Category Archives: 365 Days Of Becoming Like Christ

Renewed Day By Day

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 24 - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Renewed Day By Day - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 24 – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Renewed Day By Day – Growing As Disciples

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) 

Renewed Inwardly

I don’t know why I thought I would be young forever. How have all the years gone by so quickly? Who is that old person staring back at me in the mirror? Is that really me? I can hardly believe it. I can think of days long ago that seem like yesterday. People and places and things are all quite different, nothing looks the same. Everything has changed. Nothing remains as it once was.  Now, I know without a doubt, that this life is like a blink of an eye or a snap of the fingers. Soon, my life here will be over. I could be sad. I could be discouraged. I could be depressed. I could feel the pain and suffering of loss. But, I don’t. I think and feel none of those things. Why is that? My heart and mind and life are not focused on this life. What I can see from this life does not command my attention. In many ways this life is like a mirage up ahead on a hot roadway. This life is not the ultimate reality. You have so much more for me. Eternal life awaits me. So, my heart and mind and life are focused on the unseen. My heart and mind and life are focused on you and heaven that is prepared for me. So, I am not discouraged or depressed. I feel no pain and suffering with loss. I have everything to gain when I begin my new life with you. Yes, you do.

But there is more. What else is there? As my outward body wastes away, I am being renewed inwardly day by day. You are molding me. You are shaping me. You have given me a new heart and mind. You have fixed my heart and mind and life on you. So, I am lifted up. I am encouraged. I am spurred on to live the rest of my life with and for you. For me, eternal life has already begun. You are now preparing me for my final destination. Soon, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, you will. I eagerly look forward to that day. That is very good.

Lord, it is obvious, my outward body is wasting away. That could be discouraging if this life was my focus. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I’m looking at what is invisible and eternal. Keep on renewing me inwardly as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… What spiritual disciplines has the Lord used to renew you inwardly?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to renew you inwardly day by day as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is renewing you inwardly day by day as you keep yourself focused on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been renewing you inwardly.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to continue His day by day renewal of you inwardly.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 24 – 2 Corinthians 4-16-18 – Renewed Day By Day – 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

Be Transformed

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 25 - Romans 12:1-2 - Be Transformed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 25 – Romans 12:1-2 – Be Transformed – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)  

Conformed Or Transformed?

I see that I have a very clear choice to make. What choice do you have to make? You’re asking me? Yes, I’m asking you. I would like to hear you describe the choice before you. I would even like to hear why you think you must make a choice, in the first place. You are correct, make no mistake about it. A choice is before you. You must make a choice. Doing nothing would be a choice, in a sense, isn’t that correct? Yes, that is correct. But, let’s talk more about the choice you want to make. You have no interest in doing nothing, is that correct? Yes, that is correct. I want to be transformed. I have no desire to remain as I am. I also no longer want to be conformed to the world. I don’t want my life to be conformed to the patterns and practices of the world. I don’t want to think what the world thinks. I don’t want to speak like the world speaks. I don’t want to do what the world does. If I do nothing at all, if I fail to make a different choice, I will continue to be conformed to the world. That outcome would be certain. That eventually would be sure. Why is that? Every day the world is bombarding me with its thoughts, values and practices. Without aggressive action and a different course, I will be no different than every other person that is living in this world. That is true.

What would your life look like if you were to be transformed? How is it possible for you to be transformed? I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I can’t transform myself. Why is that? Only you can change my heart. Only you can transform my mind. Only you can change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and the actions of my life. You said you needed to take aggressive action and a different course. Yes, I did. What action will you take? What course will you choose? I will choose to follow you. I will give my life to you. I will submit myself fully to you. I will allow you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I will seek to know and do your will. I will desire to live a life that is fully pleasing to you. That is very good.

How will I transform you? What tool will I use to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? I know you will use all of life to transform me. Yes, I will. I also know that you will primarily use your word to help me to know and do your will. As I meet with you in your word, you will change my heart and transform my mind. Your word will give me new thoughts to think. Your word will give me new words to speak. Your word will give me new actions to take. Your word will help me to understand your good and pleasing and perfect will. You will use your word to help me to live a transformed life that is pleasing to you. Yes, I will. 

