Category Archives: Discipleship

Spiritual Act Of Worship

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Romans 12:1-2 - Spiritual Act Of Worship - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Romans 12:1-2 – Spiritual Act Of Worship – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2 (NIV) 

Under Attack

Your life is under attack. Your heart and mind are under constant bombardment. How could that be true? How could my life be under attack or constant bombardment and I be completely unaware of it? That doesn’t seem possible. You live in the world. The world is constantly trying to conform to its values, patterns and practices. The world would like you to think and speak and act like everyone else in it. I don’t want that. That’s good.

Do you want to give yourself to me as a living sacrifice? Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you live your life with and for me? Do you desire to know and do my will? Yes, I want all these things. You will never be able to live in my ways, if you allow your life to be conformed to the world. The world will take you where you do not want to go. The world will have you do what you do not want to do. The world will take you on a path that leads away from me. I don’t want that. That’s good.

How can I make sure that my life will not be conformed to the world? Let me ask you a few questions that I want you to think about. Go ahead, I’m listening. What worldly influences have you allowed in your life? What is trying to conform you to the values, patterns and practices of the world right now? What worldly influences can you eliminate from your life? What has come to your mind when I ask you these questions? You want me to eliminate from my life whatever comes to my mind when I think about these questions? Yes, I do. Whatever feeds worldly thoughts, words, or deeds in you, needs to be put on a starvation diet. That’s it? No, that’s not it, this is just the start of what I want you to do.

What else do you want me to do? You must feed on my word. You must let my word dwell in you richly. You must read my word, study my word, meditate on my word, memorize my word, pray my word, and put my word in practice. Take hold of my word so my word can take hold of you. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will make you able to think my thoughts. My word will make you able to give your life to me as a living sacrifice. You will be able to know and do my good, pleasing and perfect will. You will be able to live a holy life that is pleasing to me. That is what I want. That is very good.

Lord, my heart and mind and life are under constant bombardment from the world. I will not let myself be conformed to the world. Instead, I will allow you to use your word to transform and renew my mind so I can know and do your will as a living sacrifice. Amen

Key Question… What influences have you removed from your life so you will not be conformed to the world?

Living It Out… Don’t conform to the world, but rather, be transformed by the renewal of your mind so you can know and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as God transforms and renews your mind you will be able to know and do His will as an act of worship.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God to transform and renew your mind.

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

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

Discipleship – Romans 12-1-2 – Spiritual Act Of Worship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A Doer Who Acts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - James 1:22-25 -A Doer Who Acts - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – James 1:22-25 – A Doer Who Acts – Growing As Disciples

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:22-25 (ESV)  

Look Intently

I will not be only a hearer of your word. I will not be like a person who forgets what they look like immediately after looking at themselves in a mirror. I will not give your word a quick glance. I have done that with a mirror and failed to see what I needed to see. What an embarrassing experience that has been. Such embarrassing experiences have taught me to look more intently into the mirror. Life is like that. There have been times, when I have suffered embarrassment because I gave your word a quick glance and did not put it into practice. I have taken missteps, made huge mistakes and sinned against you, because I did not follow what your word had to say to me. Forgive me. You are forgiven.

What do you want to do differently? How will you make sure that you are both hearing and doing my word? How will you put my word into practice? First of all, I will look intently into your word. I will read your word. I will study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray your word and I will put your word into practice. I will take hold of your word so that your word will take hold of me. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. That will be very good.

What has my word done for you? Your word has helped me to know your will and walk in your ways. Your word has been molding and shaping my life. Your word has guarded and guided my life. Your word has made me able to stand against temptation and resist evil. Your word has set me free. Your word has kept me for going where I should not go. Your word has prevented me from doing what I should not do. Your word has blessed my life. Your word has helped me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That’s right. Will you continue in my word? Will you keep on putting my word into practice? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, every day I will look intently into your word. I will not forget what your word says. I will be a careful listener of your word. I will not deceive myself by thinking that it is enough to only hear your word. Help me to be both a hearer and doer of your word. Amen

Key Question… How are you being very careful to be both a hearer and doer of God’s word?

Living It Out… Allow time every day to hear God’s word so you can be a both hearer and doer of His will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bless your life as you hear and do His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and doing God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as you look intently into God’s word, be a doer who acts.

