Category Archives: Love

Lavished On Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love- 1 John 3:1-3 - Lavished On Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love- 1 John 3:1-3 – Lavished On Us – Growing As Disciples

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)

I Am Your Child

I am your child. You are my Father. That is difficult to comprehend. Why is that? It is so amazing that the God who created the universe, loves and cares for me. In the vastness of all creation, I am small and insignificant, or so, it seems to me. I could imagine that you are quite busy and would have no time for me. But, that is not true at all. No, it’s not. You love and care for me. Yes, I do. You are watching over my life. Your hand is on me. Your favor rests of me. You are guiding me to where you want me to go. You are giving me what you want me to do. Yes, I am. You went to great lengths to demonstrate your love for me. You paid a very high price so that I could be forgiven of my sins and cleansed of my unrighteousness. Yes, I did. It was that important to you, that I come to live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, it is. That is amazing. That is astounding. That is head spinning. That is breathtaking. That is heart pounding. I’m glad you think so.

There is something just as amazing. What’s that? You want me to come to know you. Yes, I do. You want me to come into your presence. You want to mold and shape my life as I come to know you. Every day as I draw near to you, I will be changed to be more like you. You will help me to know your thoughts. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I will. Now, in this life I will see and know you only in part. Now, in this life I will become like you only in part. That is true. One day, I will see and know you fully. Then, on that day, I will be changed. I will become like you. Yes, you will. That is my hope. That is my desire. That is what causes my heart to burn with passion for you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

Father, thank you for lavishing your love on me by making me to be your child. You are my Father! Help me to comprehend and accept all it means to be your child. May all the hope I have in you guide how I live for you now. Amen

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

Love – 1 John 3-1-3 – Lavished On Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Spur One Another

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Hebrews 10:24 - Spur One Another - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Hebrews 10:24 – Spur One Another – Growing As Disciples

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) 

Love And Good Deeds 

Think about it. Think about what? Think about how you might spur another person on toward love and good deeds. Are you talking generally or specifically? You tell me. I think you want me to think generally and specifically. That’s right. You could start by thinking about how you have been spurred on toward love and good deeds. I don’t know how that would be helpful. Why is that? The people that have spurred me on toward love and good deeds have almost had to drag me kicking and screaming on the way toward showing love and doing good deeds. Think about that a little more deeply. I’m thinking. Nothing is coming. Then, I will ask you some questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Did the person that dragged you, kicking and screaming, toward showing love and doing good deeds go with you? Yes, they did. They went ahead of me. They dragged me. Did they give you some elaborate theory as to why you should show love and do good deeds or did they simply provide you an example? They might have given me a few words of encouragement, but, they mostly provided me with an example. Did the person that spurred you on toward showing love and doing good deeds take no for an answer? Did they easily give up on you? No, they didn’t. They were quite persistent. They were even willing to drag me along, if necessarily. I’ll bet that was no fun for them. That’s right. But, they got you going, didn’t they? They spurred you on. Yes, they did. What general principles have you learned so far? I can spur someone on to showing love and doing good deeds by going with them and by being their example. Also, I shouldn’t take no for an answer by easily giving up on others.  That’s right. Will you do these things? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Now let’s talk a little more specifically. I’m listening. Did you become active in showing love and doing good deeds through some mass appeal? What do you mean by that? How often have you responded favorably to a general request for your help? Not, very often. But not, never. Would you say that making a mass appeal to a large group is a good way to spur someone on toward showing love and doing good deeds? No, I would not. What is a good way to spur someone on toward showing love and doing good deeds? I need to ask and encourage people that I know to join me in showing love and doing good deeds. They can join me in the work that you have already given me to do for you. Yes, they can. Yes, they will, when you ask them. 

Lord, I want to encourage others in their faith. Help me to carefully consider how I can spur others on in showing love and doing good deeds. Use me as a role model of showing love and doing good deeds. Help me to take action in showing and doing good deeds. Amen

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

Love – Hebrews 10-24 – Spur One Another – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Put On Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Colossians 3:12-14 - Put On Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Colossians 3:12-14 – Put On Love – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Unity

This is exactly what I need. What’s that? I need new clothes. I need to put off the dirty, stinky clothes of my old life. I want to live the new life that you have given me to live. I want to put on the new clothes you have given me to wear. Such as? I want to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. That’s good. I will tell you one thing. What’s that? None of these pieces of new clothes are in my current wardrobe. What do you mean by that? I am not naturally patient. I want not usually gentle. I wouldn’t say that humility is my strong suit. I never been known to be overly kind and compassionate. I say all this to you with great regret. It’s not too late. You can put off your old clothes and put on the new clothes that I have made for you to wear. I would like that. That’s good.

