Category Archives: Wisdom

The Law Of The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 19:7-11- The Law Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 19:7-11- The Law Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

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

Your Word

I don’t know where I would be without your word. How so? Your word is what has fed and sustained and strengthened me as I have followed you. Your word has guarded and guided my life. When I have been weary and worn out your word has revived me. Without your word I have been foolish. I have made so many mistakes. I have taken so many missteps. Your word is making me, this simple self, to be wise. Who would have ever thought that could be possible? That’s a good question. Keep in mind, I am still not claiming to be wise in my own self. That’s good. I need to take in the wisdom of your word every day. Like the daily manna you gave to your people, so also do I need the daily insight you give me from your word. I can’t live solely on what you gave me up to and including yesterday. I need to meet with you daily in your word. I need to live in a moment by moment intimate relationship with you. Yes, you do.

I can truly say that I have found your word to be more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey. Why is that? Your word keeps my focus on you. Your word keeps me listening to all that you have to say to me. Your word keeps the efforts of my life focused on what is eternal. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. Everything else is of no value. Your word has guided me to where you want me to go. Your word has given me what you want me to do. It has been my joy to go and do what is pleasing to you. That’s good.

Your word has warned me. How so? Your word has taught me where not to go. Your word has shown me what not to do. Your word has protected my life. Your word has rewarded me? How so? Your word has helped me to know you. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you in your word. There is no place I would rather be than with you in your word. Your word has given me life and peace and joy. Not for the moment only, but for now and forever. Your word has shown me your kindness, mercy and love. Oh how sweet that is. Nothing is better. Nothing is more desirable. Your word has focused my attention on you now and the future I have with you forever. I look forward to that day when time ends and my eternal life with you begins. Your word has given me this certain hope. That is very good.

Lord, I am so thankful for your word. It is my joy to meet with you daily in your word. I could not live the life you have for me without your word. Use your word to do your full and complete work in me. I will keep your word in my heart and mind as I follow you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Psalm 19-7-11 – The Law Of The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Fool Says

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Psalm 14:1-3 - The Fool Says - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Psalm 14:1-3 – The Fool Says – Growing As Disciples

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalm 14:1-3 (NIV)

No Fool

Do you ever do that? Do I ever do what? Do you ever say in your heart that I don’t exist? Give that question some very careful thought. Don’t rush to give me an answer? I’m guessing that I should not say that I never say in my heart that you don’t exist. Why is that? I’m not sure. I know that you do exist. Only a fool thinks that you don’t exist. I’m not that kind of fool, at least I don’t think so.  I have been foolish in many ways. But, I hope that I have not been foolish in that way. Can you ask me some more questions. I’m not really sure what you are asking me. I don’t have a clear idea how you want me to think more deeply about your question. I would be happy to ask you more questions.

Have you ever held thoughts in your mind as if I did not exist. Have you ever spoken words from your mouth as if I did not exist? Have you ever taken action in your life as if I did not exist? Now, I am better understanding your question. How so? I might think that I am not a fool. I might think that I always think and speak and act as if you did exist. If I am not a fool then all my thoughts, words and deeds would be consistent with knowing that you exist. Say more about that. If I am thinking and speaking and acting as if you exist then I will guard the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. I will think thoughts, speak words and do deeds that are pleasing to you. Unless, I was extra foolish then I might think and speak and act in ways that displease you even though I know that you exist. Have you ever been, as you call it, extra foolish? Yes, many times. For that I am very sorry. My life has not always been consistently and wisely lived out with the knowledge I have that you do exist. I’ve noticed.

How would you like to live differently? Because you do exist, I want to seek you. I want to follow you. I want to love you, and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want my life to center around an intimate relationship with you. I want all my thoughts and words and deeds to express that I know you and love you. I want to think, speak and do whatever is pleasing to you. I want to live my life fully and completely with and for you. That is very good. That is very wise. That is very pleasing to me. You are no fool. 

