Category Archives: Rhythms

Ask – Receive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask - Receive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask – Receive – Growing As Disciples

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Ask Me 

I haven’t been doing that. You haven’t been doing what? I haven’t been asking you for all that I need from you. I’ve noticed. That comes as no big surprise to me. Why do you think I want you to come and ask me for all that you need? I’m not sure. I could give you everything you need without you asking me for anything. I know more about what you need than you know about what you need. I do want you to come and ask me for all that you need. You don’t have a clue why that might be? Not really. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. You have children. Do you like it when they come and ask you for what they need? Yes, I do. Why is that? I enjoy meeting their needs. It gives me great pleasure to see their joy when I have met a need of theirs. How would you feel if your children never came to ask you for what they needed? I would feel sad about that. I would think that something was wrong with our relationship. I would wonder why they weren’t asking me to help them with what they need. What answers would you come up with? I would wonder if they thought I wasn’t interested in meeting their needs. I would wonder if they thought I wasn’t able to meet their needs. Neither of those thoughts would be true. No, they would not be true. I am both interested in and able to meet the needs of my children. Do you believe that I am interested in and able to meet your needs? Yes, I believe that you are interested in and able to meet my needs. Will you come to me to ask me for all that you need? Yes, I will. That’s good.

I have another question to ask you. Do you give your children everything they ask for when they ask for it? No, I don’t give my children everything they want. Why not? There are lots of reasons. Let me hear them. Sometimes they ask for something that will not be good for them. Sometimes they ask for something before they are ready for it. Sometimes I want to know how seriously they want something. Have you ever wondered why I haven’t immediately answered your prayers? Yes, I have wondered why you haven’t answered my prayers. Your answers are my answers. My answers to your prayers will always be yes, no, or not yet. When you have not received an answer to your prayer what will you do? I will keep on praying. I will keep on asking. I will keep on seeking. I will keep on knocking. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I have seldom asked you for what I have needed. Forgive me. Now, I will keep on asking. Now I will keep on seeking. Now I will keep on knocking. I will be persistent in my prayers by continuing to ask you for all I need. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it the rhythm of your life to ask the Lord for what you need from Him?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to keep on asking the Lord for what you need from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you keep on asking Him for what you need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group something you are asking the Lord for right now.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask the Lord for all that you need from Him.

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

Rhythms – Matthew 7-7-8- Ask – Receive – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Leave – Go

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Genesis 12:1 - Leave - Go - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Genesis 12:1 – Leave – Go – Growing As Disciples

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1 (NIV)

Comfort Zone

You like to stay in your comfort zone. You don’t like to feel the discomfort of a difficult challenge. You would like to stay right where you are, right now. What you have now is familiar. What you have now is easy. You are feeling no pain, but making no gains. What do you mean by that? Have I said anything that has shocked you? Have I said anything that is untrue? No, I’m sure that you have said what is true. But, your last statement is the one that got my attention. You said that I was feeling no pain and making no gains. Yes, that is what I said. I would like you to say more about that. Making no gains is the troubling part of my statement, isn’t it? Yes, it is. You don’t want to live a life that is making no gains, do you? No, I want to live an abundant and fruitful life for you. Yes, I knew that my statement would get your full attention. I would be happy to say more on the subject. I will listen attentively to every one of your words.

You want your life to be blessed to be a blessing to others. You want me to use you in significant ways. You want to be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You want to do all the good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do. You don’t want any of your gifts and talents and resources and abilities to go unused. You want to boldly go where I guide you, to powerful do all that I ask of you. One day you most want to hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Have I said anything that is not true? Do you want all these things? Do you want to serve me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes Lord, I want all these things. There is not one word of yours that I would change. This is exactly the kind of life that I want to live as I follow and serve you. Are you sure? What do you mean by asking me that? If you want to go boldly where I guide you and powerfully do all that I ask of you, then you cannot stay in your comfort zone. You must be willing to leave the comfortable and familiar to go to the challenging and unknown. You must follow me to where I lead you and do all that I ask of you. I’m assuming that all of this will be well outside of my comfort zone. You got that right. Are you ready and willing to leave your comfort zone to boldly go and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I am.

