If It Is The Lord’s Will

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - James 4:13-17 - If It Is The Lord's Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – James 4:13-17 – If It Is The Lord’s Will – 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)  

A Mist

Your life is like a mist that is here today and gone tomorrow. Your life is like the blink of an eye. Your life is like a snap of the fingers. Before you know it your life on this earth will be gone. Do you want to make the best use of your life? Do you want to wisely use the time that you have been given? I know that my time on this earth is racing by. I can’t tell you how many times I have said that something that happened years ago seems like yesterday. I ask where has time gone. You have no need to convince me on this point. So, I don’t want to waste the time that I have been given. Yes, I want to make the best use of my time and my life. How can I make the best and wisest use of my time? That is a very good question.

At the end of your life what will you be glad that you have gone and done? When you come to live forever in heaven with me what will you want to show me? What fruit will your life have born for my kingdom? What glory will you have brought to my name? At the end of my life I will be glad that I have gone and done your will. When I come to live forever in heaven with you I want to show you the fruit I have born for your kingdom. I will want you to see how I have brought glory to your name. That will be very good. If you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name what will you stop doing and what will you start doing? I will stop making my own elaborate plans for my life. I will start and keep on asking you what is your will and what are your plans for my life. I will make it my priority to know and do your will. I will go where you guide me. I will do all that you ask of me. How will you be able to know and do my will? I will live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I will meet with you in your word. I will allow you to speak into my life. I will listen carefully to all that you say to me. I will live my life in constant dialogue of prayer with you. That will be very good. Then you will be able to know and do my will. Then you will make the best and wisest use of your time in this life as you follow and serve me.

Lord, I don’t want to live out my plans for my life. I want to live out the plans you have for my life. I want to know and do your will. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do all that you ask of me. Help me make the best use of the time I have been given. Amen

Key Question… Why is it foolish to make plans without asking the Lord about His plan for your life?

Living It Out… Make it your everyday practice to ask the Lord to guide you in the plans that He has for your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will show you the plans that He has for your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has shown you plans that He has for your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make it your priority to know and do the Lord’s will.

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

God’s Will – James 4-13-17 – If It Is The Lord’s Will – 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

Our Charge

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - 1 Timothy 1:5 - Our Charge - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – 1 Timothy 1:5 – Our Charge – Growing As Disciples

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

Aim

What is your aim in life? What is the charge that guides and directs your life? That is an interesting question. It sounds almost like a trick question. Maybe, trick question, is not the word I am looking for. I suppose that you don’t ask trick questions. I do not. Is it a question that is testing what is in my heart and on my mind? Yes, it is.  Are you asking me about what motivates my life? Yes, I am. I don’t want to have my own aim or charge that guides and directs my life. I don’t want my own desires to motivate my life. What do you mean by that? At one time my life went a thousand different directions based on my temporary and transient motives and desires. I wandered from one thing to another. My life had a constant feeling of aimlessness. I had no real purpose, passion and pursuit in life. I went wherever I wanted to go. I did whatever I wanted to do. My life lacked focus. It was filled full of activity that accomplished very little of real importance. That’s not good. No, it’s not good.

Do you have a question to ask me? Do you have a statement that you would like to make? Yes, I have a question to ask you. I want to know what your aim and charge is for my life? I think your answer to that question is far more important than how I might answer it. Are you sure? No, I’m not sure. Let’s come back to that question later. You did ask me a question. You already know what my aim and charge is for your life. Yes, I do. Your aim and charge for my life is to love you and others. That’s right. How do you feel about that aim and charge for your life? I am excited and challenged to pursue that aim and charge in life. So, you have taken a hold of that aim and charge in life and made it your very own? Yes, I have. Then wouldn’t you say that your aim and charge in life is very important? Yes, I would. Wouldn’t you also say that you now have an aim and charge in life that gives you real purpose and passion and focus, and is the pursuit of your life? Yes, I would. That is very good.

You mentioned aimlessness and wandering. Yes, I did. What will keep you focused on the aim and charge of loving me and others? If I keep my eyes on you, my life will be focused. If I follow you, I will live the life that you have called me to live. If I keep on going and doing whatever you ask of me, I will continue to love you and others. My heart will be pure, my conscience will be good, and my faith will remain strong as I live my life with and for you. I will fulfill the aim and charge of my life. Yes, you will.

Lord, the aim and charge of my life is to love you and others. Keep me on track. Help me to never wander away from this aim and charge. Help me to have a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith as I keep on loving, following and serving you. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith in God spurred on your love for Him and others?

