Tag Archives: devotional

Careful To Obey

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Joshua 1:7-9 - Be Careful To Obey - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Joshua 1:7-9 – Be Careful To Obey – Growing As Disciples

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

Day And Night

Do you want to be strong and courageous? Do you want to be successful? Do you want your life to prosper? Do you want to be able to know my will? Do you want to be able to walk in my ways? Do you want to be protected so that you will not be overcome with fear and discouragement? Do you want to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans? Do you want to be able to go and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I want all these things. That is very good. I want these things for you in abundance.

How can I have all these things? How can I be sure that these things will come to pass in my life? That is a very good question. Your question has a very simple answer. The answer to your question is so simple you may not receive it. The answer to your question is so simple you may not believe it. The answer to your question is so simple that you may pass right over it and never put it into practice. What is the simple answer to my question?

What do I need to hear and put into practice? Meditate on my word day and night. That is the answer to your question. Let my word dwell in you richly. Let my word be on your mind. Let my word be in your heart. My word will make you strong and courageous. My word will give you success and make you prosper. My word will make you able to know my will and walk in my ways. My word will protect you from fear and discouragement. My word will make you able to fulfill my purposes and accomplish my plans. My word will make you able to go and do all that I ask of you. Meditate on my word day and night. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will receive all that I want to give to you. 

Lord, I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will constantly be on my mind and in my heart. Guard and guide my life by your word. Help me to know and do your will. Help me to be strong and courageous as I follow and obey you throughout my life. Amen

Key Question… How has following and obeying God’s word brought His blessings into your life?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to follow and obey Him as you meditate on His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how meditating on God’s word as you follow and obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night so that you will be careful to do all He asks of you.

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

Be – Joshua 1-7-9 – Careful To Obey – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Self-Controlled And Alert

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Peter 5:8-11 - Self - Controlled And Alert - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Peter 5:8-11 – Self – Controlled And Alert – Growing As Disciples

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)  

Napping 

Be self-controlled. Be alert. Don’t be caught napping. Don’t think that you can sleep walk through your life of faith. The devil and all his evil has filled this world. He is roaming all around, like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Don’t let that be you. Stand firm in your faith. Draw near to me. Submit yourself to me. Resist him and he will flee from you. Do you understand all that I am saying to you? I’m not sure. Can I ask you some questions? You may always come to me to ask me questions.  

I want to be self-controlled and alert. I want to stand firm in my faith. I don’t want to sleep walk through my life of faith. I want to resist the devil. I don’t want to fall into temptation. I don’t want to let myself be devoured by the devil and all his evil. I’m not sure how all this is possible. If I rely on my own strength, I will surely fail. That’s true, you cannot stand firm in your faith and resist the devil with your own strength. You must submit yourself to me. What does that mean? How can I submit myself to you? Leave your old life of sin behind you. Flee every evil. Don’t allow yourself to be in the wrong places at the wrong times. Don’t go where you should not go. Don’t do what you should not do. Run to me. I have made you dead to your old sin filled life. I have made you alive to me. Don’t ever submit yourself again to your old sin filled life. Instead draw near to me. Live the new life that I have called you to live. Go where I guide you. Do what I ask of you. Let my word dwell in you richly. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. My word will make you able to think my thoughts and speak my words. My word will make you able to stand firm in your faith. My word will fight in you, with you and for you. My word will make you able to stand against the devil and all his evil attacks. My word will make you strong, firm and steadfast. My word will make you able to stand in victory with me. Now, do you understand? Yes Lord, I understand. 

Lord, I will not be caught napping. I will be self-controlled and alert against the devil and all his attacks. I allow your word to make me able to stand against evil. I will allow you to restore, support, strengthen and establish me as I stand firm in my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… Where are you most likely to experience an attack from the devil and all his evil?

Living It Out… Be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm against the devil and all his evil attacks.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to stand firm and resist the devil and all his evil attacks.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has made you able to stand firm against evil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be self-controlled and alert so you can stand firm in your faith and resist the devil and his evil attacks.

