Category Archives: Love

Love Your Enemies

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Luke 6:27-31 - Love Your Enemies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Luke 6:27-31 – Love Your Enemies – Growing As Disciples

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

Hearing You

This is a difficult assignment. This is demanding task. What’s that? You are asking me to love my enemies. You are asking me to pray for everyone who mistreats me. You want me to do good to those who hate me. You are telling me to bless those who curse me. You are saying that if someone strikes me on the one cheek then I should turn to them and let them strike me on the other cheek. You want me to give to others without expecting anything in return. You want me to do to others what I wish they would do for me. Do I have all this right? Am I hearing you correctly and properly understanding all that you are asking of me? Yes, you are understanding me correctly. Can you say any more about what you are asking of me?

Have I done what I am asking of you? Am I asking anything of you that I was unwilling to do? Do you think I am asking of you what I haven’t already done? Haven’t I set before you an example to follow? Haven’t you said that you want to become like me. Haven’t you said that you want to love like I loved. Didn’t I hear you say that you wanted to give like I gave and serve like I served? Isn’t it your hope that you will think, say and do what I thought, said and did? Yes, all that you are saying is true. In every way, I want to become like you. Well then, you can and will follow my example. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

You are right about one thing. What’s that? You cannot live the life that I am calling you to live. You cannot love like I loved, give like I gave or serve like I served with your own effort and strength. Your own efforts will result in failure. What then can I do? You can ask that I live my life in and through you. You can rely on me completely. You can allow my Spirit to work in and through your life. You can ask for my power and strength to make you able to live the life that I have called you to live. Will you allow me to make you able to love like I loved, give like I gave and serve like I served? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, the idea that you want to display your loving mercy through me to my enemies is a difficult assignment. In the past, my worst desire has been to take revenge and get even. Not now, not ever again. Use me as your witness in the world. Amen

Key Question… How will your enemies know, from your behavior, that you love them?

Living It Out… Allow God to display His love to others in the world through you as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that one day God will reward you for loving even your enemies and those who have hated and hurt you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been using you to show His love even to your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s love be on display through your life as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

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

Love – Luke 6-27-31 – Love Your Enemies – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Love The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World – 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)

The World 

At one time, I was captivated by the world. I loved the world and everything in it. I wanted everything that the world had to offer. I chased after every comfort. I sought every pleasure. I lived entirely for my own gratification. I was filled with sinful cravings. My eyes allured me into lustful desires. I boasted about all that I had and all that I had done. I was pleased with myself and with all my accomplishments. I’m sure that I was very full of myself. I was hard to like. I was difficult to be around. I know that I was not living in ways that were pleasing to you. You got that right.

What happened to you? What has changed? Why are you no longer pursuing the world and all that it has to offer? The world never satisfied me. My life became a continual desire for more of what I did not have. I was not content. I was restless. I was empty. The next latest and greatest thing never brought me pleasure. That’s not all. What else? Pursuing the world and all that it has to offer leads to a broken and bruised and battered life. A life cannot go unscathed while pursing sinful cravings and lustful desires. A life cannot be healthy and whole when it is filled with prideful boasting about what one has or what one has done. No, it cannot. There is painful price to pay for living that kind of life. Yes, there is. Your word says that, the “wages of sin is death.” Yes, it does. Death was an apt description of my life. Death well describes a life that is lived apart from you. That’s right. 

You did not leave me to live the life I was living. You did not let me continue on the path that led away from you. No, I did not. You pursued me. You reached out to me. You showed me your love. You let me taste of your kindness and mercy. Your love drew me to you. Your love changed the course of my life. Yes, it did. Your life is continuing to change the course of my life everyday as I continue to follow and serve you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. Your love for me and my love for you is now overpowering all my old sinful cravings and lustful desires. Yes, it is. Your love for me has humbled me. Your love has bowed me down. Now, my only boast is that I know and love you. It is now the pursuit of my life to follow and obey you. That is very good.

Lord, your love for me has drawn me away from loving the things of this world. Your love for me has caused me to love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Your love has given me the desire to know your will and walk in your ways. Amen

Key Question… How is your love for God overpowering your old desires for the things of this world?

Living It Out… Let your love for God overpower your old desires for the things of this world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your love for God will overpower your old desires for the things of this world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for God is overpowering your desires for worldly things.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your love for God cause you to leave behind your desire for the things of this world.

