Tag Archives: brothers

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Think About Such Things - Philippians 4:8-9 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Think About Such Things – Philippians 4:8-9 – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Fix Your Thoughts

What do you think about? I think about a lot of things. Are there thoughts that you wish you would not think? Yes, there are quite a few thoughts that I wish I would not think. Like what? You know. Yes, I do but I would like you to tell me. Sometimes I have thoughts of fear and doubt. Sometimes I have thoughts of worry and rejection. Do you like thinking these thoughts? No, not at all. Do you know that you have the ability to choose what you will think about? It doesn’t seem like it. These thoughts just seem to pop into my head. I didn’t invite them into my mind. It is like they barge in without invitation. I know that it seems like you have no control over the thoughts of your mind but you really do. How is that?

Each day you make a multitude of decisions of what you want to think about. If your mind is weak you really have no control over what you’ll think about. But, you can train your mind.   Your mind can be strengthened. Just as your body can grow stronger by lifting weights so also your mind can be strengthened by what you think deeply about. But you will have to begin to make choices about what you subject your mind to. How do I do that? Think for a minute about all that you allow yourself to see and hear. Is all of it helpful? No, not at all. How many unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful things are you allowing yourself to hear and see? Quite a bit I guess. Those go directly into your mind and become your thoughts. Your thoughts become who you are and determine how you will live and act. Can you see how important it is to place a guard on what you think about? Yes, I can now.

I want you to do two things. What is that? First, cut it out. Cut out what? Cut out of your life all the sources of unhelpful, unhealthy and sinful material that is feeding your mind. If you have any confusion about what these might be, just ask me. Usually if you have to ask, you will have your answer even before you ask. But I don’t mind you asking me one bit. What else? This is the most important part. Without this second part, you will not be successful. So pay careful attention. Get ready to grab a hold of this thought. I’m ready. I want you to fill your mind with my word. I want you to take it in and meditate on it on a daily basis. Meditating on my word will be like weight lifting for your mind. My word will strengthen and transform your mind. This will be a process that will start now and continue throughout your entire life. So don’t expect immediate results. But don’t give up. Sooner than you can imagine, my word and my thoughts will change not only your thoughts but also the way that you live and act. In no time at all, people will begin to notice that you are a different person. You may be the last one to realize how much I have transformed your mind and changed your heart. But, a day will come when you will realize that many of the battles you once had in your mind are gone. Why is that? My word will have so filled and strengthened your mind that your thoughts are fixed on me and the life I want you to live. How does that sound? It sounds great. Are you ready to begin? Yes Lord, I am.

Lord, change my heart and transform my mind by your word. Help me to think and act according to your will. Train me to put into practice all I have heard, learned and received from you so that I will be able to live in your peace. Amen

Key Question… What feeds ungodly thoughts and how can you eliminate them from your life?

Living It Out…Allow God’s word to fill your heart and mind so that you will be able to put into practice all that He shows you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will have God’s peace as you think and act according to His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how thinking and acting according to God’s will has brought you peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think excellent, pure and praiseworthy thoughts so you can do God’s will and live in His peace.

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

The Mind – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Think About Such Things

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Philippians 4:8-9 - Knowing God - Think About Such Things - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Philippians 4:8-9 – Knowing God – Think About Such Things – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

Into Practice

Did you know that you have control over what you allow yourself to think? Did you know that you can make a choice about what you allow yourself to think? Do you know that what you allow yourself to think will have power over your life? Your thoughts are not only in your mind. Your thoughts will also be on your heart. Your thoughts will guide the course of your life. All your words and deeds begin in your mind. This is not real encouraging. Why is that? I don’t like all the thoughts that I think. I don’t want all my thoughts to become my words and actions. I don’t want all my words to guide the course of my life. There is more. What’s that? I feel powerless over my thoughts. I don’t feel like I have power to control my thought life. My mind feels like a battleground and I’m not winning the fight. You are right about one thing. What’s that? Your mind is a battleground and you will not win the fight without my help. Would you like my help? Yes, I would like your help. I desperately need your help. Yes, you do.

You have been allowing yourself to think the wrong thoughts. You have been letting your mind dwell on what is not good. I get that, what would you suggest? I want you to fill your mind with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. They may not sound all that easy. It doesn’t. I’m not sure that I can identify thoughts and subjects that match up with all those words. This sounds like you would like me to think about what is perfect. That’s a very good place to start. What is perfect? What would have the power to instantly change your thinking to thoughts that please me? Your word is perfect. You are perfect. I could think about you. I could think about your word. I could think about all that you want to teach me. I could think about your will. I could think about doing what pleases you. Yes, that’s right.

