Category Archives: Let Us

Go On To Maturity

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 6:1-3 - Go On To Maturity - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 6:1-3 – Go On To Maturity – Growing As Disciples

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.  Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV)

Move On

You don’t want to be stagnant and stuck in your faith, do you? No, I do not. You don’t want to take backward steps? No. I don’t. You want to move on and forward with me? Yes, I do. You are determined to grow in your relationship with me? Yes, I am. You want to know and love me with all your heart and soul and mind? Yes, I do. You want to go where I lead you to do all that I ask of you? Yes, that’s right. Where do you think all these desires that you have in your heart come from? I’m sure that they come from you. Yes, that’s right. Do you have any fear or doubts that I won’t be able to accomplish and grant these desires of your heart? I have no doubts in you. I know that nothing can prevent you from accomplishing your will. Now, that’s a strong statement of faith on your part. Let’s talk more about that. You do have some doubts? Yes, I do. Tell me about your doubts. I don’t doubt you. I doubt me. Do you believe that I am able to accomplish my will and purposes in your life? Yes, I believe you are able to accomplish your will and purposes in my life. Do you believe that it is my desire and plan for you to grow and mature in your faith? Yes, I believe that it is your desire and plan for me to grow and mature in my faith. Do you think that your growing and maturing in your faith depends on you or on me? I think that my growing and maturing in my faith depends on you. I can’t make myself grow in my faith. I can’t make myself mature. I can’t move on and forward with you unless you are leading me. There is a word here I want you to think about very deeply. What is that word? I want you to depend on me. I don’t want you to rely on yourself. You are right that you can’t make yourself mature and complete. Only I can do that kind of work in you. When you depend on me, you will grow and mature. When you rely on yourself, you will be filled with doubts. When you rely on yourself, you will remain stuck and stagnant in your faith. When you rely on yourself, you will take backward steps. I see that you are very determined in your desire to grow and mature in your relationship with me. That desire is very good. There is also a danger close at hand. What danger is that? There is a danger in allowing your determination to cause you to rely on yourself. I want you to be determined to depend on me to do my work in and through your life. Will you be determined to depend on me? Yes Lord, I will depend on you with all my heart and soul and strength. Then you will move forward in your relationship with me. You will grow and mature in your faith as you depend on me.

Lord, I don’t want to be stagnant in my faith. I am determined and dependent on you to help me to grow and mature as I follow you. Build on what you have already taught me. Use all of life to teach and train me so I will grow mature in you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used His word to help you to grow and mature in your faith?

Living It Out… Be determined and dependent on God to help you to grow and mature in your faith.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to grow and mature as you follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are growing and maturing as you follow Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always be moving forward with Jesus Christ and on to maturity in Him.

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

Let Us – Hebrews 6-1 – Go On To Maturity – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Not Become Weary In Doing Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Galatians 6:9- Not Become Weary In Doing Good- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Galatians 6:9- Not Become Weary In Doing Good- Growing As Disciples

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)  

Reap A Harvest

You are in a battle. What kind of battle am I in? You already know the answer to that question of yours. Yes, I do, but I was hoping that you might describe or bring some clarity to the battle that I am in. Why don’t you start by describing the battle that you are in?  I’m weary and worn out. I feel like I can go no further. I have worked long and hard and I’m ready to give up. I’d like a new assignment. Give me something fresh and exciting. Do you really think that would be a good idea? No, I suppose not. Tell me why it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave your assignment now for something new and different? Well, I have worked long and hard on this assignment and I have not yet reaped a harvest. There has been some fruit along the way that’s for sure. But, I’m pretty sure that you had a much larger harvest in mind when you gave me this assignment. Are you just pretty sure? No, I’m positive that you want me to reap a rich harvest as a result of this assignment that you have given to me. Has your being positive about your assignment from me kept you going strong? Yes, it has, otherwise I would have given up and quit long ago. How long must my labor be before I can reap a rich harvest for you? What do you think? That’s a question that there is no quick and easy answer. What must you continue to do then? If I want to reap a rich harvest for you, I must keep on working and not give up. There is a season of planting. There is a season of working. Then there is a season of harvest. Yes, that’s right. Do you think that I will give you a new assignment now? No, I don’t think you will give me a new asignment now. Why won’t I give you a new assignment now? If you allow me to quit, I will never reap the rich harvest that you intended. No, you will not. If I quit early now, I would probably quit even earlier in my next assignment. You want to develop patient endurance in me. Yes, I do. 

