Category Archives: The Virtuous Life

The Way Of Escape

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The Virtuous Life - Day 218 - 1 Corinthians 10-13 - The Way Of Escape - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 218 – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – The Way Of Escape – Growing As Disciples

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Way Out

I know that you have provided me many ways out of temptation. Let me hear your thoughts on this subject. What you have to say will be very interesting. I will start with the most obvious way out of temptation. What’s that? I will not willingly allow myself to enter or remain in tempting situations. When, where, how and why I am most likely to be tempted is no mystery to me. Temptations rarely come out of nowhere. Temptations rarely sneak up on me and take me completely by surprise. So, the first and most important and wisest step I can take is not to enter or remain in tempting situations in the first place. You have given me the wisdom to know this to be true. Yes, I have. Can you say more on this point? Not only should I not enter tempting situations, but I need to get out of them immediately when they are upon me. Why is that? Lingering around temptation is the surest way to defeat. When you provide a way of escape, I need to take it immediately. That is correct. You want me to run from temptation, draw near to you and you will draw near to me. That is how I will resist temptation and submit myself to you. At the same time, the devil and all his evil will flee from me. So, running away from temptation is not enough. I must have a direction to run, and that direction is to you. Yes, as you draw near to me, and I draw near to you, and the devil and all his evil will certainly flee from you. There is no safer place to find yourself, than in my presence. I know that to be true. That’s good.

I have provided you another powerful way out of temptation that isn’t quite so immediate. Tell me about that. You want your word to dwell in me richly. You want to use your word to change my heart, transform my mind. and guide my life. Your word will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Your word will make me able to live the life you have called me to live. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word will help me to put off my old life in the world and put on and live out the new life I have in you. Your word will help me to resist temptation and fight against evil. Yes, it will. Thank you Lord, for the many ways you have given me to endure temptation when it comes my way. I will immediately take every way out of temptation you provide for me. That will be very good.

Lord, I know I will not experience temptations that are unique to me. This sin broken world provides temptations to us all. I will not allow myself to be placed in tempting situations. I will immediately take the way out of temptation that you will provide to me. Amen

Key Question…  Why must you immediately look for the way out of temptation, that God provides, so you can escape it?

Living It Out…  Immediate take the way out of temptation that God will provide for you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will provide you a way out of temptation so you will be able to endure it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has provided you ways out of temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way of escape the Lord will provide for you when you encounter temptation.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 218 – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – The Way Of Escape – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Building Others Up According To Their Needs

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The Virtuous Life - Day 213 - Ephesians 4-29-32 - Building Others Up According To Their Needs - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 213 – Ephesians 4-29-32 – Building Others Up According To Their Needs – Growing As Disciples

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

Guard My Words

That I need to do. What do you need to do? I need to carefully guard my words. I need to make certain that no unwholesome words come out of my mouth. What will you do with your words? How will you not use your words? How will you use your words? I’m beginning to understand that my words are a tool. My words can be used to either build up or tear down. What kind of words tear down? Words of fear and doubt tear down. Words of slander, judgement, and criticism tear down. Words of frustration, argument, and anger tear down. Bitter, evil, and immoral words tear down. Arrogant and prideful words tear down. None of these kinds of words are life giving. None of these words are worthy of thinking or speaking or acting on. You are correct. All these kinds of words grieve the Holy Spirit. You have called me to think and speak and act on words that build up, words that give life to all who hear them. That is exactly right.

What kinds of words build up? Words of hope and peace and joy build up. Words of encouragement build up. Words of faith build up. Words of love build up. Words that you give me to think or speak or act on will build others up according to their needs. You will give me words to think and speak and act on that will lift others up and spur them on. Yes, I will, you can be sure of that.

Where will life giving words that build others up come from? They will come from you. They will come from your word. As your word dwells in me richly, you will give me new words to think and speak and act on. As I meditate on your word and memorize your word, you will change my heart and transform my mind. You will replace my old thoughts and words and actions with those you want me to think and speak and act on. Yes, I will, let there be no doubt about that.

One more thought. What’s that? The new life-giving words that I give to you to think and speak and act on will not only be for the building up of others, but they will also build you up as well.

Holy Spirit, I do not want any of my thoughts, or words, or actions to grieve you. I don’t want any unwholesome words to come out of my mouth. I want my words to build others up according to their needs. Help me to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Amen

Key Question…  How are you using your words to build others up according to their needs?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to live a kind, compassionate, and forgiving life that does not grieve the Holy Spirit.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will help you to live a kind, compassionate, forgiving life that does not grieve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your words are building others up according to their needs.

