Category Archives: The Word Centered Life

Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God

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The Word Centered Life - Day 6 - Matthew 4:1-4 - Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 6 – Matthew 4:1-4 – Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)

Live On

Now those are good words for you to consider. What words are good for me to consider? “Live on” are words that you would do well to think deeply about. How so? It is not apparent to you? The obvious importance of these two words does not jump out at you and capture your attention? No, not really, I must be a little dense at the moment. I will ask you a few questions to stimulate your thinking. That would be good. What is feeding your life? Where are you drawing your sustenance? Let me be clear, I am not talking about what feeds your body. I am not talking about what enters your stomach. I am talking about what feeds your heart and mind and life. I am talking about what nourishes your soul. Now does the importance of those two words, “live on” have more meaning and importance and significance to you? Can I ask you, “What are you living on?” Now I understand. Now I get it. Now I know what you want me to consider. That’s good.

I will tell you what will not feed me. I will tell you what will not sustain and strengthen me. I will tell you what will not revive and fresh and restore me. I will tell you what will not guard and guide me through life. I will tell you what I cannot possibly live on. I will tell you what will never feed my soul. What’s that? I can hardly wait to hear what you have to say. Anything the world offers me will do none of these things for me. I will never be able to live on wealth and power and prestige. I will never be able to live on the thoughts and opinions and values of this world. I will never be able to live on the applause or acclaim or recognition of the world. Thinking otherwise is hopelessly foolish. Where have you gained such knowledge? How have you become so wise? By making so many dumb mistakes, I have learned a thing or two. But make no mistake about it, I have learned nothing by myself. You have been my teacher. That is true.

So now, I will come back to those two words you want me to consider. I will “live on” your word. It is your word sustains and strengthens me. It is your word that revives and refreshes and restores me. It is your word that guards and guides me through life. It is your word that is feeding my soul. Daily, I will come to feed on your word. I will “live on” your word. That will be very good.

Lord, I do not live on bread alone. Your word feeds me so I will be sustained and strengthened. Your word clothes me with power so I can resist temptation and fight against evil. Your word shelters me when evil attacks me like a storm. I will rely on your word. Amen

Key Question…  How are you feeding on God’s word so you can be sustained and strengthened?

Living It Out…  Feed on God’s word so you will be sustained and strengthened in your fight against temptation and evil.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that feeding on God’s word will guard, guide, strengthen, and sustain you throughout your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are feeding on a regular daily diet of God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be sustained and strengthened as your feed daily on God’s word.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 6 – Matthew 4-1-4 – Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

For The Word Of God Is Living And Active

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The Word Centered Life - Day 5 - Hebrews 4:12 - For The Word Of God Is Living And Active - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 5 – Hebrews 4:12 – For The Word Of God Is Living And Active – Growing As Disciples

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 

Be Thankful 

You can be thankful for that. I can be thankful for what? You can be thankful that my word is living and active. My word is like a sharp double-edged sword. My word will penetrate deeply within you. You will be changed as you meet with me in my word. I will use my word to change your heart. I will use my word to transform your mind. I will use my word to guard and guide your life. Not a thought or word or action of yours will be left untouched by my word. My word will make all your thoughts and words and action brand new as it dwells in you. For this I am thankful.

My word is as relevant today as when it was first written. My word will jump off the page and speak powerfully into your life. At times, you will think that certain words were written just for you. You will receive wisdom from my word. You will receive hope and peace and joy as you listen attentively to me speaking to you through my word. For this I am thankful.

Don’t wander away from my word. Keep my word ever before you. My word will mold and shape you. My word will prune your life. My word will make it so you can bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. My word will make it so you can bring glory to my name. My word working in you, will make you shine as a bright and bold witness in the darkness of this world. For this I am thankful. 

Let my word dwell in you richly. Think deeply about all I am saying to you. Take a firm grip on my word so that it will take a firm grip on you. You will find protection from my word. My word will make you able to resist temptation and fight against evil. Your faith and hope and trust in me will grow as you remain in my word. For this I am thankful.