Living It Out… Make loving God and others the aim and charge of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to grow in love with Him and others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are growing in love with the Lord and others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make loving God and others your aim and charge in life.

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

God’s Will – 1 Timothy 1-5 – Our Charge – 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

Armor Of God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God's Will - Ephesians 6-10-13 - Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)

Stand

Do you want to be able to withstand evil that is in the world? Yes, I do? How can I do that? You are already headed in the wrong direction. I have hardly said anything. How could I already be headed in the wrong direction? Think about it. What did you ask me? Oh, I see or at least I think I do. You see what? I can’t withstand evil in the world, not by myself, that’s for sure. You got that right. How have you faired when you have relied on yourself to fight evil in the world? I have suffered miserable defeats when I have tried to fight the world’s evil with my own strength. I have been overrun. I have been trampled under. I have been laid low. I have been squashed flat. That’s true.

You must recognize one thing and do another when you are facing evil that is in the world. You have my full attention. What must I recognize? You must recognize that your battles with evil are not against flesh and blood. You must recognize the devil’s schemes. You must understand when your battles are against supernatural evil in the world. There are rulers and authorities and cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil that will war against you. Why must I recognize this? When you recognize that you are fighting against supernatural evil you will never be tempted to rely on your own strength. You will know without a doubt that you must come to rely on me. I will do that. That will be very good.

You said I must recognize one thing and do another. I did. We have already talked about what I must recognize. That’s right. What must I do? We talked about that a little bit already as well. You must come to rely on me. How must I come to rely on you? You must put on the full armor of God. Each piece of the armor I give you will make you able to withstand and defeat evil. Will you put on my armor so that you can withstand and defeat evil? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have mistakenly tried to fight spiritual evil in the world with my own flesh and blood. My efforts have led to a miserable defeat. Help me to rely on your help by putting on the full armor of God. Make me able to withstand and defeat evil in the world. Amen

Key Question… When have you mistakenly tried to fight spiritual evil with your own flesh and blood?

Living It Out… Put on the full armor of God so you will be able to withstand and defeat evil in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the whole armor of God will make you able to withstand and defeat evil in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the armor of God has helped you to withstand and defeat evil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to withstand and defeat evil.

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

God’s Will – Ephesians 6-10-13 – Armor Of God – 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

Still – Know

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 46:10 - Still - Know - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 46:10 – Still – Know – Growing As Disciples

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Come To Me

It’s time to slow down. Take a time out. Come to me. Rest in my presence. Be quiet and still before me. You have had places to go. You have had things to do. You have let the busyness and noise of the world crowd me out of your life. You are dry and weary. You are hungry and thirsty. Return to me. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. I will refresh you. I will revive you. I will restore your soul. Take a deep breath. Relax and rest in my presence. I will feed your hunger. I will satisfy your thirst.

I have heard your call. Forgive me for my distance. Forgive me for my independence. I have wandered away from you. I pursued the world and all that it has to offer. I have been overtaken by the noise and busyness of life. I have let myself become dry and weary. My life has become barren. I have accomplished a lot of nothing as I have pursued my own purposes and plans. I want you and the life you have for me. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than meet with you. That sounds very good.

I see your desire. I know your intentions. I hear your words. Do you have a plan? When will you set a time to meet with me? Where will you set apart as a place to meet with me? I know why you are asking me these questions. My desire and intentions and words are not enough. I have had good desires, great intentions and words of commitment to meet with you. I have not followed through. I have been distracted. I have been diverted. Something else has always grabbed my time and intention. Forgive me for that. I regret that I have done what was urgent and failed to do what was important. No more. Not now. Not ever again. I will set a time and a place to meet with you. That will be very good.

Why do you want to meet with me? Why will you set a time and a place to meet with me? Be very clear in your heart and mind about these questions and your answers. Don’t lightly consider them. Don’t easily pass over them. Your answers will determine the course of your life. You are my Savior and Lord. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to serve you. I want to live my life entirely for you. In every way I want to do what pleases you. I want my life to be act of worship. I will bow myself down before you. I will come to listen to you. I will do whatever you ask of me. I want you to be lifted up and exalted by all that I think, say and do. I want to be your witness in the world. That is why I will come to you. That is very good. 

Lord, my life has been filled with the noise and busyness of the world. I need to slow down and come to a full stop. Help me to rest in your presence. Help me to be still before you. Open up your word and speak to me so I can come to know you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it a rhythm of your life to be still before the Lord?

Living It Out… Make it a rhythm of your life to be still before the Lord so that you can come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will come to know the Lord as you are still before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know the Lord as you are still before Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you slow down and take time to be still before the Lord so that you can come to know Him.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 46-10 – Still – Know – 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.

