Category Archives: Wisdom

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

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

A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm

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Discipleship Study - Wisdom - Proverbs 13:20 - A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Wisdom – Proverbs 13:20 – A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm – Growing As Disciples

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

Choosing Friends

Be very careful about how you choose your friends. Why is that? You tell me. I will become like my friends. If my friends are wise I will grow wise under their influence and encouragement. If my friends are foolish I will become foolish as I follow their bad example. That’s right. That’s quite clear and very simple to understand isn’t it? Yes, it is.

How will you go about choosing your friends? What will you be looking for in a friend? I will ask myself if I would be happy if I became like my friends. That’s a very good question. I will consider my friend’s wisdom. What kind of wisdom will you be looking for? I won’t be looking for wisdom from this world. I will be looking for wisdom that comes from you. So my closest friends will need to know you. I will be expecting you to speak to me through my closest friends. I want my closest friends to be completely honest with me. I want them to point out what I can’t see. I have lots of blind spots. I have flaws that have gone unnoticed and uncorrected. Close and good friends will tell me exactly what I need to hear and see. I will give my closet friends permission to speak into my life. I will listen attentively to the close friends that you will bring into my life. So, you are expecting that I will bring close friends into your life? That’s for sure; I’m counting on you for that. That’s good.

What else will you be looking for in a friend? I don’t want all my friends to be exactly like me. I’m glad that you brought that up. Why is that? You said something that will not end up being true. What’s that? You said that all your close friends would need to know me. Do you really think I will only bring you friends that know me? No, now that you mention it, that doesn’t seem right to me. I’m guessing that you will bring people into my life that don’t know you. Some of these people will become my friends. Some of these people will come to know you through the friendship I share with them. That’s exactly right. So, don’t exclude people who don’t know me as your friends. There is a big difference between someone who does not yet know me and someone who is a fool. A fool does not want to know and live by the truth. A fool has rejected and is walking away from the truth. A fool has no interest in coming to know me. I will bring friends, who don’t yet know me, into your life. They will be hungry to know me. They will want to live the life that you are living with and for me. They will want what you have. I have you. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. You can plan that I will bring friends of all kinds into your life. They will speak into your life and you will speak into their lives. I’m looking forward to it. That’s very good.

Lord, I have had a tendency to choose foolish friends. I have suffered harm when I have allowed myself to a companion of a fool. Help me now to choose wise friends that will help and encourage me to grow in wisdom as I follow you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 13-20 – A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Pleasing To The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 16:7 - Pleasing To The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 16:7 – Pleasing To The Lord – Growing As Disciples

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.    Proverbs 16:7 (NIV) 

At Peace

Do you wonder if your ways are pleasing to me? Yes, I do. Why is that? You are God and you are perfectly holy. I am not perfect. I am far from perfect. I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. At least you are headed in the right direction with your thoughts. What do you mean by that? You were headed toward the topic of forgiveness, weren’t you? Yes, I suppose I was. You are right that you are not perfect. You could never make yourself perfect. Any attempt to try to make yourself perfect is not really pleasing to me. Why is that? If you could make yourself perfect, would you need or want me? If you were able to make yourself perfect, then I made a huge mistake. I really doubt that. What kind of mistake could you possibly be talking about? I sent my Son to die as payment for your sins so that you could be made perfect in my sight. I see. Do you really? Maybe not, based on your question. If you are continuing to work at making yourself perfect, aren’t you telling me that my Son’s death was not enough and that you must add to His work? I never thought of that before. Yes, if that was what I was doing, then that is what I would be telling you. We both have used that word “if”, haven’t we? Yes, we have. Tell me why you used the word, “if”.

I’m not trying to make myself perfect, not anymore. You once did, didn’t you? Yes, I really didn’t understand all that you did for me on the cross. I didn’t know that you forgave all my sins there and made me acceptable and pleasing in your sight. But now you do, don’t you? Yes, I do.

