Category Archives: 365 Days Of Becoming Like Christ

Trained Themselves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 265 - Hebrews 5:11-14 - Trained Themselves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 265 – Hebrews 5:11-14 – Trained Themselves – Growing As Disciples

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 (NIV)

In Training

I know what that means. I know what that is like. You know what means? I know what it is like to be in training. I would like to hear you describe what you think it means to enter into my training? I would be happy to do that. Go ahead, I’m listening. The first and most important part of training is simply showing up. Why is that? A person cannot be trained if they don’t show up and allow the training to begin. How will your training with me begin? I will draw near to you. I will enter into your presence. I will quiet myself before you. I will give all my thanks and praise to you. I will express my worship to you. I will listen attentively to you. I will give you my undivided attention. You will have my full devotion. That will be very good. Are there some practical, observable steps that are part of your entering into my training? Yes, if I will be entering your training, several steps are important. Like what? I must establish a special time and place for us to meet together. I must withdraw from the noise and busyness of life so that I will be able to hear from you. I must make meeting with you the absolute priority of my life. Why is all of this so important? Life is full of demands and distractions. If I don’t carve out a time and place for us to meet, it will likely never happen. It sounds like you have a great deal of experience on this matter. Yes, I have had many good intentions of meeting with you. Without a plan, days and weeks and even months have gone by without our meeting together. My hectic schedule left no time at the end of the day for us to meet together. So now, you are no longer meeting with me when you get around to it? You are not giving me your leftover time? No, I am not. Our meeting together is my highest, consistent and ongoing priority. That is very good.

Do I have a training manual? Have I given you something that will form the basis of your training? Yes, you have given me your word. You will use your word to teach and train me. You will use your word to mold and shape me. You will use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Yes, I will.

Is there some sign of progress that you will be looking for our expecting? How will you know if my training is accomplishing my purpose in you? You will use your word to make me ready to be used by you. Your training will make me able to train others as your followers. Yes, it will. Yes, it has. Let my training in you continue every day until we meet together face to face in heaven. Then your training will be complete. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will enter into your training. I will give my full and complete effort to being trained as your follower. Every day, I will meet with you in your word. Speak to me. Teach and train me. Mold and shape me. Make me mature and ready to be fully used by you. Amen

Key Question… What spiritual disciplines are part of your training as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Meet daily with God in His word so that you can be spiritually trained as one of His followers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use His word to spiritually train you as one of His followers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been spiritually training you as you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to be trained by your constantly using God’s word.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 265 – Hebrews 5-11-14 – Trained Themselves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

With Confidence

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Compass with needle pointing the word confidence, self esteem concept with blue and brown tones. Focus on the top

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

Confidently

This is going to take some getting used to. What is going to take some getting used to? It is going to take some time getting used to the idea that I can confidently and boldly make my needs known to you. Why is that? I’m not sure. But I will tell you this, I have been more likely to make my needs weakly and timidly known to you than boldly and confidently. That’s not good. I know. Why would you timidly and weakly make your needs known to me? Have you not heard?  I have extended my grace and mercy to you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Do you need proof? Must I convince you? What would it take for me to prove my love to you? What would convince you that it would be my pleasure and joy to help you at all times, and especially when you are in great need? I know, if I sent my one and only Son to die a painful death on the cross as payment for your sins, then you would know how much I love and care for you. Well, you already did that. Yes, I did. You have no need to prove your love for me. I know that you celebrated in heaven on the day that I surrendered my life to you. I know that you are for me. I know that you are kind and loving and gracious towards me. I know that you are on my side. You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. You adopted me into your family. You made me your own. Yes, I did. You love and care for me beyond any words that I could possibly express. Yes, I do.

So, how will you respond to my love for you? I will draw near to you. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will live my life in a constant and ongoing dialogue of prayer with you. I will continually make my needs known to you. I will listen to your voice. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. I will hold on to you as you hold on to me through this journey of life and faith you are leading on. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for making the way to God open to me. You broke down all the barriers that separated me from Him. Thank you for understanding and sympathizing with all my weaknesses. Thank you also for extending grace and mercy to help me in my need. Amen

Key Question… Why can you confidently approach God and ask Him for what you need?

