Category Archives: Life

Live By The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Galatians 5:25 - Live By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Galatians 5:25 – Live By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Keep In Step

How can I keep in step with you? I certainly don’t want to run ahead or lag behind you. I want you to have free reign to work in and through my life. I want to live each moment of every day in close communion with you. I want you to mold and shape my life according to your purposes and plans. Where do you think steps with me might lead? I’m not sure what you mean? Is there anything that I will ask you to step away from? I’m sure that there are many things that you will ask me to step away from. Why do you say that? You have already asked me to step away from many things. Like what? You have asked me to step away from the darkness of this world. You have asked me to step away from craving for more. You have asked me to step away from the lusts of my flesh. You have asked me to step away from a pride filled life. So, have you? Yes, I have stepped away from anything and everything that isn’t pleasing to you. At least, I think I have. If there is more that I need to step away from then I ask you to show me. I’m sure that you will. Yes, I will. So, first step in keeping in step with you is to step away from anything that is not pleasing to you, is that right? Yes, that’s right.

Guess what. What? You are going to have some difficulty stepping away from everything that is not pleasing to me. Does that come as a huge surprise to you? No. it does not. You have some experience in this matter? Yes, I do. Tell me what you have found out. In my own strength I cannot step away from everything that does not please you. I need your help. I need your power. I need your strength. Yes, you do. I need you to change my heart and mind. I need you to change my desires and thoughts. Otherwise, I will never be able to step away from all that displeases you. What have I used to change your heart and mind and thoughts and desires? You have used your word. Yes, I have. Has my word given you my power and strength to help you to step away from what is not pleasing to me? Yes, it has. So, the next step in keeping in step with you is to allow you to change my heart and mind and thoughts and desires with your word. Yes, it is.

Now what? I’ve stepped away from what does not please you. I’m allowing you to change my heart and mind and thoughts and desires with your word. Where do we go from here? You will listen to me when I speak. You will follow me when I lead. You will go where I guide. You will do what I ask. I will lead you moment-by-moment one step at a time. Will you follow me? Yes Lord, I will. So, my final step in keeping in step with you is to listen to you and follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. Yes, it is.

Holy Spirit, thank you for leading and guiding my life. Help me to hear you when you speak. Help me to follow you where you lead. Help me to go where you guide. Help me to do what you ask. I want to keep in step with you. Amen

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

Life – Galatians 5-25 – Live By The Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Watch Your Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - 1 Timothy 4:15-16 - Watch Your Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 Timothy 4:15-16 – Watch Your Life – Growing As Disciples

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV)

See Your Progress

I know that you want to see progress in your life as you follow me. Yes, I do. What kind of progress would you like to see in your life? There are so many different ways that I want to see progress in my life. Name them to me.

I want to see progress in my knowing you. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to be able to hear your voice speaking to me. I want to live each moment of every day in an ongoing conversation with you. I want to know your thoughts. I want to listen to your counsel. I want to know your will and purposes and plans. I want to pray the prayers that you have given me to pray.

I want to see progress in my loving you. I want to dwell in your presence and sit at your feet. I want to be fully devoted to you in everyway. I want to know your word and do your will. I want to love and worship you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Everyday, I want to find and do what is pleasing in your sight.

I want to see progress in my following you. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. I want to have faith to do what only you can do in and through my life. I want to rely on your power and strength to work in and through me for your glory.

I want to see progress in my serving you. I want to fully utilize all the gifts, talents and abilities that you have given to me. I want to bear and abundance of fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want people to be drawn to you as you work in and through my life. I want you to use me to heal those who are hurting and to help those who are in need.

Do you believe that I will fulfill all these desires of your heart? Yes, I do. Do you believe that I will help you to know me? Yes, I do. Do you believe that I will help you to love me? Yes, I do. Do you believe that I will help you to follow me? Yes, I do. Do you believe that I will help you to serve me? Yes, I do. Why do you believe that I will do all of these things for you? I believe because I know that you are already helping me to know, love, follow and serve you. Yes, I am.