Let’s talk about your being weary and worn out. Do you think it is my plan for you to be weary and worn out? No, I think you want me to be strong, energetic and full of life. Yes, I do. There is nothing wrong with being tired from hard work. No, there is not. But, there is something not quite right with my being weary and worn out. What do you think is the problem? Somehow, I have started to rely on my own strength to do the work that you have given me to do for you. That will never work. Why is that? I will always give you work that is beyond your ability. Do you know why that is? Yes, you want me to rely on you. Yes, I do. There is another just as important reason. I’m not sure why that is. I want you to know that I am working in and through you. You will never be alone in doing the work that I have given you to do for me. Will knowing that I am working in and through your life encourage you? Yes, it will. Will knowing that I am working in and through keep you going and doing the good I have given you to do? Yes, it will. Then be encouraged and don’t give up. Keep doing the good work that I have given you to do. Yes Lord, I will. Then you will reap a rich harvest for me.

Lord, I will not grow weary. I will keep doing good. I will rely on you to sustain and strengthen me in doing the work that you have given me to do. I will wait and keep on working until I reap a harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… When has knowing with certainty what the Lord has given you to do helped to keep on serving Him?

Living It Out… Never grow weary in doing the good the Lord has given you to do until you reap a harvest.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to reap a harvest because you did not grow weary but kept on doing good.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what good the Lord has given you to do until you reap a harvest.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not grow weary and keep doing good until you reap a harvest because you did not give up.

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

Let Us – Galatians 6-9 – Not Become Weary In Doing Good -Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Draw Near To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 10:22- Draw Near To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 10:22- Draw Near To God – Growing As Disciples

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) 

Draw Near 

You can draw near to me. You can come to me. I want you to know me. I want you to live in a close and intimate relationship with me. Is that what you want? Yes, I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. There is nothing in all of life that I want more than to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. You have some questions? You don’t know how to proceed, is that right? You don’t know where to begin, is that true? Yes, that’s true. Let’s talk about your desire. I’m listening. You and I both have the same desire. We both want to live in an intimate relationship with each other. I love you and you love me. Where did our same desires originate? I’m not sure what you mean. Who loved who first? You loved me first. Yes, I did. You sent your son into this world so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my sin and unrighteousness. His blood has freed me from a guilty conscience. I have been washed and made clean in your sight. Yes, that’s right.  Now I can confidently draw near to you. I don’t feel like I need to hide anymore. I no longer have a guilty conscience because of my sin. With a heart filled with faith I can draw near to you. Yes, you can.

Would you say that it cost me something to make it possible for you to draw near to me? Yes, it cost your Son’s life on the cross. He took my place on the cross. He paid for my sin. Yes, He did. What will it cost you if you want to know me? What will it cost you if you want to draw near to me? Will it cost you if you really do want to love me with all your heart and soul and mind and strength? I know that I can’t earn, merit or pay for my salvation. No, you cannot. Your salvation is a gift that I have already received from you. Yes, you have. When I asked you to be my Savior and Lord I also gave my life to you. You gave your Son for me. I gave my whole life to you. It cost you everything to give your Son. It will cost me everything if I really want to know and love you. It will cost me everything if I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. It will cost me everything if I want to draw near to you. I can’t dabble in loving you. I can’t sample a little bit of knowing you. The desire that I have in my heart is a consuming passion. I have no desire to know or love you just a little bit. So, you want to give yourself completely to me? Yes, I do. Follow your desire and keep giving yourself fully to me. Yes, I will.

You’re still a little stuck on where and when and how to proceed with drawing near to me, aren’t you? Yes, I am. Your desire and passion are sure and clear. Yes, they are. Then let’s just agree to meet. When and where will we meet? You tell me. Pick a time and a place and I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. Then you will see the desires of your heart being fulfilled as we spend time together. Does that sound good? That sounds great!

Lord, thank you for cleansing me of all my sins. You have washed me and made me clean. You have freed me from guilt over my sin. You have made me able, with a heart filled with faith, to draw near to God and come to know Him. Amen

Key Question… When are you, with a heart filled with faith, drawing near to God so you can know Him?

Living It Out… With a heart filled with faith confidently draw near to God so that you can come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that Jesus Christ has opened the way for you to draw near to God.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your daily habit to draw near to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, with a cleansed heart filled with faith, draw near to God so you can come to know Him.

