Category Archives: Parables

Kernel Of Wheat

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Parable Of The Kernel Of Wheat - John 12:23-26 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Kernel Of Wheat – John 12:23-26 – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:23-26

If It Dies

Are you listening carefully to me? Are you allowing my words to sink deeply into your heart and mind? I think so, how can I know for sure if I’m really listening to you? That is easy to know. How so? If you do what I ask then we will both know that you are really listening to me.

What are you asking me to do right now? I’m asking you to come to follow and serve me. I’m asking you to go to where I lead you to do what I’m asking you to do for me. What will that require? What will following and serving you cost me? That’s a good question. I don’t want you to be at all confused about what I’m asking of you. That’s good. I like clarity. All right then, here is what I want from you. I want everything. Everything? Yes, everything. I want you to lay your life down so that you are completely devoted to following and serving me. I don’t want you to hold anything back at all. I want you to let go and die to your own thoughts and plans. That’s quite an all-encompassing request. Yes, it is. I’m glad that you understand that there is no part of your life that is outside of my request. You want me to give myself completely to you? Yes, I do.

What will happen to me when I give myself completely to you? You will join me in the work that I am doing. Where I am, there you will also be, right along side of me. Instead of the barren life that you were living, you will begin to bear abundant fruit for me. Your life will reap a rich harvest because I will be working in and through you. I’d like that. Yes, I know that you will.

It feels a little scary to give up everything and to die. Yes, it does. I know exactly how it feels. You do? Yes, that’s exactly what I did for you. I died so that you could be born again to a new life in me. Yes, you did. Do you want this new life that I am offering you? Yes, I do very much. So then you must turn away from your old life. You must die to it and give yourself completely to me. Do you trust me? Yes Lord, I do. Do you believe all that I am saying to you right now? Yes Lord, I do. Then will you die to your old life so that you can live a new life in me? Yes Lord, I will. When will you? Right now Lord, I lay myself at your feet. My life is at your disposal. Use me however you see fit. I am ready to follow and serve you without hesitation at a moment’s notice. Very good, follow me now to where I’m guiding you to serve me. Yes Lord, I am.

Lord, you have my full attention. This life and the things of the world have lost their grip on me. My eyes and ears are open to you. I am ready to respond to your call at a moments notice. Show me how you want to use me today.  Amen

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

Parables – John 12-23-26 – Kernel Of Wheat – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

If A Kingdom Is Divided

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Parable Of The Divided Kingdom - Mark 3-20-30 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Divided Kingdom – Mark 3-20-30 – Growing As Disciples

So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. Mark 3:23-26

Love / Hate

Evil is out there. It is on the prowl. Its goal, his goal is to steal, kill and destroy. The Devil and those aligned with him attacked and attempted to kill me. They couldn’t understand or explain me so they said I was out of my mind. They said my power came from the prince of demons. You know they did kill me. Yes, I do. They thought they had won. They thought they took my life. Yes, they did. But, they didn’t take my life. I laid my life down for you and even them. You died for them? Yes, I did. I bled and died as payment for the sins of all mankind. You were entwined and captured by sin just as much as they were. Yes, I was. You had a choice to make. You could turn from your sin and confess them to me or continue on your course away from me. Yes, I made that choice to receive your forgiveness and cleansing. Yes, you did. You are now my follower. Yes, I am.

There are some lessons I want you to learn from how I was attacked. What are those? First, you must know that you will be attacked. The world did not understand me. It won’t understand you. Satan used his tactics of stealing, killing and destroying against me. His same evil will come against you. It will? Yes, it already has in the past and will continue to in the future. How will I be able to stand up against this attack? The Holy Spirit will strengthen you and make you able to stand. As my word abides in you, the Holy Spirit will fight in you, with you and for you. He will lead you through these trials. They will not overcome you. That’s great.

There is something else I want you to think about. What’s that? How did I respond when I was attacked? You continued to love even those who were attacking you. Yes, I did. How long did I continue to love those who sought to kill and destroy me? You loved them right up until you died on the cross that they put you on. Yes, I did. Do you think I stopped loving them once I died? No, I don’t. You know that I continue to love even those completely enslaved in their sins. Yes, I do. It is my desire that they turn away from their sin to love, follow and serve me. Yes, I’m sure that’s true.

