Category Archives: The Compassionate Life

Kind To The Poor

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The Compassionate Life - Day 269 - Proverbs 19-17 - Kind To The Poor - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 269 – Proverbs 19-17 – Kind To The Poor – Growing As Disciples

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

Kind And Generous

Would you say that I have been generous to you? Have I richly blessed your life? There is no question that you have been generous to me. You have certainly richly blessed my life. There is no doubt about that. I am grateful and thankful for your generosity and blessings. It pleases me that you are aware and thankful and grateful for my generosity and rich blessings in your life.  I do have a few questions for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. How are you using my generosity and blessings? What do you think I would like to see you doing with my generosity and blessings? What would be a foolish or a wise use of my generosity and blessings? Those are some very good questions. Do you have some very good answers? You tell me. I will, after you answer my questions. I know a few things for certain. What’s that? You did not intend that I would tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. Doing so would be very a foolish and unwise use of all that you have given to me. Why is that? First, I brought nothing of material value into this world and I will take nothing of material value out of this world. I am only a temporary custodial of all that you have given to me. That is correct. Second, you have richly blessed my life so I can be a rich blessing in the lives of others. That is also true. How will you be a rich blessing in the lives of others? I will be kind to the poor and generous to those who are in need. This has always been a part of your plan in accomplishing your purposes through my life. Yes, it has been and will continue to be a part of my plan for your life.

How will your being kind to the poor and generous toward those who are in need accomplish my plans and purposes in the world? You want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. You want others to one day come to live forever in heaven with you. You want others to turn away from their sinful life in the world to live the new life of salvation you have for them. When I am kind to the poor by being generous to those in need, they will see your love, living in and through me. I will be a bright and shining witness for you in the darkness of this world. By being kind and generous, I will help lead others to you. As I am kind and generous, others will want to follow you as their Savor and Lord. My being kind to the poor by being generous with those in need will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. The fruit that I bear for you in this life will be like storing up treasure in heaven. Yes, it will. This will be an exceedingly wise use of all that you have given to me. I will be trading what I cannot keep, material wealth in this life, for what cannot be taken way from me, treasures in heaven stored up there with you. You have answered well. Be kind to the poor by being generous with those in need. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not tight fistedly hold on to what you have given to me. I know that you have richly blessed my life so I can richly bless the lives of others. I will be kind to the poor by generously helping those who are in need. Use my life for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord blessed your life so that you can be a blessing to the poor and needy in this world?

Living It Out… Make it your priority to be kind to the poor by generously helping those who are in need.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will reward you for being kind to the poor by generously helping those who are in need.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being kind to the poor by generously helping those in need.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be kind to the poor by generously helping those who are in need.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 269 – Proverbs 19-17 – Kind To The Poor – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Bear One Another’s Burdens

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The Compassionate Life - Day 268 - Galatians 6-1-3 - Bear One Another’s Burdens - 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

The Compassionate Life – Day 268 – Galatians 6-1-3 – Bear One Another’s Burdens – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV)

Burdens

This world does not function according to its original design. You live in a battered and broken, sin tainted world. As a result, you and everyone around you will be carrying heavy burdens off and on throughout your life. Does this surprise you? Is this news to you? No, this comes as no surprise to me. This is not news to me. You have heard it said that I can bring good out of bad situations? Yes, I know that to be true. Obviously, you and others carrying heavy burdens is a bad situation out of which I can and will bring about good. I understand. That’s good, let me ask you, “What good can I bring out of you and others carrying heavy burdens off and on throughout life? I thought you might ask me that question. Go ahead and answer, I am listening. Whenever I am carrying a heavy burden, I can come to you to ask you for help. I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. You will help me. You will hear and answer my prayers. Yes, I will. Heavy burdens have tended to draw me back to you. They have helped me to continue to rely on you. They have kept me from becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient and self-centered. Heavy burden have helped me to focus my heart and mind and life on you. That is true. There is one thing I would like you to remember, however. What’s that? I don’t want you to be carrying heavy burdens. I want you to lay all your burdens down as you come to me. That I will do. That will be very good.

What other good can I accomplish through burdens that are part of this life? Having had my own burdens to carry has reminded me that others are also carrying heavy burdens. My own experience with carrying a heavy burden has made me tender hearted and compassionate toward others who are carrying burdens. That’s good. I know that you want me to help others by bearing and helping them to carry their burdens. You want me to demonstrate your love to others by helping them when they are in need. Yes, I do. Helping someone to bear and carry their heavy burden will make me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the darkness of this world. That is true. I can help lead someone to you, so that they can also lay their burdens down at your feet. Yes, you can. Will you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I am not bigger or better than others. I make mistakes. I sin. I need correction and restoration. Help me to walk closely and intimately with you. Help me to serve others by demonstrating your love to them, as I help them to carry their burdens in life. Amen

Key Question…  How have you demonstrated the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear and carry their burdens?