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

Let Us – Hebrews 10-22 – Draw Near To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Hold Unswervingly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 10:23 - Hold Unswervingly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 10:23 – Hold Unswervingly – Growing As Disciples

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Hold On

Life has it challenges. You will face difficulties and hard ships. You will experience pain and suffering. You will grow weary and feel worn out. Does any of what I am saying come as a surprise to you? No, I have experienced everything that you have stated. Yet, you have never quit. You have never walked away and said that you have had enough. No, I have not. Why is that? I will tell you a few things. Go ahead. I don’t possess great strength. I am not able to endure more than others. I feel pain and suffer from discouragement just like anyone else. Tell me then, why is it that some people become bitter and some become better as a result of the trials and difficulties that they have gone through in life. Why is it that some become stronger as they go through pain and suffering while others give up, quit and walk away? Those are good questions. You must know the answers. Why is that? You have neither grown bitter or given up, quit or walked away. I’m really curious about one thing. What’s that? Those that have given-up, quit and walked away, where have they gone? If I were to walk away from you, I have no idea where I could go. Walking away from you has not been nor will it ever be a choice for me. That’s good. In trials just the opposite has happened to me. What do you mean by that? In great difficulty some have walked away from you. In great difficulties, I have been drawn to you. You alone are my strength. You alone are my hope. In you alone, do I trust. You have led me through all the pain and suffering I have faced in life. The harder life has gotten the more I have held on to you. I don’t consider myself to have great virtue or outstanding wisdom because I have held on to you. If I have known one thing, it is this, there is no one or no thing worthy of holding on to other than you and your promises. There are a few more vitally important things that you know. Like what? You tell me. I am not just holding on to you. With a much stronger grip you are holding on to me. Yes, I am. Even if my grip were to weaken you would never let go of me. No, I would not. How do you know what you know about me? I know about you because you have been with me through all that I have experienced in life. What else? I know about you because of your precious and great promises. Yes, and where can my promises be found? Your promises can be found in your word. Yes, and what have you done with my promises? I have held on to you and your promises. Yes and as you have held on to me and my promises, you have become better rather than bitter and held on to me rather than walked away from me. Yes, that’s true. Keep on holding on to me and my promises. Yes Lord, I will. I will be holding on to you as we walk together through life. 

Lord, you have been faithful to me. You have blessed my life with your precious and great promises. Your promises have sustained and strengthened me through every difficulty in life. Thank you that I can hold on to you and your word. Amen

Key Question… What are some promises of God that strengthen and encourage you as you hold on to Him?

Living It Out… Spend time with God in His word so you can know, be encouraged by and take a firm hold of all His promises.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ and all His promises are worthy of your unwavering and unswerving trust?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have held on to Jesus Christ through difficulties in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you unwaveringly and unswervingly hold on to God and His promises as you follow Him today.

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

Let Us – Hebrews 10-23 – Hold Unswervingly – 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

Rejoice And Be Glad

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Psalm 118:24 - Rejoice And Be Glad - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Psalm 118:24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – Growing As Disciples

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

 Today Is A Gift

You have today. Today is a day that I made. How will you use it? Are you glad that I made today. Do you have anything to be glad and rejoice about today? Will you allow this day to be a special day? How will you use this day that I have given to you? Those are very good questions. Why do you think so? I don’t normally think about any one day as more important or special than another. Is that a good thing? Do you consider any days to be special?  I consider birthdays, anniversaries and holidays to be special days. Obviously, Christmas and Easter are very special days. You like to celebrate on all those days?  Yes, I do. Lets talk more about your average every day of the week kind of days. You don’t celebrate the average every day of the week kind of days do you? No, I don’t. What do you do on average every day of the week kind of days? I put one foot in front of the other and keep on doing what must be done. That sounds boring, routine and very depressing. Do you think that is the way that I want you to live? I’m not sure what you mean. I want your life to be exciting. I want you to consider the beauty and possibilities of each day that I have given to you. Do you think I want you to trudge through life with your head down working to accomplish your endless “to do” lists? No, I suppose not. I want you to look up. I want you to consider how I might use you today. I want you to wonder about where I might lead you to do what I might ask of you. I want you to live in the conscious awareness of my presence. Can you live in an intimate and joyful relationship with me as your trudge through life with your head down, putting one foot in front of the other, doing what you think must be done? No, I suppose not. You like receiving gifts, don’t you? Yes, I do. How do you feel when you are about to receive a gift? When I am about to receive a gift I am full of anticipation. I am excited and energized by the wonder and mystery of an unknown gift. Do you know where I am headed with my questions? I think so. Each day I give you is a gift.  I want you to approach each day with anticipation. I want you to be excited and energized and filled with wonder as you begin each day with me. I want you to be glad and rejoice in the opportunities that I will bring to you in the gift of each new day. Do you think you can do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I can. I will trust and rely on you as I walk with you in each new day that you have given to me. 