Well, here is the hard part. I thought being attacked was the hard part. No, it’s not. The hard part is continuing to love even those who attack and hurt you. Will you do that for me? Will you be my witness in the world? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know you are the Son of God and Savior of the world. Your life, death, and resurrection from the dead demonstrated the truth of your word. Help me to follow you fully, with undivided loyalty, as my Savior and Lord. Amen

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

Parables – Mark 3-20-30 – The Divided Kingdom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Like Treasure Hidden In A Field

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Like Treasure Hidden In A Field - Matthew 13:44-46 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Like Treasure Hidden In A Field – Matthew 13:44-46 – Growing As Disciples

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV)

 Who’s Treasure?

What do you value? What would you be willing to devote your life to? Would any observer be able to answer that question for you based on what they have seen from your life? Those questions increased in difficulty as you asked them. Why do you say that?  In theory it would be easy to say that I value you. You are what I prize above anything else. I would like to think that I am fully devoted to you. I believe that you are like a treasure hidden in a field or a precious pearl that I have sold all to buy. Am I really sold out to you? Is my life fully at your disposal? Am I willing to go and do whatever you ask me to do regardless of the cost? I’ve already said I’m all yours. Those are good questions for me to think about. Yes, they are. Let me ask you one more question. Go ahead, my head is already overwhelmed as I consider these thoughts. One more is not going to harm me. No, it won’t, especially if I ask it of you. Alright then, fire away.

Why do you want to be sold out and fully devoted to me? Don’t answer that yet, I want to help you to think about this. Great, I need all the help I can get. Yes, you do. Do you think that the man who bought the field did so out of a sense of obligation? Was he driven to sell everything because he felt guilty and knew that he should? How about the jeweler, did he feel it was a huge sacrifice on his part to sell everything to buy the finest most valuable pearl he had ever seen? No, in both cases they joyfully sold everything because they knew that they had found the treasure they had always been looking for and one day hoped to find. Do you think that they were mildly happy then? No, they would have been ecstatically happy and hardly able to contain themselves. Yes, that’s true.

How about me? What have you discovered about me? Am I the treasure that you have always been looking for and hoped that you would one day find? Yes, Lord you are. It is my joy to know, love, follow and serve you. It is my desire to live with and for you. I want to follow and obey you not out of a sense of obligation but because I love you. To know that you love me, what a treasure that is. To taste your kindness, goodness, mercy, forgiveness and love is beyond compare. To realize that you came into this world to save me is way beyond wonderful. You were completely sold out to rescue me from a life without God. You paid the ultimate price for me. Was I your treasure? Yes, you were. Well, you are my treasure and it is with great joy that I am fully devoted to loving, following and serving you!

Lord Jesus, you are my treasure and pearl of great price. It is with great joy that I give my life to loving, following and serving you. Thank you for being sold out for me. You paid the price so I could have a new life of following you. Amen

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

Parables – Matthew 13-44-46- Like Treasure Hidden In A Field – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Take The Lowest Place

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Take The Lowest Place- Luke 14:7-14 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Take The Lowest Place- Luke 14:7-14 – Growing As Disciples

But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:10-11 (NIV)

You Go First

This is probably not your favorite verse, is it? No, not really. Why is that? The topic hits pretty close to home. What do you mean by that? I know that I battle pride. Yes, you do. It’s good that you understand that this verse is not really about where you sit at a table. Yes, I know that choosing where to sit is just one indication of the condition of my heart. What are others? I was afraid you might ask that. Actually, I was certain that you were going to ask that. It’s a question that makes you a little uncomfortable, doesn’t it? Yes, it does. Why do you think that is? It’s hard to honestly take a look at my pride. What’s hard about it? I know it’s there within me, just lurking below the surface. It’s pretty disgusting. I’d rather not have it. I’d rather it go away. Do you think that it will go away if you deny that it exists? No, I’m sure that it won’t. Do you think that your pride can be dealt with if we talk about it together? Yes, I suppose that it can. Let’s do that then. Alright, I’m game.

