Category Archives: Knowing God

Opened The Scriptures To Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Luke 24:32 - Opened The Scriptures To Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Luke 24:32 – Opened The Scriptures To Us – Growing As Disciples

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 (NIV)

Set My Heart On Fire

Open up your word to me. Show me what you want me to see. Walk with me. Talk with me. Stay with me. Use your word to mold and shape my life. Help me to hear your voice. Help me to know your thoughts. Help me to walk in your ways. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will follow you.

Help me to understand what I do not know or cannot see. Give me insight. Give me knowledge. Give me wisdom and understanding from out of your word. Guard and guide my life according to your word. I’m here. I’m waiting. I’m listening. I will do all that you ask of me. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will obey you.

Open my eyes to see. Open my ears to hear. You have my full attention. You have all of me. There is nothing I would rather do than live my life for you. There is no place I would rather be than right here with you. Use me according to your purposes and plans. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will serve you.

Draw near to me as I draw near to you. This special time and secret place is ours together. The door is closed. The volume is down. The crowds are gone. I am still. I am waiting. I am attentive. Quiet me so I can listen. Speak to me so I can hear. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will hear you.

My heart aches. My body cries out. I hunger and thirst for you. I want you in my heart. I want you in my mind. I want you in my life. I am fully devoted to you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul. Set my heart on fire by your word. I am all yours.

Will you do what I ask? Will you open your word to me? Will you speak to me so that I can  hear? Will you help me to follow and obey? Will you guard and guide my life by your word? Will you set my heart on fire for you? Yes, I will do all that you have asked of me. Yes, I will do far beyond even what you could have asked for or imagined. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. You are teaching and training me with your word. You are guiding and guarding my life with your word. Your word is changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has put a fire in my heart to love, follow and serve you.  Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word to put a fire in your heart to love, follow and serve Him?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to put a fire in your heart to love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will put a fire in your heart to follow and serve Him as you meet with Him In His word?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to set you on fire to follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with the Lord in His word so that he can open it up to you.

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

Knowing God – Luke 24-32 – Opened The Scriptures To Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide 9.20.51 AM

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

All Scripture Is God Breathed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture Is God Breathed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture Is God Breathed – Growing As Disciples

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Thoroughly Equipped

Do you want me to teach and train you? Do you want me to guide and correct you? Do you want me to prepare and thoroughly equip you to do the works that I have given you to do for me? Yes, I want you to teach and train me. Yes, I want you to guide and correct me. Yes, I want you to thoroughly prepare and equip me to do the works you have given me to do for you. Who would ever say no to these kinds of questions from you? You would be surprised. How would I be surprised? Let’s talk some more about my teaching, training, guiding, correcting, preparing and equipping you. I’d like that.

How do you think you might sign up for my class? Where do you think our class might meet? What would be the textbook for my class? Now, I know how and why people might say no to your teaching, training, guiding, correcting, preparing and equipping them. Why is that? The work that you want to do in each and every one of your followers will require some very had work on their part. Why do you say that? I will answer your questions. Go right ahead. I will sign up for your class when I take your word off the shelf and open it. That’s right. We will meet together in your word. Your word is the location of our class. Yes, it is. Your textbook is your word. Right again. When your followers are unwilling to open your word they are saying no to you. They are saying no to your teaching and training. They are saying no to your guiding and correcting. They are saying no to your preparing and equipping them to do the good works that you have given them to do for you. Yes, you’re right.

What must you do if you really want to sign up for the work that I want to do in and through your life? What must you do if you really want to live the life that I have given you to live? What must you do if you really want to be able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? I must meet with you in your word. How often must you meet with me in my word? Is there ever a day that I don’t need to be taught, trained, guided, corrected, prepared or equipped by you? You tell me. No, I need to meet everyday with you in your word. I need to welcome your work in and through my life every day. Will you meet with me in my word everyday? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to meet with you in your word. Use your word to teach and train me. Use your word to guide and correct me. Use your word to prepare and thoroughly equip me to do good works you have given me to do for you.  Amen

Key Question… Why can you be confident that meeting with God in His word is well worth your time?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word so that He can use it to thoroughly equip you to do good works for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to thoroughly prepare and equip you to do good works for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has prepared you to do good works for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to prepare you for every good work He has given you to do for Him.