Lord, I like being comfortable and living in the familiar. I know I have resisted your call to leave the familiar to go to the unknown. Forgive me. Now, I rely on you, as I go to where you guide me to do all that you ask of me. Use my life as a blessing to others. Amen 

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

Rhythms – Genesis 12-1 – Leave – Go – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Put On The Full Armor Of God

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Discipleship Study - Rhythms - Ephesians 6:10-13 - Put On The Full Armor Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Rhythms – Ephesians 6:10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

Your Stand

Do you want to be able to stand against the devil and all his evil? Do you want to be able to resist his tactics and schemes? Yes, I want to be able to stand against the devil and all his evil. Yes, I want to be able to resist his tactics and schemes? What must I do to resist him and stand against his evil? That is a very good question with several different answers. First, you must admit that you don’t have the strength and power to stand against the devil and all his evil. To rely on your own power and strength against him would be based on foolish pride and lead to your certain defeat. I have no doubt about that. I will not be relying on my own power and strength to stand against the devil. That’s a good start.

Next you must know that you will face struggles in life that are from the devil and all his evil. You will have battles that are not against flesh and blood but are against the devil and his evil that is in the world. You must be watchful. You must be vigilant. You must be on guard. The devil’s schemes and tactics are very deceptive and alluring. You must not allow yourself to fall into his traps. You must separate yourself from the devil and all his evil. Do not linger around temptation. Do not hang out with evil. Run away from evil of every kind.

Now let’s talk about the armor with which I will clothe you. You must put on all the armor that I have made for you. Every piece is of vital importance. Each piece of my armor will guard and protect you. My armor will protect your heart and your mind. My armor will guard the course of your life. My armor will direct your paths. My armor will guide your prayers. My armor will protect you from every one of the devil’s attacks. My armor will shield you from every evil. My armor will strengthen your faith. My armor will give you hope. My armor will make you able to engage in the battles that you will surely face in life. Each and every day you must wear the armor that I have made for you. Not one day will you be well suited without my armor. Will you wear my armor? Will you rely on my strength? Will you allow me to fight with you in the battles of life? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will be able to take your stand with me.

Lord, I cannot stand against the devil and all his evil under my own power and strength. Only you can make me able to stand against the devil’s tactics and schemes. Help me to put on your full armor so that I will be able to withstand his attacks. Amen

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

Rhythms – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Laid The Foundation On Rock

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 6-46-49 - Laid The Foundation On Rock - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 6-46-49 – Laid The Foundation On Rock – Growing As Disciples

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

Storms

Storms will come in life. You can be certain of that. That should come as no surprise to you. It doesn’t. There is one very important question about the storms of life that I want to ask you. What question is that? Will your life be able to withstand the storms of life that are certain to come your way? How could I possibly know the answer to that question? I have no idea of what type of storms will come my way. How could I possibly know if I will be able to withstand the unknown storms of life? That may sound like a good answer to you, but it is not. Why is that? Everyone has a foundation on which they will build their life. You and every one else in the world must choose what will be the foundation of their life. What are some of the foundations on which people will build their lives? I think I can answer that question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Some people will build the foundation of their life on money. The foundation of their life will rest on all that they have been able to acquire. Others will build the foundation of their life on power. The foundation of their life will rest on who answers to them. Still others will build the foundation of their life on position. The foundation of their life will rest on the status that they have attained in life. Do any of these seem like a strong and sure foundation for your life? Do you want to build the foundation of your life on money, power or position? Is any one or all three of these worthy of being the foundation on which you will build your life? These are not strong and sure foundations. Any one or all three of these could be swept away in an instant by the storms of life. Yes, they could. Yes, they will. None of these are worthy of being the foundation of my life. No, they are not.

Do you know the foundation on which you want to build your life? Yes, I do. Tell me about the foundation on which you want to build your life. I want the foundation of my life to be built on hearing and putting your word into practice. I will come to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will do all that you ask of me. You will be the foundation of my life. Yes, I will. You will help me to stand strong and secure in any storm of life. Yes, I will. You are my strong and secure foundation. Yes, I am. 