How does pride show itself in your life? I can think of a bunch of ways. Let’s hear a few. Frequently, I have to be right. I must win the argument. I like to debate. So, in a debate or argument, I gather all the arguments I have so that I can win. How do you feel at the end of the debate when you’ve won? It feels very unsatisfying to win debates or arguments. Most often I regret having the debate or argument at all. I know that it is possible to win the argument or debate and loose relationally at the same time. Why is that? Debate losers think debate winners are jerks and a lot of the time they are. Right. You don’t want that. No, I don’t. How else has pride been showing itself in your life? I talk too much. I need to make my opinion known. I frequently interrupt others. I listen very poorly and I certainly don’t pick up on the feelings of others very well. I hate to say this, but I like to be the center of attention. Yes, I’ve noticed that. Is there one more way that pride has been showing itself in your life? Yes, I don’t want or need help. I’m self-sufficient. Do you really believe that? No, not at all. I just live and act as if I don’t need help. Do you think that asking for help shows some kind of weakness? I’m not even sure why I don’t ask for help. I know that I am weak. I know that I need help. Right now for example, I need all your help to set aside my pride to live the life of humility you desire for me. So, you’re confessing sin and asking for my help? Yes, I am. That’s very good. How about starting with what this parable suggests? What’s that? Let others always go first in all things. That includes far more than choosing a seat at the table. I want you to regularly ask me a question. What’s that? Ask me how you can serve others and let them go first. When should I ask that? When do you think? I think I should ask you that question all the time. Why is that? Because, I really do need your help all the time. Yes, you do. So, I’m asking for it. That’s very good.

Lord, thank you that you love, accept and recognize me. Help me to know in my heart that I am special to you. Help me to express your love and acceptance to others, as I humble myself, so they can be recognized and honored as being special to you as well. Amen

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

Parable – Luke 14-7-11 – Take The Lowest Place – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Rich Fool

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Parable Of The Rich Fool - Luke 12:16-21 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Rich Fool – Luke 12:16-21 – Growing As Disciples

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21 (NIV)

A Fool

Don’t be a fool. What do you mean by that? Don’t waste your life on what doesn’t matter and what doesn’t count. Like what? That’s a good question. Thanks. But, it is a good question for you to answer for yourself. Why is that? It wouldn’t do any good for me to tell you what isn’t important; you have to become convinced of it yourself. Are you wanting me to tell you what I think is unimportant? You got it, yes I do.

Alright, let me first say that I don’t have the answer to this question completely figured out. That’s a good place to start. What’s that? Admitting that you lack wisdom and may need some help, that’s a very good place to start. Yes, I think it is. In the past and even now, I’ve had my priorities mixed up. How so? I really like the things of this world. Do you mean material possessions? Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Do you think “like” is a strong enough word? Probably not. Let’s say that I have loved the things of this world. That sounds like a more accurate description. Yes, it does. Anyhow, my love for the things of this world captured my attention and have driven the pursuits of my life. What have you been pursuing? I have been pursuing more. More of what? More of anything and everything that I have wanted at the time. Have you found that your pursuit and possession of the things of this world has left you quite satisfied? No, not at all. Once I’ve acquired what I have pursued so vigorously, I wondered why I had wanted it so much. Then the next best thing would come along and I would start all over again pursuing it. This all sounds quite tiring to me. Yes, it is. What have all these pursuits of your taught you?

I have learned that happiness, meaning, and direction in life cannot be found in things. I have learned that my materialistic and worldly desires will lead me in the wrong direction. What direction is that? It’s a direction that leads me deeper into self-centeredness and away from you. Yes, it does. I have learned that there is no value in storing up worldly possessions. Why is that? Worldly possessions will not satisfy me and even if they did, I can’t take them with me into the next life. You’re right on both counts.

What has been satisfying to you? It has been satisfying to turn my life over to you and pursue what you want me to pursue. Tell me more about that. You have become the pursuit of my life. I want to love and pursue you with all my heart, mind, soul and body. You have satisfied and filled my empty soul. You have given me meaning and purpose in life. The things of this world are loosing their grip on me. You now have your grip on me. I want to know you, love you, and follow you wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. How do you feel about all of this? Once I thought I was rich and I was really poor. Now I feel like I have discovered true riches in living my life with and for you. Yes, you have. I can take these riches into the next life with me. Yes, you can.

