Category Archives: Knowing God

Possess These Qualities In Increasing Measure

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 2 Peter 1:5-9 - Possess These Qualities In Increasing Measure - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 2 Peter 1:5-9 – Possess These Qualities In Increasing Measure – Growing As Disciples

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV)

Make Every Effort

Do you want to know my will? Do you want to know what I want you to do in life? Yes, I want to know your will. I would like to know what you want me to do in life. When you think of my will, is your first thought about doing something? Yes, it is. What else is there? Are you completely defined by what you do? Have you given much thought to who you are? Are you thinking at all about who you will become? I have thought a lot about what I might do and very little about who I am. I have thought even less about who I might become. Have I been thinking too much about what I will do and way too little about who I am or who I will become? You tell me. I’m guessing that you want me to think more about who I am and who I will become. Good guess. 

Who are you? I am your creation. You made me. I am your child. You are my Father. I am your follower. You are my Savior and Lord. You called me to come to you. You have forgiven and cleansed me of all my sin. You have given me a new life to live with and for you. I am your disciple. You are teaching and training me. You are guiding and directing me. You are molding and shaping my life. You are making me into the person you want me to become. Yes, I am. I am your servant. You have given me places to go and things to do for you. I am your witness. You want me to be your light in the world. You want to draw others to you through my life. Yes, I do. 

Who will you need to be in order to be an effective and productive witness for me in the world? I will need to be the person that you have called me to become. Who have I called you to become? You have called me to become a person of character. If I do not have good character I will be an ineffective and unproductive witness for you in the world. No one will be drawn to you through my life if I have not allowed you to develop my character. How will you know when you are a person of good character? Who will be your example and role model? Who will you follow? Who would you like to look like? I will follow you. I want to begin to look like you. You are my example. You are my role model. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. Will you allow me to develop your character? Will you also make every effort to develop your character? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I will make very effort to develop qualities of good character so that I am not ineffective and unproductive as I come to know, love and follow you. I invite you to do your work in me. Mold and shape my life so that I am the person you called me to be. Amen

Key Question… How is Jesus Christ your example and role model for the qualities of character you would like to possess?

Living It Out… Make every effort to develop qualities of character so that you will be effective and productive as a follower of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will develop qualities of good character in you as you come to know, love, and follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been developing qualities of good character in you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you grow in your character so that you will be an effective and productive follower of Jesus Christ.

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

Knowing God – 2 Peter 1-5-9 – Possess These Qualities In Increasing Measure – 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

God Is With You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Joshua 1:8-9 - God Is With You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Joshua 1:8-9 – God Is With You – Growing As Disciples

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT)

Wherever You Go 

You will be tested. You will face challenges. You will fight battles. You will need courage and strength that you do not have. You will be tempted by fear. You will battle discouragement. Without me you will give into fear and discouragement. Without me you will be weak and cowardly. How can I have your courage and strength? How can I fend off fear and discouragement? How can I win the battles that I will face? How can I be victorious in all the tests and challenges of life?

What have I said to you? What am I commanding you? What have I provided for you? You have given me your word. You have said that you will be with me wherever I go. You have commanded me to be strong and courageous. You have told me to not be afraid or discouraged. You have said that you will give me prosperity and success. You are right about what I have said to you. What must you do if you want to prosper and succeed? What must you do if you want to be strong and courageous? What must you do if you want to keep fear and discouragement far from you? There is something I must do? Yes, there is something you must do. I must believe your word. I must believe that you are with me wherever I go. I must believe that you are with me to help me. That’s right. What else must you do? I must keep your word in my heart and on my mind continually. I must study your word. I must meditate on your word day and night. I must put your word into practice. That’s right. 

What will my word do for you? Your word will give me courage and strength. Your word will guard and guide my life. Your word will help me to follow and obey you. Your word will prosper my life and give me good success. Your word will me remind that you are with me wherever I go. Your word will continually remind me that you are with me to help. Will you study my word? Will you meditate on my word day and night? Will you believe my word and put it into practice? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, your word is continually in my heart and on my mind. It is my delight to meditate on your word day and night. Guard, guide and bless my life with your word. Help me to obey and put your word into practice as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… How has meditating on God’s word given you a greater awareness that He is with you to help you?