Lord, for a very long time I sat passively and allowed my mind to be conformed to the patterns, practices and values of the world. Not anymore! Now, I want to know and do your will. Use your word to transform my mind so I can live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… How are you allowing God to use His word to change every one of your thoughts, words and actions?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to transform your mind so you can know and do His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you can know and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been using His word to transform your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to transform your mind, so you can know and do His will.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 25 – Romans 12-1-2 – Be Transformed – 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

Obey My Teaching

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 26 - John 14:23-24 - Obey My Teaching - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 26 – John 14:23-24 – Obey My Teaching – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24 (NIV)

Love Me 

Do you love me? Yes, I love you. I love you with all that is within me. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. How do you know that you love me? How is your love for me demonstrated? How is your love for me on display for all to see? I know that I love you because it is the passionate desire of my heart to love, follow and obey you. It is not some burdensome task for me to love, follow and obey you. It is my joy to go and do whatever you ask of me. I look for ways to do what is pleasing in your sight. It is to my great sadness when I have come to realize that I have not gone and done whatever you have asked of me. Even then, I continue on in my desire to love, follow and obey you, with all that is within me. It is the goal of my life that I become like you. I want to know you. I want to live my life with and for you. I want your love to live in me. I want your love to flow through me. Hopefully and prayerfully, with a heart filled with faith, others will see your love in and flowing through me to them. That is how I pray that my love for you will be demonstrated and on display. It is my prayer that your love flowing through me will be a clear and bold and bright witness for you in the world. That will be very good.

What do you know now about your love for me and my love for you? I know that you will help me to love you more fully and completely. You will keep on drawing me closer to you. You will keep on making me to be more like you. I know that you have and will continue to come and make your home within me. I am not alone in this world. You are living and working in and through me. Your hand is on me. Your favor rests on me. You are using me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I am. You can be sure of that. Keep on loving and following and serving me. Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I know that the true demonstration of my love will be my following and obeying you. Help me to follow and obey you. Come and make your home in me. Live in and through my life for your glory. Amen

Key Question… Why does your love for God make it no burden for you to obey Him?

Living It Out… Love and obey God so that He will come and make His home in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will come and make His home in you because you love and obey Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a life of loving and obeying God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love and obey God so He can come and make His home in you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 26 – John 14-23-24 – Obey My Teaching – 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

Crucified To Me

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 31 - Galatians 6:14 - Crucified To Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 31 – Galatians 6:14 – Crucified To Me – Growing As Disciples

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 (NIV)

Dead

That usually isn’t a very attractive and desirable word. What word is that? Dead, is not an attractive and desirable world. But, it is in this case, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Why is that? How could it possibly be attractive and desirable to be dead? If I weren’t dead, then I wouldn’t be alive. Now, that has got to sound very confusing to some. Say more about what you mean. When you died on the cross, I died with you. My old life and all its sinful patterns and practices and values died with you on the cross. On the cross, you paid for my sins. On the cross, you cleansed my unrighteousness. Your death on the cross secured a new life for me. Not only did my old life die, but, my new life in you came alive. That is why I can say that if I my old life did not die; I could not have received a new life in you. That’s true. That is why is very attractive and desirable that my old life is dead, and now I have a completely new life in you. That is very good. 

What has changed about you since you received a completely new life in me? Everything about me has changed. First and foremost is that I now live in a close and intimate relationship with you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. It is my highest desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to know you. I want to live my life with and for you. Beyond that, all my thoughts, and words and deeds are different. My new life in you has made me completely new. My old life would not be recognizable as once having once been a part of me. My new life in you, is now a bold and bright and shining witness for you in the world. Others would and have given thanks and praise to you for the work you have done, are doing and will do in my life. Now, I can take no credit for your working in and through my life. I will also say that I need to come to rely on you for any true and real and lasting fruit to be born through my life. I also know that I am not perfect. I still do make mistakes, take missteps and sin against you, for which I am and will be forgiven. That’s true. I also want to say that two facts remain certain. Which are? My old life is dead and gone. I have a completely new to live in you, which you are helping me to live every day, as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I am. For that I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good. 

Lord, I have been crucified with you. My old life is now dead and go. It died on the cross with you. The world and its desires are dead to me. You have given me a completely new life to live in you. Help me to be fully alive to you and the new life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How does your completely new life in Christ look different from your old life in the world?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to live a life in which the world and all its desires has been crucified to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live a life in which the world is crucified to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the world and its desires has been crucified to you?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a life in which the world is crucified to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 31 – Galatians 6-14 – Crucified To Me – 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

If God Is For Us

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 27 - Romans 8:31-32 - If God Is For Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 27 – Romans 8:31-32 – If God Is For Us – Growing As Disciples

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NIV) 

No Greater Or Better Gift

Do you have any doubts? Do I have any doubts about what? Do you have any doubts about me being for you? Do you know that I am on your side? Do you believe that I love and care for you? Do you know that I am watching over you? Do you realize that I never stop thinking about you? I am with you to help you. I am guarding and guiding you. I am molding and shaping you. Your life is in my hands. I am your Heavenly Father. You have been adopted into my family. You are my child. I delight to hear from you. I have no doubts about anything that you have said. That’s good.