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

Be – 1 Peter 5-8-11 – Self-Controlled And Alert – 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

Be Imitators Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be Imitators Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – Growing As Disciples

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

Like You

I know that I am your child. You called me to come to you. You rescued me from a life without you. I was headed in completely the wrong direction. I was on a path that led away from you. I was living and walking in darkness. You turned my life around. You set me on firm ground. You made it so I could live in a relationship with you. Now, I can hear your voice. You are calling me to go deeper. You are asking me to walk closer to you. Yes, I am. I welcome your call on my life. I want what you want. I know that I have said that many times. It is true. I want to know you intimately. I want to become like you. Then we both want the same thing. Yes, I know. I yearn to be like you. There is nothing I want more. I invite you to do your work in my life. I have taken you up on that invitation. You have given me this invitation many times. Yes, I know. I don’t mind saying it over and over again. I don’t mind hearing you say it again and again. Your wholehearted invitation for me to work in your life gives me great joy. I am very glad about that.  In every way I want to do what pleases you. Yes, I know.

You do know who you will become like? You do know who is your example and role model? Yes, I know. Your son, Jesus Christ is my example and role model. As I love, follow and serve you I will become like Him. He was a fragrant and sacrificial offering to you. I also want my life to be a fragrant and sacrificial offering to you. He lived His life motivated by His love for you. Yes, He did. I also will live my life motivated by my love for you. I love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Sometimes, I feel like I am going to burst because I feel so full of love for you. That is very good. I want to love like He loved. I want to give like He gave. I want to live as He lived. That is why I am here now in this quiet place. As I draw near to you I know that you will draw near to me. Yes, I will. That is a certainty. I know that you will make me more and more like you as I am in your presence and near to you. Yes, I will. You cannot remain unchanged as you draw near to me. That is what I will keep on doing as I love, follow and serve you. That will be very good.

God, as your child I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. With your help, I will follow your son Jesus Christ as my example. I will love like He loved. I will give like He gave. I want my life to be a fragrant offering to you. Amen

Key Question… How are you following Jesus Christ as your example of how to imitate God and walk in His love?

Living It Out… Imitate God by living and walking in the love of Christ as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will become like God as you imitate Him and walk in love just as Jesus Christ walked in love.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to imitate Him as you walk in Christ’s love.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you, as a child of God, imitate Him by walking in love as Christ walked in love and gave himself to others.

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

Therefore – Ephesians 5-1-2 – Be Imitators 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

Offer Your Bodies

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Romans 12:1-2 - Offer Your Bodies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Romans 12:1-2 – Offer Your Bodies – 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) 

Living Sacrifice

Do you want to know my good, perfect and pleasing will? Do you want to live your life in ways that please me? Yes, I want to know and do your will. I want to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. In every way I want to do what pleases you. Thinking my thoughts will make you able to walk in my ways. How can I think your thoughts? That is a very good question. Why is that? There is a battle going on over your heart and mind. You may be unaware of it, but it rages on nevertheless. I’m not exactly sure what you are talking about. Then, its time for you to know exactly what I am talking about. The world is bombarding your heart and mind with its values, patterns and practices. Up until now you have been allowing your heart and mind to conform to all that the world has to offer. You have been living according to the values, patterns and practices of this world. That is not good. Why is that? You tell me. The world’s values, patterns and practices stand in opposition to your will and your ways. That’s right. You cannot live in ways that please me if you allow yourself to continue to be conformed to the world. You cannot present yourself to me as a living sacrifice unless you allow me to change your heart and transform your mind.  

