Category Archives: The Spirit Empowered Life

This Is The Day

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This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

Today Is A Gift

That is what today is. What is today? Today is a gift. Why is today a gift? You have given me this day to live with and for you. I am here. I am alive. I am living and breathing. You have filled me with your Holy Spirit. You want to work in and through me today. You want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans in my life today. I may not have tomorrow. But, I have today. I have right now. I can love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. I can walk through life with you today. Yes, today is a gift. I am glad that you have come to this realization. It is important that you be present today. Give thanks for today. Be joyful for this day that I have given to you. Remain attentive to me today. Listen to my voice. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I ask of you. Allow me to work in and through you today.

How can I make the best use of today? That is a very good question. Maybe you should carry that question with you throughout today. What does that mean? Can’t you ask if what you are giving yourself to is the best use of this day that I have given to you? Couldn’t you allow this question to guide your steps throughout your day? Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. That question, “How can I make the best use of today?”, who are you asking for an answer? I’m not sure what you mean. Are you asking yourself, or are you asking me? That is a good question. Why is that? I need wisdom and help from you to know how to best use the day that you have given to me. I need your help. I want and need to rely on you. So, will you keep on asking how you can best use the gift of today that I have given to you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for the beautiful gift of this day. Fill me with joy and gladness as I live this day with and for you. Use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans today. Help me to be fully attentive to you as I love, follow, and serve you today. Amen

Key Question…  Why is it important to live each one of your days as a gift from the Lord?

Living It Out…  Remain attentive to the Lord as you joyfully live this day with and for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord has given you this day as a gift.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has worked in and through you today.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rejoice and be glad for this day that the Lord has given to you.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 157 – Psalm 118-24 – This Is The Day – 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

Always Keep On Praying

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Sacramental Life - The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 145 - Ephesians 6-18-20 - Always Keep On Praying - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 145 – Ephesians 6-18-20 – Always Keep On Praying – Growing As Disciples

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

Alert And Praying

That is my prayer. What is your prayer? I want to be alert and praying to you, on all the occasions of my life. I don’t want to be dull and unaware and unfocused in my prayers. I want to listen attentively to you. I want to rely on you. I want to ask for your help. I want you to give me prayers to pray. I want you to guide the prayers I pray for others. I want to receive from you all that I need to do the work of ministry I have been given to do. You know that at many times and in many ways I have been timid. Yes, I have noticed. Well, how about no more of that from me? I know that you can make me fearless. I know that you can powerfully work in and through me. I know that you can give me bold thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. You can make me fearless in all that I think and say and do. Yes, I can. Is that a prayer you would like to pray? Yes, I would like to pray that prayer not only for myself but also for all others who know, love, follow, and serve the Lord. What is the motive of your prayer? That is a very good question to which I would like to give a very clear answer. I want to serve the Lord well. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for His kingdom. I want to bring glory to His name. I want a rich harvest of people to come to know and love and follow and serve Him. So, in other words, I am asking for your power not for myself. I am asking for your power so that I can be powerfully used to minister to others. I am praying the same prayer for others so that they will likewise be powerfully used in ministry. You are praying a good prayer. You have a good motive and great desire in your heart. I will tell you a secret. What’s that? This prayer comes from me. You can confidently keep on praying to me for power to do the work of ministry. That I will do, along with a host of other daily prayers. That will be very good.

Holy Spirit, fill me with prayers to pray on every occasion of my life. Help me to be watchful and prayerful. Help me to keep on praying for my fellow followers of Christ. Empower me to do the ministry I have been given. Help me to fearlessly declare the Gospel. Amen 

Key Question…  How are you making it your regular practice to pray in the Spirit on all the occasions of your life?

