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

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

Character – Philippians 1-27 – Whatever Happens – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Outward Appearance

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Discipleship Devotionals 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

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

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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

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

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

Character – Psalm 85-8 – I Will Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

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

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 - Romans 12:2 - Renewing Of Your Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Romans 12:2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

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 

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

Forgiving Each Other

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 4:32 - Forgiving Each Other - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Character – Philippians 4:32 – Forgiving Each Other – Growing As Disciples

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) 

Forgiven And Forgiving 

Do you want to be like me? Will you do for others what I have done for you? Do you want to be my witness in the world? I want to be like you. I want to do for others what you have done for me. I want to stand out from the crowd. Yes, I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Then you will need to do what others, in the world, will not do. You must be willing to do what is difficult. I’m not sure what you are asking of me. Can you be more specific? Yes, I can be very specific. 

You have been mistreated. Others have harmed and hurt you. You have ben spurned and rejected and betrayed. Is what I am saying true? You know that all you have said is true. I have some deep wounds and painful memories. What have you wanted to do to those who have harmed and hurt you? To be honest, I have wanted to get even. I have wanted revenge. I have wanted to pay others back for the pain and suffering that they have caused me. Would that help you in any way? Would that make you feel better? Would healing come into your life by paying back evil with evil? Would you be completely free of anger and bitterness because you took revenge and got even? No, I can see that there is no benefit for me to pay others back for the wrongs they have committed against me. That’s right. Seeking revenge and paying back evil with evil is what happens in the world. If you want to pay others back for the wrongs that they have done to you, you will never be a witness for me in the world. That would not be good. I desperately want 32to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Yes, I know you do. 

There are some other things that I know you want. Like what? You want to become like me. You want to know my will and walk in my ways. You want to live like I lived. You want to do what I did. You want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Am I right? Yes, I want all these things as well. Then you must forgive others just like I forgave you. Can you forgive others? Will you forgive others? Yes, I will forgive others just like forgave me. Then you will be like me and that will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for forgiving me of all my sin and cleansing me of my unrighteousness. Help me to have your attitude of compassion and kindness toward others. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Use me as your bold witness in the world. Amen

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

Character – Ephesians 4-32 – Forgiving Each Other – 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

Despises His Neighbor

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Proverbs 14-21 - Despises His Neighbor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Proverbs 14-21 – Despises His Neighbor – Growing As Disciples

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 (NIV) 

Attitude And Action

What attitude will you have toward your neighbors? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you be kind to your neighbors or will you despise them? Why would I despise my neighbors? Sooner or later your neighbors will do something that you don’t like. Sooner or later your neighbors will do something that will make you uneasy or uncomfortable. They will cross a boundary. They will make a mistake. They will do something that you won’t appreciate. Your neighbors will never live up to your expectations.  Are you surprised by what I am saying to you? No, not at all. There is a flip side to what I have said. What’s that? You will never live up to your neighbor’s expectations either. You will do something they don’t like. You will cross one of their boundaries.  You will make them uneasy and uncomfortable. You will do something they won’t appreciate.  Is this hard for you to imagine? No, not at all.

You will be faced with two decisions. What are they? You will be forced to decide your attitude toward your neighbors. Will you love or despise your neighbors? That is the question you must answer.  There is a good and a bad time to answer that question. I don’t understand. It will be best to decide now if you will love or despise your neighbors before they disappoint you. Deciding to love your neighbors now will help you to love them when they don’t live up to your expectations. Now, I understand. What will it be? What is your decision? I will love my neighbors. Will you love your neighbors when they cross boundaries, make mistakes and fail to live up to your expectations? Yes Lord, I will love my neighbors regardless of their behavior. That is a good decision. Why are you making such a decision? I am following your example. I want to love like you love. That is very good. 

You mentioned that I would be faced with two decisions. Yes, I did. What is the second decision I must make? You have already decided that you will love your neighbors. That is an attitude. Yes, it is. Your second decision will be to decide what action will you take toward your neighbors. What do you mean by that? Your neighbors will have needs. Will you ignore the needs of your neighbors? Will you let the needs of your neighbors go unmet? Will you meet the needs of your neighbors? I cannot say that I will have a loving attitude toward my neighbors if I am unwilling to take action to help meet their needs. Both my attitude and action must go together if I am to be truly loving. That’s true. Why are you making such a decision? I am following your example. I want to serve like you served. That is very good.

Your life will be richly blessed as you love your neighbors with both your attitude and action. That is what I want. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have not always gotten along well with all my neighbors. I have liked some and sinfully despised others. Forgive me. I want you to bless my life as I am kind to those in need. Help me to show love to all my neighbors by helping them with their needs. Amen

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

Character – Proverbs 14-21 – Despises His Neighbor – 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