Category Archives: Rhythms

Fear Not – Stand Firm

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Exodus 14:13-14 - Fear Not - Stand Firm - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Exodus 14:13-14 – Fear Not – Stand Firm – Growing As Disciples

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV)  

Fight For You

Where do I go from here? What do you mean by that? I can’t go forward. I can’t go backward. I can’t turn to the right or to the left. I am surrounded. I have no hope. This is going to be a disaster. I will certainly be defeated. I was worried about this happening to me. Now look at my situation. What do you expect me to do? Where do you think I should go? You led me here. I sure hope you have some answers for me. I’m in way over my head. I’m going down fast. I will drown without your help. That’s good. That’s right. That’s true. You have a very accurate understanding of your situation. There is nothing you can do. Great, that’s just great. Even you think I’m in a hopeless situation. I didn’t say that. You are jumping to conclusions. Just because I said there is nothing you can do does not mean you are in a hopeless situation. I don’t understand what you are saying to me. If I can’t do anything, where is my hope? Now, that is a very good question. Your hope is not in yourself, that is for sure. All your gifts, talents and abilities and strength will not get you out of this impossible situation. Then I have no hope at all. Again, I didn’t say that. If you have no hope in yourself, where might you have hope? I can have hope in you. Yes, you can.

You asked me, “Where should you go and what should you do? Yes, I did. You should go nowhere and you should do nothing. What, I don’t get that? What do you mean, “I should go nowhere and do nothing?” That sounds like giving up and quitting. Yes, you are going to give up, quit and do nothing with your own gifts, talents, abilities and strength. You are going to sit there and watch me fight for you. This is one of those times when I want you to sit there and see my hand work out a victory for you. I want you to know without a doubt that I am with you to help you. You are not on your own. Many times, I will fight with and through you. But today, I am going to fight for you. Can you sit there and rely on me? Can you sit there and trust me? Can you sit there, be quiet and watch me win a victory for you? Yes Lord, I can. That will be very good.

Lord, I have faced difficult and impossible situations in life. I have wanted to turn back. I have wanted to retreat. I have wanted to give up. Yet, you have been with me to help me. Thank you, for fighting for me and bringing me through every difficulty in life. Amen

Key Question… How have you come to stand firm and rely on the Lord in difficult and impossible situations?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to fear not and stand firm because the Lord will help you through every difficulty.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will fight with and for you in the difficult and impossible situations in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have relied on the Lord in difficult and impossible situations.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fear not and stand firm as you allow the Lord to fight for you.

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

Rhythms – Exodus 14-13-14 – Fear Not – Stand Firm – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Rest – Restore

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 23:1-3 - Rest - Restore - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 23:1-3 – Rest – Restore – Growing As Disciples

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

Restoration

Will you come to rest in my presence? Will you set aside a time and a place to meet with me? Will you leave the noise and busyness of your life to be quiet before me? Will you feast on my word? Will you listen to all that I have to say to you? Will you let my word refresh, revive and restore your soul? Will you taste of my goodness, kindness, mercy and love? Will you drink deeply of the life that I have called you to live? Will you allow me to feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst? Yes Lord, I will come to you. Yes, I will set aside a time and a place to meet with you. Yes, I will let you refresh, revive and restore my soul. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than to listen to you. I have been running. I have been busy. I am worn out. My soul is in desperate need of restoration. Here I am right now. I’m quiet. Speak to me, Lord, I’m listening.

I did not make you to run on empty. You are not independent and self-sufficient. You cannot give to others what you do not have for yourself. You need me. I am your Good Shepherd. I have all that you need. You will not want, when you come to rely on me. Come to me, not because you should. Come to me, not because you must. Come to me, because you want and need me. Come to me, because I love you. Come to me, because you love me. Yes Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You have let me taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You have allowed me to feast on your word. You have fed my hunger and satisfied my thirst. You have met my needs. You have guided my life. You have directed my course. You are molding and shaping my life. You are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are helping me to know your will. You are helping me to walk in your ways. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I will walk with you on this path of life that you have laid out for me. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been weary. I have been worn out. I have been bruised and battered and broken. My soul is in need of restoration. Help me to come to rest in green pastures. Lead me by still waters. Restore my soul as I eat and drink of the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it the daily rhythm of your life to come to rest in the Lord’s presence?

