I Have Fought The Good Fight

Posted on April 8, 2022 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 235 – 2 Timothy 4-6-8 – Fought The Good Fight – Growing As Disciples

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)

Finish Strong

What will help you to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as one of my followers? That is a very good question. Do you have an answer? I know what won’t help me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as your follower. What’s that? A strong will and determined effort based on my own will power and strength will not help me. Why is that? I am weak. I may have the best of intentions. I may have the strongest of desires. I may make the firmest commitment and clearest resolution. But without your power and strength, I will certainly fail in fighting hard, running fast, and finishing strong. Why is that? I will face strong head winds. The world, my own flesh, and even the devil and all his evil will rise up and bring storms against me. I may be blown off course. I might be stuck in a rut. I may be stopped dead in my tracks. Without your help, I will certainly become discouraged, depressed, and defeated. Only you can keep me moving forward. Only you can empower me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong. It is wise that you know this to be true. It has never been my intent that you live your life under your own power and strength. You have my spirit living and dwelling inside of you. I will spur you on. I will strengthen you. I will lift you up. I will keep you from becoming discouraged, depressed, and defeated. Will you rely on my help? Will you ask me for what you want and need? Will you be fully devoted to me? Will you live in an intimate relationship with me? Will you keep your heart and mind and life focused on me? Will you long for my appearing? Will you pour yourself out in serving me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will surely have everything you need from me to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will fight hard and run fast so that I can finish strong as your follower. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you as I long for your appearing. Help me to live a life that is a bold and bright witness for you. Help me to live without any regrets. Amen

Key Question… How are you keeping your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord as you love, follow, and serve Him?

Living It Out… Keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord as you serve Him and long for His appearing.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as His follower.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are fighting hard and running fast as a follower of Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you fight hard, run fast, and finish strong as a follower of Christ.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 235 – 2 Timothy 4-6-8 – I Have Fought The Good Fight – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Slaves Of Righteousness

Posted on March 25, 2022 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 237 – Romans 6-15-19 – Slaves Of Righteousness – Growing As Disciples

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Romans 6:15-19 (ESV)

Obey Me

Why do you want to obey me? Is it tremendously hard for you to obey me? Is obeying me an exceedingly difficult decision for you to make? Are you torn between different priorities when you are thinking about obeying me? Do some of these questions seem ridiculous to you? I wouldn’t say that. You might think it? That is possible. But I would like to answer these questions right now. Go ahead. In fact, the words, “right now” are important. How so? The time to decide to obey you is “right now.” Why is that? “Right now”, I am not facing a temptation. “Right now”, the world and all the evil in it is not attempting to entice me. “Right now”, I do not feel the allure that temptation can present. So, making an advance decision that I will obey you is timely and important. Attempting to make that decision later, in the heat of the moment, is the wrong time and too late. Can you say more about why making an advance decision to obey me is so important? Yes, I can. If I am determined to obey you, I will not allow myself to enter into tempting situations. That is at least half the battle. Yes, it is. Once more, If I am determined to obey you, I will have a list of things that I will never do. My advance decision will guide to where I will not go and to what I will never do. That is very good.

You have highlighted when it is the best time to decide to obey me. You have not told me why you want to obey me. Where does your desire to obey me come from? My desire to obey you comes from my heart. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Obeying you is what I want to do. I am not torn between priorities when I must reaffirm my decision to obey you. Obeying you is not an exceedingly difficult decision to make. It is not tremendously hard for me to obey you. Do I obey you perfectly? Do I never sin? The answer is obvious. I do not obey you perfectly. I am not without sin. But the overwhelming desire and course of my life is to follow and obey you with all that is within me because I love you. That is very good. Thank you, Lord, for your love for me. Help me to keep on obeying you from my heart. You can count on it.

Lord, I will not allow myself to become a slave of sin. Those days are gone. You set me free. You broke sin’s power over me. Now, I will distance myself from sinful temptations. Now, I will be obedient from the heart to what you have and are now teaching me. Amen

Key Question… Why will you never regret being obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you?

