Category Archives: The Virtuous Life

Overcomes The World

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The Virtuous Life - Day 223 - 1 John 5-1-5 - Overcomes The World - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)

Place Your Faith

Where will you place your faith? I’m not sure what you mean. Will you place your faith in yourself? Will you trust in your own gifts, talents, abilities, and resources? Will you rely on your own understanding? Will you follow your own counsel? Will you go and do whatever seems right to you? Will you be the master of your own destiny? Will you be the final arbiter of what is good and right and true? That would be exceedingly foolish. How do you know for sure? I know from the voice of experience. I have been there and done that. I have seen the error of my own ways. I have followed my own counsel and listened to my own advice. I have gone and done whatever seemed right to me. Where did all this lead you? It led me on a crooked path. I bounced from one fruitless endeavor to another. It led me into a life filled with bruises and brokenness. I suffered for my mistakes, missteps. and sinfulness. I reached rock bottom. I had nowhere to go. I was stuck in the mud and mire of my own pride filled life. So, what did you do? You know exactly what I did. Yes, I do. I cried out to you. I asked you for your help. I turned my life over to you. I came to believe in you. I placed all my faith and hope and trust in you. Yes, you certainly did. Now, only you, are the arbiter of what is good and right and true. If I think one thing and you say another, then I now know that it is time for me to readjust my thinking and realign my life with you. That is very good.

What has been, is, and will be the outcome of your placing all your faith and hope and trust in me? I am now living the life of salvation that you have secured for me. Your love for me, and my love for you, has made following and obeying your commands not burdensome to me. It has become my joy to do what is good and right and true. I love doing what is pleasing to you. You are helping me to overcome the world, as I live my life with and for you. Yes, you are and that is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I do believe in you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I love you with all that is within me. I will place all my faith in you. Loving you has made obeying your commands not burdensome. Help me to overcome the world as I follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question…  How is continuing to place your trust in the Lord helping you to overcome the world?

Living It Out…  Place all your faith in the Lord and allow Him to help you overcome the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to overcome the world as you place all your faith in Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your faith in the Lord is helping you to overcome the world.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your faith in Jesus Christ make you able to overcome the world.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 223 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Overcomes The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Goes Into Strict Training

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The Virtuous Life - Day 228 - 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 - Goes Into Strict Training

The Virtuous Life – Day 228 – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Goes Into Strict Training

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Run Well

That is what I want to do. What do you want to do? I want to run well and finish strong as your follower. That is a very good goal. That is a great purpose and plan. How will you run well and finish strong as my follower? I know one thing, for sure. What’s that? I won’t run well and finish strong without your help. You will keep me on track. You will help me to stay on course. Yes, I will. In fact, you should know that I am praying for you. I want you to run well and finish strong. We both want the same thing. That is not surprising. Why is that? You placed this desire in my heart. Do you believe that I will also grant this desire that I have given to you? Yes, I do. That’s good.

What role do you play in your running well and finishing strong? I need to stay on course. I need to keep on track. What does that mean? I need to distance myself from anything that will hinder my running well as your follower. How will you do that? I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. When hindrances of any kind seek to entrap me and weigh me down, I will throw them off as I run to you. You will lead me. You will guide me. You will guard and protect me. Yes, I will, you can count on me. What else? I need to enter strict training. What will that look like in your daily life? In my daily life with you, I will meet with you in prayer. I will meet with you in worship. I will meet with you in your word. I will meet with you in service. I will meet with you in fellowship. In every way, I will live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. In our time together, I am sure that you will direct all my training. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, it is my desire to run well and finish strong as your follower. I want to bear and abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. With that in mind, I will distance myself from any hindrances and enter strict training as I follow you. Amen

Key Question…  What would entering strict training as a follower of Christ look like in your daily life?

Living It Out…  Enter strict training so you will run well as a follower of Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that entering strict training will help you to run well as a follower of Christ.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what spiritual disciplines are part of your strict training.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you enter strict training so you will run well as a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 228 – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Strict Training – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Deeds Done In Humility

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The Virtuous Life - Day 221 - James 3-13-18 - Deeds Done In Humility - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NIV)  

Demonstrating Wisdom

What does wisdom look like? How will you know if you are thinking and speaking and acting wisely? How will you gauge if you are truly wise? When can you be very sure that wisdom is lacking? What will be the result and end product of your life if you are living wisely? Those are all good questions. Go ahead and answer them. I will start by describing what wisdom is not. That is a good place to start. Wisdom does not harbor bitter envy. Wisdom is not fueled by selfish ambition. Wisdom is not boastful, nor will it deny what is true. Anything that looks or sounds or acts like this is not heavenly wisdom, it is worldly wisdom, that is unspiritual and comes from the devil. Out of this kind of evil springs disorder, discord, disunity, and a host of evil practices. I want none of this so-called wisdom in my life. That’s good.

