Category Archives: The Mind

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Think About Such Things - Philippians 4:8-9 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Think About Such Things – Philippians 4:8-9 – 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)

Fix Your Thoughts

What do you think about? I think about a lot of things. Are there thoughts that you wish you would not think? Yes, there are quite a few thoughts that I wish I would not think. Like what? You know. Yes, I do but I would like you to tell me. Sometimes I have thoughts of fear and doubt. Sometimes I have thoughts of worry and rejection. Do you like thinking these thoughts? No, not at all. Do you know that you have the ability to choose what you will think about? It doesn’t seem like it. These thoughts just seem to pop into my head. I didn’t invite them into my mind. It is like they barge in without invitation. I know that it seems like you have no control over the thoughts of your mind but you really do. How is that?

Each day you make a multitude of decisions of what you want to think about. If your mind is weak you really have no control over what you’ll think about. But, you can train your mind.   Your mind can be strengthened. Just as your body can grow stronger by lifting weights so also your mind can be strengthened by what you think deeply about. But you will have to begin to make choices about what you subject your mind to. How do I do that? Think for a minute about all that you allow yourself to see and hear. Is all of it helpful? No, not at all. How many unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful things are you allowing yourself to hear and see? Quite a bit I guess. Those go directly into your mind and become your thoughts. Your thoughts become who you are and determine how you will live and act. Can you see how important it is to place a guard on what you think about? Yes, I can now.

I want you to do two things. What is that? First, cut it out. Cut out what? Cut out of your life all the sources of unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful material that is feeding your mind. If you have any confusion about what these might be, just ask me. Usually if you have to ask, you will have your answer even before you ask. But I don’t mind you asking me one bit. What else? This is the most important part. Without this second part, you will not be successful. So pay careful attention. Get ready to grab a hold of this thought. I’m ready. I want you to fill your mind with my word. I want you to take it in and meditate on it on a daily basis. Meditating on my word will be like weight lifting for your mind. My word will strengthen and transform your mind. This will be a process that will start now and continue throughout your entire life. So don’t expect immediate results. But don’t give up. Sooner than you can imagine, my word and my thoughts will change not only your thoughts but also the way that you live and act. In no time at all, people will begin to notice that you are a different person. You may be the last one to realize how much I have transformed your mind and changed your heart. But, a day will come when you will realize that many of the battles you once had in your mind are gone. Why is that? My word will have so filled and strengthened your mind that your thoughts are fixed on me and the life I want you to live. How does that sound? It sounds great. Are you ready to begin? Yes Lord, I am.

Lord, change my heart and transform my mind by your word. Help me to think and act according to your will. Train me to put into practice all I have heard, learned and received from you so that I will be able to live in your peace. Amen

Key Question… What feeds ungodly thoughts and how can you eliminate them from your life?

Living It Out…Allow God’s word to fill your heart and mind so that you will be able to put into practice all that He shows you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have God’s peace as you think and act according to His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how thinking and acting according to God’s will has brought you peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think excellent, pure and praiseworthy thoughts so you can do God’s will and live in His peace.

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

The Mind – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Double Minded Man

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - James 1:6-8 - Double Minded Man - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – James 1:6-8 – Double Minded Man – Growing As Disciples

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:6-8 (NIV)

Ask For More

It does no good to pray prayers filled with doubt. Why would you even bother praying to me if you did not believe that I would hear and answer your prayers? That’s a good question. There is the opposite side of that question. What’s that? If you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers why don’t you come and ask me for more? You want me to ask you for more than I am already asking of you? Do you think that you have been asking for a lot from me? That’s what I thought. Isn’t that something? You think you are asking for a lot from me. I think you are asking for very little from me. Who do you suppose is right? There is no chance that I am right. If you say that I am asking for very little from you then that has to be right. Why do you suppose you haven’t been asking me for more? That’s a good question.

I know that my prayer life is weak and not very well developed. I’ll start right there. I want you to enroll me in your school of prayer. I want you to teach me how to pray. I want you to guide my prayers. I want your help to know how to pray. I want to be able to pray powerful and effective prayers that bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to be able to pray faith filled prayers that you hear and powerfully answer. I want you to fully develop a prayer life within me. I want to be able to hear your voice. I want you to be able to hear my voice. I don’t want anything to stand in the way. I don’t want anything to come between us. I don’t want anything to hinder my prayer life with you. I want to continually live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I want to know you. I don’t want to sort of know you. I want to really know you. I want to do your will. I don’t want to sort of do your will. I want to fully do your will. That’s very good.

