Category Archives: Gratitude

Received The Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Received The Word - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – Received The Word – Growing As Disciples

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV) 

Received

That is a very important word. What’s that? Received, is a very important word. How so? I will ask you a few questions to help you understand the importance of the word, received. Go ahead, I’m listening. It is very good that you are listening. Here are my questions. How are you receiving my word into your life? How has receiving my word into your life allowed me to use my word to work in your life? How have I used my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? How are your thoughts, words and deeds different because my word has been working in you? How has the entire course of your life changed because my word has been working in you? What will happen to your life if you do not continue to receive my word into it? You have asked a lot of questions. You can start answering them now.

I will start by answering your first and last questions. That’s great. I am meeting with your word. I have set apart a time and a place to meet every day with you in your word. I am meditating on your word day and night. I am letting your word dwell in me richly. How so? I am reading your word. I am studying your word. I am meditating on and memorizing your word. I am praying your word. I am proclaiming your word to others. I am taking a firm hold of your word so that it takes a firm hold of me. What do you mean by that? Well, in every way possible I am receiving your word into my life and then I am putting it into practice as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good. What would happen if you didn’t receive my word into your life and then put into practice? That was your last question. Yes, it was. Your working in my life will be hindered and short circuited if I don’t receive your word into my life and then put it into practice. That’s true.

What kind of work has my word been doing in you? Your word has been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. How so? Your word has broken me free from bondages that once entangled my life. Your word has made me able to stand against evil and resist temptation. Your word has given me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. Your word has set me on fire to want to know and do your will. Your word has given me a passion to want to do what is pleasing to you. Your word has changed the entire course of my life. Yes, it has.  Keep on receiving my word into your life. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Daily I am receiving your word into my life. Use your word to do your work in my life. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Thank you for molding and shaping me with your word. Amen

Key Question… How are your thoughts, words, and deeds different because God’s word has been working in you?

Living It Out… Give thanks to God that as you receive His word into your life it is doing His work in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will do its work in you as you receive it into your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are receiving God’s word into your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive God’s word into your heart and mind and life so it can work in you.

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

Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 2-13 – Received The Word – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Found To Return

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Found To Return - Luke 17:17-18 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Found To Return – Luke 17:17-18 – Growing As Disciples

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-18 NIV

Stopped To Return

Here I am. I have also returned to give thanks to you. I know that I am a little late. It’s better to be late, even if it’s really late, than to never return to give thanks to you at all, isn’t it? Yes, it is. Why are you stopping to give thanks to me now? Haven’t you had plenty of reasons to give thanks to me before in the past? Yes, I have had an abundance of reasons to give thanks to you. I’m not positive why I haven’t taken the time to give thanks to you. Can you think of some good guesses? Yes, I can. Let me hear them.

My life has been really busy. That’s not an excuse. It’s just a fact. Maybe I should have said that I’ve let my life get too busy. That’s sounds better. The busyness of my life has kept me from taking time to consider how you have blessed my life. I always seem to be racing from one thing to the next. I’m sure that I haven’t noticed or recognized many of the ways that you have blessed my life. That’s for sure. I know that it is time to come to a complete stop to sit down with you. I’d like that. Me too. Here I am. I’m stopped and sitting down right here, right now. Yes, I can see that. What would you like to say to me? I’m sorry that I have failed to give thanks to you for all that you have done for me. I ask for your forgiveness. You know that you are forgiven. Yes, I do. I really want to take time to consider all that you have done, are doing and will do for me so that I can give you the all thanks that you deserve. That will be great.

There is something that you want me to do for you isn’t there? Yes Lord, there is. Tell me what you want. I want you to help me to be a thankful person. It is my desire to have my heart overflow in thankfulness to you. I don’t want to race right on by your blessings. I don’t want to let what you have done for me go unnoticed. I don’t want to be ungrateful and always wanting more. I want to be content and thankful for all that you have given and will give to me. I know that you have already given more to me than I could have ever hoped for or even imagined. Yes, I have. Do you believe that I will answer this prayer that is in your heart?

Do you have faith that I will help your heart to overflow in thankfulness to me? Yes Lord, I am sure that you will hear and answer this prayer for me. Why is that? You placed my desire to give thanks to you in my heart. Yes, I did and I am glad that you know that. I have heard and will answer your prayer. I’m sure that you have already begun. Yes, I have.

Lord, I would like you to help me to be a thankful person. I know that I have raced right on by your blessings. Help me to come to a complete stop so that I will draw near to you to give you thanks for how you have blessed my life. Amen 

Key Question… What would you like to give thanks to the Lord for right now?

