Category Archives: Character

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

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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

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

Do Your Best

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 2 Timothy 2:15 - Do Your Best - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do Your Best – Growing As Disciples

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Approved Workman

Would you like to present yourself to me as an approved workman? Would you like to understand and be able to correctly handle my word? Would you like to live a life that is not filled with shame? Would you like to live the life that I have called you to live? I would like to give you a resounding and emphatic yes to every one of your questions. That’s very good. Let me start by telling you that you cannot earn your salvation. You cannot work to make yourself acceptable in my sight. You cannot earn or merit your forgiveness and cleansing. You cannot save yourself. Your forgiveness and cleansing is a gift that you cannot earn or merit. Only my Son can make you acceptable in my sight. Only by accepting my Son as your Savior and Lord can you begin to live the new life that I have called you to live. Only by turning away from your sin and following me can you start living the new life that I have called you to live. There is no other way to begin. There is no other starting point. Do you understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. 

Being an approved workman that correctly handles my word is something that can begin only after you have given your life to me. When you began your new life with me, my Holy Spirit came to live and dwell inside of you. My Holy Spirit will use my word to teach and train you. My Holy Spirit will use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. My Holy Spirit will apply my word to your life. My Holy Spirit will use my word to help you to know and do my will. Are you following of that I have said to you so far? Do you have any questions? I understand what you are saying to me. I don’t have any questions right now. That’s good. 

Now, I have a question for you. What’s that? What’s your part? I’m not sure what you are asking me. What part will you play in becoming an approved workman that correctly handles my word? Won’t this also come to me as a gift? No, becoming an approved workman that correctly handles my word will not come to you as a gift. What must I do to become an approved workman that correctly handles your word? That is my question to you. I want you to answer that question. You think I know the answer to your question? Yes, I am certain that you know the answer to my question. Let me hear your answer. If I want to be an approved workman that correctly handles your word I must study your word. I must meet with you in your word. I must carefully consider your word. I must meditate on your word day and night. I must pray your word. I must speak your word. I must grab hold of your word. I must let your word grab a hold of me. Your word is a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hand. Yes, it is. As I let your word dwell in me richly your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. That’s right. Every day, as I continue to let your word dwell in me, your Holy Spirit will make me more able to be an approved workman who correctly handles your word. That’s true As I let your word dwell in me, I will not be ashamed, I will live the life that you are calling me to live. Yes, and that will be very good.

Lord, I will make every effort to understand and correctly handle your word. Every day, I will meet with you in your word so that you can use it to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Use your word to make me into your approved workman. Amen

Key Question… How is correctly handling God’s word molding and shaping you into an effective workman for God?

Living It Out… Make every effort to correctly handle God’s word so you can do your best work for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to correctly handle His word so you can do your best work for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are doing your very best work for God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you correctly handle God’s word so you can do your best work for Him.

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

Character – 2 Timothy 2-15 – Do Your Best- 10 Versions – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

With Great Boldness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Acts 4:29-30 - With Great Boldness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Acts 4:29-30 – With Great Boldness – Growing As Disciples

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)

Ask Me

What will you do when you face of strong opposition? What will you do when you find yourself in difficult circumstances? What do you mean by asking me what will I do when I face strong opposition or find myself in difficult circumstances? What will you want me to do when I face strong opposition or find myself in difficult circumstances? That’s a good question that deserves some significant thought on your part. You need to have a good answer for that question long before you face strong opposition or find yourself in difficult circumstances. Not only do you need a good answer to that question, you will need to have practiced and developed your response to trials of these and every other kind. You’re saying that I will need to practice my response to opposition, difficulties and trials of every kind before I experience them? That’s right.

How can I practice my response to opposition, difficulties and trials of every kind? What is your standard of practice right now when you face opposition, difficulties and trials? What do I do right now when I am in trouble? What do I do right now when I am in over my head and desperately need help? What do I do right now when I feel like I sinking fast in a wave of trouble? Yes, what are you doing right now when you need help? Be very careful and honest about how you answer that question. Tell me the truth. Don’t tell me what you think I would like to hear. You want my honest answer? Yes, I do. When I am in a desperate situation, I often pull together all my gifts, talents and resources to try to work myself out of my difficulty. In other words, you have often relied on yourself? Yes, that’s the truth. I’m sure that is the truth. 

