Category Archives: Wisdom

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

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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

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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

Teach Us To Number Our Days

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 90:12 - Teach Us To Number Our Days - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 90:12 – Teach Us To Number Our Days – Growing As Disciples

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Life Is Short

You have a very good prayer in your heart and on your mind today. Tell me what it is, say it aloud to me. Let yourself hear it, being asked, as a gift to you from me.

I am asking for a heart full of wisdom. I would like to be able to present my heart to you as a heart filled with wisdom. Yes, that’s very good. Is there a problem? Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. I can’t give you what I don’t have. What do you mean by that? I don’t have wisdom from within myself. Have I not been giving you wisdom as you have drawn near to me? Yes, you have and for that I cannot adequately express how grateful and thankful that I am. You have changed the entire course of my life as you have given wisdom to me. All my thoughts, desires, and pursuits have changed because you have changed my heart and transformed my mind. If I had reached the limit of the amount of wisdom that I was allowed to have, I would be fully and completely satisfied. Do you think that you are close to your limit? There is no chance of that. It’s very good that you know that. Never stop coming to me to ask for wisdom. I will never turn you away. It is my delight to give you wisdom.

Let’s talk about numbering your days. That would be great. Are you fully aware of the fact that your days on earth are numbered? I think so. But, you’re not sure? Maybe not. What would you do differently if you knew that tomorrow was your last day on earth?   I’d be more focused and urgent about getting done what you have given me to do for you. You would be more cautious about how you used your time? Yes, I would. You would make sure that you came to me to ask me how I wanted you to use your remaining time? That’s for certain. You wouldn’t waste large blocks of time doing what has very little importance? No, I would not. Your focus would be on accomplishing whatever would bear fruit for eternity? Yes, my focus would be much sharper on bearing fruit for you than it is now. What then are you learning about the wise use of your time? You are showing me that it is important that I don’t waste valuable time that you have given to me. Living, fully aware of the brevity of my life will help me to come to you to ask you how you want me to best use my time. Your instructions will help me to number, value, and fully use each day so that I can wisely use it for your kingdom and glory. Yes, that’s true and today I will give you a heart of wisdom.

Lord, I have wasted so much time and squandered so many days. Teach me to number my days so that I will wisely use the time that I have been given to serve you and bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and glory.  Amen

Key Question…  What has the Lord shown you about how He would like you to wisely use the days you have been given?

Living It Out…   Ask the Lord to teach you to number your days so that you will wisely use your time to serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will show you how to wisely use your time and each day for His glory.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking to live each day of your life for the glory of God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you ask the Lord to teach you to number your days so you will wisely use the time you have been given.

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

Wisdom – Psalm 90-12 – Teach Us To Number Our Days – 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                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Quick To Listen - James 1:19-21 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Quick To Listen – James 1:19-21 – Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21 (NIV)

 Like A Luxurious Garden

What are you quick to listen to? What and who has your attention? I’m not exactly sure what you mean. What thoughts occupy your mind? Who is speaking into your life? I would like to think that your thoughts occupy my thinking and that you are speaking into my life. Now you are beginning to understand my questions.

I want you to be quick to listen. You might ask “To what, do you want me to listen?” You already know the answer. Yes, I do. You want me to be quick to listen to you and your word. Yes, I do. How will I best be able to do that? Now, that is a very good question. You are like a garden. I want my word to be planted in you so that it will flourish and grow. You will never be able to live the righteous life I desire for you unless you are listening to my word. As you listen I will plant my word in you. You are right to ask how will you be able to be quick to listen to my word.

I will gladly answer that question for you. To listen you must listen. That sounds obvious doesn’t it? Yes, it does. You cant be speaking and listening attentively at the same time. I get it. Do you really? The more you speak the less you will be able to hear and listen to me. The one who speaks thinks he knows. The listener listens because he does not know. I want you to have the attitude of a humble listener. I want you to be hungry and eager to hear from me. I’m here to listen. Yes, you are and that is very good.