Lord, you have my full attention. My life is focused on knowing, loving, following and serving you. Use my life and the gifts that you have given to me for your kingdom and glory as I throw myself into the ministry you have given to me. Amen

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

Life – 1 Timothy 4-15-16 – Watch Your Life – 4 Page 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

Preserve My Life According To Your Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Psalm 119:37 - Preserve My Life According To Your Word - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Psalm 119:37 – Preserve My Life According To Your Word – Growing As Disciples

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37 (NIV)

Worthless Things 

What are worthless things? Anything that distracts me from doing what you have given me to do could be categorized as being worthless. What do you have in mind? I know that I waste a lot of time doing things that add no value to my life. Like what? I wish I could reclaim some of the wasted hours I have spent watching television, playing with my cell phone, or mindlessly searching the Internet. You can’t reclaim those hours. But, you can learn from your past mistakes and better use your time in the future. Yes, I can.

What else do you consider to be worthless things? Any influence that I allow into my life that has the power to conform me to the values, patterns and practices of the world is worthless. I need to place a guard over my heart and mind so that I don’t adopt the worthless values, patterns and practices of the world. Yes, you do.

Is there anything else that you consider to be worthless? Yes, worthless activities and endeavors come in all different shapes and sizes. Pursuing the riches of this world will ultimately have no value. Seeking power, prestige and the acclaim of others will offer nothing beyond this life. Seeking to pursue plans and achieve goals that aren’t from you are worse than worthless. Why is that? They will prevent me from doing what you really want me to do for you. Yes, they will.

Do you think you will be able to eliminate all that is worthless from your life? No, probably not. What will you do with the time that you save when you’re not wasting time on worthless things? That’s a very good question. How will you know for sure if you are doing something that is worthless or of great value? That’s an even better question. Do you have any answers? What would you think and say if I said that I don’t have answers to your questions. I would want you to tell me more. Why is that? I know that you have more on your mind. Yes, I do.

Only you can redeem my time. Only you can show me the difference between what is worthless and what is of great value. I need you to speak to me. I need to hear your word. I need your counsel and guidance. I need you to guide and direct the course of my life. I can’t just stop doing worthless things. I need your help. Yes, you do. I want your help. What do you want me to do for you? I want to know without a doubt that what I am doing is your will and of great value. Doing anything less than your will is totally worthless. Yes, it is. It is possible that I may think that I am doing something that is of great value and be sadly mistaken. Yes, that’s possible. I don’t want to be sadly mistaken. I would rather be filled with joy in knowing that I am doing what you have given me to do for you. That’s what I want for you.

So, the most valuable thing that I could possibly do is to listen to you. That’s right. I can’t possibly go wrong by listening to your word and waiting for your instructions. No, you cannot. Knowing you and doing your will is never a waste of time or a worthless endeavor. No, it is not. So, I am going to rely on you to show me your will and your ways. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for turning the focus of my life away from the things of this world. Preserve, protect and guide my life by your word. Use your word to show me the difference between what is worthless and what is of eternal value. Amen

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

Life – Psalm 119-37 – Preserve My Life According To Your Word- 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

Path Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Psalm 16:11 - Path Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Psalm 16:11 – Path Of Life – Growing As Disciples

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

Walk With Me

Walk with me. That is the invitation that I am setting before you today. Will you accept my invitation? Will you walk with me? Yes Lord, I will gladly and enthusiastically accept your invitation to walk with you. Don’t you have questions? Isn’t there anything that you want to know before you say yes to walking with me? Wouldn’t you like to know where we will be walking? Don’t you want to know what I might ask you to do for me? I already know all I need to know. What do you know? I know it is you that is asking me to walk with you. I am humbled and honored to hear that you are calling me to walk with you. Why me? I am nothing special. I have done nothing to earn your favor. You are wrong. You are special in my sight. You are also right. You have done nothing to earn my favor. But you have heard my call. You have turned to follow me on the path of life. You know that I love you. I also love you. That is why I have no hesitation in saying yes to your calling me to walk with you. Yes, I know. There is more that you want to tell me. There is more that you know. Yes, I have more to say. Yes, I have more that I know about walking with you.

When I walk with you on the path of life I will not be breaking new ground. What do you mean by that? I will not be out running ahead of you. That’s right. You will be leading me. I will be following you or walking right alongside of you. In fact I will be holding on to you as you are holding on to me. Yes, that’s true. So, knowing that gives me peace and confidence. I am not alone. You will be with me every step of the way. I will also feel secure and protected knowing that I am holding on to you as you are holding on to me. I will not wander off the path of life because we are holding on to each other. You’re right.

