Category Archives: 365 Days Of Becoming Like Christ

Learned A Lesson From What I Saw

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 314 - Proverbs 24:30-34 - Learned A Lesson From What I Saw - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 314 – Proverbs 24:30-34 – Learned A Lesson From What I Saw – Growing As Disciples

I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV)

School Is In Session

I guess school is in session. What do you mean by that? By that, I mean my eyes and ears are open. I’m watching. I’m listening. I want to see and hear all that you want to teach me. I am humbly setting myself before you. I am welcoming your teaching in my life.  And I have no doubts about your wanting to teach me. What do you think I will use to teach you? You will use all the circumstances of life to teach me. Nothing from all of life will be unavailable for your use. Like what? What have I used to teach you in the past? You have used failures to teach me. You have used successes to teach me. You have used everything between success and failure to teach me. You have used highs and lows to teach me. Actually, I have never known when a teachable moment will be before me. All I know is that I want to be fully attentive to you. I’m sure that you don’t want any teachable moment for me to go to waste. No, I don’t. Neither do I.

What attitude must you have if you are to be teachable? I must be humble above all else. Nothing will make me more unteachable than being filled with pride. Nothing will close my eyes and ears more tightly to you than thinking either that I “know it all” or I “am it all.”  But I want to say something else. What’s that? Even when I have been filled with pride you have been able to teach me. However, I would rather not be taught and learn under those circumstances. Why is that? The lessons are much more difficult and painful. If and when my heart has been as hard as stone, the lesson has had to be as strong as a diamond, so to speak. You have had to break through my pride to teach me. Which you have done so, at times, because you love and care for me. You don’t want me to remain as I am. You want to keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I do. 

What effort will you make to receive my instruction? I will not be lazy. I will not be complacent. Every day I will apply myself and give my full and best efforts to learning the lessons you are teaching me. I will not simply listen to your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will go and do what you ask of me. Why will you give your all-out effort to me? I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. So, each day I will live as if school is in session, because it is. You are my teacher. I am your student. Yes, I am. Yes, you are. Let the learning begin. That will be very good.

Lord, I will keep my eyes and ears open so that I will be able to see and hear what you want to teach me. Teach me lessons that will give me wisdom. Give me good judgement. Guide the course of my life so I will be able to know and do what is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord used something you observed to teach you a lesson?

Living It Out… Keep your eyes and ears open so you will be able to see and hear what the Lord wants to teach you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will teach you lessons that will help you to know and do what is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has taught you a valuable lesson of lifelong importance.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes and ears open to the lessons the Lord wants to teach you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 314 – Proverbs 24-30-34 – Learned A Lesson From What I Saw – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

He Will Guide You Into All Truth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 332 - John 16:13-15 - He Will Guide You Into All Truth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 332 – John 16:13-15 – He Will Guide You Into All Truth – Growing As Disciples

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.  John 16:13-15 (NIV)

The Truth

I know how you have been guiding me into the truth. I know how you have been declaring the truth to me. How is that? How have I been guiding you into the truth? How have I been declaring the truth to you? You have taken God’s word and applied it directly to my life. You have brought God’s word back into my mind when I needed it the most. You have taught and trained me with God’s word. You have helped me to hide God’s word deep into my heart and mind and life. You have formed the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life with God’s word. You have used God’s word like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. You have used God’s word to help me to resist temptation and stand against evil. You have used God’s word to change my heart and transform my mind. You have used God’s word to protect me from the constant bombardment of all the false principles, values and practices of the world. You have guarded and guide the entire course of my life with God’s word. Am I correct? Have I said what is true? Yes, you are correct. Yes, you have said what is most certainly true.

What will you do to allow yourself to continue to be guided into the truth? I will listen attentively to you. You will have my full attention. I will follow and obey you. I will act on all the truth that you show me. I will continue to allow God’s word to dwell in me richly. To do otherwise, would be like taking the sword out of your hand. I will never let that happen. I will read and study God’s word. I will memorize and meditate on God’s word. I will pray and proclaim God’s word. In every way, I will take hold of God’s word so that it will take hold on me. That will be very good. I will keep on guiding you into all the truth. Thank you, Holy Spirit. 

Holy Spirit, I will listen attentively to you. I will allow you to take God’s word and apply it to my life. I will allow you to use God’s word like a sword to fight in, with, for and through me. Use God’s word to guide me into all the truth. I will follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Holy Spirit taken something from God’s word and applied it directly to your life?