Heavenly Father, I have lived many days as if you did not exist. I have not drawn near you or sought you out. I have not followed you. I have not done what you have asked of me. No more of that. Now, I want to live every day in an intimate relationship with you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Psalm 14-1-3 – The Fool Says – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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 do whatever you ask of me.  Yes, I will keep you on the path I have for you as you follow me.  Of that I am certain.  It’s very good that you have placed all 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:

Wisdom – Proverbs 4-14-15 – 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

Starting A Quarrel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 17:14 - Starting A Quarrel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 17:14 – Starting A Quarrel – Growing As Disciples

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 (NIV)

Drop It

Who started it? Who started what? Who started the argument? I don’t even remember. What is the argument about? I can’t remember that either. Let me get this straight. You are in a quarrel and angry dispute. You can’t remember who started it? You can’t remember what the quarrel and angry dispute is all about? No, not really. Does this make sense to you? No, not really. Maybe, I should ask you different questions. Like what? Who is going to drop it? Who is going to let go of their anger? Who is going to refuse to be drawn into a quarrel? Who is not going to let a dispute break out? Would that be me? You tell me. Would that be you? I hope so. Why is that? I would like to be a peacemaker. I am tired of being drawn into quarrels. I am done with being in angry disputes. That sounds good.  

Why is it good to drop a quarrel before a dispute has any chance to break out? Nothing will damage relationships more than angry quarrels and bitter disputes. Nothing will dim the brightness of my witness for you quite like being in a bitter dispute with someone. That’s true. What else? Once a quarrel breaks out it is very difficult to restrain it. An angry quarrel is like breaking a dam. The force is overpowering. The damage can be staggering. It might be almost impossible to put things back together as they once were. Has that ever happened to you? Yes, it has. I have some damaged relationships that will probably never be restored. That’s too bad. Yes, it is.

What would you like to do differently? I would like to drop whatever differences I have with others. I would like to have wisdom to know the true costs of angry quarrels and bitter disputes. I would like to value relationships with people over being right or winning an argument. I would like to be known as a peacemaker over having things always go my way. If I have to suffer some pain or experience some loss over maintaining an important relationship I will do it. Why is that? I want to become like you. I want to live like you lived. I want to do what you did. You didn’t assert your rights. You didn’t seek your own privileges. You experienced pain and suffering and loss. You did not engage in angry quarrels or become entangled in bitter disputes. You didn’t fight to be right. You did seek to win arguments at all costs. You laid down your rights. You poured yourself out. You gave your life so that others could live. Yes, I did. Will you do all these things for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have been a debater. I have started quarrels. I have unnecessarily allowed myself to become engaged in heated disputes. Help me to learn how to drop matters that are not worth becoming involved in a never ending flood of debating and angry quarreling. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 17-14 – Starting A Quarrel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Word Of Christ

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Colossians 3:16 - Word Of Christ - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Colossians 3:16 – Word Of Christ – Growing As Disciples

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

All Wisdom 

Do you want wisdom from me?  Yes I do.  That is what I have been asking for quite regularly.  Yes, you have.  That tells me that your request is really important to you.  You are very serious about wanting my wisdom.  Yes, I am.

What do you think my wisdom will do for you?  Your wisdom will help me to know and do your will.  It will guide me to make the choices that you want me to make.  Yes, it will help you in that way.

Will my wisdom do more than help you make right choices?  Yes, I probably have no idea of the extent of the importance and value of having your wisdom.  There is surely an inexhaustible list of the benefits of your wisdom.  But wisdom is not just an activity of the mind and a wise way of thinking and acting.  Wisdom involves the heart.  Why do you say that?  I know that you are wisdom itself.  Loving, knowing and following you has changed me and is making me wise as I live with and for you.

How do you think my wisdom will come to you?  Wisdom will come to me from you by asking for it.  My asking must be filled with earnest desire to have what I have asked for from you.  It is not enough to mildly desire wisdom.  I must want and desire it with all my heart.  I must seek wisdom from you as if it were more valuable than silver or gold, which it is.  Yes, it is.  I know that when I am asking for wisdom, I’m really asking for something else.  Tell me what that is.  I want to know you.  Knowing you will make me wise.  Wisdom is really what comes out of drawing near to you and living in your presence.  Yes, it is.  It pleases me that you know and understand this.

What have I used to teach you my wisdom?  How have I been changing your heart and transforming your mind?  You have been using your word.  You have been replacing my old thoughts and ways with your thoughts and ways as I have let your word dwell in me richly.  Letting my word dwell in you richly is part of your earnest desire to know me and have my wisdom, isn’t it?  Yes, it is. 

What will you do with my wisdom as I give it to you?  I will let it overflow my life so that it comes out of my life and blesses others.  This will be in all that you think, say and do, won’t it?  Yes, it will.  Will you teach and counsel others with the wisdom that I give to you?  Yes Lord, I will.

Do you believe that I will abundantly bless your request for wisdom from me?  I have no doubt whatsoever.  Yes, and you are right to be certain about that.