When I walk with you on the path of life there will be plenty of things that I will leave behind. There is a lot that I will walk away from. Like what? I will walk away from the darkness of this world. I will leave behind the pleasures and deceitfulness of sin. I will leave behind all the ways in which I once lived that were not pleasing to you. Yes, you will. You will give me a completely new life as I follow you. Yes, I will.

When I walk with you on the path of life you will be teaching me. You will be counseling me. You will be giving me your guidance and direction. Yes, I will. We will be talking to each other all the time. Yes, we will. I will listen to you. Yes, you will. You will listen to me. Yes, I will. What an honor. What a joy. What a privilege it is to follow you on the path of life. Yes, I accept you invitation. Yes, I have heard your call. Yes, I will follow you to wherever you lead me. Yes, I will do whatever you ask of me.

Lord, thank you for making the path of life known to me. Help me to keep following you on the path of life. Guard me from straying off your path of life into the evil of this world. Lead me, teach me and counsel me as I follow you. Amen

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

Life – Psalm 16-11 – Path Of Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Prayers And Petitions

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Hebrews 5:7 - Prayers And Petitions - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Hebrews 5:7 – Prayers And Petitions – Growing As Disciples

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 (NIV) 

Answered Prayers

Do you want to be able to pray prayers and petitions that are heard and answered by me? Yes, I certainly do want my prayers and petitions to be heard and answered by you. Who wouldn’t want that? You’re thinking about being able to pray any and every prayer and have them answered aren’t you? Yes, I am. Do you think I will hear and answer all the prayers that pray? No, I don’t think you will hear and answer every single prayer that I pray. Why is that? I might ask for something that is outside of your will? I might ask for something now that you want to give to me later. So, my answer could be, no. Yes, it could. My answer could be, not now. Yes, that’s also a possibility.

What do you think about when a prayer of yours seemingly goes unanswered? I wonder if my request is outside your will or not in your timing. I wonder if you are testing the seriousness of my requests and want me to persevere and keep on asking. I wonder if there is something in my life that is hindering my prayers. Let’s talk about all these things that you wonder about when a prayer of yours seemingly goes unanswered. Where would you like to start? Let’s talk about what might hinder your prayers. I’ve always wondered what might be hindering my prayers. What might hinder my prayers? You tell me. I know what prayers will never get answered. What prayers are those? Those are the ones that never get prayed. Yes, prayers you don’t pray don’t get answered. Sometimes, “I have not because I ask not.” Yes, that’s right. You want me to come to you to ask you for what I need. Yes, I do. Why do you think that is? Why do I want you to come to me? You want me to live in a relationship with you. You want me to rely on you? Yes, I do. What will happen to you as you live in a relationship with me? I will know your will better. Yes, you will. I will know what prayers are inside and outside of your will. Yes, you will. There have been plenty of times when I have learned that I was praying a prayer that was outside your will. What did you do then? I stopped asking for what was not your will. That’s good. What will also happen as you continue to live in a relationship with me? My thoughts and desires will change. How so? I will desire to do your will. I will want to accomplish your purposes. I will learn to ask for what both you and I want. Yes, you will. Your desires will become my desires. I will come to live in reverent submission to your will. Then my prayers will begin to line up with your will and your timing. That’s right. I will be praying prayers that can be heard and answered by you. Yes, you will. That’s exactly what I want. That’s exactly what you will receive as you live in reverent submission to me. 

Father, it is my desire to know and do your will. I will live my life in reverent submission to you. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you will ask of me. Teach me to pray. Help me to offer up prayers and petitions to you that will be heard and answered.  Amen

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

Life – Hebrews 5-7 – Prayers And Petitions – 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 Intended It For Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life - Genesis 50:20 - God Intended It For Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Genesis 50:20 – God Intended It For Good – Growing As Disciples

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

A Dream

You have a dream don’t you? Yes, I do.  Where do you think that your dream came from? It certainly didn’t come from me. Why do you say that? I’m sure that the dream that I have came from you. Why is that? The dream that I have is to bear an abundance of fruit for you. I want you to use me for your kingdom and your glory. That dream could have never started with me. Why is that? I would have never dreamed up something like that on my own. I would never have desired that without you placing it in my heart. You have a very good point. I understand why you are so certain about the origin of your dream. You are right, by the way, that dream of yours did originate with me. I’m very glad that you have embraced it as your own. Yes, I have embraced it as my own. That dream burns in my heart to be fulfilled. I ache with desire for you to use me in your service. Aren’t I using you right now? Yes, you are, but I sense that there is more. What I have been experiencing has seemed like preparation for something more. I think you want to use me more fully in some larger way. Yes, I do, you can be sure of that.