There are two things that will also hinder your ability to hear from me. They will try to prevent you from living the righteous life I have given you to live for me. What are they? The first one is anger. How well can you hear from me if you are angry about something? When I’m angry I can’t hear from you at all. Yes, that’s right. Will you set aside all your anger so that you can listen to me? Yes Lord, I will.

What is the second thing that will prevent me from hearing from you and living the righteous life you want me to live? This one is the direct opposite of the life I want you to live. I want you to get rid of anything that is morally filthy and evil. Take a close look. Do an inventory with me. Ask me to show you if there is anything in your life that displeases me. I will show you what must go. Together we will uproot what I don’t want planted in your life. Then in the new space available I will plant my word into your life so that my word will continue to grow and flourish in you. That’s what I want Lord. Yes, I know. I will make your life like a luxurious garden and you will flourish for me.

Lord, help me to remove anger, moral filth, and evil from my life so that I will be able to attentively listen to you. Plant your word in me and cause it to flourish and grow so that I will be like a luxurious garden bearing fruit for you.  Amen

Key Question…  When are you allowing the Lord to speak to you so that He can plant His word in your life?

Living It Out…  Rid your life of anger, moral filth and evil so that you can listen to the Lord and allow Him to plant His word in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will plant His word in you and cause your life to grow and flourish for Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is planting His word in your life and causing you to grow.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you put away anger, moral filth and evil so you can humbly listen to God and let Him plant His word in you.

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

Wisdom – James 1-19-21 – Quick To Listen – 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

Desires To See Many Good Days

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 34:12-14 - Desires To See Many Good Days - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 34:12-14 – Desires To See Many Good Days – Growing As Disciples

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14 (NIV) 

Turn Around 

Turn around. What do you mean by saying, “Turn around?” Stop what you are doing. Make a course correction. Why is that? Do you want to love life and see many good days? Yes, of course, I want to love life and see many good days. What might prevent me from loving life and seeing many good days? You tell me. What have you not enjoyed in life? What has filled you with stress? What has given you anxiety? Being in conflict with others has robbed me of joy in life. Arguments have made my days less than good. What has drawn you into conflict? Often times my tongue has drawn me into conflict. Often times, I have said what did not need to be said. I have spoken up, when the better course would have been to remain silent. I don’t need to right every wrong. I don’t need to set every situation straight. Quite often, I have been mistaken. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, in the midst of a battle, I have spoken less than the whole truth. That’s a clever way to say that. Do you mean to say that sometimes you have lied? Yes, I guess so. You guess so? No, I know so. That’s good. What’s good about that? You are willing to admit that you have made mistakes. You are acknowledging your sin. You are confessing your wrongs. Yes, I am. That’s a good step towards loving life and seeing good days.

So, your tongue has kept you from loving life and seeing good days, what else? Well, not only have I not spoken well, I have not done well. What do you mean by that? I have known the right thing to do and I have done the opposite. What does that sound like the definition of? I’m not sure what you mean. What would you call knowing the good you were to do and doing the opposite? I suppose I would call that sin. Yes, exactly. How have you felt when you have sinned with your actions? Just as bad as I have felt when I sinned with my words. What are you going to do about that? When I’m about to do what I know to be wrong I’m going to stop and turn around and head in the opposite direction. That will be very good. 

What will you pursue with both your words and your deeds? What will allow you to love life and see many good days? I will pursue peace with both my words and deeds. That will be very good. Then you will live the good and long life, I have called you to live.