Living It Out… Regularly and confidently make your needs known to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will extend His grace and mercy to you by helping you when you are in great need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are confidently making your requests known to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you confidently approach God and make your needs known to Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 264 – Hebrews 4-14-16 – With Confidence – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Be Diligent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 263 - 1 Timothy 4:15-16 - Be Diligent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 263 – 1 Timothy 4:15-16 – Be Diligent – Growing As Disciples

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV) 

Make Progress

That is what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to make progress as one of your followers. That is a very good desire. What kind of progress do you want to make? I want to grow in knowing and loving and following and serving you. I want to come to know you intimately. By that I mean personally, as well. For example, I have no desire to only know about you. Why is that? Seeking to only know about you seems like an inoculation against the real thing. What is the real thing? Knowing and loving and following and serving you is the real thing. It is the real deal. It is not fake. It is not phony. I don’t want to exchange only knowing about you for actually knowing you. There is a world of difference between the two. Yes, there is, you are quite right about that.

What do you hope to become as you come to know me? What do you desire to do as you come to know me? Those two questions get to the heart of the issue. Knowing you will cause me to love and follow and serve you. Knowing you will change my heart and transform my mind. Knowing you will help me to know and do your will. There is one burning desire that I have that is part of knowing you. What is that? I want to become like you. Only knowing you will make me able to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want to live a life that closely resembles yours. I want your light and life and love to flow in and through me. I want to be a bright and bold witness for you in the world. I want my life to point others to you. I want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you because they have seen your life being lived out in and through me. How is that for a bold desire and request? Could I ask for anything better? Could I want anything more? I don’t think so. What will this coming true in your life be called? I would call it progress, wouldn’t you? Yes, I would. I want my progress of knowing and loving and following and serving you to be evident and obvious to all so that a multitude are drawn to you through the witness of my life. That is my prayer. That is my hope. That is my desire. I will hear and answer this hope and desire and prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will be diligent. I will be disciplined. I will be serious. I will give myself wholly to growing and making spiritual progress as one of your followers. Help me to be vibrant. Help me to be fully alive. Use my life as a bright and bold witness for you in the word. Amen

Key Question… How are you giving yourself wholly and enthusiastically to growing as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Carefully watch your life and doctrine so that you will remain a vibrant and effective witness for the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to make spiritual progress that is evident and obvious to all.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the vibrancy of your faith has drawn others to Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be diligent as a follower of Christ so that your progress will be evident and obvious to all.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 263 – 1 Timothy 4-15-16 – Be Diligent – 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

Wrong For Wrong

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 262 - 1 Thessalonians 5:15 - Wrong For Wrong - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 262 – 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Wrong For Wrong – Growing As Disciples

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)  

Pay Back

That is a losing proposition. What is a losing proposition? It is a losing proposition to try to pay back someone for the wrong they have done to you. I agree with you. Tell me why you think it is a losing proposition to try to pay someone back for the wrongs they have done to you. No one ever wins in paying wrong for wrong. No one ever gets ahead. No one ever becomes satisfied. Anger and revenge and bitterness will eat a person alive. Anger and revenge and bitterness only increases stress and anxiety. It will shorten a life. It will eliminate happiness and kill joy. There is no up-side to paying wrong for wrong.  It is a tool of the devil that will steal, kill and destroy life, which is his evil goal. I have no desire to participate in his plan. I will do nothing to further his efforts. That’s good.

What will you do instead of trying to pay wrong for wrong? What will be your attitude and action plan towards those who have wronged you? I have only one strategy. I have only one hope. What’s that? I will pray for those who have hurt and harmed me. That’s it? That’s all? No, that is just a start. Tell me more about this start. As I pray for those who have harmed me, I know what will happen. What’s that? You will change my heart and mind toward people who harmed me. You will help me to let go of angry and bitter and resentful thoughts. You will help me to see those who harmed me through your eyes. You will help me to love and be kind to everyone, including those who have hurt and harmed me. Yes, I will. You can count on it. 

Why can you be sure that praying for others, including those who have harmed you, is the right approach? That’s easy to answer. Why is that? All I will need to do is look at your example. All I will have to do is do what you did. What did I do? You loved and forgave everyone. You prayed for those who hurt and harmed you. You loved and cared for and were kind to everyone, even those who thought and acted as your enemies. Yes, I did.

What will be the result of your being kind to everyone, including those who have hurt and harmed you? Some former adversaries may become my friends. Some who have hurt and harmed me may see your love flowing in and through me. Some may be drawn to you and come to know you because they have seen your light and life in me. Wouldn’t that be great? Wouldn’t that be something to celebrate? Could we rejoice together over that? Yes, we could. Yes, we will. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, at times, I have been the source of adversarial relationships with others. I have fallen to the temptation of paying back wrong for wrong. Forgive me. Help me now, to follow your example by being kind to everyone, including those who have harmed me. Amen

Key Question… Why must you never allow yourself to become the source of adversarial relationships?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord’s example by being kind to even those who have harmed you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be kind to everyone, including those who have harmed you.