Your word is beyond compare. There is no place I would rather be than meeting with you in your word. There is nothing I would do than listen to all that you have to say to me. So, I will meet with you daily in your word. I will hide your word in my heart. I will treasure your word above all else. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know that your word is living and active. I know that you will use your word like a sword to work in me, for me, and through me. Deeply penetrate my heart with your word. Use your word to change all the thoughts and attitudes of my heart. Amen

Key Question…  How are you allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart so it can do its life changing work in you?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to guard and guide all your thoughts and words and actions.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God’s to penetrate deeply into your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God’s word to penetrate you so it can transform the thoughts and attitudes of your heart.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 5 – Hebrews 4-12 – For The Word Of God Is Living And Active – 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

Love The Lord Your God

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The Word Centered Life - Day 4 - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - Love The Lord Your God - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 4 – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Love The Lord Your God – Growing As Disciples

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.                        Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)

Impress

That is a very important word. What is a very important word? “Impress” is a very important word. Why is that such an important word? I will ask you a few questions that will help you to understand the importance of the word, “impress”. How will you allow my word to be impressed in your heart and on your mind? How will you make sure that my word is also impressed in the hearts and on the minds of your children? What will you do to make sure that my word does not go in one of your ears and out the other? What will sharpen your focus and keep your attention on my word? How will you know without a doubt that you are listening attentively to me? How will you know for sure that my word is changing your heart, transforming your mind, and guiding your life? How will you be certain that you are taking a firm grip on my word so that you will be able to put it into practice, as you love and follow and serve me? Now, are you beginning to understand the importance of that word, “impress”? I want my word to be deeply impressed in your heart and on your mind. And not only yours, but in your children’s hearts and minds, as well. I understand. I get it. That’s good.

Those were all rhetorical questions. I want you to think deeply about each one. I don’t expect you to answer every one of them right now. But here is a question that I would like you to answer now. How will you impress my word deeply in your heart and on your mind? I will study your word. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will teach and pray your word. I will even sing your word. Your word will be continually before me. But most of all, daily I will take a firm hold of your word so that I will be able to put it into practice, as I love and follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, I want nothing more to hear from you. I want your word to be deeply impressed in my heart and to be continually on my mind. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will study, teach, pray, and sing your word. Daily, I will put your word into practice. Amen

Key Question…  What strategies are you using to make sure that you keep God’s word in your heart and on your mind?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to be impressed in your heart and on your mind as you love, and follow, and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God has given you His word to guard and guide the course of your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are impressing God’s word in your heart and on your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God’s word to be impressed in your heart and on your mind as you love, follow, and serve Him.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 4 – Deuteronomy 6-4-9 – Love The Lord Your God – 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 Obey

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The Word Centered Life - Day 3 - Deuteronomy 6:1-3 - Be Careful To Obey - Growing As Disciples

The Word Centered Life – Day 3 – Deuteronomy 6:1-3 – Be Careful To Obey – Growing As Disciples

These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. Deuteronomy 6:1-3 (NIV)

Hear And Obey

Do you want to enjoy a long life? Do you want things to go well for you? Do you want my blessing on your life? Would you also like all these things to be true for your children and their children? Yes, I want all these things to be true not only for me but also for my children and their children. That’s good. What must I do for all this to be true for me and my children and their children? It is good and wise for you to know that much will be required of you for all these things to be true for you, your children, and their children. You have my full attention. My heart and mind are focused on you. I am listening attentively to you. That’s good. That means you are already fulfilling one of the conditions of my promise to you. What’s that? You are listening attentively to me. You are hearing my word. This you must continue to do. Everyday, my word must be before you. What then? Good question, it is not enough to only hear my word. You must obey my word. You must put my word into practice. With hearing and obeying my word you will have fulfilled two conditions of my promise. There is more? What else? You must allow my word to develop in you a healthy awe, a reverence, a respect, you can even call it a healthy fear of me. With hearing, obeying, and fearing me, you will be well on your way to living a life that I can and will bless. But there is more, isn’t there? Yes, there is more. You must teach your children to also hear and obey and fear me. You must teach your children to also teach their children to hear and obey and fear me. Do you know why teaching your children and them teaching their children is vitally important? I’m not sure. I could take a guess. Go ahead. As I teach my children to hear, obey, and fear you, two things are happening. I am reinforcing those priorities in my own heart and mind and life and I am also passing them on to my children. I will be creating a legacy of hearing and obeying and fearing you. I will be giving my children an example to follow. They in turn will be reinforcing hearing and obeying and fearing you in their own hearts and minds and lives as well as they pass it on to their own children. Yes, in doing so, your life, your children’s lives and their children’s lives will all be blessed by me. That is what I want. That is what we will all do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will hear and obey your word. I will listen attentively to you. I will put your word into daily practice. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. Help me to know and do your will. Bless my life as I follow and serve and obey you with all that is within me. Amen