Living It Out… Meditate on God’s word day and night so that you will be able to do all that He asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will bless your life as you meditate on His word and put it into practice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God to guide and guard your life with His word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually keep God’s word in your heart and on your mind as you meditate on it day and night.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

Knowing God – Joshua 1-8-9 – God Is With You – 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

 

Instructions Of The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Psalm 19:7-11 - Instructions Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Psalm 19:7-11 – Instructions Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. Psalm 19:7-11 (NLT)

Valuable

Is my word really more valuable to you than the finest gold? That is a very good question. I usually ask good questions. Yes, you do. What is your answer to my question? I better not answer your question with my words alone. What do you mean by that? If I say that your word is more valuable to me than the finest gold then there should be some evidence of that in my life. I agree. How is my word more valuable to you than the finest gold? What has my word been doing in your life?

I meditate on your word. I consider deeply what you have to say to me. I allow your word to speak into my life. Your word revives my soul. Many times when I come to meet with you in your word I am weary and worn out. As I spend time with you in your word I know that you are refreshing and reviving my soul. I feel reinvigorated and reenergized to continue on doing what you have given me to do in life. What else?

Your word makes me wise. I am very prone to making dumb mistakes and unwise decisions. My life has left a trial of stupidity whenever I have relied solely on myself. You have never turned me away when I have come to you to ask for wisdom. You have generously given me wisdom from your word. My quick decisions have usually been foolish decisions. As I spend time with you in your word you have shown the wise decision to make and path to take. What else?

Your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. What does that mean? You are changing the way that I think. You are changing what I want to do. You are showing me how to live. All of this comes from your word. I’m having real joy in wanting to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. In fact, I want nothing else. I want nothing less. My desire is to live my life fully for you. I want to fulfill your purposes and plans for my life. These desires and this passion have come to me as I have allowed you to speak into my life with your word. Your word has become sweet and precious to me. I can see that in you. Will you continue in my word? Yes Lord, I will continue in your word. Speak to me I am listening. Your word really is more valuable to me than gold and sweeter also than honey. Yes, it is. You have answered my question with both your words and with your life.

Lord, your word is more valuable to me than the finest gold. Your word revives my soul. Your word gives me wisdom. You word brings me joy. I know that your word is trustworthy and true. Thank you that your word guides, guards, protects and blesses my life. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word revived your soul as you have listened to all that He wanted to say to you?

Living It Out… Rely on God’s word to guide, guard, protect and bless your life as you follow Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word is more valuable to you than the finest gold.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on God’s word as you live your life for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God to guide, guard, protect, and bless your life with His word.

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

Knowing God – Psalm 19-7-11 – Instructions Of 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

God Is Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 John 1:5-7 - God Is Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 1:5-7 – God Is Light – Growing As Disciples

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV) 

Walk In The Light

You live in a dark world. What do you mean by that? This world is not how I designed it. This world has been corrupted by sin. There is nothing that you hear or see that has not been damaged by sin that is in the world. Like what? You tell me. What darkness do you see in the world? I see that lust and greed drive the desires of our society. Contentment with what one has is in very short supply. Thankfulness is very scarce. Life is a continual treadmill race to acquire what one doesn’t have or take what isn’t yours. It’s a “me first” world. What is true and honest, right and fair gets little play. Spinning the truth and calling others liars trumps everything else. The real truth really doesn’t matter. Winning at all costs has become the goal. Integrity is bought and sold to the highest bidder. Crushing someone else with a different perspective has become a blood sport. Asking forgiveness and turning away from evil is being replaced with the thought that one might try to “do better” next time. The next time of “doing better” never comes. Instead evil is heaped upon evil. Moral failure is held up and admired and bragged about. Even many of your followers have become indistinguishable from those who savor and breathe in this foul odor of moral corruption. Your followers dare stand on a dung heap of immoral justification for their ungodly behavior. Good is now called evil. Evil is now called good. Is this what you had in mind when you said it was a dark world that I live in? You do see what I mean. It is worse than you describe. It is more alluring and dangerous. It is deceptive beyond your imagination. What hope do I have at standing against the evil in the world? How can I possibly resist its powerful influence over me?