Living It Out… Make it the daily rhythm of your life to rest in the Lord’s presence so that He can restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will restore your soul as you come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are developing a daily rhythm of resting in the Lord’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to restore your soul as you rest in His presence.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 23-1-3 – Rest – Restore – 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

Humbled – Exalted

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 14:11 - Humbled - Exalted - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 14:11 – Humbled – Exalted – Growing As Disciples

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Me 

There is been no doubt about it. I have been filled with pride. Life has revolved around me. I have thought of my comfort. I have sought my own pleasure. I have catered to my own wants and needs and desires. When have I thought of others? When have I looked at life through the eyes of another? When have I considered what others might want and need? Seldom if at all, I don’t know. Seldom if ever, I’m not sure. You do have a problem with pride. But, you have gone to far. You have said too much. You have given much of your life in service to others. You have frequently gone way out of your way to give your time, talent and resources to those who are in need. Don’t forget what I have done in and through you. Remember how I have used you to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have brought glory to my name. So, don’t go over overboard. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t allow yourself to be depressed. You are under attack. You are in a fight. You are in a battle. You are at war. Nothing will be gained by allowing yourself to fall under condemnation. That is the devil’s trick. That is his trap. That is his plan.

How will I be able to live a humble life that is pleasing to you? Not by a lot self-effort that is for sure. If you want to live a humble life before me what will you do? I will come to you. I will rest in your presence. I will ask for your help. I will allow you to mold and shape my life. You will teach me. You will train me. You will make me into the person that want me to be. Yes, I will. Will you trust me? Do you believe that I can remove your pride? Do you believe that I can fill you with humility? Do you know that I will help you to live a life that is pleasing to me? Yes Lord, you can do all things. I will trust you. I will allow you to do your work in and through my life. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been filled with pride. I have been self-serving. I have been self-seeking. I have been self-sufficient. I have thought only about myself. Forgive me. Heal me of my pride. I want to live a humble life that is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question… Why will living a pride filled, self-serving, self-seeking, self-sufficient life lead to your unhappiness?

Living It Out… Make it the practice and rhythm of your life to choose humility over pride.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to lead a humble life that is pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a humble life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humble yourself as you follow and serve the Lord today.

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

Rhythms – Luke 14-11 – Humbled – Exalted – 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

Forgiven – Forgive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythm - Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgiven - Forgive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythm – Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – Growing As Disciples

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

Forgiveness

You have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have received from me what you did not deserve. You have been given what you could not earn or merit. Your old life is dead and gone. The power of sin over your life has been broken. I am your Savior and Lord. You have a completely new life to live in me. For that, I am so very thankful. I am excited and anxious and thrilled to live the new life that you have called me to live. That’s very good. 

I have a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. What will my new life look like? How will I know if I am living the life that you have called me to live? Those are very good questions. Tell me, the answers to those questions. You think I know the answers to those questions? I am certain you know the answers to those questions. I will know I am living the life you have called me to live when I am allowing you to mold and shape my life. Every day you will be changing me. Your work in my life will never stop until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. That’s right. I am the work of your hands. I will be your masterpiece. Day by day, I will become more like you. You will allow me to think your thoughts. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will teach me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. That’s right.

What else will you do for others just like I have done for you? I will forgive others just like you have forgiven me. When someone sins against me, I will not hold that sin against them. Just as I have received your forgiveness, others will also receive my forgiveness. That is very good. What will be the result of your freely forgiving others? As I forgive others, I will be a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see you living in and through my life. They will want what I have. What’s that? They will want to live in an intimate relationship with you. They will want to love like you loved. They will want to forgive like you forgave. Yes, they will. As you live like I lived and do what I did you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is the prayer and desire of my heart. I will hear and answer that prayer and desire of your heart.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world so that I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. Make me able to love others just like you love me. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

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

Rhythms – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – 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

Delight – Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 37:4 - Delight - Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 37:4 – Delight – Desires – Growing As Disciples

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Desire

Desire, now that’s a word that has caused me a lot of pain and suffering. Why is that? My entire life has been a long pursuit of one desire after another. I have been driven by desires. I have been led along by desires. I have been guided by desires. My heart has been filled with so many different desires. Never have I been content. Never have I been satisfied. The satisfaction of one desire has led me to crave another even better desire and then to lust after one even better that. I’m worn out chasing after my desires. I can see that.