Lord, I want to live a long life and see many good days. I don’t want my life to be filled with anxiety, stress and conflict. I that that these will shorten my life and ruin my days. Help me to speak words and take actions that will make for peace with others. Amen

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

Love – Psalm 34-12-14 – Desires To See Many Good Days – 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                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

If It Is The Lord’s Will We Will Live And Do This Or That

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 4:13-17 - If It Is The Lord's Will We Will Live And Do This Or That - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 4:13-17 – If It Is The Lord’s Will We Will Live And Do This Or That – Growing As Disciples

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:13-17 (NIV)

 Ask The Question

You are a planner. You like to think and dream big. You like to think about all the possibilities of life. You see things and wonder how they could be changed and made better. You’re always wondering what you could do differently. It’s hard for you to sit still. You like to be on the move. You want your life to count for something. You want your life to have made a difference in this world. Yes Lord, you are describing me quite well. That shouldn’t be too hard for me because I made you. I enjoy seeing all these qualities at work in your life. You are who I have made you to be. But there is something more that you want to talk to me about, isn’t there? Yes, there is.

What do you want to say to me? There is a question that I always want you to have front and center in your heart and mind. It is a great question that I want you to ask me at the start, in the middle, and at the end of your thought process when you are planning to do something. If you don’t ask me this question, your plans will not succeed. Ask me, “is this your will?” You will need to know my answer before you proceed. You have a lot of energy and you can become very enthusiastic and excited about a plan or project you are working on. Your natural energy and excitement might carry you off in the wrong direction to attempt to do what is not my will for you. You may have the right plan or project but the wrong timing. I want you to really involve me in your thinking and planning. Don’t come up with your great plan and ask me to bless it at the very end. I want to bless the work of your hands by guiding you to do what I have always planned for you to do for me. I do have a purpose and plan for your life. Ask me what that plan and purpose is. Do you think that I will hide my purposes and plans from you? No, there is no chance of that. If you don’t know my purposes and plans, what do you think the problem might be? I think that I probably haven’t asked you and then waited for your answer. Yes, I want you to keep asking me to reveal my purposes and plans for you. What will you do as you continue to ask me? I will continue to serve you where I am and wait until I have an answer from you. Yes, asking and waiting is exactly what I want you to do. I will show you when, where, and how to act. Then you will bear an abundance of fruit for me.

Lord, I have raced off in a thousand different directions all based on my thoughts and plans. I have made so many mistakes. No more. Help me to rely on your for your wisdom. I want you to guide my life according to your will. Amen

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

Wisdom – James 4-13-17 – If It Is The Lord’s Will We Will Live And Do This Or That – 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

My Ways Are Higher

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Isaiah 55:8-9 - My Ways Are Higher - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Isaiah 55:8-9 – My Ways Are Higher – Growing As Disciples

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.   Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

How High?

Think about this for a moment. How high are the heavens above the earth? If you could look out into space and see the end of the universe, how far would that be? I have no idea. Is there even a place where the universe ends? That’s a good question for another time. Trying to think this way starts my head spinning. I can’t even imagine thoughts this large. If I could, my head would surely explode. My small mind and little thoughts cannot begin to contain what you know. Yes, that’s very true.

Why do you think that I have bothered to tell you that my thoughts and ways are so much higher than yours? Do you think I have a purpose in mind? I certainly know that you aren’t bragging about your knowledge and wisdom. Tell me what you think. I think you want me to know your thoughts and ways. You don’t want to keep them as a secret from me. No, I do not. It’s important for me to know that you have much larger thoughts and much better ways than I do. Why is that? Well, two things will happen. First, I will stop relying on my thoughts and ways when I realize how small and inferior they are. Then I will begin to desire your thoughts and ways because they are so much higher and better.

Where do you think your desire to know my thoughts and ways has come from? My desire has not come from within me. As I have stumbled through life by relying on my thoughts and ways, I have seen their futility. I have come to grip with the fact that my thoughts and ways are broken. They don’t work and don’t lead me to where I want to go. In the painful discovery of my broken thoughts and ways, I cried out to you. I asked for your help. I asked you to show yourself to me. I asked you to lead and guide my life. I gave myself completely to you. I said that I was willing to set aside my thoughts and my ways so that I could follow you. Have I answered your prayer? Yes, you have.

