Category Archives: Character

Carry His Own Load

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Galatians 6:4-5 - Carry His Own Load- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Galatians 6:4-5 – Carry His Own Load- Growing As Disciples

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

Test Your Actions

How will you go about testing your own actions? What measure will you use in testing your own actions? Will you compare yourself against others? Will you measure yourself against your past? How will you know if you have an accurate measure of where you are in life? I am surprised that your word tells me that I should test my own actions. Why is that? I am sure that I am not qualified to test or measure myself. I have no confidence in myself. I am certain that I will get it wrong. Yes, I have measured myself against others. That’s a huge mistake. Why is that? Others are not perfect. I am not perfect. No one should use me as their standard to measure their life. I should not use anyone else as my standard to measure my life either. Doing so would either make me proud with the thought that I am better off than someone else or I may become discouraged with the thought that someone else is far better off than I am. Comparing myself with others is like one sinner comparing themselves to another sinner. We are all imperfect. We have all missed the mark. We have all done what we should not have done and failed to do what we should have done. I would never ask you to compare yourself with others. There is no value in doing that. 

How about measuring myself with my past, is there any value in that?  There is value in that. It is helpful for you to look back to see how I have changed your heart and transformed your mind. You should take encouragement in remembering how I have worked in and through your life. That perspective will help encourage and spur you on as you follow and serve me. Knowing that I have been and will continue to work in and through your life should encourage your faith. Then I will look back as one way to test my actions and measure my life. That will be very good.

What would be other ways for you to test your actions and measure your life? I could measure my life against your word. How so? Your word will show me where I have made progress and where I am falling short. Yes, my word will do that for you. Where I am falling short, I could ask you to use your word to continue to do your work in and through me. That is a very good idea. What else? I could come and ask you how I’m doing. When could you do that? I could ask you how I’m doing every day when I come to meet with you in your word. So, you would be listening to my voice as you remain in my word, is that right? Yes, that is exactly what I would do. That will be very good.

What will happen to you as you continue to test your actions and measure your life? I will be at peace and feel confident that you have me right where you want me to be. I will be hopeful. I will know that I am going where you send me to do whatever you ask of me. I will know that I am carrying my load. I will know that your hand is on me to use me for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you will.

Lord, I know comparing myself with others is a bad idea. I will either be proud or discouraged. Use your word to test every one of my thoughts, words and deeds. Show me where I need to change. Mold and shape me into the person you have called me to be. Amen

Key Question… Why is comparing yourself with others never an appropriate measure with which to test yourself?

Living It Out… Use God’s word every day to test your thoughts, words, and deeds as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word is a vital and valuable tool with which you can test your actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are testing your own actions as you follow and serve Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you test your own actions to see if you if you are carrying your own load in life.

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

Character – Galatians 6-4-5 – Carry His Own Load – 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

Approval Of Men

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Galatians 1:10 - Approval Of Men - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Galatians 1:10 – Approval Of Men – 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

Who are you trying to please? Whose approval are you trying to win? Don’t give me a quick answer. Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear. Make sure that you are being truthful with yourself. Make sure that you are being truthful with me. I can give you a quick answer. I am certain that I know the truthful answers to your questions. I am certain that my answer is not what I think you want to hear. Go ahead then, what is your answer? I have been living to please others. I have been trying to win the approval of mankind. I have been consumed with wondering what others might think or say about me. How has that worked out for you? Living to try to please others is an impossible task. There isn’t enough time in the day to do what everyone might want to ask of me. Living to try to please others is a foolish and futile course. Why is that? Trying to please others has pulled me in a thousand different directions. I have gone here, there and everywhere trying to do what I thought might please others. Living to please others is certainly a way to waste time and misspend a life How so? When I look back over my endless urgent and unimportant “to do lists” in life, one thing is certain. What’s that? My “to do lists” did not come from you. My “to do lists” were authored by my desire to live to please others. At the end of my life, if I were to have completed every one of my people pleasing, “to do lists”, I would have accomplished nothing. My life would have amounted to nothing. Others would give me no thanks and I would not have lived a life that was pleasing to you. That’s true.