Lord, this is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. You have been my refuge in storms. In my weakness you are my strength. You have heard my prayers. You have guarded and guided my life. I will trust you and rely on your for all I need. Amen

Key Question… What reasons do you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord today?

Living It Out… Rejoice, be glad, and give thanks to the Lord today for all He has done and is doing for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that today you have an abundance of reasons to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group reasons you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord for all He has done and is doing for you.

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

Let Us – Psalm 118-24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – 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

Discern

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Discipleship Study - Let Us - Job 34:4 - Discern - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Let Us – Job 34:4 – Discern – Growing As Disciples

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. Job 34:4 (NIV)

Willing To Listen 

Are you willing to listen to what I have to say to you? Yes, I am willing to listen. I do want to hear from you. Am I about to hear what I don’t want to hear? I didn’t say that. But, if you can only hear what you want to hear then you will not be able to hear from me. You have to be able to listen attentively to what you don’t expect to hear. You have to be able to accept words that you might like. You have to be able to receive words that might challenge and confront you. Will you humble yourself before me so that you can hear from me? Yes Lord, I will humbly listen to you.

Beware of thinking that you already know. Beware of thinking that you don’t need to hear anymore. Beware of thinking that you have far more to give than to receive. Quiet yourself before me and listen to what I have to say. Stop being so full of yourself that you can’t take in all that I want to say to you. Come to me knowing that you need my guidance. You need my counsel. You need my instruction. Yes Lord, I know that I need your guidance, counsel and instruction.

Make listening to me the priority of your life. Don’t race through life so fast that you don’t take time to stop and listen to me. You will be able to get where I want you to go to do what I want you to do only if you take time to stop and listen to me. Set a part a quiet place where you can hear from me. Don’t let the noise of this world make it so you cannot hear from me. Are you listening to me right now? Yes Lord, I am listening to you. What then are you going to do? I am going to pick a time and a place to stop to listen to you. That will be very good. Don’t take one more step. Don’t do one more thing until you have secured in your heart and mind a time and a place when we will meet. I will do just that. How often will we meet together in our time at our place? We will meet everyday. Do you know why that will be very good? Yes, I do. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. You have heard me say that to you before. Yes, I have. It pleases me when you remember and put into practice what I have said to you.

I have one more thing that I want to say to you. What’s that? You will not hear everything you need to hear from me by meeting alone with me. Why is that? I made you to live in relationship and in community with other believers. Some things you need to hear you will hear as we meet together alone.  Other things that you need to hear you will only hear as you meet with me together with other believers. You are meant to live and meet together with my body. Listen to what I have to say to you. Listen to what I give to others to say to you.  Speak to others what I have given you to say to them. Together you will know my will and follow my ways. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, help me to have a humble heart and mind that is willing to listen. Help me to be able to discern your will and to know what is right. Make me receptive to all that you want me to hear and know. Speak into my life. Guide me according to your plan. Amen

Key Question… Why will humility be required of you if you want to discern the Lord’s will and know what is right?

Living It Out… Be willing to enlist the help of others to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to discern His will and to know what is right.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you discern the will of the Lord so you will be able to know and do what is right.

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

Let Us – Job 34-4 – Discern – 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

Love With Actions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - 1 John 3:18 - Love With Actions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – 1 John 3:18 – Love With Actions – Growing As Disciples

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV) 

Action

You will never be able to express love to others by your words alone. Love will require that you back up the words of your mouth with actions that come from your heart. I get that. Tell me how I backed up my words with my actions that come from my heart. How have I demonstrated my love to you through both my words and my actions? Your words have told me that you want me to know you. Your words have told me that you want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Your words have told me that you want me to love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Your words have told me that you want me to become like you. If you only spoke these words to me I would never be able to know you. I would not be able to live in an intimate relationship with you. I would not be able to love you. I would not be able to become like you. Why is that? My sin would prevent me from hearing your words. My sin would prevent me from desiring or receiving everything that you want for me. If you let me remain in my sin I would never have been able to become alive to you. I never would have loved you. I never would have wanted to know you. I never would be able to become like you. No, you would not. But, I did not just speak words to you, did I? No, you did not. You acted on my behalf. You rescued me from a life of sin and separation from you. You sent your Son into the world to die as payment for my sins. You forgave me of my sin and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You turned my life around and set me on the path so I could love, follow and serve you. Yes, I did. Now, I can know and love you. Now, I can live in an intimate relationship with you. Now, you are making me to be like you. Yes, I am.

