Category Archives: heart

Hear His Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Hebrews 3:15 - Hear His Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Hebrews 3:15 – Hear His Voice – Growing As Disciples

As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 (NIV) 

Hear Your Voice

That is what I want most of all. What do you want most of all? I want to hear your voice. Why do you want to hear my voice? Only a fool would not want to hear your voice. Why is that? If you are making time and taking the effort to speak to me, then you must have something very important to say to me. You must have some guidance to give me. You must have some instruction to teach me. You may even have some warning to protect me. You might even have words that will heal me. The reasons why you might want to speak to me are almost endless. That’s true.

There is another reason why I want to hear your voice. Let me hear it. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. It would be impossible for me to know you if I never listened to you. Hearing your voice tells me that we are living in an intimate relationship. How so? You care about me. You are involved in my life. You are not distant and far removed from me. You are close to me. You are drawing near to me as I draw near to you. You are speaking to me. You have something to say to me. You want your words to accomplish something in or through me, of that I am quite sure. You’re right about that.

How is it that you are making yourself attentive to my voice? How are you making it your priority to live in an intimate relationship with me? Every day, I am withdrawing from the noise and busyness of life. Every day, I am setting aside a time and a place to meet with you. Every day, I am meeting with you in your word. I am being still. I am being quiet. I am listening. I am watching and waiting to see what you will show me. That is very good.

What are you doing with my words once you have heard from me? I am treasuring your words in my heart and mind. I am letting your words dwell in me richly. I am allowing your words to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. So, you are putting my words into practice? Yes, I am. Your words are the foundation of my life. Your words will strengthen and sustain me. Your words will guard and guide me. Your words will protect me as I go through every storm in life. So, I will always listen attentively to your words so that I can put them into practice. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want to race through a life filled with noise that prevents me from hearing from you. Help me to slow down and set apart a daily time for me to hear, listen and respond to what you have to say to me. May my heart be fully open and available to you. Amen

Key Question… When are you too busy to hear and listen to the voice of God speaking into your life?

Living It Out…  Set aside a time and a place to make yourself available to hear, listen and respond to God as He speaks to you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will speak to you as you make yourself available to hear, listen and respond to His voice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has spoken to you through His word as you have met with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you hear, listen and respond to all that God wants to say to you today as you follow and serve Him.

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

Heart – Hebrews 3-15 – Hear His Voice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Working For The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart - Colossians 3:23-24 - Working For The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Colossians 3:23-24 – Working For The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 

Wholeheartedly 

I know the difference. You know the difference between what? I know the difference between doing my work with wholehearted and halfhearted effort. Good for you. Let me tell you a secret. Do you want to know who else knows the difference between your wholehearted and halfhearted effort even better than you do? Yes, I do. Who? Everyone else. Can you explain that to me? Yes, I can. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, you have my full attention. Have you ever noticed someone going about their work with less than their full and best effort? I notice that all the time. It is easy to spot. Yes, it is. It is also easy to spot when you give less than your full effort. You can’t disguise work that is less than your best effort. I have never made the connection between what I can observe about others work and what others are able to observe about my own work. This is something for you to think about more deeply. Yes, it is.

What happens when you give your full and wholehearted effort to your work? I feel gratified in knowing that I have given and done my best. I feel satisfied in knowing that I have gone and done what you have asked of me. I feel peaceful in knowing that I have accomplished the work you have given me to do. Wait a minute? What work have I given to you? Well, all the work I have been given in this life comes from you. It may look like and be true that my work is serving others. But in reality, in all the work I do in this life I am really serving you. That’s true. So, when you give your very best and wholehearted effort in your work you are serving me as a bold witness in the world. How so? Your work stands out. Your work is a cut above. Your work is done fully and completely. Your work is done with excellence. Others can see your work and will know how and why you give yourself so wholeheartedly. They will? Yes, they will.

Then I will give myself wholeheartedly to my work because I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want others to know that you are making me able to do my work. I want others to see that you are working in and through my life. You are making me able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans.  Yes, I am. I will do all my work in this life as if I am directly serving you. Why is that? Because, I am. That’s true, you are. 

