Category Archives: The Sacramental Life

Love Each Other

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The Sacramental Life - Day 340 - John 15-9-17 - Love Each Other - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 340 – John 15-9-17 – Love Each Other – Growing As Disciples

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17 (NIV)

Remain In My Love

You know that I love you. You know that I love you just as my Heavenly Father loved me. I demonstrated my love for you when I laid down my life for you. Could I have done anything more or better for you than to die on the cross as payment for your sins? Could you have received any greater gift than now being able to live the life of salvation that will never end? One day, you will come to live forever in heaven with me. How great a gift of love is that? Now, before you answer, do I need to point out that it was my Heavenly Father who sent me into the world so that you could be saved? He and I both made it possible for you to be forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have been adopted as His child. You are now a part of His family. No greater love could have been given to you. This love will last for all eternity. How does this sound to you? I am in awe. I am bowed down before you. I am filled with hope and peace and joy. I am overflowing with gratefulness and thanksgiving. I could have asked for no greater gift. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am at your service. I am fully devoted to you. That is very good.

Now it is my desire that you remain in my love. Do you know how to remain in my love? Yes, I do. I will remain in your love by obeying your commands. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will listen to your voice. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will do whatever you ask of me. That’s good. What am I asking of you? You are asking me to love others just as you loved me. That is correct. How did I love others? You loved others unconditionally. You loved others sacrificially. You loved others even when they horribly mistreated you. Yes, I did. Will you follow my example? Will you love like I loved? Yes, I will. Then you will be able to do what I have called and appointed you to do. You will be able to go and bear fruit that will last. That is the desire of my heart. That is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for loving me just as your Heavenly Father loved you. Thank you that I can remain in your love as I keep on obeying your commands. Help me to love others just as you love me. Thank you for choosing me and appointing me to bear fruit. Amen

Key Question…  What must you do if you are a friend of Christ and want to remain in His love?

Living It Out…  Obey Christ’s command and love others just as He loves you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that Christ loves you just as the Father loves Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are remaining in Christ’s love by obeying His commands.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you love others just as the Lord loves you.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 340 – John 15-9-17 – Love Each Other – 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                                           www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Whole Body Fit Together

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The Sacramental Life - Day 339 - Ephesians 4-11-16 - Whole Body Fit Together

The Sacramental Life – Day 339 – Ephesians 4-11-16 – Whole Body Fit Together – Growing As Disciples

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.  Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT)

Spiritual Gifts

What are my gifts? Have you given me spiritual gifts? How am I supposed to discover and use my spiritual gifts to build up others in your body? Will my spiritual gifts be fully formed in me the minute I start using them? You are asking very good questions. It pleases me that you have such passion in you to know their answers. Why is that? You will only discover and use your spiritual gifts if you have a passionate and persistent desire to use them to build up others in my body. I can’t tell you how many spiritual gifts lie dormant, undiscovered, and unused among my followers. Spiritual gifts will never be discovered and developed and deployed without passionate and persistent effort. Hasn’t that been your experience? Don’t you know the answers to your own questions? Haven’t you discovered and used your spiritual gifts as you have been relentless in loving and following and serving me? Haven’t you been discovering your spiritual gifts as you have followed me to where I led you and did what I asked you? Yes, what you say is true. Yes, you have helped me to discover and use my spiritual gifts as I have loved and followed and served you. Yes, you have given me a passionate and persistent desire to serve you. And no, my spiritual gifts have not been fully formed and developed in me the minute I started using them. To think otherwise would be foolish. In fact, my first attempts at using my spiritual gifts were quite feeble. But you have kept on using them. Only with your encouragement. You have spurred me on. You have kept me moving forward with you. That is true. Keep on using your spiritual gifts to serve me. I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, help me to discover, develop and use all the spiritual gifts you have given me to use to build up others in the body of Christ. Help me to fit into your body and be used to help others to grow to become your fully mature, healthy, and fruitful followers. Amen

Key Question…  How have you come to discover and use your spiritual gifts to build others up in the body of Christ?