You have said enough about what is not. Describe what heavenly wisdom looks like. Heavenly wisdom is demonstrated by actions. It is not a lot of talk. A wise person’s life demonstrates wisdom by humbly doing good deeds. They live a life for others. They love like you loved. They give like you gave. They serve like you served. Heavenly wisdom loves peace. It is considerate and submissive. Heavenly wisdom is filled with mercy. It is impartial and sincere. If I am truly wise, I will be known as a peacemaker. If I am truly wise, my life will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. If I am truly wise, my life will bring glory to your name. Yes, you will. Do you want to live a life filled with heavenly wisdom? Yes, I do. That is the desire or my heart. That is how I will think and speak and act. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that I have often thought, or spoke, or acted unwisely. Forgive me. Help me to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for others. Develop in me all the character qualities that are part of being truly wise. For your glory, bear good fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question…  What character qualities are essential elements of living a life filled with wisdom?

Living It Out…  Demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly doing good deeds for others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

He Who Is Greatest

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The Virtuous Life - Day 220 - Matthew 23-11-12 - He Who Is Greatest - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 220 – Matthew 23-11-12 – He Who Is Greatest – Growing As Disciples

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (NKJV)

True Greatness

How would you define true greatness? What will you do to live a life that could truly be called great? Sometimes, I have wondered if desiring to live a life that could be called great is desire that is pleasing to you. Do you think I want you to live a life that isn’t great? Do you think I want you to live a life that would be called average or maybe even below average? Well, that sounds ridiculous. I’m glad that you think so. I’m sure that defining greatness is the key. It is. The world defines greatness in a way that I am certain is at odds with your definition of greatness. How so? The world’s definition of greatness is not rooted in humility. The world’s definition of greatness is not centered in serving others. The world’s definition of greatness revolves around rising above others. It is rooted and centered in a prideful desire to get ahead, and be better, and have more than others. If you are rich, the world would call you great. If you are powerful, the world would call you great. If you did something spectacular and especially noteworthy, the world would call you great. The world would never regard humbly serving others as being great. The world would never regard quietly loving others as expressed by humble acts of service as being great. Greatness according to the world is rising above others to be served by them. It is never following your example of humbly and selflessly loving others with no thought of return. True greatness never expects to be paid back. True greatness loves and gives sacrificially because it is following your example. True greatness does what is pleasing to you. True greatness stores up treasure in heaven with you. The efforts of true greatness bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is truly great. I want to follow your example. I want to think as you thought. I want to speak as you spoke. I want to act as you acted. I will humble myself as I serve you and others. That will be true greatness. Thank you, Lord

Lord, you have given me an example to follow. You have shown me what it means to humbly serve others. I will follow your example. I want to live a great life of humbly serving others. I want to bear lots of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  What will you do if you want to live a life that could be called great?

Living It Out…  Follow the Lord’s example and live a great life of humbly serving others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will live a great life as you follow the Lord’s example of humbly serving others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are currently engaged in humbly serving others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you exhibit true greatness by humbly serving others.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 220 – Matthew 23-11-12 – He Who Is Greatest – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Following My Example

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The Virtuous Life - Day 219 - Philippians 3-17-21 - Follow My Example - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 219 – Philippians 3-17-21 – Follow My Example – Growing As Disciples

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.  For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:17-21 (NIV)

Examples To Follow

You have given me many examples to follow. What kind of examples have I given you to follow? You have given me many examples to follow of what it means and looks like to love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. You have allowed me to see others who have loved and followed and serve you with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. What did you observe? What did you come to understand? How did their examples show you the way? What stood out to you? I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I took lots of mental notes. That’s good, what did you note? I noted that those who lived passionately and powerfully as your followers were fully devoted to you. There were not half-hearted. They were not partially engaged. You were the full focus of their attention. They kept their heart and mind and life fixed on you. The world and all that it offers did not attract them. They were not allured by the treasures of this life. They knew that this life is temporary. They knew that this life is like a mirage. It is like a mist that will quickly fades away. It is like a snap of the fingers or a blink of an eye. They knew without a doubt that their true citizenship is in heaven with you. As they loved and followed and served you with all that was within them, they lived with the encouraging knowledge that one day you would make their lowly, and soon to be worn out bodies, to be like your glorious body. So, they lived for you. They lived to know and do your will. They lived to bear fruit for your kingdom. They lived to bring glory to your name. Is this the life you want to live? Will you follow the examples that I have set before you? This is the life I want to live. I want to live to know and do your will. My heart and mind and life will be focused on you. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for giving me many godly examples to follow. Others before me have shown me what it looks like to love, follow, and serve you with all my heart. I will follow their powerful examples. Help me to also live as a godly example for others to follow. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord given you examples of how to love and follow and serve Him?