You’re anxious aren’t you? Yes, I am. You are a little discouraged? Yes, I am. Why is that? I have had so many twists and turns and ups and downs in life. I have had one trial and setback after another. I have begun to wonder if the dream that you have given to me will ever be fulfilled. Are you beginning to doubt me? No, I don’t doubt you. I think I am beginning to doubt myself. I have been wondering if I have heard you correctly. I have been wondering if you really will be able to use me for your purposes and in your plans. Do you think my ability to use you depends on you? Now, that’s an attention getter of a question. No, your ability to use me depends on you, not me. That’s right don’t ever forget that. You have been waiting for me to use you is that right? Not really. What have you been doing? I have been going wherever you have directed me. I have been doing whatever you have asked of me. So, you haven’t been sitting around waiting for me to use you, is that right? No, I have been busy doing whatever you have given me to do. Yes, that’s right and that’s very good. Have I have been using you everyday? Yes, you have been using me everyday. But, you sense that I have much more for you. You know that I have some larger purpose and plan for your life, is that right? Yes, that’s right.

You said that you have gone through twists, turns, ups, downs, trials and setbacks, is that right? Yes, that’s right. What have all those detours, trials and setbacks felt like to you? They have felt like preparation. It feels like you have been teaching me to rely on you so that I can persevere through every difficulty. When you look back over your life up to this point what do you see? I see that your hand has been on me. You have used every twist, turn, up, down, trial and setback to teach and strengthen me. Do you want me to stop teaching you? No, I don’t. Do you want me to stop preparing you for the work that I have for you? No, I don’t. Can you be thankful for every twist, turn, up, down, trial and setback that I have been able to use for good in your life? Yes, I can. Do you believe that I will accomplish my purposes and plans in your life? Yes Lord, I do. That’s very good, because I will.

Lord, thank you that you can even use evil that people have done to me to accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. Help me to persevere through every setback in life on the way to you accomplishing your plans in my life. Amen

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

Life – Genesis 50-20 – God Intended It For Good – 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

Does The Will Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life - 1 John 2:15-17 - Does The Will Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 John 2:15-17 – Does The Will Of God – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Love Of The Father

Loving the world, that is something I don’t want to do. This world is passing away. My days in this life are short. There is nothing from this life that will last forever. There is nothing from this life that I can take with me. Everything of value that I now see will one day amount to nothing. A lot of what I have pursued will have been like a mirage on the road ahead. I will have chased after nothing. I don’t desire that kind of life anymore. I want my life to have counted for something. I want my life to have mattered. I want to look back from heaven knowing that my life on this earth was well spent. So, I don’t love this world. I don’t crave all that this world has to offer.  I don’t lust after this world’s delicacies.  I take no pride in what I have or in what I have done.

What do you really want most of all? Most of all I want to know and love you. Loving you or loving the world may seem like a hard choice to some. It isn’t to me. Why is that? I have tasted of your goodness. I have felt your kindness. I have experienced your love. I have received your forgiveness and cleansing. I know that I am your child. I have been accepted into your family. You are my Father and my God. Yes, I am. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather hear than your voice. There is nothing I would rather see than your glory. There is nothing I would rather do than to love, follow and serve you. I have no greater joy than to know that I have been used by you. I am at your disposal. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and glory. One day I want to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Only you can make that possible. Only you can make me faithful. Yes, I can.

It is my prayer that I will be able to receive all that you want to give me. It is my prayer that I will do all that you have asked of me. Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Yes, I do believe. Why do you believe?  It is unlike me not to crave all that the world has to offer. It is unlike me not to lust after what I have seen with my eyes. It is unlike me not to boast about what I have or what I have done. You have changed my heart and mind and desires. Yes, I have. You have made me hungry and thirsty for you. Your love for me has made me to want to love you. I want to live in your love. Your love has filled my heart and my mind and my soul. Yes, it has. I will live my life with and for you. Yes, you will.