How has relying on yourself worked out for you when you have gone through difficulties and faced strong opposition in life? Not, well. I have been weak in my response to the difficulties I have gone through in life. In the face of strong opposition, I have been fearful and timid. I have shrunk back. I have not moved forward. I have not been able to go and do whatever you have asked of me. That’s not good.

What would you like to do differently when you face trials, difficulties and even strong opposition? I would like to rely on you. Would you like to make it your standard of practice to rely on me? Yes, I would. Then ask me for my help. Believe that I am will be with you to help you. Rely on me for my help. In all the little difficulties, you face in life, begin to practice asking for and relying on my help. Will you ask for and rely on my help? Yes Lord, I will. Do you believe that I will make you able to boldly go and fearlessly do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I believe. That’s good.

Lord, there is no doubt I need your power to boldly serve you. Without your help, I can do nothing. Without your strength, I am timid and weak. Give me all I will need to go and do all that you ask of me. Help me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord to help you to boldly go and serve Him with fearless confidence?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to boldly go and serve him with fearless confidence even in the face of strong opposition.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you fearless confidence to boldly go and serve Him even in fearful situations.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to serve Him with fearless confidence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fearlessly go and serve the Lord with the boldness and strength that He will give to you.

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

Character – Acts 4-29-30 – With Great Boldness – 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

Seasoned With Salt

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Colossians 4:6 - Seasoned With Salt - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Colossians 4:6 – Seasoned With Salt – Growing As Disciples

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

My Words

What words are coming out of your mouth? How are you evaluating the words that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are you placing a guard over the words that come out of your mouth? Do you think that I will be pleased with every word that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are your words full of grace? Do your words offer kindness, mercy and love? How well am I able to use your words as a witness for me in the world? Are others drawn to your words? Do your words offer a pleasant flavor that is attractive for all to hear or are your words just like everyone else’s in the world? You have asked me a lot of questions. Have I spoken words that are not pleasing to you? Have I spoken words that have not be full of kindness, mercy and love? Have my words been harsh and critical? Have my words been sarcastic and cutting? Have my words been filled with judgement? Have I selfishly spoken words to solely express my own opinion, make my points and win arguments? Now, it is you who has asked me a lot of questions.

I would like to hear you answer the questions that you have asked of me. I thought you might say that. I am sure that I have spoken words that have not been pleasing to you. Why is that? Your questions have caused me to think more about the words that have been coming out of my mouth. What have you heard? I have heard words that were not filled with kindness, mercy and love. I have spoken words that were filled with judgement. I have been harsh and critical and sarcastic and cutting with the words that have come out of my mouth. I have spoken words solely to get my point across so that I could clearly express my opinion. Do you always need to express your opinion? Is there anything far more important than you being able to clearly make your point?

I want to make the most of every opportunity to be used by you. I want my words to be filled with kindness, mercy and love. I want you to use the words of my mouth to draw others to you. I want my words to add a pleasant and attractive flavor in the world. I want my words to stand out as a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Will that ever happen if you must use your words to express your opinions, make your points and win your arguments? No, when I am speaking in those ways I am sure that you are not speaking through me. At those times, I have speaking my words solely on my behalf. Will you allow me to speak through you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want to be a witness for you in all I think, say and do. Guard my thoughts. Give me your words to say. Help my life to express your kindness, mercy and love to everyone so that I will be a vibrant life-giving witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… How is the grace that you have received from Jesus Christ being spread through you to others?

Living It Out… Let your life and your conversation be life giving and encouraging so that you will be a vibrant witness for Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you just the right words to say to others as a witness for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has used your words to minister to another person.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your words be full of grace and seasoned with salt so you will answer others well.

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

Character – Colossians 4-6 – Seasoned With Salt – 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

Ineffective And Unproductive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 2 Peter 1:8-9 - Ineffective And Unproductive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 2 Peter 1:8-9 – Ineffective And Unproductive – Growing As Disciples

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

An Instrument

Do you want to bear fruit for me? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want me to be able to use you as my instrument in this world? Do you want to be able to go and do the good works that I have planned for you to do for me? Do you want to be found faithful in my sight? Do you want to one day hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Lord, you know my answers to your questions. Yes, I do. I want you to hear your answers to my questions. I want them to be front and center in your heart and mind and life. I passionately want to say an emphatic yes to all that you are asking of me. I don’t want anything to hinder me from being fruitful for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I don’t want to fail to do anything that you have planned and prepared for me to do for you. I don’t want to look back from heaven to this life and see what I could have done or could have been for you. I want you to be able to accomplish all your purposes and plans in and through my life. I want to fully do all that you have made and designed me to do for you. I want to be your instrument in this world. I want to be completely in tune with you. That is very good. 

