Category Archives: The Mind

Arm Yourselves With This Attitude

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 1 Peter 4:1-2 - Arm Yourselves With This Attitude - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 1 Peter 4:1-2 – Arm Yourselves With This Attitude – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 (NIV)

Armed With Attitude

I have wasted a lot of time. I thought what I shouldn’t have thought. I said what I shouldn’t have said. I did what I shouldn’t have done. I lived entirely for my own comfort and pleasure. I did whatever I pleased. I was guilty of living a dark and sinful life. Those days are over. Those thoughts and words and deeds are long gone. You rescued me from that life without you. You pulled me off the course that I was on. You paid for my sins. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You freely gave up your life so I could have a new life in you. You suffered and died on my behalf. Yes, I did.

What kind of life do you now want to live? I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I want to follow your example. I want my heart and mind and life to be armed with the same attitude that you had when you lived your life as a man in this life.  I want to give like you gave. I want to serve like you served. I will no longer live for myself. I will no longer live for the pleasures of this world. My eyes are on you. I now know that I am just a visitor passing through this world. My real and future home is with you in heaven. I now know that I am here for a reason. You have given my life meaning. You have given my life purpose. You want to use me as your witness in the world. You want my life to shine brightly for you. You want to use me. You want to bear fruit through my life that will last for all eternity. You want me to share the good news of the Gospel with others. You want my thoughts and words and deeds to be a testimony of the life of salvation that can be had in you. You want to speak to others through my life. You want an abundance of people to be drawn to you so that they can also come to live in your kingdom. Will you allow me to use you? Will you serve me? Will you live your life as a bright and shining witness for me? Will you share the Good News of salvation in me with others? Yes, Lord, I will do all that you ask of me with joy and devotion in my heart. It is my pleasure to serve you. That is very good. 

Lord, I am tired of thinking self-centered, worldly and sinful thoughts. I want your thoughts instead of my own. Replace my attitudes with your same attitude. Help me to think, speak and act just as you would in all that I face in life. Amen

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

The Mind – 1 Peter 4-1-2 – Arm Yourselves With This Attitude – 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

A Depraved Mind

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Romans 1:28-32 - A Depraved Mind- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Romans 1:28-32 – A Depraved Mind- Growing As Disciples

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

Rescued

I was once living a life that was dark and depraved. I was walking on a path that was filled with evil of every kind of evil. I had no interest in you. I had no time for you. I had no need for you. My thoughts and words and deeds were motivated by those perspectives. I was thinking evil thoughts. I was speaking evil words. I was doing evil deeds. I’m sure that the thoughts, words and deeds that were coming out of my heart and mind and life were not pleasing to you. By every external measure, I’m positive that I looked like I was deader than a door nail. To every observer, I’m sure that I seemed to be unredeemable and without hope in the world. It is a very good thing that I was not the final judge of my own condition. Why is that? I would have given up on me. I did not give up on you. I saw what you could not see. You only partially saw your past and present. I clearly saw your past and present and future. I’m very glad about that. I am so thankful that you did not give up on me. I grateful that you could see what I could not see. That is very good. 

I rescued you from your dark and depraved life. I pulled you off your evil path. I turned your life around. I brought you to myself. You heard my call. You confessed your sins to me. You received my forgiveness and cleansing. You are now on the path of loving, following and serving me. Yes, I am. There is something I want you to remember. What’s that. I placed people in your life, along your way. There were people who were praying for you. There were people who reached out to you. There were people who spoke in to your life. There were people who I used as my instruments to help draw you to me. Do you remember these people? Do you remember the roles they had in your life? Do you know that they did not give up on you? They prayed for you. They cared for you. They loved you with my love. Do you remember them? Do you remember their work in your life? Yes, I remember all of what others have done for me. That’s good. Will you allow me to use you in these ways? Yes Lord, I will also you to use me. I will pray for others. I will care for others. I will love others with your love. I will do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. Use me whenever, wherever and however you see fit. I will, you can count on it. 