You do know that you will need my help to put on the new clothes that I have given you to wear? Of that, I am certain. Why is that? I need to know how to be patient and gentle when I am in a disagreement. I need to be humble enough to consider others thoughts and opinions as being just as valid as mine. I’m not always right. I don’t know it all. I can learn more from others by intently listening to them rather than strongly debating them. That’s true. How about kindness and compassion, how are you doing on those counts? Not well. In every way, I need your help. I don’t little a little help here and there. I need a major makeover. The old stinky clothes of my old life no longer suit me. I want you to fit me with the clothes of the new life I have in you. Is that your prayer? Yes, that is my prayer. That is my hope. That is my desire. Do your work in me. Make me new. Help me to live the new life that you are calling me to live. Why are you so fervent in your prayer? Why is your desire so strong? I know I will not be able to be a witness in the world if I do not put on the new clothes you have given me to wear.  I know that I will not be able to live in unity with others if I have not put on the new clothes you have given me to wear. That’s true. That’s right. I will hear and answer your prayer. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will take off the dirty and stinky clothes of my old life. I want to live the new and fresh and clean life You have called me to live. I will live as one of your chosen people. Help me to put on your love so I will be able to fully live in complete unity with others.  Amen.

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

Love – Colossians 3-12-14 – Put On Love – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Obey His Commands

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 John 2:3-6 - Obey His Commands - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 2:3-6 – Obey His Commands – Growing As Disciples

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

Walking With Me

How will you come to know me? What will give you the confidence and boldness to say that you do know me? How can you or anyone else make a certain determination that you do in fact know me? To some, those may sound like difficult, maybe even impossible, questions to answer. I would never have known how to answer those questions without you giving me the answers up front. But, you have given me the answers. You have told me how I can come to know you. You have given me a true and certain measurement on which I can gauge whether I am coming to know you or not. I would like to hear your answers to my questions.

If I am obeying your commands, I am coming to know you. I know why that is true. Why is that? For me to obey your commands I would first need to hear your commands. I would need to be listening to you. To be listening to you, I must have a relationship with you. That’s obvious. At one time, I had no interest in a relationship with you. I had no desire to hear from you. I thought I was doing quite well on my own without you. I was living for myself. I was living for comfort and pursuing pleasure. I did what I wanted when I wanted it. I certainly had no desire to follow and obey you. That all changed. How so? I began to know the brokenness and emptiness of my life. I was bruised and battered by my life of sin. I hungered for something more. I wanted something else. You wanted me? Yes, I did. Only you could give me a new life. Only you could forgive my sin and cleanse me of my unrighteousness. Only you could redeem and restore me into a new relationship with you. That’s right. So, I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. I told you that I wanted to live my life with and for you. I said that I would follow and obey you. Yes, you did.

Now, I am walking with you. I am following and obeying you. I am listening attentively to all that you are saying to me. I am putting into practice all that you are teaching me. Am I following and obeying you perfectly? No, I am not. Do I still need your forgiveness and cleansing? Yes, I do. But, is it my desire to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes, it is. Will I keep on following you? Will I keep on obeying you? Yes, I will. Am I trying to walk as Jesus walked? Yes, I am. Am I coming to know you? Yes, I am. Yes, you are coming to know me. Keep on walking with me, as Jesus walked with me, and you will keep on coming to know me.

Lord, you are my Savior and Lord. Thank you for making it possible for me to know and love God. Your word has changed my heart and mind and desire. I now want to obey all God’s commands and walk with Him just as you walked with Him. Amen

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

Love – 1 John 2-3-6 – Obey His Commands – 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

Drives out Fear

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 John 4:17-18 -Drives Out Fear - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 4:17-18 -Drives Out Fear – Growing As Disciples

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:17-18 (NIV)

Drives Out Fear 

How will love drive out fear in you? That is a good question. I don’t understand the relationship between love and fear. I will help you to understand the relationship between love and fear. I’d like that. Let me ask you a few questions. I’m game. What are you afraid of? What have been some of the biggest fears that you have faced in life? I have faced the fear of the unknown. I have worried about what may come next in life. I have had anxiety with the thought that I might miss out on something critically important to my life. I have let my mind dwell on the question, “What happens if I make a wrong turn and fail to go and do your will?” You know that I love you, don’t you? Yes, I know that you love me. Do you believe that my love will guard and guide your life? Do you believe that my love will not let you miss out on going and doing my will? Can you trust in my love more than in the uncertainty of the future? Yes, I can trust in your love. Yes, I believe that your love will protect my future. Yes, I believe that your love will guard and guide my life and make me able to know and do your will. Then my love has driven this fear of the unknown out of you, hasn’t it? Yes, it has. That’s good. 

Name another fear. I have feared failure. Sometimes, my fear of failure has been so strong that I have felt paralyzed by it. What have you done when fear has paralyzed your life? When fear has paralyzed my life, I have done nothing. What will doing nothing accomplish? Doing nothing will accomplish nothing and lead to certain failure. That’s true. Will my love for you allow you to be a failure? Will you ever be a failure in my eyes? Do you know that you are the work of my hands? Do you know that I am lovingly making you into my masterpiece? Do you know that I lovingly began a good work in you that I will certainly bring to completion? Yes, I believe that you are working in and through my life. I believe that your love will not allow me to be a failure. Then my love has cast this fear of failure out of you, hasn’t it? Yes, it has. That’s good. 