What has my love for you done for you? Your love for me has changed me. How so? I have grown to be in love with you. I no longer do anything for or with you because I think I should or must. You don’t? No, I don’t. Everything I do with or for you is motivated by my love for you. I love you with all my heart, soul and mind. I love you with all that I am and hope to be. It gives me great joy to love and follow you. I am filled with praise and thanksgiving knowing that you love me more fully and perfectly than I could ever love you. I feel so full of your love that I think I could explode. That won’t happen, do you know why? Yes, I think that your love overflows my life and spills out to others. Yes, it does and it will continue to do so. One more question. Go ahead. Do you still wonder if your ways are pleasing to me? No I don’t because I see your love flowing out of me to others. Yes, it is. My love will cause even your enemies to live at peace with you. They will want what you have. What I have? Yes, you. My love flowing through you will draw others to me.

Lord, help me to think, speak and act in ways that please you. Use me as your witness in this world. Help me to show your love, grace, and mercy even to my enemies. Help me to live in peace with all those who have wrongly used or hurt me.   Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 16-7 – Pleasing To The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Fill You With Knowledge Of His Will

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Colossians 1:9-10 - Fill You With Knowledge Of His Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Colossians 1:9-10 – Fill You With Knowledge Of His Will – Growing As Disciples

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,  Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV)

Knowing Him

Is it your earnest desire to know me? Yes Lord, it is. At one time you just knew of me. Yes, and you used that little bit of knowledge to draw me to you. Yes, I did. Now, it isn’t enough for you to know of me, is it? No, it is not. Where do you think your desire to know me comes from? This burning desire in me to know you comes from you. It is your Holy Spirit living inside of me that is fanning the flame of my desire for you. Yes, that’s right.

How do you think you will grow to know me more intimately? First of all I know that we are in complete agreement on my desire to know you. What do you mean by that? You want me to know you. You will not hide yourself from me? No, I will not. As I walk with you through life you will continue to help me to know you. Yes, I will. When we talk together about all that I am experiencing in life I will grow to know you more intimately. Yes, you will. When I meet with you in your word, you will show yourself to me. I will come to more clearly understand your will and your ways. Yes, you will. You will help me to live in ways that are worthy of Christ. You will show me what pleases you. Yes, I will. It won’t be enough to know what pleases you. No, it will not. You will give me the power of your Holy Spirit to both know and do your will. Yes, I will. I could never know you or do your will with my own knowledge or strength. I will rely on your Holy Spirit to teach and guide me through life. It pleases me that you know that you cannot know, follow and serve me by your own human efforts.

Is there any other way that you can think of how you will grow to know me more intimately? Yes, there is one. Tell me about it. As I serve you, I will know you more intimately. You will use me to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. Yes, I will. You will give me tasks that are too large for me to handle on my own. Yes I will, you can count on it. Those God sized assignments will cause me to rely on you for all your help. Yes, they will. That’s a very good thing. Yes, it is. As I rely on you to accomplish your purposes through my life, I will come to know you more intimately. Yes, you will.

Does knowing me, walking in my ways and being used by me sound easy to you? No, it does not. But, I am very thankful that you have given me the desire to know you despite the challenges that lie just ahead. I am ready to follow you wherever you lead me. That’s very good.

Lord, help me to know you. Fill me with the knowledge of your will. Give me spiritual wisdom and understanding. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Bear fruit through my life. I’m praying this prayer for myself and for those you bring into my life. Amen

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

Wisdom – Colossians 1-9-10 – Fill You With Knowledge Of His Will – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Go On Your Way

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 4:14-15 - Go On Your Way - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 4:14-15 – Go On Your Way – Growing As Disciples

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. Proverbs 4:14-15 (NIV)

Path For You 

Be very careful where you set your feet. I have a path I want you to walk. Don’t look around and compare your path with the path of others.

You know that the path that I have for you is not the path of the wicked. Do not do what other evil people do. Do not justify your actions by what others have done to you. Do not give yourself permission to do something just because others are doing it. Don’t respond to others based on how they have treated you. Do you understand all that I am saying to you? Yes, you want to guide and direct my life. You want me to follow you. You want me to live the life you have called me to live. That life will look nothing like what evil people are doing. That path will be far away from the path of the wicked. Yes, it will.

