Category Archives: Wisdom

Do Not Be Like

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 32:8-9 - Do Not Be Like - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 32:8-9 – Do Not Be Like – Growing As Disciples

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)  

Stubborn

Do you want me to instruct and teach in the way that you should go in life? That is a very important question that you should carefully consider. The quick and obvious answer might be “Yes, of course I want you to instruct and teach me in the way that I should go.” Yes, that is exactly what I would say to you. There is no doubt about that. I wouldn’t think so. Who wouldn’t want me to instruct and teach them in the way that they should go? Is that a question that you would like me to answer? Yes, it is. Many people might say that they want you to instruct and teach them in the way that they should go but not follow through with their responsibility. What is their responsibility? Their responsibility is to humbly come to you to be taught and counseled by you. Is that all? No, that is not all. After hearing your instruction and receiving your counsel it needs to be put into practice. Will you come to me to hear my instruction and receive my counsel? Will you put my instruction and counsel into practice? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

What will humbly hearing my instruction and receiving my counsel do for you as you put it into practice? Your instruction and counsel will guard and guide my life. Your instruction and counsel will watch over me. As I hear your instruction and receive your counsel I will know where to go and what to do as I follow and serve you. Yes, you will.

What must you never allow yourself to become? I must never become like a stubborn horse or mule that must be guided by a bit or bridle. If I allow myself to become stubborn I will never hear your instruction or receive your counsel. Your words will not guard and guide my life. Your words will not watch over me. I will have no idea where I should go or what I should do in life. I will be on my own. I will go my own way. I will do my own thing. That is not what I want. That is not what I will do. Instead, I will keep on humbly coming to you and put your words of instruction and counsel into practice. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will not be proud and stubborn like a horse or mule that must be controlled by a bit or bridle. Instead, I will willingly come to you. I will humbly and attentively listen to all that you have to say to me. I will put all your instruction and counsel into practice. Amen

Key Question… When have been proud and stubborn and unwilling to follow the Lord’s leadership over your life?

Living It Out… Do not be proud and stubborn but rather be humble and willing to allow the Lord to lead and guide your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will instruct, teach, counsel and watch over you as you humbly follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are following the Lord’s leadership of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly come to the Lord to receive all His instruction and counsel.

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

Wisdom – Psalm 32-8-9 – Do Not Be Like – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Under Control

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Discipleship Devotional Study - Wisdom - Proverbs 29:11 - Under Control - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study – Wisdom – Proverbs 29:11 – Under Control – Growing As Disciples

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

Venting

Well, this is not my favorite topic. Why is that? I have been very foolish in the ways that I have expressed myself. How so? I have frequently given full vent to my anger. You think so? Yes, I do. Have you given full vent to your anger recently? No, not recently. When was the last time that you have given full vent to your anger? I don’t know, I can’t remember. Isn’t that a very good thing? Yes, I suppose that it is a good thing. Either I have a very poor memory or it has been a long time since I have fully vented my anger. You don’t have a very poor memory. It has been a long time since you have fully vented your anger.

I’m not perfect. I still do get angry. I do still express words of frustration. I don’t hear anyone claiming that you are perfect. I am not saying that I have anger under perfect control. No, you do not have your anger under perfect control, that is not the point I am trying to make with you. What point are you trying to make with me? This should be one of your favorite topics to discuss. Why is that? You have made tremendous progress. You are not the easily angered person that you once were. You do not fly off at the handle all the time. You aren’t easily provoked. You have generally kept yourself under control. You are growing wise in how you express your frustrations. Would it surprise you to hear others say that you are a completely different person? No, not really. Why is that? I have heard people say that I am a completely different person. Have you really heard those comments and taken them into your heart and mind? No, not really. That is a mistake. Why is that? You need to be encouraged. You need to celebrate success. You need to recognize the changes that have occurred in your life.