Why don’t you have any doubts about my love for you? Why do you know that I am for you? How can you be sure that I am on your side? You made the supreme sacrifice for me. You sent your Son into the world to die for me. He paid for my sins. His blood cleansed me of my unrighteousness. He made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. He secured a place in heaven for me. Could there have been a greater or better gift that you could have given me? Could you have done something more dramatic for me? Could you have demonstrated your love for me with any greater clarity? The answer to all three of those questions is the same. No, there is no greater or better gift you could have given me. No, you could not have done something more dramatic for me. No, you could not more clearly demonstrate your love for me. So, here I am in humble and awe filled thankfulness that I cannot adequately express. I can only say, that I now love you because you first loved me. I will draw near to you, because you have drawn near to me. I will walk with you because I know that you are walking with me. I am and will continue to joyfully give my life fully to you. I know that you will give me all that I need as I love, follow and serve you. I know that you will hear and answer my prayers because you love me. There is no greater or better gift than your love. I have no doubt about that. That is very good.  

Heavenly Father, what can I say? How can I respond? I am in thankful awe knowing you are on my side. You love and care for me. You gave your Son for me. Now, I have a new and intimate life with you. Thank you for your goodness to me. You hear my prayers. Amen

Key Question… What has helped you to come to know without a doubt that God is on your side?

Living It Out… Live a prayer filled intimate life with God because you know that He is on your side.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God is on your side and will help you with what you need in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are encouraged by knowing that God is on your side.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be encouraged and strengthen because you know that God is on your side.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 27 – Romans 8-31-32 – If God Is For Us – 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 Servant Of Christ

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 30 - Galatians 1:10 - A Servant Of Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 30 – Galatians 1:10 – A Servant Of Christ – Growing As Disciples

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Approval

I certainly don’t want to live for that. You don’t want to live for what? I don’t want to live for the approval of men. Why is that? Living for the approval of men is a waste of time and energy. How so? It’s like trying to please everyone. That’s an impossible task. Let me tell you, I’m speaking from experience. Living to please others leaves a person weary and worn out. Not only is it impossible, it is also thankless. I could run myself ragged and somewhere, someone would be unhappy and disapprove of my efforts. So, you won’t try to please anyone, is that correct? No, that is not correct.

Who will you live to please? First, let me say that there is another even more important reason not to try to live to please men. A choice needs to be made. Why is that? It is impossible to try and please both you and men. What you desire and what men desire are in direct conflict with each other. Mankind is self-serving. Mankind seeks its own benefit. Mankind wants comfort and pleasure. Mankind has hopes and dreams and desires that are entirely earthly and completely unspiritual. Mankind lives in opposition to you. That’s true.

So, it is your desire to live to please me? Yes, it is my desire to live in ways that please you. I want to live as your servant in the world. I want to go and do whatever you ask of me. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to shine as your light in the world. In every way and on every day, I want to be faithful to you. I want to live a life that is approved by you. I want your hand to guide me. I want your favor to rest on me. Those are very good desires. There is something more that you want to say, isn’t there? Yes, there is. I’m listening. I know you are always listening. I know that you know what I am going to say even before I say it. That’s true. Well, here goes, I can’t make myself faithful. I can’t make myself fruitful. On my own, with my own strength, I can’t live a life that is pleasing to you. Only your light can shine in and through me. Only you can help me to live a life that is approved by you. For me to be fruitful your hand will need to guide me, and your favor will need to rest on me. Is that your prayer? Is that your request? Is that your urgent desire? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer your prayer. You will live to please me. You will live a life that has my approval. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, for far too often I cared entirely too much about what others thought about me. I lived for the approval of men. I tried to live up to everyone’s expectations. What a foolish mistake. No more of that! Now, I will live as your servant, seeking to solely please you. Amen

Key Question… What are you now doing as a result of your desire to please Christ, rather than men?