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

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

Do Not Resist

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Matthew 5:38-42 - Do Not Resist - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Matthew 5:38-42 – Do Not Resist – Growing As Disciples

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV)  

Turn Your Cheek

That’s tough. What’s tough? It is difficult to turn the other cheek to someone that is mistreating me. That is not my first inclination. That is not my natural response to someone who has hurt or harmed me. What has been your natural inclination and first response to those who have mistreated you? I have wanted to secure revenge. I have wanted to repay every evil that has ever been committed against me. I have wanted to settle accounts. I have wanted to get even. I have wanted to inflict as much pain as I can to those who have hurt or harmed. Has doing that made you feel better? Has doing that brought great benefit to your life? No, I have never felt better when I have sought revenge. No, seeking revenge has never brought any benefit to my life. How often have you actually sought revenge? Not very often, probably hardly ever. I can’t remember a time when I have actually sought revenge. But, you have contemplated seeking revenge. You have deeply considered ways you could seek revenge. Yes, that’s true. Isn’t that just as much a waste of time and effort as actually seeking revenge? Yes, it is.

You mentioned your natural inclinations. Yes, I did. Is that how you want to live your life? Do you want to live your life by your natural inclinations? No, I don’t want to live my life by my natural inclinations. I don’t want to do simply what comes naturally to me. Why is that? My natural inclinations are worldly. My natural inclinations are sinful. My natural inclinations stand in opposition to you. You are calling me to live a supernatural life that is empowered by your Holy Spirit. Yes, I am. Turning your cheek to someone who mistreats you is a supernatural inclination. Going inconveniently far out of your way to serve another person is a supernatural inclination. Giving to those who want to beg or borrow from you is a supernatural inclination. Will you do these things for me? Yes Lord, I will. I will rely on your Holy Spirit to help me to live the supernatural life that you are calling me to live. That will be very good.

Lord, turning the other cheek has not been my first inclination when I have been mistreated. I have wanted to repay evil committed against me with evil. Forgive me. Help me to turn the other cheek to those who mistreat me so that I can be a witness for you. Amen

Key Question… How difficult has it been for you to turn the other cheek when someone has mistreated you?

Living It Out… Turn the other cheek when someone mistreats you so that you will be able to be a witness for Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be a witness for Him by turning the other check when you are mistreated.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how turning the other cheek has helped you be a witness for Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn your other cheek to someone who mistreats you, so you can be a witness for Jesus Christ.

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

God’s Will – Matthew 5-38-42 – Do Not Resist – 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

Call To Me

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Jeremiah 33:3 - Call To Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Jeremiah 33:3 – Call To Me – Growing As Disciples

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

On My Knees

Will you come to me? Will you call out to me? Will you devote yourself to me in prayer? Will you come and ask me for what you want and need? Will you pray faith filled prayers that only I can hear and answer? Will you ask me to show you great and mighty things that you do not know? You will pray for what you can barely think or hardly even imagine? Will you pray prayers that will draw attention to me? Will you pray prayers that will bear fruit for my kingdom? Will you pray prayers that will bring glory to my name? You have asked me a lot of questions. You are asking me to go deeper. You are asking me to pray bigger. You are asking me to pray for more. You want me to ask for what I can barely think of or hardly even imagine. Am I right? Am I hearing you correctly? Yes, you are hearing me correctly.

Why do you think I want you to go deeper and pray for more? You want me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You want people to be drawn to you through what you will do in and through my life. You want me to shine as a bright witness for you in the world. What I can do is small and weak. Glory will not come to you through the feeble work of my hands. People will not be drawn to you by what I can do all by myself. My efforts alone will bear no eternal fruit and will bring no glory to your name. That is not what you want. That is not your desire. Your hand is on me. You want to use me. You want me to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That’s right. Only you can make me able to do your work. That’s true.

I will come to you. I will get down on my knees. I will become serious. I will devote myself to you in prayer. I will ask you to give me prayers to pray that are beyond what I can think or even imagine. I will ask you to work in and through my life. I am your servant. I am ready for your use. Work in and through me for your glory. Help me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Show me great and mighty things I do not know. Here I am now, I am crying out to you. That is very good.

Lord, my prayers have been weak and small. I have not gotten down on my knees to ask you for much. Help me to pray prayers that are strong and large. Help me to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. Show me great and mighty things I do not know. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord to do something in prayer that was almost unimaginable?

Living It Out… Get down on your knees and call out to the Lord in prayer.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will answer you when you call to Him in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has answered you when you have called to him in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you call upon so the Lord so He can answer you by showing you great and mighty things you do not know.