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

Knowing God – 2 Timothy 3-16-17 – All Scripture Is God Breathed – 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

Laid Down His Life For Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 John 3:16 - Laid Down His Life For Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 3:16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – Growing As Disciples

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  1 John 3:16 (NIV)

What Love Is

I have a mission that I want to send you on. I have a series of tasks that I want you to do for me. This will be a very difficult mission with tasks that will require everything from you. What do you mean by everything? If you are going to accept this mission and take on these tasks then you will not be able to withhold anything from me. I’m still not quite sure what you mean. Can you tell me more? What are you asking of me? I came into this world and laid down my life for you. I gave up my life so that you could be forgiven and cleansed of your sins. I sacrificed myself so that you could have a new life in me. Yes, you did and I’m so thankful. I now love you because you first loved me. You demonstrated to me what love really is. Yes, I did.  That’s exactly what I want you to do. Do what? I want you to demonstrate my love to the world. I want you to show others what love really is. How will I ever be able to demonstrate your love to the world? How can I possibly show others what love really is? Those are good questions. Would you like answers? Yes, I would, at least I think so now. You sound cautious. The mission sounds very difficult and the tasks God sized. Yes, the mission and tasks will be difficult. Let’s talk more about what I am asking of you. I’m listening.

I want you to lay down your life for others just like I laid down my life for you. What do you mean by that? Was there anything I was unwilling to do? No, you gave yourself fully. You held nothing back. There was nothing that was beneath you. You humbled yourself to take on any task. You did whatever was needed. Did I claim any special rights and privileges as I lived in the world? No, you took on the form of a servant. You set aside any and all rights that you could have rightfully demanded. Was there anyone that was unworthy of my love? No, you showed your love to everyone including all those who were living as your enemies. You loved and forgave even those who humiliated and hurt you. Have I set before you an example? You want me to live as you lived. You want me to do what you did. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. Now, you have the idea. You want to demonstrate your love to the world through me. You want others to see your love living and flowing out of my life. Yes, I do. Will you take on this mission? Will you do what I am asking you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for coming into this world to lay your life down for me. You gave up your life to pay for my sin. You made it possible so that I could come to know and love you. Help me now to demonstrate your love to the world as I lay down my life for others. Amen

Key Question… How has Jesus Christ demonstrated to you what real love is willing to do on behalf of another person?

Living It Out… Follow Christ’s example and lovingly lay down your life for others just as He lovingly laid down His life for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will help you to demonstrate His love to the world as you lay down your life for others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are laying down your life in sacrificial service to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example and become like Him by laying down your lives for others.

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

Knowing God – 1 John 3-16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – 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

The Counselor

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - John 14:25-26 - The Counselor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – John 14:25-26 – The Counselor – Growing As Disciples

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:25-26 (NIV)

Remind You

It is very good that you are in my word. Why is that? I am using my word to teach you. I am using my word to train you. I am using my word to guide you. I am using my word to counsel and comfort you. I am using my word to mold and shape your life. My word is living and active and working in your life. Yes, it is. I can see that. I am very thankful that you are using your word to change my heart and transform my mind. You are helping me to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. Yes, I am. 

It is very good that it is your delight to continue to meet with me in my word. Why is that? How would I teach and train and guide you without my word? How would I counsel and comfort you without my word? How would I mold and shape your life if you never met with me in my word? If you did not know my word, how could it be living and active in your life? I don’t know the answer to your questions. I do know that you have given me a burning desire to attentively listen to all that you want to say to me. In your presence I taste of your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. In your presence you restore my soul and refresh my life. When I am weak you make me strong. When I am empty you fill me up. When I am bruised and battered by life you heal all my wounds. You leave me satisfied and always hungry for more of you. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. Continue in my word. Yes Lord, I will.