Is there more that you want to say? Yes, I have more to say. Only you can make me faithful. Only you can bear fruit through my life. Only you can make me able to accomplish your purpose and plans. Only you can help me to bring glory to your name. On my own I can do none of these things. That’s right. I desperately need your help. You do need my help. You do need to rely on me. I will make you faithful. I will make you fruitful. I will make you able to accomplish my purposes and plans. You will bring glory to my name. Will you allow me to develop my character in you? Yes, Lord, I will. Then one day you will hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant because you will have been my instrument in the world.” You will have remained in tune with me.

Lord, my character needs work. I don’t want anything in my character to hinder my fruitfulness in serving you. Use your word to speak into my life. Mold and shape my life by your word. Develop Godly character in me so that I will be abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word to develop His character in you?

Living It Out… Allow God’s divine power to develop Godly character qualities in you so you will be productive in His service.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to develop qualities that make you productive for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Godly character qualities are making you productive for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to develop Godly character in you so you will be productive and fruitful for Him.

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

Character – 2 peter-1-8-9 – Ineffective And Unproductive – 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

Unwholesome Talk

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character- Ephesians 4:29 - Unwholesome Words - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character- Ephesians 4:29 – Unwholesome Words – 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

Your Words

This is going to be a challenge for you. What is going to be a challenge for me? Do you want to be able to build others up with your words? Is that one of the ways that you want to use me? Yes, it is. Well, I want what you want. I will do whatever you ask of me. Why will building others up with my words be such a challenge for me? I know that you already have a pretty good idea why building up others with your words will be a real challenge for you. But, I will explain it to you.

How well do you listen? Do you focus your complete attention on what others have to say to you? Do you allow yourself to become distracted? Are you thinking more about what you might say next rather than carefully listening to what others are saying to you? Do you let your mind wander on to different subjects while others are speaking to you? Lord, you know me. Listening has not been my strongest quality. I have not been a good listener. I do let my mind wander. I do think more about what I want to say than what is being said to me. I’m usually thinking about a topic that interests me more than what others are discussing. Often times, I would never be able to repeat back what has just been said to me. That’s not good. I know.

If you want to be able to build others up with your words you will need to become a good listener. This will be a challenge for me. It will be more of a challenge than you think. Why is that? You will need to become a good two-way listener if you want to be able to build others up with your words. I don’t even know what a two-way listener is. Yes, I know you don’t know what a good two-way listener is. That’s why we are having this conversation. You will need to learn to listen attentively to both the person that you are talking to and to me at the same time. As you listen to the person talking you will better understand their needs. By listening attentively to them you will be fully engaging in their life. By listening attentively to me you will know what I would like you to say to them. The words that you speak will not be your own words. The words that you will speak to build others up will come from me. I get it. Now, do you understand why this will be a real challenge to you? Yes, I do. Will you listen attentively to others? Yes, I will. Will you listen attentively to me? Yes, I will. Then I will give you the words that I want to use to build others up. Then my words will become your words. That is what I want.

Lord, no longer will I let unwholesome words linger in my mind and come out of my mouth. Help me to listen carefully to you so that I can hear wholesome words to speak to others in order to build them up according to their needs. Amen

Key Question… When have you been built up or torn down by the words of another person?

Living It Out… Allow the Holy Spirit to help you speak words that will build others up according to their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will use your words to build others up according to their needs.

Get Ready To Share…Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has used your words to build others up.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use your words to build others up according to their needs.

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

Character – Ephesians 4-29 – Unwholesome Talk – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Not Become Weary

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Galatians 6:9 - Not Become Weary - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Galatians 6:9 – Not Become Weary – Growing As Disciples

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) 

Don’t Give Up 

I have given you work to go and do for me. My hand is on you. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. You will reap a rich and bountiful harvest for me. I want to go and do whatever you have given me to do for you. I want to accomplish your purposes. I want to fulfill your plans. I am very thankful and glad to hear that your hand is on me. It is my joy to know that you will use me. Nothing would thrill me more than to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to reap a rich and bountiful harvest for you. That is very good.