Living It Out…  Follow the examples of loving, following, and serving the Lord that you have been given.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow the examples of loving, following, and serving Him you have been given.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your life is serving as a godly example that others can follow.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow the example of loving, following, and serving Christ that you have been given.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 219 – Philippians 3-17-21 – Following My Example – 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 Never Regret

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The Virtuous Life - Day 227 - 2 Corinthians 7-10-11 - We Never Regret - Growing AS Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 227 – 2 Corinthians 7-10-11 – We Never Regret – Growing AS Disciples

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.  And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart.            2 Corinthians 7:10-11 (MSG)

Turned You Around

What turned you around? What changed the entire course of your life? You were headed one way, then you came to a complete stop, turned around, and started walking in the opposite direction. What happened to you? You happened to me. You turned my life around. You helped me to see the error of my ways. You helped me to realize that I was living and walking on a path that led away from you. You helped me to see that I was living a sinful life that was not pleasing to you. I was in deep distress. I was in great pain. I did not know it then, but I know it now. I was in distress and great pain because of the emptiness of my life. There was a hole in my life that only you could fill.  Sin was separating me from you. That brought Godly sorrow into my life. I felt Godly sorrow over my sins. I felt Godly sorrow about you not being in my life, at the very center, of all my thoughts and words and actions. You however, got my attention. Yes, I did. All my pain and emptiness drew me to you. I had a choice to make. Would I keep walking on the path that led away from you? Or would I turn around and turn my life over to you? It would be foolish, in a sense, to say that I chose you. You chose me, there is no doubt about that. But I was not only seeking comfort for my distress or relief of my pain. Somehow, as dense as I was, you helped me to know that I wanted and needed you. I wanted the new life of salvation that you were ready, willing, and able to give me as a free gift. All that was needed was for me to confess and turn from my sins and begin to love and follow and serve you. That is where Godly sorrow led me. Godly sorrow turned my life around and started me on a new course of loving, following, and serving you. I will never regret feeling Godly sorrow. Godly sorrow helped me, and will continue to help me, to live in an intimate relationship with you. Godly sorrow will give passion to my prayers. Godly sorrow will cause me to continually rely on you. Why is that someone might ask? I am still a sinner. I still need forgiveness. I still need you to help me to keep on loving, following, and serving you with all that is within me. So, keep on using Godly sorrow to purify my life.  Use Godly sorrow to bring hope and peace into my life and fill my heart with joy. Use Godly sorrow to draw me closer and closer to you until the day I come to see you face to face. That I will do. That you can count on. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for using Godly sorrow to turn my life around so I could begin to love and follow and serve you. Thank you that Godly sorrow has drawn me into an intimate and passionate relationship with you. I will never regret your using Godly sorrow in my life. Amen

Key Question…  How has Godly sorrow turned your life around so that you could love, follow, and serve God?

Living It Out…  Allow Godly sorrow to turn your life around and draw you ever closer to God as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will never regret the work that Godly sorrow will do in your heart, and mind, and life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how Godly sorrow has and still is doing a great work in you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May Godly sorrow turn your life around and cause you to passionately love, follow, and serve the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 227 – 2 Corinthians 7-10-11 – We Never Regret – 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

Training Us

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The Virtuous Life - Day 218 - Titus 2-11-14 - Training Us - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 218 – Titus 2-11-14 – Training Us – Growing As Disciples