Living It Out…  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth by listening attentively to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide you into the truth.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit is guiding you into the truth.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth.

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

Becoming Like Christ – John 16-13-15 – Day 332 – He Will Guide You Into All Truth – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Trust In God; Trust Also In Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - John 14:1-4 - Trust In God; Trust Also In Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – John 14:1-4 – Trust In God; Trust Also In Me – Growing As Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (NIV)  

One Or The Other

I know it will be the one or the other. You know what will be the one or the other? I will either trust in you or let my heart be troubled. There are only those two choices. Why are there only two choices? If I don’t trust in you, then I will no doubt attempt to trust something or someone that is not worthy of my trust. Like what or who? I might trust in possessions and money. I might trust in accomplishments or training. I might trust in prestige, power or position. I might trust in myself. I might trust in my gifts, talents and abilities. I might trust in another person. Nothing in all of life, whether it be people or things will ever be worthy of my trust. Over time, one by one, all these unworthy trusts will let me down. The truth of the matter is, I don’t have to wait to be let down by trusting someone or something other than you. Somewhere deep down inside me, I have known the unworthiness of faulty trusts at the very beginning, well before I have ever been let down by them. So, with relying on unworthy and faulty trusts comes a worried and troubled heart. That should have always been a signal to me. What kind of signal? Worry is a signal that I have misplaced my trust in someone or something other than you. Yes, that is a very good signal.

What will you do when you begin to worry? I will come to you. I will draw near to you. I will turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. I will lay all my worries at your feet. I will place all my trust in you. I can fully trust you right now in this life. I can fully trust you right now for the life I will have forever in heaven with you. You will be with me. You will help me. You will bring me through every trouble until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. I will place all my trust in you both now and forever. You are completely worthy of all my trust. I will not let my heart be troubled, I will fully trust in you. That will be very good. I am worthy of all your trust. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, I will place all my trust in you. I will not let my heart to be troubled. At the first sign of worry I will turn every one of them into a prayer to you. Thank you that I can trust you both now in this life and forever in the next life in heaven with you. Amen

Key Question… When have you trusted God instead of allowing your heart to be troubled?

Living It Out… Trust God rather than allowing your heart to be troubled.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can trust God rather than let your heart be troubled.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are trusting God rather than letting your heart be troubled.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you trust in God so that your heart does not become troubled.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 334 – John 14-1-4 – Trust In God; Trust Also In 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

In Your Hearts Set Apart Christ As Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 336 - 1 Peter 3:15-16 - In Your Hearts Set Apart Christ As Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3:15-16 – In Your Hearts Set Apart Christ As Lord – Growing As Disciples

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Lord

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean that I am Lord? Let me start by saying that you are not just Lord generally. You are Lord specifically of my life. By that, I mean you have authority over my life. You are in charge of my life. I have bowed myself down to you. I want your will to reign over my life. You are on the throne of my life. I can say more. Go ahead, I am listening. I am not the evaluator of you. You are the evaluator of me. If my thoughts or words or actions are not in alignment with you, someone has got to change and its not you. If your word says something is true, I dare not think it is false. If your word says one thing, I better not do another. If your word says something is false, it would be foolish to think it was true. My heart and mind and life are centered on you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. I have set you apart as Lord of my life because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to live my life with or for you. I could have no greater peace or joy or hope than I do in loving, following and serving you. That is very good.

Will you keep silent about the peace and hope and joy you have in me? Is this a secret that only you should know? No, not at all. I want to share the good news. I want to be a bold witness for you. I want to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. I want others to wonder and ask why I have such radiant hope and joy within me. Speak through me. Help me to lead others to you. Use my life to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Let the good that you are doing in and through me speak powerfully to others so that they will want to live their lives with you both now and forever. That I will do. I will shine brightly in and through your life. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have set you apart in my heart as my Lord. I know you will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Give me opportunities to share the reason for the hope that I have in you. Help me to shine brightly in the world for you. Amen

Key Question… How is loving Christ with all your heart motivating your desire to follow and serve Him?