My word will continue to teach you moment by moment as you follow me. How is that? My Spirit will take what you have heard and seen and learned and received from me and bring it back into your remembrance. My Spirit will make my word living and active in your heart and mind. My Spirit will help you to continually think my thoughts and walk in my ways. My word will be with you when you get up and when you lie down. My word will be with you when you are awake and when you are asleep. My Spirit will use my word to fight like a sword in you, with you and for you. My Spirit will use my word to make you able to stand against temptation. My Spirit will use my word to make you able to bear fruit for my Kingdom and bring glory to my name. Let my Spirit use my word to work in and through you every day of your life. Yes Lord, I will.

Holy Spirit, thank you for being my helper, counselor, comforter, advocate, teacher and friend. Teach me all you want me to know. Bring to my remembrance all you have taught me from God’s word. Help me to put into practice all I have learned from you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit been teaching you and making you able to understand God’s word?

Living It Out… Put into practice all that the Holy Spirit has taught you and brought into your remembrance.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will teach you and bring to your remembrance all that you have learned from Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has helped you to remember what you have learned.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you put into practice all that the Holy Spirit has taught you and brought into your remembrance.

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

Knowing God – John 14-25-26 – The Counselor – 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

You Have Eternal Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 John 5:13-15 - You Have Eternal Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 5:13-15 – You Have Eternal Life – Growing As Disciples

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:13-15 (NLT)

He Hears Me

You heard my call. You turned your life over to me. You have come to believe in me. You have eternal life. That’s very good news. I feel such peace knowing that you are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Heavenly Father. I am your child. I can place all my hope and trust in you. You have my life in your hands. You will lead me now and forever. You have a purpose and a plan for my life. I can rest here in your presence today, tomorrow and forever. Yes, you can rest in me.

I can live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I will walk with you through life. You will hold on to me as I hold on to you. You will draw near to me as I draw near to you. Every day, I can talk to you about anything and everything. I’m not sure how to pray in ways that will please you. I know that you will teach me how to pray. I know that you will bring subjects of prayer to my heart and mind. I know that it will please you that I will come to you to allow you to teach me how to pray. I know that it will please you that I will come to you to rely on you. I know that it will please you that I will ask you for what I need. I am humbly asking you to teach me how to pray in ways that please you. You can be sure that I will teach you how to pray. You are right that I will be pleased that you come to me to rely on me.  

I will pray prayers filled with faith and trust in you. I will pray prayers asking you for what I need. I will bring others to you who are in need of prayer. I will believe that you are hearing and will answer my prayers according to your purposes and plans. I am sure that I will not always understand your answers to my prayers. That will not trouble me. I know that you are my Heavenly Father. You are good and kind and gracious to me. Your wisdom is far above mine. Your answers to my prayers of yes, no or not yet will all be according to your will. I trust you with my life. You have a good plan for me. I will follow you wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. Keep coming to meet with me in prayer. Yes Lord, I will. 

Lord, thank you for my new and eternal life I have in you. You have made it so I could come to know and believe in you. Guide me to pray prayers that are pleasing to you. Hear and answer my requests for what I need from you. Amen

Key Question… How has what is written in God’s word helped you to know that you have eternal life?

Living It Out… Be confident that God will hear and answer the prayers that you are praying to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer prayers that you are praying to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has heard and answered prayers that you have prayed to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you pray prayers that are pleasing to God so that He will hear and answer them.

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

Knowing God – 1 John 5-13-15 – You Have Eternal Life – 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

Received The Word Of God

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

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

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

At Work In You

My word is at work in you. You can be sure of that. How is your word at work in me? How can I be certain that your word is working in me? You have been receiving my word. You are taking my word into your heart and mind. You have been studying my word. You have been meditating on my word. You have been memorizing my word. You have been putting my word into practice. It is obvious to me that you consider my word to be worth far more than any other words that you will hear in life. Why is that so obvious? You have been listening attentively to my word. You are hiding my word in your heart. My word is constantly on your mind. You have been seeking my word as if it were more valuable than silver or gold. Your word is more valuable than silver and gold. Yes it is. You have also been putting my word into practice. You cannot receive my word into your life so fully and not have it powerfully working in your life. My word is living and active and powerful. Yes, it is. My word will accomplish my purposes and plans in your life. Yes, it will. I believe what you are saying to me with all my heart. 

