Category Archives: So That

So That You May Be Healed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - James 5:16 - So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – James 5:16 – So That You May Be Healed- Growing As Disciples

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Powerful And Effective

Do you want to be able to pray prayers that are powerful and effective? Do you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer? Do you want to pray prayers that will bring healing to others and yourself? Yes of course, I want to pray powerful and effective prayers. I really do want to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. I want to pray healing for others and for myself. How can I pray these kinds of prayers? That is a very good question.

One thing is necessary if you want to pray prayers that are powerful and effective. One thing is required if you want to pray prayers that I will hear and answer. What one thing is necessary? You must hear from me. I will give you the prayers that I want you to pray. You must pray prayers that are according to my will. You must pray prayers that are according to my purposes and my plans.

How will I ever be able to hear from you? How will I be able to know if you have given me a prayer to pray? What will hinder you from hearing from me? Sin will hinder me from hearing from you. If I am living in sin I will have a very difficult time hearing from you. That’s right. I will also have a very hard time hearing from you if I have not confessed my sins to you. Why is that? When I know that I am either living in sin or not confessing my sins I am likely to be distant from you. Instead of drawing near to you I am more likely to want to hide from you. You’re right again. So, if you want to hear from me what will you do? I will both leave sin behind and confess my sins to you. You will draw near to me to confess your sins to me? Yes, I will. You will draw near to me as you leave sin behind? Yes, I will. Then you will hear from me.  There is more that you want to tell me, isn’t there? Yes, I have one more question for you.

What will help you to hear from me? We just talked about what would hinder me from hearing from you. Yes, we did. This is other half of the answer to your questions. What were my questions? How will you ever be able to hear from me? How will you be able to know if I have given you a prayer to pray? I don’t know the answer to your question. Oh, I’m sure that you do know the answer. I don’t think so. What would you do if you desperately wanted to hear from me? I would seek you with all my heart. I wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t let up. I would be urgent. I would be unrelenting. I would be insistent and persistent. You know what that sounds like to me? I’m not sure. It sounds like the answer to my question. Really? Yes, really. Seek me with all your heart. Don’t give up. Don’t let up. Be urgent and unrelenting. Be insistent and persistent and you will certainly hear from me. You will know that I have given you prayers to pray. You will know that you are praying powerful prayers that I will hear and answer. Then that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not try to cover up or hide from my sins. I will confess all my sins to you and to any one I have sinned against. I don’t want anything to get in the way and hinder my prayers. I want to be able to pray powerful prayers that you will hear and answer.  Amen

Key Question… Why will unconfessed sin hinder your ability to pray prayers that are heard and answered?

Living It Out… Make confessing your sins your regular practice so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will enable you to prayer powerful prayers that He will hear and answer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making it your regular practice to confess your sins.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make it your regular practice to confess your sins so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

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

So That – James 5-16 – You May Be Healed – 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

Mature In Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Colossians 1:28 - Mature In Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Colossians 1:28 – Mature In Christ – Growing As Disciples

It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. Colossians 1:28-29 (NRSV) 

Present Everyone Mature

You have some urgent and important work that you have been given to do for me. The work won’t be easy. It will require your best effort. It will use all your energy. It will be a struggle. Are you trying to discourage me even before I start? No, I want you to know what to expect. I don’t want you to be tempted to give up when you experience struggle and difficulty. You mentioned that the work you have given to me would require my best effort and all my energy. Yes, I did. Do you have a question about that? Yes, I do. Will my best efforts and all my energy be enough to accomplish the work that you have given to me? That’s a very good and wise question. I am pleased that you asked it. No, your best efforts and all your energy will not be nearly enough. You will need to rely on my power to accomplish the work that I have given to you. So, my best effort and all my energy will not really be mine at all. My best effort and all my energy will be the power and strength that you will give to me. You got that right.