Living It Out… Set apart Christ in your heart as Lord over your life so that you will think, and speak and act in ways that please Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that setting apart Christ as Lord will change your heart and transform the way that you think, speak and act.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you have shared the reason for your hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May setting Christ apart as Lord guide the way you think, speak and act.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3-15-16 – In Your Hearts Set Apart Christ As 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

Crave Pure Spiritual Milk

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 337 - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Crave Pure Spiritual Milk- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 337 – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Crave Pure Spiritual Milk- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)  

Craving

I have this craving that is within me. I didn’t stir up this craving within me. I am not the originator of this craving within me. I cannot take credit for this craving that is within me. This craving that is within me could have only come from you. I will say that I am grateful and thankful for this craving that you have put in me. What is this craving that you are talking about? I am talking about the craving that I have in me for the pure spiritual milk of your word. I hunger and thirst or your word. Just as a newborn baby craves milk, so I also crave the pure spiritual milk of your word. Your word satisfies my hunger and thirst. Yet, I am always hungry for more of your word. That is very good.

What is my word doing in you? Your word is helping me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Your word has helped me to want to know and do your will. Your word has filled me with desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Your word has given me the desire to strip off and rid myself of anything and everything that is not pleasing to you. Like what? I want to strip off and rid myself of malice and deceit, hypocrisy and envy, and slander of every kind. What else is my word doing in you? Your word has been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. Your word is helping your thoughts and words and actions to be formed in me. Your Holy Spirit has taken your word and used it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Your word has been helping me to resist temptation and stand against evil. But most of all, and most importantly, your word has been helping to taste your goodness and kindness and mercy and love. Your word has helped me to want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I delight in hearing your word. As I listen to you speaking to me, I know that you are helping me to grow up in the salvation you have secured for me. Yes, I am. Yes, I will. Keep on craving my word. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I crave the pure spiritual milk of your word. I will drink deeply of your word so I will be able to grow up in the salvation you have secured for me. Help me to keep on stripping off and ridding myself of anything and everything that is not pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… How is drinking pure spiritual milk of God’s word helping you to strip off what is not pleasing to the Lord?

Living It Out… Drink deeply of the pure spiritual milk of God’s word so you will be able to strip off what is not pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow up in your salvation as you crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are drinking deeply of the pure spiritual milk of God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you crave pure spiritual milk of the word so you will grow up in your salvation.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 337 – 1 Peter 2-1-3 – Crave Pure Spiritual Milk – 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

An Inheritance That Can Never Perish

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 339 - 1 Peter 1:3-5 - An Inheritance That Can Never Perish - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 339 – 1 Peter 1:3-5 – An Inheritance That Can Never Perish – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Thanks And Praise

You have all my thanks and praise. Why is that? Why do I have all your thanks and praise? You have all my thanks and praise because of your great mercy. You saved me. You rescued me from a life without you. You took me off of the path that led away from you. You pursued me. You would not let me go. You sought me out. You pulled my life out of the darkness and brought me into your marvelous light. Without you, my life had no purpose or meaning. Without you, my life had no direction. Without you, I was bruised and battered and broken. Without you, I was lost and without hope in both this life and the next. You would not let me remain in such condition. You drew me to yourself. You turned my life around. You redeemed and healed and restored my life. You forgave my sins. You cleansed my unrighteousness. You set my life on solid ground. You have filled my life with joy. You have given me a brand-new life to live both now and forever. My future with your is secure. You have an inheritance waiting for me. You have prepared a place for me in heaven that is being kept and guarded by your power. You have given me a faith in you that is shielding me from every evil as I walk through life with you. Yes, I have done and am doing all of these things for you. That is why my heart is filled to overflowing with thanks and praise to you. That is very good. 

I have more to say. What’s that? The thanks and praise I have in my heart demands more than my words. What do you have in your heart and on your mind? I want to be fully devoted to you. I am filled with that desire. Your love for me has made me want to love you with all that is within me. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, my words alone will not be the only way I express my thanks and praise to you. I will be fully devoted to you. I will be at your disposal. I will be ready for your use. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. May all that I am and all that I hope to be give you thanks and praise though all my thoughts and words and actions. That will be very good. 