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

Love – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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.

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

Be Imitators Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be Imitators Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – Growing As Disciples

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

A Fragrant Offering

Do you want to be like me? Yes, of course I want to be like you. What child does not want to be like his father? You are my Heavenly Father there is no reason that I would not want to be like you. Is that an option? Is there really some way in which I can be like you? Yes, you can be like me in many ways. How, is that possible? Do what a child does. What’s that? Imitate me. That doesn’t sound like something that is easy to do. Did you want something that was easy to do? No, I really would like to imitate you and become like you. How can I get started?

If you want to imitate me then you must come to know me. How do I do that? Meet with me in prayer. Meet with me in my word. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Carry on a conversation with me throughout your day. How do you get to know anyone? I get to know another person by spending time with them. It’s no different with me. How well do you want to know me? I want to know you intimately. Then spend a lot of time with me. You will never know me well if we don’t spend time together. Maybe you should make spending time with me a priority in your life. How would I do that? Set a time and a place where we can meet together everyday. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Have you ever heard that before? Yes, many times. Do you know it to be true? Yes, without a doubt.

How will I know that I am beginning to become like you? You will start doing what I have done. What have you done? I’m going to let you answer that. I’ll try. I’m sure that you will do just fine. You have been a giver. How so? You gave your one and only Son to die on the cross so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of my sins. Yes, I did. That was a real and powerful demonstration of your love. Yes, it was. So, when I start to love others and give of myself to them will I be becoming like you? Yes, you will.

Let’s talk about my Son. What about Him? Imitate Him. Do what He did and you will become like me. What did He do? That’s another question that I will let you answer. He gave himself to you. He gave himself to others. Yes, He did. He went where you sent Him to do what you asked of Him. Yes, He did. His sacrificial giving of himself was like a fragrant offering to you. Yes, it was. Can I be a fragrant offering to you? What do you think? Yes, I can. When I obey you and do what you ask will I become like you? Yes, you will. When I love others with your love will I become like you? Yes, you will. Will you help me to become a fragrant offering to you? Yes, I will, you can count on it. This is all that I have ever wanted.

Heavenly Father, just as a child wants to be like his father so I also want to be like you. Help me to imitate you by living a life filled with your love. Use my life as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to you as I love others with your love. Amen

Key Question… When has God asked you to do something for Him that involved some kind of sacrifice?

Living It Out… Ask God to show you how you can sacrificially love others with His love.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make you like Him as you imitate Him by loving others with His love.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are imitating God by loving others with His love.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as God’s child, imitate your Heavenly Father by sacrificially loving others with His love.

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

Love – Ephesians 5-1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – 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

Increase And Overflow

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 Thessalonians 3-12 - Increase And Overflow - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Thessalonians 3-12 – Increase And Overflow – Growing As Disciples

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)

My Love In You

Alright, I have a question. What’s that? Is it your love or my love that is supposed to increase and overflow my life? What do you think? I’m not sure. I will tell you this, there is not much love in me. What do you mean by that? Love is not my strong suit. Love doesn’t naturally flow out of your life, is that what you are trying to say? Yes, that’s it exactly.

What comes naturally to you? Naturally I’m pretty self-centered. The world revolves around me. I think of what I want and like most of the time. I pursue my own comfort, enjoyment and pleasure. I’m not against others joining me in my comfortable and happy life just as long as they don’t create problems or inconveniences that might make me unhappy or uncomfortable. You don’t want anyone or anything messing up your life, is that right? Yes, you’ve got that right.

Well then, you’re right, you don’t have a deep reservoir of love that might increase and overflow your life. Yes, that’s right. Your love for others looks more like a desert than an overflowing spring. You have the right picture, that’s for sure.

So, your question doesn’t seem like it should be too difficult for you to answer. I guess not. I’m sure that it is your love that you want to increase and overflow in my life. There is no way that my love will ever increase enough to overflow my life and spill out into the lives of other people. No, it will not.

So, what are you going to do now that you know that you are incapable of loving others with your own love? I’m going to ask you to increase and overflow my life with your love. When are you going to do that? Right now. Fill my life to overflowing with your love. Make your love increase and overflow my life so I can love others with your love.