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

Discipleship – James 1-22-25 – A Doer Who Acts – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Keep In Step With The Holy Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Galatians 5:25 - Keep In Step With The Holy Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Galatians 5:25 – Keep In Step With The Holy Spirit – Growing As Disciples

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (ESV)

Two Choices

How will you live your life? I’m not sure that I understand your question. Isn’t there a lot of different ways that I could live my life? Isn’t life filled with an almost unlimited amount of choices? On one hand, you are right, life does offer an almost unlimited number of possible choices. On the other hand, you are wrong. How so? Really, there are only two choices to make in life. I find that hard to believe. How could there be only two choices in life? You have my full attention. That’s good. Listen carefully to what I am about to say to you. You will have the choice of living by the Spirit or living by the flesh. There is no middle ground. One choice eliminates the other. If you choose to life by the flesh, you will be rejecting living by the Spirit. If you choose to live by the Spirit, you will be rejecting living by the flesh. I get it. I understand. I now see how there are only two choices in life. That’s good.

I want to live by the Spirit. I will reject living by the flesh. Good choice. How did you first begin to make that choice? I turned away from living my old sinful life. I asked you to forgive my sins. I asked you to cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I said that I want to love, follow and serve you. I said that I would follow you to where you lead me. I said that I would do what you ask of me. I turned my life over to you completely. Yes, you did. What did I do for you? You forgave my sins and cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You are now leading and guiding my life. Every day, I am following you. Yes, you are. 

Let’s talk more about following me. Let’s talk more about your living your life for me. I’m listening. You made one of two choices. Yes, I did. That wasn’t the end of all your choices in life, was it? Certainly not, I have many choices to make every moment of every day. Yes, you do. How will you make all those choices? All my choices in life will be guided by the one choice I made of deciding to live by your Spirit. I want to know and do your will. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to keep in step with you every day of my life. I want to live by your Spirit. That is very good. 

Holy Spirit, I have left my old sinful life behind. Thank you for coming into my life. I want you to lead my life. Help me to keep in step with you. Guide me to where you want me to go. Give me what you want me to do. Use my life to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Key Question…  What have you left behind so that you could keep in step with the Holy Spirit?

Living It Out…  As a disciple of Jesus Christ make sure that you are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will help you to keep in step with Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live by the Spirit by keeping in step with Him.

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

Discipleship – Galatians 5-25 – Keep In Step With The Holy Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - James 1:2-8 - If Any Of You Lakes Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – James 1:2-8 – If Any Of You Lakes Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:2-8 (NIV)  

Ask Me

Do you lack wisdom? That is a very important question don’t you think? Yes, it is. If you think you have all the wisdom you need, then you won’t ask me for any, isn’t that correct? Yes, that would be true. Well, what do you think, do you have enough wisdom? I know what I have done. What have you done? I have foolishly and pridefully failed to ask you for wisdom when it was obvious that I desperately needed it. Why is that? I have been self-sufficient. I have been strong willed. I have been self-reliant. I have been independent. Most of all, as I have said, I have been proud and foolish. How has that worked out for you? Not well. I have made mistakes, taken many missteps, wasted time and valuable resources all because I failed to ask you for wisdom. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

What will happen to you when you fail to ask for my wisdom? If I continue to fail to ask for your wisdom, I will never know or be able to do your will. I will never be able to accomplish your purposes or fulfill your plans. I will never be able to bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. I will never be able to live a life that is pleasing to you. Why is that? You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to hear your voice. You want me to follow your direction. Yes, I do.

It isn’t that hard. It isn’t that hard to do what? It isn’t that hard to come to ask me for wisdom. I am ready, willing and able to generously give you wisdom. I won’t turn you away. I won’t leave you empty handed. It will be my delight to generously give you all the wisdom you will need to be able to know and do my will. Will you humble yourself so that you will come and ask me for wisdom? Yes, I will. With a heart filled with faith will come and ask me for wisdom? Yes, I will. If you humble yourself and believe that I will hear and answer your prayer for wisdom what can you expect? I can expect that I will generously receive wisdom for you. That’s right. Ask me for wisdom right now. Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Heavenly Father, I desperately need wisdom from you. There is no question about that. Forgive me, for pridefully and foolishly failing to ask you for wisdom. With a humble heart, filled with faith I am now asking you to generously give me all the wisdom I need. Amen