What do you want? What changes do you want to make? I want to know and do your will. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to live and walk with you. I want you to guide and direct my life. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. I want to live my life to please you. It will be my joy to live my life with and for you. I want to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Why is that? I love you. That is very good.

Lord, I know that I have lived to please others. I have been overly concerned about what others might think or say about me. Now, I want to live differently. I want to live my life in ways that please you. I want to know and do your will so that I can serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why will your life never be on course if you are living to try to please others?

Living It Out… Make sure that you are living to know and do God’s will so you can please Him rather than mankind.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it will be far better to know and do God’s will so you can please Him rather than mankind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living to know and do God’s will so you can please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live to know and do God’s will so you can please God rather than mankind.

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

Character – Galatians 1-10 – Approval Of Men – 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

Prepare Your Minds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Prepare Your Minds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Prepare Your Minds – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

In Your Presence

Are you ready for action? Am I prepared for what kind of action? Are you prepared to live the life that I have called you to live? What kind of life have you called me to live? You tell me. I know something about the life that you have not called me to live. Tell me about that. You do not want my heart and mind and life to be conformed to the values, patterns and practices of the world. You do not want me to think and speak and act just like everyone else in the world. You do not want me to live the corrupt and evil life that I once lived. You don’t want me to live a self-centered, self-sufficient, and self-indulgent life. You don’t want my life to be all about pursuing comfort and seeking pleasure. No, I do not.

How can I live a life that is ready for action? How can I be prepared to live a Godly life that is pleasing to you? How can I live a self-controlled life that desires to do your will? You are Holy. That’s right. You want me to become like you. That’s true. On my own, with my own strength I cannot live a holy life. Without your help, I cannot be holy. Without your working in me, I cannot become like you. No, you cannot. Well, I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want all my thoughts and words and deeds to be holy and pleasing in your sight. That’s good. Have you given me impossible desires? No, I have not given you impossible desires. What have I called you to do? You have called me to come to you. Where and when and how do you think you will be changed? I will be changed in your presence. That’s right. You will keep on changing me as I keep on coming to you. That’s true. Do you believe this? Will you keep on coming to me? Will you set your hope fully on me? Yes, I will keep coming to you. I will set my hope fully on you. Then you will be changed. You will think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds. You will be holy, because I am holy.  I welcome you to do your work in and through me. Mold and shape me according to your purposes and plans. Yes, I will and that will be very good.

Lord, at one time I allowed my life to be conformed to the world. My thoughts and words and deeds were all evil. But, that all changed when you called me. You changed my heart, transformed my mind and gave me a burning desire to love, follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… Why will your mind never be prepared for Godly action if you allow it to be conformed to the world?

Living It Out… Prepare your mind for action so you can live the life that Christ has called you to live.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will help you to prepare your mind for action to live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your prepared mind is helping you to live your life for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you prepare your mind for action so you can live the life you have been called to live.

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

Character – 1 Peter 1-13-16 – Prepare Your Minds – 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 Of Money

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - Love Of Money - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Love Of Money – Growing As Disciples

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

Treasures In Heaven

You brought nothing into this world. You will take nothing out of this world. Is that something that you have considered?

Have you given that much thought? No, not really. That explains a lot of your past behavior, doesn’t it? What do you mean by saying that? You know exactly what I mean. Are you sure? Are you kidding me? Yes, I’m sure. Tell me why I know that you haven’t thought much about the futility of loving money and pursuing things. If I had given the subject much thought, at all, I would have realized how futile it is to love money and pursue things. Why is that? Life is short. My life on this earth is here today and gone tomorrow. In a blink of an eye or at the snap of the fingers my life on this earth will be over. That’s true. I am just passing through this life. This is not my forever home. Trying to stockpile money and acquire possessions is a waste of time and energy. Everything I think I own will be left here when I leave this life. That’s right.