You must remain focused on the work that I have given to you. Don’t let yourself be distracted by other tasks that appear to be good works. Don’t leave or set aside the work that I have given you to do something else. You must be clear in your heart and mind about the work that I have called you to do for me. Would you like me to describe again the work that I have given you to do for me? Yes, that would be great. I have called you to go and make disciples. I have asked you to proclaim me to those who do not know me. You are my witness. You will testify on my behalf. Tell others how they can be forgiven and cleansed of all their sins. Tell others how they can receive the gift of salvation from me. Help them to turn away from their sin to follow me. Help them to know what it means to follow me as their Savior and Lord. Warn them of the eternal danger of living their life apart from me. Your goal is to present mature disciples to me. That is the fruit that I want you to bear for my kingdom. That is how I want you to bring glory to my name. That is how I want you to use the power that I will give to you. Will you do this for me? Yes Lord, I will go and make disciples.

Lord, thank you for calling me into your service. Help me to boldly and powerfully proclaim your salvation. Help me to warn others about the eternal danger of living life apart from you. Help me to teach others so they can grow mature in their life with you. Amen

Key Question… How is your ministry to which you have been called helping others to become mature in Christ?

Living It Out… Rely on God’s power to make you able to proclaim Jesus Christ so that others will grow mature in Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be given the power to proclaim Christ so that others will grow mature in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are proclaiming Jesus Christ so others can grow mature in Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the power of God to proclaim Christ so that others will grow mature in Him.

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

So That – Colossians 1-28-29 – Mature In Christ – 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

You May Know Him Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 1:17 - You May Know Him Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 1:17 – You May Know Him Better – Growing As Disciples

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) 

On Fire

I have this hunger and thirst within me. I want to know you above anything else in all of life. I don’t want to know about you. I want to intimately know you. My heart and mind and soul are on fire with this desire. I will seek you with all my heart. I will set apart a time and a place to go to meet with you so that I can come to know you. This sacred time and place will only be the start of developing the habit of seeking you at all times and in all places. I want to live and walk with you in and through every moment of every day. I have complete faith in you. Your word says that when I will seek you with all my heart I will find you. Yes, it does and yes you will find me. Your word says that you will draw near to me as I draw near to you. Yes, it does and yes I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. Your word says that you will give me the desires of my heart. Yes, it does. You have put this desire in my heart to know you. This hunger I have for you did not come from me. You gave me this hunger and thirst for you. Yes, I did. Only you can satisfy my hunger and thirst for you, by allowing me to know you. I want nothing less. I want nothing else. Your word says that if I come to you, my hunger and thirst for you will be fed and satisfied. Yes, it does. I will give you the desire of your heart. It pleases me that you want to know me. I will feed your hunger for me. I will satisfy your thirst for me.

You have put your Spirit in me. You have revealed yourself to me. You have given me the wisdom to want to know you. Yes, I have given you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation. That is why you are filled with the hunger and thirst and desire to know me. I am thankful that you have given me this revelation and filled me with this desire. I can never be grateful enough for what you have done for me. You have something that you want to ask of me? Yes, I do. I want more! I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul. I want to be completely on fire for you. I want to be filled with passion for you. I want to hear your voice. I want to walk closely with you. I want you to fan the flames of my desire for you. I want you to increase my hunger and thirst for you. I want to be totally devoted to you. I want to go wherever you guide me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want to live my life completely with and for you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for you that will last for all eternity. I want you to use my life for your kingdom and your glory. Do you believe that I will do all of this for you? Yes, I believe without a doubt. I believe that you will grant these desires that you have put into my heart. Yes, I will.

Heavenly Father, nothing is more important to me than coming to know you. I will set aside a time and place to go to meet with you so I can come to know you. I ask that by your Holy Spirit you will help me to come to know you intimately. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never come to know God better unless you go to spend time with Him?

Living It Out… Set apart a time and a place where you can go to spend time with God so that you can come to know Him better.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you come to know Him better as you go to spend time with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know God as you go to spend time with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you set a time and a place to go to meet with God so you can come to know Him better.