I have heard and I will answer your prayer. You will have many opportunities in the days ahead of you to let my love increase and overflow your life. What will those opportunities look like? Your opportunities to love other people will look like difficult people and trying circumstances. What? Yes, in those moments of opportunity you will have decisions to make. What decisions? You will decide if you will allow my love for others to be your love for others. But, decide now in advance, will you allow my love for others to be your love for others? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will no longer be doing what comes naturally. You will be doing what comes supernaturally, by my Spirit, with my love that is in you.

Lord, it is the desire of my heart to love others with your love. Fill me with your love. Let your love overflow my life and spill out into the lives of others. Use me for your glory. Help me to love others supernaturally, by your Spirit and your love dwelling in me. Amen

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

Love – 1 Thessalonians 3-12 – Increase And Overflow – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Ephesians 4:1-3 - Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Ephesians 4:1-3 – Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling – Growing As Disciples

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

Follow Me

What kind of life is worthy of my calling? I’m not exactly sure what you mean? If you wanted to live your life in a way that would please me how would you live it? I know for sure what would not work and what would not be pleasing to you. What’s that? You wouldn’t be pleased to see me struggling in my own best efforts to try and please you. Why do you say that? First, of all I would fail miserably. Secondly, I would be trying to live a self-righteous life. Finally, I would be discouraged and depressed by my miserable efforts. I don’t think you would want to see any of that. No, I would not.

Let’s go back to the part about calling? What did I call you to be and do? You called me to be your child. You called me turn away from my sin to follow you. If you focused entirely on trying to please me by the way that you were living what might you loose sight of? I don’t even want to use the word might. I would loose sight of the fact that I was your child. I would be so busy trying to live a certain way that I would forget to follow you. Yes, you would.

So, let’s go back to my first question. What kind of life is worthy of my calling? A life that relies on you is a life that is worthy of your calling. That’s right. I didn’t just call you to turn away from sin. I also called you to follow me.  You will never be able to live the life I have for you, that is worthy of me, unless you follow me. I get it.

I know that you want to be gentle and patient and humble. I know that you want to love others just as I love you. I know that you want to be a peacemaker that brings unity into every divisive situation. Yes, I do. Where do you think all those desires came from in the first place? They came from you. Yes, they did. Do you believe that I will grant these desires that I have put into your heart? Yes, I certainly do. You must know that you will be none of these things with your own strength, by your own best efforts. I’m absolutely certain of that. You must also know that I will grant everyone of these desires because I have put them into your heart.  I am also absolutely certain that you will grant me these desires of my heart. As you do what? As I follow you and rely on you to do your work in and through my life. Now, you do get it.

Lord, it is my desire to live my life in every way that is worthy of your call. I will need your help and strength to do so. Develop in me the qualities of humility, gentleness and patience so I can love others and live in unity with them. Amen

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

Love – Ephesians 4-1-3 – Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling  – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Will Not Forget You!

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Isaiah 49:15 - I Will Not Forget You! - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Isaiah 49:15 – I Will Not Forget You! – Growing As Disciples

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15 (NIV)

Remembering 

That’s a really unlikely scenario, a mother forgetting her nursing baby. It’s even more unlikely that I will ever forget you. The problem of remembering and not forgetting is not my problem. What do you mean by that? I will never forget you; there is no question about that. There are really two questions that you should consider. What are they?

The first question is, will you remember me? How could I ever forget you? That’s a good question for you to ask yourself. But, since you asked me I will ask you a few follow up questions. All right, go ahead. Has your life ever gotten so busy that you have forgotten me? What do you mean by “forgotten you”? Think about that question. Isn’t living your life as if I didn’t exist a form of forgetting me? Yes, I suppose that it is. Have you ever done that? Yes, many times. I have failed to seek your council. I have failed to ask for your help? I have charged straight ahead and relied on my own resources. How has that worked out for you? Not very well at all. So, what have you thought when things haven’t gone so well for you? It’s an embarrassing question isn’t it? Yes, it is. Lets hear the answer. I’ve wondered if you have forgotten me. That would sound funny if it weren’t so sad. That’s right. Let’s recap this for a second. You have forgotten me and raced ahead without me. Yes. Then when things haven’t gone according to your plan and in your failed efforts you have wondered if I have forgotten you, is that correct? Yes, it is, I am sorry to say. Well, I have not forgotten you, that’s for sure. Let me ask you the second question that I have in mind. Go ahead.