Living It Out…  Demonstrate the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear and carry their burdens.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be able to demonstrate the love of Christ to others as you help bear and carry their burdens.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are helping others to bear and carry their burdens.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you demonstrate the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear their burdens.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 268 – Galatians 6-1-3 – Bear One Another’s Burdens – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights re

Use Whatever Gift

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The Compassionate Life - Day 267 - 1 Peter 4-7-11 - Use Whatever Gift - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 267 – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Use Whatever Gift – Growing As Disciples

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

Powerfully Used By Me

Have I richly blessed your life? Have I given you many gifts and talents and abilities and resources? Yes, you have richly blessed my life far beyond what I could have hoped for, dreamed of, or even imagined. For all that you have given to me I am thankful and grateful. You have lovingly and lavishly poured out your kindness and mercy and love upon me. It is good that you are fully aware of how I have richly blessed your life. It is even better, and very good, that you are exceedingly grateful and thankful for how I have lovingly and lavishly poured out my kindness and mercy and love upon you. Now, there is something still yet better. What could that be? Let me ask you a question. I’m listening attentively to you. Have I richly blessed you with gifts and talents and abilities and resources solely for your own benefit? That is a very easy question to which I would say, certainly not. Why is that? It would not be pleasing to you if I were to tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. What do I want you to do with all the gifts and talents and resources and abilities I have given to you? You want me to share them with others. You want me to lovingly, and lavishly, serve others with all that you have given to me. You want others to know that they are experiencing the grace of God by how you are working in and through me. You want others to see your light and life shining and living out through my life. You want me to be your hands and feet. You want me to think and speak and act like you. You want others to be drawn to you through my life. You want me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name as I serve others with all that you have given to me. Yes, I do. What do you want? I want to live to please you. I want to know and do your will. I want to someday hear you say that I did I good job loving and serving you and others. I want to know that I have been powerfully used by you in this life that you have given to me. That is very good and so you shall know that you have been powerfully used by me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know that my time on this earth is short. Someday soon, I will be with you in heaven. I would like to give a good report. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Help me to lovingly and lavishly use all my gifts to serve others. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you never regret using all the gifts God has given you, to serve others?

Living It Out…  Use all the gifts God has given to you, to serve others, so that you can bear fruit and bring glory to His name.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God has given you gifts with which you can lovingly and lavishly serve others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are using your gifts to lavishly serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you use all the gifts the Lord has given you, to serve others.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 267 – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Use Whatever Gift – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Give And It Will Be Given

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The Compassionate Life - Day 266 - Luke 6-37-42 - Give And It Will Be Given - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 266 – Luke 6-37-42 – Give And It Will Be Given – Growing As Disciples

 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;  give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. Luke 6:37-42 (ESV)

Be A Blessing

That is what I want you to be. What do you want me to be? I want you to be a blessing to others. How can I be a blessing to others? That is a very good question. Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. What won’t you do if you want to be a blessing to others? I won’t judge or condemn others. Why is that? I am completely unqualified to judge others. More than likely, if I were to judge or condemn others, I would be passing the same judgment on myself. Why is that? The same behavior that I might judge or condemn could probably just as easily be found in me. You are wise to know that to be true. What else won’t you do if you want to be a blessing to others? I won’t have an unforgiving attitude when someone has hurt or harmed me. Why is that? Having an unforgiving attitude will only hurt and harm me further. Unforgiveness is like a poison that destroys a life. It can do far more damage to me than what I needed to forgive in the first place. I don’t want anything to cause a root of bitterness to grow in my life. Most importantly, you have freely forgiven me, and you expect me to freely forgive others. I have often said that I want to think and speak and act like you. Yes, I have heard you say that many times. You are forgiving, I must also be forgiven. Being forgiving is something that you expect of me. Yes, I do. You must forgive others if you want to receive my forgiveness. Yes, I know that to be true. That’s good.