I want you to change my heart and transform my mind. How will you do that? I will change your heart and transform your mind as you do two things. First, you must give yourself fully to me. You must desire to leave the things of this world. You must not allow yourself to be conformed to the values, patterns and practices of the world. This will mean that you will need to take an inventory of your life. You will need to closely examine worldly influences over your life. You will need to separate yourself from these worldly influences. That sounds like it will be very difficult. It won’t be easy at first. If this were all you tried to do, it would be impossible. Your efforts would end in failure. What else do I need to do? You will need to meet with me in my word. My word will strengthen you. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. As you meet with me in my word, it will become your desire to leave the things of the world. You will want to know my thoughts and walk in my ways. You will have great joy in presenting yourself to me as a living sacrifice. That’s exactly what I want. Yes, I know.

Lord, no longer do I want to live according to the patterns of this world. Instead I want to present myself to you as a living sacrifice so I can live in ways that please you. Use your word to transform my heart and mind so I will be able to know and do your will. Amen

Key Question… What powerfully negative world conforming influences can you eliminate from your life?

Living It Out… Give yourself fully to God as a living sacrifice so that you will be able to live in ways that please Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will help you to give yourself fully to Him so that you can live in ways that please Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are continually giving yourself to God so you will please Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you offer your body to God as a living sacrifice so you will live in ways that please Him.

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

Therefore – Romans 12-1-2 – Offer Your Bodies – 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

Wiser

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Proverbs 9-9-11 - Wiser - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – Growing As Disciples

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11 (NIV)  

Becoming Wise

Do you want to grow in wisdom? Do you want to grow in your knowledge and understanding? Do you want to live a long life with many good days? Yes, I want to grow in my wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Yes of course I want to live a long life with many good days. How is all this possible? Where do I begin? Is there a starting point? What is step number one? Yes, there is a place to begin. There is a starting point. There is a first step to take. You have my full attention. I am ready and willing to listen to you. If you are ready to listen to me then you are already at the starting point and have taken your first step. I’m not sure what you mean. If you want to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding you must be teachable. You must listen to my words. If you are truly listening to me that means that you have humbled yourself before me. You are not filled with your own pride. You have come to me in humble and reverent awe. You have acknowledged me as your God and Father. I am the Savior and Lord of your life. You are my child. You have been adopted into my family. It is your joy to listen to me. It is your plan to walk with me. You want to live your life with and for me. It is your passion to follow and serve me. Your attitude toward me is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge and understanding. Not only have you taken your fist step with me but you are now walking in all that I want you to receive. You want to be wise. You want to grow in knowledge and understanding. You want to live the life that I have called you to live. Yes, I do. I want to walk with you. I want to live for you. I want to receive all that you have for me. That is very good. I want all these things for you as well. 

As you continue to walk with me and listen to all that I have to say to you, I will teach you. Day by day you will grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You will live the life that I have called you to live. My word will guard and protect you. My word will make you able to live a long life with many good days. You will go where I send you and do what I ask of you. Not only will you receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding for your own life; I will use you to teach others as well. My thoughts will be on your heart. My words will in your mouth. You will teach the wise grow wiser. You will help the righteous to add to their learning. I will use you for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. 

Lord, in the past I had a proud and unteachable heart. I was unwilling to receive instruction, wisdom, and knowledge. I did not live in awe and humble reverence before you. Now, I want to know you and walk in your ways. I want to live the life you have for me. Amen

Key Question… How has receiving instruction from the Lord become a priority in your life?

Living It Out… Make receiving instruction from the Lord the priority of your life so you can grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge as you receive instruction from the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are receiving instruction from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive instruction from the Lord so that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge.

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

Be – Proverbs 9-9-11 – Wiser – 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

Mature And Complete

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:2-4- Mature And Complete – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Working In You 

I am working in your life. Day by day and moment by moment, I am changing you. I am molding and shaping your life. I am making you into the person I want you to become. How are you working in my life? What are you using to change me moment by moment and day by day? How are you molding and shaping me into the person you want me to become? How can I recognize your activity in my life? Why do you want to know? Why are you asking me these questions? I want to welcome your activity in my life. I don’t want to get in the way of your working in my life. I don’t want to hinder anything that you want to do in me, with me or through me. Those are good thoughts. Those are good desires. With the wrong attitude, you could hinder my working in your life. With the wrong attitude, you could short circuit what I want to do in you, with you and through you. I don’t want that. No, you don’t.