Living It Out… Live your life with the goal of serving and pleasing Christ, rather than men.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can live as Christ’s servant, seeking to please Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living as Christ’s servant, seeking to please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as a Christ’s servant, seeking to please Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 30 – Galatians 1-10 – A Servant 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

Love The Lord

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 32 - Matthew 22:36-40 - Love The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 32 – Matthew 22:36-40 – Love The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)  

I Love You 

There is one thing I know for sure. There is one thing I know without a doubt. What’s that? I now love you because you first loved me. You made it possible for me to come to know and love you. You started me on this journey of knowing, loving, following and serving you. I deserve no credit for the fact that I am living in an intimate relationship with you. Without you drawing me to yourself, I would still be walking on a dark path that led away from you. You rescued me from a life without you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You now call me your friend. Day by day, you are helping me to come to know and love you. You are fanning the flame of my desire for you. Yes, I am. 

You have more that you want to say, don’t you? Yes, I do. I am impatient. I am unsatisfied. Tell me more. That is just it, I want more. I want to know you more intimately. I want to love you more fully. I want to serve you more boldly. I do not want to remain as I am. I want to keep on moving forward with you. Could I call what I am feeling, “a holy dissatisfaction?” I hope so. I don’t want more for myself. I want to more fully live the life you are calling me to live. I know that you want me to be patient. I know that you want me to be filled with faith. I know that you want me to trust your timing. I will be and do all these things. That’s very good. I will also trust that you will continue your good work in me. You will mold and shape me. You guard and guide me. You will use me to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I know that you will one day bring your work in me to completion. I look forward to that day. On that day, it is my hope and prayer that we will look back over my life and I will hear you say that I have been a good and faithful servant who has accomplished the work you have given me to do for you. Only you can make that happen. Only you can make that certain. I am trusting fully in you. My life is in your hands. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

Lord, I have no higher desire than to know and love you. No priority or pursuit of mine is even remotely close to my wanting to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Fan the flame of my love for you. Help me to fully know and love you. Amen

Key Question… What spiritual disciplines has the Lord used to help you to know and love Him more intimately?

Living It Out… Live in an intimate relationship with the Lord so you will know and love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know and love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for the Lord is growing stronger and deeper every day.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 32 – Matthew 22-36-40 – Love The Lord – 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

Self-Controlled And Alert

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 34 - 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Self-Controlled And Alert - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 34 – 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Self-Controlled And Alert – Growing As Disciples

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)  

Watch Out

I have not been doing that. You have not been doing what? I have not been alert. I have not been watching out. I have not been careful. I have not been observant. Most of all, I have not been self-controlled. That’s not good. I have let the devil sneak up on me and attack me with his evil. I have been very slow to recognize that I was in a spiritual battle. I have engaged in a conflict that was not my own. I have foolishly fought with my own strength, which, we both know, never ends well. That’s true.

You sound discouraged. You seem depressed. Is it that easy to hear and see? Yes, it is. Even if it weren’t, my thoughts and feelings cannot be hidden from you. You know what I am thinking and feeling even before I do. Yes, I do. I do have a question for you. Go ahead, I am listening. Do you think your spiritual battle with evil is now over? Has the attack you have been under completely passed by? I thought so. Do my questions make you want to think again? Yes, they do. What are you just now realizing? My spiritual battle with evil is not over. Why do you say that? I feel this weight of condemnation. As you noticed, I am discouraged and depressed. I have been living under condemnation because I have been caught napping. I have been discouraged and depressed because once again I have experienced a defeat because I was not vigilant. I was not watching out. I was not on guard. Even more foolishly, I relied on my own power and strength once the battle began. Yes, you were not vigilant. Yes, you relied on your own power and strength. But, don’t let yourself fall under the condemnation of the devil. That is not my desire for you. It is my plan that you will learn from your mistakes. Will you learn? Will you get up and keep moving forward with me? Yes Lord, I will. That is very good.

So, you can be very sure that all is not lost. How so? You tell me. Once again, I am learning a lesson. I am learning to be vigilant. I am learning to watch out. I am learning to rely on you when I am faced with a battle. You will help me. You will fight with me. You will fight for me. You will fight through me. You will help me stand against the Devil and all his evil. Yes, I will. Rely on me. Yes, I will. That is very good.

Lord, I have been caught napping. I have not been watchful and on alert to attacks by the Devil and his evil. Help me to be watchful, careful, disciplined and alert. Help me to resist him and stand firm against all his evil attacks. Strengthen me with your power. Amen

Key Question… What tactics has the Devil and his evil tried to use to attack you?