Get Ready To Share…Share with another person or your small group how you have been kind to even those who have harmed you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never pay back wrong for wrong, rather be kind to everyone.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 262 – 1 Thessalonians 5-15 – Wrong For Wrong – 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

Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 250 - 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Example - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 250 – 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Example – Growing As Disciples

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Example

That is quite a thought. That is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. What is quite a thought? What is difficult for you to wrap your mind around? Thinking of myself as an example for others to follow is not something that I have considered. It would have never occurred to me. It would have never entered my mind. Oh sure, I have thought about being a good example or not setting a bad example. This thought is way beyond that thought. How so? Being an example for others to follow is quite a responsibility. I’m not sure that I am up to the assignment. That’s good. That’s good? Yes, that is good. Why is that good? You will never in and of yourself be an example worthy of following. On your own, your life will never be worthy of imitating. That’s what I thought. It is good that you are ready, willing and able to admit that in and of yourself and on your own, your life is not worth following.  I couldn’t agree more completely. But you are not on your own. You are not setting yourself up as an example to follow. You are loving, following and serving me. You are seeking to live the life I lived. You want to imitate me in all that you think and say and do. Yes, I do. With all my heart and mind and soul and strength I want to love and follow and serve you. Isn’t that worth imitating. Isn’t that goal and aren’t those desires in you worth following? Without a doubt, that goal and those desires are worth imitating and following. That is a great start.

There is more. What more is there? I am doing a work in you. I am molding and shaping you. You are the work of my hands. I am making you into my masterpiece. I am changing your heart and transforming your mind. My spirit lives and dwells inside of you. My life is living in and through you. You are a light for me in the darkness of this world. You are not just a little light either. No, it is my intent that you will shine like a star in the universe for me. Will not the work I do in you be something worthy of following? Can I not make you an example worth imitating? Can I not use your life to point others to me? Lord, you can do all things. Nothing is impossible with you. Then your life, as you follow me, will be a shining example for others to follow. I welcome all that you want to do in and through me. Make me an example for others to follow. Yes, I will. 

Lord, I will follow your example. I will think like you thought. I will speak like you spoke. I will live like you lived. Help me to follow your example. Help me to imitate you. Help me to set an example for others to imitate because I am loving and following you. Amen

Key Question… How is following Christ’s example setting your life before others an example to follow?

Living It Out… Follow and imitate Christ’s example in all that you think, say and do so you will be a worthy example to follow.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow His example so you can be an example for others to follow.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been helping you to follow His example.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example so you can also set an example for others to follow.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 250 – 1 Corinthians 11-1 – Example – 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

Ask Whatever You Wish

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 261 - John 15:5-8- Ask Whatever You Wish - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 261 – John 15:5-8- Ask Whatever You Wish – Growing As Disciples

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8 (NIV)  

Vitally Connected

I want to remain vitally connected to you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I don’t want to wander away from you. I don’t want to run ahead of you. I don’t want to lag behind you. This is a good desire you have in your heart. It is far more than a desire in my heart. Yes, I know, tell me about it. This is the prayer of my life. Yes, it is. Do you believe that I will hear and answer this desire and prayer of yours? Without a doubt, you will hear and answer this desire and prayer of mine. Why do you say that? How can you be so sure? I know where this desire and prayer came from. You do? Yes, I do. Tell me more. You put the desire to know you in me. You gave me this passion to want to live in an intimate relationship with you. It was you who drew me to yourself when I was walking on the road that led away from you. You pursued me. You would not let me go. You would not let me live a life without you. No, I would not. So now, I am positive that we both want the same thing. What’s that? You want me to know you. You want to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, I want all of these things for you. I want them as well. So, I would say that you are the giver of this desire and prayer of mine. It is you who placed this prayer in my heart and mind. It is you who has put this prayer on my lips. You who are the giver of prayers are also the granter of prayers. Yes, I am. You are correct, in not doubting that I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. You will remain vitally connected to me. You will bear abundant fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. I will hear and answer your prayers as you remain vitally connected to me. Be sure of this, I have many more prayers to give and grant to you as you love, follow and serve me. Thank you, Lord. I will pray the prayers that you give me to pray as I remain vitally connected to you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want to remain vitally connected to you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you throughout my life. Help me to remain in you so my life will bear abundant fruit and bring glory to God. Guide and grant, hear and answer my prayers to you. Amen

Key Question… What daily spiritual disciplines have helped you to continue to remain vitally connected to Christ?