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

So That – Ephesians 1-17 – You May Know Him Better – 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

Will Be An Encouragement

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 4:29 - Will Be An Encouragement - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 4:29 – Will Be An Encouragement – Growing As Disciples

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

Everything You Say 

I want you to guard every word that comes out of your mouth. Your words will either build others up or tear them down. You words can be like a tool in my hand or they can be like a weapon that can do a world of evil. Before you speak ask, “Will my words be helpful or hurtful?” Ask, “Will my words build others up or tear them down?” Don’t let any unwholesome and foul words come out of your mouth. Your words can be like a gift that will encourage others in their walk of faith in me. Your words can change the course of a person’s life and their ultimate destiny. Do you hear what I am saying to you? Do you understand the power of your words? Yes Lord, I am listening to you. I understand the power of my words.

I want you to look for opportunities to build others up by encouraging them with your words. Go out of your way to bless others with the words that I will give you to speak. Take notice of others. Know what they need to hear. Invest yourself in their lives with your words. Speak your words according to what they need to hear and not according to what you think you need to say. Have you been encouraged by the words of another? Has someone ever said good and helpful words that built you up and encouraged you? Yes, you have encouraged me with your words. You have built me up with your words. Your words have changed the course of my life. Your words have directed my destiny. Can I speak through you? Can I use the words of your mouth? You can do all things. You can use me however you see fit. I want to use your mouth. I want to speak through you. I welcome you to speak through me. I want you to use my words to bless other people. That will be very good.

You will be blessed as I speak through. You will be blessed with the same words with which you bless others. As you encourage others you will be encouraged. As you build others up you will be built up. You may ask why is that. Why is that? You will know that I am using you. You will know that I am speaking through you. You will know that your words are bearing fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Will you allow me to speak through you? Yes Lord, I will allow you to speak through me. That will be very good.

Lord, so often I have spoken words that are not good, helpful or encouraging. I have torn others and even myself down with my thoughts and words. Use the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart to encourage and build others up. Amen

Key Question… How are you looking for opportunities to build others up and encourage others with your words?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to speak good, helpful and encouraging words that build others up.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to build others up with your good, helpful and encouraging words.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how good, helpful and encouraging words have impacted your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your words be good and helpful so that they will encourage others.

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

So That – Ephesians 4-29 – Will Be An Encouragement – 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

No One Can Boast

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 2:8-10 - No One Can Boast - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 2:8-10 – No One Can Boast – Growing As Disciples

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Masterpiece

You are my workmanship. You are my masterpiece. I created you for a purpose. I had a plan in mind when I made you. I prepared good works in advance for you to do for me. I’m so excited to hear this from you. I couldn’t be more delighted. I want to be used by you. It is my joy and pleasure to serve you. I welcome your work in my life. I want you to mold and shape me into a living masterpiece that will bring honor to your name. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. That is exactly what I will do in and through you.

Let’s take a pause here for a moment. There is one thing that I always want you to remember. What’s that? You can’t merit or earn your salvation. You have received your salvation and have faith in me as a free gift. Yes, I have. I know that all I have received from you has come to me as a gift. My service to you is being given because I love you. I’m not trying to earn your love or your favor. Why is that? You already love me. You have already shown me your favor. My service to you is not being given in an attempt to pay you back for all that you have done for me. Why is that? I could never pay you back. To even try to pay you back would be a sin. Your gift of salvation would not be a gift at all if I had to pay you back. That’s right. I am indebted to you however. What do you mean by that? Maybe, I’m not expressing myself correctly. Here is what I mean. Because you love me I love you. Because you gave yourself to me I’m giving myself fully to you. Because you have done so much for me I’m giving you all my thanks and praise.  I’m not trying to pay you back. I’m not trying to earn anything from you. It is just my desire to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, when you say that you have good things planned in advance for me to do my only questions are, “When and where do I start?” Those are good questions.

You start by listening to me. You continue by following me. You do know that apart from me you can do nothing that will bear real fruit and last for all eternity? Yes, I know that. Then listen to me. Then follow me. I will speak so that you can hear from me. I will lead you to where I want you to be. I will give you what I want you to do for me. Yes, Lord, that is exactly what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for making my salvation and faith in you available to me as a free gift. Keep molding and shaping my life. Make me into the masterpiece that you want me to be. Guide me to do the good works that you have planned in advance for me to do. Amen

Key Question… Why is your salvation and faith in God something that cannot be merited or earned?