Lets talk about being double minded. I’m listening. I don’t want any of that. I want to be fully devoted to you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I don’t want to hold anything in reserve. I don’t want to ever retreat. I don’t want to live with any regrets. There is one thing I know for certain. What’s that? I will need your help. You can make me faithful. You can help me to walk intimately with you. You can keep me on track. Yes, I can.

There is another thing I want to ask from you. What’s that? I want my faith to be strong. I don’t want to have a weak and wimpy faith. I want to have a giant amount of faith in you. I want to be able to do whatever you ask of me. There is one more thing. What’s that? I do believe that you will hear and answer these prayers of mine. I have no doubts. I have no questions. I will also start asking for more from you. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that you hear and answer prayer. I believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. Help me to keep on coming to you to pray for all that I need from you. I will be patient and persistent in my prayers. I will believe and not doubt, as I trust you. Amen

Key Question… What can you expect to receive from the Lord when you prayers that are filled with doubt?

Living It Out…  Pray faith filled prayers to the Lord asking all that you need from Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you can ask and receive from God all that you need from Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group answers to prayer that you have received from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you pray faith filled prayers to the Lord to ask for all that you need from Him.

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

The Mind – James 1-6-8 – Double Minded Man – 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

Have This Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mind - Philippians 2:5-7 - Have This Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mind – Philippians 2:5-7 – Have This Mind – Growing As Disciples

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.          Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)

Your Rights

What rights do you have? Do you have a right to be treated with honor and dignity? Do you have a right to be treated with courtesy and respect? Are you someone special that others should notice and hold in high regard? Should everyone take note of what you desire and make every effort to meet your every need and want so you can be made completely comfortable? I’m not sure that I like this line of questioning. Why is that? It would be quite embarrassing to admit that I have ever held any of these kinds of thoughts in my mind. Do you think that these are some of your deep dark secret thoughts that no one would ever be able to guess that you have held in your mind? That sound like a sarcastic question to me. It might have been. So, my own pride has not been very well hidden has it? Only one person has been completely unaware of your pride. I’m guessing that one person is me. You got that right.

I don’t want to be filled with pride. I don’t want the world to revolve around me. I don’t want to live for my own comfort and pleasure. I don’t want my thoughts to center on my needs and desires. What do you want? I want to be like you. How so? You gave up all your rights. You had the right to be worshipped. You had the right to be honored. You had the right to be served. You never asserted your rights. You never demanded respect. You didn’t live to be the center of attention. Instead of demanding to be served you chose to give yourself fully to serving the needs of others. You emptied yourself of all your rights and took on the form of a servant. Yes, I did. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that’s what I want.

What are you willing to do? Where are you willing to go? How can I use you to serve others? I am willing to do whatever you ask of me. I am willing to go wherever you send me. My life is in your hands. I am completely at your disposal. I want to be used by you. I want your love to flow through me in service to others. I want others to be drawn to you because of what they see of you in me. Go ahead, you can use my life however you desire. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that.

Lord, in theory I have been ready to lay down my rights so that I can love and serve others. Accepting a theory is easy. Help me to actually show your love to others by serving them in very specific ways. Make this real in my life. Amen

Key Question…  How is Jesus Christ your model for the attitude you want to have toward serving others in life?

Living It Out…  Ask the Lord to show you very specific ways that you can love and serve others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to lay down your rights so you can be His servant to serve others in this world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to show His love to others by serving them.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have the same attitude of Christ by allowing Him to use you as His servant in the world.

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

The Mind – Philippians 2-5-7 – Have This Mind – 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

Renewing Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Conformed Or Transformed

Let’s talk about your mind. I’m listening. Your mind is a battleground. How so? All that you think, say and do in life will be guided by your mind. There is not one thing that you have thought, said or done that hasn’t started in your mind. Your mind is being bombarded daily by all that is in the world. The world is continually trying to conform your heart, and mind and life according to its patterns and practices. If you do nothing at all you will think and speak and act like all those who are in the world. You will think worldly thoughts. You will speak worldly words. You will live a worldly life. None of this kind of living is pleasing to me. None of this kind of living is according to my will and my ways. This kind of thinking, speaking and living is the way of the world. I don’t want to live my life according to the patterns and practices of this world. I want to know and do your will. I want to live in ways that are pleasing to you. That’s good.

If you want to know and do my will then you must know my thoughts. How can I know your thoughts? You must meet with me in my word. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must let my word dwell in you richly. Instead of letting the world conform you, you must allow my word to transform you. My word will change the way that you think, speak and act. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to live in ways that are pleasing to me. That’s what I want. That is the desire of my heart.