Living It Out…  Make it your regular practice to pray in the Spirit on all the occasions of your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that praying in the Spirit will give you the power to do what the Lord has called you to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are continually praying for fellow followers of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be alert and praying in the Spirit on all the occasions of your life.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 145 – Ephesians 6-18-20 – Always Keep On Praying – 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

What The Spirit Desires

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 144 - Romans 8-5-8 - What The Spirit Desires - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – What The Spirit Desires – Growing As Disciples

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

Mind Set

What will be your mindset? I’m not sure what you mean. What you set your mind on will determine the entire course of your life. What you allow yourself to think and guide all that you say and do. What are my choices? That is a good question. I will let you tell me what choices are before you. As I see it, I have only two choices before me. Only two? That’s right. I can choose to live according to the sinful nature. I can set my mind on what the sinful naturally desires. That would be a very poor choice. That choice would lead to pain and suffering. That choice would lead to anguish and regret. That choice would lead to death, both now, and forever. Saying that would be a poor choice sounds like an understatement, don’t you think? Yes definitely, the anguish and regret and pain and suffering of that choice would be unending. That’s true. That has not been, nor will it ever be my choice. What is your choice? I will set my mind on what the Holy Spirit desires. My thoughts will not be on the things of this world. I will not adopt the values and patterns and practices of this life. I will not allow the world to shape me according to its mold. Instead, I will allow you to mold and shape me. I will listen attentively to you. I will keep your word ever before me. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word day and night. You will guide the course of my life. You will give me thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. I will live my life according to your will. I will go and do what is pleasing to you. You will fill me with life and peace. You will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. This is what I want. This is what I desire. This is the choice I have and will continue to make as I love and follow and serve you, with all that is within me. You have made a very good choice. You have made a choice that you will never regret. You will live the life you have been called to live. Thank you, Holy Spirit for helping me to make this choice.

Holy Spirit, I will no longer allow my mind to be set on the sinful nature. I will set my mind on what you desire. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to God. Help me to live a life that is full of life and peace. Help me to think, speak and act according to God’s will. Amen

Key Question…  How is allowing your mind to be controlled by the Spirit helping you to live a life that is pleasing to God?

Living It Out…  Set your mind on what the Spirit desires so you will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God as you set your mind on what the Spirit desires.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are setting your mind on what the Spirit desires.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you set your mind on what the Spirit desires so you can live a life that is pleasing to God.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – What The Spirit Desires – 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

Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 142 - Ephesians 6-10-18 - Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 142 – Ephesians 6-10-18 – Sword Of The Spirit Which Is The Word Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)                                                                                                  

A Sword

Do you want to have a sword that fights in you, with you, for you and through you? Do you want to be able to stand against the devil and his evil schemes? Do you want to be able to stand your ground when days of evil come against you? I am assuming that all my questions can be answered by a yes from you. You know me. You know my thoughts. You know my hopes and dreams and desires. You know the prayers of my heart. You know what I have been and will continue to ask of you. Yes, I know you better than you know yourself. So yes, is my emphatic answer to all your questions. That is very good.

What must I do if I want to have a sword that fights in me, with me, for me, and through me? What must I do to stand against the devil and his evil schemes? What must I do to be able to stand my ground when days of evil come against me? You know that you must put on the full armor of God. Yes, that I do know. Today, we are talking about one piece of that armor. We are talking about my word. You are correct in thinking that there is something that you must do with my word if you want the Holy Spirit to use my word like a sword to fight in you, with you, for you, and through you. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you know. I must hide your word in my heart if I want the Holy Spirit to use it like a sword in my life. I must meditate on your word day and night if I want it to be ready to be used to fight off the devil’s evil schemes. I must build my life on the solid foundation of your word if I want to be able to stand my ground when days of evil come against me. I must allow your word to guard and guide my life. Every thought of my mind must be taken captive and made obedient to you and your word. Then the Holy Spirit will be able to use your word like a sword in my life. You have answered well. Will you allow my word into your heart and mind and life in all these ways? Yes, I will. Then my Spirit will use my word like a sword in your life to fight in you, with you, for you and through you.

Holy Spirit, help me to put on the full armor of God. Make me able to withstand any attacks and evil schemes of the devil. Use God’s word like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Make my faith like a shield that protects me from attack. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Holy Spirit used the word of God like a sword to fight in you, with you, and for you?