How have you been changed? Why are you a different person? How have you been able to keep yourself under control? I deserve none of the credit for being a changed and different person. You have been changing me. You have been transforming me. You have been molding and shaping my life. That’s true I have been changing your heart. I have been transforming your mind. How have I been changing your heart and transforming your mind? You have been changing my heart and transforming my mind as I have come to meet with you in your word. That’s right. You have come to meet with me in my word. Has anyone forced you to come to meet with me in my word? No, you have drawn me to come to meet with you in your word. That’s right. But you, have decided to come to meet with me. Yes, that’s true. I want you to be encouraged that you have been a part of the changes I have been making you in you. You have been welcoming me to do my work in you. Celebrate that. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have made many mistakes. I have given full vent to my anger. I have hurt feelings and harmed relationships. I have not kept myself under control. Help me to rely on you to express myself with thoughts and words that are helpful rather than harmful. Amen

Key Question… How have you learned to express your frustrations without giving full vent to your anger?

Living It Out… Don’t give full vent to your anger, but keep yourself under control.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to keep yourself under control.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping yourself under control.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep yourself under control rather than giving full vent to your anger.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 29-11 – Under Control – 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

What Is Right

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 21:3 - What Is Right - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 21:3 – What Is Right – Growing As Disciples

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 (NIV)

Right And Just

It is not a huge sacrifice for me to do what is right and just and pleasing to you. If it were a huge sacrifice for me to do what is right and just and pleasing to you I don’t think that you would be pleased. Why is that? If it were a huge sacrifice for me to do what is right and just and pleasing to you my heart would not be in the right place. That’s true. My love for you should be what motivates my desire to do what is right and just and pleasing to you. It would be possible for someone to try to sacrificially do what is right and just and pleasing to you out of some sense of moral obligation. This very same person may not really love you at all. You would find no joy and pleasure in that. I can’t perfectly do what is right and just and pleasing to you. We both know that. That’s true. There would be no joy for you or me if I tried harder to do what was pleasing to you. Trying harder without loving you is a sin. Trying to do my every best to please you is no indication of my love for you. No, it is not.

I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to do what is right and just and pleasing to you. I am most at peace and filled with joy when I know that I am doing what is right and just and pleasing to you. Am I perfect in doing what is pleasing to you? No, I am not. I am very far from perfect in doing what is pleasing to you. Am I determined to try harder and do better? No, not really. Trying harder and determining to do better seems like a prideful sin to me. When I have not done what is pleasing to you I am sorry that I have not loved you fully and completely. Instead of trying harder, I will draw nearer to you. I will ask you to fan the flames of my love for you. I will ask you to keep on changing my heart and transforming my mind. I know that as I am in your presence you will continue to mold and shape my life. You will make me to be more like you. Your love for me and my love for you will guide all my thoughts and words and deeds. My love for you will help me to do what I want to do, which is to do what is pleasing to you. To love you more and more is what I want and is my prayer. I know that you will draw me in. I know that you will draw me deep. Your love for me and my love for you will be a fire that makes me want to please you. That is very good.

Lord, I have not done what I knew was right thing to do. Sometimes, I have chosen the easy and wrong thing to do. Forgive me. I ask for wisdom to know and strength to do what is right and just and pleasing in your sight. Amen

Key Question… How does your desire to please the Lord help you to consistently do what is right and just?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to know and strength to do what is right and just and pleasing in His sight.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know and do what is right and just and pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you have chosen the difficult but right and just thing to do.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do what is right and just and pleasing to the Lord.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 21-3 – What Is Right – 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

Brings Healing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 12:18 - Brings Healing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 12:18 – Brings Healing – Growing As Disciples

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Listen And Speak

How carefully are you monitoring the thoughts that you allow yourself to think? How well are you guarding the words that are coming out of your mouth? Those are two very good questions. I’m not sure that I am doing a very good job of monitoring my mind or guarding my mouth. Why is that? I know that I have been thinking and saying words that have not been pleasing to you. How so? I have thought and said words that have pierced others like a sword. My words have been cutting. My words have been critical. My words have been sarcastic. Those are not words that I like to hear. Are those words that you like to hear? Are those words that anyone likes to hear? No, they are not. Those kinds of words do damage that is difficult to repair. That’s true. 