How can I guard against having an attitude that would hinder your working in my life? What must I be on guard against so that I don’t short circuit what you want to do in me, with me or through me? Those are good questions. You may not like my answer. Why is that? I have watched you when trials of various kinds have come upon you. What have you seen? You certainly haven’t welcomed trials into your life as your friends. You have wanted to get over trials as quickly as possible rather than joyfully grow through them. You want me to be joyful as I go through trials? You want me to welcome trials into my life as my friends? Yes, I do. Why is that? How strong would your faith be if you never went through a trial? How often would you have come to rely on me if you never went through a trial? How have trials strengthened your faith in me? How are trails causing you to grow mature and complete as you continue to love, follow and serve me? Haven’t you drawn nearest to me and felt my presence in the midst of every trail you have faced? I see your point. I now see why I should welcome trials into my life as my friends. I now know without a doubt that you have been working in my life in the midst of every trial that I have faced. I will change my attitude. I will stop whining about the trials I am going through. I will joyfully look with great anticipation for how you will be working in me, with me and through as I go through trials in life. That will be very good.

 Lord, I have wanted to quickly get over trials rather than joyfully grow through them. I have not welcomed trials into my life as an opportunity to persevere and grow in my faith. Now, do whatever you need to do to make me fully mature and complete in you. Amen

Key Question… How willing are you to allow trials to do a complete and thorough work in your life?

Living It Out… Joyfully welcome trials into your life so that you will become mature and complete as you persevere through them.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use your trials to help you to grow mature and complete in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how a trial has helped you to grow mature and complete in your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you persevere through trials so that the Lord can make you mature and complete.

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

Be – James 1-2-4 – Mature And Complete – 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

Worries Of This Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Matthew 13:22- Worries Of This Life – Growing As Disciples

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (NIV)

Planting

Do you want me to plant my word in your life? Yes, I’m sure that I do. Do you have any idea how that might happen? I’m not sure. Do you think that you will see and hear my word while you are doing something else? Like what? Pick any activity in your life, where and when have you heard or seen my word? I only hear or see your word when I take the time to sit down to read it. That’s my point. If you want me to plant my word in your life you must participate in the process. You must make time and have a place where and when you meet with me in my word. You can’t tell me that you want me to plant my word in your life if you’re not meeting with me in my word. I get it, that makes sense to me.

Do you want my word to grow and flourish in your life? Yes, of course I do. How do you read my word? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you carefully consider my word? Do you listen attentively to my word? Do you meditate on my word day and night? Do you ask me how I want to apply my word to your life? You must allow my word to change your heart and transform your mind. I am meeting with you in your word. I am attentively listening and carefully considering your word. I do think about your word all the time. Your word has been changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are giving me new thoughts to think and a new life to live that is guided by your word. Yes, you are and yes I am.

Do you want your life to bear and abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory? I sure do, more than anything else in all of life. Are you making sure that nothing chokes the growth of my word in your life? Like what? Are you letting yourself be too busy to meet with me in my word? No, I don’t think so. Are you letting the worries and cares of this world short circuit what I want to do in and through you? If I am you will need to show that to me.  Are you pursuing the riches and pleasures of this world? I don’t think so, although this is certainly an area of danger for me. Yes, it is, I’m glad that you see that. Is there any sin that is hindering your desire to come and meet with me? If there is, then you will need to show that to me as well. I’m sure that I have sin and that I am a sinner. But, I’m not allowing anything to stop me from coming to you. That’s very good.

Keep coming to me to meet with me in my word. I will continue to plant my word in you so that it will flourish and grow. Then you will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and glory. Then you will be able to live the life that I have given you to live. Then you will be able to know and do my will. Then my word will dwell in you richly. Is this what you want? Yes Lord, it is.