Prayer To Bless Others… Lord, I will build others up according to their needs.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 213 – Ephesians 4-29-32 – Building Others Up According To Their Needs – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Take A Lesson From The Ants

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The Virtuous Life - Day 215 - Proverbs 6-6-11 - Take A Lesson From The Ants - 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

The Virtuous Life – Day 215 – Proverbs 6-6-11 – Take A Lesson From The Ants – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,  they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.  But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?  A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—  then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT)

Take A Lesson

I will take a lesson whenever or wherever you suggest. If I can learn something from an ant, so be it. That is a very good attitude. You must remain teachable. Nothing is worse than someone being so filled with pride that they cannot hear from me. Those that “know it all” and are so full of themselves, that they are unteachable, are headed toward a whole lot of pain and suffering. You have learned from my word that the wages of sin is death. Being prideful is a sin that pays painful, deathly wages. But this is not true of you. You are not so filled with pride that you will not listen to me. Do I listen perfectly? Do I always hear what you want me to hear? Am I always in tune with you? Not hardly. But you are making a very focused effort to listen to me. Yes, I am. That is very good.

So, what can you learn from the ant? You want me to work hard in season and out of season. Hard work will pay dividends in the future. You want me to use all the gifts and talents and abilities and resources that you have given me to serve you. You want me to be diligent. You want me to bear fruit for your Kingdom and bring glory to your name. You want me to store up treasure in heaven with you. None of this comes easy. None of this is accomplished without hard work. What you are saying is true. I will ask you to give your very best effort and work hard serving me. You will have my best effort and my hard work. That is very good.

I know something else to be true. What’s that? Focusing my heart and mind and life on you so I can hear from you is also hard work. If I really want to hear from you, I will set aside a daily time and place to meet with you. I will not be distracted; I will not be deterred. The discipline to keep on drawing near to you is not easy. But that is what I will do. I will work hard to receive your instruction. I will work hard to follow your guidance. I will work hard to live in an intimate relationship with you. That will be very good. Yes, if the ant can work hard, so can I. Yes, you can. Yes, you will.

Lord, I know you have given me work to do. Why else would you give me gifts, talents, and resources? They are certainly not given for my sole benefit. Help me to work hard in serving you. Help me to bear fruit for your Kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  Why can you be sure that the Lord has given you work to do for Him?

Living It Out…  Give your very best effort and work hard to serve the Lord.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord has given you work to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are giving your best effort and working hard serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give your very best effort in doing the work you have been given.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 215 – Proverbs 6-6-11 – Take A Lesson From The Ants – 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

Practice The Servant Life

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The Virtuous Life - Day 211 - Matthew 5-38-42 - Practice The Servant Life - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 – Matthew 5-38-42 – Practice The Servant Life – Growing As Disciples

“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’  Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.  If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. Matthew 5:38-42 (MSG)

Servant Life

That is how I want to live. That is how I want to think and speak and act. How do you want to live? How do you want to think and speak and act? I want to live as a servant. I want to have a servant attitude in me when things don’t go my way. When don’t things go your way? When will you need to be especially focused on thinking and speaking and acting as a servant? I need to practice servant living when I am mistreated. That is the most obvious instance, that comes to my mind. Never should I seek revenge. Never you should I practice tit-for-tat. I will need to treat others as I would wish to be treated under every circumstance. Under what other circumstances must you also practice living as a servant? Whenever someone disappoints me and does think or speak or act according to my expectations, I need to practice living as a servant. What are your expectations? I expect to be treated honestly. I expect to be treated fairly. I expect people to keep their word. I expect people to deliver on their promises. I expect people to act responsibly. I expect others to treat me as they wish to be treated. You do have a lot of expectations. What will you do when people fail to live up to your expectations? That is when, I need to set aside my expectations. That is when, I need to practice living the servant life. That is when, I most need to follow the example that you have set before me. What example have I set before you? You loved and served and gave regardless of how others thought or spoke or acted towards you. Other’s behavior did not determine your behavior. You lived out the servant life no matter how you were treated. Will you think as I thought? Will you speak as I spoke? Will you act as I acted when you are disappointed, and even mistreated, by others? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will not seek revenge. I will not attempt to pay others back when they mistreat me. Instead, I will practice the servant life when I am mistreated. I will follow your example. I will think as you thought. I will speak as you spoke. I will act as you acted. Amen

Key Question…  How has Jesus Christ given you an example to follow of how to practice the servant life?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to practice the servant life whenever you are mistreated.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your life will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God as you practice the servant life?