What kind of words do you like to hear? I like to hear words of encouragement. I like to hear words of affirmation. I like to hear words that uplift my spirit and express confident hope in my future. I like it when others see positive things in me that I don’t even see in myself. I like it when other say words that spur me on to bigger and better things. What do these kinds of words do for you? These kinds of words bring healing to my entire being. These kinds of words unlock the potential that you have created in me to fulfill. These words help me to be and do all that you have in mind for me. When I hear these kinds of words I get up and get going to do your will. Would you like to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others? Would you like your words to bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? Would you like me to speak through you so that others will get up and get going to do my will? Yes Lord, I would.

How can I know your words? How can I know the words that will bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? If you want to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others you must learn to do two things well at the same time. What’s that? You must listen well to others and you must listen well to me. Listen to what others are saying to you. Listen to what others need to hear. Listen to what I am saying to you. Listen to what I want to give you to speak into the lives of others. As you listen to others and listen to me I will give you words to speak that will bring health and hope and healing. Will you do these two things well? Will you listen and speak well for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, often I have hurried my thoughts and rushed my words. I have said reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. Forgive me. I want to think your thoughts and speak your words. Use my mind and mouth to speak words of healing to others. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used you to speak words that brought healing to another person?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak well thought out words that bring healing to others.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 12-18 – Brings Healing – 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

Show It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 3:13 - Show It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 3:13 – Show It – 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. James 3:13 (NIV)

Success?

I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to demonstrate that I am both wise and understanding. Why do you want to be wise and understanding? What do you mean by asking me that? What is wise? What is understanding? How are you defining those terms? Why is it your desire and goal to be wise and understanding? I’m still not fully understanding where you are headed with your questions. Let’s take a step back. I will ask you another question. Go ahead, I’m listening. What possible reasons could a person have for wanting to be wise and understanding? A person might want to be wise and understanding so that they can be successful in life. I suppose you will now ask me what a successful life would look like. You are right about that. What would a successful life look like to you? What would a successful look like to someone else? Now, I’m starting to understand where you are headed with your questions. Someone might evaluate their success in life by how much they have acquired. They would think that their life is successful if they have acquired possessions, power and prestige in an abundance. They might think that their life has been successful if they have lived a life filled with comfort and pleasure. Their desire for wisdom and understanding would simply be tools on that path to their idea of success. That’s right. Is this how you view success? Is this why you want wisdom and understanding? No, it is not.

How do you define success? My life will be successful if I have come to know and do your will. My life will be successful if I have born an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. That is a very different definition of success. Yes, it is. Only my followers would ever hold on to that definition of success. That’s right. Loving, following and serving you is my desire and goal in life. So, it should be easy for you to now tell me why you want to have wisdom and understanding. I want to have wisdom and understanding so that I will be able to know and do your will. Wisdom and understanding from you, will guide me on the proper path in life. My life will succeed in bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name if I have your wisdom and understanding. Yes, it will. Without your wisdom and understanding I will be unable to know and do your will. That’s right. It is my prayer that I will have your wisdom and understanding so that I can live my life fully for you. That is a prayer that I will hear and answer.

Lord, I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to be filled with your wisdom and understanding. Help me to do humble deeds that display wisdom as I follow and serve you. Use my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… Who has been a good role model for you by displaying wisdom through their actions?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to show you what humble and wise deeds you can do for others as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you to do humble deeds for others that display true wisdom and understanding.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is leading you to humbly and wisely serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do wise, humble and good deeds for others as you follow and serve the Lord.