As you have said, I brought nothing into this world and I will take nothing out of it. That’s what I said, but, I need to make one very important clarification. What’s that? You can store up treasures in heaven. What does that mean? How can I do that? You have heard me say that I will reward you for the good that you do for me in this life? Yes, I have heard you say that. I want to explain that to you. But first, let me be clear. You will be coming to live forever in heaven with me. You are my follower. You have received my forgiveness and cleansing of your sin. For that I am forever grateful and thankful. That’s good. Coming to live with me in heaven is a gift, it is not a reward. So, when I have told you that you will be rewarded for all the good that you will do for me in this life I am not talking about your salvation. I am not talking about your eternal life in heaven with me. That would be good enough for me. I would need nothing more. I don’t need any rewards. That is a good attitude to have. But, all the fruit you will bear for me in this life will be storing up treasure in heaven with me. You will be rewarded. I will pay you back. That’s sounds incredible. It will be fantastic.

So, I want to ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Do you want to pursue the treasures of this life or do you want to store up treasure, that will last forever, in heaven with me? I want to store up treasure in heaven with you. Then do the good things that I give you to do for me. Go and bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have wanted money and material possessions. I have been discontent. I have gone down a destructive path pursuing what will not last. No more. I want to love, follow and serve you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name.  Amen

Key Question… Why is pursuing money and material possessions ultimately a waste of your time and effort?

Living It Out… Make loving, following and serving the Lord your pursuit in life so you will work for what is of eternal value.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that godliness with contentment will protect you from ungodly and worldly desires.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are learning to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you learn to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

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

Character – 1 Timothy 6-6-10 – Love Of Money – 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

Knows The Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - James 4:17 - Knows The Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – James 4:17 – Knows The Good – Growing As Disciples

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17 (NIV)

Know It All

What do you know? What do I know about what? What do you know about doing good? I know that I am not a very good judge of knowing what good I should go and do. Why do you say that? Well, first of all, it was you who said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing”. Yes, I did say that. When I have dreamed up my own plans and gone and did what I wanted to do, my efforts have accomplished nothing of lasting and eternal value. So, I have experienced the truth of what you have said. That’s why I would say that I am not a good judge of knowing the good that I should go and do. In fact, thinking that I “know it all” has often caused me to fail to do what you have asked me to do for you. In the busyness of my own efforts I have not stopped to listen to your directions. I have not received your guidance. I have not followed your instructions. Instead, I have failed to do what I knew I should have gone and done and I have also done what I should not have gone and done. What does that sound like to you? You mean not doing what I should and doing what I should not? Yes, what does that sound like to you? It sounds to me like a pretty good definition of sin. That’s right. 

What lies just behind not doing what you should and doing what you should not? I’m not sure what you mean. What motivates or guides your desire to not do what you should and doing what you should not? I think I know where you are headed with your question. You do? Yes, is there a greater sin than not doing what I should and doing what I should not? You could think of where we are headed in that way. What would you call a greater sin or the sin that motivates every sin? Pride seems like the greater sin. Pride is the sin that seems to motivate all sin. How so? Pride would try to tell me that I don’t need to listen to your directions, receive your guidance or follow your instructions. Pride would try to tell me that I don’t need you to guide my life. Pride would try to have me say that I can go and do what I want, when and where I want. Pride would reject the idea that there is nothing I should or shouldn’t do. Pride would try to place me in charge of deciding what is right and what is wrong. Pride would try to have me on a path walking away from you. That’s true. 

I started by asking you, “what do you know?” Now, I will continue by asking you, “what do you want?” I will start by telling you what I don’t want. I don’t want to live a pride filled life that leads me away from you. I want to live humbly before you so that I will listen to your directions, receive your guidance and follow your instructions. I want to do all that you ask of me. I will rely on you to help me to know and do your will. That will be very good.