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 3 – Deuteronomy 6-1-3 – Be Careful To Obey – 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

Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Word Centered Life - Day 2 - Matthew 7:24-27 - Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Word Centered Life – Day 2 – Matthew 7:24-27 – Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice – Growing As Disciples

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Into Practice

It is very good that you are making every effort to meet with me in my word. It is excellent that you are listening attentively to me. It is very wise that you have set a specific daily time and place to hear what I have to say to you. There is one thing that you must also do if you want to have a life that is built on a rock-solid foundation. What’s that? You must be very sure that you are not only hearing my word, but you must also make equally sure that you are putting my word into practice. You must hear and do my word. I get that, I understand. Do you have more to say on this subject? I know that your word is filled with your promises. I also know that with each of your promises there is a condition or conditions that must be fulfilled as part of receiving your promises. Can you say more? Describe one of my conditions. Well, I can do one better. In the verses here, that we are considering, you have one promise and two conditions. The promise can only be fulfilled if the two conditions are met. Your promise is that I can have a rock-solid foundation for my life that will withstand the storms of life. In order for that promise to be fulfilled, I need to both hear and put your word into practice. So, hearing your word on a daily basis is vitally important. So also, is putting your word into practice. How or why will hearing and putting my word into practice build a rock-solid foundation for your life that will be able to withstand the storms that are sure to come? Your word will change my heart and transform my mind. Your word will guard and guide the course of my life. Meeting with you in your word will give me the wisdom and strength and perseverance through any storm I will face in life. The habit of meeting daily with you in your word will cause me to rely on you for your help. You will be my shelter. You will be my refuge and fortress and deliverer. Yes, I will. You will have taught me that my hope and help is in and comes from you as I hold on to your promises. That is true. That is right. That is certain. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will set apart a daily time and place to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will not only listen, but I will put your word in practice so that I will have a rock-solid foundation for the entire course of my life. Amen

Key Question…  How has hearing and putting God’s word into practice helping you to withstand the storms of life?

Living It Out…  Make hearing and putting God’s word into practice the foundation of your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that hearing and putting God’s word into practice will build a solid foundation for your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and putting God’s word into daily practice.

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 Word Centered Life – Day 2 – Matthew 7-24-27 – Hears These Words Of Mine And Puts Them Into Practice – 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

God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Word Centered Life - Day 1 - Psalm 19-7-11 - God's Word Is More Precious Than Gold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Word Centered Life – Day 1 – Psalm 19-7-11 – God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold – Growing As Disciples

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)  

Your Work

That is exactly what I want you to do. What do you want me to do? I want you to do your work in me. Not only that, I want you to do your work for me and through me. Now, I want to be clear about something. What’s that? I want you to do your work in me, for me and through me, for your glory. I am not asking you to do something in, or for, or though me, for my own selfish purposes. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to know and love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. How do you suppose I will do my work in you? What instrument will I use to mold and shape your life? How will I make you able to know and love and follow and serve me with all that is within you? What role will you have in the work that I will do in you? Will you be a passive participant in the work I will do in, for, and through you? No, not at all, I will be a very active participant in you doing your work in, for, and through me. How so? Let me take a step back and answer your other questions. I’m listening. I know that you will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. It is your word that you will use to mold and shape my life. You will revive me by your word. You will make me wise by your word. You will fill my life with joy as I take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. You will guard and guide my path by your word. Your word will warn me and keep me away from danger. I know that I will find great reward in hearing and obeying your word. Now, I am ready to answer your question. My role will be to come to meet with you in your word. My role will be to let your word dwell in me richly. My role will be to keep n hearing and obeying your word. Then I will know the reward of you molding and shaping me into to the person you have called me to be. Then I will know the reward of living the life you have called me to live. Yes, you will. Keeping on allowing my word to work in you, for you, and through you, for my glory. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, your word is more valuable than gold. Nothing is more important to me than your word. Revive me by your word. Make me wise by your word. Guard and guide the entire course of my life by your word. Use your word to work in me, for me and through me. Amen

Key Question…  How have you found great reward in hearing and obeying God’s word?

Living It Out…  Take God’s word deep into your heart and mind and life so it can do its work in, for you, and through you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you find great reward in hearing and obeying God’s word.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are taking God’s word into your heart and mind and life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow God to use His word to do His work in you, for you and through you.

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

The Word Centered Life – Day 1 – Psalm 19-7-11 – God’s Word Is More Precious Than Gold – 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