There is only one way for you to walk in the light. There is only one way for you to be able to stand against evil. There is only one way to resist the evil influence and allure of the world. How is that? I am the way. I am the light. Follow me. I will lead you through the darkness of this world. I will make you able to shine as a bright light for me. Will you live and walk in the light with me? Yes Lord, I will follow you.

Lord, you pulled me out of darkness. You led me into the light so that I could receive your forgiveness and cleansing from all my sin. Help me now to live and walk in the light. Help me to live in close fellowship with you as I follow you though life. Amen

Key Question… How did the Lord rescue you from a life of living and walking in the darkness of sin?

Living It Out… Follow Jesus Christ so that He can lead you out of darkness of sin to walk in the light of forgiveness in Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ has cleansed you of all your sins and is helping you to walk in the light with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has led you out of darkness into the light with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn away from the darkness of sin to walk in the light of your new life in Jesus Christ.

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

Knowing God – 1 John 1-5-7 – God Is Light – 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

We Have Come To Know Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 John 2:3-6 - We Have Come To Know Him- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 2:3-6 – We Have Come To Know Him- Growing As Disciples

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 (NIV)

Know Me? Love Me?  

Do you know me? Do you love me? These sound like two very difficult and unanswerable questions. How could you possibly think that you know me? How would it ever be possible for you to say that you love me? You’re right I can’t answer those questions. I can help you answer them. I can make it possible for you to say that you know me. I can show you with convincing proof that you do love me. You have my full attention. I’m listening to your every word. You know me because I have been revealing myself to you. You have made it your continual habit to meet with me in my word. I have been speaking to you. I have been molding and shaping you with my word. I have been changing your heart and transforming your mind with my word. Tell me what my word says about you finding me? Your word says that when I seek you with all my heart I will find you. Yes, it does. Have you been seeking me with all your heart? Yes, I have been seeking you with all my heart. Have you been finding me in my word? Have I been revealing myself to you? Have I been allowing you to think my thoughts? Have I helped you to know my will and walk in my ways? Yes, you have revealed yourself to me. Yes, you have been allowing me to think your thoughts, know your will and walk in your ways. Are you coming to know me? Yes, I am coming to know you better every day. Will you ever know me in full while you are in this life? No, I will only know you in full when I see you face to face. That’s right. But, you do know me. How do I know that? You know and are obeying my commands. You are listening to me. You are following me to where I am leading you. You are doing what I ask of you. It is your desire to do my will. Yes, it is. Only those who obey my commands and desire to do my will really know me.

Let’s talk about your desire to obey me. Why is it your desire to do my will? As I have come to know you I have also come to love you. I love you because you first loved me. You gave yourself to me. Now, I want to give myself fully to you. There is nothing that you haven’t done for me. You poured yourself out completely. You gave yourself fully. You did not leave anything in reserve. You gave your life so that I could have a new life in you. Yes, I did. Now, I want nothing else other than to live my life with and for you. It is my joy to follow and obey you. I want to give my life to you as fully as you gave your life for me. Why is that? I love you. Yes, you do. I want to live my life just like you lived yours. I want to love like you loved. I want to serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. Only those who love me want what you want. Your desire to follow and obey me is motivated by your love for me. Yes, it is.

Lord, it is my desire to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live and walk just as you did while you lived in this world. Help me to follow, obey and serve you. I will go where you guide me to do all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How has God helped you to come to know and love Him  with all your heart, mind, soul and strength?

Living It Out… Make it your desire to know and love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to know and love Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how knowing and loving God motivates your desire to obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your coming to know and love God motivate your desire to follow, obey and serve Him.

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

Knowing God – 1 John 2-3-6 – We Have Come To Know Him – 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

Teach Me Your Decrees

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Psalm 119:9-16 - Teach Me Your Decrees - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Psalm 119:9-16 – Teach Me Your Decrees – Growing As Disciples

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)

My Word

What do you think of my word? It is my joy to hear your word. I rejoice in hearing you speak to me. I don’t want to miss out on anything that you have to say to me. Your word is more valuable to me than any treasure that this world has to offer. Your word guards and guides my life. How is my word guarding and guiding your life? Your word is changing my heart and transforming my mind. As I meditate on your word I am able to understand what you want to teach me. As I consider your word I am able to see how you want to train me. Your word helps me to know your will. Your word helps me to think your thoughts. Your word keeps me walking in your ways. I am listening to you and following your words. Yes, you are.