Lord, much of my life I have wanted the riches and pleasures of life. I have been enticed and captivated by them. Forgive me. Help me to love, follow, and serve you as I store up treasures in heaven in my relationship with you.  Amen

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

 Parables – Luke 12-13-21 – The Rich Fool – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Pharisee And The Tax Collector

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - The Pharisee And The Tax Collector - Luke 18:13-14 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – The Pharisee And The Tax Collector – Luke 18:13-14 – Growing As Disciples

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14 (NIV)

Humble Yourself

Be careful. About what? I think you already know. But, let’s talk about it. Don’t think too highly of yourself. In what ways? In every way. I created you. You are the work of my hands. All that you have and all that you are comes from me. You have not made yourself. Everything you have is a gift from me. I know that. Yes, I know that you do. But, it is a trap and a trick of the devil to make you think of yourself more highly than you ought to. I want you to guard against this attitude becoming a part of your thinking. I will watch out. A sure sign that you are in trouble is if you have begun to look down on other people. Have you been doing this at all? I suppose maybe I have. If I have it wouldn’t have been a deliberate attitude or choice that I made. I’m not denying that some part of me has been proud and maybe even feeling a little superior. I know that I am not superior to anyone at all. I am a sinner desperately in need of forgiveness, just like everyone else. It’s very good that you realize and acknowledge this. I have something to say about your prideful attitude not being a deliberate choice. What’s that? Pride is very deceptive. It slinks and slithers in slowly like a snake. If you aren’t very careful, you won’t even notice it. That’s why I pointed out a sure sign of pride being a superior attitude toward other people. You can always monitor your pride by asking me, “how is my attitude toward other people?” If you have a problem, I will show it to you. Are there any other signs of pride you want to point out to me? I’m glad that you asked that. Yes, there are two more I want you to think about. I’m listening.

When you trust yourself and not me, that is also a sign that pride has a strong grip on you. If you are wise in your own eyes, what need will you have of me? I don’t ever want to have that attitude. How will I know if I’m in trouble on this point? Monitor how you make your decisions. Are you bringing your questions to me and asking me for help? If you’re not then you have wandered into pride filled independence that will get you into trouble. If this is where you find yourself, stop and return to me and ask for my help and guidance. I will. What else do you want me to consider?

When you have begun to think that you are not a sinner or have no sins you need to confess to me, then pride has overtaken you. You are a sinner and you will have sins you need to confess. There is no reason to deny this to yourself or before me. I want you to have a heart that is always ready, willing, and able to confess your sins to me. You and I don’t want any unconfessed sin to hinder our relationship or your ministry for me. You’re so right about that. I don’t want to hide from you because of pride and sin. What do you suggest that I do? When we meet together daily, ask me if there is any sin that you need to confess. If there is, I will help you to see it so that you can confess it and be forgiven, cleansed and free of it. Will you do this? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, there is no doubt about it. I am a sinner. I haven’t sinned just a little bit. No, I am completely unrighteous. I am confessing and turning from all my sins to follow you. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing me of all my sin.  Amen

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

Parables – Luke 18-13-14 – Pharisee And Tax Collector – 4 Page Study Discipleship Devotional  Guide

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

Growing Seed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Mark 4:26-29 - Growing Seed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Mark 4:26-29 – Growing Seed – Growing As Disciples

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”   Mark 4:26-29 (NIV)

Growing

Let’s talk about growth. That sounds good to me. You want to grow, don’t you? Yes Lord, I certainly don’t want to remain just as I am. Do you know that you can’t cause yourself or anyone else to grow? I think I have been a little confused about that. Let’s clear that up. I’d like that. I alone am the one that causes growth. Your desire to grow is nothing compared to my desire to see you grow. How do you want me to grow? How do you think? I think you want me to grow to know you, love you and serve you more each day. Is that what you want? Yes, it is. That’s good. How else do you want to grow? I want to grow to bear fruit for you. I want you to be able to use me to reap a rich harvest for you. Those are also good desires that we agree on. I have a question. What’s that? If I can’t cause myself to grow, does that mean I can sit back and just let it happen? What do you think? I’m sure that’s not the case. You are right.

Have you noticed that there are two conditions for growth to occur mentioned here in my word? I think I missed them. To tell you the truth, I can’t ever remember even seeing this parable before. Look closely, what do you see? I see that seeds must be scattered for growth to occur. Yes, that’s one. What else? Where must they be scattered? They must be scattered on the ground. You got it. Do you know what the seed and grounds stand for? Yes, the seed is your word and the ground is my heart. So what part of growth is yours? I need to tend to my heart to make sure that it is receptive to your word. That’s right. I also need to let your word be scattered in my heart. When those two conditions are met, what will happen? I will grow in my relationship with you and your ability to use me. Yes, you will.