Lord, at one time I was far away from you and living a life like one with a depraved mind. Thank you that you rescued me and saved me from a life without you. Help me now to pray for others who are now far away from you. Amen

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

The Mind – Romans 1-28-32 – A Depraved Mind – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guides

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

Set Your Minds On Things Above

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Colossians 3:1-2 - Set Your Mind On Things Above- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Colossians 3:1-2 – Set Your Mind On Things Above- Growing As Disciples

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Eyes On Me 

I have had the wrong mindset. My heart and mind have been set on the things of this earth. For far too long my life has been one long pursuit of what this world has had to offer me. I have pursued pleasure. I have lived for comfort. I have wanted things. How has this pursuit worked out for you? I have lived a life filled with discontent. I now know that the things of this earthly will never satisfy my soul. I will never find hope and meaning and purpose in pursuing comfort and pleasure in the earthly things of this life. No, you will not.

Your mindset has changed. You have a different perspective. You are no longer living for comfort and pleasure in the things of this world. No, I am not. You have changed my heart. You are transforming my mind. You have given me hope and meaning and purpose. My eyes are no longer on the things of this earth. I am no longer living for all that this world offers. My heart and mind and life are set on you. You have my full attention. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am pursuing you. I am living the life that you have called me to live. It is now my joy to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to accomplish your purposes. I want to fulfill your plans. In every way, I want to live my life fully with and for you. That is very good.

You are right, my perspective has changed. Now, I know that I am passing though this life. This world is not my real home. My time here is fleeting. My life here on this earth will be like the blink of an eye or the snap of my fingers. To pursue what this life offers is a waste of time and energy. It is like chasing after the wind. I entered this world with nothing. I will leave this world with nothing. That is not entirely true. What do you mean by that? You are right, you cannot take anything from this world with you. But, you can store up treasures in heaven. You can bear fruit for my kingdom. You can go where I guide you. You can do what I ask of you. You can allow me to use you. You can bring glory to my name.  Will you keep your eyes on me as I lead you though life? Will you follow and serve me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, for so long my thoughts have been set on things of this earth. My heart and mind have been all about pursuing all that this life offers. I want a new heart and mind. Help me to focus myself on heavenly things from above. Guide all my thoughts and plans. Amen

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

The Mind – Colossians 3-1-2 – Set Your Minds On Things Above – 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

A Sound Mind

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 2 Timothy 1:6-7 - A Sound Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 2 Timothy 1:6-7 – A Sound Mind – Growing As Disciples

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV)  

Holding You Back

What is holding you back? I’m not sure what you mean. Are you sure? I might have some idea of what you are asking me. Could you be clearer? Yes, I can be crystal clear. What is preventing you from stirring up and using all the spiritual gifts that I have given to you? Have I left some of my spiritual gifts under-utilized or even completely unused? What do you think? If you are asking me what is holding me back then I’m certain that I have either left my spiritual gifts under-utilized or maybe even completely unused. That is not a happy thought for me. Why is that? I can think of little else that is more important than using the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. I want to use all my gifts. I want to go wherever you guide me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I don’t want to waste any of what you have given to me. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Those are very good desires that you have in your heart and mind.

Let’s come back to the question I asked you. What is holding you back? I’m tempted to say that I’m not sure what is holding me back. That would not be true, would it? No, it would not be true. You know what is holding you back, don’t you? Yes, I know what is holding me back. I’m listening. Fear is holding me back. I am afraid. What are you afraid of? I am afraid of failure. I am afraid to fail. What would be more of a failure, not trying at all or not succeeding when you tried. I know what is safer. That is not what I asked and I don’t think you really know what is safer. It would be the far larger failure to have never tried to do what you have called me to do. Would it be safer to not try to do what I have called you to go and do for me? No, it would not be safe, at all. That’s true.