Living It Out… Be obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be obedient from the heart to all that you have been taught.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being obedient from the heart to the Lord’s teaching.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be obedient from the heart to all that the Lord has taught you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 237 – Romans 6-15-19 – Slaves Of Righteousness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Your Heart Will Also Be

Posted on March 20, 2022 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 234 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Your Heart Will Also Be – Growing As Disciples

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

A Well Lived Life

Do you want to live a well lived life? Would you one day like to look back over your life without regret? Do you want to make sure that your life was well spent and invested in what will last? Would you like to hear me one day say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Who would not want to live a well lived life? Who would not want to live a life without regrets? Who would not want to spend and invest their life in what will last? Who would not want to be called a good and faithful servant, especially by you? You would be surprised at how many will waste and spend their lives on what will amount to nothing of eternal value. Not many make storing up treasure in heaven with me the priority of their lives. I pray that will not be me. It is not you. It will not be you. That, I am glad to hear. Help me to better understand how I can store up treasure in heaven with you. That is a very good question.

Keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. Do not be allured and enticed by all that the world has to offer. All worldly possessions will one day amount to nothing. What you have now is only on a short-term loan to you. Do not labor to possess what you surely cannot keep. You brought nothing into this world. You will take no possessions out of this world. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I ask of you. Help others to come to know and love and follow and serve me. Shine as a bright light for me in the darkness of this world. Love like I loved. Give like I gave. Serve like I served. Teach what I taught. Live as I lived. Humbly allow me to use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. Become like me in all that you think and say and do. Then you bear fruit for my kingdom. Then you will bring glory to my name. Then you will store up treasure in heaven with me. All this I will do with all the strength and ability you will give to me. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not store up treasure on earth that will one day amount to nothing. I know that all my prized earthly possessions are only on a short-term loan to me. I will not spend my life on what will not last. Instead, I will store up treasure in heaven with you. Amen.

Key Question… What specific activities will certainly store up treasure in heaven with the Lord?

Living It Out… May storing up treasure in heaven with the Lord be a priority in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to store up treasure in heaven with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up treasure in heaven with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store up treasure in heaven with the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 234 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Your Heart Will Also Be – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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A Foothold

Posted on January 21, 2022 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 233 – Ephesians 4-26-27 – A Foothold – Growing As Disciples

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)

Do An Inventory

That is what I would like you to do. What would you like me to do? I would like you draw near to me at the end of each of your days. I would like it if we discussed how your day went. I would like you to meet with me so we can assess your day together. In other words, I would like us to do an inventory of your thoughts and words and actions during your day. How does that sound? You seem a little hesitant. Does this seem like a scary prospect to you? Yes, it does. Why is that? I am sure that each of my days will not stand up to your scrutiny. Haven’t you frequently said that you want to think and speak and act in ways that please me? Haven’t you said that you want to become like me in your thoughts and words and deed? Yes, I have said those words many times. Were you not serious? Yes, I was and am very serious about my desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. Nothing would make me happier than to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. So, when you fail to live out this desire, you would rather not talk about it? You would rather not discuss it with me? I didn’t say that. I said that discussing my failings with you seems like a scary prospect to me. Would you rather we remain silent with each other, and you go on thinking and speaking and acting in ways that displease me? No, certainly not. You know that you cannot think and speak and act in ways that please me without my help? Yes, of that I am certain. Our talking together, discussing your day, is when and where you will ask for and receive my help. Does asking for and receiving my help seem like a scary prospect to you? No, not at all. Well then, will you meet with me to discuss your day with me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

What is one thing we can discuss right now? I have been angry. I have been offended. My rights have been violated. Yes, I noticed. You agree? Yes, I do agree. So, it is ok for me to hold on to anger? What do you think? I think you want me to let go of anger. You don’t want me to hold on to anger. You want me to forgive others willingly and freely, just as you have willingly and freely forgiven me. When I do that, I will be thinking and speaking and acting like you. Yes, you will and in doing so you will not be giving a foothold to the devil. I will let go of anger. I will not carry it with me. I will forgive others just as you have forgiven me. That is very good. See, taking an inventory with me is a very good thing. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not let the devil gain a foothold in my life. I will not carry anger with me from day to day. I will let go of anger and willingly forgive those who have wronged me. Help me to assess each day to verify that I am not letting the sun go down on my anger. Amen

Key Question… How willing are you to let go of your anger and forgive those who have wronged you?