Lord, there have been many times I have gone through the motions and half-heartedly done my work. Help me to be a bold witness for you in this world by my wholeheartedly doing all the work I have been given. I know it is you who I am really serving in this life. Amen

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

Heart – Colossians 3-23-24 – Working For The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Good Stored Up In Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart - Matthew 12:35 - Good Stored Up In You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Matthew 12:35 – Good Stored Up In You – Growing As Disciples

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 12:35 (NIV)

Storing Up 

What are you storing up in you? That’s an odd question. What does that mean? How can I sore up something within me? My question is not odd at all. Let me ask you a couple questions. I’m listening. Have you ever said something that you deeply regretted? Yes, of course I have said things that I deeply regretted. I’m not finished. Have you ever said to yourself, “Where did that come from?” Have you ever wondered how you could have blurted out something that was so regrettable? Should I answer your question now? Yes, go ahead. I can’t tell you the number of times I have deeply regretted saying something. Yes, I have wondered where what I said came from and how and why I could have said it. The fact that I could have said some so regrettable has been deeply troubling to me. Well, I have some bad and good news for you. What’s that? I’ll start with the bad news. There is no mystery here. Whatever you think and say and do comes from your heart. If you have thought or said or done something regrettable it came from something regrettable that you have allowed to be stored up in your heart. That’s why you asked me what I am storing up in me. That’s right.

What’s the good news? You get to choose what you will allow to be stored up in your heart. You can choose to store up in your heart what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. You can choose to store up my word in your heart. What you store up in you will change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. Each day you will be presented with a choice. How so? You will be asked, what will you allow to be stored up in your heart and mind and life. If you do nothing, the world and all its evil will be stored up in you. You live in a world filled with evil. Every day the world will try to conform your heart and mind and life according to its patterns, practices and values. If you do nothing, you will think and speak and act just like everyone else in the world. Is that what you want? No, it is not. I want to be storing up your word in me. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is what will happen as you keep storing up my word in you. Then you will think and speak, and act based on what has been stored up in your heart.

Lord, I want to store up good in my heart and mind and life. I will store up your word within me. I will let your word dwell in me richly. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Use your word to bring abundant good out of my life. Amen

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

Heart – Matthew 12-35 – Good Stored Up In Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Direct Your Hearts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5- Direct Your Hearts - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5- Direct Your Hearts – Growing As Disciples

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (NIV)

Count On Me

You will be protected. You will be guarded. You will be strengthened. My hand will be with you. My favor will rest on you. Evil will not overcome you. The evil one will not over power you. You will be able to go where I guide you. You will be able to do what I ask you. Do you know why this will be true? You love me. You care for me. You will be with me to help me. Your love has drawn me near to you. Your love has drawn you near to me. I will be living in your love. It is your love that will surround me. It is your love that will protect me. How so? Your love will keep me from going where I should not go. Your love will protect me from doing what I should not do. Your love will cause me to submit my heart and mind and life to you. Your love will make me able to resist the devil and all His evil. Then the devil and all his evil will be forced to flee from me. Yes, he and all his evil will be forced to flee from you as you draw near to me and resist him.

What else will my love for you and your love for me do for you? I will be encouraged. I will be confident. I will be lifted up. I will be bold. I will continue to go and do whatever you ask, of me. I will continue to be a bright witness for you in the world. I will serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, you will. What else? I will not grow weary. I will not become faint. I will not give up. I will not quit. I will keep on moving forward with you. You will make me able to persevere through every trial. You will help me to overcome every set-back. The road ahead will not be easy. There will be twists and turns. There with be ups and downs. But, you will be with me in every one. You will lead me on. You will carry me through. You will make me able to overcome every obstacle. Why is that? You are faithful. I will be able to hold on to you because I know that you will be holding on to me. That is certain. That is sure. You can count on me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for directing my heart to God’s love for me. His love has helped me to persevere. You have fanned the flame of my desire to love Him. You have strengthened and protected my life from evil as I have continued to love, follow and serve Him. Amen

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

Heart – 2 Thessalonians 3-3-5 – Direct Your Hearts – 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

Tests Our Hearts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - 1 Thessalonians 2:4- Tests Our Hearts - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – 1 Thessalonians 2:4- Tests Our Hearts – Growing As Disciples

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV)

Tested

Have I been tested? Why do you ask? Well, if I have been tested and I have still been given this ministry then I must have passed the test. I must have your approval. Does that surprise you? Yes, it surprises me. Surprised is not a strong enough word to describe what I am feeling. What are you feeling? I am feeling amazement. How so? The idea that I could pass your test and be approved and given a ministry to do for you is astounding. It’s incredible. It is beyond belief. It is very difficult to comprehend. Why is that? I am so unworthy. I can’t imagine how I could have passed your test. Think about it.