Thinking about me and my word is not completely new to you. No, it is not. What has happened to you when you have turned your thoughts on to me and my word? I have been able to stop thinking thoughts that I don’t want to think. I have stopped thinking thoughts that are not pleasing to you. Your word has been like a brush scrubbing the crud out of my mind. As I have meditated on your word I have felt strengthened and able to reject thoughts that neither you nor I want me to think. As I have considered your word I have been made able to know and do your will. That’s right. Will you allow me to strengthen and cleanse your mind with my word? Will you allow my word to help you to know and do my will? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know I have been quite a gifted negative thinker. I can see the downside of every situation. That’s not what I want. That’s not what you want. I want to think your thoughts and do your will so I can know you and live in your peace.  Amen

Key Question… Why is there always an opportunity to think positively or negatively in the same set of circumstances?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to help you to think His thoughts and do His will so you can experience His peace.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will come to know God better and experience His peace as you think His thoughts and do His will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has helped you to think His thoughts and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you think God’s thoughts and do His will so that you can live in His peace.

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

Knowing God – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think About Such Things – 4-Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Renewing Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2 (NIV)

Conformed Or Transformed

Let’s talk about your mind. I’m listening. Your mind is a battleground. How so? All that you think, say and do in life will be guided by your mind. There is not one thing that you have thought, said or done that hasn’t started in your mind. Your mind is being bombarded daily by all that is in the world. The world is continually trying to conform your heart, and mind and life according to its patterns and practices. If you do nothing at all you will think and speak and act like all those who are in the world. You will think worldly thoughts. You will speak worldly words. You will live a worldly life. None of this kind of living is pleasing to me. None of this kind of living is according to my will and my ways. This kind of thinking, speaking and living is the way of the world. I don’t want to live my life according to the patterns and practices of this world. I want to know and do your will. I want to live in ways that are pleasing to you. That’s good.

If you want to know and do my will then you must know my thoughts. How can I know your thoughts? You must meet with me in my word. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must let my word dwell in you richly. Instead of letting the world conform you, you must allow my word to transform you. My word will change the way that you think, speak and act. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to live in ways that are pleasing to me. That’s what I want. That is the desire of my heart.

How often do you think it would be good to meet with me in my word? How often do you want to grow in your knowing my will and walking in my ways? How often do you want to be made able to live in ways that are pleasing to me? How often is the world trying to conform you to according to its patterns and practices? There is one word that answers all of these questions. I want to meet with you in your word everyday. I want your word to be working in my heart and on my mind every day. That will be very good.

Lord, for so long my heart and mind were in the grip of this world as I was being conformed to its patterns, values, and practices. Thank you, for changing my heart and transforming mind by your word so I can know you and do your will. Amen

Key Question…  How has God used His word to transform your mind so you could know Him and do His will?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to both know Him and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you can know Him and do His will.

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

The Mind – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

Following My Example

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The Virtuous Life - Day 219 - Philippians 3-17-21 - Follow My Example - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 219 – Philippians 3-17-21 – Follow My Example – Growing As Disciples

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.  For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:17-21 (NIV)

Examples To Follow

You have given me many examples to follow. What kind of examples have I given you to follow? You have given me many examples to follow of what it means and looks like to love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. You have allowed me to see others who have loved and followed and serve you with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. What did you observe? What did you come to understand? How did their examples show you the way? What stood out to you? I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I took lots of mental notes. That’s good, what did you note? I noted that those who lived passionately and powerfully as your followers were fully devoted to you. There were not half-hearted. They were not partially engaged. You were the full focus of their attention. They kept their heart and mind and life fixed on you. The world and all that it offers did not attract them. They were not allured by the treasures of this life. They knew that this life is temporary. They knew that this life is like a mirage. It is like a mist that will quickly fades away. It is like a snap of the fingers or a blink of an eye. They knew without a doubt that their true citizenship is in heaven with you. As they loved and followed and served you with all that was within them, they lived with the encouraging knowledge that one day you would make their lowly, and soon to be worn out bodies, to be like your glorious body. So, they lived for you. They lived to know and do your will. They lived to bear fruit for your kingdom. They lived to bring glory to your name. Is this the life you want to live? Will you follow the examples that I have set before you? This is the life I want to live. I want to live to know and do your will. My heart and mind and life will be focused on you. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for giving me many godly examples to follow. Others before me have shown me what it looks like to love, follow, and serve you with all my heart. I will follow their powerful examples. Help me to also live as a godly example for others to follow. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord given you examples of how to love and follow and serve Him?

