Category Archives: Blessing

Building Others Up

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - Ephesians 4:29 - Build Others Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Ephesians 4:29 – Build Others Up – Growing As Disciples

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Your Words

I want my words to be life giving. I want to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build others up according to their needs. That would be quite a change. What do you mean by that? I have spoken so many unwholesome words. Lots of corrupt and polluting language has come out of my mouth. Isn’t that old news? What do you mean by that? Haven’t you placed a guard over your mouth? Haven’t you asked me to change your heart and transform your mind so that you can think my thoughts and speak my words? Isn’t it your earnest desire to think and speak and do only what is pleasing in my sight? Yes, that has been my prayer. That is the desire of my heart. Aren’t you meditating on my word day and night? Aren’t you allowing me to use my word to change the thoughts of your mind, the words of your mouth and the deeds of your life? Yes, I am meditating on your word day and night. Yes, I am allowing you to change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. That is very good.

So, what’s the problem? I don’t think or speak or do what is pleasing to you all the time. You mean to say that you still sin? You mean to tell me that you still need my forgiveness? You mean to reveal to me that you are not perfect? I’m guessing that all this comes as no big revelation to you. That’s a good guess. I should also tell you that I don’t always speak life giving words that build others up. Isn’t this a day filled with surprises? Now, I know that you are not taking me seriously. Oh, I am taking you very seriously. I seriously want you to think and speak and do what is pleasing to me. I seriously want you to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build others up. I also know that you love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. I know that it is the prayer and desire of your heart to do what is pleasing to me. I know that you seriously want to bless and encourage and build others up with your words. It is the prayer and desire of your heart to do what is pleasing to me. We both know that you will not think and speak and act perfectly in this life. You will sin. You will need my forgiveness. You will confess your sin to me. You are forgiven. You will be forgiven. You will get up and keep on moving forward with me. You will go where I guide you. You will do what I ask of you. You will speak words that I give to you. You will bless and encourage and build others up with your words. Yes, I will. That will be very good and pleasing to me.

Lord, I have said many unwholesome words and used lots of polluting language. Forgive me. I want all of my thoughts and words to come from you. Help me to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build people up according to their needs. Amen

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

Blessing – Ephesians 4-29 – Building Others Up – 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

Who Finds Wisdom

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - Proverbs 3:13-18 - Who Finds Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Proverbs 3:13-18 – Who Finds Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

 Wisdom

Where does wisdom come from? How do you know what is truly wise and what is ultimately foolish? How do you judge the quality of what you hear and see in the world? What priority do you place on seeking and grabbing a hold of wisdom? Who is the final arbiter of what is truly wise or ultimately foolish? I don’t want to live a foolish life, that is for sure. I don’t want to look back over a life filled with regrets over foolish mistakes that I have made. That has me worried, I can tell you that. Why is that? I have made a lot of foolish mistakes over the course of my life. I have wasted a lot of time and energy going where I should not have gone to do what I should not have done. I don’t want to live a foolish and wasted life. I can see that.

I have come to some conclusions about wisdom. What conclusions have you come to about wisdom? I am unwise. Wisdom does not naturally come from me. I am not a primary source of wisdom. Left on my own, I will continue to make dumb decisions and foolish mistakes. I am also not a good judge of what is truly wise and ultimately foolish. Why is that? I don’t have a long-range perspective. I can’t see the future. No, you cannot. With my short-term perspective and limited understanding, something might seem wise to me, but will ultimately be foolish in the long run. That’s true. So, my final conclusion about wisdom is that I desperately need help. That’s a very good starting point.

Will you ask me for wisdom? Will you seek wisdom as if it were more valuable than silver or gold, which by the way, it is? Have you come to the belief that nothing like silver or gold or rubies or treasures compare with wisdom? Do you know that living a life filled with wisdom will lead you in pleasant ways and on peaceful paths? Do you believe that if you take a hold of my wisdom your life will be blessed? Do you know that long life and riches and honor are reserved for the truly wise? I have no doubt about the value of wisdom. I have no hesitancy in crying out to you for wisdom. I have no reluctance in taking a hold of all the wisdom that you will give to me. I will seek you and all the wisdom you will give to me. That will be very good. 