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

Discipleship – James 1-2-8 – If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Put On The Full Armor Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 6:10-13 - Put On The Full Armor Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 6:10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

Stand Your Ground

Don’t be surprised. Don’t be surprised about what? There are two things that I don’t want you to be surprised about. First, don’t be surprised that many of your battles in life will not be against flesh and blood. You may think that a battle is strictly against flesh and blood, in many case that will be incorrect. It would be better to assume that a battle you are facing is against spiritual forces of evil in the world, rather than against flesh and blood. You may think that conflicting worldly thoughts, opinions and values are simply someone’s worldly belief system. That would also be incorrect. The evil ruler of this world has a strong grip on the unguarded thoughts and values and opinions that are firmly held by many in this world. So, you will need to think and act and move differently against evil in this world. How so? You will not be able to rely on the strength of any human effort to win battles over spiritual evil that is in the world. You must watch and pray. You must rely on me. You must rely on my power and strength to give you victories over evil that is in the world. Will you rely on me? Yes Lord, I will rely on you. That will be very good.

What else don’t you want me to be surprised about? I don’t want you to be surprised when you face battles with evil in the world. Don’t think that they will be rare. Don’t be surprised when they come upon you. Be ready, at all times, to face battles with the devil and all his evil in the world. How can I always be ready to face the devil and his evil in the world? You must put on the full armor that I have given to you. Live in the truth that you have in me. Allow the truth you have in me to continue to keep you free from evil. Live and walk in my truth. Don’t allow yourself to become entangled in deceitful evil. Live the righteous life that I have called you to live. Don’t go where you shouldn’t go. Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. Live out the gospel. Be always ready to share the hope you have in me. Let your faith in me be a shield to protect you from the world. Don’t allow fiery arrows of doubt to come near you. Let your heart and mind and life be guarded and guided by my word. Allow my word to guide the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life. Allow my Spirit to use my word to fight in you, with you, for you and through you. Finally keep watch. Keep praying. Pray for yourself. Pray for others. Live a life of prayer as you walk through life with me. These things, I will do with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Then you will be able to stand your ground. Then you will live and walk in victory. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I am not fighting solely against flesh and blood. I know I am certain to come under attack of spiritual evil. Help me to put on your full armor. Protect me against attack. Make me able to stand against evil. Fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Live On

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Mathew 4:4- Live On - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Mathew 4:4- Live On – Growing As Disciples

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Feed On God’s Word

What will feed and sustain your life? What will strengthen you? What will make you able to stand against temptation and resist evil? What will change your heart? What will transform your mind? What will guide your life? Can you answer these questions of mine? Yes, I can answer these questions of yours. I can answer these questions of yours, not because I am wise. I can answer these questions of yours, not because I am anyone unusually special. I can answer these questions of yours, because you have made the answer especially obvious. You have placed an example right before my eyes. Tell me what is obvious to you. Tell me what you see in the example that has been placed before you. You are my example. I see you. I see the life that you lived. I see how you were made able to stand against temptation. I see how you were able to resist evil.

How did I stand against temptation? How did I resist evil? You fed on God’s word. You did not live on bread alone. You did not feed on cheap substitutes. You did not live on junk food. You read God’s word. You studied God’s word. You meditated on and memorized God’s word. You prayed God’s word. You took hold of God’s word and put it into practice. Yes, I did.  You allowed God’s word to fight for you when temptation tried to seize you and evil tried to overcome you. Yes, I did. You stood on the strength of God’s word. You lived by the power of God’s word. Yes, I did.

Will you feed on God’s word? Yes Lord, I will do what you have done. I will follow your example. I will take hold of God’s word so His word can take hold of me. I will allow God’s word to change my heart. I will allow God’s word to transform my mind. I will allow God’s word to guide my life. I will read God’s word. I will study God’s word. I will meditate on and memorize God’s word. I will pray God’s word. I will take hold of God’s word and as I put it into practice. Then you will be able to stand against temptation. Then you will be able to resist evil.

