Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guides To Help You Grow As A Follower Of Christ

Growing As Disciples

Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - James 1:2-4 - Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – James 1:2-4 – Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything- 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. James 1:2-4 (NIV)  

Finish The Work

Are trials a joy to you? Are you able to see their benefit in your life? Do you know that the testing of your faith will develop perseverance in you? Those are good questions. I often cannot see the benefit of a trial until after I have gone through it. Sometimes it has taken a great length of time and hindsight for me to understand how a trial has benefited my life.

When have you cried out to me in a trial? Do you know that I am with you in and through every trial that you face? You can ask me for wisdom as you go through trials in life. I will not reject you or your requests. It gives me great joy to help you to grow stronger in perseverance and faith as you trust and rely on me. It is foolish to go through trials without my help. Forgive me Lord for the times when I have thought I could “tough it out” and go through trials on my own. My own self-efforts have not been successful. My own efforts have left me bitter, angry and discouraged when I have been in the midst of trials. Yet, somehow you have been able to use even trials and tests that I have failed. Yes, I have.

I do have joy in knowing that you are using all of life including trials and tests to mold and shape my life. It is encouraging to know that you have never or will ever give up on me. No, I will not. I am sure that I have had to go through similar tests and trails more than once because I did not learn or receive their full benefit the first around. Yes, you have.

I want to grow strong in my faith and trust in you. I want to persevere so that I will become the person you want me to be. So, I give you permission to do whatever it takes to make me mature and complete. Help me to rely on you through every trail I face. Give me your wisdom in abundance so that I will have all that I need to persevere and grow strong in my faith in you. It is the desire of my heart for you to finish the work that you started and want to complete in me. I don’t want to lack any good thing that you want to give me or do in and through my life. In every way I want my life to glorify your name and bear fruit in your kingdom.

I know that you will hear and answer this prayer of mine. Yes, I have heard your prayer and you can be certain that I will answer it.

Lord, use whatever it takes to grow my faith in you. I will consider it pure joy when I go through various trials because I know you are developing perseverance in me. I want to be mature and complete and not lacking anything as I follow and serve you.  Amen

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

Faith – James 1-2-4 – Mature And Complete Not Lacking Anything – 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

On God’s Power

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - On God's Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – On God’s Power – Growing As Disciples

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Your Power

I no longer want to operate under my own power. I know what that looks like. I know what that feels like. I know what that accomplishes. Tell me. My power is weak. My power is feeble. My power accomplishes nothing. So what? I have had enough of disappointing results. I am tired with accomplishing very little. What do you want? I want to be able to both know and do your will. I want to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to be powerfully used by you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That’s good. I want people to be drawn to you by the demonstration of the power of your Holy Spirit working in and through my life. I don’t desire this for myself. I am not desiring to make a name for myself. I am desiring to be used by you. I want to be an instrument in your hands. You have good desires that in your heart and on your mind. I can see that you want to serve me. Yes, I do.

If you want to be used by me what must you be willing to do? I must be willing to do whatever you ask of me. It would be silly for me to ask you to use me and then be unwilling to go and do what you ask of me. That’s true.  It would also be foolish to ask for your power to work in and through me to do what you have not asked me to do for you. That is also correct. Have you ever worked long and hard hours and fruitless hours on an assignment that I had not given to you? Yes, I have done that many times. What does that tell you? I must ask you to show me what you want me to do for you. I must not rush into tasks that you have not asked me to do for you. So, I must wait for your guidance and direction. I must know what you are calling me to do for you. What else? Once I have received an assignment, I must be willing to go and do it for you. I should not hold back. I should not be half-hearted. You want me to be fully engaged in the work you have given me to do for you. Yes, I do.