Lord, often times, I have dreamed up my own plans and goals without asking for your guidance. I have not relied on your help. I have done what I should not have done. I have not done what I should have done. Forgive me. Help me to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… What joy have you had in doing what the Lord has given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Do whatever you know you should do so that you do not sin.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to do what you know you should do.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing what you know you should do.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you know and do what you should do so that you do not sin.

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

Character – James 4-17 – Knows The Good – 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

Clothe Yourself

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Romans 13:14 - Clothe Yourself - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 13:14 – Clothe Yourself – Growing As Disciples

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14 (NIV)

Like You

Do you want to become like me? Yes, in every way I want to become like you.  Do you want to think my thoughts? Do you want to speak my words? Do you want to do my deeds? Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. Is this a passionate long held desire of your heart or is it simply what you think you should say to me. I am sure that you know the answer to this question, even before you ask it of me. Yes, I do. It is a long-held desire of my heart to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I have no hesitation and no second thoughts. I am not simply telling you what I think you want to hear from me. Yes, I know that you want to live the life that I have called you to live. Isn’t it good to say again and again that you want to love, follow and serve me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes, it is good to remind myself about the goal and purpose and mission of my life. Which is? It is the goal and purpose and mission of my life to know you and do your will. Why do you want to know me and do my will? I love you. My love for you motivates the desire of my heart. My love for you spurs me on to want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. Yes, it does.

You want to become like me. What will you do because you want to become like me? I will clothe myself with your example. I will think what you thought. I speak what you spoke. I will do what you did. What did I do? You relied on your Heavenly Father to guide and direct your life. You spent time with Him in prayer. You listened to all that He had to say to you. In every way, you lived in an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father. You relied on your Heavenly Father for all that needed.  You went where He sent you. You did what He asked of you. Yes, I did. His thoughts were your thoughts. His words were your words. His deeds were your deeds. You are right, you will live the life that I have called you to live if you clothe yourself with me by thinking what I thought, speaking what I spoke and doing what I did. Is this what you will do? Yes Lord, it is what I will do as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I have very limited time to live my life for you on this earth. I want to understand the time and make the best use of my life for your kingdom and glory. I will clothe myself with you so I can think your thoughts, speak your words and do your will. Amen

Key Question… How are you allowing your mind to feed on God’s word so you can clothe yourself with Christ?

Living It Out… Clothe yourself with Jesus Christ so you will be thinking His thoughts, speaking His words and doing His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you clothe yourself with Jesus Christ you will not be thinking about gratifying sinful desires.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to fight the good fight of faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you clothe yourself with Jesus Christ so you can think His thoughts, speak His words, and do His deeds.

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

Character – Romans 13-14 – Clothe Yourself – 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 Mocker

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Proverbs 15:12 - A Mocker - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Proverbs 15:12 – A Mocker – Growing As Disciples

A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. Proverbs 15:12 (NIV) 

Receptive

How receptive are you to receiving my correction? That sounds like an easy question to answer. Really? You might want to think a little more deeply, if you think that this is an easy question for you to answer. Why is that? Would you like me to ask you some related questions? I’m not sure, but go ahead, I’m listening. That’s good. How much of a risk would it be for some to give you some strong words of correction? Before you answer let me also ask you how often has someone taken the risk to offer you some strong words of correction. To your second question, I would say that it has been seldom, if ever, that someone has given me some strong words of correction. Why is that? Is it because you have never needed any strong words of correction? I doubt that. I’m sure that there have been many times that I could have used some strong words of correction in my life. That’s true. How do you think you might react if someone were to give you some strong words of correction? I might react negatively. I might become defensive. I might even become combative. Are you sure? No, I am not sure. Why is that? Recently, I have found myself inviting others to give me words of correction if they felt that I needed them. That’s good. You will never receive needful and helpful words of correction if you give off signals that you would react negatively and probably wouldn’t receive them anyway. Be unwilling to receive correction and wisdom is a very foolish and dangerous position to be in.  It is a very wise person that gives permission to others to give them words of correction whenever they need them. So, keep on asking others to speak words of wisdom and correction into your life. Yes Lord, I will.

