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

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

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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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

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

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

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

Not Give Up Meeting Together

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 10:25 - Not Give Up Meeting Together - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 10:25 – Not Give Up Meeting Together – Growing As Disciples

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Meeting Together

You’ve heard and made a lot of excuses for not gathering together with other believers to meet with me in worship. Yes, I have heard and made most all of them. I doubt that. You would be surprised at how many you haven’t used. But, let me hear some of your reasons now. What are some good and acceptable reasons for you to skip out on gathering to meet with me in worship? I didn’t say that I had any good and acceptable reasons for not gathering together to meet with you in worship. No, you didn’t say that. I just said that I had made plenty of excuses and had reasons for not gathering together with other believers to meet with you in worship. I think you’re stalling. Are your reasons kind of weak and embarrassing? Yes, they are both weak and embarrassing. I think it will help you to hear them said out loud. So, go ahead and give me your reasons. I will apologize and ask for your forgiveness in advance. You are forgiven. I’m not trying to shame you. I want you to hear what you have told yourself about not meeting with me. I’m listening. Here goes. I have said that I was too busy. So, what has been more important and valuable than meeting with me? There is nothing more important than meeting with you. I also have said that I was too tired. Why were you too tired? I stayed out too late the night before. How do you feel about those choices now? I think I have made some bad choices and poor uses of my time based on misplaced priorities. If I make attending worship celebrations my priority I will prepare myself by going to bed earlier the night before. That sounds like a good plan. It will do me no good to come to worship exhausted. No, It will not. Oh, I have said that I needed “me” time. What’s that? I’m not sure. I heard someone else say it and it sounded good to me. What happened when you devoted yourself to your “me” time? Not, much. I would have been better off by receiving the encouragement I do when I gather with others to worship you. Yes, that’s true. Go on. I have said that I can worship you anywhere all by myself. I have thought that I really don’t need to gather with others to worship you. It’s very hard to receive encouragement from others when you are all alone, isn’t it? Yes, it is. I have really reached by saying that traveling conditions weren’t safe. On those days you probably stayed home all day then, didn’t you? No, I ventured out shortly after the worship celebrations were over. Was the weather a lot better then? No, it wasn’t. Then that was an exceptionally weak reason for not attending the worship celebration, wasn’t it? Yes, it was. 

I’m sure that you can go on and on with reasons why you haven’t attended worship celebrations. Yes, I can. But, I have heard enough. I have some statements that I want you to respond to. I’m listening. You know that I love you. Yes, I do. You know that I created and designed you. Yes, I do. You believe that what I say is true and right. Yes, I do. If my word conflicts with your behavior what will you do? I will change my behavior. Why is that? I believe that you know what is best for me. Yes, I do. You know that I want to encourage your faith as you draw near to me. Yes, I do. You know that I want you to encourage others when you gather together in worship with them. Yes, I do. What does my word say about you gathering together with others to worship me? Your word says that I should not skip out on worship celebrations. Your word says that I can give receive and give encouragement, as I gather with other believers to worship you. Yes, it does. Will you make it your unwavering commitment to gather with other believers to worship me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you that you have placed me in a body of believers where I can receive and give encouragement. I am making it my advance decision to be unwavering and consistent in my worship attendance. Draw near to me as I draw near to you in worship. Amen

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

Let Us – Hebrews 10-25 – Not Give Up Meeting Together – 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