Do you still, even now, desire my thoughts and ways? Yes, now just as much and more than ever. Do you think that I will continue to reveal my thoughts and show you my ways? Yes, I’m positive that you will. When will I do that? You will do that one step and one day at a time. Why do I reveal myself to you in that way? You know that I could not handle more than that. Yes, that’s true. When else do you think I will reveal my thoughts and ways to you? You will reveal yourself to me as I seek you with all my heart. Yes, I will. Is that what you are now doing? Yes Lord, it is. Thank you for drawing me to you. I want to know your thoughts and follow your ways.

Lord, there is nothing that I desire more in life than to know you. My heart, mind, eyes and ears are focused on you. I am filled with a hunger and thirst for you. I want to know your thoughts. I want to live according to your ways.  Amen

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

Wisdom – Isaiah 55-8-9 – My Ways Higher – 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

Fire Goes Out

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 26:20 - A Fire Goes Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 26:20 – A Fire Goes Out – Growing As Disciples

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.  Proverbs 26:20 (NIV)

Damaging Words 

You’ve always liked the roaring flame of a fire. Yes I have. Fire has been something that has intrigued me since I was a child. You’ve liked to play with fires? Yes, building and sitting around a warm fire is something that I could do for hours, even now as an adult. I like the colors and smell and even the crackling sounds of a blazing fire. Some of my special memories with you have been made sitting quietly around a fire listening to what you wanted to say to me. Yes, those have been some very special moments for you and I.

I have something that I want to say to you about fire. What’s that? A fire can be very dangerous. Yes, I know. Remember how I almost set a small forest on fire? What a panic that was. You learned a valuable lesson that day. You learned all about the dangers of playing with fire. Yes, I did. That’s the topic that I want to talk to you about today. I’m listening.

The words that come out of your mouth can be like a fire. They can be very dangerous. They can wound and hurt and do tremendous damage. There is nothing pleasant about these kinds of words and this kind of fire. No one is warmed by hurtful words. There sound is not pleasant to the ear or beautiful in anyone else’s sight. Hurtful and unkind words even if they may be true are grievous to me. I don’t want you to think these kinds of damaging words about anyone else including yourself. I especially don’t want these kinds of words to come out of your mouth. Do you understand why? I’m sure that I do. How sure? I’m absolutely positive. Tell me then why these words must not be in your mind or coming out of your mouth. There is more than one answer to that question. First of all I don’t want to think or say anything that grieves you. I know you don’t. Secondly, it is the devil and his evil that uses these kinds of thoughts and words to steal, kill, and destroy life. Yes, he does. Finally, I know that you want to use my life to bear abundant fruit for you. Yes, I do. There is probably nothing more damaging to my bearing fruit for you than improper, hurtful, and sinful thoughts and words in my mind coming out of my mouth. No, there is not. That is where evil and sin of every kind starts. So, I will turn away from evil thoughts and words. I will not let my words stoke a fire that does damage to others, myself, or your plans for my life. That will be very good. Let me change your heart and transform your mind so that you will be thinking my thoughts and speaking my words. Yes Lord, change me and give me the thoughts and words that you want me to think and to say.

Lord, I have chewed on choice morsels of gossip. I have fanned flames of a quarrel. I have fallen into a dark pit of tearing others down with words. Forgive me. Change my heart and transform my mind so I can speak loving and healing words that come from you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs-26-20 – Fire Goes Out – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Ask God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Ask God - James 1:5-8 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Ask God – James 1:5-8 – Growing As Disciples

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  James 1:5-8 (NIV)

I Lack Wisdom

Here I am again God, lacking wisdom. There is no “if” to the question of whether I lack wisdom or not. Nothing could be more certain than that I lack wisdom and I need your help. About the dumbest thing that I could do is to think that I have all I need within myself to live this life for you. Fortunately, I’ve made enough mistakes and taken my share of crazy detours to know that I most certainly need your help. So here I am crying out to you for help.