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are practicing the servant life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you practice the servant life when others mistreat you.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 – Matthew 5-38-42 – Practice The Servant Life – 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Humble And Gentle

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The Virtuous Life - Day 211 -Ephesians 4-1-3 - Humble And Gentle - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 211 -Ephesians 4-1-3 – Humble And Gentle – Growing As Disciples

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT)

My Calling

I want to live that out. I don’t want to fall short on that score. I don’t want to miss the mark on that goal. What do you want to live out? In what way do you not want to fall short? What goal do you want to be on target and sure to accomplish? I want to live out my calling. That is a very good desire. That is very good goal. You will be doing very well if you live out your calling. How can you be certain that you will never fail in living out your calling? First, I need to acknowledge who has called me. Then I need to understand the nature of my calling. You have my full attention. I am excited to hear what you have to say about your calling. It is you who has called me. You called me to come to you. You called me to leave my old life of sin. You called me to love and follow and serve you. You called me to live my life with and for you. You called me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. You have called me to live a new and different life. It is your desire to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life.  You have a very good understanding of your calling. You have been teaching me. You have been training me. I have been listening to you. That is very good.

You have more to say on this subject. Yes, I do. Tell me how you will be certain to live out you calling? If I keep my heart and mind and life focused on you, I will never fail in living out my calling. If I allow you to change my heart and transform my mind as I continually draw near to you and live in your presence, I will never fail to live out my calling. Why is that? Well, to be clear, it is my calling to become like you. I want to think and speak and act like you. I want to live as you lived. I want to be humble as you were humble. I want to be gentle as you were gentle. I want to patient and loving, making allowances for other’s fault just as you have made allowances for all my faults. As I continue to draw near to you, I will become like you and then I will never fail to live out my calling. You are correct. In my presence you will be transformed. You will become like me. You will live out your calling. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I need all the help I can get. I want to fully live out my calling. I want to follow your example. I want to be humble and gentle and loving towards other. Help me to be patient, making allowance for other’s faults. Help me to live in peace with others. Amen

Key Question…  What kind of behavior is worthy of your calling as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to live out your calling by being humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are being humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be humble, gentle, and patient, allowing your love to make allowances for other’s faults.

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

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

Stored Up In His Heart

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The Virtuous Life - Day 209 - Luke 6-43-45 - Stored Up In His Heart - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 209 – Luke 6-43-45 – Stored Up In His Heart – Growing As Disciples

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)

Storing Up Treasure

How do I do that? What does that mean? What are you asking me? How do I store up treasure in my heart? Oh, I am quite certain that you can answer that question. Are you sure? Quite sure. I will help you out. I will ask you questions that will point you in the right direction. I will ask you questions that will help you to formulate your answer. What do you treasure? What treasure could possibly be stored in your heart? What treasure in your heart will change the way that you think and speak and act? What treasure will mold and shape your life? What treasure will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? What treasure will guard and guide the course of your life? What treasure will last for all eternity? Now, I am understanding. Now, I have some clarity. I treasure your word. I treasure your promises. If I take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life I will be changed. Your word, doing its work in me, will mold and shape my life. Your word, dwelling in me richly, will change my heart and transform mind. Your word will change the way I think and speak and act. Your word will mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. You word will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Your word will guard and guide the course of my life. All that I now see, all that I can now touch, will one day pass away. Your word will never pass away. Your world will last for all eternity. There is only one thing worthy of being stored in my heart. Your word is like hidden treasure, more valuable than silver or gold, and is worthy to be stored in my heart. That I will do. That will be very good. Then the goodness of my word, stored in your heart, will come out in your life. What is hidden in your heart cannot stay there. The goodness of my word will overflow and spill out of your life. Then you will be powerfully used by me. Then you will be a bright witness for me in the world. Then the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life will be fully pleasing to me. This is my desire and hope and prayer. I will store up your word within me. That will be very good.

Lord, I will store up good things in my heart. I will store the promises of your word in my heart. Help my life to bear good fruit for you. Help my life to bring out the good that has been stored in it. Use my life to bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you storing good things in your heart?