How often do you think it would be good to meet with me in my word? How often do you want to grow in your knowing my will and walking in my ways? How often do you want to be made able to live in ways that are pleasing to me? How often is the world trying to conform you to according to its patterns and practices? There is one word that answers all of these questions. I want to meet with you in your word everyday. I want your word to be working in my heart and on my mind every day. That will be very good.

Lord, for so long my heart and mind were in the grip of this world as I was being conformed to its patterns, values, and practices. Thank you, for changing my heart and transforming mind by your word so I can know you and do your will. Amen

Key Question…  How has God used His word to transform your mind so you could know Him and do His will?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to both know Him and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you can know Him and do His will.

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

The Mind – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

Search Me, O God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Psalm 139:23-24 - Search Me, Oh God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me, Oh God – Growing As Disciples

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Change Me

You know me. There is nothing that I have thought, said or done that is a secret to you. You know me from the inside out. Nothing about me has escaped your notice. You know me better than I know myself. You know what I will say or do even before I have spoken a word or done a thing. That’s right. I have a question for you. Go ahead, I’m listening. If you know me so well what sense does it make for me to ask you to search me? You have already searched me. You already know me. Yes, I do. Your invitation is what is important to me. Your invitation tells me even more about you. Like what?

Your invitation for me to search your heart and mind and life tells me that you want to live in ways that are pleasing to me. You could have tried to hide yourself from me. That would make no sense. Such an effort would be ridiculously impossible. Nothing can be hidden from you. That’s right. From the Garden of Eden and the fall of mankind onward many have tried to hide themselves and their sin from me. Many have fearfully tried to run away from their sin, guilt and shame. That is not pleasing to me. That is not my desire. That is not my plan. My son came into the world so that sin could be forgiven. He wiped away guilt and shame for all those who received His forgiveness and cleansing. You have received my Son as your Lord and Savior. Yes, that’s true. You are living the new life that you have been called to live. Yes, I am. It is your desire to live in ways that please me. Yes, it is. As part of your desire to live in ways that please me, you are asking me to search your heart and mind and life. Yes, I am.

Why are you unafraid for me to search your heart and mind and life? Are you living a perfect life? Will I find nothing in your life that is not pleasing me to me? No, I’m sure that you will find things that I have thought, said or done that are not pleasing to you. I’m inviting you to not only search me. I am inviting you to change me. I want you to mold and shape me into the person you have called me to be. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I’m trusting that you will change me. I believe that you will work in and through me. My life is in your hands. Yes, it is. I will search you. I will change you.

Lord, search my heart and mind and life. Show me if there are any thoughts or ways in me that are offensive to you. I want to live my life in every way that is pleasing to you. Lead me in your way everlasting. Help me to calmly live my life according to your will. Amen

Key Question…  What benefit would there be for God to find and point out an offensive way in your heart and mind?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to search your heart and mind to show you if there is any offensive way that He would like to remove.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will search your heart and mind and life so that He can lead you in His everlasting way.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has removed an offensive way from your heart and mind.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you stop and turn to the Lord to give thanks to Him for all the ways He has blessed your life.

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

The Mind – Psalm 139 -23-24 – Search Me, O God – 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

Take Every Thought Captive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Take Every Thought Captive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – Take Every Thought Captive – Growing As Disciples

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)

Thoughts Have Power

Your thoughts have power. Your entire life will be guided by the thoughts you allow yourself to think. There is nothing you have done, are doing or will do that you haven’t thought about first. You will become who you are based on the thoughts of your mind. It is vitally important that you think very carefully about what you allow yourself to think. You must take control of what you allow yourself to think. That sounds very difficult, maybe even impossible. How can I ever take control of my thoughts? I can’t simply tell myself that I am no longer going to think certain thoughts anymore. I’ve tried that. In my effort to stop thinking certain thoughts I have only thought about them more. My efforts have left me worse off. You can control what you think. This may seem impossible to you. With me all things are possible. Would you like my help? Yes, I want your help.

Your mind is like a battleground. Every day your mind is being bombarded with principles, patterns, and practices that come from the world. The world is seeking to conform you into its image. If you do nothing at all your heart and mind and life will be entirely conformed to the world. You will be ensnared in its evil. You will think worldly thoughts. You will live a worldly life. The world and all that is in it is under the power and control of the devil and all his evil. The world is filled with his evil strongholds, false arguments and proud pretensions. You will want no part of any of these. No, I do not. I want to think your thoughts. I want to walk in your ways. That is very good.