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

Wisdom – James 3-13 – Show It – 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

A Gentle Answer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:1 - A Gentle Answer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer – Growing As Disciples

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) 

Stirring Up Anger

You have an easy choice to make. What’s that? You can either turn away from wrath or stir up anger. Is that really an easy choice to make? What do you think? Well, it may be an easy choice to make away from the heat of a battle. During an argument or debate, it is a very difficult choice to make. Why is that? I like to win arguments and debates. I’ve noticed. Sometimes, I will go to great lengths to win an argument or debate. How so? In the heat of an argument or debate I will sometimes say things that I know I will deeply regret later. But, I will completely lose perspective. What do you mean by that? I will make winning an argument or debate my only goal. I will use words I shouldn’t have used. My words have done damage that is hard to repair. I will have said things that are difficult to retract. Whoever said, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” was an idiot. Words do hurt. Words do cause damage. Yes, they do.

Why must you win every argument and debate? That is a very good question. You don’t have to think twice about your answer, do you? No, I do not. It is my pride that drives me to want to win every argument and debate. That sounds and is pathetic, I know. Yes, it is. Can you lay down your pride? Can you humble yourself before me? Can you make better choices that will allow you to be my witness in the world? That is at issue here, isn’t it? Yes, it is. You cannot be filled with pride and driven to win every argument and debate and still be a bright and shinning witness for me in the world. You cannot stir up anger and bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. No one is drawn to stirred up anger. I cannot use a pride filled, angry, argumentative person. That is not who you want to be. That is not who you are. That is not the kind of life that I have called you to live. I get that. I want that. I know.

I want you to make some decisions in advance. Like what? Make serving me your goal. Choose to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Set aside your old sinful desire to win every argument and debate. Walk away from wrath. Choose to not stir up anger. Have a higher purpose in mind. Allow me to work in and through your life. Shine brightly for me in the midst of all the wrath and anger that is in the world. Will you make these decisions so that you can serve me? Will you make these decisions so I can use you?  Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, without your help there is no way I will be able to answer anger with a soft answer. I would rather fight fire with fire. Give me the strength to be your witness by answering anger softly with the grace and mercy you provide. Amen

Key Question… How hard is it to repair relationships with other people once anger has been stirred up and enflamed?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to use words that turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you words to speak that will turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord used your words to turn away wrath.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your gentle words turn away wrath rather than stir up anger.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-1 – A Gentle Answer – 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

Search Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 139:23-24 - Search Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me – Growing As Disciples

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Examine Me 

You have my invitation. I welcome your examination. Go ahead and investigate my life. Put my life under your microscope. Take a long and close look at me. Know my heart. Test me. Know every one of my thoughts. Tell me what you find. You seem quite confident. I am very confident. I have nothing to fear. Why is that? Why are you so confident? Why do you have nothing to fear? I can tell you one thing that is for sure. What’s that? My confidence is not in myself, not for one minute, not for one second. If my confidence were in myself, it would be a scary thought for you to be examining my life. But, my confidence is in you and you alone. That’s very good. I know without a doubt that you love me. I know that I am your child. You are my Heavenly Father. I am sure that you will find things in my life that do not please you. I am sure that you will find thoughts, and words and deeds in and from me that you will want to change. I trust you. I want you to work in my life. I want you to change me. I know that you will do your good work in me. I know that you will mold and shape my life. I know that you will help me to do what is pleasing to you. You will change my heart. You will transform my mind. You will help me to know and do your will. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will lead me. You will guide me. You will direct me. You will help me to fulfill your purposes and plans. Yes, I will.

So, inviting you do take a close look at my life is an exciting thought. Really? Well, I can’t say that I don’t have some apprehension over your examination. Why is that? I know that the changes you will want to make in my life will not always be free and easy and comfortable. Sometimes your changes in my life have been painful. Sometimes your changes in my life have been like surgery. You will remove from my life what is not been pleasing to you. That can hurt. Yes, it can. But your examination and your surgery in my life will bring healing to me. You will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. Yes, I will.