Living It Out… Make sure that you do not carry anger with you from day to day.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the devil will not gain a foothold in your life when you don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are not letting the sun go down on your anger.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never give the devil a foothold by letting anger take hold of you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 233 – Ephesians 4-26-27 – A Foothold – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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When Words Are Many

Posted on December 23, 2021 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 232 – Proverbs 10-19 – When Words Are Many – Growing As Disciples

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

Stop Talking

Well, that would be sound advice for me. What would be sound advice for you? I need to stop talking so much. Why is that? When many words are spoken, I know that sin is not absent. No one needed to tell me that truth. I have frequently talked way too much and listened far too little. I am certain that I will more often regret what I said than what I didn’t say. I am also sure that I don’t need to say every word that comes into my head. Before I speak, I have no doubt that I need to prayerfully consider my words. Does that mean that you will prayerfully ask me to give you words to speak? Yes, it does. What will be required of you if you want to speak words that come from me? What will you need to do if you want me to guard and guide your words? I will need to learn to listen attentively to you. Can you hear me well if you are always the one speaking? Certainly not. To hear from you, I will often need to sit quietly before you. But that is just the beginning of my training. What else will you need? I will need to be able to listen to you and hear your voice even when I am in conversations with others. I will need to listen well to you and to others when I am in conversations if I hope to speak wise words that come from you. That is correct. Does that seem like a difficult skill to master? Listening well to you and others at the same time? Yes. That seems like a very difficult task to master. You are correct. It will take time and effort for you do develop the skill of listening attentively to my voice. It will take even more time and effort to be able to listen to me as you listen to others. Well, I will commit the time and make the effort to learn to listen attentively to you and others so I will be able to speak wise words that come from you. That will be very good.

I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead I am listening. Your desire to speak wise words that come from me is very admirable. What attitude will be most important if you want to hear from me? Or I could ask, what will hinder or help your hearing from me so you can speak wise words that come from me? Humility will help me to hear from you. Pride will hinder me from hearing from you. If I am humble, I will know that apart from you I have no wise words to offer. If I am prideful, I will think that I do not need your help to speak wise words to others. So, what will you do? I will keep on coming to you. I will keep on drawing near to you. I will keep on humbly relying on you to give me wise words to speak on your behalf. That will be very good.

Lord, I have spoken many words. With my many words, sin has not been absent. Help me to be wise. Help me to rely on you to guard and guide the words that come out of my mouth. Use my words to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Amen

Key Question… Why do you not need to say every thought that comes into your mind?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to guard and guide the words that come out of your mouth.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you words that He wants you to speak.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be careful to limit the words that come out of your mouth.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 232 – Proverbs 10-19 – When Words Are Many – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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You Are The Salt Of The Earth

Posted on December 7, 2021 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 231- Matthew 5-13-16 – You Are Salt Of The Earth – Growing As Disciples

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

Salt And Light

Do you want to be salt and light, for me, in the world? Do you want to bring glory and honor and praise to my name? Do you want others to be drawn to me through the witness of your life? Yes Lord, I want all these things to be true of my life. I want my life to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. I want my life to add your flavor and preservative to what would otherwise be foul corruption in the world. How can I be salt and light for you in the world? That is a very good question. If you want to be salt and light for me in the world there is one thing you must not do and another thing that you must do. You have my full attention. I am listening carefully to you. That’s good. First, you must not let the corruption that is in the world destroy your saltiness or diminish your light. That means that I must not allow myself to be conformed to the values, patterns, and practices of the world. I must throw off anything and everything that would hinder my being salt and light for you. That means that I must not allow myself to become enticed and entrapped by sin. That is correct.

What must I do if I want to be salt and light for you in the world? You tell me. I must go and do what you ask of me. I must do the good works that you have prepared in advance for me to do. Throwing off sin and not getting entangled in worldly pursuits will make it so my saltiness is not destroyed, or my light is not diminished. But going and doing what you ask of me will help me to shine brightly for you in the darkness of this world. Accomplishing your purposes and fulfilling your plans will help me to bring the flavor of your goodness to others all round me. Others will be drawn to you as I remain salty and shiny for you. That is true. That is right. That is certain. That is what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for making me to be salt and light in the world. Thank you for giving me good deeds to do for you. Use me to bring glory and honor and praise to your name. Draw a multitude of others to yourself through the salt and light of my life. Amen

Key Question… How are your good deeds bringing glory and honor and praise to God?