Lord, help me to say yes to all that you want to do for me, in me and through my life so that I can shine brightly in the world. Let all the good deeds that you lead and enable me to do bring thanks, praise, honor, and glory to you. Amen

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

Wisdom – Colossians 3-16 – Word Of Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Full Of Grace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Colossians 4:2-6 - Every Opportunity - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Colossians 4:2-6 – Every Opportunity – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

Every Opportunity

Are your eyes wide open to what I want you to see?  Are your ears attentive to all that I want to say to you?  I’m sure that I don’t see all you want to show me.  I’m positive I don’t hear all that you are saying to me.  Help me to see and listen.  It is my desire to be in step and in tune with you.  I don’t want to miss a beat.  Are you sure that you really want my help?  Yes Lord, I do want your help.

To see and hear me clearly you must devote yourself to prayer.  I don’t mean that you must lock yourself up in a room and do nothing but pray.  Your prayer life will start and be nourished in that secret room and place of prayer.  You must never give up setting aside time to meet with me in solitude, apart from the noise of your busy life.  Will you continue to allow me to teach and train and prepare you in our times together?  Yes Lord, I will.

I want you to carry our times of prayer into your life, throughout the day.  Have an attitude of prayer.  Be listening and watching with prayerful ears and eyes.  Keep one ear and eye on earth and the other ear and eye on me.  I will guide and direct your prayers.  Everything you see and hear will become a subject matter of prayer. 

In prayer filled moments throughout your day I will give you opportunities to minister to others.  I will use you as my vessel.  My spirit will empower you to do all that I ask you to do.  Don’t shrink back from opportunities that I will give to you.  Be bold and full of grace as you speak to others about the new life they can have in me.  Your speech will be like salt that seasons life and will taste good to others.  They will see my life in you and ask you how they can come to know me and become one of my children.  They will desire the new life of forgiveness and salvation that I will freely give to them.

Will you devote yourself to prayer and be watchful; listening to all that I want you to see and hear?  Will you carry your prayer into your day?  Will you act when I give you opportunities to minister to others?  Yes Lord, I will act. I will speak with the words you give. I will make the most of every opportunity you give to me. That will be very good.    

Lord, I will devote myself to prayer. I will be watchful and thankful. I will be looking for every opportunity to minister to others. Help my conversation to be always filled with grace so I will know how to answer everyone. Help me to clearly proclaim the gospel. Amen

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

Wisdom – Colossians 4-2-6- Full Of Grace – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Many Advisors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:22 - Many Advisors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:22 – Many Advisors – Growing As Disciples

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Your Plans

When will I ever learn? When will you ever learn what? When will I ever learn to seek advice, and listen to wise counsel. That is a good question. Why haven’t you sought advice and listened to wise counsel? Pride is the obvious answer. I have thought that I didn’t need to seek advice or receive wise counsel. I thought that I had enough wisdom in myself that I didn’t need to ask for or listen to wise counsel. That is a problem, isn’t it? It’s much more than a problem. It has led to one disaster after another in my life. I have made so many mistakes. I have taken so many missteps. I have made some very costly mistakes. I have wasted time, talents and resources.  I’ve noticed. I’m not sure what is worse, to not seek advice or refuse wise counsel that has been given to me. The end result is the same. I guess so.

Has all been lost? What do you mean by that? Have you learned anything by not seeking advice or accepting wise counsel? I’m learning some things very slowly. Like what? I don’t want to have my plans end in disaster. I don’t want to devise plans that are not yours. I don’t want to go where I should not go. I don’t want to do what I should not do. I don’t want to waste time, talents and resources. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to join you in the work you are doing. I want to do the good works you have prepared in advance for me to do. Those are all very good desires. Those are valuable lessons to have learned. So, all is not lost? It doesn’t look like it to me, does it to you? No, I guess I am learning. Yes, you are.

What do you want to do differently? How will you go about seeking advice and receiving wise counsel? I will wait. I will watch. I will listen. I will draw near to you. I will seek your advice. I will listen to your wise counsel. I will receive your instructions, I will follow your guidance. I will stop thinking that I know it all. I will give up on the idea that I have great plans that I must pursue. I will stop relying on myself. Instead I will rely on you. I want your plan. In faith, I will ask for your wisdom to guide my life. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have rushed forward to implement a plan. I have raced ahead of you. I have not sought out advice or listened to wise counsel. I have been proud and independent. I have also meet with disaster. No More. I will seek your counsel and listen to your advice. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-22 – Many Advisers – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Give Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 25:21-22 - Give Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 25:21-22 – Give Him – Growing As Disciples

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV)  

Your Enemies

What will you do for your enemies? That’s an odd question. Why is that? I don’t want to do anything for my enemies. I don’t want to even think about my enemies. The best thing I think I could do for my enemies would be to ignore them. Why is that? If I don’t ignore my enemies, I might be tempted to do to them what they have done to me. I might want to pay them back for all the evil that they have done to me. That would not be good. Why is that? 