Let me clarify some things for you. I’m listening. I have given you spiritual gifts. I have prepared good works in advance for you to do for me. I will call you to go places and do things for me. I have given you my love, a sound mind and my power. Do you think that I will not help you to go and do what I ask of you? Do you think that I will allow your efforts to end in failure? Do you think it is my plan that you will be unable to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans for your life? No, I do not. I believe that you will help me. I believe that you are with me. I know that you will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I will. Don’t let anything hold you back. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I ask you to do. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to discover all the spiritual gifts you have given to me. I don’t want any to lie dormant and go unused. Show me when, where, and how to use my spiritual gifts in a sound, loving and powerful way to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

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

The Mind – 2 Timothy 1-6-7 – A Sound 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

Understands Nothing

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 1 Timothy 6:3-5 - Understands Nothing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 1 Timothy 6:3-5 – Understands Nothing – Growing As Disciples

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.  1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NIV)

The Truth

I am not interested in wide-ranging debates. I am not attracted to quarreling about words. I am not enticed by an unhealthy interest in controversies. Strife, malicious talk, and evil suspicions are repulsive to me. I can’t stand to live in constant friction caused by corrupt minds that are engaged in evil thoughts. I’m not at all drawn to the idea of making money through some twisted form of so called godliness. What does interest you? What words do you find attractive? What kind of talk would you find to be pleasant to your heart and mind and soul? Those are good questions.

I am attracted to the truth. I want to know the truth. I want to be set free by the truth. I want to be guarded and guided by the truth. I want to be molded and shaped by the truth. How will you know what is true and what is false? Where does the truth come from? The world is filled with falsehood. The world is motivated by selling the latest and greatest idea and calling it the truth. The world’s truth is constantly changing to satisfy the motives of whoever is peddling it. The truth certainly does not come from the world or anything that is in it. The truth comes from you. You are the truth. Your words are the truth. Your word is truth. Your truth does not change to fit the desires of the moment. Your truth is a solid rock of stability. Your truth can be trusted, followed and obeyed. Your word will endure forever. When everything passes away, your truth will remain. Yes, It will.

What will you do with my word? What will you do with the truth? I will take your word into my life. I will read your word. I will study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will put your word into practice. I will even teach your word to others. In every way, I will take a hold of your word so that it will take hold of me. I will let your word guard and guide my life. I will let your word change my heart and transform my mind. I will live and walk with you in your word, which is the truth. That will be very good.

Lord, help me to be on guard against unbiblical, ungodly and un Christ-like teaching. Help me also to hear, receive and apply your sound teaching in my life on a daily basis. Teach and train me by your word so that I will live for you. Amen

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

The Mind – 1 Corinthians 13-11-12 – I Thought Like A Child – 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

I Thought Like A Child

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 - I Thought Like A Child - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 – I Thought Like A Child – Growing As Disciples

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NIV)

Childish Ways

Have you put aside childish ways? What do you mean by that? Have you stopped thinking like a child? Have you stopped talking like a child? Have you stopped reasoning like a child? I hope so. I think so. You’re not sure? No, I’m not sure. Will I ever confidently say that I have completely put aside all my childish ways? What is your answer to that question? I doubt it. Why is that? I will never be perfect in this life. My thoughts will never be perfect. My words will never be perfect. My deeds will never be perfect. Does that discourage you? Not really. Why is that? I know that you are working in me day-by-day. I am not the same as I was yesterday. I will be different tomorrow than I am today. Each day you are helping me to put away childish thoughts, words and deeds. Each day you are making me to be more like you. You are helping me to think your thoughts. You are helping me to speak your words. You are helping me to do your deeds. Yes, I am. So, I am not discouraged. Instead, I am greatly encouraged. I know that I am your work in progress. I know that you are molding and shaping my life. I know that your work in me will continue every day until I come to meet you face to face. Yes, it will.