What will happen to you as you live as I lived. What will you receive as you generously bless others with my kindness and mercy and love? Will anything good come back to you as you bless the lives of others? Yes, I will receive back from others what I give out to them. If I give out kindness and mercy and love, I will receive it back. Will you get the same amount of blessings as you give to others? No, for some reason, I’m not sure why, what blessings I give out to others, will be multiplied and given back to me. That is true. Will you be a blessing for me in the darkness of this world? Will you think and speak, and act like me? Yes, I will. Then your life will also be truly blessed. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not judge or condemn others for their behavior. Nor will I be unforgiving when I have been wronged. Help me to richly bless the lives with your kindness and mercy and love. Remove anything and everything within me that might offend others. Amen

Key Question…  How are you now making sure that you are giving out what you hope to receive back from others?

Living It Out…  Make certain that your behavior is richly blessing the lives of others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will receive back from others what you have generously given to them.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your behavior is richly blessing the lives of others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give to others what you hope to receive back from them.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 266 – Luke 6-37-42 – Give And It Will Be Given – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Help Others

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The Compassionate Life - Day 265 - Romans 15:1-3 - Help Others - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 265 – Romans 15:1-3 – Help Others – Growing As Disciples

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.  For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Romans 15:1-3 (NLT)

Help Others

That is what I want you to do for me. What do you want me to do for you? I want you to help others. That may sound easy. That may seem like a very basic and very uncomplicated request. Does it? I don’t know, I’m not sure. You are right to be cautious. Why is that? I am asking a lot of you. Helping others will not always be easy. Helping others will often be everything but uncomplicated. Helping others will take you out of your comfort zone. Helping others will cause you inconvenience. Helping others will take you way out of your way. Helping others will require you to go the extra mile and then some. You can also be sure that you will receive no encouragement from the world and what it values. Those who are conforming to the world will largely be living to please themselves. You live in a “me first” world. Don’t let yourself be conformed into its pattern of thinking and speaking and acting. I won’t. It will be very good if you don’t.

So, what will you do? I will follow your example. I will live as you lived. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. I will rely on all the strength that you will give me to help those who are weak. I will build others up according to their needs. I will follow you to wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask me. I will have two questions on my mind and in my heart. What two questions will guide your thoughts and words and actions? I will ask you, “How do you want to use me?” I will ask others, “How can I help you?” You will do to have those questions continually on your mind and in your heart. Receiving and acting on the answers to those questions will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Receiving and acting on the answers to those questions will make you able to be a bold and bright witness for me in the world. You will reap a rich harvest. You will store up treasure in heaven with me. You will live a life that is pleasing to me. That is what I want. That is what I will do. I will live to serve you and others. That will be very good.

Lord, on my own, I am weak. But I know that you have given me strength in you. You are with me to help me.  I will follow your example. I will never live to please myself. Instead, I will use the strength you have given me to help others and build them up. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord given you unusual strength to help those who are weak?

Living It Out…  Be willing to be inconvenienced and go far out of your way to help those who are weak.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will give you strength to help those who are weak.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you strength to help the weak.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you help others with all the strength the Lord has given to you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 265 – Romans 15-1-3 – Help Others – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

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The Compassionate Life - Day 264 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - God Loves A Cheerful Giver - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 264 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.              2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

Remember This

I have something that I want you to remember. I have something that I want you to keep in the forefront of your mind. I want you to remember something that will guide the conduct of your life. What do you want me to remember? Remember this, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.”  Many times, I have heard you say that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Many times, I have heard you say that you want to be a bold and bright witness in the world. May times, I have heard you say that you wanted to store up treasure in heaven. Am I correct? Have I heard you say these things repeatedly? Yes, you have heard me correctly. I have said these words repeatedly. Well, those are very good desires that you have in you. How will these things be accomplished through your life? I will be a cheerful giver. I will not be tight fisted with all that you have given to me. You have richly blessed my life so I can be a blessing to others. You have given me talents and resources that you want me to share with others. You have even freed up my schedule and given me time to serve others. So, I will open handedly give my time, talent, and resources to others. That will be very good. What else will you do? I will leave my comfort zone. I will follow you to where you lead me so I can do whatever you ask of me. I will look for ways that I can join you in the work you are doing in the world. I will go out and work in your harvest field so that I can one day reap and share in a rich harvest with you. What will be your attitude? How will you feel about joining me in my harvest field? Will you be reluctant? Will you be hesitant? Will you be under some sort of compulsion? No, not at all. It will be my joy to serve you. I will be happy to follow your example. It is my desire to pattern my life after yours. I want to live like you lived. I want to give like you gave. I want to serve like you served. Why is that? You love me. I love you. There is nothing I would rather do than sow and reap a rich harvest for you, as I bring glory to your name. All that I have, all that I am, all that I hope to be is at your service. That is very good. Use me now. That I will do. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for helping me to be a cheerful giver. Help me to generously give my time, talent, and resources to others. Help me to both sow and reap generously. Help me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord led you to give your time, talent, and resources to others?