Lord, once I thought I knew it all. I was wise in my own eyes. I was a fool. Now, I know wisdom comes from you. I will seek your wisdom. I will rely on your wisdom. Use your word to teach me to live a life filled with blessings that come from your wisdom. Amen

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

Blessing – Proverbs 3-13-18 – Who Finds Wisdom – 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 Generously

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - Deuteronomy 15:10-11 - Give Generously - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Deuteronomy 15:10-11 – Give Generously – Growing As Disciples

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NIV)

Open Hands, Generous Heart

Do you have open hands? Do you have a generous heart? Are you willing to help others that are in need? Will you open your hands to the poor? Is that what you are asking me to do? Is that how you want me to live? What do you think? I will ask you a few more questions. I’m listening. What do you have that you have not received from me? Have I been open handed with you? Have I had a generous heart toward all that you have needed and wanted? Have I been stingy? Have I held back? Have you gone without? Have I richly blessed your life? You have been completely open handed and generous with me. You have given me what I have needed and wanted. You have not held back. You have not been stingy with me. You have richly blessed my life. That is true.

How do you think I feel about all that I have given to you? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you think that I have regretted my generosity toward you or do you think that giving generously to you has brought me joy? I’m sure that you do not regret giving to me. I am very grateful and thankful for all that you have given to me. I think you have had lots of joy in giving to me. You are a giver, that is your nature. That is true as well.

Do you want to become like me? Yes, I want to become like you. Do you know where this conversation is headed? Yes, I do know where this conversation is headed. Do you want to give like I have given to you? Do you want it to be your nature to be a giver? Do you want to experience the joy of being an open handed and generous hearted giver? Yes, I want it to be my nature to be an open handed, generous hearted giver.  Yes, I want to experience the same joy that you have experienced when you have open handedly and generous heartedly given to me. Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you give as I direct you? Will you bless the lives of others by giving them some of what I have given to you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then your life will continue to be blessed as you open handedly and generous heartedly give to others.

Lord, I want to have the same kind of heart you have. I want to have open hands and a generous heart that willingly and joyfully gives to the poor and to all those who are in need. Help me to be like you and to give like you gave. Amen

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

Blessing – Deuteronomy 15-10-11 – Give Generously – 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

Do What Is Right

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - Psalm 106:3 - Do What Is Right - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Psalm 106:3 – Do What Is Right – Growing As Disciples

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

Stop Injustice

That is a word that you recognize. That is a word that is close to your heart. That is a word that gets your heart pumping and blood boiling when you see it being violated. I’m not sure what you are talking about. What word gets my heart pumping and blood boiling when it is violated? What word is close to my heart? Justice is the word that is close to your heart. Injustice is the word that gets your heart pumping and blood boiling. You can’t stand to see injustice in the world. You can’t simply walk right on by injustice when you see it. No, I cannot. Seeing injustice calls me to attention. Injustice doesn’t just arouse my emotions. Injustice doesn’t just engage my thoughts. Seeing injustice calls me to action. I can’t sit idly by in the presence of injustice. I can’t leave things just as they are and let injustice continue to go unchallenged. That is very good.

How do you think I feel about injustice in the world? I am positive that you hate injustice in the world. Why is that? What makes you so certain that I hate injustice in the world? Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, ask me whatever you would like. You are making me to be like you, are you not? Yes, I am making you to be like me. As I continue to follow you, I will become more like you, will I not? Yes, you will become more like me moment by moment, day by day and year by year as you continue to follow me. Well, the longer I follow you, the less tolerant I am of injustice in the world. The closer I follow you, the more I want to do what is right by taking action steps to stop injustice in the world. That is very good. I’m not done asking questions. Keep on asking. You are good and right and just, are you not? Yes, I am good and right and just. You created this world to reflect your nature, isn’t that right? Yes, this world was meant to be a reflection of my nature. You created this world to be good and right and just, did you not? Yes, I created this world to be good and right and just. This is a sin broken world that is not functioning according to either your desire or nature, isn’t that true? Yes, that is true. So, you can clearly see why I know, without a doubt, that you hate injustice in the world. Yes, I can see that. I am very glad that you can see that. Will you do what is right and take action steps to stop injustice in the world? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, open my eyes to see injustice in the world. Help me to know what role and responsibility you want me to take on in maintaining justice, where I am, in this world. Use me as a light, by doing right, to bring glory to your name. Amen