Lord, I will dig down deep and allow your word to become the strong and sure foundation of my life. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me in your word. I will gladly do all that you ask of me as I put your word into practice every day in my life. Amen

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

Rhythms – Luke-6-46-49 – Laid The Foundation On Rock – 4 Page-Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Come Follow Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Matthew 4:18-20 - Leave - Follow - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Matthew 4:18-20 – Leave – Follow – Growing As Disciples

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

Drop Everything 

Will you drop everything in an instant for me? That is an easy question that is hard to answer. I know I can’t successfully answer this question without your help. I could say that I would drop everything. I could want to drop everything. But, would I really drop everything? I don’t know for sure. I’m willing. I want to drop everything for you at anytime and in any place. I always want to make myself fully available to you. That’s a start. I can work with that. I will help you to learn to drop everything for me.

Will you stop to listen for my call? Will you set aside all that you are doing to hear everything I have to say to you? Listening is not my strong point. Stopping is even harder. I’m too busy. I’m always on the go. I will need you to do something dramatic to get my attention. I will need you to say something loudly for me to hear. I want to stop for you. I want to hear you. I will listen to you. I will respond to you. Do all that you need to do to get my attention. Raise your voice. Give me a shout. I don’t want to miss one word of all that you have to say to me. That’s not going to work. That’s not my style. That’s not what I do. What do you suggest? What do you want? Don’t be too busy. Don’t always be on the go. You will need to come to me. You will need to rest in my presence. You will need to quiet yourself before me. You will need to listen attentively to me. Being busy is no virtue. There is no prize for always being on the go. If you want to hear from me you will stop. If you want my instructions you will need to wait. Will you come to me? Will you listen for my call? Will you set aside what you are doing to hear from me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will hear from me. 

Will you leave your old life behind to come and follow me? My old life is no prize. My old life is bruised and battered and broken, weary and worn out. My old life is full of sin and death. There is nothing from my old life that I want. There is nothing from my old life that I need. I want you. I love you. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. Yes, I am. I want to live the life that you have for me. I want to go where you lead me. I want to do all that you ask of me. I will leave my old life to follow you. That is very good. I will lead you. Follow me.

Lord, you got my attention. You made it so my ears could hear your call. I dropped everything. You helped me to leave my old life behind. You have made me able to follow you.  Lead me to where you want me to go to do all that you have given me to do. Amen

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

Rhythms – Matthew 4-18-20 – Come Follow Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Merely Listen To The Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - James 1:22-25 - Do Not Merely Listen To The Word - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – James 1:22-25 – Do Not Merely Listen To The Word – Growing As Disciples

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Do What It Says

How goofy would that be, to glance into a mirror and forget what I look like? I will say this; I have made the mistake of taking too quick of a glance into a mirror and failed to notice what I looked like. I failed to see what the mirror wanted to show me. I didn’t have to make that mistake too many times before I learned to take a good and long intent look at myself in the mirror. What about my word, are you taking a good and long intent look at my word or are you making the same kind of quick glance mistakes? That’s a good question. The only consequence of quickly glancing at yourself in the mirror may only be embarrassment. What do you suppose might be the consequences of only taking a quick glance at my word? If I only take quick glances at your word, it will never sink into my heart and mind and life. My heart will not be changed by your word. My mind will not be transformed by your word. I may half hear your word, but, never put it into practice. That’s right. 

Do you want to hear my word? Do you want to put my word into practice? Do you want your heart to be changed by my word? Do you want your mind to be transformed by my word? I want your word to flourish and grow in my life. I want your word to work in me, through me and for me. I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. There is not one sentence from your word that I don’t want to hear and put into practice. I want to know and do your word. So, what will you do? I will look intently into your word. I will make hearing and doing your word the rhythm of my life. A day will not go by that I will not meet with you in your word. I will continually ask you to help me to put your word into practice in my life. That will be very good. Your life will be blessed as you hear and do my word.