Living It Out… Allow your good deeds to be like salt and light in the world to bring glory, honor, and praise to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use your good deeds as salt and light in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your good deeds are bringing glory to God.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a godly life filled with prayers that the Lord will hear and answer.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 231- Matthew 5-13-16 – You Are The Salt Of The Earth – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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Do Not Judge Or You Will Be Judged

Posted on December 4, 2021 by growingasadisciple

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 230 – Matthew 7-1-5 – Do Not Judge Or You Will Be Judged – Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

In Return

Have you heard the expression, “What goes around comes around?” Or how about, “You get what you give?” Or even, “If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword?” Yes, I have heard all those expressions. Do they sound a little like, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged?” Or “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you?” Or how about, “Do to others what you would have them do to you?” Yes, they sound quite similar. Do you have any doubt about the truth in each of these expressions? No, I have no doubts. That’s good. So, how do you want to be treated? How will you treat others? Aren’t those two very good questions to help guide your life? Or I could ask you these questions? How have I treated you? How will you treat others? What example have I set before you to follow? Will you think and speak, and act like me? I want to think and speak and act like you. I want to live like you lived. I want to follow your example. How so? I want to give like you gave. I want to serve like you served. I want to love like you loved. My primary motive and most fundamental desire is that I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want what you want. You want me to become like you. You want your life lived out, in and through me. You want others to be drawn to you because they see your life shining through my life. Yes, I do. So, if I don’t treat others just as you have treated me, I will be living a life that is not pleasing to you. Of secondary importance, but still a worthy consideration, is that I will suffer greatly if I don’t follow your example. Give some negative examples. If I treat others harshly, I can expect harshness to come back to me. If I gossip against others, I can expect others to gossip against me. If I am angry and short tempered toward others, I can expect to receive those same attitudes to return to me. Give some positive examples. As I give, so I will receive. If I give out kindness and mercy and love, it will come back to me. If I am gracious and forgiving, that is what I will receive. Are there any other considerations? I am not qualified to judge others. Why is that? I am flawed. I have my own issues. How so? I make mistakes. I take missteps. I sin. I act inappropriately. I think and speak and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. And you would like to be forgiven? You would like to be treated with kindness and mercy and love? You would like to receive grace and forgiveness? Yes, and that is exactly what you have, are now, and will always give to me. So, will you do the same for others? Will you lavishly love others with my love? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, why do I tend to be judgmental of others? Why is it that I can easily see flaws in others but not in myself? Help me to extend to others the same grace that you have lavishly extended to me. Help me to love others just as you have loved me. Use me Lord. Amen

Key Question… Why can you be sure that you will receive back what you have given out to others?

Living It Out… Make it your habit to lavishly extend grace rather than judgment to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to lavishly extend grace to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have received back what you have given to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not judge others, or you will be judged.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 230 – Matthew 7-1-5 – Do Not Judge Or You Will Be Judged – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Teach Believers With Your Life

Posted on November 29, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your Life – Growing As Disciples

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. 1 Timothy 4:11-14 (MSG)

Life And Words

Do you want to get the word out? Do you want me to use your life to lead others to me? Do you want me to use you to go out into the world to make disciples? Yes, I will get the word out. Yes, I want you to use my life to lead others to you. Yes, I want to go out into the world to make disciples. How will you use me? How will you speak through me? Those are two very good questions. I will speak through you in two very different ways. Both ways must be combined together for you to be powerfully used by me. You have my full attention. I am listening carefully to you. First, you must live a godly life. The conduct of your life will speak to others. How you live your life will send out a message into the world. The demeanor of your life must be a flesh and blood demonstration of love and faith and integrity. Others must be able to see my life being lived out in and through you. Your life must shine brightly in the darkness of this world. Your life must be attractive. Your life must be winsome. Is this all clear to you? Do you fully understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. That’s good.

Your life alone will not speak clearly enough. Your life alone will only open the door to minister to others. Your life alone will only make others eager to hear what you have to say. Without your words, others will not come to know and love and follow and serve me. Without your words, others will not come to be my disciples. You teach and counsel others with my word. You must boldly declare my word so it can be heard. Will you meet with me in my word? Will you read my word? Will you teach and counsel others with my word? Yes, I will. Will you use all the gifts that I have given you to minister to others? Yes, I will. Then your life and the words I give you to declare will be powerfully used by me. Others will come to know and love and follow and serve me through your life and words. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will use the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities you have given me to minister to others. I will teach others by the example of my life and with the words of my mouth. Help me to make sure that nothing you have given is unused and goes to waste. Amen

Key Question… Why will your words of testimony also need to accompany the testimony of your life?