You are right about two things. What’s that? You are right that you are unworthy. You are right in thinking that you have passed my test. Those two thoughts don’t go together. They don’t add up. How do you think you passed my test? For me to have passed your test, I think you must have taken it for me. Now, you are on to something. You took the test for me? You made me able to pass your test? Which one is it? How could I have possibly passed your test? You tell me. Well, I did admit to you that I am unworthy. I have confessed my sin to you. I have asked for your forgiveness. I did receive your cleansing. With all that in mind, I can understand how you made me worthy to be able to serve you. You gave me a fresh and clean and new life to live with and for you. You became my Savior. Yes, I did. That was the first part of your test.

What was the second part of my test? I am your Savior. Yes, you are. Who else am I? You are my Lord. Yes, I am. What does it mean for you to follow me as your Lord? I think of the answer to your question in this way. Your gift a salvation cost me nothing. It cost you everything. I did not or cannot earn my salvation. It is a gift. Yes, it is. But, following you as my Lord will cost me everything. I will go wherever you guide me. I will do whatever you ask of me. My life is in your hands. I want to know and do your will. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you in every way. Will I follow you as my Lord? Yes, I will. That is a test. Yes, it is. That is the second part of your test which you have passed.

I want to ask you something. Go ahead. Is it really a difficult and painful struggle for you to follow me as your Lord? Is it something you would rather not do? Does it take every ounce of your effort for you to want to know and do my will? No, not at all. Why is that? You love me. I love you. My love for you makes it the desire of my heart and the passion of my life to do what is pleasing to you. That is very good and pleasing to me. That is how you have passed my test and been given a ministry. For that I am thankful and grateful. 

Lord, the idea that I have been approved and entrusted with a ministry to do for you is so exciting. Help me to faithfully serve you through any suffering or mistreatment I may experience. It is the desire of my heart to please you. Test my heart and use me. Amen

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

Heart – 1 Thessalonians 2-4 – Tests Our Hearts -4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

On Things Above

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Colossians 3:1-4 - On Things Above - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Colossians 3:1-4 – On Things Above – Growing As Disciples

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV) 

Heart And Mind Set 

Your old life is gone. Your old life is dead and buried. You have been raised to a new life in me.  I have given you a new life to live. I will make all your thoughts and words and deeds new as you follow and serve me. I know that your forgiveness and cleansing has come to me as a gift. I know that I could have never earned or merited your salvation. You paid for all my sins on the cross so that I could have a new life in you. Yes, I did. You are my Savior and my Lord. Yes, I am. 

I am so thankful for your forgiveness and cleansing. I am so grateful for your kindness, mercy and love. It gives me great joy to know that you loved and gave yourself for me. I am so comforted to know that I am all yours. It is the desire of my heart to love you just as you have loved me. I want to lay my life down for you just as you have laid your life down for me. I want to love and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your thoughts and desires are pleasing to me. It gives me great joy to see that your desire is to be fully devoted to me.

I have a question about being fully devoted to you? I’m listening. How can I be fully devoted to you? You already know the answer to that question. I do? Yes, you do. Tell me the answer to your own question. I need to set my heart and mind on heavenly things rather than on earthly things. Yes, you do. How will you set your heart and mind on heavenly things rather than on earthly things? I will come to meet with you in your word. I will devote myself to listening to all that you have to say to me. I will listen attentively to your word. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will do everything I can to let your word dwell in me richly. What will happen to your heart and mind when you let my word dwell in you richly? Your word will change my heart. I will begin to want what you want. I will desire what you desire.  Yes, you will. Your word will transform my mind. My mind will begin to think your thoughts.  As you change my heart and transform my mind I will be able to live a life that is fully devoted to you. Yes, you will. That is exactly what I want. That is very good.