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my desire to both know and do your will. Guard my heart and mind from loving the world or anything in it. Help me to do your will in all that I think, say and do. Amen

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

Life – 1 John 2-15-17 – Does The Will Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Your Former Way

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Ephesians 4:20-24 - Your Former Way - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Ephesians 4:20-24 – Your Former Way – Growing As Disciples

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)

Your Former Way

What’s that over there? You know. Yes, I do. But I would like to hear you tell me what’s over there. Those are the stinky and dirty clothes of my old life. They no longer suit you do they? No, they do not. Why is that? You have given me a completely new life to live. So, you have taken off all those old clothes and thrown them away, is that right?  Yes, that’s right. You have no desire to put them back on and wear them again, is that right? That’s something that I would like to talk to you about.  Yes, I’m sure that you do. What’s on your mind? I know that this is hard to believe. Not really. But, I’m having a hard time. How so? At times, I want to put some of those old stinky and dirty clothes back on. Yes, I’ve noticed that. When are you having your greatest difficulty? I’m not sure what you mean? Are there any situations or circumstances that most tempt you to put those old stinky and dirty clothes back on? I’m still not sure how to answer that question. Have you made a clean break from your old manner of living? Are you allowing anything to feed the sinful desires, patterns and practices of your old life? I guess so. What you feed will grow. What you starve will die. If you really want to put on the new life I have for you then you will need to make a clean break with your old life. Now, I understand.

Let’s talk some more about a question I just asked you. What’s that? I asked what’s on your mind. Yes, you did. What’s on your mind is very important. How so? The world will continually bombard you with its patterns, practices, and values. You don’t want worldly thoughts on your mind. You will never be able to fully live the new life I have for you unless you allow my word to be on your mind. It is my word that will change your heart and transform your mind. When my word is in your heart and on your mind you will have no desire to put on those dirty and stinky clothes from your old life. I get it. Well, you understand what I am saying. You won’t really “get it” until you make meeting with me in my word an absolute priority in your life. Then you will have but one desire. What’s that? When you have put off the clothes of your old life and are allowing me to change your heart and renew your mind with my word, you will have a joy and passion to fully put on and live out the new life that I have given to you. Then you will want nothing else. Then the clothes of your old life will be really repulsive to you. Then you will only want to see and put on the new clothes that I have given you to wear as you live your life with and for me. That is what I want with all my heart! Yes, I can see that and so you will. 

Lord, thank you for the new life I have been given. I have left my old life and its practices behind me. Your word is changing my heart and transforming my mind. I’m excited to put on and live out the new life I have in you. Amen

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

Life – Ephesians 4-20-24 – Your Former Way – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

All Kinds Of Greed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Luke 12:15 - All Kinds Of Greed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Luke 12:15 – All Kinds Of Greed – Growing As Disciples

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Luke 12:15 (NIV)

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If you make pursuing wealth and acquiring an abundance of things the goal of your life what will you end up with at the end of your life? I will end up with nothing. Wealth and possessions will never permanently be mine. It is the world’s trick and the devil’s trap to try to ensnare me in greed and captivate me with a continual desire for more. Yes, it is.

Are all desires for more evil? No, I think you have created me with a desire for more that is good, right and healthy. What do you mean by that? Let me first say that I think that there are many good desires from you that the devil and his evil try to distort and corrupt. I have this good desire to want to know and love you more. I have this good desire to want to serve you more. It feels like I have a holy dissatisfaction within me. I want to bear more fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want to become more like you in all that I think, say and do. Those are all very good desires that I have placed in your heart and on your mind.

But, you have had some experience with greed and the continual desire for more that is not good, right and healthy, isn’t that true? Yes, it’s sad to say that I have been ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more. How has greed and discontent harmed you? I have chased after money and things. I have pursued what I have wanted and had to have. I have worked too hard and pursued the wrong goals. Once you have acquired more money and more things how have you felt? Acquiring money and possessions has never left me satisfied. There is always something bigger, better or newer that is far better than what I have already acquired. Somehow, I have also always needed just a little more money. The pursuit of money and things has become like a treadmill that I want to jump off. I can see that.  