But, you are still missing something. What’s that? You tell me. After I have received your assignment. I must come to rely on you to help me accomplish it. I must ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to work in and through me Even if I know my assignment and am willing to go and do it, that is not enough. I must rely on you at all times to accomplish your work in and through me. Will you rely on my Holy Spirit to work in and through you, as you do my work? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know when I have operated under my own power. My efforts have been feeble. I have not been able to do the work you have given me to do for you. Help me to rely on you to do your work in and through me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen

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

Faith – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5 – On God’s Power – 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

Accompanied By Action

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - James 2:14-17 - Accompanied By Action - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – James 2:14-17 – Accompanied By Action – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What Good Would It Be?

What good would it be if your life did not demonstrate the faith you say you have in me? What do you mean by that? What good would it be if you thought believing in me only consisted of accepting a set of facts about me? What good would it be if your faith in me had no impact on your heart and mind and life? What good would it be if your faith in me never helped you to go where I was guiding you? What good would it be if your faith in me never helped you to do what I was asking of you? What good would it be if your faith in me never bore fruit for my kingdom or brought glory to my name? You have asked some easy questions that all have the same answer. What’s that? If I had a faith that never acted, it would be no faith at all. If I had a faith that was not visible for all to see, it would be no faith at all. If I thought faith in you consisted only in accepting a set off facts about you, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you did not change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you did not prompt me to go and do your will, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you never enabled me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name, it would be no faith at all. That’s true.

But this is not your faith. Your faith in me has changed your heart, transformed your mind and is guiding your life. In all that you think and say and do, you want to bring glory to my name. You want to go where I guide. You want to do what I ask you. You love me with all your heart and soul and mind. You are fully devoted to me. Your faith in me is not hidden. Your faith in me is not a secret. You want your faith in me to shine brightly in this dark world. You are continually asking me to bear fruit for my kingdom through your life. Keep on living your life of faith in me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to be all talk and no action. I want my faith in you to be living and active. I want my actions to demonstrate that I am living a life of faith with and for you. Use my life for your kingdom and glory. I will go and do all that you ask of me. Amen

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

Faith – James 2-14-17 – Accompanied By Action – 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

We Trust In

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Psalm 20:7 - We Trust In - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Psalm 20:7 – We Trust In – Growing As Disciples

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (NIV) 

Trust In?

What will you trust in? What will you come to rely on? Do these seem like complex and difficult questions for you to answer? I’m not sure. I will help you out. How so? I will tell you that there are only two answers to these questions. I don’t see how that could be possible. It’s really quite simple. You will either trust in me or in something or someone else. I get it. Do you? Yes, I do. Do you have an answer to my questions? Yes, I do. 

I have tried trusting in just about everyone and everything other than you. For that, I am sorry. For that, I am confessing my sin and asking for your forgiveness. That’s good. You are forgiven. You know that. Yes, I do. What would you like to do differently? I would like to come to rely on you. I would like to place all my trust in you. That’s good. Do you see any problems with doing that? Yes, I do. Tell me about them. I could give my very best effort and not full rely on or trust in you. In fact, my very best efforts would be just one more way I would be trusting in myself. I can’t even come to rely on or trust in you without your help. No, you cannot. That is a very good realization on your part. You will need to teach me. You will need to train me. You will need to help me to come to rely on and trust in you. Yes, I will. Do you have any doubts about my desire to help you to come to rely on me, so you will place all your trust in me? I have no doubts about that. That’s good.

There is one thing you must learn to do right away. What’s that? You tell me. I will need to learn to ask you for your help. When will you ask for my help? I will ask for your help right away. I won’t delay in asking for your help. I won’t ask for your help as a last resort. I won’s ask for your help after I have exhausted my best efforts and every other possible alternative. Right away, means right away. Yes, it does. I will ask your help in the beginning. I will ask for your help in the middle. I will ask for your help in the end. There is no time or place that I will rely on myself or someone or something else. In every way and on every day, I will place all my trust in you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have trusted in money and material possessions. I have trusted in power, prestige and people. I have trusted in my gifts and talents and abilities. None of these are worthy of my trust. You alone are worthy of all my trust. I know that I can rely on you. Amen

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

Faith – Psalm 20-7 – We Trust In – 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

In The Name Of Jesus

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Acts 3:16 - In The Name Of Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Acts 3:16 – In The Name Of Jesus – Growing As Disciples

