light in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life be like salt and light that helps others to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

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

Day 210 – Becoming Like Christ – Matthew 5-13-16 – Salt Of The Earth – 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 Mind Of Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 358 - 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 - The Mind Of Christ- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 358 – 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 – The Mind Of Christ- Growing As Disciples

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:  “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (NIV)

My Teacher

There is nothing I need more. I have no stronger desire. What is your desire? What do you want? I want you to be my teacher. I am thankful that you are my teacher. You give me understanding. You show me what is true and what is false. You protect me from what is foolish and guide me into what is wise. No longer do I need to live by what is my best guess. No longer will I be guided by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. What will you do? I will listen attentively to you. I will not race ahead with my own plan. I will not stubbornly hold on to my own ways. I will humbly and attentively listen to you. I will seek your guidance. I will follow your direction. That will be very good.

How will you receive my teaching? How will you listen to my instruction? How will you follow my guidance and direction? What are some actual steps that you will implement? How will your life look and be different because you want me to be your teacher? Those are all very good questions. Do you have any answers? Yes, I do. I will come to meet with you. I will draw near to you. I will quiet myself before you. I will center my attention on you. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. How will you meet with me? I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. Those seem like part of the classroom to me. Those seem like where my instruction will begin. I will make it my priority to meet with you in prayer and worship and in your word on a daily basis so that I can place myself in a position to hear and be taught by you. That will be very good. Can you think of any other times and places when and where I will teach you? You will teach me at all times and in all places as I love, follow and serve you. Our formal and set times together in prayer and worship and in your word will strengthen my ability to hear from you at all times and in all places. Yes, it will. I look forward to all that you will teach me. I am glad beyond words that I am your student and you are my teacher. Teach me, I’m listening. That is very good. 

Holy Spirit, you are my teacher. You will give me understanding. You will teach me what I don’t know. You will give me wisdom and discernment to guide me through life. Thank you, I will no longer need to rely on my best guesses or the opinions of this world. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit used the word of God to change your heart and transform your mind?

Living It Out… Allow the Spirit of God to guard and guide all your thoughts and words and actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will teach you and give you understanding to guard and guide you through life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening attentively to the Holy Spirit teaching you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen attentively to the Holy Spirit teaching you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 358 – 1 Corinthians 2-3-16 – The Mind Of Christ – 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