Living It Out… Receive your salvation and faith in God, through Christ, as a free gift and then allow Him to use you for His glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has designed your life of faith in Him as a living masterpiece that He will use for His glory.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you came to receive your salvation and faith in Christ as a free gift.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as God’s workmanship, do the good works He has planned for you to do for Him.

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

So That – Ephesians 2-8-10 – No One Can Boast – 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

Your Joy May Be Complete

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - John 16:24 - Your Joy May Be Complete - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – John 16:24 – Your Joy May Be Complete – Growing As Disciples

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:24 (NRSV)

Ask Me

Up until now you haven’t asked me for much. Would it surprise you to learn that I want you to come and ask me for what you need? Would it surprise you to learn that I want you to come and ask me for what you also want? Don’t assume that you can only ask for what you really need. Don’t think that I won’t give you what you also want. Haven’t you given your child both what they needed and what they also wanted? Yes, I have given my children things that they both needed and also wanted. Have you delighted in giving your children both what they need and want? Was it more delightful to give your children what they needed over what they wanted? No, I have had joy in giving them both what they needed and wanted. Sometime, I had even more joy in giving them something that they only wanted but didn’t absolutely need. Are you better at giving good gifts than I am? Are you the only one who takes joy in giving a surprise gift of something that you wanted? No, I’m sure that you are a far better gift giver than I am. Yes, you have surprised me by giving good gifts that were far beyond what I could have asked for or even imagined. I am far less than a novice giver compared to you. Yes, that’s right.

How have you felt when you have received a gift from me? What have you thought when I have heard and answered your prayers? It has brought me great joy to know that you love and care for me. It has given me great peace to know that you know both what I need and what I want. Your good gifts have demonstrated to me both that you know me and that you love and care for me. Have a done enough? What do you mean? Have I given you enough? Yes, you have done enough, Yes, you have given me far more than enough. If you never gave me another thing I would still be richly blessed beyond measure. What do you mean by that? You have given me a new life. You have forgiven my sins and cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You have made it so I can live with you now and forever in heaven. Yes, I have. Do you think I’m tired of giving good gifts to you? Is my goodness worn out? No, I don’t think you’re tired or worn out. I’m sure that still want to give good gifts to me. How sure are you? Will you keep coming to me to ask me for what you want and what you need? Yes Lord, I will keep coming to ask you for what I want and what I need. That’s good because I have great joy in giving good gifts to you. I like to see the joy and thankfulness in your heart and mind and life when you receive a good gift from me. Keep on asking me for what you need and what you want. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have been reluctant to bring my needs to you in prayer. I have not wanted to bother you with my requests. What a silly thought that has been. I now know you delight to hear and answer my prayers. Fill me with joy as I meet with you in prayer. Amen

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

So That – John 16-24 – Your Joy May Be Complete – 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

Forgive Your Sins

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Mark 11:25 - Forgive Your Sins - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Mark 11:25 – Forgive Your Sins – Growing As Disciples

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:25 (NLT)

Make A List

Make a list. Make a list of what? What’s our topic? You want me to make a list of people to forgive? You got that right. There is no need to hurry either. I want you to think deeply. I want you to go way back. How far? Go back to your earliest years and keep going right up until today. Put everyone on your list that has harmed or hurt you. Make your list as exhaustive as your memory will allow. You will need to come back to your list several times before it is really complete. Don’t leave anyone who has hurt or harmed you off your list. Do you understand the task? Yes, I do.

Once you have completed your list forgive everyone that has hurt or harmed you. Let go of the pain that they caused you. Release yourself from the anger and resentment that you have held on to all these days and months and years. Offer a prayer of blessing for everyone on your list. You are going to be forgiving each person. You are going to be moving on from the baggage that you have carried as a result of the ways that you have been hurt. You are going to be set free from the weight of your unforgiveness. You are not minimizing your past hurts. You have been hurt. You have been wounded. There is no doubt about that. I am here to heal all your hurts and wounds. Today, you will be moving forward. You will no longer allow your past hurts and wounds to keep on harming you. Today you will be set free as you forgive others just as I have forgiven you. How does this sound to you? It sounds fantastic. I have held on to anger and resentment and unforgiveness for far too long. You got that right.