How does my word keep your way pure? There is a battle going on over my mind. The world and its’ evil desires has plenty that it wants to say to me. Without your word I would be defenseless against the evil that is in the world. I would think and act according to all that it has to say to me. Your word puts your thoughts and ways in my heart and mind. Your word stands against the words that are of this world. I want your word in my life. I hunger for your word. I delight in your word. Your word pushes the thoughts and words of this world out of my heart and mind. I can’t think two sets of words at one time. Either your word or the world’s words will rule my heart and my mind. Your word cleanses and scrubs the words from the world out of my heart and my mind. Hearing your word gives me a burning desire to live my life for you. I don’t want to stray. I don’t want to wander. I want to follow everything you are saying to me with your word. Yes, you do.

Will you continue in my word? Will you let my word dwell in you? I will meditate on your word. I will treasure your word. I will live my life according to your word. I will rejoice in your word. I will put your word into practice as I follow you. Yes, you will.

Lord, I will hide your word in my heart. Guard and guide my life with your word. I will meditate on your word so I can understand all you want to teach me. Thank you for the great riches I am receiving as I meet with you in your word. Amen

Key Question… How can you take steps to hide God’s word in your heart?

Living It Out… Allow God to guard and guide your life by hiding His word in your heart.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will guard and guide your life as you hide His word in your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when God’s word has guided and guarded your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life be guarded and guided by God’s word as you hide it in your heart.

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

Knowing God – Psalm 119-9-16 – Teach Me Your Decrees – 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

Plans I Have For You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Jeremiah 29:11-13 - Plans I Have For You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Jeremiah 29:11-13 – Plans I Have For You – Growing As Disciples

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 

Plans

I do have a purpose and plan for your life. You can be sure of that. I have no doubt that you have a purpose and plan for my life. If I have any doubts at all it would be self-doubts. What do you mean by that? I wonder if I will listen attentively enough to hear and know your plan. Are you seeking me with all your heart? Yes, I am seeking you with all my heart. Yes, I can see that you are seeking me with all your heart. You have nothing to worry about. As you seek me with all your heart my plan for your life will unfold day-by-day, one step at a time. Were you thinking that you would one day come to know my plan for your entire life? I was hoping. That’s not going to happen at least in the way that you were hoping that it might. What do you mean by that? What would happen to you if I revealed my entire plan for your life? I’m not sure what you mean? Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. Take a guess at what you think I might mean. If I saw your entire plan for my life I might run away from it. I would say that I am unable and unqualified. I would strongly suggest that you go find someone else to do what you have asked me to do for you. Have you ever done that before? Yes, I have run away from your plan for my life several times before. Yes and you ran away from just a small piece of my plan for your life. Yes, I did. Wouldn’t you certainly run away from my entire plan for your life if you saw it all at once? Yes, I would. What other reaction might you have if you saw my entire plan for your life all at once? I might become independent and self-reliant. I might begin to think that I had no need to rely on you. I would begin to rely on myself. I might check back with you only on rare occasions if I really got in a jam. That would not be good at all. No, I can see how knowing your entire plan for my life, all at once, would not be helpful to our relationship. That’s partly right. What do you mean by that? Why I am only partly right?

You are partly right because I am now going to tell you what is my plan for your entire life. Are you sure that is a good idea? That is a funny question to be asking me. You already know my plan for your entire life. I don’t think so. You are thinking that my plan for your life is just about what you will do. Who will you be? What will you look like? Who will you become? Now, I think I know what you mean. Tell me. Your plan is that I will become like your Son. You want me to become like Him. He loved you with all His heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, He did. Because He loved you He also fully loved and gave himself to others. Yes, He did. That is your plan for my entire life. Yes, it is. As you follow me and seek me with all your heart the details of that will unfold day-by-day, moment-by-moment and step-by-step. I will follow you and seek you with all my heart.