Living It Out…  Use the spiritual gifts you have been given to build up others in the body of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you spiritual gifts to use to build up others in the body of Christ.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use your spiritual gifts to build up others in the body of Christ.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 339 – Ephesians 4-11-16 – Whole Body Fit Together – 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

We Are God’s Masterpiece

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The Sacramental Life - Day 338 - Ephesians 2-8-10 - We Are God's Masterpiece - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 338 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – We Are God’s Masterpiece – Growing As Disciples

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

Your New Life

What does your new life look like? What has changed since you have come to believe in me? How are you now different because you have accepted me as your Savior and Lord? How are you now living out the life of salvation I have secured for you? What hasn’t changed? I have been made completely new in you. My values and priorities and goals have been made new. My thoughts, and words and actions have all been transformed. My old life in the world is far behind me. Now my heart and mind and life are focused on you. I want to know and do your will. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I am moving forward with you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. Now, before I go much farther, there is something that I must make quite clear. What’s that? You saved me. You pulled me out of the muck and mire that was my old life. You rescued me when I cried out to you. I have done nothing to earn or merit my salvation. You have saved me and given me a brand-new life as a gift. Heaven will be my eternal home based solely on all that you have done for me. It is good that you have this understanding. It is very good that you are not confused on this point.

There is something else that I have come to understand. What’s that? I have a new life in you, but I am not a finished product. You will be molding and shaping me every day as I love and follow and serve you. As I come to think and speak and act more like you, I will know that you are making me into one of your masterpieces. When do you suppose that my work in you will be complete? Not anytime in this life, that is for sure.  Only when I see you will I be completely changed. Then your work in me will be fully complete. Yes, it will. 

Now that you have a new life in me and I am continuing to mold and shape your life into a masterpiece, what else can you expect? I can expect that you will help me to go and do the good works that you long ago planned that I would go and do for you. How do you feel about that? It is my joy to love and follow and serve you. My life is filled with hope and meaning and purpose as I go and do whatever you ask of me. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for the new life of salvation you have given to me as a gift. You are my Savior and Lord.  Help me now to live out my salvation. Mold and shape me into a masterpiece. Help me to go and do the good works God has prepared for me to do for Him. Amen

Key Question…  What has God used to continue to mold and shape you into His masterpiece?

Living It Out…  Allow God to keep on molding and shaping you into His masterpiece as you live out your new life in Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you have been created new in Christ and that God will mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what God has used to mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God to mold and shape you into His masterpiece.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 338 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – We Are God’s Masterpiece – 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

The Lord Was With Him

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The Sacramental Life - Day 337 - Genesis 39-19-23 - The Lord Was With Him - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 337 – Genesis 39-19-23 – The Lord Was With Him – Growing As Disciples

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.  So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.  But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.  Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.  The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:19-23 (NLT)

With You

You will go through difficulty in this life. You will face adverse circumstances. You will experience trials of various kinds. Your faith will be tested. You character will be tested.  Your endurance will be tested.  I went through difficulty. I faced adverse circumstances. I experienced trials of various kinds. Why wouldn’t you? This is a sin broken world. This world no longer functions according to its original design. Does any of what I have said surprise you? No, not at all. I have experienced my share of difficulty, adverse circumstances, and trials of various kinds. I am under no illusion about the reality of pain and suffering in this life. I have been bruised and battered and broken as I have journeyed through life. What do you know about your journey through life? I know that I am not alone. I know that you are with me to help me. I know that I can rely on you. You will bring me through the greatest difficulties, most adverse circumstances, and most difficult trials. You will get me to the other side. In the process, I know that you can and will bring good out of bad. In times of great difficulty, you will give me wisdom and strength. In the most adverse circumstances, you will develop my character and grow my faith. In the most difficult of trials, you will draw near to me as I draw near to you. You will be my refuge. You will be my fortress. You will be my deliverer. I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, I will do all these things in you. Yes, I will be all these things for you. Yes, you can place all your faith and hope and trust in me.

What else do you know about my being with you through whatever trials you go through? I know that your hand will be on me. I know that your favor will be with me. You will make a way for me when there seems to be no way. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. You will bring me good success as I continue to love and follow and serve you. You will help me to live the life you have called me to live. Yes, I will, you can count on me. That, I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I will go through difficulty in life. I will experience trials. I will face adverse circumstances. You did, why wouldn’t I? I know that in these times you will be with me. You will grow my character and strengthen my faith. Your favor will rest on me. Amen

Key Question…  How have you turned to the Lord and relied on Him as you have gone through adverse circumstances?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to be with you to help you when you are experiencing difficult trials.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord is still with you even when you are going through adverse circumstances.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been with you to help you in times of trouble.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rely on the Lord to be with you to help you as you go through trials in life.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 337 – Genesis 39-19-23 – The Lord Was With Him – 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

I Will Turn Aside To See

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The Sacramental Life - Day 336 - Exodus 3-2-4 - I Will Turn Aside To See - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 336 – Exodus 3-2-4 – I Will Turn Aside To See – Growing As Disciples

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.  And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”  When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”  Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV)

Turn Aside

That does not come naturally to me. That is not something I am in the regular habit of doing. What does no come naturally to you? What are you not in the regular habit of doing? I do not naturally or regularly, set aside what I am doing, to turn aside to notice your activity in my life. More often than not, I am too busy. I am engaged in the activities of life. I am focused on the task at hand. I am preoccupied and distracted by what lies just before me. That is not good. Yes, I know.