How will you receive correction and wisdom from me? It is the desire of my heart to know and do your will. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. So, I will listen attentively to all that you want to say to me. I will ask for your wisdom. I will hear your instructions and follow your direction. I will welcome your correction in my life. I will allow you to mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will allow you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life as I follow you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not be stubborn and proud. I will allow myself to receive correction. I will listen to whatever you say to me. I need wisdom from you. I need wisdom from those you place in my life. I will change my thoughts, words and deeds as you give me wisdom. Amen

Key Question… How much of a risk is it for others to speak words of correction and wisdom into your life?

Living It Out… Be ready and willing to receive correction and wisdom from the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you correction and wisdom as you follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group you are receiving correction and wisdom from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you willing receive correction and wisdom from the Lord.

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

Character – Proverbs 15-12 – A Mocker – 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 Of Money

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Discipleship Study - Character - Hebrews 13:5-6 - Love Of Money - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Character – Hebrews 13:5-6 – Love Of Money – Growing As Disciples

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

Your Pursuit 

What will you pursue in life? What will have your focus? What will have your full attention? Will you chase after money? Will you pursue things? Will you seek all the comfort and pleasure and security that this world offers? Will your life be consumed with a continual desire for more? Will you ride the never-ending treadmill of wanting the latest and greatest next new and better thing? Will you store up all the treasures of this life? Will you be the richest person in the graveyard? Those are very good questions. I will gladly tell you my answers. First, let me say that I have answered each one of these questions incorrectly at one time or another in my life. I have loved money. I have pursued things. I have had a continual desire for more. I have sought comfort and pleasure and security from what the world offers. I have frequently wanted the latest and greatest next new thing. I have stored up treasures from this life. Forgive me. I do know that there is no such thing as a rich person in a graveyard. I brought nothing into this world. I will take nothing out of this world. That’s right. I can’t say that I am completely over being attracted to the things of this world. I will need your help to fully pursue the life that you have called me to live. I will need you to help teach and train me to be content with what I have been given. You will have my help. I will teach you and train you to be content. I will help you to pursue the life that I have called you to live.

There are some things that I do know. There are some things that I have learned. What’s that? I know that I am just passing through this life. My real home is forever in heaven with you. It would be foolish for me to store up treasures in a place that I will soon be leaving. That’s true. I do know that I can store up treasures in heaven with you. I know that I can bear fruit for your kingdom. I know that I can bring glory to your name. Yes, you can. It gives me great pleasure to know and do your will. I have great joy and peace and contentment in doing what is pleasing to you. I know for sure that my life will not be a waste when I go and do what you ask of me. I know that you are with me. I know that you will help me. I will pursue you and the life that you have for me now and forever. That will be very good.

Lord, I will pursue you. I will pursue the life you have called me to live. I will pursue priorities you give to me. I will not love and pursue money. Thank you that your presence, help and protection is helping me to be content with what you have given to me. Amen 

Key Question… When has loving money caused you to pursue the wrong priorities in life?

Living It Out… Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what the Lord has given to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s presence, help and protection will help you to be content with what you have been given.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are learning to be content with what the Lord has given to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be free from the love of money and be content with what you have been given.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship study guide click here:

Character – Hebrews 13-5-6 – Love Of Money – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Overcome Evil With Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Romans 12:21 - Overcome Evil With Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 12:21 – Overcome Evil With Good – Growing As Disciples

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NIV)

Doing Good

Don’t be overcome by evil. What does that mean? That is a better question than you realize. Why is that? How might you be overcome by evil? I’m not sure. Think deeply about that question. I might be overcome by evil by my reaction to it. You are on the right track. You don’t want me to respond to evil with my own evil actions. That is not how you responded to evil. No, it is not. You did not let evil define your identity. You did not let evil develop your thoughts. You did not let evil dictate your words. You did not let evil guide your actions. Evil had no power or authority over any of your thoughts, words or deeds. That’s right.