Lord, investigate my life and show me if I am living in any way that is offensive to you. It is my desire to live in ways that please you in all that I think, say, and do. Help me to live fully for you and to bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… What has the Lord used to show you that you are living in ways that are offensive to Him?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to show you if you are living in any way that is not pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live in ways that are pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to live in ways that please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to search your life so He can show you how to live in ways that please Him.

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

Wisdom – Psalm 139-23-24 – Search Me – 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

Reckless Words

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless Words - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 12:18 – Reckless Words – Growing As Disciples

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Fruitful Words 

What words are coming out of your mouth? Do you ask yourself, “Where did that come from? How could I have said that to someone? Those were hurtful words. I don’t want to be that kind of a person.” Yes Lord, I can see that you have been listening in on my words and my self-talk. Yes, I have. 

I want my words to be healing. I want to speak soothing words of comfort. I would like to be known as one who comforts, encourages and strengthens others with my words.

Never do I want to recklessly hurt others with my words. I know that the devil and all his evil use words that steal, kill, and destroy life. Forgive me when my words have harmed others.

Fill my heart and mind with your words. May my life overflow with words that bless others and lift them up. Help me to speak up for you. Put your words of your love and forgiveness in my mouth so that I can proclaim your good news.

Have you noticed that I have been changing your heart and mind? Yes, I have. How have I been doing that for you? As I have met with you in prayer you have been transforming me. Yes, I have been molding and shaping your life. I have been making you into the person that I want you to be. What have I been using to transform your mind and change your heart? You have been using your word. Yes, I have. You have been setting me free by the truth of your word. Yes, I have been planting my word in your heart and mind. What has my word been bearing in your life? Your word has been bearing fruit? Yes, and what words describe the kind of fruit that is coming out of your life? The fruit that you are bringing out of my life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yes, exactly and that fruit has been giving you new words to speak haven’t they? Yes, they have.

I know that you are impatient. You never want to say the wrong words. You always want to bless others with your words. Yes, that is true. Let my work continue in you. I will continue to plant my word in you. You will continue to bear fruit for me. I will continue to transform your mind and change your heart. Trust me and do not become discouraged. I will never stop molding and shaping your life. You will speak words that will bless and encourage a multitude. Do you believe what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I do without a doubt.

Lord, I have been shocked with the words that have come out of my mouth. Forgive me. Help me. Change my heart and transform my mind so that I can bear fruit for you by having wise and healing words come out of my mouth. Amen

Key Question… When has someone encouraged and built you up with wise and healing words that they spoke to you?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to change your heart and transform your mind with His word so that you will be able to speak His words.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wise and healing words with which to build others up and encourage them.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to speak wise and healing words to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak words that bring healing.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 12-18 – Reckless Words – 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 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

Keeps Silent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 17:28 - Keeps Silent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 17:28 – Keeps Silent – Growing As Disciples

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) 

Wait To Speak

You think that you talk too much, don’t you? Yes, I certainly do. I can’t tell you how many times I have opened my mouth and said something that I regret. Why can’t you tell me? If I really knew how often, I suppose that I could tell you. But you already know all the regrettable things that I have ever said. Yes, I do.

Why do you want to talk to me about the foolish and regrettable things that I have said? Wouldn’t it be better to forget them and just move on? Do you really think so? No, not really. Why not? I regret opening my mouth and saying what I regret. Those regrets don’t just go away. No, they don’t. They nag at me constantly. Wouldn’t it be better if we talked about them? Yes, I suppose that it would be better.

What kinds of words have you regretted saying? I have mostly regretted proud, impatient, angry or judgmental words. I know that those words can hurt others and even damage me. Yes, they can. Does it seem to you that you say out loud most of the thoughts that come into your mind? Yes, it does. Worse than that, I say words that I haven’t really even thought about. That’s not good. It is pretty foolish, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

Would you like me to help you to be wise with the words that you speak? Yes, I would. How can you help me? I want you to slow down. There is no race to see how quickly you can respond with your words. The more quickly you speak, the more foolish your words will be. But slowing down will not be enough of a guard over the words of your mouth. What will be?