There is more though that you understand, isn’t there? Yes, there is. Tell me what else you understand. I need to be on guard against more than just the path of the wicked. What do you have in your heart and mind? It is wicked to not follow you. I could do a lot of good deeds and nice things and still not be following you. How is that possible? I could be looking at what other good people are doing and assume that I should be doing exactly what they are doing in the same way that they are doing it. What’s the problem with that? That approach puts me in charge of all that I do based on what seems good to me as I observe what others are doing. Why is that a problem? You want me to follow you. You have a path and plan for my life. You want me to walk in and live out that plan. Yes, I do. For me to do something other than your plan is a sin that will cause me to miss out on all that you want to do in and through my life. Yes it is and yes it will.

So tell me what you must be on guard against? I must not live and walk on the path of evil. The evil path can look obviously evil or deceptively good. The only righteous path to walk is the one that you are leading me on. How will you know if you are on the right path with me? I will rely on you to guide my life. I will ask for your directions. I will have faith that you will guide me to what you ask of me. Yes, I will keep you on the path I have for you as you follow me. Of that I am absolutely certain. That’s very good that you have placed your faith and trust in me.

Lord, thank you for your word that keeps me from stepping near or walking on the path of the wicked. Guard my life according to your word so that I will walk straight on the path you have laid out for me as I follow and serve you. Amen

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

Proverbs 4-14-15 – Wisdom – Go On Your Way – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Do Not Ignore It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 8:32-35 - Do Not Ignore It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 8:32-35 – Do Not Ignore It – Growing As Disciples

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 8:32-35 (NIV)

Waiting For Instructions 

Make sure that you are listening to me. Don’t hurriedly rush off in a direction without thinking and without bothering to listen to me. You have an impulsive nature that has gotten you into trouble and difficulty many times before. Yes, I know. Take your time, slow down, wait and listen to me. Don’t be in a hurry. Do you know why this is so important? Yes, I think that I do. Hurry will hinder my ability to hear you. When I don’t wait and listen for your instructions I’m most likely to go running off in my own direction instead of choosing to walk in your ways. Yes, and a key word that you used there was walk. When has my way included an impulsive sprint on your part? Probably never, I guess. There is only one thing that I want you to be quick about. What’s that? I want you to be quick to listen to me. I want you to be quick to wait for my instructions.

You have been asking for wisdom from me, have you not? Yes, I have. You will only be able to receive wisdom from me by watching, waiting, and listening for it. There are two words that go together like a hand in a glove. What are they? They are waiting and wisdom. If you want wisdom from me you must wait for it. How hard will that be for you? It sounds like it should be pretty easy. Has it been easy for you? No, I have never liked waiting. Yes, I have seen that in you. You like constant motion. You would rather be on the go than having to wait. What will wanting wisdom require from you? It will require me to learn to wait. Yes, it will. Have you noticed that I have been giving you an in depth course in waiting? Yes, I have. How have you liked it? Not much at all. Have you enjoyed the fruit of waiting? What do you mean by that? Has your life been blessed as you have waited with me? Yes it has. How has it been blessed? As I have waited with you I have been able to know your will and walk in your ways. I have been able to make good decisions and choose what you wanted me to choose. Yes, that’s right. I have felt your favor and blessing in my life. Is there anything you haven’t enjoyed about that? No, there isn’t. Once I have stopped running and slowed down it has been a joy and delight to wait in your presence. So, maybe it’s just the idea of waiting that you haven’t liked. I suppose so. Isn’t waiting a lot better than wasting a lot of time running off in the wrong direction? Yes, it certainly is. I dislike that far more than waiting in the first place. I will wait and watch and listen for your instructions. I will take great delight in being in your presence. I’m glad to hear that.      