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16 (NIV)  

Complete Healing

That is what you have done for me. What have I done for you? You have brought your healing into my life. How so? You have not stopped healing me and changing my life since the day I began to place all my faith in you. Tell me more about that. Well, I am completely different. I am totally unrecognizable from my former self. My thoughts and words and deeds are different. My heart and mind are different. My hopes and dreams and goals are different. There is not one aspect of my life that has remained unchanged from before I began to come to know you. You have been healing me physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have not mentioned what is most exciting about the healing that you have brought into my life. What’s that? You are not finished. My healing is not complete. You keep on bringing your healing into my life everyday as I continue to place all my faith in you. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will.

There is something else that I know. What’s that? It is a good thing that your healing is ongoing. Why is that? I live in a broken and sin filled world. There seems to be almost unlimited opportunities for you to heal me from how the world attempts to harm me. It is a very good thing that every day I can come to ask you for the healing I need. You are with me to help me. You are ready and willing and able to heal me. That’s right. Will you keep on asking me to bring my healing into your life? Will you keep on asking me to bring my healing into the lives of people in the world around you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

There is something else I know. What’s that? In addition to praying. You want to use me to bring your healing into the lives of people in the world around me. You will use me to heal hurts. You will use me to bind up wounds You will use me to bring hope and meaning and purpose to the lives of others as I point them to you. Yes, I will.

There is one final thing I know. What’s that? The healing I receive in this life will never be final and complete. My healing will be final and complete on the day that I come to meet with you face to face. Then I will be completely changed. Then I will be fully healed once and for all time. I anxiously await that day. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for bringing me to you. Thank you for helping me to place all my faith in you. Thank you for healing me physically, emotionally, and spiritually as I have been loving, following and serving you. I await the day of my complete and final healing. Amen

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

Faith – Acts 3-16 – In The Name Of Jesus – 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

Crucified With Christ

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Galatians 2:20 - Crucified With Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Galatians 2:20 – Crucified With Christ – Growing As Disciples

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

New Life

I never understand how this could be possible. You never know how what could be possible? I never knew how my old life could die and my new life could live. Let me tell you, I was one discouraged and defeated person. Why is that? I knew that my old life was supposed to have died. I knew my old life died and was crucified on the cross. My old life was supposed to be dead and gone and buried, never to live again. Sin and darkness and evil was to no longer have any place or power over me in my new life. That’s true. Yet, my old life did not want to stay dead. Desires that were typical of my old life seemed very much alive to me. The allure of sin still seemed quite powerful to me. I can’t tell you how many times I succumbed to thinking, saying or doing what was clearly not part of the new life I have in you. I can’t tell you how valiantly and unsuccessfully I fought against doing what was not pleasing to you. I felt like a dismal failure. I had no victory in my life. Theoretically, I was free to live the new life I had in you. Practically, I was living in discouragement and defeat. Yes, I know.

What has happened to you? I was so focused on being dead that I forgot to live. But, you changed all that for me. How so? You drew me to yourself. You lavished me with your love. You allowed me to taste of your kindness, and mercy. You showed me the joy of living in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I did. Now, I understand that part of dying to my old life needed to include living the new life I have in you. It’s as if living in an intimate relationship with you keeps pushing my old life further away from me. Your word does say that I am to submit myself to you and resist evil and it will flee from me. That’s right. There seems to be a healthy rhythm to living the life you have called me to live. What’s that? Be dead to the world and be alive to you. Be alive to you and the world will stay dead to me. That’s right. That’s it exactly. Well, I am so thankful that I can live a completely new life in you. Living my new life with and for you fills me with incredible joy. It is now my over powering desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. That is very good.