Haven’t you noticed how my word has been changing you? You don’t need to answer that question. You can have a seat and take a rest. I will tell you how my word has been powerfully working in your life. I would like that a lot. Your thoughts are changing. Your thoughts have been coming into alignment with my thoughts. I have been renewing and transforming your mind with my word. You are thinking thoughts that are pleasing to me. Yes, I am. Your heart is changing. Your desires are coming into alignment with my desires. You want to do my will. Actually it is your delight to do my will. Yes, it is. You are setting aside old thoughts and desires. Your old thoughts and desires are being replaced with thoughts and desires that are pleasing to me. Yes, they are. You are coming to know me better every day. Your love for me is growing more passionate every day. Your faith in me is growing stronger every day. Isn’t this all true? Yes Lord, you have been completely changing my heart and mind and life with your word. Your word has been powerfully working in me. Lets also remember that my word is powerfully working through you. As you have been remaining in my word you have been bearing an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You have been bringing glory to my name. Now are you certain that my word is at work in you? Now do you believe that my word has been working through you? Yes Lord, I am certain. Yes Lord, I believe in you. Let your word continue to do your work in and through me. It will. Continue in my word.

Lord, your word is far more valuable than any other words I will hear. I welcome your word into my life. I will study and meditate on it. I will memorize and put your word into practice. Use your word to help me to know you better. Grow my faith with your word. Amen

Key Question… How has God changed your thoughts, words and deeds as you have received His word into your life?

Living It Out… Receive God’s word into your life so that He can use it to work in you according to His purposes and plans.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to change your thoughts, words, and deeds in ways that please Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to know God by receiving His word into your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive God’s word and allow it to work in your life.

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

Knowing God – 1 Thessalonians 2-13 – Received The Word Of God – 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

My Thoughts Are Nothing Like Your Thoughts

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Isaiah 55:6-9 - My Thoughts Are Nothing Like Your Thoughts- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Isaiah 55:6-9 – My Thoughts Are Nothing Like Your Thoughts- Growing As Disciples

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.   Isaiah 55:6-9 (NLT)

Your Thoughts, Your Ways

Your thoughts are nothing like my thoughts. Your ways are nothing like my ways. My thoughts and my ways are way beyond your thoughts and ways. You can’t begin to imagine my thoughts and my ways. Of that I am very sure. Would you like to know my thoughts? Would you like to know my ways? Just because my thoughts and my ways are beyond what you could possibly imagine does not mean that I will not allow you to know my thoughts and my ways. I want you to know my thoughts and my ways. Nothing would delight me more than for you to come to know my thoughts and my ways. Yes, of course I want to know your thoughts and your ways. How can I come to know your thoughts and your ways? That is a very good question.

You must want to know my thoughts and ways. I will not reveal my thoughts and ways to you if you are only curious about them. I will not reveal my thoughts and my ways if you will pick and choose which ones you will follow and obey. I will not pick and choose.  I will follow and obey all your thoughts and all your ways. You must want to know my thoughts and ways enough so that you are willing to turn away from all your old thoughts and all your old ways. I am willing to turn away from all my old thoughts and all my old ways. 

You must seek me with all your heart if you want to know my thoughts and my ways. You must be willing to live your life according to my thoughts and ways. I will live my life according to your thoughts and your ways. You must leave your old life of sin behind. You must ask for my forgiveness. You must receive my mercy. You must leave your old life of sin to follow my thoughts and my ways. I am crying out to you. I am seeking you with all my heart. I am turning from all my old thoughts and all my old ways. I am turning to follow you. I am leaving my old life of sin behind. I will not entertain the evil of my old thoughts and my old ways. I am asking for your forgiveness. I am asking for your mercy.  I want to live my life according to your thoughts and your ways. Then I will allow you to know my thoughts so that you can walk in my ways. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know my thoughts and ways have not been yours. I will seek you and call upon your name as I turn away from my thoughts and ways. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Teach me your thoughts and your ways. Accomplish your purposes in me. Amen

Key Question… How has God been using His word to change your thoughts and ways to accomplish His purposes in you?