Going forward I want you to have a heart that is ready, willing and able to forgive others. No longer will you hold on to anger, resentment and unforgiveness. No longer will you keep a list of who has wronged you. No longer will you seek revenge. No longer will try to get even. No longer will you let the bitterness of unforgiveness hinder your prayers. Here is what I want you to do. When you start to pray I want you to take a quick inventory. Ask yourself if there is anyone that you need to forgive. Offer your forgiveness to those who have hurt and harmed you and then move on and draw near to me in prayer. Will you do this? Yes Lord, I will forgive others just as you have forgiven me. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want to be unforgiving. I don’t want my prayers to be hindered. I want to be ready to forgive others as you have forgiven me of all my sins. Help me to be a witness for you by the way that I show your unconditional love and forgiveness to others. Amen

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

So That – Mark 11-25 – Forgive Your Sins – 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

There Is A God In Israel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - There Is A God In Israel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – Growing As Disciples

But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NRSV)

Run Into The Battle

Do you see that giant? How could I miss it? It’s in my way and blocking my path. What will you do? Are you afraid? Would it be a sin to be afraid? That giant is more than I can handle. I will never be able to engage in the battle and win this fight. Did someone say that this is your battle? Did someone say that this would be your fight? Well, here I am. It looks like it might be my battle and my fight. Yes, you’re right here, that’s for sure. Are you all alone? No, I am not all alone. You are with me. Yes, I am with you. It is not a sin to be afraid. It would be a sin to not rely on me. This giant is more than you can handle. You cannot win this fight. That should not discourage you. Why not? What have you done when you have needed my help? I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. You could do that now. Wouldn’t that be good? Yes, it would.

Would you like me to fight with you? Would you like my courage and my strength? Yes, I want you to fight with me. I need you to fight for me. I desperately need your courage and strength. What would you do if I told you to run? I would ask which direction. I’m glad to see that you have not lost your sense of humor. Which direction do you think that I have in mind? You want me to run into the battle to engage in the fight. Why would I ever ask you to do that? It’s not enough for me to say that I believe you will fight with and for me. You want me to run into the battle and engage in the fight to show that I know you are with me. You will give me the victory because it is not my fight. Yes, that’s right.

Why don’t I give you battles that are just your size? Why aren’t your obstacles a little more reasonable and manageable in size? There are some things that you want known. Like what? You want me to learn to rely on you. You want me to know that you will fight with and for me. You want me to know that the battles and the victories are yours. You want my life to be a witness for you. You want my life to bring glory to your name. That is why the battles and the obstacles are your size and not mine. Yes, you are right. Now, which way will you run? I will run into the battle and engage in the fight because you are with me. Yes, you will. Yes, I am with you in every battle and in every fight.

Lord, I will rely on you. Give me courage and strength in the battles that I will face. Help me to see your working and to trust in your plan. Help me to overcome giant obstacles so that my life will be a witness for you and bring glory to your name. Amen

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

So That – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Be Even More Fruitful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - John 15:1-2 - Be Even More Fruitful - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – John 15:1-2 – Be Even More Fruitful – Growing As Disciples

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2 (NIV) 

Pruning

Pruning, now that’s a word that doesn’t sound too inviting. I’m not sure that I like the sound of that at all. Couldn’t you do some rearranging? How about some minor modifications or maybe even some tweaks or adjustments? You still do have a sense of humor. Well, pruning sounds painful. I’m not a big fan of enduring pain. I thought you liked pain. Now, you’re the one with the sense of humor. For the record I don’t like pain. I don’t even like mild discomfort. Please don’t tell me your pruning is going to cause me mild discomfort. I would never do that. Great, I’m glad to hear that. No, pruning might cause you some serious real attention getting pain. Ouch, I did not want to hear that. It’s the truth. Maybe, I can’t handle the truth. Why do I have to go through the pain of pruning? That is a very good question.