You have powerful weapons at your disposal.  You have a powerful tool that will help you to think my thoughts and walk in my ways. My word is that powerful tool. If you let my word dwell in you richly your heart will be changed. If you meditate on my word day and night your mind will be transformed. My word will push worldly thoughts out of your heart and mind and life. As you feast on my word you will be changed. My Holy Spirit will take my word and fight in you, with you and for you as you take a stand against evil in the world. My word will tear down evil strongholds, false arguments and proud pretensions that have had power over your life. If you remain in my word you will be able to live the life that I have called you to live. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Is this what you want? Yes Lord, I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word day and night.  I will feast on your word. I will let your word remain in me. Then you will be able to take every one of your thoughts and make them captive to me. My thoughts will become your thoughts. My will, will become your will. My ways will become your ways. That is exactly what I want.

Lord, thank you for giving me powerful weapons that set me free to live my life for you. Demolish any arguments, pretensions, and strongholds that attempt to set themselves up over my life. Help me take every one of my thoughts captive to you. Amen

Key Question…  What battles have you fought with strongholds of ungodly thinking in your own mind?

Living It Out…  Allow yourself to be armed with divine weapons provided by God so you can demolish strongholds of evil.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s power will allow you to demolish arguments, pretensions and strongholds of evil over your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has broken up strongholds of evil over your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God’s word to help you take every thought and make it obedient to Christ.

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

The Mind – 2 Corinthians 10-4-5 – Take Every Thought Captive – 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

Meditates Day And Night

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Psalm 1:1-3 - Meditates Day And Night - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Psalm 1:1-3 – Meditates Day And Night – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) 

A Blessed Life

Do you want to live a life that is blessed by me? Yes, I want to live a life that is blessed by you. What must I do if I want to live a life that is blessed by you? You tell me. How can I tell you? Your answer is right here in my word.

If I want to live a life that is blessed by you I won’t walk in the counsel of the wicked. What does that mean to you? I won’t pay attention to advice from wicked people. I won’t listen to their counsel. I won’t accept their thoughts, opinions and values. I won’t allow my mind to be conformed to their way of thinking. I won’t walk in the way that they walk. I won’t follow them on their path in life. I won’t walk to where they are going. Their purposes, plans and schemes will mean nothing to me. Instead, I will walk with you. That’s good. What else?

If I want to live a life that is blessed by you I won’t stand in the way of sinners. What does that mean to you? I won’t hang around with sinners. I won’t live in the way that they live. I won’t adopt their ways as my own. I will not do what sinners do. I will not live a life that is disobedient to you. I won’t rely on myself. I won’t allow myself to be self-reliant and self-sufficient. I won’t elevate myself to be my own god. I will live humbly before you. Instead, I will stand with you. That’s good. What else?

If I want to live a life that is blessed by you I won’t sit in the seat of mockers? What does that mean to you? I will not mock what is holy.  I will honor what you honor. I will value what you value. I will want what you want. I will bow down to worship you. I will acknowledge you in all that I think, say and do. In every way I will live to please you. My seat will be far away from those who mock you. Instead, I will take my seat with you. That’s good. What else?

If I want to live a life that is blessed by you it will not be enough to not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers. No, it will not. I will also meditate on your word day and night. Your word will be my counselor. Your word will be guide. Your word will be my teacher. Your word will bless my life. Your word will make me able to live my life with and for you. Your word will cause me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is what I want. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, show me the people, places, things and activities that you want me to separate myself from. Help me to meditate on your word day and night. Bless and refresh my life with your word. Use your word to cause my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

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

The Mind – Psalm 1-1-3 – Meditates Day And Night – 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

Test Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Psalm 26:2-3 - Test Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Psalm 26:2-3 – Test Me – Growing As Disciples

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. Psalm 26:2-3 (NIV)

Examine Me

Do you really want me to test your life? Are you really asking me to closely examine your heart and mind? Are you confident that your life will pass my test? Do you think that your heart and mind will be able to stand up under my close examination? Only you can make it so my life will pass your test. Only you can make my heart and mind stand up under your close examination. Do I feel confident that I will pass your test? Do I think that my heart and mind and life will stand up under your close examination? I know with certainty that I am not perfect. I am far from perfect. Why then would you ask me to test your life by examining your heart and mind? There is no closer scrutiny than this test. Do you have no fear in me testing your heart and mind and life? Those are good questions.

I know that you love me. I also love you. You want me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, I do. You don’t want anything to hinder our relationship with each other. No, I do not. I want to live my life in every way that is pleasing to you. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I don’t want to lag behind or run ahead of you. I don’t want to wander to the left or right of you. I want to walk closely with you as you lead me through life. Your love for me makes me unafraid of your testing. Your love for me makes me unafraid of your close examination. My love for you welcomes and invites your testing and close examination of my heart and mind and life. I accept your welcome and invitation. I know that you will work in my life according to your purposes and plans. You will do what needs to be done. You will change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, I will. You will remove anything my heart and mind and life that is not pleasing to you. Yes, I will. That is what I am asking for. That is what I want. Do your work in my life so that I will be able to walk closely with you. Yes, I will.