Would you agree that there are good and bad desires? I suppose so. You have a very dim view of desires. Yes, I do. Where have your desires come from? My desires have come from what I wanted or at least what I thought I wanted. You might say that my desires have come from my appetites. Where have your wants or appetites come from? That’s a good question. My wants and appetites have come from the world and all that it has to offer. Name some of your past wants and appetites. I have wanted and had an appetite for pleasure, prestige, position, power and possessions. Once you have tasted something from your wants and appetites have you found that to be unsatisfying? That’s right. Your dissatisfaction has driven you on to pursue one want or appetite after another. That’s true. It’s like you have been chasing a mirage that you will never be able to catch. That’s it exactly. So, you want to give up on your wants and desires. Yes, I do. That sounds good to me.

I have something to say to you. What’s that? It is a good thing to give up on wants and desires and appetites that come from the world. None of them will ever satisfy you. None of them were ever meant to be the pursuit of your life. Now, I know that. Now, you are the pursuit of my life. I want to know and love you. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. It is now my joy and delight to follow and serve you. Do you believe that I will give you new desires in your heart? Yes, I do. Why is that? You have already been filling my heart with new desires as I love, follow and serve you. That’s right. Do you believe that I will both give and grant you new desires in your heart? Yes Lord, I do.

Lord, for too long my heart has been filled with desires that come from the world. I have wanted all that it has to offer. No more. No longer. I want you. I want the life you have for me. I will delight myself in you. Give and grant me desires that come from you. Amen

Key Question… What is the greatest and most important desire that the Lord has placed in your heart?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will both give and grant you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given and granted the desires of your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 37- 4 – Delight – Desires – 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

Think – Do

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think - Do - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think – Do – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

My Peace

I know that you are filled with anxiety. You have anxieties piled on top of anxieties. Would you like to live in my peace? Would you like to live a life that is free from anxiety? Yes, I would like to live in your peace. I would like to live a life that is free from anxiety. How can I be free from anxiety and live in your peace? That is a very good question.

If you would like to be free from anxiety and live in my peace you must do two things. I’m listening. First you must guard the thoughts that you allow your mind to think. I know that sounds impossible. I know that you are about to say that you cannot simply stop thinking thoughts. That thought did cross my mind. Your thought is incorrect. You can control the thoughts that you allow yourself to think. You can take control of your mind. How can I control the thoughts of my mind? To begin to control the thoughts of your mind you must eliminate from your life whatever feeds the unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts that you have been thinking. How will I do that? Take a close inventory of what is feeding the thoughts of your mind. Stop subjecting your mind to whatever is unhealthy and unhelpful. What is unhealthy and unhelpful for me? That should be easy for you to figure out. I get it. Once you have eliminated what feeds unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts you must then replace them with my thoughts. How will I do that? You tell me. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will let your word fill my heart and mind and life. Yes, and then you will begin to think my thoughts. Then you will think thoughts that are pleasing to me. That is your first step toward living in my peace.

What is my next step toward living in your peace? Once you have begun to think my thoughts then you will live in my peace as you put all my words into practice. You will live in my peace as you put into practice all that you have learned or received or heard from me. Will you think my thoughts and put my words in practice as you follow me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know that my mind is a battle ground. I want to think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Use your word to transform my mind. Help me to think your thoughts and do your deeds as I live in peace. Amen

Key Question… How has thinking God’s thoughts and doing His will brought peace into your life?

Living It Out… Guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you thoughts to think and things to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are thinking God’s thoughts and doing His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do the Lord’s will.

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

Rhythms – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think – Do – 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 © A

Withdraw – Pray

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 5:15-16 - Withdraw - Pray - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 5:15-16 – Withdraw – Pray – Growing As Disciples

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)

Noise

My life has gotten far too busy. I have pursued a hectic and wearying schedule. I’m always on the go. I have raced from one thing to another. I have so little time and no margin. I have been crabby. I have been short tempered. I’m stressed out. I’m at my wits end. The busier I am the less I seem to get done. I feel like I am accomplishing a lot of nothing. I feel like I’m going nowhere fast. Will my life amount to anything when it is all said and done? Will I have gone where you have sent me? Will I have done what you have asked me? Will I have borne fruit for your kingdom? Will I have brought glory to your name? Those are very good questions. How will you ever know the answers to them? What do you mean by that? Where will the answers to your questions come from? Will you find the answers to your questions from within yourself? I will certainly not be able to answer my questions by myself. The answers to my questions are certainly not within myself. Only you can help me to know the answers to my questions. That’s right. 

