Category Archives: Character

Whatever Happens

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 1:27 - Whatever Happens - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 1:27 – Whatever Happens – Growing As Disciples

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

Worthy Of You

You know the future. I do not. I have no idea where you will lead me or what you will ask of me. There are some things I am certain about however. Like what? I am certain that you will lead me. I am positive that you give me things to do for you. I also know that life will not always be easy. There will be difficulties and challenges ahead of me. That’s true. I am also sure that you will be with me to help me. You will never leave me. You will never forsake me. You will hold on to me as I hold on to you. That’s right.

I have a question. Go ahead, ask, I’m listening. How can I live a life that is worthy of you? I know that difficulties and challenges ahead will test me. I know that you want me to be on guard. You want me to conduct myself in a manner that is worthy of you no matter what happens. Yes, I do. How can I do that? I would never claim that I am living in a manner worthy of you. Why is that? I know that I am a sinner. I will make mistakes. I will take missteps. I will miss the mark. I will think what I should not have thought. I will say what I should not have said. I will do what I should not have done. I will even leave unsaid and undone what should have been said and done. Yes, you will. What will you do when you make mistakes, take missteps and miss the mark? I will confess my sins to you. Yes, you will. You have already received my forgiveness and cleansing of all your sins. I have forgiven your past, present and future sins. What will you do after you confess your sins to me? I will receive your forgiveness and cleansing. Yes, you will. What else? I will keep following you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. Isn’t confessing your sins and following me to where I lead you and doing what I ask of you, living a life that is worthy of me? Yes, it is. Doesn’t my forgiving and cleansing you of all your sins make you worthy of me? Yes, it does. Keep on loving, following and serving me. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, no matter what happens I know that you are with me to help me. You will not leave or forsake me. Help me to keep on faithfully serving you through difficult circumstances in life. Help me to guard my conduct and serve you well, no matter what happens. Amen

Key Question… How are you carefully guarding your behavior as a Christ follower through difficult circumstances in life?

Living It Out… Make living your life for Christ your goal no matter whatever happens.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to stand firm in your faith no matter whatever happens.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being careful in your conduct as a Christ follower.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be a bold witness for Jesus Christ even through difficult circumstances in life.

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

Character – Philippians 1-27 – Whatever Happens – 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

Outward Appearance

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Samuel 16:7 - Outward Appearance - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Samuel 16:7 – Outward Appearance – Growing As Disciples

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) 

Heart Surgery 

That is exactly what I want you to do. What’s that? I want you to look at my heart. Are you really that confident about the condition of your heart? No, not at all. Just the opposite is true. I want you to do surgery on my heart. Why is that? I have thought things that I wish I had not thought.  I have said things that I wish I had not said. I have done things that I wish I had not done. The same question always comes to my mind. What’s that? How could I think what I thought, say what I said or do what I did? How do you answer those questions? You and I both know the answer to those questions. Yes, we do, let me hear your answer. Everything that I think or say or do comes from what is in my heart. A good barometer of the condition of my heart are the thoughts of my mind, the words from my mouth and the deeds of my life. The condition of my heart cannot be hidden from anyone, especially not you. That’s right.

So, you want me to do surgery on your heart? Yes, I do. What do you think I will use to do surgery on your heart? You will use your word to do surgery on my heart. How will I do that? Your Holy Spirit will take your word and apply it to my life. A day will not go by that you won’t use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fan flames of desire in me to love you will all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your word will give me the delight and desire to be fully devoted to you. Your word will change my thoughts, form my words and guide my deeds. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. Your word will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. You will never stop using your word to work in and through my life. Use your word to do heart surgery in me as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will.

Lord, I know that you don’t look at the outward appearance. You don’t evaluate me by how good I look. What do you see in my heart? I want you to see someone who loves you with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. Let that be me and my heart. Amen

Key Question… Why will what is in your heart always guide the thoughts and words and deeds of your life?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to set you on fire for Him so you will love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will set you on fire to love Him with all your heart, and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fully devoted to loving, following and serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength as you follow and serve Him.

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

Character – 1 Samuel 16-7 – Outward Appearance – 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

I Will Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Psalm 85:8 - I Will Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Psalm 85:8 – I Will Listen – Growing As Disciples

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8 (NLT)

Your Ways

I’m speaking to you. Are you listening to me? Have you made yourself fully available to me? Have you turned your ear to me so you can clearly hear me? I want to guide you. I want to guard you. I want to protect you. I want to teach and train you. I want to speak into your life. I am listening. I have come to a complete stop. I have withdrawn from the crowd. I have left the busyness of the fast lane. I am not chasing one thing after another. I am not running myself into the ground. I am not weary. I am not worn out. I am at rest. I am seated. I am quiet. Here I am. I am meditating on your word. I am carefully considering everything you want to say to me. I am waiting right now, right here. Speak into my life. I’m listening. That is very good. 