Let’s talk about one more fear. I have feared death. Why have you feared death? I’m not sure. You can’t say your future, after death, is unknown. No, I cannot say my future after death is unknown. I know that on the day of my death, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. I will leave this life that is filled with pain and suffering and difficulties for my new and eternal life in heaven with you. That’s true. Do you believe that my love has prepared a place for you in heaven? Do you believe that my love has made heaven a place far beyond what you could hope for or even imagine? Yes, I do. Then my love for you driven out your fear of death, hasn’t it? Yes, it has. Live in my love and you will nothing to fear. Yes, I will. I will let your love drive every fear out of me. That will be very good. 

Lord, my life has been filled with both real and imagined fears of every shape, size and kind. This is no way to live. Thank you for the love that we have for each other. Your love is driving fear out of my life because I know that you have everything under control. Amen

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

Love – 1 John 4-17-18 – Drives Out Fear – 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.

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

Lay Down Our Lives

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - 1 John 3:16-18 - Despises His Neighbor - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 3:16-18 – Despises His Neighbor – Growing As Disciples

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV) 

What Love Is

What is love? What does love look like? How is love demonstrated? When have you seen love fully on display? I can answer those questions. You have made it easy for me to answer those questions. Love looks like you. You are the demonstration of love. I have seen love fully on display through how you lived your life. How so? You came into this world as a man. You emptied yourself of all your rights and privileges. You claimed nothing for yourself. You counted others as better than yourself. You looked not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. You lived your life fully and completely for others. You came into this world as a sacrifice for sin. You laid down your life. You poured yourself out. Why did you do this? You loved your Heavenly Father. You loved those He gave to you to be your followers. You loved all those who would one day come to know and love you through the word of their testimony. I am one of those people. You loved and gave yourself for me. You came into this world to live and die for me. That’s true.

So, you have seen me. You have heard and seen my example. You know what I have done for you. You know that I have lavished you with my love. I have made you to be my very own. You are my child. You are my brother. I am your Savior and Lord. I am your God and King. Yes, you are and for all this I am eternally grateful and thankful. That is very good. What is it that you now want to do? What is the desire of your heart and mind? How do you want to live your life? Will you follow my example? Will you go and do what I did? Yes Lord, I will follow your example. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. I will go and do the Heavenly Father’s will. With your help, I will accomplish His purposes and fulfill His plans. I will do the good works that have been prepared for me to do. I will lay my life down. I will give myself in service to you and to others that you bring into my life. Help me to love others deeply from my heart with all my thoughts and words and deeds. Use my life to bear fruit for your kingdom. Help me to bring glory to your name. Yes, I will you can be sure of that.

Father, help me to lay down my life in service to you and to others. May I not love in words alone but also in actions that express your sacrificial love to others. Use my life and all that I have to meet the needs of those around me. Amen

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

Love – 1 John 3-16-18 – Lay Down Our Lives – 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.

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

Greater Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - John 15:12-14 - Greater Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – John 15:12-14 – Greater Love – Growing As Disciples

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:12-14 (ESV) 

Loved You 

How have I loved you? What have I been willing to do for you? How have I demonstrated my love to you in all my thoughts, words and deeds? You laid down your life for me. You poured yourself out for me. You humbled yourself and came into this world for me. You gave up all your rights and privileges for me. You gave the ultimate sacrifice of your life, for me, by dying for my sins. You made it so I could be forgiven of my sins. You made it so I could be cleansed of all my unrighteousness. You broke the power of sin over my life. You rescued me from darkness. You pulled my life up from out of the muck and mire. You set me on a firm foundation. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You gave me your word. You are now using your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. You are now leading me through life. You have given my life hope and meaning and purpose. You are allowing me to accomplish your purposes. You are making me able to fulfill your plans. You made it so I could love you with all my heart and mind and soul. You are helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. Now, there is no place I would not go for you. Now there is nothing I would not do for you. That is very good.

What do you think I want you to do for me? There are a lot of possible answers to your question. I’m looking for a broad, more general answer to my question. I get it. You want me to lay down my life for others just like you laid down your life for me. You want me to love others just like you loved me. You want me to serve others just like you served me. You want me to be willing to do anything and go anywhere as an act of love for others. You want me to pour myself out in loving service to others. Am I right? Have I answered your question correctly? Yes, you have answered my question correctly. Go now and love others with all that is within you. Love others with all your thoughts, words and deeds. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for loving me and laying your life down for me. Help me to love others with your love so I will also lay down my life in service to others. Let your love flow through me so that I will be a witness for you in the world. Amen

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

Love – John 15-12-14 – Greater Love – 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