Living It Out…  Follow the examples of loving, following, and serving the Lord that you have been given.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow the examples of loving, following, and serving Him you have been given.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your life is serving as a godly example that others can follow.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you follow the example of loving, following, and serving Christ that you have been given.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 219 – Philippians 3-17-21 – Following My Example – 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

Bear One Another’s Burdens

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The Compassionate Life - Day 268 - Galatians 6-1-3 - Bear One Another’s Burdens - 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

The Compassionate Life – Day 268 – Galatians 6-1-3 – Bear One Another’s Burdens – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV)

Burdens

This world does not function according to its original design. You live in a battered and broken, sin tainted world. As a result, you and everyone around you will be carrying heavy burdens off and on throughout your life. Does this surprise you? Is this news to you? No, this comes as no surprise to me. This is not news to me. You have heard it said that I can bring good out of bad situations? Yes, I know that to be true. Obviously, you and others carrying heavy burdens is a bad situation out of which I can and will bring about good. I understand. That’s good, let me ask you, “What good can I bring out of you and others carrying heavy burdens off and on throughout life? I thought you might ask me that question. Go ahead and answer, I am listening. Whenever I am carrying a heavy burden, I can come to you to ask you for help. I can place all my faith and hope and trust in you. You will help me. You will hear and answer my prayers. Yes, I will. Heavy burdens have tended to draw me back to you. They have helped me to continue to rely on you. They have kept me from becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient and self-centered. Heavy burden have helped me to focus my heart and mind and life on you. That is true. There is one thing I would like you to remember, however. What’s that? I don’t want you to be carrying heavy burdens. I want you to lay all your burdens down as you come to me. That I will do. That will be very good.

What other good can I accomplish through burdens that are part of this life? Having had my own burdens to carry has reminded me that others are also carrying heavy burdens. My own experience with carrying a heavy burden has made me tender hearted and compassionate toward others who are carrying burdens. That’s good. I know that you want me to help others by bearing and helping them to carry their burdens. You want me to demonstrate your love to others by helping them when they are in need. Yes, I do. Helping someone to bear and carry their heavy burden will make me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the darkness of this world. That is true. I can help lead someone to you, so that they can also lay their burdens down at your feet. Yes, you can. Will you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I am not bigger or better than others. I make mistakes. I sin. I need correction and restoration. Help me to walk closely and intimately with you. Help me to serve others by demonstrating your love to them, as I help them to carry their burdens in life. Amen

Key Question…  How have you demonstrated the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear and carry their burdens?

Living It Out…  Demonstrate the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear and carry their burdens.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be able to demonstrate the love of Christ to others as you help bear and carry their burdens.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are helping others to bear and carry their burdens.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you demonstrate the love of Christ to others by helping them to bear their burdens.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 268 – Galatians 6-1-3 – Bear One Another’s Burdens – 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 re

Let Us Draw Near

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The Sacramental Life - Day 330 - Hebrews 10:19-25 - Let Us Draw Neat To God - Growing As Disciples

The Sacramental Life – Day 330 – Hebrews 10:19-25 – Let Us Draw Neat To God – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)

Draw Near

There is nothing I would rather do than draw near to you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. In your presence, there is hope and joy and peace. In your presence, there is rest and renewal and restoration. In your presence, there is power and strength. In your presence, there is a place of refuge from every storm. In your presence, there is instruction and guidance and direction. In your presence, there is health and healing and wholeness. I need to draw near to you. I want to draw near to you. I have needs that can only be met by you, as I live in an intimate relationship with you. Is that what you will do? Will you draw near to me? Will you live in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, I will. That is very good.         

You have more to say on this subject. You have more to ask of me? Yes, I have more to say and more to ask. I wonder why drawing near to you doesn’t come easier. I know how much I want to draw near to you. I know how much I will benefit as I draw near to you. Why am I so distracted? Why is drawing near to you so difficult? Why does drawing near to you require such effort and discipline on my part? Why must I schedule a time and place to meet with you? Why will I not draw near to you if I don’t make doing so the priority of my life? How could I let trivial things of much less value crowd you out of my life? Why am I so allured by the demands of this life? Why don’t I automatically choose what is far better and more important? Why am I so strongly tempted to focus on earthly and temporal things over heavenly and eternal things? Do you want an answer? Do you need an answer? I know that I live in a sin broken world. I know that this world is always attempting to mold me into its pattern. I know that I need to be careful and focus my attention so that I am not allured and distracted by the things of this life. I will focus my attention on you. I will draw near to you. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I know that doing so will require my very best effort and my full commitment. Drawing near to you is now and will forever be the priority of my life. That is very good. You will never regret making this choice. Yes, I know. Thank you, Heavenly Father for allowing me to draw near to you and live in an intimate relationship with you. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world to pay for my sins. I have been forgiven and cleansed. The way to you has been opened. I am acceptable in your sight. I can draw near to you. Help me to live in and intimate relationship with you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you taking daily advantage of your new privilege and opportunity to draw near to God?