Living It Out…  Makes sure that you are putting on the full armor of God so you will be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that putting on the full armor of God will make you able to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has used God’s word like a sword to fight for you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May the Holy Spirit use God’s word like a sword to fight in you, with you, for you, and through you.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 142 – Ephesians 6-10-18 – Sword Of The Spirit – 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

Overflow With Confident Hope

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 143 - Romans 15-13 - Overflow With Confident Hope - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 143 – Romans 15-13 – Overflow With Confident Hope – Growing As Disciples

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT)

Place Your Trust

Where will you place your trust? I’m not exactly sure what you mean. You know that you live in a broken world. Nothing of this world, in this life, has been left untouched by sin. You live in a fallen world that does not function according to my original design. This life is filled with troubles and trials and challenges. In all the difficulties of life, where you will place your trust? Will you rely on yourself or someone or something else? Will you rely on me? Will you place all your trust in me? Now, I am better understanding your questions. That’s good. I could give you the quick and easy answer. That would be fine if it is the true answer. That is the problem. I know the correct answer to your questions. What is the correct answer to my questions? I will place all my trust in you. The problem is that I haven’t not always placed all my trust in you. That sounds like a dramatic misstatement on your part. It is. How about restating the truth? I have seldom placed all my trust in you. How do you know that to be true? I have lived a life filled with doubt and worry and anxiety. Would this be present in my life if I had placed all my trust in you? You can answer that question. No, I am quite sure that my life would be filled with hope and peace and joy if I fully placed all my trust in you. That is correct. That is right. That is true.

Is there something you would like to say? Is there something different you would like to do? Is there a new way that you would like to live? Yes, to all three of your questions. I would like to ask your forgiveness for my not placing all my trust in you. You alone are worthy of all my trust. You are the only real, eternal and lasting, source of trust. So, I want to live my life by placing all my trust in you. When any doubt or worry or anxiety starts to creep into my life, I will know that it is once again time to reaffirm that I have and will continue to place all my trust in you. That will be very good. What will happen to you when you keep on placing all your trust in me? You will fill my life with hope and peace and joy, by the power of your Holy Spirit, living inside of me. Yes, I will. Will you keep on placing all your trust in me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, this life is filled with troubles and trials and challenges. If I were to trust in myself, I would be filled with doubt and worry and anxiety. Help me to keep on continually placing all my trust in you so that I will be filled with all your hope and peace and joy. Amen

Key Question…  When has trusting in unreliable sources filled your life with doubt and worry and anxiety?

Living It Out…  Keep on continually placing your trust in God throughout your life so that He can fill you with hope and peace and joy.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your life will overflow with hope and peace and joy as you place your trust in God.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are continually placing your trust in God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your life overflow with hope and peace and joy as you place all your trust in God.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 143 – Romans 15-13 – Overflow With Confident Hope – 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

And Now Compelled By The Spirit

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 141 - Acts 20-22-24 - Compelled By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 141 – Acts 20-22-24 – Compelled By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)

Finish The Race

That is what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to finish the race and complete the task you have given to me. I want to go wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. I want to run well and finish strong. That is a great desire that you have in you. This desire does not originate with me. You have placed this desire within me. Yes, that is true.

What spurs you on? What is your motivation? I am compelled by your love for me and my love for you to go and do whatever you ask of me. I am not at your service out of some sense of obligation. I am not begrudgingly following and serving you. I am not hesitant, nor am I reluctant. Nothing gives me more pleasure and joy than to be used by you. It is my hope and prayer that you will powerfully work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. I have been and will continue to work in and through you. I will use your life to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans.

What lies ahead? What can you expect? Those are difficult questions. How am I to know? You can know by listening to my voice. What do you already know? I know that you will lead me over treacherous terrain to do difficult ministry. Following and serving you will not always be easy. The greater the difficulty, the more, I will rely on you for your help. That will be good. That is wise. I will be with you to help you. I will sustain and strengthen you. I will empower you. I will help you to know and do my will.  

What will the outcome be of your life? What do you most want? I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live my life in an intimate relationship with you. I want others to be drawn to you through the testimony of my life. I want my thoughts and words and actions to draw others to you. One day, when I am in heaven with you, I would like to know that a multitude of people are there because they saw you shining brightly in and through my life. In other words, I will be happy and blessed if I have born fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. Make that the outcome of my life. Answer that prayer for me. That, I will do. You can count on me. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, I will listen to you. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. Sustain and strengthen me when the road ahead becomes treacherous and the ministry difficult. Empower me to do what you ask of me. Fully use me in your service. Amen

Key Question…  How is your life focused on going where the Holy Spirit leads you to do what He asks of you?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you to where He wants you to be and empower you to do what He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide you to where He wants you to be and give you what He wants you to do.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your life and ministry.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow the Holy Spirit to where He guides you to do what He asks of you.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 141 – Acts 20-22-24 – And Now Compelled By The Spirit – 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