How do you think I will respond to your cry? At one time I thought you might say, “is that you again?” But now I know that’s not true at all. I’m sure that you are glad that I have come to you asking for your help. You’ve got that right. Why do you think I’m glad? Within my asking there are several underlying convictions all of which I think please you. Tell me what they are. First, my asking for wisdom from you is an admission that I don’t have wisdom. Second, my asking you for wisdom is an acknowledgment that you are the source of all wisdom. Finally, my asking you for wisdom is in faith knowing that you love me and will give me wisdom without finding fault in me. You are absolutely right. I am pleased with every one of the convictions underlying your asking me for wisdom.

How do you think that I will answer your request for wisdom? I have a few ideas of how you will. What are they? I believe that you will make me wise as I spend time with you in your word. I believe that when I stop to ask you for wisdom in specific situations, you will show me the right decisions to make. I believe that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct my life as I watch, wait, and listen for His voice prompting me along life’s journey. Is that it? Well, I also believe that you will give me wisdom in ways that I also cannot even conceive of or guess. Yes, you are right, my wisdom will be given to you in ways that you are aware and unaware of. But there is one thing you must be certain of. What’s that? I have heard and will answer your prayer.

Heavenly Father, in the past I have tried to face trials in life with my own wisdom and strength. That has been a big mistake that I’m learning from. Help me to come to you in faith to ask for and receive all the wisdom that I need.   Amen

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

Wisdom – James 1-5-8 – Ask God- 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

Comes From Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 3:17-18 - Comes From Heaven - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 3:17-18 – Comes From Heaven – Growing As Disciples

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 (NIV) 

A Greater Victory

What do you think real wisdom that comes from me looks like? I’m not sure. I think you have a pretty good idea. Tell me what you once thought real wisdom looked like? What I once thought is now a little embarrassing to say out loud. Go ahead anyhow. I once thought that wisdom would empower me to win every argument and confound my opponents in every debate. The wisdom I wanted would leave my opponents speechless with nothing to say except that I was completely correct. That’s pretty funny, isn’t it? I suppose so. I would have used the word pathetic instead of funny. What does that wisdom sound like to you now? It sounds a lot more like pride than wisdom. Yes, it does.

What have you learned about your desire to win every argument and debate? The desire to win is not wise. I could win every argument and debate and have no one that would want to be my friend. That kind of wisdom is very unattractive and unappealing. Who wants to be around someone that is always right? 

Your wisdom is just the opposite. How so? Your wisdom is filled with humility. It doesn’t overpower or force itself on anyone. It is gentle and attractive and appealing. It stands out as dramatically different than the wisdom of the world. Yes, it does. Your wisdom goes out of its way to be helpful to others. It does not serve itself. No, it does not. Instead of always wanting to win, your wisdom is willing to suffer wrong. Why is that? You are more interested in winning the hearts of men and women than you are in winning the popular arguments of the day. Yes, I am. Have you ever won arguments and lost people? Yes, I have. Now I know that I would rather love and serve people than conquer them with my wise debating skills.

I now know that your wisdom sows peace in this world. Why is that? The goal of your wisdom isn’t to win as the world considers winning. No, it is not. Your wisdom seeks a greater victory. Yes, it does. Tell me what is that victory? You desire a harvest of righteousness. Yes, I do. Your wisdom is meant to draw men and women to you so that they will follow you as their Savior and Lord. Yes, that is the goal of my wisdom. Is this the kind of wisdom you desire? Yes Lord, it is. Will you allow me to use you to plant and reap a harvest of righteousness in this world? Yes Lord, I will.

Heavenly Father, I have tried to live by the wisdom that comes from this world long enough. It doesn’t help and makes matters worse. I ask for your wisdom that comes from heaven, to guide all my thoughts, words, and actions. Amen

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

Wisdom – James 3-17-18 – Comes From Heaven – 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