Living It Out…  Make it your ongoing practice to sow generously so that you will also be able to reap generously.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will help you to both sow and reap generously.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has used you to sow and reap generously.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you sow generously so you can also reap generously.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 264 – 2 Corinthians 9-6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Be Patient With Everyone

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The Compassionate Life - Day 263 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 - Be Patient With Everyone - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – Growing As Disciples

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NIV)

Patience

What does patience look like? How will you know if you are being patient with everyone? How can you express patience towards others just as I have expressed patience toward you? Let’s stop right there. Why so? You have lavishly and generous expressed your patience to me. My goofy thoughts, dumb mistakes, unbelievable missteps, and outright sins have demanded unending and almost unlimited patience from you. The fact that you still love and care for me and even now are continuing to show me your patience is beyond my comprehension. For your patience, I am thankful. For your patience, I am grateful. For your patience, I give you all my love and thanks and praise and worship. That is very good. So, what is the problem? Why did we need to make such an abrupt stop? You want me to be like you. You want me to be patient with everyone. You want me to express the same patience to others that you have expressed to me. You are correct. I want you to be patient with everyone. That kind of patience doesn’t reside in me. I am not gifted at being patient. Being patient isn’t one of my better or stronger qualities. That does sound like a little bit of an understatement to me. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. One does not have to look hard to notice that you are not very patient. Well then, aren’t you asking a lot of me? Aren’t you asking too much of me? Not at all. How so? I am asking you to become like me. And I will remind you of a key thought, by asking you a question. Go ahead, I am patiently listening. You do have a sense of humor. Here is my question, “Can you become like me without my help?” There is no chance of that. Do you believe that I will help you to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I do believe that you will help me to become like you. Even in patience? Yes, even in patience. Will you rely on me, and place your faith in me, to make you able to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will be patient with others as you have been patient with me. I will show love, respect, and honor to spiritual leaders who work hard for my benefit. I will warn the idle, encourage the timid, and help the weak. Help me to express your kindness to everyone. Amen

Key Question…  How are you being patient with others, just as the Lord is patient with you?

Living It Out…  Make it your plan and goal to be patient with others, just as the Lord has been patient with you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be patient with others just as He has been with you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to be patient with others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be patient with others just as the Lord is patient with you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5-12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Filled With Love And Compassion

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“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!  I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,  and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’  “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.  His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’  Luke 15:17-21 (NLT)

Love And Compassion

How will you be able to show love and compassion to others? That is a very good question, especially to ask me. Why is that? Showing love and compassion to others has not been one of my strongest points. Showing love and compassion to others does not come naturally to me. That, at least, is a good starting point. What is a good starting point? Knowing that you need help to be able to show love and compassion to others is a good starting point. Do you think that you will, by your own efforts, be able to show love and compassion to others? Will your love and compassion for others ever be enough, or even adequate? Do you think it is your love and compassion that I would like you to show to others? Now, I don’t know what to think or say. That’s alright, you can listen. I will do that. Have I shown my love and compassion to you? You have lavishly shown your love and compassion to me. I am living my entire life now and forever under your love and compassion. Your love and compassion have changed the entire course of my life. Your love and compassion turned my life around and rescued me from a life without you. It is your love and compassion that helped me to turn away from my life of sin in the world to live and walk in a new and intimate relationship with you. You are now my Savior and Lord. There was a celebration in heaven when I gave my life to you. That is all true. That is all correct. So, my love and compassion are being lavishly given to you. You could say that your life is overflowing with my love and compassion. That is exactly what I would and can say. That is very good. Now, I have a few questions for you. I’m still listening. Will you allow my love and compassion for you to spill out of your life to others? Will you allow my love and compassion to flow in and through your life to others? Will you love others with my love? Will you show others the same compassion that I have shown to you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I am not worthy to be called your son. I have done nothing to earn or deserve your favor. Attempting to do so would be foolishness. Yet, you have demonstrated your love and compassion to me. You have forgiven me and accepted me as your child. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord demonstrated His love and compassion to you, even though you are unworthy of it?