What have you learned about love being expressed in words and actions? Loving words without loving actions will never be enough. Words of love are made real when they are backed up by actions. Words of love can be heard and received and acted on when they are accompanied by action. You speak words of love and back them up with action. Yes, I do. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. Then I will also back up my words of love with actions. When I back up my words of love with actions the world will see your love flowing in and through me. Yes, and that will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to say one thing and do another. I want my words and my actions to be consistent in their message. Use both my words and my actions to express love to those around me. Use my life so others can see your love flowing in and through me. Amen

Key Question… Why is love most powerfully expressed with both words and actions together?

Living It Out… Make sure that both your words and your actions express love to other people.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use both your words and your actions to express love to other people.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used your words and actions to express love to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love others with both your words and your actions.

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

Let Us – 1 John 3-18 – Love With Actions – 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

Meet Together

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Nehemiah 6:2-4 - Meet Together - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Nehemiah 6:2-4 – Meet Together – Growing As Disciples

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Nehemiah 6:2-4 (NIV) 

A Great Project

I have given you a great project to do for me. Do you have any doubt about that? No, I have no doubts about the work you have given me to do for you. It’s a very good thing that you have no doubts about what I have asked you to do for me. Why is that? You tell me. What you have asked me to do for you is not easy. No, it is not. I could never accomplish the work you have asked me to do without your help. No, you could not. The work that you have given to me to do is not a short-term assignment. No, it is not. I could never keep on doing the work you have given to me without your strength and endurance. No, you could not. Every day I will need your help and encouragement to keep on doing the work that you have given to me. Yes, you will. The work that you have given to me will bring glory to your name. Yes, It will. What you have asked me to do for you will bear fruit for your kingdom that will last for all eternity. Yes, it will. There is no other assignment or work that I could do in life that is more important or more valuable than doing what you have asked me to do for you. No, there is not. I will face opposition in doing the work that you have given me to do for you. Yes, You will. Others will attempt to distract me from doing your work. Others will attempt to hinder me from doing your work. Yes, they will. Sometimes the opposition and hindrances that I will face will even come from seemingly well-meaning friends and family. Yes, it will. This opposition and these hindrances may cause me to question your call on my life and the work that you have given me to do for you. Doubt will try to creep into my heart and mind. Yes, it will. I will need to hold on to you as I continue to do your work. I must rely on your strength and endurance. The joy of bearing fruit for your kingdom and your glory will sustain me. Knowing with certainty that you are working in and through my life will keep me going when opposition mounts, weary sets in and hindrances arise. Yes, be certain that I have called you. Be certain that I have given you work to do for me. Be certain that you are doing what I have asked of you. Be certain that I will give you everything you need to keep on serving me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for giving me work to do for you. I will fend off everything that will attempt to distract or hinder me from doing your work. Give me your joy and endurance and strength to keep on doing all you have asked me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… How have you been able to resist hindrances and distractions so you could continue doing the Lord’s work?

Living It Out… Fend off hindrances so you can remain focused on doing the work that the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you joy and strength and endurance to do the work He has given you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have known the work the Lord has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive joy and strength and endurance to keep on doing the work the Lord has given you to do for Him.

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

Let Us – Nehemiah 6 -2-4 – Meet Together – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Examine Our Ways

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Lamentations 3:40 - Examine Our Ways - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Lamentations 3:40 – Examine Our Ways – Growing As Disciples

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.  Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

Examination

Do you really want me to examine your life? Are you really open to all that I have to say to you? I want my life to be like an open book before you. I know that there is nothing that can be hidden from you. It would be a foolish waste of time to try. I know that I have sinned and I will sin again. My life will never be perfect. I will be a work in your hands until I meet you face to face. Yes, you will. Trying to hide my sin from you would only serve to create distance and separation between us. I don’t want that, not even for a second. I want to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. So, instead of doing what my natural instinct would suggest which is trying to run and hide my sin, I will come to you to confess my sin so I can continue to follow and obey you. That will be very good. 

