Category Archives: Gratitude

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

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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

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

Peace Of Christ Rule

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Colossians 3:15 - Peace Of Christ Rule - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Colossians 3:15 – Peace Of Christ Rule – Growing As Disciples

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Your Peace

That’s exactly what I want. What is exactly what you want? I want to live in your peace. I want your peace to rule and reign in me. Well, then we both want the same thing. That’s good. Yes, it is. Now, I just have to figure out how to let your peace rule in my heart. Is that something you think you will be able to figure out? I could try. But, I doubt it. I don’t think that all my best efforts will bring your peace into my heart and mind and life. I might even be filled with more anxiety trying to bring your peace into my life. How about asking me to fill your life with my peace, have you ever thought of that? How about just allowing me to bring my peace into your life, have you ever considered that? Well, no, not really. You would do that? You would bring your peace in my life because I asked you to? You would bring your peace into my life simply because I allowed you too? What do you think? I think you want me to live in your peace. I think you want your peace to rule and reign in my life. Yes, I do. Then if I ask you to do that for me, I can see no reason why you would not hear and answer that prayer. That would be a good observation. That would be an excellent prayer that I would gladly answer for you. Then, I will ask you to fill me with your peace. Replace conflict and anxiety and discord in my life with your peace. Change everything about me. Help my mind to think thoughts of peace. Help my mouth to speak words of peace. Help my life to take actions that bring peace. Help me to be your peacemaker in the world. Draw people to you through your peace being lived out in and though my life. Those are good desires. Those are great prayers. Keep on praying them. Keep on asking me for them. Keep on allowing my peace to work in and through your life. Yes Lord, I will.

I have one question for you. What’s that? When I hear and answer these prayers of yours what will you think and feel and say? I will be filled with gratitude. I will be thankful. I will give you thanks and praise and honor. All the glory and honor will belong to you. I will say thank you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That will be very good.

Lord, I no longer want to live in conflict. I no longer want to live a life filled full of anxiety. I want your peace to rule and reign in me. I want your peace to change all the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. Fill me full with your peace. Amen

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

Gratitude – Colossians 3-15 – Peace Of Christ Rule – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Began To Crave

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Numbers 11:4 - Began To Crave - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Numbers 11:4 – Began To Crave – Growing As Disciples

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost–also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6 (NIV)

Craving

I can relate. You can relate to what? I can relate to craving more. I have been dissatisfied. I have been ungrateful and unthankful for what I have been given.  I have made the mistake of continually craving more. I have found myself ensnared in a continual worldly and sinful craving for more. I have said to myself, “I will be happy when…” Or I have said, “wasn’t I happy then…” Seldom have I been content and grateful and thankful in the here and now. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

Tell me why it is good to be content and grateful and thankful for what you have been given. Why is it unhelpful and unhealthy to always crave more? What has happened to you when have been consumed with a craving for more? I’ll start with the most obvious. Go ahead. It is impossible to be happy if you are continually ungrateful and unthankful. I have learned from experience that a craving for more never ends. When I have received something that I thought would make me happy there has always been something else just ahead that is slightly out of my reach. I have thought, “That is what I really need or that is what I really want, then I will finally be happy.” That kind of craving is like chasing a mirage that is on the road ahead. That kind of craving is like running on a treadmill leading nowhere that never gets shut off. Happiness will never be the end result of acquiring the things of this world. No, it will not.  

What else have you learned about continually craving more? Continually craving more will put me on the wrong course in life. How so? This life is temporary. I brought nothing into this life. I will take nothing out of this life. Craving worldly wealth and acquiring material possessions is a waste of time and effort. I will never accomplish your purposes or fulfill your plans if my life is set on a course to acquire worldly wealth and material possessions. No, you will not. If I want to live a life that is pleasing to you, I will seek to store up treasure in heaven with you. How will you do that? I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. With that I will be thankful. With that I will be grateful. With that I will be happy now and forever. Yes, you will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have not been content with what I have been given. I have craved more. No matter how much more I received, I still wanted more. This craving has not been good, helpful or healthy for me. Free me from these worldly and unrelenting, sinful cravings. Amen

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

Love – Romans 8-35-39 – More Than Conquerors – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

For All Of You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 - Encourage Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 – Encourage Others – Growing As Disciples

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV) 

Encourage Others

What keeps you going? Why do you keep on loving, following and serving me? You keep me going. You have made me able to keep on loving, following and serving you. Without your help, I would have turned back long ago. You have strengthened my faith as I have served you. You have helped me to see that your hand has been on me as I have served you. Your love has prompted my labor. How so? Because you first loved me, I now love you. I am living in an ongoing love relationship with you. Whatever I have done, am doing or will do, is because I love you. I want to do what pleases you. I want to serve you in whatever way I am able. Every day as I follow you I am filled with hope. I can see that you are guarding and guiding my life. I know that you are leading me to where you want me to go to do what you want me to do. You are making me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I am.