We are having a conversation right now, aren’t we? Yes, we are. Is there any reason we can’t continue this conversation throughout the seconds and minutes of your life? No, there is not. Do you think that talking with me throughout your day will change the words that come out of your mouth? I’m positive that it will. When you wait to speak, what will people think? They will think I am wise. When I give you the words to say, what will people know? They will know that I am wise. Why is that? They will hear words that you have given me to say. Yes, they will. Is that what you want? Do you want to wait to speak the words that I will give you, or do you want to rush to say your own words. I want to wait to speak the words that you will give to me. Is that your prayer? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer that prayer of yours.

Lord, I have been quick to speak and slow to listen. I have foolishly rushed to offer my opinion. Help me to remain silent and consider what you want me to think about a matter before I speak. Give me your wise words to say. Amen

Key Question… When have you opened up your mouth and said something that you really regretted?

Living It Out… Allow yourself time to be silent to carefully consider what the Lord wants you to think about before you speak up.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know when to speak up and when to remain silent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to wisely remain silent.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and carefully consider what He wants you to say before you speak.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 17-28 – Keeps Silent – 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

Built His House On A Rock

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Built His House On The Rock - Matthew 7:24-27 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Built His House On The Rock – Matthew 7:24-27 – 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)

Firm Foundation

Storms are certain in this life. They come to everyone. Sometimes you can see them coming from a great distance. At other times they will come when you least expect them and they will take you completely by surprise. Storms come in all different shapes and sizes. Something that seems so tame, safe and harmless can cause a great storm in your life. Sometimes your own careless, inattentive actions or lack of action can bring a storm upon you. Many storms just happen. You have no control over them and they aren’t your fault. No matter what the size, shape or cause of a storm, you can be certain that they will beat on your life. How will your life stand up under a heavy storm? Are you prepared to face them?

Would you like to know how to stand up under a heavy storm in life? Yes Lord, I would. Take a lesson from the expert builder. The most important part of his project is the foundation. If the foundation isn’t right, the rest of the structure won’t matter. The house can look magnificent in every detail but if the foundation is not secure, it will one day collapse like a house of cards when a storm beats against it. Would you like your life to have a secure foundation anchored in rock that will be able to withstand all the storms of life? Yes Lord, I definitely would like that.

I am the expert builder. My words are the ingredients of a secure foundation. My words are as hard as rock. You can anchor your life in me and my words. How do I do that Lord? There are two different ways to hear in life. One person hears my words and considers them to be interesting. They file my words away along with all the other words that they hear from the world. They pick and choose the words that they will put into practice based on their own thoughts, opinions, feelings, and desires. Usually my words end up a distant second place in their life, never to be put into practice. This person is building their life on the sand. Their life will collapse under a heavy storm. You don’t want that. No Lord, I don’t.

What does the other hearer do differently? The other hearer listens carefully to my words and puts them into practice. My words have final authority in their life. They don’t pick and choose what they like to hear and want to put into practice. Sometimes my word will be hard for them to hear. It will challenge their thoughts, words and actions. Often times my word will guide them to live in ways that are distinctly different than those in the world around them. Despite all the demand and challenges of my words, they are committed to following and obeying me no matter the cost to them personally. These followers of mine are building a secure foundation in me that will be able to withstand all the storms of life. Is that what you want? Will you put my words into practice in your life? Yes Lord, I will. Very good, follow me.

Lord, thank you that you are working in me, on and through me. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I want my life to be built on you and your words. Construct my life according to your purposes and plans. Amen

Key Question…  How has knowing Jesus Christ and putting His word into practice been building the foundation of your life?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to hear and put Christ’s word into practice so that you can have a firm foundation in Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that Jesus Christ will securely build your life as you hear and put His words into practice.

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have a firm foundation in Christ as you hear His word and put it into practice.

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

Wisdom – Matthew 7-24-27 – Firm Foundation – 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