Living It Out…  Store up good things in your heart so that they will be able to be brought of your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be able to bring forth the good things that have been stored in your heart.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up good things in your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you bring out good things that have been stored in your heart.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 209 – Luke 6-43-45 – Stored Up In His Heart – 10-6-2021 – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Given You An Example

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The Virtuous Life - Day 210 - John 13-12-17 - Given You An Example - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 210 – John 13-12-17 – Given You An Example – Growing As Disciples

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?  You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.  And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.  I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.  Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:12-17 (NLT)

My Example

I have given you an example to follow. What will you do? How will you respond? What course of action will you take? I want to know and do your will. Is my will a mystery to you? Have I hidden my desire for you? Must you be very wise to understand what my will is for you? No, your will is not a mystery. No, your desire for me is clear. I don’t need to be wise to know your will. However, my doing what you desire and living out your will does require wisdom. Is that all that doing my will requires of you? No, doing your will require many things from me. Like what? My doing your will requires faith. I must believe that you love and care for me and that you have a purpose and plan for my life. My doing your will requires humility. I must not be proud and think that I have a better, more perfect, way of thinking, and speaking, and acting. My doing your will requires obedience. It would do me no good to simply know your will but to fail to do your will. That would be foolish. Yes, it would be foolish. I have more to say about doing your will. I’m listening. Doing your will require strength and endurance. It may not always be easy to do your will. It will require strength and endurance for me to keep on doing your will. What will be the source of your strength and endurance to do my will? That is the best part, you will help me to do your will. You will give me all that I need to do your will. You will keep on helping me to do your will as I keep on relying on you. Yes, I will.

We have gone a little bit ahead of ourselves in our conversation. What do you mean? You haven’t told me what you understand my will is for your life. It is so obvious; it didn’t get stated. State it now, for me. It is your desire that I follow your example. You have given me an example to follow. You want me to become like you in all I think and say and do. You want me to live the kind of life you lived. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to give like you gave. You want me to serve like you served. Is that it? I am sure that there is much more. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to live a life of prayer. You want me to hear your voice. You want me to receive your guidance and follow your instruction. Day by day, you want to guide the course of my life. Yes, I do.

What will happen to you as you follow my example? God, my Heavenly Father, will bless my life. His favor will be with me. His hand will be on me. I will live the life that I have been called to live. Yes, that is true. Will you follow my example? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for giving me numerous examples to follow. I will humbly serve others. I will sacrificially give away my time and talent and resources. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. I will gladly follow and obey you. Amen

Key Question…  How is it the priority of your life to follow Christ’s example in your thinking, speaking, and acting?

Living It Out…  Follow the examples Christ has given to you so God will be able to bless your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your life will be blessed as you follow the examples Christ has given to you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are following the examples Christ has given to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example of serving others.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 210 – John 13-12-17 – Given You An 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                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Kind To Everyone

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The Virtuous Life - Day 207 - 2 Timothy 2-24-26 - Kind To Everyone - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 207 – 2 Timothy 2-24-26 – Kind To Everyone – Growing As Disciples

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)

An Opportunity

Do you want to serve me well? Do you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Do you want to shine brightly for me, like a star in the universe, in the darkness of this world? Do you want to be able to store up treasure in heaven with me? Do you want to be able to have a powerful ministry in the lives of others? Do you want to hear me one day say, “Well done, good and faithful servant? Yes, of course, I want all these things to be true in my life. Why are you asking me all these questions? Do you have some point you want to make with me? Is there something that I am missing? Is there something standing in the way of all these things being true in my life? Do I need to make a course correction in the way that I am thinking or speaking or acting? You have answered my good questions with your own good questions. Yet, you do know the answers to both my questions and your questions. You already know the course corrections you must make in the way you are thinking and speaking and acting toward others, isn’t that true? Yes, that is true.

Tell me your thoughts. I am a debater. I have been quarrelsome. I have not been kind to everyone. I have not patiently endured evil that has been done against me. I have lost sight of what is ultimately important. What is ultimately important? Every one of your questions points me towards what is ultimately important. How so? I could ask myself, “Do I want to win a debate or argument or see someone come to know and love and follow and serve you? or “Do I want to store up treasure in heaven with you or win debates and arguments down here on earth?” or “Do I want to be a champion debater or bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name?” I know that I have not been exceedingly gentle with all my opponents. Forgive me. You are forgiven. All is not lost. You can begin again. You can start over. You can still be powerfully used by me. All that you hope to be true of your life, all we are discussing here, can still be true for you. Will you be gentle with all your opponents? Will you allow me to use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, help me to serve you well. I will be kind to everyone. I will not be quarrelsome. I will patiently endure evil. I will teach and correct others with the greatest amount of gentleness. Use me to lead others to the truth so that they will come to know you. Amen

Key Question…  When has someone willingly listened to your words because of the gentle way you dealt with them?