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

God’s Will – Jeremiah 33-3 – Call To Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Treasures In Heaven

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Matthew 6-19-21 - Treasures In Heaven - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Matthew 6-19-21 – Treasures In Heaven – Growing As Disciples

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Store Up

Well, I have been stuck in this trap. What’s that? I have spent a great deal of time, energy and resources on storing up treasure on earth. I have wanted the latest and greatest things. I have chased after material possessions that I thought would make me happy. I went where I shouldn’t have gone. I have wanted what I didn’t need. I have pursued what would not satisfy. I now know that things will never satisfy me. Things will never leave me content. Yesterday’s “must have” is tomorrow’s piece of junk. It has been a fool’s errand for me to try to acquire all that the world had to offer. My life has been like chasing after a mirage that is just ahead on a sun baked road. When I reach that spot, what I thought I would have, is just ahead of me again. Well, I want off this never-ending road. I have had enough. I will no longer try to store up treasure on earth. That’s a very good decision. 

Storing up treasure is not your problem. What’s that? What is my problem? You have chosen the wrong place to store up treasure. One day this world and all that is in it will pass away. Long before that, you will leave this earth to come to live forever in heaven with me. You will want to look back over your life to see that you have served me well. You will have wanted to go where I have guided you. You will have wanted to do what I have asked of you. You will have wanted to bear fruit for my kingdom. You will have wanted to bring glory to my name. Yes, I am sure that I will have wanted to serve you well by doing all that you have asked of me. It is my heart’s desire to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, I know that about you. All the fruit that you will bear for me in your life is the treasure that you can and will be storing up in heaven. Make that your focus. Make that your goal. Don’t let anything side track you. Don’t swerve off course by pursuing the temporary treasures of this earth. Don’t waste your time, talent and energies on what will ultimately amount to nothing. Pursue me and do all that I have prepared for you to do. Then you will have no regrets. Then your life will be well used. Then you will have stored up an abundance of fruit and treasure in heaven with me. Yes Lord, I will store up treasure in heaven with you.

Lord, I have made the mistake of trying to store up treasures on earth. I have wanted all that the world had to offer me. What a foolish pursuit and waste of time. No more of that for me! I will set my heart on heaven and store up treasures there with you. Amen

Key Question… How have you been storing up treasures in heaven as you have followed and served the Lord?

Living It Out… Set your heart on heaven with the Lord as you store up treasures there with Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can set your heart on heaven and store up treasures there with the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up treasures in heaven with the Lord?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store up treasures in heaven where they will not decay or be taken from you.

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

God’s Will – Matthew 6-19-21 – Treasures In 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

Look Directly Forward

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will -Proverbs 4:25-27 - Look Directly Forward - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will -Proverbs 4:25-27 – Look Directly Forward – Growing As Disciples

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV)

Focused On You

I will keep my eyes focused on you. I will keep on moving forward with you. I will not look back. I will not swerve to the left or the right. I will not run ahead of you. I will not lag behind you. I will keep in step with you. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will not allow myself to become distracted. I will not allow myself to be diverted. I will not allow myself to become dissipated. I will follow you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will not retreat. I will have no regrets.  I will hold nothing in reserve. I will pursue you and the life you have for me with all that is within me. That will be very good.

What makes you so sure? Why are you so filled with passion? What spurs you on to want to follow me with all that is within you? I have nothing I would rather do. There is no place I would rather go. You have given me a new life to life. You have given my life hope and meaning and purpose. You have shown your kindness. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. You have richly blessed my life. You have lavished me with your love. I now love you because you first loved me. I am not following and serving you because I should or must. I am following and serving you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

How will you stay with me on the path of life? How will you keep on following me? What will prevent you from swerving to the left or right? How will you be sure to keep in step with me? How will you know for sure that you will not run ahead or lag behind me? My heart and mind and life will remain focused on you. I will meet with you in your word. You will have my complete attention. I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. I will hold on to you as you hold on to me. My focus will remain completely on you. I will listen to all that you want to say to me. I will follow and obey you. I will trust you with every step I will take in life. I will rely on you rather than on myself. My life will be in your hands. That will be very good.

Lord, I will carefully consider my steps along the path of life. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will not swerve to the right or left. I will keep on walking straight ahead with you. I will follow you to where you lead me to do all you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… What has helped or hindered your keeping your eyes on Christ so you can follow Him?

Living It Out… Keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ so you will go where He guides you to do what He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will lead and guide your life as you keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep your eyes on Jesus Christ so you can follow Him.