Living It Out… Give thanks to the Lord for what He has done, is doing and will do in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord delights to hear you give thanks to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group when you have stopped to give thanks to the Lord for His blessings.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you stop and turn to the Lord to give thanks to Him for all the ways He has blessed your life.

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

Gratitude – Luke 17-17-18 – Found To Return – 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

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - This Is The Day The Lord Has Made - Psalm 118:24 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – This Is The Day The Lord Has Made – Psalm 118:24 – Growing As Disciples

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

Rejoice And Be Glad

Is there anything special about this day? This is a drab and dreary day for many. They will get up to go through the same motions that are no different than any other day. They will put one foot in front of the other to take steps to get done what they feel they must do before their day ends. They have no lasting hope or joy. Their lives are filled with quiet desperation. A completed “to do list” brings them no satisfaction because they know that another list will be waiting for them to begin again in the morning. They are not changing and becoming what they thought and dreamed they might one day become. Do you know anyone that is living this kind of drab and dreary hopeless kind of life? 

I am embarrassed to say that I have lived this dreary and hopeless kind of life. I have had my eyes entirely focused on what I thought I must get done. I have raced wearily from one task to another. I have felt the hopelessness of a life without apparent meaning. These thoughts and experiences are not completely foreign to me.

How about now? Have you allowed yourself to become weary and worn out? In your weariness have you lost your joy and felt hopeless? When you say “now” do you mean today or in a recent season of my life? Are you asking me if I am susceptible to feeling hopeless or joyless even as one of your followers? Yes, I am.

You know the answer to that. Yes, I do. There are days that I feel like locking the door, disconnecting the phone and pulling the covers over my head. On those days, I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything. If I didn’t see another person on those days it would be just fine with me.

Is today anything like that? Yes, as a matter of fact it is. What would you have to say if I told you that today is a day that I made for you? How would you respond to me if I asked you to rejoice and be glad in today? I might mumble and grumble about that idea.

You have described a day like today as a “crash and burn” day. Yes, I have. How did you reach the low point of today? I have been racing through life going from one thing to another. I’ve been living as if everything depends on me. I’ve looked every direction except up. I’ve trusted in everything and everyone other than you. I have not relied on your strength. I have not asked for your help. So, here I am, at a complete stop, running on empty. Yes, I can see that.

Is today a good day or a bad day? I know that it is a good day. Why is that? I know that it is a good day because you have gotten my attention. You want me to look to you for all that I need. You want me to place all my trust in you. You want me to rely on you and your strength. Yes, I do. You want me to rejoice in this day that you have made for me to live with and for you. Yes, I do. 

Lord, thank you for making this day for me to live for you. Guide my steps and guard my path as I follow and obey you. Help me to rejoice and be glad as I proclaim your goodness to others that I will meet today. I love you. Amen

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

Gratitude – Psalm 118-24 – This Is The Day The Lord Has Made – 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                         http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 5:18- Give Thanks In All Circumstances - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:18- Give Thanks In All Circumstances – Growing As Disciples

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.                        1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

You Are With Me

This seems like a really hard thing to do. What’s that? I don’t know how I will ever be able to give thanks when bad things happen to me or to the people I love and care about. Is that what you think I want you to do? Do you really think I want you to give thanks for terrible things that happen in life? You don’t? No, that would be really weird, don’t you think? Yes, that’s exactly what I thought. Yes, I know. Let me clear this up for you. I’d like that a lot.

I don’t want you to give thanks for every circumstance that you find yourself in. You will find yourself in some terrible circumstances in life. Yes, I know. You live in a sinful and broken world. Sin has corrupted the world and everything in it. Bad things can and do happen to good people. You know that. Yes, I certainly do. In every circumstance I want you to give thanks to me. You do? Yes, I do.

Why do you think that you can still give thanks to me in the midst of terrible circumstances? I’m not sure. What do you know about terrible circumstances and me? You are with me in the midst of all my circumstances. Yes, I am. I am never alone in the pain that I feel or the loss that I experience. No, you are not. You feel my pain and weep when I weep. Yes, I do.

You are never more near me than when I am feeling broken hearted about something. Yes, that’s true. Some of the closest and most intimate moments I’ve spent with you have been when I’ve been experiencing great pain. I have never left you alone, have I? No, you haven’t. Is that something to rejoice and give thanks about? Yes Lord, it is.