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

Blessing – Psalm 106-3 – Do What Is Right – 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

Looks Intently

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - James 1:22-25 - Looks Intently - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – James 1:22-25 – Looks Intently – Growing As Disciples

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Into Practice

What do you think will happen to you if you continue to look intently into my word? That is a very good question. I know that if I continue to look intently into your word I will be changed by it. How so? Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will guide my life. You will use your word to mold and shape my life. You will use your word to make me into the person that you have called me to be. That’s right. So, it is not a waste of time of your time to continue to look intently into my word. There is nothing that I consider to be of higher value than to meet with you in your word. That’s an interesting way that you said that. You are not merely studying my word? No, certainly not. You are meeting with me in my word. Yes, that’s right. You are meditating on my word. You are praying my word. You are letting my word dwell in you richly. Yes, I am.

You know that my Holy Spirit will take my word and apply it right to your life, right now. Yes, that’s exactly what I am counting on. I know that your word is like a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hand. He will use your word to fight in me, with me, and for me. What do you mean by that? Well, putting your word into practice will set me free. The world and all its principles, values and practices will lose their grip on me as I take hold of your word. Your word will strengthen me and make me able to stand against temptation. Just as your word fought for you against the devil and all his evil so also will it fight for me. Yes, it will. 

How has my word blessed your life? Your word has changed my thoughts, words, and deeds. Your word has changed the desires of my heart and the goals of my life. Your word has given me hope and meaning and purpose in life. How so? Now, I want to live my life fully for you. Now, I want to go and do what is pleasing to you. Now, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Now, I am looking forward to a future and far better day when I will come to live forever in heaven with you. In the meantime, I will continue to put your word into practice with all the strength that you will give to me. That is very good.

Lord, I have no desire to merely listen to your word. Every day I will look intently into your word. Show me what you want me to see and know. Help me go and do all that you are teaching me. Set me free and bless my life by your word as I put it into practice. Amen

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

Blessing – James 1-22-25 – Into Practice – 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

To Give Than To Receive

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Blessing - Acts 20:35 - To Give Than To Receive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Acts 20:35 – To Give Than To Receive – Growing As Disciples

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Giving

I have richly blessed your life. I have given you an abundance of good gifts. Yes, you have richly blessed my life by giving me an abundance of good gifts. There is not one good thing I have received that ultimately has not come from your hand. I don’t know how I can ever say thank you enough for all that you have given to me. I am grateful and thankful beyond measure. I hope that my life will continually express gratefulness and thankfulness every day as I live my life with and for you. That will be very good.

I want to bless your life in a very different way. How so? Your life has already been blessed by all that I have given to you. That’s true. I know that you want to become like me. That’s right. You have seen that I am a giver of good gifts. You know that it is my joy and pleasure to give good gifts to you. I now want you to bless your life by you giving to others. You have experienced much joy in receiving all that I have given to you. Yes, I have. Would it surprise you to hear me say that it is much better to give than to receive? That is hard to believe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting your word. No, I know that you are not doubting my word. You are wondering how much fuller could your joy be by giving than receiving. Yes, that’s it exactly.

Test the truth of what I am saying. There is nothing that I have given to you that you can’t share with others in one way or another. You can share your gifts, talents and abilities. You can share your resources and possessions. You can share your family and friends. You can share your experience and knowledge. You can share the teaching and training you have received. You will be blessed in far greater measure by what you give than by what you have received. There is something vitally important that I also want you to know and remember. What is that? The blessings that you will receive by giving to others will not just be in this life. As you give and share with others you will be blessed in this life and in the life to come. Giving and sharing all that you are and all that you have will be storing up treasure in heaven with me. Will you give like I give? Will you share with others all that I have given to you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, you have richly blessed my life. You have given me an abundance of good gifts. I will not tight fistedly hold on to what you have given to me. Help me to experience the much greater blessing of giving and sharing others all that you have richly given to me. Amen

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

Blessing – Acts 20-35 – To Give Than To Receive – 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