Living It Out…  Be loving and compassionate towards others just as the Lord has been to you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord is filled with love and compassion for you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has demonstrated His love and compassion to you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be filled with love and compassion for others just as the Lord has been for you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 262 – Luke 15-17-20 – Filled With Love And Compassion – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

He Had Compassion On Them

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The Compassionate Life - Day 261 - Matthew 9:35-38 - He Had Compassion On Them - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 261 – Matthew 9:35-38 – He Had Compassion On Them – Growing As Disciples

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

Use Me

That is my prayer. That is my request. What is your prayer? What is your request? I want you to use me. How do you want me to use you? I want you to use me to bear fruit for your Kingdom. I want you to use me for your glory. That is a very good prayer. That is an excellent request. Do you believe that I will use you to bear fruit for my Kingdom and bring glory to my name? Maybe an even better question would be, “Do you believe that I am now using you for my kingdom and glory?” Do you know that I am bearing fruit for my Kingdom through your life right now? I know why those are two very good questions for me to consider at this moment. Why is that? I sometimes have my doubts. I sometimes become discouraged. I know that I am impatient. I want to see more fruit born through my life for your kingdom. I want to bring more glory to your name. Those are not wrong desires within you. However, there is something that I must remind you. What’s that? Sowing and reaping do not occur in the same season. Sometimes reaping occurs quite a while after sowing. There will be some reaping and harvesting that you will never see. Some of your efforts will bear fruit of which you will only learn about once you are in heaven with me. I see, I understand. You must not become so impatient or discouraged that you give up and quit. That would be a tragic mistake. I will never become discouraged, give up, and quit. That is very good.

I need to point something else out toy you. What’s that? You are working hard in my harvest field. Yes, I am. Why would I also ask you to pray for more workers in my harvest field? Aren’t you busy enough? That thought has crossed my mind. Think hard, why am I also asking you to pray for more workers in my harvest field? There aren’t enough workers. That is true, what else? You want others to join me in the work. Yes, I want others to join you in the work. Will you be encouraged as others join you in the work? Will you be spurred on by others joining you in the work? Will you keep on serving me as others come to work side by side with you in the work? Yes, I will. I see your point. Will you pray for others to join you to work in my harvest field? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Together you will reap a rich harvest for my kingdom. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, use me to serve in your harvest field. Help me to also pray for others to serve in your harvest field. Let there be a rich harvest for your kingdom. May there be a multitude that come to know, love, follow, and serve you. Use us for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord been using you as a worker in His harvest field?

Living It Out…  Pray that the Lord will powerfully use you and a multitude of others to compassionately serve in His harvest field.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use you to serve and pray for others to serve in His harvest field.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are serving and praying for others to serve the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your compassion for others motivate your desire to serve the Lord in His harvest field.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 261 – Matthew 9-35-38 – He Had Compassion On Them – 4 Page Discipleship 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                          

Love Never Gives Up

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The Compassionate Life - Day 260 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7- Love Never Gives Up - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 260 – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7- Love Never Gives Up – Growing As Disciples

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,  Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,  Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (MSG)

Never Give Up

I won’t do that. That will not be true of me. What won’t you do? What will not be true of you? I will never give up on loving others with your love. I won’t quit. I will keep on loving others just as you have loved me. You have set before me powerful examples of how to love others deeply from my heart. What will my love look like as it flows in and through you to others? Your love flowing through me will be persistent and consistent and unwavering. Your love flowing through me will be humble and sacrificial. As I love others with your love, life will not revolve around me. I will not have a prideful, self-serving, attitude that continually seeks what I want and desire. Your love will help me to see and bring out the best in other people. As I love others with your love, I will not keep score, fly off the handle, get angry or even when I have been hurt or harmed by others. I will continually remember that you even loved your enemies. Your love will help me to put up with any and every difficultly that comes my way. I will always trust you. I will continually rely on your help.  I will keep on moving forward with you, never looking back, so that I will never give up on loving others. That will be very good. You will live a life that pleases me. As you never give up on loving others, I will powerfully use you. My hand will be on you. My favor will be with you. I will powerfully use your life. You will shine brightly for me in the darkness of this world. Others will come to know and love and follow and serve me because they will have seen my love flowing through you. You will live a live that bears fruit for my kingdom and brings glory to my name. That is my hope. That is my dream. That is the desire that you have placed within me. And I will fulfill these desires that you have in your heart. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, help me to never give up loving others with your love. Keep me from having a “me first” attitude. Use me to see and bring out the best in others. Help me to never keep score or fly off the handle when others hurt me.  Love others in and through my life. Amen

Key Question…  How are you relying on the Lord to help you to never give up on loving others with His love?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to use you to love others with His love.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to love others with His love.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used to love others with His love.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you never give up loving others.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 260 – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Never Gives Up – 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