What would you like to do differently? What changes will you make in your life so that you can hear from me? I will make hearing from you the priority of my life. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. I will be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. How will this be possible? What will assure that this will be true of your life? I will set aside a daily time and place where we can meet together. I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will walk through life with you. I will allow you to develop within me the heart of a listener. That will be very good. What do you expect to hear and see from me? I expect that you will lead me to where you want me to go. I expect that you will give me what you want me to do. Beyond that, I can hardly predict what you might say to me. Your words will certainly guard me. Your words will certainly teach and train me. Living in an intimate relationship with you will certainly make me fruitful for your kingdom and make me able to bring glory to your name. So, I will be watching and listening with great expectation and anticipation. It will be my joy to turn aside to be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. I will listen to you. Be sure of this, I will certainly speak to you as you turn aside to listen to me. Thank you, Lord. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not be preoccupied and distracted. I will be watchful and attentive to your activity in my life. I will turn aside to listen to you. You have my full attention. I will listen to you. Refocus and redirect my life. Lead to where to go. Give me what to do. Amen

Key Question…  When are you taking time to turn aside from the activity of your life to listen to God?

Living It Out…  Make it your regular pattern and practice to turn aside to listen to God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will speak to you as you turn aside to listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are turning aside to listen to God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you turn aside to be watchful and attentive to God’s activity in your life.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 336 – Exodus 3-2-4 – I Will Turn Aside To See – 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

I Am The Bread Of Life

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The Sacramental Life - Day 335 - John 6-35-40 - I Am The Bread Of Life - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 335 – John 6-35-40 – I Am The Bread Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.  But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:35-40 (NIV)

Hunger And Thirst For You

That is what I had within me. What did you have within you? I had a hunger and thirst within me. Tell me about that.  I wanted something more. I wanted something else. I wanted something far different. I felt empty without hope in the world. I felt lost without any sense of purpose. There was this indescribable void within me that I could not identify. I know a few things for certain. What’s that? I was not happy. I lacked direction. I was making stupid mistakes. I was living a sinful life that brought me pain and suffering. I felt bruised and battered and broken. I was discouraged, defeated, and depressed. What happened to you? As if, you don’t know. I do know, but it is good for you to express what drew you to me. Well, I had enough of my old life. I was ready to give up on being self-reliant, self-indulgent, and self-centered. So, I cried out to you. I asked for your help. I asked you to come into my life. I told you that I would leave my sinful life in the world to live the new life you wanted to give to me. I had no idea what that meant. But somehow, I knew that I wanted you. Somehow, I knew that the hunger and thirst in me was for you. Somehow, I knew that only you could fill the void of emptiness that was within me. On that day, when I cried out to you, you became my Savior and Lord. On that day, when I cried out to you, you forgave my sin and cleansed my unrighteousness. On that day, when I cried out to you, you filled me with your Spirit and gave me a completely new life to live with and for you. So, would you say that I have fed your hunger and satisfied your thirst? Yes, I would. But there is something else I know. What’s that? I have a continual hunger and thirst for you that you keep on satisfying as I live out the life of salvation you have secured for me. My hunger and thirst for you and your feeding and satisfying me are both great gifts from you. Yes, they are. Keep on coming to me and I will keep on feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I do believe and have come to you. You are my Savior and Lord. My eyes are intensely focused on you. Help me to live my life with and for you. Feed my hunger and satisfy my thirst for you. Help me to live the life of salvation you have secured for me. Amen

Key Question…  How has Christ been feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst as you live your life with and for Him?