When will you allow God’s word to take hold of you? When will you allow God’s word to work in you, for you and through you? There is only one answer that I can give to these questions. What is your answer? Every day, is my answer. Every day, I will meet with you in your word. Every day, I will allow your word to work in me, for me, and through me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have lived on junk food. I have fed myself on what would not sustain my life. No more of that. Now, I will feed on your word. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, guide my life and make me able to stand against temptation and evil. Amen

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

Discipleship – Matthew 4-4 – Live On – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God’s Workmanship

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 2:8-10 - God's Workmanship - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 2:8-10 – God’s Workmanship – Growing As Disciples

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Good Works

Those are very important words. What words? Good works, are very important words. How so? You may not have realized it, but you have asked a very good question. Why is that? In the past, you have misunderstood “good works”. I’m not sure what you mean. Have you ever thought that you needed to earn my approval? Have you ever tried to do heroic acts of service to try to atone for your sins? Can you be more specific? Yes, I can. At times in the past, when you became aware of your sins, you confessed them to me. I still do. Yes, you do and that is good. But, in the past there were times when you thought confessing your sins and receiving my forgiveness was somehow not enough. Is this ringing a bell? Do you remember trying to earn my forgiveness even after it had already been freely given to you? I do. What do you know now, that you didn’t know then? Now, I know for certain that I cannot earn my forgiveness. I cannot do anything to cleanse myself of my own sin. To try to do so, is a sin in itself. Yes, it is and tell me why trying to earn your own forgiveness and cleansing is a sin. Any attempt to earn my own forgiveness and cleansing is like saying that Christ’s death on the cross was not enough payment for my sins. Any attempt to earn my own forgiveness and cleansing is like saying that I can take what Christ did on the cross one step further by my own efforts. How does that sound to you? It sounds like a sinful act of pride. So, we are agreed that you are not forgiven and cleansed of your sins by your own good works. Yes, we are. You are not saved by your good works? No, I am not. You and I are clear on this point? Yes, we are.

There is another way I want you to understand “good works”. How is that? You are not saved by good works. I get that. But, you are saved to do good words. Say more about that. You are my workmanship. I created you. I have given you gifts, talents and abilities. I have designed you. I have prepared you to do good works. I have good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do. As your life of salvation unfolds I will lead you to where I want you to go and I will give you what I want you to do. Do you understand? Yes, I do. Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you do the good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world to pay for my sins and secure my salvation. You have given me a gift I could never earn. Use me now to do all the good works that you have prepared in advance for me to do. I am at your service. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 2-8-10 – God’s Workmanship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

May Be Built Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 4:11-13 - May Be Built Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 4:11-13 – May Be Built Up – Growing As Disciples

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Prepare Others 

I have called you to come to me. I have called you to follow me. I have called you to serve me. I have richly blessed your life. I have given you gifts and talents and abilities to be used to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. How will I will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name? You will use your gifts and talents and abilities to help prepare people for works of service so that my body can be built up. You are not to simply serve me, but you are to also help others to serve me. I want to multiply your efforts through your preparing and building others up to serve me.

Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. When you came to me, were you ready to serve me. No, not really. Oh, maybe I could serve you in some small ways. Yes, and that is what you did. You started serving me in small ways right away. That was very good, make no mistake about that. Every day that you have followed and served me you have become more prepared to serve me in larger and greater ways. How did I prepare you to serve me? Who did I use to prepare and build you up to serve me? You brought people into my life that taught me how to love and follow and serve you. They gave me a good example to follow. They showed me how to live my life with and for you. Through them, you prepared me to be used in your service. Through them, you built me up as a member of your body. Yes, I did.

What would have happened to you if some of my faithful followers never helped prepare and build you up to serve me? I would have never progressed. I would have never grown. I would have never developed. I would have gone on serving you in small, almost infantile ways. That’s true. But, they took the time. They invested their lives in yours. They did not just serve me through their own efforts. They took the time to prepare and build you up so that you could serve me with your efforts. Yes, they did and I am so thankful for the people that have invested their lives in my life. That is very good. 

Will you invest your life in the lives of others? Will you prepare others to serve me? Will you use your gifts, and talents and abilities to help build up my body? Will you allow your efforts to be multiplied through the efforts of others? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will truly bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.