What is the real cost of being ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more? The entire course of my life will be directed by what I pursue. I know that I can’t pursue money and things and still live the life you have given me to live. Why is that? I won’t have time to know, love, follow and serve you if I have decided to make my life all about acquiring wealth and possessing things. It’s not just and issue of time either. It’s also a question of the desire of my heart. What do you mean by that? There isn’t room enough in my heart and mind to hold on to and pursue both desires. I will either desire you or all that the world has to offer. My heart can’t hold on to competing desires that will pull me in opposite directions. No, it cannot. It is impossible to try to hold on to both. Yes, it is. So what have you done?  I have made you the pursuit of my life. I want to know and love you more. I want follow and serve you better. I want to bear more fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want to live my life with and for you. How do you feel about your decision? I feel set free. I feel happy and content. I feel full of the life that you have given me to live! That’s very good.

Lord, I have been ensnared by greed and caught in the trap of continually wanting more. Forgive me. I know my life does not consist of wealth and an abundance of possessions. Thank you that I can live my life with and for you!  Amen

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

Life – Luke 12-15 – All Kinds Of Greed – 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

Sows To Please The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Galatians 6:8 - Sows To Please The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Galatians 6:8 – Sows To Please The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

Sowing

Watch out. Watch out for what? Watch out that you are not feeding sinful desires. Why is that? You tell me. What I feed will grow larger and stronger. Yes, it will. If I’m not careful I will almost automatically be feeding sinful and fleshly desires. Why is that? My heart and mind are being continually bombarded by the thoughts, values, opinions and practices of the world. Yes, that’s right. If I don’t guard my heart and mind then the world will begin to control all that I think, say and do.

Let’s talk more about not feeding sinful desires or sowing to your flesh.  All right, go ahead, what would you like to ask me? How are you guarding your heart, mind and spirit from feeding on all that the world has to offer? I’m staying away from evil that’s for sure. I run from evil as fast as I can. I don’t hang around evil for a curious and lingering look. I don’t entertain evil in my heart and mind.  That’s a sure way to slip into sinful thoughts, words, and deeds. Yes, it is. Whenever I have said or done something sinful it has always gotten its start in my mind. There is no doubt about that.

Isn’t it difficult to decide that you are going to stop thinking about something evil? Are you telling me that sin has completely lost any appeal to you? Are you saying there is nothing about evil that is alluring to you? No, I’m not say that at all, that would not be true. I’m not saying that I can just stop thinking about something evil. I’m not in this struggle against evil all on my own. You are with me. Yes, I am. If my battle against evil depended entirely on me I would certainly be defeated. Yes, you would. I can put evil on a starvation diet. I can severely limit all the evil that the world wants to feed me. Yes, you can. But, doing only that wouldn’t win any of my battles with evil. If my battle only involved that effort I would remain hopelessly defeated by my inability to say no to thinking, saying and doing evil things. Yes, you would.

So, I am not just stopping thinking about evil. I am not just stopping the feeding of my sinful desires or sowing to my flesh. There is more for me to do than to just stop thinking about evil.  Yes, there is. There is something else that I must also start. What’s that? I must feed my spirit. I must sow to my spirit. How will you do that? There are probably a thousand different ways to sow to the Spirit. But, they all involve something that pleases you. Can you give me some examples? Yes, I can. Reading and feasting on the word of God will certainly sow to my spirit and feed what you want to do in and through my life. Yes, it will. Entering into praise and worship of God will also feed my spirit. Ministering to the needs of others will also feed my spirit. Obeying you and doing whatever is pleasing to you will be sowing to the Spirit. You are right, all these will sow to the Spirit and feed what I want to do in and through your life. So, my life with you will require me to stop feeding the flesh and start feeding the Spirit. That is what I am now doing. That is what I will continue to do. Then you will have life now and forever with me.

Holy Spirit, I want to do what pleases you. No longer do I want to sow to the flesh and its sinful desires. Use the word of God to show me what pleases you. Use the word of God to give me the power and strength to do what pleases you. Amen

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

Life – Galatians 6-8 – Sows To Please The Spirit – 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