Are you asking me a lot of questions? Are you quietly waiting to hear my answers to your questions? Do you think that I will shout out answers to your un-asked questions as you race through your busy life? Will you be able to hear me above the crowd that has pressed in on your life? You have asked me great questions. No, I have not been coming to you to ask you questions. No, I have not been quietly waiting to hear any answers from you. No, I don’t think you will shout out answers to questions that I haven’t even bothered to ask of you. No, I don’t think I will be able to hear your answers above the crowd that I have allowed to press in on my life. You have answered me well.

Is there something that you want to do differently? Is there a new pattern that you would like to establish in your life? Is there a new rhythm for your life that would help you to hear from me? Yes, I want to meet with you. I want to take time to listen to you. I want to hear from you. That sounds good. Those are great desires. What action will you take? I will set aside a time and place to meet with you. I will withdraw from the crowds. I will step away from busyness. I will eliminate all the noise in my life. I will talk and listen to you. I will wait patiently for your guidance. I will listen to your instruction. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Then I will know for certain that my life will count for something as I follow and serve you. Yes, you will.

Lord, I have allowed myself to be surrounded by busyness in life. I have been swallowed up by continually answering the never-ending needs of those around me. Help me to take time and make a place when and where I can withdraw to meet with you in prayer. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a rhythm in your life to withdraw from the crowds and noise of life so you can pray?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to withdraw from the crowds and the busyness of life so you can pray to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is well worth your time to withdraw from the crowds and busyness of life so that you can pray.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when and where you withdraw so you can pray to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you withdraw from the crowds and busyness of life so that you can pray to the Lord.

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

Rhythms – Luke 5-15-16 – Withdraw – Pray – 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

Storing Up – Bringing Out

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Luke 6:43-45 - Storing Up - Bringing Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Luke 6:43-45 – Storing Up – Bringing Out – Growing As Disciples

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.  Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)

Good Fruit

Do you want to bear fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Nothing is more important to me than bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. How can I be certain to bear good fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name? That’s a very good question. Do you know what certainly won’t bear fruit for my kingdom or bring glory to my name? I think so. Tell me. My own best ideas and my own best efforts will not bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. That’s right. It pleases me that you know this to be true. You remember my word that has said, ‘apart from me you can do nothing.” Yes, I do. Those words are stored up in my heart. That’s a key thought. You’re on to a very important idea. You are very close to the answer to your question. Tell me what you are thinking.

In the past I have had a lot of bad things stored up in my heart. Every once in a while, my mouth would reveal what was stored up in my heart. I would say things that I deeply regretted. I would wonder where in the world did my pathetic words come from. The answer was, they came from my heart. What was in my heart would always eventually spill out of my life for everyone to see. That’s true. What is also true, is that you have been changing my heart. As I have been storing up your word in my heart, you have been changing my heart and transforming my mind. You have been helpful to think your thoughts. You have been helping me to walk in your ways. You have been helping to know and do your will. My heart and mind and life are being filled up to the brim with good things, as I have been meeting with you in your word. Exactly, and what is now spilling out of your life? Good things are spilling out of my life. I am speaking words that reveal the good work that you are doing in my heart and mind and life. Is it now difficult for you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? No, all I need to do is to follow you to where you lead me and do what you ask of me. That has become the desire of my heart because of the work you are doing in and through my life. All praise and glory and honor belong to you. It is you that is bearing fruit in and through my life. Yes, I am.

Lord, I have had bad things stored up in my heart. What was in my heart came out of my mouth. I wasn’t happy. Others weren’t happy. You weren’t happy. But, you are changing me. Keep using your word to change my heart. Make my life fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How will memorizing and meditating on God’s word store up good things in your heart?

Living It Out… Store up God’s word in your heart so that your life will bear good fruit for God’s kingdom and His glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will show forth good fruit as you allow the Lord to store up good things in your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up God’s word in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to store up good things in your heart so you will be able to bear fruit for Him.

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

Rhythms – Luke 6-43-45 – Storing Up – Bringing Out – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - John 15:4-5 - Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – John 15:4-5 – Remain In Me And I Will Remain In You- Growing As Disciples

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)

Nothing

I don’t want to live a fruitless life. I don’t want my life to be filled with lots of activity that will amount to absolutely nothing. I want my life to be filled with meaning and purpose. I want my life to have mattered in light of all eternity. When I come before you, I don’t want to look back on a life that is filled with regret of what I could have accomplished for you. I want to accomplish every purpose and plan that you had in mind when you created me. I don’t want to have missed any opportunity or left anything undone. One day I would like to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Where do you think all these desires of yours have come from? I think these desires in my heart come from you. You are right about that. You and I both want the same thing. I want you to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.