Lord, I will not be a hearer only of your word. I will listen carefully to your word so that I can also put it into practice. I will make hearing and doing your word the daily rhythm of my life. Help me to remember your word. Bless my life as I hear and do your word.  Amen

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

Rhythms – James 1-22-25 – Do Not Merely Listen To The Word- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Weak – Strong

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - 2 Corinthians 12:10 - Weak - Strong - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – 2 Corinthians 12:10 – Weak – Strong – Growing As Disciples

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (MSG)

Weak

Why am I so weak? Are you not happy with the way that I have made you? No, I am happy with how you have made me. I just wish I were stronger and more gifted. I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I am thankful for how you have made me. It doesn’t sound like you are grateful and thankful. Forgive me then for not being fully thankful and completely grateful. You know that I have hated being weak. I have actually despised my weakness and myself. I have asked and begged and pleaded for you to completely remove all my weaknesses. Have I answered those prayers of yours? No, you have not answered those prayers of mine. I still have plenty of weaknesses that I am not all that happy about. You sound frustrated. I am frustrated. Now the truth is coming out, let’s talk about your weaknesses and my strength. I’d like that.

If you had no weaknesses what would you be like? I would be very difficult to be around. Why is that? I would be conceited and filled with pride. I would think that I was better than everyone else that had so many weaknesses. If you had no weaknesses would you rely on me for help? No, if I had no weakness I wouldn’t need to rely on your help. What would our relationship be like if you had no weaknesses? Our relationship would be distant if I never needed your help. I think it was your plan for me to need your help. Why is that? You want to have a close and intimate relationship with me. Yes, I do want to have a close and intimate relationship with you. Would you trade a close and intimate relationship with me for a life that had no weakness? No, I would not.

What has happened when you have asked for my help? You have helped me. How have I helped you? Your power and strength has worked in and through my weakness. You have done in and through me what I could have never done by myself. That’s right. Do you like knowing that I am working in and through your life? Yes, I do. If you had no weaknesses would you ever know that I had worked in and through your life? No, I would not. Would you trade me never working in and through your life for no weaknesses? No, I would not. Do you want to keep your weaknesses and continue to live in a close and intimate relationship with me where I will hear and answer your prayers for help? Yes, I do. That will be very good.

Lord, I have hated being weak and wanted to be strong. But, my weakness has caused me to rely on your strength. You have powerfully worked in and through my weakness. I am thankful that you have been glorified, as you have been all my strength. Amen

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

Rhythms – 2 Corinthians-12-10 – Weak – Strong – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Knock – Open

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Revelation 3:19-20 - Knock - Open - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Revelation 3:19-20 – Knock – Open – Growing As Disciples

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-20 (NIV)

Noise

Are you listening to me? Can you hear my voice? Are you distracted by all that is in the world? Are you preoccupied with all the sights and sounds and noise of the world? Are you so very busy pursuing all that the world offers you? Does the world have your ear? Does the world have your mind? Does the world have your heart? I am knocking on the door of your heart. Will you listen? Can you hear me? Will you let me in?

Leave your independence. Let go of your self-reliance. Get rid of your stubbornness. Humble yourself. Receive my correction and discipline. Accept my rebuke. I love you. I have your very best in mind. Repent of your sins. Leave the darkness behind and walk in the light with me. I have a completely new life for you. Will you turn your life away from the world? Will you open your heart to me? Yes, Lord, I hear your voice. I know that you are knocking on the door of my heart. I have been busy. I have been distracted. I have been chasing after all that the world had to offer me. I have been pursuing what will amount to nothing. Forgive my sin. Cleanse my unrighteousness. I want you. I want the life that you have for me to live.

I’m here right now. I have set aside this time and this place to meet with you. I have quieted myself before you. You have my full attention. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. Let nothing distract me. The door of my heart is completely open to you. Speak to me Lord. I am listening. You have my full attention. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to know you. I want to do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live my life according to your purpose and plan. Keep on coming to me. Keep on listening to me. Keep on opening the door of your heart to me. I will speak to you. We will live in close and intimate fellowship with each other. That is the desire of my heart. That is all that I want, far above all else. That is very good.