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

Train Me

Here I am. I have renounced my old life in the world. I have left behind worldly passions that once dominated my life. I am now living the life of salvation that you have secured for me. It is my eager desire that you train me to live a godly life. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want you to purify my thoughts and words and actions so that they are acceptable to you. Make me eager to always do what is good. Is that your prayer? Is that your utmost desire? Is this truly the work you want me to do in you? Do you really want me to train you? Yes, this is my prayer and utmost desire. This is the work I want you to do in me. Yes, I really want you to train me. But there is something of which I am supremely confident. What is that? You have already begun this work in me. This work started in me, long ago, on the day I turned my life over to you. Once you became my Savior and Lord nothing about my life has remained the same. You have been molding and shaping me. You have been changing my heart. You have been transforming my mind. You have been guiding my life. It is you that has given me this eager desire to live out the life of salvation you have given me to live. So, my prayer and desire and eagerness are in alignment with your will. I want what you want for me. Of that, I have no doubt. You want to do this work in me. I want you to do this work in me. I welcome you to do this work in me. Continue to train me. Yes, I will train you. Yes, I have been training you. Yes, I will continue to train you. You are correct, long ago, I began this work in you. My work in you will continue until the day we meet face to face.  For that I am grateful. For that you have all my thanks and praise. Knowing that you are working in me has filled me with hope and peace and joy. That is very good.

There are two things I want you to do as I train you. What is that? Keep my word every before you. Keep on hearing and doing my word. Keep on putting my word into practice. That I will do, what else? Live day by day, moment by moment, with the eager expectation that one day very soon we will meet face to face. That knowledge will fan the flame of your eagerness to live your life fully for me. These two things I will do. That will be very good. Thank you Lord, that you have been, are now, and will continue to train me.

Lord, I have renounced my old life in the world for the new life I have in you. Train me in godliness so I can live the new life of salvation I have in you. Help me to say no to ungodliness. Train me to always think and say and do what is pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question…  How has the grace of God caused an eagerness to do what is godly to grow strong in you?

Living It Out…  Allow the grace of God to train you to say no to ungodliness.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the grace of God will train you to say no to ungodliness.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the grace of God has been training you to say no to ungodliness.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the grace of God to train you to say no to ungodliness.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 218 – Titus 2-11-14 – Training Us – 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

Be Careful To Live Properly

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The Virtuous Life - Day 225 - 1 Peter 2-11-12 - Be Careful To Live Properly - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 225 – 1 Peter 2-11-12 – Be Careful To Live Properly – Growing As Disciples

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.  Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT)

A Witness

That is what I want to be. That is what I want to do. That is how I will live my life. What do you want to be and do? How do you want to live your life? I want to live as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want my values, and priorities and goals to be sharply focused on being your bold and bright witness in the world. That is a very good desire that you have within you. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? Not at all, I’m listening, ask away. What will try to prevent you from being a bold and bright witness for me in the world? Well, I live in a world that is constantly waging war against my soul. I need to be on guard against worldly desires. I need to be continually mindful of the fact that I am a very temporary resident and foreigner in this world. My true and eternal home will be in heaven with you. How does that knowledge impact the way you live your life each day? Knowing that my life on this earth is very temporary guides all my values, priorities, and goals. I don’t want to waste my life and spend it on what will have no lasting and eternal value. How will you spend your life? I will spend my life doing what is pleasing to you. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will live the life that you are calling me to live. What kind of life am I calling you to live? You are calling me to live like you lived. You want me to think and speak and act like you. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. You want others to see your life and light being lived out in and through me. You also want my life to be a bold and bright witness for you. You want me to shine like a star in the universe for you. You want others to come to know and love and follow and serve you because of the witness and testimony of my life. Yes, I do. So, I will be very careful to live properly so that nothing will tarnish or disqualify me as your witness. That will be very good. And I know that you will be with me to help me to be your witness in the world. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know I am a very temporary resident and foreigner in this world. I will be living here for a very short time. I will be on guard against worldly desires that wage war against my soul. I will be careful to live as a bold and bright witness for you in this world. Amen

Key Question…  How has your life born fruit for the kingdom of God because you have lived as a witness for Christ?

Living It Out…  Make living as a bold and bright witness for Christ your top value, priority, and goal.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God as you live as a bold and bright witness for Christ.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are be careful to live as a bold and bright witness for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live properly so you can be a bold and bright witness for the Lord to unbelievers.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 225 – 1 Peter 2-11-12 – Be Careful To Live Properly – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Have Gone Astray

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The Virtuous Life - Day 226 - Isaiah 53-4-6 - Have Gone Astray - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 226 – Isaiah 53-4-6 – Have Gone Astray – Growing As Disciples

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)