What must you do if you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? I must remain in a vital and intimate and connected relationship with you. That’s right. What would living in a vital, intimate and connected relationship with me look like? That kind of life is observable? Yes, it is. I’m not sure what you mean. What has helped you to remain vitally and intimately connected to me? Meeting you in your word has helped me to remain intimately and vitally connected to you. What else? Talking to you in prayer, meeting with you in worship, and serving you in ministry have all helped me to remain intimately and vitally connected to you. That’s right. Has anything or anyone else encouraged you to live in an intimate relationship with me? Fellow believers have spurred me on and helped me to live in an intimate and connected relationship with you. Receiving encouragement from fellow believers, in a small group, has both challenged and encouraged me to remain vitally connected to you. I have desperately needed encouragement to remain vitally and intimately connected to you. You have encouraged me. You have placed others in my life to encourage me. Yes, I have. Keep on living in an intimate, vital and connected relationship with me. Yes, Lord, I will. Then you will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. 

Lord, I have been distant. I have been independent. I have been isolated. I want no more of that kind of life. Help me to remain in a vital, intimate and connected relationship with you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… How has meeting with the Lord in His word helped you to remain vitally connected to Him?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to remain in vital and intimate and connected relationship with Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will bear an abundance of fruit as you remain in a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are remaining in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you remain in a vital and connected and intimate relationship with the Lord so you can bear fruit for Him.

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

Rhythms – John 15-4-5 – Remain In Me – Remain In You – 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

Flee From All This And Pursue Righteousness

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Discipleship Study - Rhythms - 1 Timothy 6:11-12 - Flee - Pursue - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Rhythms – 1 Timothy 6:11-12 – Flee – Pursue – Growing As Disciples

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)

Take Hold

Do you want to take hold of the life of salvation that you have in me? Do you want to live the life that I have given you to live? Yes, I want nothing more than and nothing less than to live the life that you have given me to live. How can I fully take hold of the life of salvation that I have in you? How can I live my life fully with and for you? Those are very good questions that I know you can answer. Have you started to notice that I won’t answer a question that I know you can already answer? Yes, I have just started to notice that. It took me awhile. You won’t mind if I keep asking you a lot of questions. No, you can ask me any question. Don’t be real surprised when I ask you to answer some of your own questions. I will be listening to every word that you have to say. There is one more time when I might not give you an answer to your questions. When is that? I won’t give you an answer to your questions when my answer is already right in front of your eyes as you look in my word. That’s the case right now, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

What answer to your questions is my word giving to you? If I want to take hold of the life of salvation I have in you I will do two things. If I want to live the life that you have given to me I will do two things. What are the two things you must do? Tell me what two things you will do as you continue to live your life with and for me? First, I will flee the desire for more. I will flee the desire for worldly wealth and earthly possessions. I will not try to find my peace and joy and contentment through all that the world has to offer. I will not allow my life to become a continue quest for more. I will get off that never ending treadmill. I will step away from worldly desires that will lead me away from you and the life that you have for me. That will be very good. There is more. I’m listening. Second, as I am fleeing worldly desires I will pursue you and the life that you have for me. I will pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Will these be easy to pursue? No, I will need all the help that you will give to me. I will need to come to rely on you for strength. Yes, you will. Fleeing worldliness and pursuing the righteous life you have given me to live will be a battle. It will be a fight. But, I know that you will help me to take hold of my salvation and fight the battle of faith as I pursue you. Yes, you will have my help. You will have my strength.I will help you to pursue me and the life I have for you.

Lord, I have found myself being captivated by the things of this world. I have had to fight against the continual desire for more. Help me to be content with what I have. Help me to flee worldly pursuits so that I can pursue you and the life that you have for me. Amen

Key Question… Why will your happiness, contentment and peace never come from the things you own in this world?

Living It Out… Take a hold of the salvation you have in Christ by fleeing the world and pursuing Him and the life He has for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that fleeing a worldly life and pursuing a life with and for Jesus Christ is worthy of all your effort.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking a hold of your life of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you flee the desire for material things of this world so that you pursue Christ and the life He has for you.

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

Rhythms – 1-Timothy 6-11-12 – Flee – Pursue – 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