Guide You Into All The Truth

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 140 - John 16-13-15 - Guide You Into All The Truth - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 140 – John 16-13-15 – Guide You Into All The Truth – Growing As Disciples

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15 (ESV)

Guide Me Into All The Truth

That is what I want you to do for me. What do you want me to do for you? I want you to guide me into all the truth. That is a very good desire. That is an excellent request. That is something that I will gladly do for you. How will this happen? How will I know that you are guiding me? What must I do? Do I have any part or any role in your guiding me into all the truth? Those are very good questions. You are wise to have asked them. If you want me to guide you into all the truth you must do three things. What three things must I do? First, you must stop. You must stop to listen to my voice. You must quiet yourself before me. You must listen attentively to me. I can do that. I am not finished with this first step. I’m listening. Where you stop is critically important. You must stop to meet with me in my word. You must allow my word to dwell in you richly. You have said you want to hear from me. Yes, that is true. You will hear from me as we meet together in my word. I got it. I will set a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. That will be very good.

What’s the next step? Second, you must go. You must be willing to go where I guide you to do what I ask of you. Expect that you will be employed in my service. I will work in and through your life. You will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. You will bring glory to His name. I will use you in the harvest. Others will come to know and love and follow and serve me through the testimony of your life. A multitude will give their lives to me as their Savior and Lord through your ministry. You will store up treasure in heaven as you come to know and do my will. I am so excited. I can’t wait.

It is funny that you used that word wait. Why is that? Wait is another step. Although it is not first or second or third. Your life will not be “all stop.” Your life will not be “all go.” There will be plenty of moments of waiting. Waiting will occur in seasons of your life. Waiting will occur in the daily moments of your life. In waiting, you will learn to continually listen to my voice guiding you. In waiting, you will develop and intimate relationship with me. Will you stop and go and wait with me, so I can guard and guide your life? Yes, I will take these three steps with you. That will be very good.

Holy Spirit, I will stop. I will quiet myself before you. I will listen attentively to your voice speaking to me. I will allow you to boldly declare God’s word to me at just the right time and circumstance. Turn my life around. Guard me. Guide me in all that is true. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Holy Spirit amplified God’s word and boldly declared it to you at just the right time?

Living It Out…  Stop and be quiet and make yourself attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit so you can hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will boldly declare God’s word to you in just the right time and circumstance.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are attentively listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide you into all the truth.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 140 – John 16-13-15 – Guide You Into All The Truth – 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

A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 139 - Ephesians 1:-11-14 - A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 139 – Ephesians 1:-11-14 – A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance – Growing As Disciples

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)

I Chose You

That is what I did for you. What did you do for me? I chose you. You were predestined according to my plan. I worked everything out, I orchestrated everything around you so that you would be able to come to know me. When you were in your greatest difficulties, under the most stress, and in painful circumstances; I was there and very near to you. When you cried out to me, your plea did not go unnoticed. When you turned your life over to me, a celebration took place in heaven. There was great joy when you turned away from your old life of sin in the world, to begin your new brand-new life in me. You heard and received and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. On that day, the entire course of your life changed. On that day, your thoughts and words and actions would never be the same again. Is everything that I am saying proved true? Is your life completely different since the day you began to follow me as your Savior and Lord? Yes, everything you are saying is wonderfully true. I do have a brand-new life in you, there is no doubt about that. Speaking of having no doubt, there are very few guarantees in life, would you agree? Yes, I would agree, this life is filled with uncertainty. It is hard to imagine that anything in this life that is guaranteed. Well, one thing is guaranteed. You have an inheritance awaiting you in heaven. One day you will come to live forever in heaven with me. There is no doubt about that. In fact, you have a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance in heaven with me. My Holy Spirit came to live and dwell inside of you on that day when you turned your life over to me. I remember that day. I remember that moment. Thank you for my inheritance in heaven with you. Thank you that I can now live each day of my life for the praise of your glory. Yes, that is what you will do as you walk through life with me.

Lord, thank you for orchestrating everything around me so that I could come to know you. In my difficult circumstances, you drew me to yourself. You saved me and gave me a new life in you. Your Spirit now dwells in me. Help me to bring praise to your glory. Amen

Key Question…  How did God orchestrate everything around you, according to His will, so you could come to know Him?