What have I been able to do with terrible circumstances? You have been able to bring about good in my life even when something really terrible has happened. Like what? You have grown my faith and trust in you when I have gone through great difficulties. You have deepened my prayers as I have cried out to you. Aren’t those outcomes worth rejoicing and giving thanks? Yes Lord, they are.

What do you know about this life and terrible circumstances? This life is short. It is like the blink of an eye or a snap of the fingers or even a mist that is here one second and gone the next. Yes, but what do you have to look forward to? I have living forever in heaven with you to look forward to. Has the pain and suffering in this life ever caused you to think more about living forever in heaven with me? Yes, it has. Isn’t that a cause to rejoice and give thanks for even in very difficult circumstances? Yes Lord, it is.

Do you think that you can now rejoice in every circumstance you will face in life? Yes Lord, I know that I can rejoice because you are with me. Yes, I am.

Lord, help me to give thanks in all the difficult circumstances I will face in life. Thank you for drawing near to me when I have been broken hearted. Thank you for bringing about good even when I have felt pain, suffering and loss. Amen

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

Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5-18 – Give Thanks In All Circumstances – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Do Not Be Anxious About Anything - Philippians 4-6 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything – Philippians 4-6 – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

To Help Me

Why do you think that you worry so much about anything and everything? You seem to move from one worry after another. You are right about that. My biggest worry is that I will be a failure. What has all your worry done for you? Not much of anything positive that is for sure. Worry has caused me to say no to you, of that, I am very sure. I have doubted my abilities and your call on my life. I have thought that I couldn’t possibly do what you were asking me to do for you. You right about half of that statement. What’s that, what do you mean? You can’t do what I am calling you to do, by yourself, without my help. I want to work in and through you. I want you to rely on my strength. I want you to draw near to me and ask me for my help. Every time I ask you to do something for me you will need my help. So, feeling a little inadequate isn’t all that bad. But, don’t look at yourself and think about your inability. The second you begin to think that you can’t do something agree with that thought and ask for my help. Believe that I will work in and through you. Trust that I will be with you to help you. Don’t say no to me and shrink back. Say yes to me and move forward. Yes Lord, I will.

Let’s talk about your fear of failure for a moment. How much of a failure could you possibly be? I’m not sure how to answer that question. Let me put this question to you another way. You are my child. I am your Father. I made you. I am molding and shaping your life. I’m leading you through life. My Holy Spirit lives inside of you. I am praying for you. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will give you all the strength that you need to live your life for me. One day when your life on this earth ends you will begin to live forever in heaven with me. Now, I will ask you that very same question again, “How much of a failure could you possibly be?” I will never be a failure. Yes, that’s exactly right.

When you start to worry, what will you now do differently? Worry will be sign for me to come to you in prayer. I will talk with you about everything that I have begun to worry about. I will turn every worry that I have into a prayer. I will give thanks to you because I know that you will hear and answer my prayers. Yes, I will. You will give me all the strength that I will need to live my life for you. Yes, I will. Thank you Father that you are always with me to help me.

Lord, I have been a worrier about anything and everything. I know that you love me and are in control. I am so thankful that you hear and answer my prayers. Help me to always turn all my worries over to you in prayer. Amen

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

Gratitude – Philippians 4-6 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Boast About This

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Boast About This - Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Boast About This – Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Growing As Disciples

 

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

Boast About You

What do you have that you haven’t received from me? Nothing, I know that every good and perfect gift that I have received comes from you. Yes, that’s true. Since all your gifts, talents and abilities, all you have, who you are, and hope to be comes from me, how much room does that leave for you to boast about anything? I have no room or reason to boast. You can’t boast about your great wisdom? No. You can’t boast about your astounding strength? No. You can’t boast about your abundant riches? No. Why is that? I don’t have great wisdom, astounding strength or abundant riches. No, you do not. I’m actually thankful that I have none of these. Why is that? If I had great wisdom, astounding strength or abundant riches I would become self-reliant. I would rely on myself instead of you. Are you sure of that? Yes, I’m absolutely sure. That’s good and you are right.

Is there anything that you can boast about? I really don’t even like that word. Yes, I know. But, is there anything that you are so happy and thankful for that you feel compelled to tell others about? There must be something that you take great joy in that you can’t keep quiet about. Yes, there is. Tell me. I am so thankful and happy that you show yourself to me. You speak to me so that I can hear you. You guide me so that I can follow you. You give me your wisdom so that I can know what to think and how to act. You give me your strength so that I can do all that you ask of me. You have made me rich in my relationship with you now and forever. I can boast about all these things that you have done and will do for me. I’m safe in boasting about you and your love, righteousness and justice. There is nothing special about me. What you have done for me you will do for all those who seek you with all their heart. That is worth giving thanks over and boasting about. Yes, it is. So, I will boast about you so that others will want to come to know you.