Lord, I can’t tell you how many times I have impulsively run off in my own direction. I thought I had all the wisdom I needed to make a wise decision. Wrong again. Forgive me. Help me now to wait and listen to your instructions. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 8-32-35 – Do Not Ignore It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 - Since This Is Your Heart's Desire - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 – Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire – Growing As Disciples

God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (NIV)

One Request

If there were one thing that you could ask for, what would it be? If you were certain that I would grant your one request, what would you want? I know what that request would be without hesitation. You do? Tell me what is the desire of your heart? That’s exactly where my request comes from. I want and desire to love you with all my heart all the days of my life. Do you think that is something that I can grant and make happen? Yes, I do without a doubt. Why do you say that? I know that I love you because you first loved me. It is your love that drew me to you. Your love for me fanned the flames of my love for you. Yes, it did and you believe that I can keep fanning the flames of your love for me? Yes, I do. Why do you think so? As I draw near to you I see your goodness, kindness, mercy and love toward me. Your love feeds and sustains my life. Your love gives me peace, hope and joy. There is no place that I would rather be than in your presence and living in your love. Your love keeps drawing me to you. You lavish me with your love. Your love leaves me wanting to know you. Your love leaves me wanting to follow and obey you. Your love leaves me wanting to serve you with all my being and strength. Your love is changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your love is molding and shaping my life and making me into the person you always wanted and planned for me to be. My response to your love can only and always be to love you with the same love that you have given to me.

So, I am absolutely certain of the request I want to make from you. I am just as certain that you will hear and answer this request and for that I am so thankful. Yes, I heard this request of yours. It is the very best request. I am pleased to hear and pleased to answer this request of yours.

Do you know why your request is the best one you could have made? Yes, I do. Tell me why. Everything you have done and want to do in my life flows through your love for me and my love for you. Your love gives to me what you want me to have. My love for you makes me able to receive what you want me to have as a gift from you. Yes, it does. Consider your request already granted now and forever more. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, knowing and loving you is the desire of my heart. If I could know and love you deeply that would be enough for me. That is my prayer and the request of my heart. I want to know you and live in your love now and forever. Amen

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

Wisdom – 2 Chronicles 1-11-12 – Since This Is Your Heart’s Desire – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 - Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”                                               2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NIV)

 Receive From Me

What are you doing? I’m planting. What are you planting? I’m planting your word in my life. You are? I thought I did the planting. Well, you do. I probably meant that I am here with you in your word so that I can allow you to plant it in my life. You could choose to be a thousand different places right now. Yes, I could. But, you’re not. Nope. Why not? You have called and drawn me to this place. There is no place that I would rather be than right here, right now, with you. I’m very pleased to hear that. Why do you think that is? It certainly isn’t because of me. I have a hard time sitting still for five minutes. It’s a miracle really that you have placed this desire within me to be with you in your word. Yes, it is.

What is happening to you as my word is being richly planted in you? You are changing me. It’s not something that happens over night, but little by little you are molding and shaping my life with your word. I’m beginning to think your thoughts and feel your feelings.   Yes, you are. You have given me new desires. I want what you want. It is now my delight to serve you.

Tell me about your new desires. It is my desire to help others grow closer to you. I want to encourage them to meet with you so that they can feast on your word and hear all that you want to say to them. So, you’re sharing my word with others? Yes, I am. In this process of you digging into my word and sharing it with others, what is happening to you? I am being blessed even more. How so? You are overflowing my life with your goodness. I’m growing and changing even more. As I give to others I am receiving as much and even more back in return. You are bearing fruit in my life and in your kingdom. I feel like a well-watered tree planted next to a stream. You are making me vibrant, joyful, and fruitful for you. The weariness that I once felt so frequently is gone. I have a new excitement that I have never felt before. I look forward to walking with you and serving others every day. It is my delight to bear fruit for you. Yes, I can see that. You are very right about something. What’s that? You have and are experiencing a miracle. I am using you to bear fruit for me. As you give to others, you will continue to receive even more from me.

Lord, you have blessed my life so I am able to cheerfully and generously give to others. Help me to say yes to you and to the needs of others. Protect me from being stingy. Help me to decide in my heart to give and sow bountifully. Amen

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

Wisdom – 2 Corinthians 9-6-9 – Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously – 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

Test And Approve What God’s Will Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Romans 12:2- Test And Approve What God's Will Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Romans 12:2- Test And Approve What God’s Will Is – Growing As Disciples

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)  

Inside Out

There is a choice you are going to have to make. What choice is that? You are going to have to choose who you are and what you are going to do in life. Can’t I just sort of let that unfold and see who I become and what I do? That may not seem like a choice to you. But it is a choice and a bad one at that. Why would that be a bad choice?