Lord, thank you for calling me to serve you. You have used others to prepare me for service and build up your body. I have benefited from their labor. Use the gifts, talents and abilities you have given me to also prepare others for service and build up your body. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 4-11-13 – May Be Built Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Worthy Of Your Calling

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Ephesians 4:1-3 - Worthy Of Your Calling - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 4:1-3 – Worthy Of Your Calling – Growing As Disciples

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT)

Your Love

What kind of life would I need to live be worthy of your calling? Is living that kind of life even possible? I fall far short of living the kind of life that you lived. Does that mean that you will give up trying to live a life that is worthy of your calling? Do you think that living a life that is worthy of your calling means that you must live a perfect life? If that is what you think, then you are right, that would be impossible. You will never be able to live a perfect life.

What did you do when you heard my call? How did you respond to my calling? I confessed my sins to you. I turned away from the dark and sinful life that I was living. I received your forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. I accepted the new life that I had in you, as a free gift. That’s right. You could not earn or merit your forgiveness and cleansing by trying to live a perfect life. You couldn’t do that then. You can’t do that now. 

How is your life different from the life that you once lived? My life is completely different. You have made night and day different changes in my life. I am not the person that I once was. So, you are allowing me to change your heart. That’s right. You are allowing me to transform your mind. That’s right. You are allowing me to guide your life. You have changed the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. That’s right. You are following me to where I lead you. You are doing what I ask of you. Yes, I am.

Let’s do a little recap. You are confessing your sins. You are following and serving me. You are allowing me to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. Yes, I am. Why? Why? That’s what I asked. I am doing all these things because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, you do. Is your love for me spilling over to others? Do you love others just like I love you? Yes, I love others. Do I love others perfectly? No, I do not. But, you are helping me to love others with your love. Yes, I am. Keep on loving me and others so will continue to live a life that is worthy of your calling. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have not always been humble and gentle. Sometimes, I have been just the opposite. Forgive me. I will live the life that you have called me to live. I will love others just you have loved me. Help me to love others and live in peaceful unity with them. Amen

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

Discipleship – Ephesians 4-1-3 – Worthy Of Your Calling – 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

Your Attitude

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Philippians 2:5-7 - Your Attitude - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Philippians 2:5-7 – Your Attitude – Growing As Disciples

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)  

A Servant

How do you want to spend your life? What do you hope to accomplish? Where will you go? What will you do? In your opinion, what would be a well spent life? That sounds like a trick question. It’s not. Why do you think I have asked you a trick question? Well, I’m not sure that my opinion matters all that much. Why do you say that? My opinions are often wrong. I don’t want to live my life based on my own incorrect opinions. Your opinion is much more valuable to me. I would much rather hear your answers to the questions you have asked me. I have already lived my life in the world. You have my thoughts, words and deeds available to you in answer to the questions that I have asked you. You can look and see how I spent my life, what I accomplished, where I went and what I did. Yes, I can.

Was my life well spent? Did I accomplish what my Heavenly Father asked me to do? Did I go where He led me? Did I do what He asked of me? There is no doubt that your life was well spent. You accomplished what your Heavenly Father asked you to do. You went where He led you. You did everything He asked of you. You gave yourself fully. You poured yourself out completely. You left this life on empty. You didn’t keep anything in reserve. You made no retreats. You certainly had no regrets. That’s true.

Why did I do what I did? Why did I take on the form of a servant? Why was I willing to humble myself to come into this world as a man? Why was I willing to give my life in service to God and others? You loved God. You loved others. You wanted to do what was pleasing in His sight. You wanted to rescue others from a life without you. You were willing to lay down your life as payment for sin so that everyone would have the opportunity to receive forgiveness and cleansing of their sins so that they could come and live forever in heaven with you. That’s true. 

Why will you take on the attitude and role of a servant? I will take on the attitude and role of a servant because I love you. I want to do what you did. I want to go where you went. I want to live the kind of life you lived. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to serve you and others. I want you to well use my life. I want you to well spend my life in your service. I won’t keep anything in reserve. I will make no retreats. I will have no regrets. That is very good.

Lord, it is not some huge sacrifice for me to take on the attitude and role of a servant. I am doing what I want to do because I love you. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. I want to become like you. I want to take on the attitude and role of a servant. Amen

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

Discipleship – Philippians 2-5-7- Your Attitude – 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