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

God’s Will – Proverbs 4-25-27 – Look Directly Forward – 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.

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

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

Knowledge Of His Will

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Colossians 1:9-12 - Knowledge Of His Will - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Colossians 1:9-12 – 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, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)

Worthy Of Me 

Living a life that is worthy of you. I know that I cannot accomplish that with my own efforts. If I tried my very hardest I would still live a life that is completely unworthy of you. Why is that? I make so many mistakes. I take so many missteps. I take so many wrong turns. I miss the mark by such a wide margin. I know that I have sinned. I know that I will sin. I know that I am a sinner. Only you can make me able to live a life that is worthy of you. Only you can help me to know and do what is pleasing to you. Yes, I can and will make you able to live a life that is worthy of me. Yes, I can and will help you to know and do what is pleasing to me. I will tell you though that you have the wrong perspective on your identity. What is that? You are not some miserable sinner. Your identity is not that of a sinner. You have been forgiven of your sins. You have been cleansed of all your unrighteous. You have been adopted into my family. I am your Father. You are my child. I already love you. You are already pleasing to me. It pleases me that you love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. You are dead to your old life of sin. I have given you a completely new life in me. Let your identity be rooted in the fact that you are my child. Let your identity be founded on the fact that you are my new creation and are becoming a masterpiece in my hands. I am molding and shaping your life. Day by day you are becoming more and more like my Son. Let your identity be built on the certainty that my hand is on you. I will help you to come to know me. You will know my will and walk in my ways. You will go where I guide you. You will do what I ask of you. I will powerfully use you to bear fruit for my kingdom. You will shine brightly as my witness in the world. Be encouraged. Be filled with joy. Be lifted up. You have a future with me both now and forever. You have an inheritance in heaven reserved for you. Thank you, Heavenly Father for so richly blessing my life.

Heavenly Father, I want what you want. I want to know and love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Strengthen me with your power. Help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… Who are you praying for so that they will come to know God intimately?

Living It Out… Make it your desire to know God intimately as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is God’s will and desire that you come to know Him intimately.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how are you are coming to know God more intimately.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God to help you to live a life that is worthy of Him.

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

God’s Will – Colossians 1-9-12 – Knowledge Of His Will – 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

Chosen What Is Better

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Luke 10:41-42 - Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Luke 10:41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Sit Still

What choice will you make? What’s that? Will you choose to sit still so that you can hear from me? Will you calm yourself in my presence so that you can attentively listen to my voice? Will you make listening to me the priority of your life? Will you slow down and rest in my presence so that you will be able to receive all that I want to give to you? Will you wait for my instructions? Will you listen carefully to all my teaching? These are very important questions. Don’t pass over them quickly. Don’t consider them lightly. Take each question into your heart and mind and life. Determine carefully how you will answer me. Be true to your word. Make sure that you don’t say one thing and then do another. What do you mean by that? You know exactly what I mean by that. I should not say that I will come to sit in your presence to hear from you, if that is not what I will really do. That’s exactly right. How you answer these questions will determine the course of your life. If you listen carefully to me then you will know where I will send you and what I will ask you to do for me. If you listen carefully to me you will bear and abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I understand. I hear all that you are saying to me. That’s very good.

What will happen to you if you don’t come to sit in my presence? If I do not come to sit in your presence I will not hear from you. I will not learn to recognize your voice. I will not be able to hear your instructions. I will not receive your guidance. My life will be filled with chaos. I will chase after one thing after another. I will be aimless. I will not know your will. I will not walk in your ways. I will stumble through life. I will walk a crooked path and waste a lot of time. I will go where you have not guided me to go. I will try to do what you have not given me to do. My life will be unproductive. I will not be able to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. If I don’t come to listen to you I will never be able to fully live the life that you have called me to live. That will not be true of me. Why is that? I have chosen to come to rest in your presence. I will listen attentively to your voice. I will wait for your instructions. I will follow your guidance. I will live my life with and for you. Yes, you will.

Lord, life is hectic and busy and filled with chaos. Protect my life from all the busyness and chaos that is in the world. Help me to choose to slow down to come to sit still in your presence. Help me to listen. Teach me to hear and receive all you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How could you make coming to sit in the Lord’s presence a regular and consistent pattern in your life?

Living It Out… Set aside a daily time and place to sit at the feet of Jesus so that you can be taught by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is well worth your time to sit at the feet of Jesus so you can be taught by Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you have learned as you have come to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose to sit at the feet of Jesus so you can be taught by Him.

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

God’s Will – Luke 10-41-42 – Chosen What Is Better – 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