Living It Out…  Keeping on coming to Christ, living your life with and for Him, so He can feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst as you come to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been feeding your hunger and satisfying your thirst.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to Jesus Christ, the bread of life, and allow Him to feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 335 – John 6-35-40 – I Am The Bread Of Life – 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

Whoever Claims To Live In Him Must Walk As Jesus Did

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The Sacramental Life - Day 334 - 1 John 2-3-6 - Whoever Claims To Live In Him Must Walk As Jesus Did - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 334 – 1 John 2-3-6 – Whoever Claims To Live In Him Must Walk As Jesus Did – Growing As Disciples

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 (NIV)

Know Me

How is it that you thank that you will come to know me? I know that is the desire of your heart. That is not a secret to me. Of that, I am certain. What makes you certain? You have placed this passionate desire in my heart to want to know you.  I also know that what desires you give, you will also grant. But you have asked me how I will come to know you. That’s right. You will allow me to come to know you. It is also your desire that I come to know you. So, our desires are in alignment. I want what you want. That is also correct. Still, I have not answered your question. No, you have not. I do know this, you love me. Yes, I do love you. You have gone to great lengths to demonstrate your love for me. You came into this world to live and die for me. You broke the power of sin over my life. You rescued me from a life without you. You adopted me into your family. You made me to be your child. You filled me with your Spirit. You are now guarding and guiding my life. You have lavished me with your love. I now love you because you first loved me. You have filled me with a passionate desire to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. You put a fire in me to live my life with and for you. There is now nowhere I would rather be than in your presence. There is now nothing I would rather do than follow and serve you. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask me. I will live my life in an intimate relationship with you. I will walk through life with you. I will think as you thought. I will speak as you spoke. I will live as you lived. This is how I will come to know you. You have answered well. Yes, you will come to know me as you live your life with and for me. Live as I lived. Walk as I walked. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Your love for me, and my love for you, is motivating my passionate desire to think, and speak, and act like you. Help me to walk like you walked. Help me to live like you lived. Bear fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question…  How is your love for the Lord motivating your desire to think and speak and act like Him?

Living It Out…  Walk as Jesus walked and live your life as He lived His life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to walk as he walked and live as He lived.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are walking as Jesus walked and living as He lived.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you walk as Jesus walked and live your life as He lived His Life.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 334 – 1 John 2-3-6 – Whoever Claims To Live In Him Must Walk As Jesus Did – 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

Apart From Me

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The Sacramental Life - Day 333 - John 15-5-8 - Apart From Me - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 333 – John 15-5-8 – Apart From Me – Growing As Disciples

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8 (NIV)

Nothing

That is what I can do apart from you. What can you do apart from me? I can do nothing apart from you. It took you quite a while to come to that realization. You proudly protested and pointed to achievements you accomplished by yourself, without my help. Yes, I did. Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening, ask away. What will your accomplishments, done without my help look like in light of eternity? Will they stand the test of time? Will they have value that will last forever? Forever is a very long time. No, I would say that it would be impossible for me to accomplish something of eternal significance without your help. The best trophies and highest accolades I have secured will amount to nothing, in light of eternity. Already in my short life my best trophies have quickly made their way to the dumpster. Most of my highest accolades are already mostly a distant and forgotten memory. It is very good that you have this understanding.

I have many more questions to ask you. You have my full attention. Will you be satisfied with living a life that accomplishes nothing of eternal value? Will you feel good about living a life that did not store up any treasure in heaven with me? One day, from heaven, wouldn’t you like to be able to look back over your life, with me, knowing that you remained vitally connected to me, so that you could bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Won’t you be exceedingly glad to know that there will be people in heaven because you allowed me to work in and through your life? Won’t you be filled with joy knowing that you stored up treasure in heaven with me? By treasure, do you mean people who have come to know and love and follow and serve you because you spoke to them through my life and ministry? That is exactly what I mean. I want nothing more than to live a life that is vitally connected to you. I want nothing more than to be powerfully used by you. I will rely on you to work in and though my life so I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. And so, you shall and that will be very good.

Lord, for years I lived a life that was self-sufficient and self-reliant. I pridefully relied on myself rather than on you. I lived separated and apart from you. What a dry and barren that life was. Now, I will remain vitally connected to you. Bear fruit through my life. Amen

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 333 – John 15-5-8 – Apart From Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Work Together For Good

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The Sacramental Life - Day 332 - Romans 8-28-30 - Work Together For Good - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 332 – Romans 8-28-30 – Work Together For Good – Growing As Disciples

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (ESV)