Living It Out… Turn to the Lord and seek Him with all your heart so that you will come to know His thoughts and His ways.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will reveal His thoughts and ways to you as you turn to seek Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is changing your thoughts and ways as you follow Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn to seek the Lord with all your heart so you can come to know His thoughts and walk in His ways.

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

Knowing God – Isaiah 55-6-9 – My Thoughts Are Nothing Like Your Thoughts – 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

Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart – 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. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)   

All Your Heart

I have made a lot of really dumb decisions. I have been so self-reliant. I have been so self-confident. I have been so independent. Apparently I have been so sure that I am always right that others have felt that it would be pointless to tell me anything different. They could all see the coming train wreck of my decisions. They could all see the foolish and crooked path that I was on. Why couldn’t I see what was obvious to others? Why was I so blind to what was in plain sight? Why was I so stupid and headstrong? I would have listened. I would have received wise counsel. I would have made course corrections. Someone should have pointed out to me the error of my ways. Are you being truthful with yourself? What do you mean by that?

Think of someone else in nearly your identical situation. Would they listen to you? Are they willing to listen to anyone else? Would they turn away from their self-reliance to trust me with all their heart? No, I suppose they would not listen. Why is that? We are all so self-reliant. We are all self-sufficient. We are all so independent. We all think that we don’t need anyone or anything. We all have all the answers. Maybe we all need to hit rock bottom before we will cry out to you for help. Isn’t that what has happened to you? 

Yes, now I know that I don’t have all the answers. Now, I know better than to rely on my own understanding. Now, I am open to all the guidance and direction you will give to me. Now I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. Now, I will seek the wise counsel of all those you have placed in my life. I have forsaken my way. I have given up on my own understanding.

I am acknowledging you as the Savior and Lord of my life. You are in charge. You are on the throne. I am not. You know the future. I do not. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You have a path laid out for me to walk on. I want to know and do your will. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you will ask of me. Only you can take me off the foolish and crooked path that I have been on. Only you can lead me on the straight path that you have laid out for me. Will you trust in me with all your heart rather than leaning on your own understanding? Yes Lord, I am placing all my faith and trust in you.

Lord, I have made so many foolish and unwise decisions because I have leaned on my own understanding. I have been self-reliant rather than trusting in you. I have walked a crooked and foolish path. No more. Guide my life, as I trust in you with all my heart. Amen

Key Question… When have you leaned on your own understanding and made very foolish and unwise decisions?

Living It Out… Trust in the Lord with all your heart, rather than leaning on your own understanding, so that He can guide your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will lead you a good and straight path as you trust in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided your life as you have trusted in Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you trust in God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

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

Knowing God – Proverbs 3-5-6 – Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Philippians 4:8-9 - Knowing God - Think About Such Things - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Philippians 4:8-9 – Knowing God – Think About Such Things – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

Into Practice

Did you know that you have control over what you allow yourself to think? Did you know that you can make a choice about what you allow yourself to think? Do you know that what you allow yourself to think will have power over your life? Your thoughts are not only in your mind. Your thoughts will also be on your heart. Your thoughts will guide the course of your life. All your words and deeds begin in your mind. This is not real encouraging. Why is that? I don’t like all the thoughts that I think. I don’t want all my thoughts to become my words and actions. I don’t want all my words to guide the course of my life. There is more. What’s that? I feel powerless over my thoughts. I don’t feel like I have power to control my thought life. My mind feels like a battleground and I’m not winning the fight. You are right about one thing. What’s that? Your mind is a battleground and you will not win the fight without my help. Would you like my help? Yes, I would like your help. I desperately need your help. Yes, you do.