Lord, you have placed in my heart a hunger and thirst for you. I have a burning desire to know you above anything else in life. Help me to wait and watch and listen to hear and see all you are doing and saying. I want to know you.   Amen

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

Gratitude – Jeremiah 9-23-24 – Boast About This – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

In Your Hearts Toward God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - In Your Hearts Toward God - Colossians 3:16 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – In Your Hearts Toward God – Colossians 3:16 – Growing As Disciples

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV

Filled With Gratitude

What do you think will happen if you let my word dwell in you richly? Do you know what I mean when I say the word, “dwell”? Yes, I do. It means to let your word really make its home in my life. Yes, that’s right. How about that word, “richly” what do you think that might look like in your life? If your word is really dwelling richly in my life then all my thoughts, words, and actions will be guided by your word. How do you think that might begin to happen? First of all I know that a meager diet of your word is not what you have in mind. I cannot expect your word to dwell in me richly if I only hear it now and then and here and there or once in awhile. That amount of your word is like a little nibble that will not feed and sustain the kind of life you want me to live with and for you. No, it will not.

Does it seem to you that you are faced with a choice? Yes, it does. Tell me what you think the choice is that you are being asked to make. Will I really let your word dwell in me richly? That is the question that I need to answer by making a choice. Yes, you are correct. How are you going to answer that question? There is nothing I would rather have than your word dwelling in me richly. That is a very good answer. Now comes the real test. What’s that? You can’t say yes and take no action. If you want my word to dwell in you richly then you will have to set aside time to be with me in my word so that it will really dwell in you richly. The time you set aside to be with me in my word will just be the beginning of my word dwelling in you richly. What do you mean by that?

When my word is really dwelling in you richly, it will never leave you. My word will be in your heart and on your mind all the time. My word will make you wise and able to teach others. My word will put songs of praise on your lips that you will want to sing to me. Your life will be filled with joy because you will know me and my word. I will speak to you and guide your life by my word. You will come to me with your heart filled with gratitude for how I have changed your heart, mind and life by my word. Yes Lord that is exactly what I want.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to let your word dwell in me richly. Thank you that you are changing my heart and transforming my mind with your word. Your word has put songs of praise and gratitude on my lips. Amen

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

Gratitude – Colossians 3-16 – In Your Hearts To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Given Me Strength

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Given Me Strength - 1 Timothy 1:12 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Given Me Strength – 1 Timothy 1:12 – Growing As Disciples

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

Appointing Me

So you think that you have been set aside? In your mind you are on the shelf and unable to be used by me? Your weakness and failures have made you damaged goods that I can’t or won’t use again, is that what you think? That’s about right. About right? No, exactly right.

Is that really the way that you think that I operate? Is there no forgiveness? Is there no restoration? Who could ever live up to such a standard? It’s a sin to even think that you or anyone could live a sinless life. You are a sinner. You have sinned. You will sin again. Yes, I know that for certain. Everyone else is also a sinner that has sinned and will sin again. There is no forgiveness, cleansing and restoration from sin apart from my Son who bled and died on the cross for you. Yes and for that I am eternally grateful and thankful.

So what’s this business about you being on the shelf and unusable to me? Where do you think that idea came from? I will give you a clue. It does not come from me. Is my Son’s death on the cross so weak and powerless that He can’t restore you to serve me in ministry? No, certainly not. No, certainly not what?

Your son, Jesus Christ who bled and died on the cross for me has forgiven and cleansed me of all my sins. Yes, He has!

Your son, Jesus Christ has made me able to serve you. He has given me His strength and appointed me into His service. Yes, He has!

Your son, Jesus Christ will help me to be faithful to serve you and bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. Yes, He will!

The idea that I am on the shelf, have been set aside or am unusable by you comes from the devil and not from you. Yes, that’s the truth!

It is your desire to use me. You have given me a ministry. I am your son. You love me. Your hand of blessing is on my life. I have found favor in your sight. You will bear an abundance of fruit in and through my life. Now you are believing and speaking the truth!

I give thanks to you Lord Jesus Christ for calling me and appointing me into your service.