Your Plan

I am thankful for your plan. What is my plan? Well, it was and still is your plan that I come to know and love and follow and serve you. How do you know that to be true? Well, you are allowing me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. You made a way for me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. What way did I make for you? You sent your Son into the world to die and pay for my sins. You helped me to receive your Son as my Savior and Lord. You helped me to turn away from my old and sinful life in the world. You have given me a brand-new life in you. There is now no barrier of sin separating me from you. You have justified me in your sight. This has all happened. Yes, it did. You have done all this for me. This was and still is your plan that has and is still unfolding for me. There is something else I could say. What is that? I could also say that I did not know about your plan. I did not seek out your plan. At one time, I am sad to admit, I would have said that I didn’t want or need your plan. I would have told you that I had my own plan, and it did not include you. What foolish, unwise, and tragic thoughts those would have been if I had lived them out my entire life. Yes, but you have not lived out those foolish, and unwise and tragic thoughts. Instead, it is your desire to know and love and follow and serve me with all your heart. You want to live in an intimate relationship with Me. You want to know and do my will. You want my purposes and plan to be fulfilled in your life. That is true. This is the desire of my heart. That is very good.

Tell me more about my plan for you. What else do you know about my plan for you?  It is your plan that I conform to the image of your Son. You want me to think and speak and act like Him. You want me to live as He lived. You want me to do what He did. You want others to see His life being lived out in me. You want others to be drawn to you through what they see of Him in my life. Yes, this is my plan for you. How will I accomplish this plan in your life? You will take all the circumstances of life, the good and the bad, and use them together to accomplish your plan in my life. And I welcome your plan into my life. Nothing could be better than being conformed to the image of your Son. Do your work in me. Accomplish your plan in my life. Yes, I will.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. I have turned from my old life of sin and received your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Now, I am forgiven and justified in your sight. Use all things together for good. Conform me to the image of your Son. Amen

Key Question…  How has God worked all things together for good as you have loved, followed, and served Him?

Living It Out…  Live according to the purposes of God so you can be conformed to the image of His Son.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will work all things together for good as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has been working things together for good in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your love for God cause you to live your life according to His purposes.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 332 – Romans 8-28-30 – Work Together For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Hold Out The Word Of Life

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The Sacramental Life - Day 331 - Philippians 2:14-18 - Hold Out The Word Of Life - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 331 – Philippians 2:14-18 – Hold Out The Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe  as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.  But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV)

Shine Like A Star In The Universe

Could that be true of me? Is that even possible? Could what be true of you? Could what be possible? Could I shine like a star in the universe? Now, before you answer me, I want to make a few things clear. I’m listening. I do not want to be a star in the universe for my own glory. This is not some prideful desire on my part. I have no desire to gain the applause of the world or to stand out and be noticed by others. I understand what you are saying. It is good that you are aware of the prideful possibilities that could accompany this desire in you. But do not miss the key points. What are the key points? I want you to shine like a star in the universe for me. I am asking you to shine like a star in the universe for me. I want you to stand out and be noticed. I want people to wonder why you are so different. I want people to be drawn to you. I want people to ask questions about you. I want people to clearly see that my life is being lived out in and through you. I want to use your life so that others can be drawn to me. I want to use your life so that others will come to know and love and follow and serve me. I want to use your life to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Is this all clear to you? Do you understand everything that I am saying to you? Yes, I do. That is very good.

But there are other key points to go over. You have my full attention. When I ask something of you, will I not also make it possible for you to accomplish what I have asked of you? How so? If I say, “I want you to shine like a star in the universe”, will I not help you to shine like a star in the universe for me? If I say, I don’t want you to be tarnished by arguing or complaining or any other darkness that is in the world, will I not help you to live a pure and blameless life?” Yes, you will make me able to do whatever you ask of me. That is correct. You got that right. Never have any doubt, I will always make you to do whatever I ask of you.

There is one more final key point I want to make with you now. I’m still listening. When I ask you to do something for me, will I not also fan the flame of desire in you, to do what I ask of you? Yes, you will. You have something you want to say. I have noticed that you fanned the flame of godly desires in me. That does not mean I will not have to overcome fleshly, sinful, or worldly desires that wage war against me. That is true. In those battles, draw near to me. I will strengthen you. I will fan the flame of godly desires in you. I will make you able to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. I will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. You will shine like a star in the universe for me. Thank you, Lord

Lord, I will not be an arguer or complainer. I will not allow myself to be tarnished by the world’s darkness. Help me to shine like a star in the universe for your glory. Help me to be a bold, bright and powerful witness for you. Use me to bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question…  Why will those who helped you to come to know Christ be able to boast about your witness for Him?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to make you shine like a star in the universe as you hold Him out to others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to shine like a star in the universe as you hold Him out to others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what prayers you are now regularly praying to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to shine as you hold Him out to others.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 331 – Philippians 2-14-18 – Hold Out The Word Of Life – 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