Having heard all that you have said to me, a question does come to my mind. What question do you have for me? I couldn’t help but wonder if there was an “if” that was part of all that you said to me. Is there anything that is required of me that is part of receiving these promises from you? That is a very good and wise question. What is your answer? Yes, something is required of you to receive all these promises from me. If you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and reap a rich and bountiful harvest you must not give up. You must not grow weary. You must not faint. You must not quit. I understand.

Let’s talk about this a little more. I’m listening. You will never have enough of your own strength to go and do all that I ask of you. If you rely on your own strength you will grow weary, you will become faint and you will want to give up and quit. Remember, that I said that my hand would be on you. I said that I would use you. I remember. You must rely on me for all the strength you will need to go and do all that I ask of you. I will work in you and through you. You will go and do what you could have never do without my help. So, there are really two, “ifs” to receiving all these promises from you? I will bear fruit for your kingdom and reap a rich harvest for you “if” I rely on you and “if” I don’t give up. Is that right? Yes, that’s right. Will you rely on me? Will you never give up? Will you keep on serving me? Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, I will not grow weary. I will not become faint. I will not give up. Instead, I will rely on you for all the strength I will need to keep on doing whatever you ask me to go and do for you. Help me to reap a rich and bountiful harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord strengthened you to go and do what He has given you to do for Him?

Living It Out… Keep on serving the Lord by continuing to go and do what He has given you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will reap a rich and bountiful harvest because you have kept on serving the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are not growing weary of continuing to serve the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never grow weary of going and doing what the Lord has given you to do for Him.

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

Character – Galatians 6-9 – Not Become Weary – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think About Such Things - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think About Such Things – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)  

Think, Speak, Act

Do you want my peace to come into your life? Yes, of course I want your peace to come into my life. How can I welcome your peace into my life? What must I do if I want to live in your peace? It is a good thing that you are asking me these questions. Why is that? If you want my peace in your life there is something that you must do. What’s that? You must think my thoughts. How can I think your thoughts? What kind of thoughts am I thinking right now? Is there something wrong about my thoughts? Am I not thinking your thoughts? How are your thoughts formed? Where can you learn of my thoughts? Where do thoughts that are not of me come from? I can learn of your thoughts from your word. That’s right. Your thoughts from your word will change my thoughts. You will replace my thoughts that come from the world with your thoughts that come from your word. You got it. As I think your thoughts I will begin to experience your peace. Yes, you will.

Do you want my peace to come into your life? Didn’t you just ask me that? Didn’t we just go over that question? Yes, we discussed how my peace would begin to come into your life. I’m guessing there is more. That would be a good guess. If you want my peace to come into your life then you will not only begin to think my thoughts but you will also begin to speak my words. The words that come out of your mouth will show you and everyone else what is in your heart and on your mind. You will think and speak words that are filled with my peace. I got it. Not quite yet you don’t. There is more? Yes, there is more.

Do you want my peace to come into your life? I knew you were going to ask me that question again. I’m welcoming your peace into my life by allowing you to change my thoughts and words. What else would you like to change? It is not enough for your thoughts and words to be changed if you want to live in my peace. You must allow me to change your actions. How do you want to change my actions? I want you to put into practice all that I have been teaching you. I don’t want you to be just a hearer and speaker. I also want you to be a doer. I want you to go where I guide you. I want you to do all that I ask of you. Will you think my thoughts, speak my words and do my deeds? Yes Lord, I will. Then my peace will live and dwell in you.

Lord, I know that the world and all that is in it will never bring me peace. The world does not think your thoughts, speak your words, or do your deeds. Help me to think, speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you so that your peace can come into my life. Amen

Key Question…  How has thinking Godly thoughts brought the peace of God into your life?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s peace to come into your life as you think His thoughts, speak His words and do His deeds.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will bring peace into your life as you think His thoughts, speak His words and do His deeds.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how Godly thinking, speaking and acting has given you His peace.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May God’s peace come into your life as you think His thoughts, speak His words and do His deeds.

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

Character – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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