You were once living as my enemy. You were doing what was evil in my sight. Did I try to put you out of my mind? Did I hope you would just go away? Did I ignore you? No, you did not ignore me. You would not give up on me. You sought me out. You pursued me. You were watching for the day that I would turn away from my old sinful life. You were waiting for me to turn toward you to ask you to come into my life. How did I respond to you? Did I give you what you deserved? No, thankfully you did not give me what I deserved. I deserved punishment. Did I give you what you did not deserve? Yes, you gave me what I did not deserve. What was that? I did not serve your kindness, mercy and love. I did not deserve your forgiveness and cleansing. No, you did not. Yet, I gave all of these to you. Yes, you did.

I have some questions to ask you. Go ahead, I’m listening. Do you want to do what I did? Do you want to become like me? Will you follow my example? How so? Will you do for your enemies what I have done for you? Will you forgive your enemies? Will you extend kindness, mercy and love to your enemies? Will you pray for your enemies? Will you give your enemies whatever they need? Those are tough questions. You are asking a lot of me. No, I am not asking for a lot of you. I am asking for all of you. Will you make yourself completely available to me? Will you go where I guide you? Will you do what I ask of you? Will you love your enemies just as I loved you when you were my enemy? Yes Lord, I will. I will love my enemies. I will graciously give my enemies whatever they need. That will be very good. Then, I will use your life. Then, I will bear fruit through your life. Then, you will bring glory to my name. That will be very good.  

Lord, I want to shine brightly for you as a witness in the world. I want you to use my life to help lead others to you. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use my life, to graciously give my enemies what they need. Amen

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 25-21-22 – Give Him – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A New Thing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Isaiah 43:18-19 - A New Thing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Isaiah 43:18-19 – A New Thing – Growing As Disciples

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

No Way

So, you think that there is no way. Did I say that or did I only think that? What difference does it make? Well, if I thought something but didn’t say it, I might not have accepted it as being true. Let’s talk about your thoughts. What do you have in mind? I want you to move forward with me. I want you to follow me to where I am leading you. I want you to do what I am asking you to do for me. What do my thoughts have to do with going where you guide me and doing what you ask of me? That’s a good question. What kind of thoughts have hindered your ability to go and do what I have asked of you? In the past? Yes, in the past. In the past I have doubted that I could hear you. I have wondered if you were speaking to me. I wasn’t sure that I could know and do your will. I thought maybe I was alone in the world. Because I had these thoughts, I didn’t listen for your advice or seek your counsel. I wandered from one thing to another. I stumbled around in life. I made very little progress. I took one step forward and three steps back. What do you think now? Now, I know that I can hear your voice leading and guiding me through life. I am waiting for your instructions. I am following your advice. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. So, you have put away these former thoughts.  You are not dwelling on your past inability to hear my voice? No, I am not. That’s good.

What other thoughts have hindered your ability to go and do what I asked of you? I thought that everything depended on me. I thought, if something was going to be accomplished it would have to be my gifts and talents and abilities that would get it done. What do you think about these thoughts now? They are ridiculous. They are so limiting. They are completely paralyzing. What do you mean by that? With these thoughts I would never go and do what you asked of me. Why is that? You have always asked me to go and do what I cannot possibly do. You want me to rely on you working in and through me. You want to accomplish what only you can do in and through me. You want me to know without a doubt that what was accomplished was accomplished by your power and strength rather than by my own limited gifts, talents and abilities. That’s right. So, you put away these former thoughts. You are not dwelling on your past failures because you once relied solely on yourself? No, I am not. Are you ready for me to do new things? Are you ready for me to use your life in new ways? Yes Lord, I am.  Then there is a way, that I will provide. I am ready to take that new way that you will provide. My heart and mind and eyes are open to what you want to do in and through my life. I’m glad to hear that from you.

Lord, I have had a hard time moving on from the past. I have dwelt on painful experiences. I have allowed the past to hinder me from being engaged in the present. Open my heart, mind and eyes to what you are doing now. Turn my barrenness into fruitfulness. Amen

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

Wisdom – Isaiah 43-18-19 – A New Thing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

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