Heavenly Father, with a heart filled with thanksgiving, I will give you all my praise for your great mercy! You saved me. Thank you for securing a place in heaven for me that is kept and guarded by your power. My life of salvation, with you, has already begun. Amen’

Key Question… How do you live each day differently with the expectation and anticipation of your inheritance in Christ?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to God for the new and eternal life that you have in Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your eternal life and inheritance in heaven is being kept and guarded by God’s power.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you live with great anticipation of your eternal life in heaven.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give all your praise to God for His great mercy in saving you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 339 – 1 Peter 1-3-5 – An Inheritance That Can Never Perish – 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

Even A Fool Is Thought Wise

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 340 - Proverbs 17:28 - Even A Fool Is Thought Wise- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 340 – Proverbs 17:28 – Even A Fool Is Thought Wise- Growing As Disciples

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Remain Silent

I could certainly learn to do that far more often. You could certainly learn to do what far more often? I could learn to keep my mouth shut. I could learn to remain silent. Why is that? I can’t tell you how many times I have foolishly opened my mouth and deeply regretted the words that came out. Yes, I know. Yes, you know my words before I speak them. You know my words even before I think them. Yes, I do.

Here are my thoughts. I’m listening. I don’t need to offer my opinion on every subject. I don’t need to engage in every debate. I don’t need to try to solve every problem. I will often do far better by listening carefully than by speaking profusely. I know one thing that is absolutely sure. What’s that? When words are spoken in abundance, sin is not lacking. That is a good thought for you to think. That is a good lesson for you to learn. Well, I can’t say that I have fully learned this lesson yet. But I do know that I am your work in progress. You have definitely been helping me to think your thoughts and speak your words. Yes, you are my work in progress. Yes, I will help you to think my thoughts and speak my words. For that, I am thankful. For that, I am grateful.

I have more to say on this subject. I have a request to make to you. I have a prayer to pray to you. I’m listening. I don’t want to quickly move on from my need. I want to circle back and talk to you more about need. I want you to know that I am asking for a serious amount of your help. It seems to me that I over speak and under listen nearly every day. I really do need you to help me to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. That’s good. Who do you need to listen to most attentively? I need to listen to you most attentively. Do you believe that I will speak to you? Do you believe that I will give you words to speak? Yes, I believe that you will speak to me. Yes, I believe that you will give me words to speak. Then you have your answer. Draw near to me. Listen to me. I will give you my thoughts to think and my words to speak. Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

Heavenly Father, I have foolishly spoken when it would have been far better to have remained silent. Forgive me. Give me your wisdom. Help me to know when to speak and when to remain silent. I will humbly rely on you to place a guard over my mouth. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on God to help you to know when to speak and when to remain silent?

Living It Out… Rely on God to help you to know when to speak and when to remain silent.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to know when to speak and when to remain silent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to remain appropriately silent.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God to give you wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 340 – Proverbs 17-28 – Even A Fool Is Thought Wise- 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

Give Praise To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 187 - Luke 17:11-19 - Give Praise To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 187 – Luke 17:11-19 – Give Praise To God – Growing As Disciples

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 (NIV) 

Attitude Of Gratitude

This is an area where I really need to grow. Where do you need to grow? I need to grow in my gratitude. I don’t have much of an attitude of gratitude. I’m not ungrateful. I’m not unthankful. I just fail to recognize and acknowledge and take time to give you thanks and praise for all your goodness to me. I know that this is no small problem. It is a significant flaw. I know without a doubt that it is a sin to fail to give you thanks and praise for all your goodness to me. So, I am confessing my sin to you. I ask you to forgive my lack of . You are forgiven. I am also asking you to help me to develop an attitude of gratitude. I want to be able to recognize and remember and give thanks to you for all your goodness to me. That will be very good.

Where would you like to begin? When do you think might be the time and place for you to give thanks and praise to me? I think that my daily prayers to you should begin with my giving thanks to you. I can enter your presence with praise and thanksgiving. Does that idea have a familiar sound to you? Yes, I have heard that idea expressed frequently in the Psalms. I could recall your goodness and give you glory every day when I draw near to you in prayer. That’s good. When else? I could be watchful and thankful for the goodness of your activity in my life, moment by moment throughout my day. I could spontaneously express gratitude and thankfulness as I recognize your goodness, as I walk through life with you. That will be very good. 

How do you think you might benefit by watching for and recognizing and acknowledging my goodness to you? I will be more aware of your activity in my life. I will be lifted up. I will be encouraged. I will be strengthened. Yes, you will. What else? I will have more joy in my life. Why is that? I will be more aware that you are with me to help me. Yes, you will. That is what I desire for you. You have all my thanks and praise. To you belongs all the glory. It is good to hear all your thanksgiving and praise. Thank you, Lord for your goodness to me. 