Lord, I want nothing more passionately than to live in intimate fellowship with you. I welcome your loving rebukes and discipline in my life. I will earnestly repent of my sins. I will listen attentively to your knocking and open the door of my life completely to you. Amen

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

Rhythms – Revelation 3-19-20 – Knock – Open – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Laid The Foundation On Rock

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 6:46-49 - Laid The Foundation On Rock - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 6:46-49 – Laid The Foundation On Rock – Growing As Disciples

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

Storms 

Storms will come in life. You can be certain of that. That should come as no surprise to you. It doesn’t. There is one very important question about the storms of life that I want to ask you. What question is that? Will your life be able to withstand the storms of life that are certain to come your way? How could I possibly know the answer to that question? I have no idea of what type of storms will come my way. How could I possibly know if I will be able to withstand the unknown storms of life? That may sound like a good answer to you, but it is not. Why is that? Everyone has a foundation on which they will build their life. You and every one else in the world must choose what will be the foundation of their life. What are some of the foundations on which people will build their lives? I think I can answer that question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Some people will build the foundation of their life on money. The foundation of their life will rest on all that they have been able to acquire. Others will build the foundation of their life on power. The foundation of their life will rest on who answers to them. Still others will build the foundation of their life on position. The foundation of their life will rest on the status that they have attained in life. Do any of these seem like a strong and sure foundation for your life?  Do you want to build the foundation of your life on money, power or position? Is any one or all three of these worthy of being the foundation on which you will build your life? These are not strong and sure foundations. Any one or all three of these could be swept away in an instant by the storms of life. Yes, they could. Yes, they will. None of these are worthy of being the foundation of my life. No, they are not. 

Do you know the foundation on which you want to build your life? Yes, I do. Tell me about the foundation on which you want to build your life.  I want the foundation of my life to be built on hearing and putting your word into practice. I will come to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will do all that you ask of me. You will be the foundation of my life. Yes, I will. You will help me to stand strong and secure in any storm of life. Yes, I will. You are my strong and secure foundation. Yes, I am.

Lord, I will dig down deep and allow your word to become the strong and sure foundation of my life. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me in your word. I will gladly do all that you ask of me as I put your word into practice every day in my life. Amen

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

Rhythms – Luke 6-46-49 – Laid The Foundation On Rock – 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Work Out Your Salvation

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Philippians 2:12-13 – Work Out Your Salvation- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

Work Out

I know that you are working in me. You are changing my heart. You are transforming my mind. You are molding and shaping my life. You are leading me to where you want me to go. You are giving me what you want me to do. I welcome your work in me. My life is open to whatever you want to do in, for and through me. I don’t want anything to hinder your good work in me. I will follow and obey you. That is very good.

What have I used to do my good work in you? How have you worked out your salvation as I have worked in you? What could hinder the good work that I want to continue to do in you? I will start with your last question. Maybe, answering that question will also answer your first two questions. It will. Disobedience would certainly hinder your good work in me. Yes, it would. I would like you to say more on this subject. You have shown me how you want to work in me. How so? You have asked me to come to meet with you in your word. If I fail to meet with you in your word, I would hinder some of the work you want to do in me. In the same way if I failed to meet with you in prayer and worship your work in me would also be hindered. That’s right. If you wanted me to go somewhere, but I did not follow you, that would hinder your work in me. If you gave me something to do, but I failed to do it, that would also hinder your work in me. Yes, it would.

Your obedience to me is the way that you will work out your salvation as I continue to do my good work in you. What does your obedience to me require of you? My obedience to you will require me to listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I need to create a time and set aside a place when and where I will come to listen to you. I should not think that I will be able to hear from you above the noise and busyness of life. If you needed to withdraw to a quiet and lonely place to hear from your Father, how much more do I need to do the very same thing. That’s right. Once I have heard from you, I need to go where you guide me and do all that you ask of me. Then you will be able to continue to do all your good work in me. That’s right. Will you listen attentively to me? Will you do whatever I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, you rescued me from a life without you. You forgave my sin and cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You became my Savior and Lord. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will follow and serve you as you continue your work in me. Amen 

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

Rhythms – Philippians 2-12-13 – Work In – Work Out – 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