I am with you to help you. I will strengthen your faith. I will fan the flame of your love for me. I will fill you with hope that will give you strength to endure. I have no doubt about these things. That’s good. I do have a question for you. What’s that? Are you alone in your journey of faith? No, I am not. You are with me. Is anyone else with you? I’m not sure what you are asking me. Have I placed anyone in your life who has spurred you on in your faith? Yes, you have placed people in my life that have helped my faith and love and hope in you to grow strong. Who are they? What are their names? What have they done for you? I want you to think deeply about these questions. Remember these people in your prayers. Do for them, what they have done for you. Spur others on in their faith. Show others my love. Encourage others in their faith. You have received many blessings from others. Give to others the blessings you have received from me. Will you do this do me? Will you do this for others? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for the people you have brought into my life. Their faith has grown mine. They have shown me your love. Their example has given me hope and spurred me on to keep on loving, following and serving you. I will continue to pray for them. Amen

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

Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 1-2-3- For All Of You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Remember You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Philemon 1:4-7 - Remember You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Philemon 1:4-7 – Remember You – Growing As Disciples

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 1:4-7 (NIV)  

Who Are You Remembering?

Who are you remembering in your prayers? That is a very good question for which I do not have a very good answer. What do you mean by that? I have not been faithfully praying for others. Oh, I do pray for others, but not nearly enough, of that I am sure. You are sure? Yes, I am sure. 

What would you like me to do for you? I would like you to help me to pray for others. I would like you to give me a heart to pray for others. I would like you to give me wisdom and knowledge and insight into how I will be able to pray for others. I would like you to prompt me as to when and where and how and why to pray for others. I would like you to take me out of my own little circle of self-absorption, so I can hear and see and know what others need. Are those your prayers? Yes, those are my prayers. I will hear and answer those prayers. 

I do want you to know something about yourself. What’s that? You are not nearly as self-absorbed as you think. How so? You have been very willing and generous in giving away your time, talent and resources in service to others. I have found great joy in watching your sacrificial service to others. Really? Yes, really. 

But, you are completely correct in knowing that you need to grow in praying for others. I want to develop a heart of love in you that will lead you to pray intercessory prayers for others. Will you allow me to do this work in and through you? Will you enter into my school of intercessory prayer? Yes Lord, I will.

Let’s start right now. Who needs to grow in their love for others? Who needs to begin giving thanks for others? Who needs to be more active in sharing their faith? Who needs to know more fully all that they have in me? Who needs to be able to refresh the hearts of others? Well, I hate to sound self-absorbed. But, I need all these things. Yes, you do. As you pray these things for others you will also receive them for yourself. Will you begin praying these prayers? Yes Lord, I will. That is very good. 

Lord, guide me to pray prayers of thanksgiving for others. Help me to pray that others will have a full understanding of all they have in you. Help me to pray that others will be active in sharing their faith. Help me to be refreshed and to refresh others as I pray. Amen

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

Gratitude – Philemon 1-4-7 – Remember You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Heard My Voice In Prayer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Psalm 66:16-20 - Heard My Voice In Prayer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Psalm 66:16-20 – Heard My Voice In Prayer – Growing As Disciples

Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:16-20 (NIV)  

Let Me Tell You

What have I done for you? How, can I answer that? Where should I begin? I could start answering that question and never stop. Why is that? You never stop doing things for me. You could begin at the beginning. Yes, that is a good idea. I will start at the beginning. You rescued me from a life without you. You made it so I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You broke the power of sin over my life. You set me free to live my life with and for you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You have made it possible for me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You hear and answer my prayers. You are guarding and guiding my life. You are molding and shaping me into the person you have called me to be. In every way on every day you are showing me your kindness, mercy and love. You have withheld no good thing from me. You are giving and granting the desires of my heart. What are the desires of your heart? The desire of my heart is to know and love you. The desire of my heart is to follow and serve you. The desire of my heart is to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I have no higher or better desires than these. If you were to hear and answer only these prayers, that would be enough for me. But, in your kindness, mercy and love, you hear and answer far more than these prayers. There is no prayer that is too small or too large to pray. That’s true.