Now since I know that you are impatient, we need to discuss a few more points. Like what? Let me ask you a couple questions. Go ahead. Will your growth as my follower happen immediately? Do you mean like almost overnight? You have the idea. I’m guessing that the answer is no. Good guess. You may not even notice your own growth, but others will that’s for sure. Your growth will be constant, gradual and unstoppable as you continue to love, follow and serve me. So, don’t get discouraged or loose heart. I’m doing a work in you, day by day, until the day we see each other in heaven. Do you believe me? Will you trust me on this? Yes Lord, I will.

One final but very important point. What’s that? I want you to be out in the world casting the seed of my word into the soil of other people’s hearts. You do? Yes, of course I do. You want to be a part of reaping a rich harvest for me, don’t you? Yes Lord, I do. When can we start? Right now, today. How does that sound to you? I’m so glad to be growing, scattering seed and harvesting all for your glory. Here I am Lord, use me! I will.

Lord, thank you for using people to plant seeds of faith in me. Without them I wouldn’t have heard the good news of the gospel. Thank you for making seeds of faith to grow in me. Use me now to help plant seeds of faith in others. Amen

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

Parables – Mark 4-26-29 – Growing Seed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Unmerciful Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Matthew 18:23-34 - The Unmerciful Servant - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Matthew 18:23-34 – The Unmerciful Servant – Growing As Disciples

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 (NIV)

Weight Lifted

I want you to do something for me.  Anything Lord, you just say the word.  What is it?  I want you to think about all the people that have hurt you in some way throughout your life.  That might take some time.  I’m sure that it will.  It’s going to be a fairly long list.  The longer, the better.  I don’t want you to forget anyone or anything that has been done to you.  This seems like kind of a weird request coming from you.  Yes, I’m sure that it does.  Take however long you need to today to work on your list and come back to me.  Will you do that?  Yes Lord, I will.

I’m back.  That took quite a while.  Yes it did.  Is your list as exhaustive as it can possibly be?  I think so.  Do you have all your enemies written down?  Yes, it was easy to remember them.  How about everyone that has cheated, lied or stolen from you? They’re all on here.  How about people who broke their promises or betrayed you?  Oh, a couple more names just came to mind.  Write them down.  Got it.  Do you have everyone that hurt, rejected, judged or manipulated you?  You weren’t kidding about not leaving any names off the list.  No, I wasn’t.  Ok, I’ve added a few more names.  How about anyone who disappointed you, didn’t follow through or live up to your expectations?  Slow down a little bit.  I’m writing.  Has anyone ever used, rejected or devalued you?  Yes!  Are they on the list?  Not yet.  I’ll wait.  Are you done now?  Yes, I think so.  That’s good.

What would you like to do with the people on that list?  Could you zap them for me?  No, I cannot.  This is a serious moment for you, let’s not joke around.  Alright, I’m just a little nervous about how long this list is.  Why is that?  I’m pretty sure that I shouldn’t have this kind of a list.  Why not?  It’s a really heavy burden to carry.  How so?  It has worn me out carrying anger and unforgiveness around for so long.  Yes, it has.  That’s why I had you make a list.  I wanted you to see that you are being weighed down by unforgiveness.  I’m getting a pretty clear picture right now, that’s for sure.

What do you want to do with all these people on your list?  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  What’s that?  I want to love and forgive them.  There are some pretty nasty people on your list.  Are you sure you want to forgive them?  I was once a pretty nasty person.  Yes, you were.  You forgave me.  Yes, I did.  So, yes I want to forgive everyone on my list.  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  So, I’m forgiving them all right now.  That’s very good.  How do you feel?  Like a weight has been lifted.  As a matter of fact, it has.

Lord, you have forgiven me of an enormous debt of sin, at great cost to you, that I could never hope to repay. I am so thankful for your forgiveness. Help me to have a forgiving heart towards others like you have had toward me. Amen

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

Parables – Matthew 18-32-25 – The Unmerciful Servant – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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