Lord, I am so thankful that you have a purpose and plan for my life. It is the desire of my heart to know you and your plans for my life. So, I will seek you with all my heart. I will call out to you in prayer to seek your guidance as I live my life with and for you. Amen

Key Question… How is seeking the Lord with all your heart been a key part of the Lord’s plan for your life?

Living It Out… Seek the Lord with all you heart so that you can know and live out the plans that He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord’s plan for your life will continue to unfold as you seek Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been unfolding to you His plan for your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you seek the Lord with all your heart so that you will be able to know the plans He has for you.

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

Knowing God – Jeremiah 29-11-13 – Plans I Have For You – 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

God Is For Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Romans 8:31-32 - God Is For Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Romans 8:31-32 – God Is For Us – Growing As Disciples

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)

Say To Yourself

I am with you. I am on your side. I will help you through life. You can rely on me. Do you believe me? Are you really hearing what I am saying to you? Are you taking my words into you heart and mind? Yes, I think so. Is there some reason you are asking me these questions? Do you think that I might not really be hearing these words of yours? Why do you believe my words? What gives you confidence that my words are right and true and sure? Well, you have demonstrated your love for me. There would be nothing more precious to you than your Son. That’s true. You did not spare your Son. You sent Him into this world to die on the cross for me, to pay for my sins. Yes, I did. You gave me what was most precious to you. Yes, I did. That guarantees to me that you really are on my side. Yes, it does.

Are you living each day with the confident certainty that I am on your side? Are you placing all your trust in me with the knowledge that I am with you to help you? Now, I understand why you are asking me these questions. You do? I think so. When I am filled with fear and worry I’m often living as if I have forgotten that you are on my side. I am failing to remember that you are with me and that you will help me. When I take on all my problems and challenges as if they were mine alone to face, all by myself, I am certainly not trusting in you, who are on my side. No, you are not.

What would you like to do differently? What would you like to say to yourself? I would like to tell myself the truth. I would like to say to myself what you are saying to me. What’s that? You are on my side. You are with me to help me. You will help me through life. You will give me what I need. You will help me to accomplish what you have given me to do for you. I can trust in you fully. I can rely in you completely. I can be confident. I can have courage. I can be bold. Will you say these words to yourself? Will you hear and put into practice all that I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, many times I have been filled with fear and doubt because I have forgotten and lost sight of the fact that you are on my side. You have demonstrated to me, beyond all doubt, that you love me and are on my side. I will rely on you to help me through life. Amen

Key Question… How much confidence and courage does it give you in life to know that God is on your side?

Living It Out… Rely on God to help you through life because you know that He is on your side.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God is on your side and ready to help you with what you need in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how knowing that God is on your side has given you confidence in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you confidently rely on God because He loves you and is on your side.

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

Knowing God – Romans 8-31-32 – God Is For Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Your Body Is A Temple Of The Holy Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body Is A Temple Of The Holy Spirit- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Your Body Is A Temple Of The Holy Spirit- Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) 

Not Your Own

You are not your own. What does that mean? At one time you thought that you were the center of the universe. Everything revolved around you. What counted was what mattered to you. You decided what was wrong and what was right. What was right was whatever was most comfortable and pleasing to you. You held your own opinions pretty fiercely. No one could tell you anything different once you had your own mind made up. You were the master of your own destiny. You were the captain of your own ship. You were proud, arrogant and very full of yourself. You were like a very full glass that nothing more could be poured into. You had all you wanted. You were all that you wanted. This sounds pretty disgusting. Was I really like that? You tell me. No, I won’t argue the point with you. I was very self-centered and full of myself.