Living It Out…  Daily draw near to God so you will be able to live in an intimate relationship with Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you have been given the privilege and opportunity to draw near to God.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are daily drawing near to God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you draw near to God and live in an intimate relationship with Him.

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

The Sacramental Life – Day 330 – Hebrews 10-19-25 – Let Us Draw Near – 4 Paged Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Be Patient With Everyone

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The Compassionate Life - Day 263 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 - Be Patient With Everyone - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – Growing As Disciples

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NIV)

Patience

What does patience look like? How will you know if you are being patient with everyone? How can you express patience towards others just as I have expressed patience toward you? Let’s stop right there. Why so? You have lavishly and generous expressed your patience to me. My goofy thoughts, dumb mistakes, unbelievable missteps, and outright sins have demanded unending and almost unlimited patience from you. The fact that you still love and care for me and even now are continuing to show me your patience is beyond my comprehension. For your patience, I am thankful. For your patience, I am grateful. For your patience, I give you all my love and thanks and praise and worship. That is very good. So, what is the problem? Why did we need to make such an abrupt stop? You want me to be like you. You want me to be patient with everyone. You want me to express the same patience to others that you have expressed to me. You are correct. I want you to be patient with everyone. That kind of patience doesn’t reside in me. I am not gifted at being patient. Being patient isn’t one of my better or stronger qualities. That does sound like a little bit of an understatement to me. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed. One does not have to look hard to notice that you are not very patient. Well then, aren’t you asking a lot of me? Aren’t you asking too much of me? Not at all. How so? I am asking you to become like me. And I will remind you of a key thought, by asking you a question. Go ahead, I am patiently listening. You do have a sense of humor. Here is my question, “Can you become like me without my help?” There is no chance of that. Do you believe that I will help you to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I do believe that you will help me to become like you. Even in patience? Yes, even in patience. Will you rely on me, and place your faith in me, to make you able to be patient with others just as I have been patient with you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will be patient with others as you have been patient with me. I will show love, respect, and honor to spiritual leaders who work hard for my benefit. I will warn the idle, encourage the timid, and help the weak. Help me to express your kindness to everyone. Amen

Key Question…  How are you being patient with others, just as the Lord is patient with you?

Living It Out…  Make it your plan and goal to be patient with others, just as the Lord has been patient with you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be patient with others just as He has been with you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to be patient with others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you be patient with others just as the Lord is patient with you.

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 263 – 1 Thessalonians 5-12-15 – Be Patient With Everyone – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Do Not Conform

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The Virtuous Life - Day 194 - Romans 12:1-2 - Do Not Conform- Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 194 – Romans 12:1-2 – Do Not Conform- Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.  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 12:1-2 (NIV)

Transformed

Is that what you would like? Is what would I like? Would you like to be transformed? Would you like to have a new mind? Would you like to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me? Would you like to be able to know and do my will? Yes, I would like to be transformed. Yes, I would like to be able to know and do your will. Yes, I would like to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Why do you have this desire in you? I have tasted of your kindness and mercy and love. Because of all that you have done for me, I now want to live my life with and for you. I would like to give myself completely to you as a living sacrifice, as a spiritual act of worship. I want to love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. That is very good. 

There is a problem. What is the problem? You live in a world filled with sin and darkness and evil. You are in danger, at all times, of being conformed to the pattern of the world. If you do nothing, you will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. If you allow yourself to be conformed to the world you will never be able to know and do my will. If you allow yourself to be conformed to the world, you will never life a life that is pleasing to me. Do you understand? A battle is constantly raging over your heart and mind. Yes, I understand. What must I do to have a transformed mind? You must allow me to use my word to transform your mind. You must take my word deeply into your heart and mind. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to think and speak and act in ways that please me. My word will prevent you from ever being conformed to this world. Will You take my word deeply into your heart and mind? Will you allow me to use my word to transform your mind. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know this world is continually trying to conform me to its pattern. I know if I do nothing, I will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. That is not going to happen. I will allow you to use your word to completely transform my mind. Amen

Key Question…  How is God’s word transforming your mind so that you can think, say, and do what is pleasing to Him?