Lord, I thought that I was set aside, on the shelf and unable to be used by you. I now know that was a lie from the devil. You have forgiven, cleansed and restored me. Thank you for calling and appointing me into your service. Amen

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

Gratitude – 1 Timothy 1-12 – Given Me Strength – 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 Unfailing Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Your Unfailing Love - Psalm 13:5-6 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Your Unfailing Love – Psalm 13:5-6 – Growing As Disciples

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)

How Long?

You have asked the very same question of me, haven’t you? What’s that? How long, O Lord? Yes, I have. You have wondered when a trial would finally end. Yes, I have. You have wondered if I have forgotten or forsaken you. Don’t bother protesting by saying that you haven’t thought that you might be on your own and all alone in the midst of a trial. You can’t hide your thoughts and feelings from me, you know that. Yes Lord, I do. So, why don’t you come clean and tell me what you are really thinking when you are in the midst of trials in your life? Do you think I can’t bear hearing your anger, fear, doubt or discouragement? I haven’t wanted to be a grumbler or complainer. You have been so good to me. I was worried that I might seem ungrateful if I told you what I really thought. Would it surprise you to learn that I want to talk to you about anything and everything that weighs on your heart and mind? You don’t have to polish up your words and put on a happy face to talk to me. It would be a relief to know that I can talk openly and express all my thoughts to you. Check out King David, do you think that he held back and didn’t express himself fully to me? No, it looks like he told you exactly what was on his mind. Yes, He did and that was very good.

Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. When you have told me everything that was on your heart and in your mind did you feel better or worse? Have you ever regretted talking openly and honestly with me? No, I have never regretted talking to you about anything. When I have talked to you about a trial I have felt a release of the burden that I was carrying. Why is that? As I talked to you I once again realized how much you love me. I am your child. You will never leave or forsake me. You are with me to help me. Yes, I am. You have never failed to show your love and goodness to me. No, I have not.

So, I can handle your conversations with me that have started with expressions of anger, fear, doubt or discouragement. How have many of those very same conversations ended? They have ended with rejoicing in my heart and praise on my lips because I have known that I am not alone. You are with me. You will help me. You are so good to me.

Lord, thank you that I can come to talk to you about anything and everything. I don’t have to hide what I am feeling as I go through trials in life. I know you are with me. You will never forsake me. You love me and are good to me. Amen

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

Gratitude – Psalm 13-5-6 – Your Unfailing Love – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:4 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4 – Growing As Disciples

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.   Psalm 100:4  NIV

Into Your Presence

I think that I have been barging into your presence filled up with all my own worries, concerns and requests. I’m not sure that I have even allowed myself to catch my breath before blurting out a request for something I’ve wanted or needed. Does that seem like the right way to come to me in prayer? No, it really doesn’t. What problems do you see with that approach? There are several problems with that approach. Let me hear what you have on your mind and in your heart.

Prayer is a two-way conversation. When I don’t take time to slow down to draw near to you it is really hard for me to hear what you want to say to me. Why is that? It takes time for the busyness and noise level of my life to quiet down so that I am able to receive anything from you. Quickly barging into your presence is such a hindrance to me that often I’m not even aware that you have drawn close to me.

Why do you think it is a good idea to start your prayers off with thanksgiving and praise? First of all, you are worthy of all my thanks and praise. Acknowledging what you have done and are doing for me before asking for anything else just seems like good manners to me. I want to let you know how thankful I am for all that you have done for me. Most of all I know that you take great delight in hearing me express my gratitude to you. Yes, I do. How do you know that? I can feel your pleasure even as I am giving thanks and praise to you. As I’m giving thanks and praise to you, it feels like you are setting my heart and putting my mind in the right place. Yes, I am.

As I have given thanks and praise to you my perspective has been altered and my prayers have changed. How so? My heart and mind are more settled and less urgent. I am more focused on you and more knowing that you are in control. I feel more joy as I release my worries, concerns and requests to you. I trust you more and myself less. Giving thanks and praise to you has helped me to more clearly see your activity and work in and through my life.

Thanksgiving and praise has helped me take my eyes off of myself and look to you. Once your eyes are off of yourself and focused on me what are you really ready to do? Then I am really ready to listen to all that you want to say to me. That’s what you really want isn’t it? You want to know me and hear what I have to say to you, don’t you? Yes Lord, it is the desire of my heart to know you and to hear your voice speaking to me.

Lord, my attention has been focused on my life and all my circumstances. I have raced into prayer to tell you all about them to ask for your help. Now, I want to bow down to worship you. You are worthy of all my thanks and praise. Amen

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

Gratitude – Psalm 100-4 – Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving – 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