Living It Out… Remain vitally connected to Christ so that you will be able to pray prayers that He will hear and answer.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you remain vitally connected to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how being vitally connected to Christ has guided your prayers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May Christ hear and answer your prayers as you remain vitally connected to Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 261 – John 15-5-8 – Ask Whatever You Wish – 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

Will Accomplish What I Desire

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 260 - Isaiah 55:10-11 - Will Accomplish What I Desire - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 260 – Isaiah 55:10-11 – Will Accomplish What I Desire – Growing As Disciples

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)  

In Alignment

That is what I want. What do you want? I want my life to be in alignment with your purposes. That is a very good desire. How can you come to know my purposes? I can know your purposes as I let your word dwell in me richly. How will you let my word dwell in you richly? Daily, I will meet with you in your word. I will read your word. I will study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will proclaim your word. In every way, I will grab ahold of your word as your word grabs ahold of me. Most importantly, I will put your word into practice as I listen attentively to you. That will be very good.

What will my word do for you? Your word will change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. How so? Your word will teach and train me. Your word will mold and shape me. Your word will be like a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hands. Your word will fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word will strengthen and empower me. Your word will make me able to resist temptation and stand against evil. Your word will give me your thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. Yes, my word will do all these things in and for you.

What will my word be certain to accomplish? Just as the rain comes down and waters the earth and makes life grow, so also, your word will certainly accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. What are my purposes and plans? It is your plan that your people will come to know and love and follow and serve you. You want your people to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want your people to praise and worship and give thanks to you. You want your people to give you all the honor that you deserve. You want your people to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You want your people to one day come to live forever in heaven with you. Do I understand what you want? Do I know your purposes and plans? Yes, these are my purposes. This is my plan. Do you want what I want? Yes, I do. That is very good.

Lord, I want my heart and mind and life to come into alignment with you. I want my thoughts and words and actions to be consistent with your purposes. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life so I can know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word aligned your thoughts, words, and actions with His purposes?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to meet with God in His word so He can use it to accomplish His purposes in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will powerfully use His word to accomplish His purposes in your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to accomplish His purposes in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to accomplish His purposes in your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 260 – Isaiah 55 -10-11 – Will Accomplish What I Desire – 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

A Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 259 - Isaiah 30:21 - A Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 259 – Isaiah 30:21 – A Voice – Growing As Disciples

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Your Voice

That is what I want to hear. What do you want to hear? I want to hear your voice speaking to me. Why are you so determined to hear my instruction and receive my guidance? I want to know if I should stop or start or turn to the right or to the left, move forward or step backward. I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to take missteps. I would like to go where you guide me so that I can do what you ask of me. In other words, I want to know and do your will. That is very good. But there is far more. Like what? I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to walk through life with you. That will be very good.

What will be necessary for you to hear from me? I will need to be listening to you. That seems quite obvious doesn’t it? Yes, it does. How will you go about listening to me? First, of all I will draw near to you. I will quiet myself before you. I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of life. I will separate myself from what will distract or preoccupy me from focusing my heart and mind and life on you. I will give you my full attention. I will focus myself fully on you. I will set apart a specific time and place to meet with you. How often? Every day. Not a day will go by that I won’t need to hear from you.  That sounds like a very good start.

How will you meet with me? I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in service. I will meet with you as I gather together in your body of believers. That will be very good.

What do you expect to hear from me? I expect that you will guard and guide me. I expect that you will empower and strengthen me. I expect that you will revive and refresh and restore me. I expect that you will lift me up and encourage me. I expect that you will teach and train me. I expect that you will mold and shape me. I expect that you will work in and through me. Why will I do all these things for you? You love and care for me. You lived and died for me. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. I am your child. You have adopted me into your family. Yes, I am all of these things to you. Yes, I will do all of these things for you. Listen to me, I will speak to you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, at times, I have been very hard of hearing. I have been distracted. I have been preoccupied. I have been frantically busy and wrongly focused. Help me to slow down and quiet myself so I can hear you. Help me to hear your voice guiding me through life. Amen

Key Question… How are you slowing down and quieting yourself before the Lord so you can hear from Him?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Lord’s voice guiding you through life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will guide you through life as you listen to His voice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided you through life as you listened to His voice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord leading you through life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 259 – Isaiah 30-21 – A Voice – 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

You Are The Potter

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 258 - Isaiah 64:8- You Are The Potter - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 258 – Isaiah 64:8- You Are The Potter – Growing As Disciples

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) 

Potter

I am so glad that you are the potter and I am the clay. Why is that? The pressure is off. It is you who are molding and shaping my life. You will make me into your masterpiece. Yes, I am and yes, I will. That is such good news. I would make a terrible potter, especially of myself. I would be sadly misshapen if I had to make myself into a masterpiece. There would be no hope. My efforts would be comical and humorous if they weren’t so sad. So, thank you, that I am the work of your hands. You are welcome.