Living It Out…  Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so you can know and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will transform your mind so you can know and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God to use His word to transform your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not be conformed to this word but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 194- Romans 12-1-2 – Do Not Conform – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

My Example

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - My Example - Philippians 3:17 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – My Example – Philippians 3:17 – Growing As Disciples

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.  Philippians 3:17 NIV

Being Watched

You are being watched. I am, by who? All those that are around you are watching you. Every person that you come into contact with has their eyes and ears tuned into you. They see all that you do. They hear all that you say. I’m not sure that I wanted to know that. Why not? Doesn’t that place a pretty heavy weight of responsibility on me? Yes, it does and probably even more so than you realize. What do you mean by that?

Your life is a message. It is, what kind of message is my life sending? Your life is suggesting to others an example of how they can live their life. There are those who are imitating you. Your life is serving as a pattern for others to follow. Now, I really feel a weight of responsibility. Why is that? I know that I am not living a perfect life. I make mistakes. I have setbacks. I sin. I am a sinner. How could I ever be a good example for others to follow?

Those admissions you just made are good examples to follow. You know that you are a sinner. You are not hiding that fact. You know that you need my forgiveness. You’re not thinking that you have or can live a sinless life. You know that you have made mistakes and have setbacks. Yet you are moving forward with me. Isn’t that also a very good example to follow? Yes, it is.

We are having this conversation together right now. Isn’t that something that sets a worthy example for others to follow? Yes, it sure is. Why do you and I have these daily conversations? We have them because you love me and I love you. I want to spend time in your presence. I want to know you and your will for my life. I want to talk to you about all the details of my life. Why is that? I don’t have all the answers. I need your guidance. I need you to teach and instruct me on how to live my life as your follower. Isn’t this also a very good example for others to follow? You are admitting to me that you need and want my help. Yes, I am. Would you be happy or sad for someone else to make the same requests of me? I would be very happy if I had any role in encouraging others to come to you for all that they need.

Do you still feel a heavy weight of responsibility knowing that others are following your example as you follow me? No, I feel more excited and encouraged. Why is that? I now know that all my life has to say is, “ follow me as I follow you.” The weight of responsibility isn’t on me at all. It is you that will mold and shape my life so that I am an example and pattern that others can follow. Yes, I will. How do you feel about that? I feel incredibly grateful that you will use my life to point others to you. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that.

Lord, only you can make my life an example that has any worth for others to follow. The only example that I can set is to rely on you completely to do all that you want to do in and through me. Use me as your witness in the world. Amen

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

Character – Philippians 3-17 – My Example – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Be Transformed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Romans 12:1-2 - Be Transformed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Romans 12:1-2 – Be Transformed – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2 (NIV)

Stop And Start 

I want to present my entire being to you as an act of worship. I want to live my life in a way that is completely pleasing to you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to accomplish your purposes and plans. I don’t want my life to miss the mark. I don’t want to fall short of doing what you have planned for me to do for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. That’s very good.

How can I know and do your will? How can I live a life that is fully devoted to you? How can I present myself fully to you as an act of worship? Those are good questions. Why do you say that? By asking me your questions you are admitting to me that you need my help. That’s true. Only you can make me able to know and do your will. Only you can help me to live my life fully devoted to you as an act of worship. My own efforts will only result in miserable failure and certain defeat. I desperately need your help to live a life that is pleasing to you. Yes, you do. By asking me your questions you are also expressing faith that I will hear and answer your prayers. You do believe that there is way that I can and will help you to live a life that is fully devoted and pleasing to me. Yes, I do. That is very good.

To live your life as a living sacrifice that is fully devoted to me you must do two things. Just two things? Yes, just two things. You have my complete attention. What are these two things? You must stop letting the world conform you and start letting me transform you. How is the world trying to conform me? You tell me. The world and all that is in it is trying to mold and shape my life so that I think, speak and act like everyone else in the world. The world wants me to adopt all its values, patterns and practices. Everyday my heart and mind and life are being bombarded by everything that the world values. That’s right. How will I ever be able to be different from the world since I do live in it? You won’t without my help. The only way to stop letting the world conform you is by starting and continuing to let me transform you. How will you transform me? My process of transforming you started on the day that you asked me into your life as your Savior and Lord. On that day, I gave you a new heart and a new mind. I made you new in me. But, that was just the beginning. I want to make you new every day. I want to change your heart and transform your mind every day. How will you do that? I will use my word to change your heart and transform your mind. Instead of taking in all that the world is throwing at you, you must let my world dwell in you richly. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must come to meet with me in my word. Will you let my word change your heart and transform your mind? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want a new heart and a new mind. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I want you to give me a new way of thinking so I can know and do your will. Use my entire being, all that I am and hope to be, as a spiritual act of worship. Amen

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

God’s Will – Romans 12-1-2 – Be Transformed – 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