What has my word done for you? Why are you so eager to hear from me? How has my word changed your life? Your word has brought peace into my life. Your word has helped me to know who I am. Your word has guided me to what I should do. Tell me more about that. I am your child. You are my Father. You love me. You care for me. You are leading me through life. You are always with me. You will never forsake me. I have a future with you both now and forever. You have a purpose and plan for my life. I am not wandering from one thing to another. I am not chasing some impossible dream. I am not entangled and ensnared in a life filled with foolish thoughts, words, and deeds. I know where I am heading. I know what I am becoming. I know what I will be doing. What’s that? I am headed where you lead me. I am following you. I am becoming more like you. I am learning to give like you gave, serve like you served, and love like you loved. Am I doing this perfectly? No, I am not. But, day-by-day you are using your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I am learning to know your will and walk in your ways. I am delighting in going and doing what is pleasing to you. This is what your word has done for me. This is why I am so eager to hear from you. This is how your word has changed my life. Speak to me Lord, I am listening. That is very good.

You have my full attention. I have learned my lesson. I have listened to the wrong voices and taken the wrong paths. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. Foolish me. Forgive me. I will follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question… How have you experienced God’s peace as you have quietly met with Him in His word?

Living It Out… Make it your daily habit to listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you listen to the Lord will walk in His ways and live in His peace.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening to the Lord so you can live in His peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord so you can walk in His ways and live in His peace.

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

Character – Psalm 85-8 – I Will Listen – 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 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

Entrusted To Your Care

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - 1 Timothy 6:20-21 - Entrusted To Your Care - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 – Entrusted To Your Care – Growing As Disciples

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.                                           1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV)

Use Your Gifts

I know that you have given gifts, talents, and abilities to me. My gifts, talents and abilities have been entrusted to my care. They are not to be misused. They are not to be left unused. What a waste that would be. What a tragedy it would be to one day report to you that I had never used the gifts, talents and abilities that you gave to me. That would be a tragedy. I know you won’t allow that to happen to you. You want to bear fruit for my kingdom. You want to bring glory to my name. Yes, that is the desire of my heart. I want nothing more or nothing less than that. That is very good.

Let’s talk about how someone might fail to use the gifts, talents, and abilities that I have given to them. How might that happen? How could that possibly occur? I think it would be possible for someone to either misuse or fail to use the gifts, talents and abilities that you have given to them. Let’s talk about each possibility. Someone might misuse the gifts, talents and abilities by following the wisdom of the world. If they did that, their entire life would be completely off course. They most likely would pursue money and value things. They would chase after all that the world offered. They would invest their life in what would amount to nothing. They came into the world with nothing and they would leave the world with nothing. All their treasure would be stored up on earth. They would have no treasure stored up in heaven with you. They would have borne no fruit for your kingdom. They would have brought no glory to your name. This would be a godless and wasted life. Yes, that’s true.

There is another negative possibility. What’s that? It would be possible for someone to be so lazy and unmotivated that they never got around to discovering the gifts, talents and abilities you gave to them. They might not ever go where you guided them. They might never do what you asked of them. If they never stepped out in faith to serve you, they would never discover and use the gifts, talents and abilities that you gave to them. No, they would not. They certainly would never allow you to develop and shape their gifts, talents and abilities. That’s true.

But, you are guarding the gifts, talents and abilities that I have given to you. You are not allowing your life to go off course. You are not lazy and unmotivated. You are willing to go where I guide you. You are willing to do whatever I ask of you. You are willing to fully use every gift, talent and ability I have given you to serve me. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for the gifts, talents and abilities you have given to me. I will wisely and faithfully use all you have entrusted to my care so I can encourage others in their faith. Help me to bring back to you those who have foolishly wandered away from you. Amen

Key Question… What gifts, talents and abilities has God entrusted to your care and given you to use to serve Him?

Living It Out… Wisely and faithfully use the gifts, talents and abilities entrusted to your care to encourage others in their faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has entrusted gifts, talents and abilities to your care to use to encourage others in their faith.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your gifts to encourage others in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your use all that the Lord has entrusted to your care to minister to others.

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

Character – 1 Timothy 6-20-21 – Entrusted To Your Care – 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

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