Tag Archives: devotional study guide

Live In Harmony

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 354 - 1 Peter 3:8-9 - Live In Harmony - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 354 – 1 Peter 3:8-9 – Live In Harmony – Growing As Disciples

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)  

What Would Love Do?

That is a very good question. What is a very good question? What would love do? Yes, that is a very good question. Do you have an answer for that question? Yes, I do. As your follower, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I love you because you first loved me. Your love has changed my heart and transformed my mind. How so? All my thoughts and words and actions are now different because I love you. Now, I want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Before, I lived to do what was good and right and pleasing to me. I lived for my own interests. I was pridefully focused on myself. Now, I want to humbly follow and obey you because I love you. I’m not looking for what might be the minimum requirement of loving you either. That would be no expression of love at all. Now, I am constantly on the lookout for ways to express my love to you. So, the answer to the question of, “What would love do?” is anything and everything. There is nowhere I would not go, or nothing I would not do because I love you. That is a very good answer. 

What have I asked you to do for me? How do I want you to treat others? What am I asking you to do for others? You are asking me to love others deeply from my heart. You want me to be sympathetic and compassionate and loving to all. Say more about who is included in that word, “all”. You want me to love those who don’t love me. You want me to love everyone. Give me an example. If someone committed some evil against me or hurled some insult at me, you want me to bless them anyhow. In fact, you have called me to be a blessing to everyone around me. Yes, that is my calling on your life. What will you receive and inherit as you live as my blessing in the world? I will receive your blessing. Yes, you will. Will you love me? Will you love others? Will you follow and obey my two great commandments? Yes Lord, I will, with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will live in harmony with others. I will not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, I will be sympathetic, loving and compassionate to all. I will repay evil and insult with blessing. With your help, I will be a blessing so that I can inherit a blessing. Amen

Key Question…  Why will personal pride almost always get in the way of being able to live in harmony with others?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to live in harmony with others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to live in harmony with others.

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you live in harmony with others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 354 – 1 Peter 3-8-9 – Live In Harmony – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

In My Prayers

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 351 - Ephesians 1:15-16 - In My Prayers - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 351 – Ephesians 1:15-16 – In My Prayers – Growing As Disciples

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV)

Remembering Prayer

That is what I will do. That is what I want to do. That is what I will not fail to do. What will you do? What do you want to do? What will you not fail to do? I will give thanks for the fellow believers that you have brought into my life. Why is that? Where would I be without the encouragement I have received from my fellow believers? That is a very good question. That is a question you should reflect on and deeply consider. Now, I want to ask you why is that? Have I not spurred you on in your faith by the fellow believers I have brought into your life? Have I not picked you up off the carpet by the encouragement you have received from others? Yes, you have spurred me on, and picked me up by the encouragement I have received from fellow believers. There is something you have not yet said that I might as well confess up front. I’m sure that you want to have a fuller discussion on this topic. You are correct. There is another strong reason why I need to reflect on and deeply consider the encouragement and spurring on I have received from fellow believers. Yes, there is another very important reason I want you to consider. Do you want to say it, or do you want me to confess it? It would be far better for you to confess it. Alright, here goes. I have been somewhat of a loner. Somewhat? Alright, I have kept to myself. I have not shared my life fully with other believers. I have not asked for prayer, nor have I given thanks or prayed for others as fully as I am sure that you have desired. You want me to live and walk in a closer relationship with others. Yes, I do. You want me to both make and receive prayers. And the emphasis, at the moment, may be more on my being willing to receive prayer from others. You think? Yes, I am beginning to get this into my thick head. You want me to open up to receiving prayer from others. As I am willing to receive prayer from others, I am sure that I will also be more energetic in praying for them as well. That will be true without a doubt. So, what will you do? I will do two things. I will ask others how I can pray for them. I will ask others to pray for me. Prayer will become a two-way street in my life. I will make and receive prayers, as I live my life with and before you. That will be very good. In this way you will continue to both give and receive encouragement as you love, follow and serve me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I give thanks to you for all the fellow believers you have brought into my life. You have encouraged and spurred me on by their faith. Help me to regularly intercede in prayer for the needs of others. Help me also to welcome and receive prayer from them. Amen

Key Question…  How are you regularly interceding in prayer for the needs of people that are all around you?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to guide you to give thanks and intercede in prayer for the needs of others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will guide you to give thanks and intercede in prayer for the needs of others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to intercede in prayer for others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you give thanks and intercede in prayer for your fellow believers.