Lord, plant your word in my life. Let your word grow and flourish in me. Show me if there is anything that is choking the growth of your word in me. Change my heart and mind by your word. Make my life abundantly fruitful for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making yourself available to God so that He can plant His word into your life?

Living It Out… Make yourself available to God so that He can plant His word in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will grow like seed in your life and make you fruitful for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been growing in you, making you fruitful for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s word grow and flourish in you so that your life can be abundantly fruit for Him.

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

Life – Matthew 13-22 – Worries Of This Life – 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

Quick To Listen

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - James 1:19-20 - Quick To Listen - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – James 1:19-20 – Quick To Listen – Growing As Disciples

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Take Notes 

Are you ready to take notes? Are you ready and willing to listen carefully to what I want to say to you? You have my full attention. I’m ready to take notes and write down everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Start writing. You have not been a good listener. Have you ever thought of listening without thinking about what you might say next? Not really. You have been far more concerned about what you might say than with what you might hear. I’m sure that’s true. Why is that? I have liked to debate. I have wanted to present my point of view. I have wanted to make my case. I have wanted to win arguments. That’s funny. What’s funny about that? You want to win. You have been so concerned with winning an argument or debate that you haven’t listened well. You have been quick to speak. You have been slow to listen. You have allowed yourself to angrily debate an issue, when the far better course would have been to listen and keep your mouth shut. What’s funny, ironic really, is that the sure way to lose out in life is to not listen well to what others are saying to you. You would be far better off to listen carefully to others rather than to quickly speak what is on your mind. I have a question for you. I’m listening. How many ears have I given to you? You have given me two ears. That’s right. How many mouths have I given to you? You have given me one mouth. That is also right. Your answers should give you a clue about how much I want you to listen and how much I want you to speak. You want me to listen twice as much as I speak? Sometimes, I want you to speak far less than that.

Do you like what has happened to you when you have allowed yourself to get caught up in a heated debate? No, not really. Why is that? I have not enjoyed the experience of rushing into a debate. Then, I know that I have not listened well. I know that I have not taken in what has been said to me. I have not allowed myself to benefit from what others have said to me. The words of others have gone in one ear and out the other, if they have entered my hearing at all. Why is that? I have been filled with pride. I have not valued the thoughts and words of others. I have thought that I knew better. I have thought that I knew it all. Do you know it all? No, I know very little. I need all the help and wise counsel I can receive. That’s very good. Yes, you do need wise counsel from people that I will bring into your life. To receive that counsel, you must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. I will listen more carefully. When you listen more carefully, speak less often and don’t allow yourself to become angry, you will be able to live the righteous life that I am calling you to live. That’s what I want.

Lord, I have been impatient and filled with pride. I have been a poor listener that thought I knew it all. I have been quick to speak to offer my opinion. In the heat of debate, I have allowed anger to grow in me. No more! Help me to live the life you desire for me. Amen 

Key Question… How have you been harmed by being slow to listen carefully to what others had to say to you?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life He desires.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be quick to listen to all that He wants you to hear.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are being quick to listen to what others say to you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry so you can live the life God desires for you.

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

Be – James 1-19-20 – Quick To Listen – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Make Disciples

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Matthew 28:19-20 - Relationships - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Matthew 28:19-20 – Relationships – Growing As Disciples

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Relationships 

How did I go and make disciples? You went out to seek and save the lost. You were looking for people who were in need. You got involved in relationships. You lived in relationships with people who needed you. Is that right? Yes, that is right. I made relationships with people in the world all around me. If you want to make disciples you cannot live in isolation. If you want to make disciples you must build relationships with people. You must work hard at building relationships if you want to go and make disciples for me. I want to make disciples for you. Yes, I know. 