How do you think I will help you to see your sin? What do you think I will use to show you your sin? Who will speak to you about your sin? Your word will help me to see my own sin. As I meet with you in your word your Spirit will show me what I need to see. Your Spirit will speak to me what I need to hear. Yes, He will. Your word will also strengthen me to stand against temptations to sin. Your Spirit will take your word and apply it to my life so that I will be able to resist temptations that come my way. Yes, you will.  Is there anything or anyone else that I might use to help you to examine the way that you are living your life? You will use circumstances of every kind and people that are close to me to speak into my life. Yes, I have used and will continue to use people to speak into your life. They will see things you can’t see. They will say things that you will need to hear. Will you listen to them? Will you welcome what they have to say to you? Will your heart be hard or soft to the words that I have given them to speak to you? Don’t be so quick to answer. How have you sometimes responded to the challenging words of others? I have been rigid and hard hearted. I have reacted poorly and not listened well. I have rejected both the speaker and their message. I have wondered words to myself like, “who do they think they are” or “ what gives them the right to say such things to me.” Now I know that you were using them to speak words into my life that would help me to examine my ways. Yes, that’s right. Will you listen to me? Will you listen to the words of others that I will use to speak to you? Will you examine your ways? Will you confess your sin and turn to follow and obey me?  Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, help me to have a soft heart that is willing to examine the way that I am living my life. Show me my sins and help me to willingly and gladly confess them all to you. I want to follow and obey you in all that I think, say and do. Amen

Key Question… When has your life sent off the message that you are resistant to self-examination and course corrections?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to examine your life so you can turn away from sin to follow and obey Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will show you your sins so you can turn from them to follow and obey Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group who has helped you to examine your life so you could turn from sin.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you examine your ways and turn from your sin so you can follow and obey the Lord.

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

Let Us – Lamentations 3-40 – Examine Our Ways – 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

Do Good To All People

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Galatians 6:10 - Do Good To All People - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Galatians 6:10 – Do Good To All People – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV) 

Opportunity

You will have an abundance of opportunities to do good things for others. You have said that you want to be a bright and shining vibrant witness for me in this world. Yes, I have said that. These opportunities to do good things for others are some of the ways that you will be able to shine brightly for me. Don’t expect that these opportunities will always be easy and convenient. Many times, it will not cost you much to show my loving kindness to others. Many other times, it will cost you quite a bit to serve others as I guide you. What will serving you cost me? That’s a very good question. What did it cost me to serve you? It cost you everything to come into the world to serve me. Yes, it did. I gave my life for you. What do you think it should cost you to serve me? Well, on the one hand I know that you gave yourself to me as a gift. My serving you can’t earn what you have already given to me as a gift. No, it cannot. On the other hand, I have said that I want to become like you. That desire to be like you has flowed out of my receiving your receiving salvation as a free gift. Yes, it has. So, by my serving you I am not trying to earn anything. No, you are not. In wanting to be like you, I want to give myself fully and freely to others as a gift. So, I would say that the cost of giving like you gave would cost me everything. What do you mean by everything? Right now, I’m saying without qualification that I will give like you gave. What does that mean? It means I will go where you guide me to do what you ask of me, no matter what the cost. I will use all my gifts, talents, abilities and resources to serve you. I will not say that I am too busy or too tired to serve you. I will not say that what you are asking of me is too difficult. I will not say that I don’t want to serve this or that person. I know that you will even ask me to serve my enemies. Yes, I will. I will be ready to serve anyone, anywhere at any time. When I serve anyone, I will know that I am serving you. When I am giving to others, I will know that I am a bright light shining in this dark world for you. When I am doing what you have asked me to do, I will know that I will bear fruit for your kingdom and your glory. That is what I want to do. So, I am saying yes to you now. I want to take every opportunity, that you give to me, to do good things for other people. That will be very good!

Lord, I will keep my eyes and ears open to opportunities to do good to all people. Help me to be willing to go out of my way to do good things for others. I want to be a witness for you. I will go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question…When have you gone way out of your way to do something good for someone?

Living It Out… Listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides you to do good to all people.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you an abundance of opportunities to do good to other people.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has led you to do something good for someone.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides you to do good things for other people.

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

Let Us – Galatians 6-10 – Do Good To All People – 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