Lord, my mind has been set on the wrong things. I have been focusing on the things of earth. What a mistake that has been. The things of earth will pass away. I will now set my mind on you and the things of heaven. Help me to live my life fully for you. Amen

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

Heart – Colossians 3-1-4 – On Things Above – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Strength Of My Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Psalm 73:25-26 - Strength Of My Heart- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Psalm 73:25-26 – Strength Of My Heart- Growing As Disciples

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

My Strength

There is a lot I don’t get. There is plenty I don’t understand. Like what? I don’t get or understand how the wicked can seem to prosper while the righteous seem to suffer. You have used an important key word. What word is that? Take a guess.  I used the word seem. Is that a key word? Yes, it is. Why did you even think to use that word in your question? I guess I was open to the idea that I might not have the correct perspective. I might be seeing life from the wrong vantage point. Is that a rare occurrence? Is what a rare occurrence? Is your not having the correct perspective or right vantage point a rare occurrence? No, it is not. I often get things wrong. There are plenty of times that I have not understood life correctly. That’s a good admission on your part. 

Do you want to get things right? Do you want to understand life correctly? Yes, I do. What will you do if you really want to get things right and understand life correctly? I won’t rely on my own understanding. I will admit that I need help. That is a good start. What else? I will stop looking all around me. I will quit comparing my life to others. That is also good. What else? I will come to you. I will enter in your presence. I will ask you questions. I will seek your wisdom. I will wait for your answers. I will place all my faith and hope and trust in you. That is very good. 

When you have entered my presence what have I shown you? You have shown me that this life is very temporary. You have shown me that this life is like a mist or a mirage that will soon pass away. This life is like the blink of an eye or the snap of the fingers. It is here today and gone tomorrow. Those who are rich and strong and powerful today may be paupers and weaklings tomorrow. What looks like success and prosperity today may be desperate poverty tomorrow. The wicked who seem to be succeeding in this life will certainly fail in the next life. The godly who seem to be suffering in this life are awaiting a rich inheritance with you in the next life. That’s true. That’s right. That’s good.

What else have you learned in my presence? I have learned that you are good and right and true. I have learned that I can hold on to you. I have learned that you are with me to help me. You are guarding and guiding my life. I have learned that I would not trade being close to you for anything that this life has to offer. You are my refuge. You are my strength. I will rely on you. That is very good.

Lord, I have been discouraged in my heart when I have envied the arrogant and seen the prosperity of the wicked. No more! Instead I will keep my eyes on you. You have brought strength to my heart as I have drawn near to you. Amen

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

Heart – Psalm 73-25-26 – Strength Of My Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Trust In The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart- Proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust In The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart- Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust In The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Opinions

Opinions, opinions, opinions! Everyone has a thought. Everyone has an idea. Everyone has some counsel. Some even have a word. Some give guidance. Some suggest a direction. Where should I turn? Who should I trust? Who can I rely on? Are you asking me? You have an opinion? Is that what you think I have to offer you? An opinion? Will you consider my thoughts and ways as equal to others? Will you listen to every thought, opinion, and idea and then consider mine? What will you do if you don’t like what you hear? Will choose another’s counsel? Will you accept someone else’s guidance? That doesn’t sound too good. No, it’s not.

I’ve done that, you know. You’ve done what? I listened to every voice but yours. I’ve sought a wide range of opinions until I liked what I heard. Then I have chosen that thought, opinion or idea. That has set my course. That has become my direction. I suppose that is a crystal-clear example of my trusting in my own understanding. Why is that? Obviously, that puts me in charge. My seeking the thoughts, opinions and ideas of others only seems wise. It’s not though. Why is that? In the end, I have only listened to what I have wanted to hear. I have trusted in myself. I have simply relied on my own understanding. That’s true.

Where will you go and what will you do when you rely on your own understanding? I will go where I want to go. I will do what I want to do. How has that worked out for you? Not well. Not well, at all. How so? I have made a thousand mistakes. I have taken a million missteps. That’s all? Probably not. Only you know the true number. But I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I have walked a crooked path. I have wasted time. I have spent energy. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I have had to turn around and retrace my steps. I have had to start over. That sounds exhausting. It is. It is no way to live. No, it’s not.