You do have a role in my molding and shaping you. What is my role? First, I will say that you must allow me to mold and shape you. You must be ready and willing for me to mold and shape you. You could resist my efforts. You could hinder my work. You must welcome my work in and through you. I would never knowingly resist your efforts or hinder your work. Really? Have you never been stubborn? Have you never been strong willed? Have you never been opinionated? Have you never disobeyed me? Have you never run away from me? Have you never disobeyed my instructions and rejected my guidance? Have you never determined that you were going to live your life for yourself, by doing your own thing? Well, I have done all of those things at one time or another. Will doing those things help or hinder my work of molding and shaping you? Doing any of those things will no doubt hinder your work of molding and shaping me Yes, it will. 

What must you do if you want me to mold and shape you? I must draw near to you. I must submit myself to you. I must listen attentively to you. I must follow you to where you lead me. I must do what you ask of me. I must focus my heart and mind and life on you. In a word, I must give myself fully to you, so that you can mold and shape me into your masterpiece. Couldn’t I mold and shape you against your will? You could, but you won’t. Why is that? You have given me a free will. You have given me a life to live. I can choose to live my life with and for you, or I can choose to wander away from you. It is my choice. Yes, it is. Well, without a doubt I want to live my life with and for you. I want you to mold and shape me into your masterpiece. I want to be the work of your hands. That is very good. That is what I will do for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for molding and shaping my life. I have great joy and comfort and confidence knowing that I am the work of your hands. Keep on molding and shaping my life. Make me into your masterpiece so that I can bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How has your Heavenly Father used His word to mold and shape your life?

Living It Out… Allow your Heavenly Father to mold and shape your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father is the potter who will mold and shape your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has been molding and shaping your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to be molded and shaped by your Heavenly Father.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 258 – Isaiah 64-8 – You Are The Potter – 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

Answers Before Listening

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 257 - Proverbs 18:13 - Answers Before Listening - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 257 – Proverbs 18:13 – Answers Before Listening – Growing As Disciples

He who answers before listening– that is his folly and his shame. Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) 

Listen Carefully, Speak Wisely 

That is exactly what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to be able to listen carefully and speak wisely. It is good that you have linked those two thoughts together. Why is that? Those thoughts are intertwined. Those two ideas are inseparable. How so? You will never be able to speak wisely without learning to listen carefully. Do you know why that is? No, I don’t think so. Maybe I do, but I’m not sure. Take a guess. Not listening is a sure sign of pride. Not listening conveys the attitude that I have much to offer and no need to receive. It is the attitude of a “know it all”. A poor listener cuts themselves off from learning from others. A poor listener will never have the benefit of other’s insight. A poor listener will live forever with their blind spots that they can’t see by themselves. Why is that? It is easy to recognize a poor listener. A poor listener sends out signals that shout, “Don’t bother with me, because I won’t listen to you.” I don’t want to be that person. That’s good. 

How will you become a good listener? Where you will start? What will you do? I will start with you. It is the desire of my heart to hear from you. I want to listen to every word that you have to say to me. There is no one I want to hear from more than you. That’s good. So, I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of life. I will go to a quiet place. I will slow down and make myself attentive to you. I will separate myself from the swirl of activity all around me. Why will that be necessary? I am hard of hearing. Listening to you does not come naturally to me. No, it does not. Quieting myself before you will take all the strength that you will give to me. Why is that? Activity and busyness is my norm. Racing here and there and everywhere is my strength. It’s not really a strength. I know. It’s a huge weakness. But there is one thing I know for certain. What’s that? You will speak to me as I meet with you. You will speak to me as I meet with you in your word, and in prayer, and in worship. Yes, I will. 

What will happen to you as you listen attentively to me? You will give me wise words to speak as I listen attentively to you. Yes, I will.  What else? You will strengthen and develop my ability to listen to others as I keep on listening to you. Yes, I will. What else? As I listen to others, I will be more able to minister to them. You will give me wise and caring and loving words to speak that will bring life and healing to others. Yes, I will. Keep on listening to me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know I have pridefully spoken quickly without listening carefully. I have often spoken unhelpful and unhealthy words I have deeply regretted. Help me to listen attentively to you. Help me to speak wise words that will build up and encourage others. Amen

Key Question… When have you made the mistake of speaking without listening carefully?

Living It Out… Listen carefully to the Lord so that you will be able to speak wisely to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wise words to speak as you listen carefully to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening carefully so you will be able to speak wisely.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen carefully to the Lord so you will be able to speak wisely to others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 257 – Proverbs 18-13 – Answers Before Listening – 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