What will happen when you come to see me face to face? I will be completely changed. What makes you certain of that? Now, I see you in part. Now, I am changed in part. I cannot remain the same as I come into your presence. Meeting with you always leaves me changed. That’s right. When I see you in full, I will be changed completely. When I see you in full your work in me will be finished. When I see you in full, I will completely be the person you have called me to be. When I see you in full, I will have completely put away all my childish ways. That’s right. Continue now, to let me change you, day-by-day until that day. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, many times I have thought, acted and talked like a child. Help me to put all my childish ways away so that I can be all that you want me to be. I need your wisdom, insight and understanding. Help me to know and do your will. Amen

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

The Mind – 1 Corinthians 13-11-12 – I Thought Like A Child – 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

Fix These Words

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Deuteronomy 11:18-19 - Fix These Words - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Deuteronomy 11:18-19 – Fix These Words – Growing As Disciples

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)

Fix

What would your life look like if you fixed it on my word? Fixing my life on your word would make it the priority of my life. I would read your word. I would study your word. I would meditate on your word. I would memorize your word. I would pray your word. I would put your word into practice. I would even teach your word to others. That would be very good.

What would my word do in you if you fixed your heart and mind and life on my word? Fixing myself on your word would change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I would be able to know your will. I would be able to walk in your ways. I would be able to resist evil. I would be able to stand against temptation. The Holy Spirit would be able to use your word like a sword to fight in me, with me and for me. That would be very good.

How will you make it your practice to fix my word in your heart and mind and life? I will set apart a special time and place to meet with you in your word. I will make it my pattern and practice to meet with you every day in your word. I need your wisdom. I need your guidance. I need you to teach and train me with your word. There is not a day that will go by that I don’t need to hear from you. I will come to sit before you. I will wait in your presence. I will listen to your word. I will hear everything you have to say to me. That will be very good. 

What will my word accomplish through your life? I know that apart from you I can do nothing. That is not my hope or dream or desire. Your word will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is my hope and dream and desire. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to be able to go and do your will. I want to be able bear an abundance of fruit for you. So, I will fix my heart and mind and life on your word. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have made your word the priority of my life. My heart and mind and life are fixed on your word. Help me to know and do your will. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind and guide my life so that I will be able to walk in all your ways. Amen

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

The Mind – Deuteronomy 11-18-19 – Fix These Words – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Opened Their MInds

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Study - The Mind - Luke 24:45-49 - Opened Their Minds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – The Mind – Luke 24:45-49 – Opened Their Minds – Growing As Disciples

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:45-49 (NIV) 

Stay 

That is a hard word for you to hear and obey. What word? The word, stay. You have a hard time staying in one place. You want to be on the move. You are restless. You are impatient. You like to keep busy. You know me. Yes, I know you. The question I want to ask you is, “Do you want to know me?” Yes, I want to know you. It is the desire of my heart to know you. It is the goal of my life to know you. I don’t want to know you just a little bit either. I want to know you intimately. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to go and do whatever is pleasing to you. I want to live a life that accomplishes your purposes and fulfills your plans. That is very good. 

You will never know me intimately if you don’t learn to stay in my presence. You will never be able to go and do what I ask of you, if you do not wait for my instructions. Haven’t you raced off, in a hundred different directions, thinking that you were going to go and do my will? Yes, I have done that many times, probably far more than a hundred. You don’t want to know the actual number of times you haven’t waited for my instructions. Let me just say that your waiting to listen to my instructions is a rare event. Forgive me, for not waiting for your instructions. You are forgiven. But, there is far more than waiting for my instructions, that you have missed out on. What else have I missed out on? You have not waited to be clothed with my power to do what I have asked of you. It is not enough to know what I want you to do. You must also rely on my power to do what I have given you to do for me. How many times have you attempted to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans with your own strength? Far too often, I’m sure. That’s right. 

Will you stay and wait for my instructions? Will you rely on me to cloth you with my power to do what I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will wait for your instructions. I will rely on your power to help me to go and do your will. That will be very good. Then you will be a bold witness for me in the world. Then you will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. I will speak through your life. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.

Lord, thank you for opening my mind to understand the Scriptures. Thank you for helping me to turn away from my old life and receive forgiveness and cleansing of all my sin. Use my life and give me your power to be a bold witness for you in the world. Amen

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

The Mind – Luke 24-45-49 – Opened Their Minds – 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