There is a force that is in the world that will continually try to conform you into its pattern. If you allow it to shape who you are and guide what you will do, you will not be happy with the result. Why is that? This world is under the control of the god of this world. Do you know who that is? Yes, the god of this world is the devil. That’s right. Are you comfortable allowing him to shape who you are and guide what you do? No, not at all. That’s what will happen if you do not choose to allow me to mold and shape your life. I want you to make me into who you want me to be. I want to know you and do your will.

Do you know how I will mold and shape your life? I’m not exactly sure. The devil conforms you into the world’s pattern by bombarding you with its values. He is attempting to conform you from the outside in. I will transform your life from the inside out. How does that work? When you gave your life to me I put my Spirit inside of you. You were born again to live a new life for me. Yes, I’m certain that you did that for me. Did your battles against the world and its attempts to conform you end right then and there? No, they did not. Your battle against the world and its evil will be something that you will face every day of your life. My Spirit living in you will give you victory over the world and all its evil. This does not mean that you won’t have to choose every day who you are and how you are going to live. Your choice will reaffirm your desire to know me and do my will.   I have made that choice but there is more, isn’t there?

Yes, my Spirit will be transforming your heart and mind as you flee the evil of this world and pursue me. When you resist evil and draw near to me the devil will flee from you. I will use my word to transform your mind and change your heart. I will give you a new way to think and a new way to act. You will be able to know and do my will. I will be transforming you from the inside out. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, it is. Is this a choice that you will make? Yes Lord, it is.

Lord, I will separate myself from influences that are attempting to conform me to the values, patterns and practices of this world. Use your word to transform and renew my mind so that I can know your will and your ways. Amen

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

Wisdom – Romans 12-2 – Test And Approve What God’s Will Is – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Refreshes Others

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 11-25 - Refreshes Others - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 11-25 – Refreshes Others – Growing As Disciples

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Give Away

I have richly blessed your life. I have given you many good gifts. Why do you think I have richly blessed your life? What do you think I would like to do with what I have given to you? I know for sure that you want me to be like you. Yes, I do. What am I like? You are a giver of good gifts. You are the one that has richly blessed my life. Yes, I am. You want me to also be a giver of good gifts. You want me to richly bless the lives of others. Yes, I do.

Do you have any fear in giving away what I have given to you? Do you think if you give away what I have given to you that you might be left with nothing? I might have had that thought at one time or another. It’s a foolish and selfish thought. It would be a terrible mistake for me to horde for myself what you have given to me. Why is that? I have learned that when I give to others I receive much more in return. You will never leave me with nothing. You never leave me empty and depleted. As I have refreshed the lives of others you have always refreshed my life. As I have given to others you have always given more to me. Yes, I have.

I know that giving to others is your call on my life. Yes, it is. Being richly blessed by you is like a test question. You are asking me if I will answer your call by generously giving away what you have given to me. Yes, I am. I will answer your call. I want to be like you. I would be willing to give away what you have given to me even if I was left empty and depleted in your service. Why is that? Knowing that I have gone and done your will is enough for me. Knowing that I am doing what you ask of me fills me up and refreshes my life. Giving generously to others is refreshing in itself because I know that in doing so I am doing what you have done. As I give to others I know that I am becoming more like you. I am loving like you loved. I am giving like you gave. I am doing your will and walking in your ways. Yes, you are. As I give to others I know that you are working in and through my life. Yes, I am. As I give to others I know that I am bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. There is nothing better than that. There is nothing more than that. I want my life to be fully used by you. So, I will love like you loved and give like you gave. That will be very good.

Lord, you have blessed my life and given me many gifts. I will not horde for myself what you have given to me. Help me to generously use what I have been given to serve others. I know you will give me more of what I generously give away in service to others. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 11-25 – Refreshes Others – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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