Category Archives: Character

Renewing Of Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Renewing Of Your Mind - Romans 12-2 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Renewing Of Your Mind – Romans 12-2 – Growing As Disciples

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Know And Do

I want to be able to know your will. That’s good. That’s not enough. What do you mean by that? It is not enough for me to know your will. I want to be able to do your will. That’s even better. I would never want you to only know my will. You are right to want to put my will into practice. You and I share the same desire.

You have had more of a struggle with doing my will. Knowing my will has not been as much of a problem for you. That’s true. If you simply say that you want to do my will, that is only a good start. Why is that? In your own strength, with your own abilities alone, you will never be able to do my will. I have no doubt about that. How will I ever be able to know and do your will? How will you come to know my will? I will come to meet with you in your word. How often? I will come to meet with you in your word daily. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. That will be very good. You can’t come to meet with me in my word and remain the same. Why is that? As you draw near to me, I will draw near to you. In my presence, you will be changed. In my presence, you will be transformed. I will speak my word into your heart and mind and life. You will begin to think my thoughts. You will desire to do my will. You will come to know the truth. The truth will set you free. What once enslaved you will be broken. Sin will have no power over you. You will be released from the chains that have held you captive. My word will strengthen you against temptation. My word will make you able to stand against evil. It will be no burden for you to follow and obey me. It will be your desire to do what is pleasing in my sight. You will grow to want to go wherever I guide you. You will be thrilled to do whatever I ask of you. I will make you a new person. I will give you a new heart and mind and life with which you can fully love, follow and serve me. That is what I want. That is what I desire. Yes, I know. That is very good.

Lord, I will not allow my mind to be conformed to the patterns, practices and values of the world. Instead, I will allow your word to renew and transform my mind. Use your word to help me to know your will. Use your word to strengthen me to do your will. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word helped strengthen you to be able to do His will?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to renew and transform your mind.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use His word to renew and transform your mind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being transformed by the renewal of your mind.

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

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

Character – Romans 12-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

Look Lustfully

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Job 31:1 - Look Lustfully - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Job 31:1 – Look Lustfully – Growing As Disciples

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. Job 31:1 (NIV)

Commitment

Do you want to live a life that is pleasing to me? Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Yes, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. How can I live a life that is pleasing to you? How can I live the life that you have called me to live? Those are very good questions. You have heard my call. You have heard me calling you to come to me. Yes, I have heard your call. Yes, I have come to you. What did you need to do to respond to my call? What did you need to do to come to me? I needed to turn away from my old life to respond to your call and come to you. That’s right. You left your old life behind. You turned away from your sin. You said that you were going to follow me as your Savior and Lord. Yes, I did. I meant it. That is what I have done. Yes, you have left your old life of sin behind. Do you think leaving your old life of sin behind you is a one-time decision? I’m not sure. If leaving my old life of sin behind me is a one-time decision then it needs to be reaffirmed continually. What do you mean by that? I need to reaffirm moment by moment and day by day that I have left my old life of sin behind to love, follow and serve you as my Savior and Lord. That’s right.

Have you had any difficulty leaving your old life of sin behind you? Yes, I have had difficulty continually leaving my old life of sin behind me. I have made a commitment to not let anything into my life that will feed and sustain sin growing in me. That is very good. How has that worked out for you? It hasn’t been enough. Why is that? I cannot live the life that you have called me to live without your help. No, you cannot. How do you think I will make you able to live a life that is pleasing to me? You will change my heart. You will transform my mind. How will I do that? You will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, I will. With a changed heart and transformed mind it will be my desire to do what is pleasing to you. Yes, it will. That is what you will do. That is the desire of my heart and my mind. That is very good.

Lord, I’m making a commitment before you right now. I will leave my old life of sin behind. I will allow you to use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I will live the life that you have called me to live. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. Amen 

Key Question… How are you eliminating anything from your life that would feed improper thoughts, words or deeds?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use His word to change your heart and transform your mind so you will think, speak and do His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will change your heart and transform your mind so you will think, speak and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is changing your heart and transforming your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you can live the life He has for you.