Lord, thank you that my old life is dead and gone. It no longer lives. It was crucified and died with you on the cross. I have received your forgiveness and cleansing. You have given me a new life to live. Help me to fully live out my new life with and for you. Amen

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

Faith – Galatians 2-20 – Crucified With Christ – 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

Overcome The World

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith- 1 John 5:3-5 - Overcome The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith- 1 John 5:3-5 – Overcome The World – Growing As Disciples

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5 (NIV)  

Not Burdensome 

What is not burdensome to you? It is not burdensome to do what you ask of me. It is not burdensome to obey your commands. It is not burdensome to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Why is that true? I know that you love me. I know that you care for me. I know that you are with me to help me. I know that you are on my side. There is nothing you have not done, are not doing or will not do for me that doesn’t have your highest and best intentions for my life. You have your very best in mind for me. That’s right. You have a very good purpose and plan for my future. Yes, I do. So, I can take no credit for loving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I love you because you first loved me. I am so thankful that you placed love for you in my heart. I only ask that you keep on fanning the flame of love I have for you. Help my love for you to burn white hot. Set me on fire to love and follow and serve you. That, I will certainly do for you. So, because I love you I am ever looking for ways to do what is pleasing to you. It is no burdensome drudgery to follow and obey you. It is the overpowering desire of my heart and mind to go wherever you guide me to do whatever you ask of me. I want to live my life completely with and for you. I have no greater hope and desire and purpose than to be used by you. I ask that your hand will guide me. I ask that your favor will rest on me so I can bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good. So, because I love you I want my life to be in complete alignment with yours. I don’t want anything to come between us. I don’t want anything to hinder your ability to work in and through my life. With a heart filled with faith, I expect that you will give me everything I will need to overcome the trials and temptations and evil of this world. Use me according to your purposes. Fulfill your plans for my life. Yes, I will. You can count on it.

Father, thank you that loving you has made it my joy to obey all your commands. I want to do whatever is pleasing to you. What you ask of me is not a burdensome at all. Help me to have victory over all the trials and temptations and evil that is in this world. Amen

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

Faith – 1 John 5-3-5 – Overcome The World – 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

Door Of Faith

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Acts 14:27 - Door Of Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Acts 14:27 – Door Of Faith – Growing As Disciples

On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27 (NIV)

Opportunity

I want you to be looking for opportunities to be used by me. I want you to keep your eyes and ears open to me. Listen carefully to all that I have to say to you. Watch attentively all that I have to show you. Don’t race right on through life. What does that mean? Don’t allow yourself to become distracted. Don’t be preoccupied. Don’t let yourself become so frantically busy that you can’t hear or see my activity in your life. Slow down. Stop and sit down. Be quiet. Listen attentively. Watch carefully. Don’t let yourself miss out on opportunities that I have placed right before you. Don’t let opportunities that are staring you right in the face go unnoticed. I will open doors for you, that I want you to walk through. I will give you things I want you to do for me. Do you understand what I am saying to you? I understand.

Apart from me you will waste your time. Apart from me you will misuse your life. You will go the wrong direction. You will try to accomplish the wrong things. You will not know my purposes. You will not accomplish my plans. Apart from me you can do nothing. Apart from me you will bear no fruit that will last for all eternity. Apart from me you will look back on your life filled with regret of what could have been. Apart from me your gifts and abilities and talents will go unused. That would be a shame. Yes, it would be a shame. But, that won’t happen to you. Why is that? You tell me? I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will live to know and do your will. I will be filled with joy as I do what is pleasing to you. My life will be a living sacrifice give to you. I will be fully devoted to loving, following and serving you. Yes, you will. I have good works prepared for you to do for me. I have a purpose and plan for your life. You will accomplish what I have given you to do. You will be found faithful. One day you will hear me say, well done, good and faithful servant. You will not misuse your life. You will live with no regrets. I know that will be true. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, you do and that is very good.