Lord, you have done so much for me. You saved me from a life without you. You have made me to be your child. You have given me a life to live with you. You are working in and through my life. You have a place in heaven for me. You have my thanks and praise. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 187 – Luke 17-11-19 – Give Praise To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Fan Into Flame

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 240 - 2 Timothy 1:6-7 - Fan Into Flame - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 240 – 2 Timothy 1:6-7 – Fan Into Flame – Growing As Disciples

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)  

On Fire

That is what I want to be? What do you want to be? I want to be on fire for you. What does that mean to you? I want to boldly and passionately serve you. I want to live my life fully for you. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I don’t want to hold anything in reserve. I don’t want to make any retreats. I don’t want to have any regrets. That is very good. I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. You have my full attention. What might cause you to have regrets? If I half-heartedly followed and served you, I would have regrets. Half-hearted efforts would be no way to for me to express the love I have for you. I want to passionately love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to follow and serve you with all that is within me. That is very good. I have more to say. Go ahead, I’m listening. I would also have regrets if I did not discover and use all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. It would be a tragedy to one day find out that I did not fully use all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. So, it is my prayer that you will help me to fully discover and use all the gifts you have given me so I can bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is a very good prayer that I will hear and answer. For that, I am so very thankful. But I have more to say on this subject. I’m still listening. I would have regrets if I did not boldly use all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. I know well the difference between timidly and boldly using the spiritual gifts you have given to me. I have no interest in being timid. I want to be bold and courageous for you. I’m not exactly sure how to fan into a flame all the gifts you have given to me. But that will be the prayer of heart. Set me on fire for you. Help me to boldly serve you with all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. That is another prayer that I will hear and answer. These prayers will continually be in my heart and on my mind as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good. You will be on fire for me.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me spiritual gifts. Help me to discover and use all the gifts you have given to me. I don’t want one gift to go undiscovered or unused. Help me to fan into flame of the gifts you have given me so that I can boldly serve you. Amen

Key Question…  How have you been able to discover and use your spiritual gifts for God’s purposes?

Living It Out…  Fan into a flame the spiritual gifts that God has given to you so you will be able to boldly serve Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to fan into a flame the spiritual gifts He has given you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are fanning into a flame the spiritual gifts given to you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fan into flame the gifts that God has given you to boldly serve Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 240 – 2 Timothy 1-6-7 – Fan Into Flame – 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

He Explained Everything

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 346 - Mark 4:30-34 -He Explained Everything - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 346 – Mark 4:30-34 -He Explained Everything – Growing As Disciples

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.  Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”  With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.  He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:30-34 (NIV)  

What I Do Not Know

That would help quite a bit. I would certainly listen attentively to that. What would help quite a bit? What would you listen to attentively? I would listen attentively to you. I would listen carefully to you teaching me what I do not know. That is very good. I have some questions for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. What have I been doing all these many years that you have been following me? Have I not been explaining to you what you do not know? Has not my Spirit been bringing to your remembrance what you have heard and seen in my word? Yes, that is true. You have regularly and continually been explaining to me what I do not know. So, you have no complaints? No, I certainly do not have any complaints. What do you have then? I have a desire to grow stronger in my faith. I have a desire to be more powerfully used by you. I have a desire to bear more fruit for your kingdom and bring more glory to your name. Those are all good desires you have in you.

I have a few more questions to ask you. I’m still listening. That’s good. What will help you to grow stronger in your faith? What will help you to bear more fruit for my kingdom and bring more glory to my name? How will I be able to use you more powerfully? Those are all good questions. If I listen attentively to you, I will grow stronger in my faith. If I take your word deep into my heart and mind and life, I will grow stronger in my faith. As I put into practice what you teach me, I will grow stronger in my faith. Yes, all of this is true. If I follow you to where you lead me and do what you ask of me, I will bear more fruit for your kingdom and bring more glory to your name. You will powerfully use me as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will. Along the way, as you follow and serve me, I will continue to teach you what you do not know. How does all this sound to you? It sounds fantastic! Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will listen attentively to you. I know you will explain all things to me. You will help me to know what I do not know. Grow the seed of faith in me, as I listen to you. Powerfully use me to plant seeds of faith in others, so that they will come to know you. Amen

Key Question… How has the seed of faith grown in you as you have listened attentively to the Lord?

Living It Out… Listen attentively to the Lord so that the seed of faith will grow in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will powerfully use you to plant seeds of faith in others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to plant seeds of faith in others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your faith to grow by listening to the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 346 – Mark 4-30-34 – He Explained Everything – 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