You won’t have to go far if you want to make disciples for me. What do you mean by that? Do you know people that are bruised and battered by life? Do you know people that are walking down the wrong path in life? Do you know people that have lost their way and are far from me? Do you know people that have reached the end of their rope and are crying out for help? I’m not sure. Well, these people are all around you, throughout your entire day. You will need to keep your eyes open so you can see those who are in need. You will need to keep your ears open so you can hear their cries for help. You will need to listen to me. I will guide you. I will lead you. I will send you out to go and make disciples. Will you keep your eyes and ears open? Will you listen to me? Will you go where I guide you to do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.

You have been telling me that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom. You have been saying that you want to bring glory to my name. You have wanted your life to be well used and count for all eternity. Do I have all of this correct? Yes Lord, I have been saying all of this to you. Then go and make disciples. I am sending you out. I will be with you to help you. I will bear fruit through your life. You will bring glory to my name. Your life will count for all eternity. I will go and make disciples. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been a loner. I have lived much of my life in isolation from others. I have not developed close and intimate relationships with others. Help me to go out into the world to live in disciple making relationships with others. Amen

Key Question… Where do you think the Lord might be sending you to go and make disciples?

Living It Out… Live in close relationships with others so that the Lord can use you to make disciples.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will ask you to go out into the world to live in disciple making relationships with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group where the Lord has sent you to live in disciple making relationships.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you go into the world and make followers of Jesus Christ.

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

Therefore – Matthew 28-19-20 – Make Disciples – 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

Prepared

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 2 Timothy 4:2 - Prepared - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 2 Timothy 4:2 – Prepared – Growing As Disciples

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Make Me Ready

It would be a great honor and privilege if I could proclaim your word to others. I can think of nothing more exciting than to be able to encourage others with your word. It is the prayer of my heart that you would prepare me and make me ready to proclaim your word. Is this true? Are you sure that you want me to speak through you? Do you really want me to use you to proclaim my word to others? I know exactly why you are asking me these questions. I’m quite sure that you know exactly why I am asking you these questions. I suppose you would like it if I would say the truth out loud. Yes, I would like it quite a bit if you said the truth out loud. Well, here goes. I have avoided opportunity after opportunity to proclaim your word to others. I haven’t just avoided nearly every opportunity to proclaim your word, I have continually run away from opportunities to proclaim your word. I have been like Jonah. How so? You have been leading me in one direction and I have been running away in the opposite direction. No wonder you are so afraid of large fish. Now, that’s funny. Yes, it is.  

Why have you run away from nearly every opportunity to proclaim my word? I have been afraid. I have been filled with fear. I have doubted that you could possibly want to use me to proclaim your word. You knew this day was coming, didn’t you? You knew that one day we would have this conversation about facing your fears, isn’t that right? Yes, I knew that this day was coming. What have you also known? I have also known that you haven’t stopped preparing me to proclaim your word. That’s right. As you have faithfully met with me in my word, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. As you have been meditating continually on my word I have been changing your heart and transforming your mind. I have been molding and shaping your life with my word. As you have been putting my word into practice, I have been preparing you to proclaim my word. So here we are on this day. You are now asking me to prepare you and make you ready to proclaim my word, is that right? Yes, that is right. 

I want you to keep on letting me make you ready to proclaim my word. But now, I want you to look for every opportunity to proclaim my word. Don’t shrink back. Don’t run away. Allow me to use you. My hand will be on you. I will speak through you. I will use you to correct, rebuke and encourage others with my word. With great patience, you will speak careful words of instruction as you boldly and passionately proclaim my word.

Lord, I will set aside a time and place to meet with you in your word. I will place myself before you so that you can teach and train me with your word. It is you who will prepare me and make me completely ready to boldly proclaim your word to others in need. Amen

Key Question… How are you putting God’s word into practice in your own life so you will be ready to proclaim it to others?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place when and where you can prepare to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prepared and ready to proclaim His word to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are preparing to be ready to proclaim God’s word to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you always be prepared and ready to proclaim God’s word with great patience and careful instruction.

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

Be – 2 Timothy 4-2 – Prepared – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Individual users may save the Discipleship 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