There is only one place that this kind of self-centered life can lead. Where is that? You don’t need to ask me that. You know the answer to your question. This kind of life cannot be sustained. It is a dark and sin filled life that heads toward brokenness. This kind of life leads to disaster. Not always. What do you mean? You led this life. You hit rock bottom. Yes, I did. Was that the end for you? No, it was just the beginning. What did you do? I cried out to you. I turned away from my sinful, self-centered and selfish life. What did I do for you? You rescued me. You redeemed my life. You paid the price of my sin. You made it so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You made it so I could draw near to you and live in a close and intimate relationship with you. Whose are you now? I am yours. You are my Father. You made me to be your child. You are now leading and guiding me through life. You are molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become. What desire have I put inside of you? In every way I want to live my life with and for you. I want to think thoughts, say words, and do deeds that please you. With all my heart and mind and soul and strength I want to bring honor and glory to your name. So, you are no longer your own? No, I am all yours. Yes, you are.

Lord, at one time I lived as if I were all my own. I thought and said and did whatever I wanted. I lived a life of selfishness. At great cost you redeemed me from my life of sin. You made me your own. You filled me with your Spirit and gave me a new life to live. Amen

Key Question… How has your life changed since you were bought with a price, filled with the Spirit and now belong to God?

Living It Out… Honor God with your body because you were bought with a price, filled with the Holy Spirit, and now belong to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you were bought with a price, filled with the Holy Spirit, and are now God’s very own now and forever.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are honoring God with your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you glorify God with your body, because you were bought with a price and filled with the Holy Spirit.

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

Knowing God – 1 Corinthians 6-19-20 – Your Body Is A Temple Of The Holy Spirit -4 Page Discipleship 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

Reflect The Lord’s Glory

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 - Reflect The Lord's Glory - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – Reflect The Lord’s Glory – Growing As Disciples

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 

Reflect 

What is it that you most want in all of life? If you could ask me for one thing what would it be? That may seem like a hard question. I think that I have certainly discovered what I wouldn’t ask for.  I’m positive that I know what I would ask for. I am just as certain that you will answer my request. This sounds very interesting. I would like to hear what you have to say. Over the course of my life I might have made a dozen different requests in answer to your question.  Like what? At one time I would have said that I wanted to be rich. At another time I might have wanted to be powerful or even famous. I’m also embarrassed to say that at times I would have wished to live in complete comfort and have every pleasure. At a minimum I have certainly wanted to live a life that would be envied and admired. Sometimes my desires have not been completely self-serving. How so? I have wanted to be a great leader and gifted servant that would accomplish great things for the benefit of mankind. These are all things that you have wanted in the past? That’s right. What about now? Do you really know what you want? Yes, I do without any hesitation. Yes, I do know what I want without a doubt. Tell me what you want to ask of me. 

What I want from you is one thing that unfolds into many different parts. Are you sure that you aren’t really trying to ask for many different things? No, I don’t think so. I’m listening. I want to know you. That might seem like a small request to some. Not to me. I don’t want to know about you. I want to know you. I don’t want to know you just a little bit. I want to know you well. I want to know you intimately. That sounds like one request to me. There is more. Like what? Knowing you would lead to me loving you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Again, I don’t want to love you just a little bit. I want to love you with all that is within me. Loving me is a part of knowing me. I thought so too. There is more. Like what?  If I know and love you I will also become like you. I want to become like you in all that I think, say and do. I want to know your thoughts. I want to walk in your ways. I want to do your will. Becoming like me is a part of loving and knowing me. I’m so glad to hear that. There is more isn’t there? Yes, there is more. If I know and love you and become like you I will reflect your glory. Yes, that’s right. As I reflect your glory I would bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. What do you mean by that? As I reflect your glory people would see you living in me.  As I reflect your glory people would be drawn to you. Yes, they would. So my one request from you is that I would know you and love you and become like you and reflect your glory so that people will be drawn to you through my life. That is a very good request. That is the one thing that I am asking of you. You are right about one thing. What’s that? I will hear and answer this request of yours.

Lord, I have come to you and turned my life over to you. You have set me free to live the life you have given me to live. Do your work in me. Make me to be like you. Make it so I am able to reflect your glory so that others will be drawn to you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit been making you more and more like Christ as you follow Him?

Living It Out… Come to Jesus Christ and turn your life over to Him so that the Holy Spirit can make you like Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will make you like Jesus Christ so that you can reflect His glory to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit is making you like Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your life over to Jesus Christ so that you can reflect His glory.

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

Knowing God – 2 Corinthians 3-16-18 – Reflect The Lord’s Glory – 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