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

Character – Job 31-1 – Look Lustfully – 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

Interests Of Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 2:3-4 - Interests Of Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 2:3-4 – Interests Of Others – Growing As Disciples

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Look Out

What is guiding the pursuits of your life? What is worthy of your pursuit? How do you want to invest your life? Are you pursuing selfish ambitions and vain conceits? Will you one day regret what you have spent your life pursuing?  Will your life amount to anything of value when you reach its end? I’m not sure how to answer these questions. How will I know if I have wisely invested my life in what will be of value? Look at me. How did I invest my life? Where did I go? What did I do? Do you think I have any regrets about how I spent my life? You certainly have no reason to regret how you spent your life. You invested your life in others. You humbly took on the form of a servant. You counted others as better than yourself. You gave yourself in service to others. How did I do that? How did I even know how to go about meeting the needs of others? You listened carefully. You watched closely. What do you mean by that? You weren’t blinded by looking out for your own interests. You listened carefully and watched closely to what your Heavenly Father showed and said to you. Your eyes and ears were open to hear and see what He wanted to do through your life. That’s right. What else? You listened carefully and watched closely to what others were saying and doing. You looked out and paid attention to their needs. Why was I able to do that? You were not focused on yourself. You weren’t consumed with trying to meet your own needs. It sounds like you have some experience in this regard. Yes, I must confess that I have been so focused on trying to meet my own needs that I have been unable to hear and see much about the needs of others. So, you have been very good about meeting your own needs and not very good about meeting the needs of others? Sadly, I would have to admit that is true. Do you want to serve others? Would you be willing to lay down your own interests so you can humbly go and serve others? Lord, I want to follow your example. I want to live like you lived. I want to love like you loved. I want to serve like you served. I will stop pursuing selfish ambitions and vain conceits. I will humble myself. I will consider others as better than myself. I will stop looking out solely for my interests. I will look to the interests of others so I can know and go meet their needs. That will be very good.

Lord, I am sorry to say I have proudly thought I was better than others. I have selfishly looked solely to my own interests. Forgive me. I will humbly consider others as better than myself. I will look to the interests of others to see how I can help meet their needs. Amen 

Key Question… When have you gone far out of your way to meet the needs of another person?

Living It Out… Humbly consider others as better than yourselves as you look out for their interests to see if you can meet their needs.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to humbly look out for the interests of others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are looking out for the interests of others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you consider others as better than yourselves as you look out for their interests.

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

Character – Philippians 2-3-4 – Interests Of Others – 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

Peace Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 4:6-7 - Peace Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 4:6-7 – Peace Of God – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Anxious

You are filled with anxiety and stress. You are carrying a heavy burden of worries. I know. That is not my plan for your life. That is not my desire for you. What is your plan and desire for me? Let, me first ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why do you think you are filled with anxiety, stress and worry? I have a lot to worry about. Does that seem like a good answer to you? No, not really. Try again. I worry about a lot of things because I think I’m in charge of my life. I think I can and should solve all my worries by myself. That is a much better answer. How has that strategy been working out for you? Not well, in my efforts to solve all my problems, my life has been filled with anxiety, stress and worry. That’s true.

Do you want to carry anxiety, stress and worry? No, I do not. Do you like to worry? No, I do not. Your answer could have fooled everyone except me. Why is that? It seems like you like to worry. Why is that? If you have nothing to worry about, it seems like you go looking for something to worry about. You worry about real and even imagined circumstances. You worry about possibilities that aren’t likely to ever happen. You worry about the past that you can’t change. You worry about the future you can’t control. You are right. That’s not good. I know.

Would you like to be free of anxiety, stress and worry? Yes, I would. Then you will need to give up control of your life. What do you mean by that? Stop, thinking that you’re in charge of your life. I’m not? Do you think that you’re in charge of your life? Didn’t you give your life to me? Didn’t you say that you would let me oversee your life. Yes, I did. Then let me oversee your life. Rely on me instead of relying on yourself. How will I do that? Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me. Ask for my help. Believe that I will hear and answer your prayers. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

What will happen to you when you turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me? I will be freed from anxiety, stress and worry. I will live in your peace. I will have a peace that I can’t even understand or fully explain. That’s right. That will be very good. Yes, it will be.

 Lord, I have carried a heavy burden of worry. I have lived with a life filled with anxiety and stress. I am weary. I am worn out. Help me to turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. Help me to live in your peace that that is beyond my understanding. Amen

Key Question… What stress, anxiety and worry would you like to turn into prayers to God right now?

Living It Out…Turn all your worries into prayers to God so you can experience His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will experience God’s peace as you turn your worries into prayers to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are turning your worries into prayers to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you experience the peace of God as you turn your worries into prayers to Him.

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

Character – Philippians 4-6-7 – Peace Of God – 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

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

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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

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