You have told me that you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You have said that you want to bring glory to my name. Am I right about this? Yes, I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Yes, I want to bring glory to your name. You have also said that you want to be a bright and shining light for me in this world. Yes, I want to shine brightly for you in this dark world. I have said all these things. You have asked me to help you to bear an abundance of fruit for me. You have asked me to help you to bring glory to my name. You have asked me to help you to shine brightly as my witness in the world. Have I not heard these prayers from you? Yes, you have heard these prayers from me. You have repeatedly prayed these prayers with quite a bit of passion, isn’t that correct? Yes, that is correct. Do you expect that I will hear and answer all of these prayers of yours? Yes, I believe that you will hear and answer these prayers of mine. These prayers are the desire of my heart. I believe it is you that has both given and will grant these desires of my heart. Yes, you are absolutely right. I have given and will grant the answers to these heart felt prayers of yours.

I can see where this is headed. Tell me, what do you see? Do I have too? There is that sense of humor of yours again. Yes, tell me. Pruning is your answer to my prayers. You want me to bear an abundance of fruit, bring glory to your name, and shine like a bright light for you in world. Yes, I do. Your pruning is your way to help me to bear an abundance of fruit, bring glory to your name and shine brightly in the world for you. Yes, it is. Will you allow me to prune your life? Yes, I will.

Heavenly Father, I give you permission to prune my life so that I can bear even more fruit for you. Don’t hesitate to do whatever is necessary to make me more fruitful for you. I love you and want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. Amen

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

So That – John 15-1-2 – Be Even More Fruitful – 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

Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Ephesians 6:18-20 - Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Ephesians 6:18-20 – Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel – Growing As Disciples

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)

Fearlessly 

Now that’s a word that has your attention. What’s that? Oh, you don’t know what I’m talking about? I suppose that I do know what you are talking about. You’re asking me about that word fearlessly. Yes, that’s right. You would like to minister to others without fear, wouldn’t you? You would like to proclaim the Gospel without any anxiety or apprehensions, isn’t that right? Yes, that’s right. If you had absolutely no fear would you rely on me? If you were completely without any anxiety would you ask me for my help? Those are great questions. You don’t even have to think about those questions. You know the answers without any hesitation, isn’t that right? Yes, I’m pretty sure that if I had no fear, anxiety or apprehensions I would most likely rely on myself and not on you. Is there any doubt in your mind? No, there is no doubt in my mind.

You have tried mightily to avoid fear, anxiety and apprehension when you have served me. You have looked for and chosen relatively easy assignments. Yes, I have done that. Have you found easy assignments that cause you no fear, anxiety or apprehension to be immensely fruitful and highly rewarding? No, not really. No, not at all.  Assignments that have no challenge are bland, mundane and boring. I am weary of doing very little and accomplishing even less. Do you think that it has been my will for you to choose bland, mundane and boring assignments? No, I don’t think so. What do you think my assignments for you might look like? I’m pretty sure that your assignments will ask me for more than I can handle. Your assignments will no doubt stretch me beyond my abilities. What you give me to do will cause me to cry out to you in prayer to ask you for your help. Yes, It will. You will give me all that I need to do what you have given me to do. Yes, I will. But, you will only give it to me, as I ask you for it, at the time that I need it. Why is that? You want me to rely on you. You want my faith in you to grow. You want me to come to you in prayer to ask you for all that I need. Yes, I do. Is that it? Can you think of any more reasons why I want you to come to me to ask me for what you need? You want me to live in a relationship with you. You want me to know that you really are working in and though my life. Yes, I do. Would you want it any other way? No, I would not. 

Lord, thank you that you have given me all I need to minister to those in need. Help me to be alert and constantly ready to pray for the needs of others. Open my mouth and give me your words to enable me to fearlessly proclaim the Gospel. Amen

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

So That – Ephesians 6-18-20 – Make Known The Mystery Of The Gospel – 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