My Good Shepherd

There is no doubt about it, I was like a lost and lonely sheep that had wandered away from you. I was bruised and battered and broken by the sinful life I was living in the world. Beyond that, I had no hope or peace or joy. My life was stuck in the muck and mire of a life gone horribly wrong. I lived a self-centered, self-reliant, and self-indulgent life. I was worn out, weary, and empty inside. What could I expect? I was living my life without you. What happened to you? You know what happened to me. You rescued me. You were unwilling to let me live a life without you. Like a Good Shepherd, you went after me. You sought me out. You helped me to see the error of my own ways. You brought me to the end of the line. There was nowhere I could go. There was nothing I could do. So, I cried out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me. I told you that I wanted to turn my life over to you. I said that I would give myself to you. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. I invited you to come into my life. I asked you to heal my bruised and battered and broken life. I asked you to forgive my sins and cleanse my unrighteousness. Did I hear your prayer? Have I been doing what you asked of me? Did you hear my prayer? What a question. You have, are now, and will forever be hearing and answering my prayer. Your answers to my prayer never end. Your answers to my prayer are far beyond what I could have ever hoped for, dreamed of, or even imagined. You have lavished me with your kindness and mercy and love. You have adopted me into your family.  I am now your child. You have filled me with your Spirit. You are allowing me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You are molding and shaping my life as I continue to love and follow and serve you. You have given me gifts, and talents, and abilities with which I can serve you. You are allowing me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You are making me to be a light in the darkness of this world. You are using me to draw others to you. You are using me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. One day, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Could I ask for anything more? Could I desire something better? Absolutely not! Thank you Lord, for all your goodness to me. Thank you for being my Good Shepherd and drawing me back to you. You are welcome. I delight to hear and answer your prayers. Your thankfulness is pleasing to me. Keep on living in an intimate relationship with me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I was a lost and lonely sheep that wandered far from you. My life was bruised, battered, and broken by the sinful life I was living in the world. You rescued me from a life without you. You brought me back to you. In you, I have hope and peace and joy. Amen 

Key Question…  How are you now living in an intimate relationship with the Lord, who is your Good Shepherd?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to keep on doing His great work in, for, and through you as you keep on following Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord has and will continue to do a great work in, for, and through you as you keep on following Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are now living your life with and for the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give thanks to the Lord for the great work he is doing in, for, and through you as you follow Him.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 226 – Isaiah 53-4-6 – Have Gone Astray – 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

Forgiving Others

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The Virtuous Life - Day 216 - Matthew 6-14-15 - Forgiving Others - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 216 – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiving Others – Growing As Disciples

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.  If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. Matthew 6:14-15 (MSG)

Forgive Others

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will forgive others. You will forgive others who have hurt or harmed you? You will forgive others who have wrongfully mistreated you? You will forgive others who despitefully used you? You will forgive others who have clearly sinned against you? Yes, I will forgive others unconditionally. Wait a minute, you will forgive others who show no hint of remorse? You will forgive others who have no intention of acknowledging or admitting any of their sins against you? Yes, as I just said, I will forgive others unconditionally even when they are not, in any way, worthy of my forgiveness. Why would you do such a thing? Where did such an idea become part of the way you think or speak or act? Now, you are playing with me. Now, you are teasing me a bit. No, I am not. Well, I am only following the example that has been set before me. You forgave me when I was living as your enemy. You forgave me when I was living in ways that were displeasing to you. You forgave me when I thought and said I did not want or need anything from you. You forgave me when I was living a self-centered, self-sufficient, and self-indulgent life that had no time for you. As despicable as I was, you drew me to yourself. You showed me your kindness and mercy and love. You turned my life around. You forgave my sin and cleansed my unrighteousness. You set me on a new course of loving and following and serving you. Yes, I did all these things for you. I have no doubt about that. That’s good.

So, how could I fail to forgive someone who has sinned against me? Why would I not follow your example? Why would I not do for others what you have done for me? Why would I not forgive others just as you have forgiven me? If I say that I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, I will think as you thought, speak as you spoke, and act as you acted. I know that you want me to become like you. I know that you want me to follow your example. Yes, I do. That is what I will do with all the strength you will give to me. I will live in your lavish forgiveness as I extend my forgiveness to others who have sinned against me. In that way, others will clearly see that your life is being lived out, in, and through me. That will be very good. Living in this way will allow you to be a powerful and fruitful witness for me, in the darkness of this world.

Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you for giving me a clean and fresh and new start with you. Thank you for making me righteous in your sight. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Help me to show your love to others. Amen

Key Question…  How are you now forgiving others just as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you?

Living It Out…  Make it your ongoing practice to quickly forgive those who have sinned against you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father has forgiven your sins and will help you to forgive others who sin against you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are quickly forgiving those who mistreat you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you forgive others just as God has forgiven you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 216 – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiving Others – 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