Living It Out… Be watchful and alert against attacks by the Devil and all his evil.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to stand against attacks by the Devil and all his evil.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to stand against evil attacks by the Devil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you watch out and remain alert so that the Devil and his evil cannot sneak up on you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 34 – 1 Peter 5-8-9 – Self-Controlled And Alert – 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

Humbles Himself

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 35 - Luke 14:7-11 - Humbles Himself - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 35 – Luke 14:7-11 – Humbles Himself – Growing As Disciples

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11 (NIV)

Humble 

What would I do if I were humble? How would I live my life differently if I were to follow your example? What would I be doing if I took on the role of being a servant? You are asking yourself some very good questions? Do you have any great answers? Not really. Well, maybe. I know one thing for sure. What’s that? I need your help on several things. Like what? I need your help to be humble. I am filled with pride. I have wanted to sit in the seat of honor. I have wanted to be the center of attention. How does that sound to you? It is very hard to admit. I don’t even want to whisper the thought. It sounds pathetic. It feels disgusting. Well, you have a very good start. How so? You are admitting that you are proud. You are asking for my help. You know that you will not be able to take on the form of a humble servant without my help. That is for sure, there is no doubt about that.

Let’s take a step back. I would like to ask you a couple questions. I’m listening. Why do you want to be humble? Why do you want to take on the form of a servant? That question is easy for me to answer. I want to become like you. You humbled yourself and took on the form of servant. I want to humble myself and take on the form of servant. I want to follow your example. I want to do what you did. That is very good. 

How will you know what to do as my humble servant in the world? That is also an easy question for me to answer. I will humbly listen to your instructions. I will humbly follow your guidance. I will humbly go and do what you ask me to do for you. How did I come to know those answers to my question? You humbly listened, you humbly followed, and you humbly did all that your Heavenly Father asked you to do for Him. Yes, I did. That is what I will do also. That is very good.  

Lord, I know you came into this world and took on the form of a servant. You have given me an example to follow. Help me to humble myself. I will not seek to exalt myself. I will do just as you have done. Help me to follow your example by living to serve others. Amen

Key Question… Why will it always be a mistake to think of yourself more highly than others?

Living It Out… Humble yourself, by taking on the form of a servant, so you can serve others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to humble yourself by serving others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly serving others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself, take on the form of a servant, and serve others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 35 – Luke 14-7-11 – Humbles Himself – 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 Disciple

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 36 - Luke 14:26-27 - My Disciple - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 36 – Luke 14:26-27 – My Disciple – Growing As Disciples

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27 (NIV)

First Place

You have first place in my heart and mind and life. I hesitate to use that expression. Why is that? Saying you have first place in my life seems to indicate that other things are in the running. Nothing is also in the race for my heart and mind and life. Nothing else places or shows. Nothing comes close to my desire to be fully devoted to you. That is very good.

I understand that I should have counted the cost of being your disciple. I know that your gift of salvation is a free gift. I also know that being fully devoted to you will cost me everything. I hesitate to think in terms of counting the costs of being your disciple. I will move forward with that idea only because it is in your word. Why is that? What is your hesitancy? Counting the costs seems to indicate that there might be some value on each side of the scale. There is no value in not being your disciple. If I were to decide to not be your disciple, I would be wasting my life. It would be a disaster to one day look back at what it cost me to not be your disciple. In fact, I could say it will cost me just as much to be or not be your disciple. Each choice will cost my life. That is true. So, I have finished counting the cost. I want to be your disciple. That is very good.

You know, even though it will cost me everything to be your disciple, that cost is not burdensome to me. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. How much of a burden is it to do what pleases the one you love? How much of a burden will it be for me to follow and serve you? None at all. Will I sit around waiting to follow and obey you? No, I will look for ways to follow and obey you. It will be my delight to do what pleases you. That is very good.

Will I love and follow and serve you perfectly? Will I always do what is pleasing to you? No, not perfectly. No, not always. But you will help me. You will keep me on course. You will help me to keep on loving and following and serving you. You will make me able to live as your disciple in the world. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I will. You can be certain of that. For that, I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good. 

Lord, you have first place in my life. Nothing else competes. Nothing else places or shows. I am devoted to you. I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Help me to live as one of your servants. Help me to be one of your disciples. I will follow you. Amen

Key Question… How has your love for Jesus Christ made you want to follow and serve Him at all costs?

Living It Out… Love Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, soul and strength so you can live as His disciple in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will make you able to love Him and live as His disciple in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for Christ has made you able to live as His disciple.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as Christ’s disciple, love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 36 – Luke 14-26-27 – My Disciple – 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