Lord, sometimes it has been hard to recognize a door of opportunity opening up for me to minister to others. Help me to take notice of how you are guiding me. Help me to have faith and step through doors of opportunity with you. Amen

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

Faith – Acts 14-27 – Door Of Faith – 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

On Your Guard

 

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - On Your Guard - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – On Your Guard – Growing As Disciples

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

On Guard 

Don’t I know it. Don’t you know what? Don’t I know it that I need to be on guard against all the temptations of this world. That sounds like the voice of experience. It is. I have learned time and time again that if I’m not constantly on guard I will fall into temptation. Nothing is more foolish than to think that I can stand firm in my faith without your help. There is no greater mistake than to think that I can rely on my myself for the courage and strength I will need to overcome the difficulties I will face in this world. Nothing is more impossible than to do everything in love without your love flowing in and through me. You have learned some priceless life lessons. Yes, but not without a lot of missteps, mistakes and setbacks. Sometimes, that is the only way to learn valuable lessons. I just wish I was a quicker learner. You will never stop growing and learning and changing as you love, follow and serve me. I have no doubt about that. That’s good.

So, what do you want to do differently? I want to come to rely on you for your help. I know that I have said that before, many times. I have mouthed those words to you and to myself. Now, I mean it. Now, I am serious. Now is different. How so? I have had enough. In the past, I have pridefully relied on myself. This is a new day. This is a new beginning. I will not come running to you in a moment of crisis. I won’t wait to draw near to you when I am in trouble or have a great need. No, starting now, I will set apart a regular time and place to meet with you daily. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. Then I will be on guard. Then I will be standing firm. Then I will be bold and courageous. Then I will be able to love others just as you have loved me. In your presence, you will prepare me. In your presence, you will change me. In your presence, you will make me strong and give me courage. In your presence, you will make me to be like you. You will help me to do everything in love. Yes, I will. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, on my own I’m weak. On my own I will fall into temptation. On my own I have no strength. Only you can help me to stand firm in my faith. Only you can make courageous. Only you can make me able to love others as you have loved me. I will rely on you. Amen

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

Faith – 1 Corinthians 16-13-14 – On Your Guard – 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

For Your Progress

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Philippians 1:25 - For Your Progress - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Philippians 1:25 – For Your Progress – Growing As Disciples

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,   Philippians 1:25 (NIV)

Progress In Faith

You are looking at the wrong thing. I’m looking at the wrong thing? Yes, you are looking at the wrong thing. I’m not even sure what I’m looking at. What am I looking at? You are looking at the size of your problem. You are thinking about the impossibility of your situation. You are considering the difficultly of your trial. What’s wrong with that? That’s an odd question. Why is that? Well, how is focusing all your attention on your difficulties working out for you? Not well. Tell me more. I am being dragged down. I am discouraged. I am disheartened. I am depressed. I am weary and worn out. So, my question isn’t so odd after all, is it? No, it’s not. Is it my will that you are being dragged down by your difficulty? Do I want you to be discouraged, disheartened and depressed? No, I’m sure not. Is your service to me any good when you are weary and worn out? Definitely not. Will you make any progress in your faith when your eyes are focused on your trials in life? No, I doubt it.

What do you want me to do with my eyes? Where should I focus my attention? What should occupy my heart and mind? You know the answers to every one of these questions. So, I would like you to answer each of these questions for me. It will also do you good to hear yourself answering these questions. Your answers need to be fixed in your heart and mind so you will be able to make progress in your faith. I know that I should fix my heart and mind on you. Instead of looking at the size of my difficulties I should look at the size of my God. You have always been with me to help me in and through every difficulty. You have even been able to use every one of my trials to help me to make progress in my faith. So, I will keep my eyes focused on you. I will draw near to you. I will come to rely on you. I will allow you to work in and through me as I go through the trails of life. That will be very good.

How do you think I will work in and through you as you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? I think as I progress in my faith, you will use me to help others progress in their faith. Yes, I will. The work that you are doing in my life will serve as an example and a witness and an encouragement to others to help them progress in their faith. Yes, it will. Will you allow me to do this kind of work in and through your life so that others will progress in their faith? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that you have used every difficult and trying circumstance in my life to grow my faith in you. Nothing has gone to waste. As I grow and continue to make progress in my faith, help me to encourage and spur others on in their faith in you. Amen

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

Faith – Philippians 1-25 – For Your Progress – 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