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

Becoming Like Christ -Day 351 – Ephesians 1-15-16 – In My Prayers – 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

With Great Boldness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 356 - Acts 4:29-30 - With Great Boldness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 356 – Acts 4:29-30 – With Great Boldness – Growing As Disciples

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)  

Great Boldness

Well, I don’t think that exists within me. It certainly does not come naturally to me. What does not exist within you? What does not come naturally to you? I don’t have great boldness within me. No, you do not have great boldness within you. No, great boldness does not come naturally to you. But that should not discourage you. Why is that? It is a very good thing that you know without a doubt that you do not have great boldness within you. Why is that? What have you done when you have faced a significant threat? I have done three different things when I have faced a significant. Sometimes, I have foolishly tried to face a significant threat with my own power and strength. How has that worked out for you? Those efforts could best be described as timid and feeble and highly unsuccessful. That’s not good. No, it’s not. But my second response to significant threats has been even worse and if possible, even less successful. What has been that response? I have avoided significant threats at all costs. I have run away from significant threats as I have seen them approaching. How do you feel about that approach to significant threats? Nothing could be more defeating or discouraging or depressing. Why is that? You did not create me to be timid or run away from significant threats. You did not design me to wilt under pressure. No, I did not.  

You mentioned that you have had a third response to significant threats. Yes, I did. Surely that response must be better than the first two that you have mentioned. My third response to significant threats is far better. Tell me about that response. My third and only successful response to significant threats is to call out to you and ask for your help. You have helped me to think and speak and act boldly when I have relied on you. You have filled me with your Spirit. You have given me your power. You have enabled me to think and speak and act with courage. You have helped me to do what I could have done by myself. You have helped me to overcome significant threats in life. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name in the face of significant threats. To you belongs all the honor and glory. To you belongs all the thanks and praise. Will you continue to ask for my help? Will you continue to rely on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, on my own, with my own power, I will only speak and act timidly in the face of significant threats. That is not your will and plan for my life, of that I am sure. Empower me to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats, so I can bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question… When have you asked the Lord for great boldness in the face of significant threats?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has empowered you as a bold witness for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to live life with great boldness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 356 – Acts 4-29-30 – With Great Boldness – 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

Holds A Grudge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Genesis 50:15 - Holds A Grudge - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Genesis 50:15 – Holds A Grudge – Growing As Disciples

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 (NIV)

 Pay Back

Has someone done something evil against you? Are you having a hard time forgiving them? Are you carrying a grudge and thinking ways to pay them back? I would never try to pay someone back for the evil that they have done against me. You would just think about a lot of different ways to pay them back. I suppose so. It does you no good to carry a grudge. Failing to forgive others harms you far more than it harms them. It is a heavy burden to carry unforgiveness around in your heart and on your mind. Unforgiveness will eat you alive from the inside out. Unforgiveness will make you a bitter person. I have forgiven you of all your sins. Yes, I am so thankful that you have forgiven me of all my sins. I expect you to forgive others of the evil that they have done against you. Yes Lord, I will forgive others of the evil that they have done against me. Extending forgiveness to others may open up an opportunity for you to minister to them. You will be doing what those that are of the world do not do. They may wonder why you are so kind and loving and forgiving. Then you will have an opportunity to tell them about me. That would be amazing.

There is something very important that I want you to remember. What’s that? I can bring good out of the evil that has been done against you. Can you think of ways that I have already brought good out of evil that has been done against you? Yes, in some ways evil that has been done against me has changed the entire course of my life. You have been able to redirect my life in response to the evil that has been done against me. You have been able to send me in a new direction and use me to do new things for you as a result of something evil that has been done against me. That’s right. I didn’t author the evil. I didn’t bring the evil against you. But, I have been able to bring good out of evil that has been done to you. That is for sure. There is no doubt about that. Let me ask you a couple questions. If you allowed yourself to hold on to unforgiveness and grudges would you be able to recognize the good that I had brought into your life as a result of the evil done against you? No, probably not. How long has it taken for you to be able to look back to see the good that I have brought out of evil done against you? Sometimes, it has taken quite a bit of time. Yes, it has. Will you forgive others? Will you let go of grudges? Will you stop think about paying others back for the evil that has ben done against you? Will you wait to see the good that I will bring into your life even out of evil that has been done against you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have had a hard time forgiving others of evil they have done to me. It has been easy to carry a grudge and think about ways to pay them back. No more. I will forgive others and wait to see the good you will bring even out of the evil done against me. Amen

Key Question… