Category Archives: If

Holds A Grudge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Genesis 50:15 - Holds A Grudge - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Genesis 50:15 – Holds A Grudge – Growing As Disciples

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 (NIV)

 Pay Back

Has someone done something evil against you? Are you having a hard time forgiving them? Are you carrying a grudge and thinking ways to pay them back? I would never try to pay someone back for the evil that they have done against me. You would just think about a lot of different ways to pay them back. I suppose so. It does you no good to carry a grudge. Failing to forgive others harms you far more than it harms them. It is a heavy burden to carry unforgiveness around in your heart and on your mind. Unforgiveness will eat you alive from the inside out. Unforgiveness will make you a bitter person. I have forgiven you of all your sins. Yes, I am so thankful that you have forgiven me of all my sins. I expect you to forgive others of the evil that they have done against you. Yes Lord, I will forgive others of the evil that they have done against me. Extending forgiveness to others may open up an opportunity for you to minister to them. You will be doing what those that are of the world do not do. They may wonder why you are so kind and loving and forgiving. Then you will have an opportunity to tell them about me. That would be amazing.

There is something very important that I want you to remember. What’s that? I can bring good out of the evil that has been done against you. Can you think of ways that I have already brought good out of evil that has been done against you? Yes, in some ways evil that has been done against me has changed the entire course of my life. You have been able to redirect my life in response to the evil that has been done against me. You have been able to send me in a new direction and use me to do new things for you as a result of something evil that has been done against me. That’s right. I didn’t author the evil. I didn’t bring the evil against you. But, I have been able to bring good out of evil that has been done to you. That is for sure. There is no doubt about that. Let me ask you a couple questions. If you allowed yourself to hold on to unforgiveness and grudges would you be able to recognize the good that I had brought into your life as a result of the evil done against you? No, probably not. How long has it taken for you to be able to look back to see the good that I have brought out of evil done against you? Sometimes, it has taken quite a bit of time. Yes, it has. Will you forgive others? Will you let go of grudges? Will you stop think about paying others back for the evil that has ben done against you? Will you wait to see the good that I will bring into your life even out of evil that has been done against you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have had a hard time forgiving others of evil they have done to me. It has been easy to carry a grudge and think about ways to pay them back. No more. I will forgive others and wait to see the good you will bring even out of the evil done against me. Amen

Key Question… Why will it never benefit you to carry a grudge against someone who has done evil against you?

Living It Out… Forgive others and let go of grudges so you can see the good the Lord will be bring even out of evil done against you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring good even out of evil that has been done against you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has brought good even out of evil done against you.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you never hold a grudge but rather recognize that God can bring good even out evil done against you.

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

If – Genesis 50-15 – Holds A Grudge – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Remains In Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - John 15:5 - Remains In Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – John 15:5 – Remains In Me – Growing As Disciples

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) 

Bearing Fruit

Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for me? Yes Lord, I want to bear an abundance of fruit for you. Bearing an abundance of fruit for me will not come through your hard efforts. On your own you could work tirelessly and never bear lasting fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I do not want to see you live a futile and fruitless life. Your own efforts give me no pleasure no matter how hard you work.

What does give you pleasure? You tell me. I know that apart from you I can do nothing. How do you know that? Both your word and my experience tell me that I can do nothing apart from you. Many times I have worked myself ragged with my own efforts and bore no lasting fruit that would bring glory to your name. That’s right.

Do you believe my word? Do you trust what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I believe in you and trust your word. What does my word say about how I have designed you? You have made me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. That’s right. You are my source. I need to remain connected to you. Every good and perfect thing that I have received comes from you. You are the one who will give me power and strength to serve you. You are the one that will enable me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I will.

How will you remain connected to me? How will you live in a close and intimate relationship with me? I will set aside a special place and a specific time to meet with you. I will meet with you in your word. I will talk with you in prayer. I will give thanks and praise and worship to you for all that you have done, are doing and will do in my life. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. I will listen to your voice as you speak to me. I will sit quietly with you in your presence. In every way, I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. I will live in total dependence on you. I will rely on you to help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will allow you to work in and through me as I love, follow and serve you. I will live in close fellowship with others in your body.  I will give and receive encouragement from them as I live my life with and for you. In all these ways I will remain vitally connected in an intimate relationship with you. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that you are the vine and I am one of your branches. You made me to be vitally connected to you. You sustain and strengthen and empower me to bear an abundance of fruit as I remain in you. That is what I will continue to do. Amen

Key Question…  When can you make time every day to meet with the Lord so you can remain in Him?

Living It Out…  Make time and choose a special place to meet with the Lord everyday so that you will continue to remain in Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will bear an abundance of fruit as you continue to remain in the Lord.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how remaining in the Lord has caused you to bear fruit for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you remain in Christ so that you will bear an abundance of fruit for Him.

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

If – John 15-5 – Remains in Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

You Remain Silent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Esther 4:14 - You Remain Silent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Esther 4:14 – You Remain Silent – Growing As Disciples

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

A Time Such As This

Is this a special time? Have you been preparing me for a time such as this? That’s a very good question. Do you have an answer for me? What do you think? I’m not sure. Can you imagine what I want you to do? I’m guessing that you want me to always live with these questions. That’s a very good guess. You want me to think about what you want me to say and do at this time and in every moment of my life. There is not a time or moment when you don’t want me to be ready to speak and to act. You will continually give me things to say and do for you. Yes, I will. There are no times that aren’t special to you. All the time you have given to me is to be used for your kingdom and glory. Yes, I do want you to be ready to serve me at all times. Don’t ever think that you are off duty. I get that.

You must also know that I will be teaching and training and preparing you for special times of ministry. You will not know what is coming next. You will not know how I will use you. You must trust that I will use you. You must believe that I have been preparing you. I will use one thing after another to prepare you for what I will give you to say and do for me. You must not lose heart while you wait for the opportunities that I will give to you. Keep a watchful eye open. Give a listening ear to what you hear. Be ready and willing to serve me. Don’t run ahead of me. Don’t lag behind me. Follow me to where I lead you. Don’t shrink back when your opportunity to serve me unfolds before you. Remember that I have been teaching you. Remember that I have been training you. Remember that I have been preparing you for “a time such as this”. You will be able to look back and see and know how I have made you ready. I will have made everything to fall in place so that you can go and serve me. Make sure that you are ready and willing to say yes to me when your calling for “a time such this” is upon you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for preparing me for the role in which you have placed me. I will watch and wait and listen so that I will know what you have given me to say and do for you. Use me to bless others as I bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord uniquely prepared you for the role in which He has placed you?

Living It Out…  Watch and wait and listen to the Lord so that you will know what He has given you to say and do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you things to say and do for Him.

Get Ready To Share…   Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to uniquely bless the lives of others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you fulfill the role that God has given you by speaking the words he gives you.

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

If – Esther 4-14 -You Remain Silent – 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

Lacks Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - James 1:5-8 - Lacks Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – James 1:5-8 – Lacks Wisdom- Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8 (NIV)

Sure

Do you lack wisdom? That’s a very good question. It’s very important that you are very sure of your answer. Why is that? If you are not completely convinced that you need wisdom then you will never really ask for it from me. Oh, you may make some feeble, half-hearted request for wisdom from me. You will not really expect an answer from me. You almost certainly will not wait for me to answer your request. I get it. What makes you so certain that you really do lack wisdom? My experience tells me that I lack wisdom. Are you telling me that you have at least enough wisdom to know that you desperately lack wisdom? I guess so. Why is that? Take a look at my life and the history of my own decisions. When I have relied solely on my own wisdom I have had a history of making dumb decisions and stupid mistakes. My decision-making has been astoundingly poor. I’ve noticed that. So, there is no, “if” about it? You are absolutely certain that you need wisdom from me. Yes, I have no doubt in my mind that I need all the wisdom that you will give to me. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to passionately ask me for my wisdom? Yes, it is. Is your need for wisdom strong enough for you to wait for me to answer your request? Yes, without a doubt. That is very good. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must be sure enough that you need it so that you will ask for it. For you to ever receive wisdom from me you must also be sure enough that you need it that you will wait for it from me. I will ask for and wait for your wisdom. That is very good, but there is more that you must be sure of if you want my wisdom. What else must I be sure of?

Do you believe that I will hear and answer your request for wisdom? Do you believe that I will generously give you my wisdom when you ask for it? Are you sure that I give you wisdom without finding fault in you for asking for it? Lord, I believe that you will give me wisdom when I ask for it. I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt in you. I know that if I don’t have faith in you I shouldn’t bother asking you for wisdom. Why is that? You will not answer a doubting, double minded request for wisdom. That’s right. I am sure that I need your wisdom. I am sure that you will give me your wisdom as I ask you for it. So, I am asking you for your wisdom now. I am waiting for your wisdom now. That is very good.

Lord, there is no “if” about it. I’m sure I need your wisdom. I’m also sure you will generously give me your wisdom when I ask for it. I’m asking you for your wisdom. Guard and guide my life with your wisdom. Stabilize my thoughts and ways with your wisdom. Amen

Key Question… When has God generously responded to your prayers and given you the wisdom you needed from Him?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith ask God for His wisdom to guard and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will generously give you His wisdom when you ask Him for it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has generously given you His wisdom.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you ask God for all the wisdom that you will need from Him.

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

If – James 1-5-8 – Lacks Wisdom – 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

Anyone

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 1 Peter 4:10-11 - Anyone - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 Peter 4:10-11 – Anyone – Growing As Disciples

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

 My Gifts

I want you to know about a few sure things. That sounds interesting. I like sure things. Anything I have considered to be a sure thing has never ended up being a sure thing. So, when you say that you have something that is a sure thing I am more than curious. You have my full attention. What is a sure thing? What do you want to tell me?

It is a sure thing that I have given you spiritual gifts. Why is it important that I know that? That is a very good question. Have you ever looked for something with the certainty that you would find it? Like what? Let’s say you were looking for a set of keys and you were certain that they were in your house. You knew that they couldn’t be anywhere else because you just unlocked your house. I have misplaced my keys many times. Yes, I know. How persistent has your search been when you have been certain that you would find what you were searching for? My search has been persistent and all encompassing because I knew that it would just be a matter of time before I would find what I was looking for. That’s right. How persistent has your search been when you had no idea if would find what you were looking for? My search has been brief and short lived when I have had no confidence that I would find what I was looking for. Can you see where our conversation is headed? You have given me spiritual gifts and I will certainly discover the gifts that you have give to me if I persistently search for them. You got that right. That’s one sure thing. What is another sure thing?

It is a sure thing that you will never find out what spiritual gifts I have given to you by sitting around doing nothing. You will need to step out and engage in ministry to others. I want to use you. As you follow me you will try out many different ways to minister my love and grace to others. Not everything you try will be a perfect fit for you. Don’t worry about that. As you serve me, there will be some trial and error on the way to your discovering your spiritual gifts. You will discover what aren’t and what are your spiritual gifts. Engaging in ministry to others will be the way that you will show me my spiritual gifts. You got that right. That’s another sure thing. What is another sure thing?

I will powerfully use your spiritual gifts to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is a sure thing. That’s why it is so important that I discover and use my spiritual gifts. That’s why it is so important that I rely on you to work in and through me as I use the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. You got that right. As you use your spiritual gifts you will bring praise and glory to my name. People will be drawn to me because you have used your spiritual gifts. That is all that I have ever wanted. Thank you for these sure things. I will joyfully use all the spiritual gifts that you have given to me.

Lord, help me to discover all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. I don’t want one to go unused. Use all you have given me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Powerfully work through me so your grace is ministered to others and glory is brought to your name. Amen

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

If – 1 Peter 4-10-11 – Anyone – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Considers Himself Religious

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - James 1:26 - Considers Himself Religious - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – James 1:26 – Considers Himself Religious – Growing As Disciples

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 (NIV)

My Words

Listen to the words that are coming out of your mouth. I want you to listen carefully to all that you are saying. Why is that? If you really listen to your own words I’m sure that you will be very surprised. Do you understand what I’m asking of you? I’m not exactly sure what you have in mind. I want you to critically evaluate all the words that are coming out of your mouth. While you’re at it, you can also evaluate the words that you don’t say out loud. I want you to evaluate even the words that you are able to suppress. I also want you to evaluate your self-talk. Do you have any idea why I am asking you to do all of this? No, not really.

Every word that is in your heart and on your mind will one day come out. The words that you think and the words that you say are very powerful. Your words have power to build up and tear down. Your words have the ability to heal. Your words have the ability to kill. Have you ever deeply regretted the words that you have said to others? Yes, many times I have been very sorry about the words that have come out of my mouth. Have you ever deeply regretted the words that you have said to yourself? Yes, many times I have been very discouraged by the words that I have had in my heart and on my mind and said to myself.

Do you want to keep a tight rein on your tongue? Yes Lord, I want to think and say words that build others up. I want to think and say words that bring encouragement and healing to all those that hear them. I want to think and say words that are pleasing to you. Do you want your life to bear fruit through the words that I give you to speak? Yes Lord, I want my words to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want my words to bring glory to your name. I want my words to be consistent with who I am. Who are you? I am your child. I am your follower. Yes, you are. You are my Savor and Lord. You are my God and my King. Yes, I am. Listen to me and I will give you the words that I want you to think. Listen to me and I will give you the words that I want you to speak. Let my words be in your heart and on your mind. Let my words be the words that will come out of your heart and mind and mouth. Let my words bless your life. Let my words bless the lives of others. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have spoken unhelpful and hurtful words I deeply regret. Forgive Me. Help me keep a tight rein on my tongue. Give me words to speak that will build up, encourage and bless others. Bear fruit for your kingdom through the words you give me to speak. Amen

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

 If – James 1-26 – Considers Himself Religious – 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

If He Calls You, Say Speak Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 1 Samuel 3:7-10 - If He Calls You, Say Speak Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 Samuel 3:7-10 – If He Calls You, Say Speak Lord – Growing As Disciples

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:7-10 (NIV)

I’m Listening

Are you listening attentively to me? Are you making yourself available to me? Do you really want to hear from me? Yes Lord, I desperately want to hear from you. I want to listen to all that you have to say to me. I want you to speak into my life. I want your word to guard and guide my life. I want to know you. I want to know the plans you have for my life. I want to know where you would like to send me. I want to know how you would like to use me. Without hearing from you I would only be guessing at what you might like me to do for you. I don’t want to be guessing about your will. I don’t want to be guessing about your plans for my life. I don’t want to know about you. I actually want to know you intimately. How would that ever be possible if I never heard from you? Yes Lord, I really do want to hear from you. That’s very good.

Do what Samuel did. What did Samuel do? You tell me. Samuel waited quietly for you to speak to Him. Yes, he did. How can you make yourself quiet before me? I could set aside a daily time and a special place to meet with you. That sounds like a good plan. Do you know why it is so important to have a daily time and special place to meet with me? The world is a noisy and distracting place. If I don’t set aside a quiet place I will never hear your voice over the noise that is in the world. That’s right. What else? If I don’t set aside a special time I will always be too busy to find time to meet with you. That is also right.  I don’t need to find time to meet with you. I need to make time to meet with you. Will you set aside a time and a place to meet with me? Yes Lord, I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you. That will be very good.

Lord, here I am. I have set aside this time and this place to meet with you. I have left behind the noise and distractions of daily life. I am making myself quiet before you. I am your servant and I am listening. What do you want to say to me? Amen

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

If – 1 Samuel 3-7-10 – If He Calls You, Say Speak Lord – 4 Page – Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

What If They Won’t Believe Me Or Listen To Me?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Exodus 4:1 - What If They Won't Believe Me Or Listen To Me? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Exodus 4:1 – What If They Won’t Believe Me Or Listen To Me? – Growing As Disciples

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” Exodus 4:1 (NLT)

Under Protest 

Do you think that I ask too much of you? Are the assignments that I give you way beyond your gifts, talents and abilities? Why do you ask that? I think you know why. Go ahead and tell me why I am asking these questions of you. Your assignments scare me. I feel overwhelmed by the size of the tasks that you give to me. Sometimes I feel like I’m frozen with fear and immobilized by what you ask me to do for you. Would you rather that I gave you little assignments that offer no challenge and place no demands on you. No, I certainly don’t want that. What do you want? I want you to continue to give me the assignments that you have planned for me to do for you. Why do you think that I give you assignments that are larger than you can handle? You want me to know where my assignments are coming from. What do you mean by that? I’m the one that would make up and chose the small and easy assignments. Just because an assignment is large doesn’t mean it is always from me. No, I know. I have bitten off more than I can chew many times before. A large assignment does get my attention though. I know that you give me large assignments so that I will come to rely on you. You want to grow my faith, as I trust in you to work in and through me. I can never accomplish your large assignments without your help. That’s for sure. What are some other reasons why I give you large assignments? In the small assignments I am likely to receive praise and thanks for a job well done. Everyone will think that I have accomplished something by my very own hard work. I don’t want to receive the glory. I know that it is you that is working in and through me even in the very small tasks of life. That’s right. But, in the very large assignments you give me it is very clear to all that you are the one deserving all the praise, honor and glory. Your large assignments are God sized. When your assignments are completed you receive all the praise, honor and glory. It is my joy to see you receive praise and honor and glory. That’s what I want. Then I have one more question from you. Go ahead, I’m listening.

Why do you protest when I give you a large assignment? I’m sorry that I have protested and debated with you.  I know that my protests have come from fear rather than from faith. Forgive me. You are forgiven. In the future I will say yes to whatever you ask of me without protest or debate. I want to know and do your will. So, ask me to do whatever you have planned for me to do for you. Yes, I will. I know.

Lord, I have protested and debated with you. I have told you I am unable to do what you have asked me to do for you. That has not mattered. You have called and prepared me. You have asked me to go. You have promised to help me. I will go and serve you. Amen

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

If – Exodus 4-1 – What If They Won’t Believe Me Or Listen To Me? – 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

Loves The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 1 John 2:15-17 - Loves The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 John 2:15-17 – Loves The World – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.  1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

Loving You

Tell me what you see. I see two choices. What are your choices? I can love the world or I can love you. I can’t love both the world and you. Why is that? If I love the world my desires and values will line up and be consistent with the world. I will have worldly desires. Like what? I will desire whatever my flesh craves. I will want whatever my eyes see. I will pursue whatever my prides seeks. All these desires, cravings and pursuits will fill my heart full with values that do not come from you. No, they do not. As it is my life is under the constant influence of the world. It is seeking to conform me to all its patterns and practices. It wants to mold me into its shape. The world would be happy if I looked and acted and sounded just like everyone else in it. Is that what you want? No, I have no desire to follow the world and all its evil desires, cravings and pursuits. What is it that you want?

Instead of loving the world I want to love you. Loving the world will keep me from loving you. That’s right. But the opposite is even more powerfully true. It is. Loving you will keep me from loving the world. As I love you, the world will not be able to conform me to its image or mold me into its shape. It will not be able to conform me to its pattern. No, it will not. Your power that is at work in me is far more powerful than the power that is at work in the world. Yes, it is. You are molding and shaping my life as I come to know, love and follow you. Your love is changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are making me into the person you want me to be. You are helping me to live the life that you have called me to live. You are helping me to know your will and walk in your ways. Yes, I am. Loving you has given me the desire to obey you in all that I think, say and do. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. The world and all that it has to offer has lost its appeal to me. It is the desire of my heart to live my life fully for you. I want to know you and do your will. Amen

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

If – 1 John 2-15-17 – Loves The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study-Guide

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

United With Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Philippians 2:1-4 - United With Christ- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Philippians 2:1-4 – United With Christ- Growing As Disciples

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV) 

Like Minded 

You have had a strong and independent streak in you. You have had your own ideas and done your own thing. You have thought that you knew it all and needed no help from others. Many times you have been driven by selfish ambition and vain conceit. Haven’t you even thought that you were a little better than everyone else? All of what you have said is true. You know me better than I know myself. There is nothing that I can hide from you. I know that you are no longer any of these things. What has happened to you? 

I have been humbled. The pride of my ways caught up with me. My pride led me down a path that left me bruised and battered by life. My own ideas and my own ways were not working. I discovered that I did not know it all. I clearly saw that I needed all the help I could get. I cried out to you for help. You rescued me from my darkness. You forgave me of my sin and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You filled me with your Spirit and set me on the path of life. I have been following you ever since. That’s right. Say more about the changes that I have brought in your life.

I am so thankful for all that you have done for me. You have comforted me with your love. You have encouraged me as I have walked with you. You have changed my hard heart and filled me with your tenderhearted compassion for others. I no longer want to live for myself. I no longer want to pursue selfish ambitions. I am no longer driven by vain conceit. Instead, I want to serve you and the people that you bring into my life. I no longer consider myself better than others. I am now looking out for the interests of others. I’m not doing all this perfectly that’s for sure. But, you have changed the entire direction of my life. My self-centered independent streak is gone. Well, mostly gone. I have great joy in working together with fellow believers. I want to live in unity with them. I want to join together in your work with fellow believers with a like-minded passion to fulfill your purposes. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Would you say that I have done a miracle in your life? Yes Lord, you have done a miracle in my life. That’s very good.

Lord, thank you for uniting me with you and filling me with your Spirit. You have encouraged me and comforted me with your love. You have filled me with tenderhearted compassion. Help me to live in like-minded singleness of purpose with fellow believers. Amen

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

If – Philippians 2-1-4 – United With Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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