The second question is, how will you remember me? That’s a very important question. Yes, it is and why do you think so? I have had a tendency to forget you. Yes, you have. Do you have any plan in mind to change that? I’m not sure. Would you like me to ask you a couple more follow up questions? Yes, I would. When have you been most reminded that I am with you to help you? When I have met with you in prayer I have been reminded that you are with me to help me. When else? When I have met you in your word, and worshipped you together with other believers I have always been reminded that you are with me to help me. So lets recap this for a second. When you have taken time to pray, study my word, and worship me together with other believers you have been reminded that I will never forget you. Yes, that’s right. In those moments you have known for certain that I am with you to help you, is that right? Yes, that’s right. Do you want to be more or less certain that I am with you to help you? Do you want to be more or less certain that I will never forget you? I want more of both, please! That’s what I thought. So, I will spend more time with you to remember that you will never forget me and that you are always with me to help me. Good idea.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are with me through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of life. I am not on my own. You have not forgotten me. You hear my voice and know who I am when I cry out to you. You are willing and able to help me. Amen

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

Love – Isaiah 49-15 – I Will Not Forget You! – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7- Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7- Love Is – Growing As Disciples

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT2)

Love Is

I don’t measure up. What do you mean by that? If love is all of these things, then I am not loving. My life does not measure up to this standard of love. How so? If I were to insert my name wherever love appears in these sentences, I would come up short. I cannot say that I am always patient and kind. There have been many times that I have been jealous or boastful or proud or rude. I’m not talking about in the distant past either. I have demanded my own way. When I have not gotten my way, I have been irritable and resentful. When I have been wronged, I have not been above keeping score. It has not been easy for me to forget and let go of hurts and forgive someone who has hurt me. Maybe, I have not rejoiced at injustice. I hope so. I think so. I doubt that I have rejoiced whenever and wherever the truth has won out. Do you see my point? This kind of love is not being fully lived out in my life. I wish it were. I want it to be. Is that your hope? Is that your prayer? Are you asking me to grow my love in you? Are you asking me to completely change your heart and mind and life? Yes, I am. That’s good.

Then let’s start at the beginning. Where is the beginning? I am the beginning. You love me because I first loved you. Yes, I do. I will do my work in you. I will make you able to love others just as I have loved you. I will mold and shape you. I will teach and train you. You will become like me as you live in an intimate relationship with me. I believe that to be true. That’s good. Because you believe, what won’t you do? I will never give up. I will never lose faith. I will continue to be hopeful. I will endure through every circumstance. Your love will continue to work in me. Your love will continue to change me. Your love will make me able to love others just as you love me. Yes, it will. I’m counting on your love. That is very good.

Heavenly Father fill me with your love. Make me patient and kind. Help me to not be envious, boastful, proud or rude. Keep me from being self-seeking or easily angered. Guard me from anger, resentment and evil of every kind. Build all of your qualities of love in me. Amen

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

Love – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Is – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

More Than Conquerors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Romans 8:35-39 - More Than Conquerors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Romans 8:35-39 – More Than Conquerors – Growing As Disciples

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)  

Separate Me

Let me get this straight. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love? The worst trouble, greatest hardship and strongest persecution cannot separate me from your love? The severest famine cannot separate me from your love?  Being naked or in danger or even facing a sharp sword cannot separate me from your love? If was like a sheep being led to slaughter, even that could not separate me from your love? Do have I have all this correct? Is your word completely true? Yes, you have all this correct. My word is completely true.

In every hardship, trial and storm you will be more than a conqueror. In every persecution and danger, you will be more than a conqueror. You could be naked. You could be facing a sharp sword. You could even be like a sheep being led to slaughter. In all those circumstances you will still be more than a conqueror. Do you know why that is? Yes, I think I do. Tell me. You love me. You are with me. You will help me. My eternal future with you is completely secure. Life could throw its very word at me, yet you will be with me to carry me though it. Yes, I have, Yes, I am and Yes, I will. How do you know this to be true? I have already gone through great difficulties. I have already suffered significant hardships. You have never left me. You have never forsaken me. You have always been with me to help me. So, are you totally convinced that death, nothing in life, nor angels or demons, nothing in the present or future, no power, no height or depth, and nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from my love? Yes, I am totally convinced. I am completely certain. You have me in your hands. Your love has surrounded me. Your love is guiding me. Your love is guarding me. Your love will bring home to heaven and my eternal life with you. Yes, It will.