What do you want to do differently? I want to come to rely on you. I will set aside my own counsel. I will not lean on my own understanding. I will acknowledge that you are the Lord of my life. You have a purpose. You have a plan. You have a direction. You will give me guidance. I can follow your direction. Yes, I do. Yes, I can. Yes, I will. Follow me. I will make your path straight. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I’m weary. I’m worn out. I have exhausted myself by listening to every thought, idea and opinion but yours. I have gone where I should not have gone. I have done what I should not have done. I have walked a crooked path. No more! I will follow you. Amen

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

Heart – Proverbs 3-5-8 – Trust In The Lord – 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

Hearts On Pilgrimage

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - Psalm 84:5 - Hearts On Pilgrimage - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – Psalm 84:5 – Hearts On Pilgrimage – Growing As Disciples

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5 (NIV)

My Heart

You have my heart. What do you mean by that? My loyalties are not divided. I don’t want one thing at one time and something just opposite at another. I don’t want to follow you one day and walk away from you another. My eyes are not one day fixed on heaven and the life you have called me to live and the next day fixed on the earth and all that it has to offer me. I’m not half-hearted. I’m all in. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good.

Are you saying that your heart is guiding your life? I would say that the love I have for you is guiding my life. My heart has set me on a pilgrimage of loving, following and serving you. Going wherever you guide me to do whatever you ask of me is no big sacrifice to me. Why is that? I want to do what is pleasing to you. I want to live my life with and for you. Instead of deciding if and when I will follow and obey you, I’m looking for ways to follow and serve you. I want to do what you will give me to do for you. That is very good.

Do you think you will be able to do all I ask you to do for me? Will you have all the strength you will need? Do you have the gifts and talents and abilities to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans? Those are good questions. On my own, with my strength and gifts and talents and abilities I will certainly not be able to go and do all that you ask of me. My own efforts will lead to certain failure. Relying on myself will lead to discouragement and disappointment. But, I will not be on my own. No you will not.  I will not be left to my own resources. You will be with me to help me. That’s right.  I will hold on to you as you hold on to me. You will lead and guide me. You will be the strength of my heart as it goes on a pilgrimage of loving, following and serving you. Yes, I will.

Lord, in your presence I have tasted of your goodness. You have drawn me into a pilgrimage of wanting to love, follow and serve you. My heart is set on you. I want to walk like you walked. I want to follow you to where you guide me to do all that you ask of me.  Amen

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

Heart – Psalm 84-5 – Hearts On Pilgrimage – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Set Apart Christ As Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Heart - 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Set Apart Christ As Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Heart – 1 Peter 3:15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – Growing As Disciples

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) 

Hope In You

What is the reason for why you have hope in you? Why can you have joy in you when everything does not go your way? What keeps you going in the face of disappointment? Why will you not be deterred by setbacks. What do you have to look forward to even when you are in the deepest of valleys filled with discouragement? Those are all good questions for which I have one sure, rock solid answer. What’s that? I have you to look forward to. I can keep my eyes fixed on you. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. You are my future and hope. You love and care for me. You lead and guide me through life. You lift me up when I have been brought down. You revive and refresh me when I am weary and worn. You are my refuge and strength in every storm. You are my hiding place in every difficulty. No matter what I go through, no matter what hardship I experience, no matter what setbacks I encounter; you are always with me to help me. When I have been unable to go further, you have carried me forward. When I have been hungry you have fed me. When I have been thirsty you have satisfied me. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. There is no place I can’t go or nothing I can’t do with you helping me. You are my power and strength. I will rely on you. I will look to you. You are my hope and future. You have filled me with your Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing that one day soon, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Yes, you will.

Will you tell others about the hope that you have in you? Will you let the light that is in you shine like a star in the universe for me? Will you allow your life to speak a message of hope to those who need me? Yes Lord, I will. When will you begin? I will begin right now. I will keep my eyes and ears open to every opportunity I have to share with others the hope that I have in me, which is you.  That will be very good.

Lord, in my heart I have set you apart as my Lord. In all that I think, say, and do I want to please you. Help me to guard all my thoughts, words, and actions. Make me able to share the reason for all the hope that I have in you. Amen

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

Heart – 1 Peter 3-15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – 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