Lord, go ahead and test my life by examining my heart. I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live my life in ways that are pleasing to you. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Help me to walk closely with you. Amen

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

The Mind – Psalm 26-2-3 – Test Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Being Like Minded

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Philippians 2:1-2 - Being Like Minded - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Philippians 2:1-2 – Being Like Minded – Growing As Disciples

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Singleness of Purpose

What have you received from me? That sounds like an impossible question to answer. Why is that? I have received so much from you. Then you will have plenty with which to answer my question. That’s right. I have received your love. I have received your mercy. I have received your forgiveness. I have received your comfort and encouragement. I have received your tenderness and compassion. You have allowed me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. Yes, you have generously and abundantly received all of this and much more from me.

What do you think I want you to do with all that I have generously and abundantly given to you? I’m not sure what you mean. Have I given you a little bit of my love? Have I given you a small sample of my mercy and forgiveness? Have I given you a little taste of my comfort and encouragement? Have I given you just enough of my tenderness and compassion? No, you have generously and abundantly given these and much more to me. Why do you think that is? There is no limit to your kindness, goodness, mercy and love. That’s true. What else? You want me to generously and abundantly give to others all that you have given to me. Yes, I do.

Will it be hard for you to give to others all that I have given to you? No, it will not be hard to give to others all that you have given to me. Why is that? There are a couple reasons. I’m listening. All that you have given to me has changed me. How so? Your love has made me loving. Your mercy has made me merciful. Your forgiveness has made me forgiving. As I live in a close and intimate relationship with you I am becoming more like you. Yes, you are. I want to do what you have done. I want to live like you lived. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. You are giving me the desire and ability to do for others what you have done for me. Yes, I am. It is now my joy to be like-minded with you, having the same singleness of purpose that you had in loving and giving yourself to others. That’s what I want. That is what I am doing and will continue to do in and through your life as you follow and serve me.

Lord, thank you for all the encouragement, comfort and love I have received from you. Help me to share with others all you have given to me. Help me to live in spirit enabled like-minded unity and singleness of purpose with fellow believers. Amen

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

The Mind – Philippians 2-1-2 – Being Like Minded – 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

With Thanksgiving Present Your Requests To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Philippians 4:6-7 - With Thanksgiving Present Your Requests To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Philippians 4:6-7 – With Thanksgiving Present Your Requests To God – Growing As Disciples

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Trust In Me

Don’t be anxious about anything. That’s a lot harder than it sounds. Why is that? I have a lot to worry about. Why is that? I have a lot of concerns. I have a lot of pressures. I have a lot of things to try to figure out. Do you like worrying? Is worrying some sort of hobby of yours? No, I don’t like to worry. It’s not a hobby of mine.

Is everything in your hands? Is everything under your control? No, I feel out of control. Most of the outcomes I worry about in life are out of my control. That is when I worry the most. I have some news for you. What’s that? You are not in control. The world around you is not in your hands. There is very little in the world around you that you can control. You really have two choices. What are my choices?

You can be filled with worry and carry a heavy burden of anxiety or you can place all your trust in me. Do you believe that I am with you? Do you believe that I will watch over you? Do you believe that I love you? Do you believe that I will help you? Lord, I believe that you are with me to help me. I believe that you love me and will watch over me. How would I ever know that is what you believe? I’m not sure what you mean. If you believe all that you say that you do, will you place all your trust in me? How can I demonstrate that I am placing all my trust in you? What does placing all my trust in you require? What will I do if I really am trusting fully in you? Those are all very good questions.

Placing all your trust in me requires that you come to me. If you are really trusting in me you will talk to me about all your worries. You will turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me. You will ask me for all that you need. You will give thanks to me because you trust that I will hear and answer your prayers. You will allow me to relieve you of your anxiety and fill you with my peace. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, I want to be filled with your peace. I want to be relieved of all my anxiety. I want to let go of all my burdens. I will turn every one of my worries into a prayer to you. That will be very good.

Lord, instead of worrying and a carrying a weight of worry I’m going to turn all my burdens over to you in prayer. Thank you that you are with me in the midst of difficulty, guarding my heart and mind and giving me your peace. Amen

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

The Mind – Philippians 4-6-7 – With Thanksgiving Present Your Requests – 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