Lord, I have experienced pain and suffering in this life. I have been hurt and rejected. I have wept and cried out to you. Your love has surrounded me. You have always been with me. Nothing can ever separate me from your love and the future I have in you. Amen 

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

Love – Romans 8-35-39 – More Than Conquerors – 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

Quiet You With His Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Zephaniah 3:17 - Quiet You With His Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Zephaniah 3:17 – Quiet You With His Love – Growing As Disciples

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Quiet Me

That is exactly what I need. What’s that? I need to be quieted and calmed inside. What’s going on? Why do you need to be quieted inside? I’m sure you know. There is not a thought I think, word I speak or deed I do that is surprising to you. You know every detail of my past, present and future. Nothing is hidden from you. That’s true. So, why would I ask you a question like, “What’s going on?” since I know every minute detail of what is going on in your life? In fact, I know far more about what is going inside you and around than you will ever know. You are definitely not looking for new information from me. No, I am not. You must want to engage in a conversation with me. That’s true. Why do you suppose I want to engage in a conversation with you? You love me. You want me to come to know you. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to engage in an ongoing conversation with you through the seconds, hours, days, and years of my life. Yes, I do.

What has happened to you as you have engaged in an ongoing conversation with me? I have started to come to know you. I have begun to live in an intimate relationship with you. I have started to comprehend how much you love me. In the beginning I had little idea what it meant when you saved me from a life without you. Now, I know that I am not all alone. I could not comprehend that you were with me to help me. Now, I know that you are on my side. Yes, I am. Now I know that, you take great delight in me. That’s right. Now I know that, you rejoice over me with singing. Yes, I do. I am special to you. Yes, you are.

Let’s return to the start of our conversation. Where did we start? You don’t remember? No, not really. You said that you needed to be quieted and calmed down inside. Yes, I did. What about now? Are you still needing to be quieted and calmed down inside? No, you have calmed me. You have quieted me. As I have rested in your presence you have filled me with your peace. As we have engaged in our conversation your love has calmed all my fears and made me able to live in your peace. That is very good. Yes, it is.

Lord, help me to come to fully comprehend how much you love me. You are with me to help me. You will fight with me. You will fight for me. You will fight through me. You take great delight in me. You quiet me with your love. You rejoice over me with singing

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

Love – Zephaniah 3-17 – Quiet You With His Love – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Love Never Fails

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 - Love Never Fails - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 – Love Never Fails – Growing As Disciples

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NIV)

Childish Ways

That is what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I am tired of thinking and speaking and acting in ways that are immature. This is a very good desire that you have in you. Do you have any idea how this desire has grown in you? I know exactly how this desire has grown in me. That, I would like to hear. This desire has not come from me. If I was left to myself, I’m pretty sure that I would never grow up. I would keep right on thinking and speaking and acting in childish ways. I would not be happy with that. You would not be happy with that. You have so much more for me than that. You want me to grow up. Yes, I do. I want to grow up. I want what you want. Why do you want what I want? Now, we are getting to the heart of the matter. That is a good choice of words. Yes, I thought so. I want what you want because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my desire to think and speak and act in ways that please you because I love you. It is no burdensome desire to do what is pleasing to you. It is my joy to think and speak and act in ways that please you. That’s very good.

You know, I can’t take credit for loving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Why is that? I don’t love you because I am responding favorably to your commandments. If disciplined obedience was the basis of my love for you, I would not love you very well. Why do you love me? I love you because you first loved me. I love you because you have allowed me to come to know you. I love you because you have shown me your kindness and mercy and love. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. You have lavished me with your love. The only appropriate response back to you is to love you. I will tell you something else. What’s that? I am so thankful and grateful that you have made me able to love you. There is no other kind of life I would like to live. That’s very good.

I do have a few requests, I would like to mention to you. I’m listening. I would like it if you would help me to come to know you more and more as I love, follow and serve you. I would like it if you would continue to fan this flame of love that I have for you. I would like it if you would help me to continue to put away childish ways of living so that I can more fully love you and others. That’s it? That’s it, for right now. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. May your love change and mature all my thoughts and words and deeds as I follow and serve you. Amen 

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

Love – 1 Corinthians 13-8-12 – Love Never Fails – 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