Living It Out…  Continually be gentle and kind to your opponent’s so that you will have an opportunity to minister to them.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have an opportunity to minister to others as you continue to be gentle and kind to them.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you have patiently endured evil and been kind to your opponents.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you not be quarrelsome, but rather be kind to everyone, so you can have a ministry in their lives.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 208 – 2 Timothy 2-24-26 – Kind To Everyone – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God Intended It All For Good

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The Virtuous Life - Day 224 - Genesis 50-15-21 - God Intended It All For Good - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 224 – Genesis 50-15-21 – God Intended It All For Good – Growing As Disciples

But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.  So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us  to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.  Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.  But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.  Genesis 50:15-21 (NLT)

Intended

That is a very important word for you to consider. What is an important word for me to consider? Intended, is the word I want you to consider. You will have to say more to help me understand what you have in mind. Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Has anyone ever intended to deliberately harm you? I can think of many times others have done things that have hurt and harmed me. Yes, that was their intended goal. In that situation you have two very different choices that you will have before you. What choices will be before me? You can be bitter and resentful. You can be angry and revengeful. With a heart filled with rage you can seek to pay back evil for evil, those who intended harm against you. I’m guessing that is not the best choice. You do have your sense of humor. Of course, it is not the best choice. Why is it not the best choice? Being bitter and resentful, and angry and revengeful, never accomplish your purposes, nor do they help me in anyway. Those negative thoughts, attitudes, and actions would only further harm me. That is correct.

What is the other better choice for me to make when others intend harm against me? That is a very good question. This may not occur to you, so I will make it clear to you. I will always bring good out of the bad, that is done against you. I am not the author of the bad done against you. It is not my plan that evil will be done against you. But know this, without out a doubt, whatever others intend for evil against you, I will redeem, and intend for good in your life. I will use all your experiences in life to accomplish my purposes and plans in you. So, now I will ask you, what is the better choice you will make when others do evil against you? I will look for and expect to see how you will even be able to use the evil done against me to accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. That is correct. Do this and you will see my hand working in and through your life, to accomplish my purposes and plans. That I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, evil has been done against me. I have been harmed by the actions of others. I will not attempt to pay back evil with evil. Instead, I will having a forgiving attitude. I will also look for and expect to see good you will bring out of evil done against me. Amen

Key Question…   What good has God accomplished in your life through harm that was done against you?

Living It Out…  Look for and expect that God will bring good out of evil done against you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will bring good out of the evil done against you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has brought good out of evil done against you.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you come to know how God has used for good what others intended for evil.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 224 – Genesis 50-15-21 – God Intended It All For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Pursue Righteousness

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The Virtuous Life - Day 207 - 2 Timothy 2-22 - Pursue Righteousness - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 207 – 2 Timothy 2-22 – Pursue Righteousness – Growing As Disciples

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

Flee, Pursue, Call

Do you want to flee evil? Do you want to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace? Do you want to be able to call on me out of a pure heart? Yes, I want all these things. I will flee evil and pursue you. I want to live a life that is filled with faith and love and peace. I want to call on you out of a pure heart. How can I do all these things? How can I be successful? Is there some secret? Is there a proper approach? What technique must I employ? Those are good questions. And yes, there is a secret and proper approach, that involves some technique. You didn’t expect me to say that did you? No, not really. But you have my full attention, I’m listening carefully. That’s good.  Here goes. You must react quickly. Your fleeing evil must be immediate. You will never have the strength to linger around evil. You must run with all your effort, at top speed, as if a gun has gone off to start a race. Run forward. Run straight and do not look back. Got it? I got it. That is only the first part of what you must do if you want to live a life that is pleasing to me. Next as you are fleeing evil, you must pursue righteousness, faith and love, and peace. You will run away from evil to what is good. You will leave the world and all its evil far behind you. You will pursue the new life that I have for you. You will pursue things of the Spirit rather than the things of the flesh. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. Finally, after you have fled evil and are now pursuing righteousness, you must call on me. You must draw near to me. You must come into my presence. You must live in an intimate relationship with me. You must hold on to me as I hold on to you. Am I being clear? Yes, you are being quite clear. I will flee evil, pursue righteousness, and call on you. All these, I must do at the same time. All these, I must do continually throughout my entire life. Then I will be able to live a life that is pleasing to you. Yes, you will. This is what I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will flee the evil desires of youth. Instead, I will pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with all those who call upon you out of pure heart. Help me to fully live the life that you have called me to live. Help me to be the person you want me to be. Amen

Key Question…  Why must fleeing evil, pursuing righteousness, and calling on the Lord, be joined together in one effort?

Living It Out…  Immediately flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace as you call on the Lord.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to flee evil and pursue righteousness as you love, follow, and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are feeling evil and pursuing righteousness.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you flee evil and pursue righteousness as you call upon the Lord.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 207 – 2 Timothy 2-22 – Pursue Righteousness – 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