Living It Out…  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life so you can bring praise to the glory of God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit living inside of you is a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance in heaven.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are living your new Spirit-filled life in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your new Spirit-filled life in Christ bring praise to the glory of God.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 139 – Ephesians 1-11-14 – A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance  – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Divine Power To Destroy Strongholds

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 138 - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Divine Power To Destroy Strongholds - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 138 – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Divine Power To Destroy Strongholds – Growing As Disciples

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

Take Every Thought Captive

How will you do that? How will I do what? How will you take every thought captive and make it obedient to me? That is a very good question. I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I will not be able to take every thought captive and make it obedient to you with solely my own strength. I will need your help. You will have my help, as you rely on me. I did notice a word you used. What word? You used the word “solely.” Do you have some key roles in taking your thoughts captive to me? Yes, I do have key roles in taking my thoughts captive and making them obedient to you. Tell me, what are your roles? I must not allow my mind to feed on fleshly and worldly thoughts. There are people, places and things that are not helpful and are in fact very damaging to my desire to take every thought captive and make them obedient to you. So, I will separate myself from whatever would feed fleshly and worldly thoughts in me. That is a very good starting point. What else? I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will study your word. I will pray your word. I will sing your word. I will do whatever will help me take a firm grip of your word so that it takes a firm grip on me. Most importantly, I will put your word into practice as I love and follow and serve you. That will be very good. What else will you do to take every captive and make them obedient to me? I will flee fleshly and worldly thoughts. I will leave them behind as I run to you. I will live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. As I am in your presence, as I remain in you, you will help me to think your thoughts, speak your words, and take your actions. You will make me able to destroy strongholds in my life, as you help me to take every thought captive and make them obedient to you. Yes, I will, you can be sure of that. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will not allow fleshly and worldly thoughts to be fed and grow in me. I will separate myself from them. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. Help me to take my thoughts and make them captive to you. Destroy strongholds in me. Lead me in victory. Amen

Key Question…  How is allowing God’s word to dwell in you helping you to take every thought captive and obedient to Him?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to help you to take very thought captive and make them obedient to Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to take every thought captive and make them obedient to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are taking your thoughts captive and obedient to Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you destroy strongholds by taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 138 – 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 – Divine Power To Destroy Strongholds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 137 - 2 Peter 3:1-4 - His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 137 – 2 Peter 3:1-4 – His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need – Growing As Disciples

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.              2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

Power And Promises

I want to become like you. How do you want to become like me? I want to become like you in all that I think and say and do. I want to think like you thought. I want to speak like you spoke. I want to live like you lived. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. What kind of life have I called you to live? You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to draw near to you. In your presence you want to change my heart and transform my mind and life. What will I use to change your heart and transform mind and life? What have I given you so that you will be able to live the life I have called you to live? You have given me your power and promises to make me able to live the godly life you have called me to live. You have given me your power and promises to help me to escape the corruption that is in the world. You have given me your power and promises to help me to know and love and follow and serve you. Your power and promises have been, are now, and will continue to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. That is correct. This is exactly what my power and promises are doing in you. My power and promises are making you able to live the life I have I called you to live.

What must you do with my power and promises if you want to fully live the life, I have called you to live? I must rely on your power. I have no life-giving power in me. You are my source of power. I must never rely on myself if I want to live the life you have called me to live.  What about my promises? What will you do with my promises? I will take your promises deep into my heart and mind and life. I will keep your promises ever before me. I will hold on to your promises. I will live by your promises. I will put your promises into practice. You have answered well. Rely on my power and live by my promises. Remain in an intimate relationship with me. Then you will live the life I have called you to live. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. It has been my hope, dream, and desire to live in an intimate relationship with you. Your promises and power are transforming my heart and mind. You are helping me to live the life you have called me to live. Amen

Key Question…  How have you responded to God’s call to come to know Him and live by His promises?

Living It Out…  Rely on the power and promises of God for all you need to live the life He has called you to live.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God’s power and promises will make you able to live the life He has called you to live.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the power and promises of God are transforming your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you rely on the power and promises of God so you can become like Him.

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

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 137 – 2 Peter 1-3-4 – His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need – 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