You want me to become like you. That’s true. You want me to respond to evil just as you responded to evil. You have set an example before me of how I can and should respond to evil. If I let evil define my identity, develop my thoughts, dictate my words or guide my actions I will be allowing myself to be overcome by evil. What’s is the harm of being overcome by evil? If I allow myself to be overcome by evil, I will not be able to be a witness for you is this world. I will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. I will not shine brightly in the world for you. I will not bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. I will be a vessel that you cannot use. So, there is tremendous harm in my allowing myself to be overcome by evil. You got that right.

You won’t be able to simply resist being overcome by evil with your own efforts. That will not be an effective strategy for you. How should I respond to evil? That is another very good question. You must overcome evil by doing the good I will give you to do. When you are tempted to respond to evil with evil, do the good I will give you to do instead. Like what? The good that you will do in response to evil will depend on the person, place, time and circumstance. When you are wondering how to respond to a specific evil, ask for my help. Ask me to give you wisdom to wisely respond to evil with the good that I want you to do for me. Will you ask for my wisdom? Will you do the good that I ask you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will not be overcome by evil. Then you will shine brightly in the world for me.

Lord, help me to have a radically different attitude about evil. Protect me from responding to evil with my own evil actions. Help me to continually do good so I will be able to powerfully overcome evil. Use me as a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… When have you been able to overcome evil by doing something good instead?

Living It Out… Make it the daily practice to overcome evil by continually doing good.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that by continually doing good the Lord will make you able to overcome evil.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are overcoming evil by doing good.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually overcome evil by doing good.

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

Character – Romans 12-21 – Overcome Evil With Good – 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 Not Judge

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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) 

My Job

I am certainly not qualified to be a judge others, of that I am positive. I have no doubts about that in my mind whatsoever. Why do you say that? I have made so many mistakes. I have gone where I shouldn’t have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I’m not talking about a rare misstep or an occasional mistake. No, I have repeatedly gone astray and missed the mark. I have stepped out of bounds. I have sinned against you and others in my thoughts and words and deeds. I have even known what would be the good and right and true thing to do and I have deliberately gone and done just the opposite. Where did that lead you? All my sin led me straight to rock bottom. It was then and there that I cried out to you. You brought me to my senses. You turned my life around. You forgave my sin and cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You set me on a new path of loving, following and serving you. Yes, I did. But, I have not forgotten about where I was when you rescued me from a life without you. I was without hope in the world. You have given me a completely new life to live in you. That’s right. So, I have it firmly established in my mind that I am not qualified to be a judge of anyone else. Beyond that, I have no desire to be the judge of anyone else. Why is that? Judging others is just not my job.

What is your job? If you don’t want to get involved with judging others, what do you want to do? Instead of judging others I would like to bless and encourage others. Instead of dragging others down and discouraging them with judgement, I would like to spur others on to bigger and better things in life. Like what? I would like to help others to come to love and follow and serve you. I would like to help others to come to know you and walk in your ways. I would like to help others to discover the joy there is in doing what is pleasing to you. These are the desires of my heart. These are the things that I want to do. These things are part of my job. How do you know this is your job? How did you come to receive this assignment? This is the work that you have given me to do for you. Doing these things have become the desire of my heart that you have given and will grant to me. That’s right. As you bless others in these ways your life will reap rich blessings from me. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. That is what I want.

Lord, I have plenty of my own flaws. I have made mistakes. I have taken missteps. I have missed the mark. I have sinned. Nothing would suggest I am qualified to be a critic who judges others. Help me to bless and encourage others rather than judge them. Amen

Key Question… Why is it dangerous for you to set yourself up as a critic and judge of other people?

Living It Out… Resist the urge to be a critic who constantly judges other people.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to refrain from being a critic who constantly judges other people.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are refraining from being a critic and judging other people.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you treat others just as you would like to be treated.

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

Character – Matthew 7-1-2 – Do Not Judge – 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