You have been allowing yourself to think the wrong thoughts. You have been letting your mind dwell on what is not good. I get that, what would you suggest? I want you to fill your mind with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. They may not sound all that easy. It doesn’t. I’m not sure that I can identify thoughts and subjects that match up with all those words. This sounds like you would like me to think about what is perfect. That’s a very good place to start. What is perfect? What would have the power to instantly change your thinking to thoughts that please me? Your word is perfect. You are perfect. I could think about you. I could think about your word. I could think about all that you want to teach me. I could think about your will. I could think about doing what pleases you. Yes, that’s right.

Thinking about me and my word is not completely new to you. No, it is not. What has happened to you when you have turned your thoughts on to me and my word? I have been able to stop thinking thoughts that I don’t want to think. I have stopped thinking thoughts that are not pleasing to you. Your word has been like a brush scrubbing the crud out of my mind. As I have meditated on your word I have felt strengthened and able to reject thoughts that neither you nor I want me to think. As I have considered your word I have been made able to know and do your will. That’s right. Will you allow me to strengthen and cleanse your mind with my word? Will you allow my word to help you to know and do my will? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know I have been quite a gifted negative thinker. I can see the downside of every situation. That’s not what I want. That’s not what you want. I want to think your thoughts and do your will so I can know you and live in your peace.  Amen

Key Question… Why is there always an opportunity to think positively or negatively in the same set of circumstances?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to help you to think His thoughts and do His will so you can experience His peace.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will come to know God better and experience His peace as you think His thoughts and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to think His thoughts and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think God’s thoughts and do His will so that you can live in His peace.

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

Knowing God – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 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

Who Then Is This?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Mark 4:39-41 - Who Then Is This? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Mark 4:39-41 – Who Then Is This? – Growing As Disciples

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:39-41 (ESV)

Facing Storms

You will face storms in life. You can be certain of that. How you face a storm will harm or help you. What do you mean by that? You have seen others that were either made bitter of better by the storms of life. You have seen others either grow or shrivel up in their faith as a result of the trials they have gone through. You have seen others either draw near or distance themselves from me in times of trouble. You have seen others rely on themselves or on me when they have been in great need. Yes, I have seen all these possibilities in others. I have seen all these potentialities in myself. Then you have been watching. You have been learning. You have been growing.

These possibilities and potentialities all come about as a result of choices that you will make when you are in the storms of life. Storms and trials and difficulties will always pose questions that you must answer. What questions must I answer? You tell me. I want you to hear what questions you have answered and what you have learned. There are a lot of questions that I have been forced to answer as I have gone through storms, trials and difficulties. I have plenty of time. I’m listening. Do you want me to list them? Yes, I do. Here goes. I’m ready. Will I draw near to you when I go through trials? Will I ask for your help when I go through storms? Will I rely on your strength when I face difficulties? Will my faith grow stronger as I place all my trust in you? Will I hold on to you as you hold on to me? Will I have faith that you are with me to help me even if I can’t perceive it at the time? Will I look to see how you are accomplishing good even through the most difficult storms, trials and difficulties in my life? Will I look back to see how you have been with me through storms and trials and difficulties of every kind? Will I ask you to help me to come to know you better through whatever storm, trial or difficulty life throws at me? That is quite a list. How do you want to answer all of these questions? “Yes I will”, that is the only answer I want to give to each one of these questions. Only you can give me the wisdom and strength to say, “yes I will”, to each one of these questions. Is this your prayer? Yes, it is. This is a prayer that I will certainly hear and answer.

Lord, you have never left me. You have always been with me in the storms of life. Thank you for taking my worst storms and using them to accomplish something good in my life. Help me to know you better and receive your peace and calm in every storm.  Amen

Key Question…  How have you come to know God better as you have gone through storms in life with Him?

Living It Out…  Have faith in God and rely on Him so you can come to know Him better as you go through storms in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will come to know God even better as you go through storms in life with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to know God better through a storm in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith to believe that Jesus Christ will calm the storms in your life.

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

Knowing God – Mark 4-39-41 – Who Then Is This? – 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