Living It Out… Continue to use all the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities God has given you to minister to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you gifts, talents, resources, and abilities to use to minister to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to minister to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your life and words teach others how to love and follow and serve the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your Life – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Be Gracious

Posted on November 28, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 214 – Colossians 4-2- 6 – Be Gracious – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NLT)

Gracious And Attractive Conversation

I need help with that, there is no doubt about it. You need help with what? I need my conversation to be gracious and attractive. I need to be able to give the right response to everyone. It is easy to speak gracious and attractive words when everything is going well. It is entirely a different thing to be able to speak gracious and attractive words when the heat is on, and I am under pressure. It is then that I have found it very difficult to give the right response to everyone. Yes, I have noticed. Forgive me. You are forgiven. Why is it critically important that you become able to speak kind and gracious words in every circumstance, and especially when you are in the greatest difficultly, experiencing troubling trials? I’m sure that when I am in great difficulty, experiencing troubling trials, is when you want me to shine brightest for you. These times are when I can stand out as being quite different because your life is being lived out in and through me. It is in these times when speaking kind and gracious words would be unexpected, unique, and almost counter-cultural. It is in these times when others might ask me why I am so kind and gracious even in the most difficult circumstances. It is in these times when I can be the boldest witness and give the brightest testimony for you. Difficultly creates opportunity, and I want to make the most of every opportunity to be a witness for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Those are very good desires that you have in you. I will make you able to be a bold and bright witness for me in the darkness of this world. I will work in and through you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, help my words to be gracious and attractive. Help my words to be seasoned with salt in a way that spreads the flavor of you everywhere. Give me opportunities to serve you, by sharing the Gospel with others. Help me to lead others to follow you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making the most of every opportunity to serve the Lord by ministering to others?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to share the Gospel with others so that they will come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you opportunities to share the Gospel with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making sure your words are gracious and attractive.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your conversation be gracious and attractive so you will have the right response for everyone.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 214 – Colossians 4-2- 6 – Be Gracious – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide

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

Not Grow Weary

Posted on November 26, 2021 by growingasadisciple

The Virtuous Life – Day 229 – Galatians 6-9-10 – Not Grow Weary – Growing As Disciples

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

Weary Of Doing Good

I hate to admit it. I dislike it being true. I wish it were not so. I deeply regret that I am in this position. What are you talking about? You know what I am talking about better than I know what I am talking about. Yes, I do. Know this, when I ask you a question, it is not because I am lacking information. It is because I am wanting you to reflect more deeply on a topic. I want you to more fully consider your situation. I want us to engage in a deeper conversation. I understand. That is good. Now, tell me more about what you have on your mind and in your heart. I am weary and worn out. That may be an understatement. I feel like I am running on empty. I am in danger of growing so weary that I stop doing the good things you have given me to do for you. That is not good. Yes, I know.

How have you reached this state of weariness? How have you become so worn out? I can think of several reasons. I’m listening. I have not taken care of my body. I have become unbalanced. I have failed to make sure that I am getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising daily. I know you have given me this body. I can’t have another. If my body is not healthy, I have little chance of serving you well. That is true. Will you start taking care of your body so you will not grow weary in serving me? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

You have mentioned one cause of your being weary, can you think of another? Yes, I can. I am still listening. I have been giving out more than I have been taking in. What does that mean? I have not taken time to leave the noise and busyness of life to rest in your presence. I, unlike Mary, have failed to choose what is better. I know that you will revive and refresh and restore me as I draw near to you. I need to allow you to freshly fill me so I can abundantly and fruitfully serve others. Will you make it your daily practice to allow me to revive, refresh and restore you. Will you draw near to me? Will you come to rest in my presence? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

There is one more cause of your being weary and worn out, can you think of what that is? I have been incorrect in my thinking. I have been unrealistic in my expectations. How so? I failed to remember that sowing and reaping almost always occur in different seasons. I have allowed myself to become discouraged because I have not seen immediate results of my labor. That is not good. I know. Will you trust me? Will you leave the results and fruits of your labor up to me? Do you believe that I will help you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, I will. Yes, I do. That is very good.

Lord, I have allowed my life to be unbalanced. I have not taken good care of my body. I have become weary and worn out. Revive and refresh and restore me as I draw near to you. Help me to keep on doing all the good that you have given me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… When has a lack of sleep, poor diet, and insufficient exercise caused you to grow weary serving the Lord?

Living It Out… Withdraw from the noise and busyness of life to rest in the Lord’s presence so He can revive, refresh and restore you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will revive, refresh, and restore you as you come to rest in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are continuing to do the good God has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not grow weary in doing the good God has given you to do for Him.

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

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In Return

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

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Life And Words

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

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Gracious And Attractive Conversation

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

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Weary Of Doing Good

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

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