Do you want to keep what I have done for you a secret? No, I do not. It is my pleasure and joy to tell others all that you have done for me. Why is that? I want everyone to come to know you. I want everyone to know your kindness, mercy and love. I want everyone to come to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want others to receive what I have received from you. Will you keep on telling others all that I have done for you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for all that you have done for me. You have heard and answered my prayers. You have not withheld your love for me. I will give thanks and praise to you by telling others all the good things you have done for me. Amen

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

Gratitude – Psalm 66-16-20 – Heard My Voice In Prayer – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Group

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

New Every Morning

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Lamentations 3:21-26 - New Every Morning - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Lamentations 3:21-26 – New Every Morning – Growing As Disciples

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;  it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV)

Wait

Here I am. It is morning. I am waiting for you. I have set apart this time and place to meet with you. At one time, this would have been a struggle to get up in the morning to meet with you. Why is that? As you know, I am not much of a morning person. What has changed? Why is it no longer a struggle for you to find time to meet with me? Now, there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Pick a spot anywhere on this earth. It is not better than being in your presence. Pick a spot anywhere in the universe. I would rather be in your presence. Pick something else to do. I would rather meet with you. Pick something else to hear. I would rather hear from you. Your words refresh me. You words revive me. I am given encouragement and hope and strength as I meet with you. I am given guidance and direction as I hear from you. That is very good.

I have this hunger and thirst within me that only you can satisfy. I could have everything the world has to offer and yet I would hunger for more than it could possibly provide. You fill me up. You feed my hunger. You satisfy my thirst. I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. There is something I know for certain. What’s that? I will find you. I will find you right here, right now, in the morning as I meet with you. Why are you so certain? Your word is sure. Your word is trustworthy. I can hold on to the promises of your word. What promises? You have said that I will find you when I seek you with all my heart. You have said that you will draw near to me as I draw near to you. I am seeking you. I am drawing near to you. Here I am, right here, right now. I know that you are here to help me. I know that you are here to feed and sustain and strengthen me. I know that you are to here to guard and guide me. I know that you are here to give me hope and encouragement as I love you with all my heart and soul and strength. You are all I need. You are all I want. I am yours. You are my God and Father. Yes, I am. I am here with you. In me, you will have all you need. Yes, you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. Yes, I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. Yes, I will meet with you in the morning. Wait for me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to meet with you. Each day you show me something new. Your love and compassion for me never fails. You are so good to me. I will seek you and wait quietly in your presence so that I am able to hear from you. Amen

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

Gratitude – Lamentations 3-21-26 – New Every Morning – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Aroma Of Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 - Aroma Of Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 – Aroma Of Christ – Growing As Disciples

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

Fragrance

What do you smell like? Of all the questions you could have asked me; I would have never predicted that question. Why are you asking me that question? What do you mean by asking me that question? What kind of answer are you looking for from me? I have no idea of how to begin to answer that question. I will help you out by asking you more questions? That would be great. Is there a pleasing aroma to your life? Are others drawn to the kind of life you are living? Is there anything about you that stands out in an attractive way? Are others inquisitive about you, because they see something good and positive and right in you? Now, I am beginning to understand your questions. Let me hear some of your answers. Before I came to know you as my Savior and Lord I am sure that my life did not smell good. How so? My life had a selfish, self-centered, self-reliant, and self-absorbed sinful odor to it. I did not stand out as dramatically different from anyone else in the world. I lived for myself. I sought my own comfort and pleasure. I consumed things and used people. I went where I wanted. I did what I wanted. Everything about my life revolved around me. I was the center of my own universe. There was certainly nothing about my life that was pleasing to you or appealing to others. I’m sad to say that I was not the least bit troubled by the selfish and sinful odor of my life. My life stunk and I did not even know it. That’s not good.

What has changed about you? Everything has changed about me. You have changed me. You are changing me. You are making me to be a completely new and different person. You are changing me from the inside out. My heart and mind and life are different because of you. My thoughts and words and deeds are different because of you. Why is that? You are now my Savior and Lord. You have broken the power of sin over my life. You are now leading me in victory. How so? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to do what is pleasing to you. What is pleasing to me? You want me to love others just as you have loved me. How does your life now smell? I hope and believe that my life is a pleasing aroma to you and an appealing fragrance to others. I can confidently say this only because you are living your life in and through me. You are making me to be a pleasing aroma and appealing fragrance in the world so that others will be drawn to you. That is my prayer. That is my hope. That is what I believe you are doing in and through me as you lead me in your victory. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will.

Lord, before I came to know you as my Savior and Lord my life smelled of evil and carnal worldliness. I lived a selfish and sinful life. Nothing about my life was pleasing to you or appealing to others. Use my life now to spread the fragrance of you everywhere. Amen

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

Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 2-14-16 – Aroma Of Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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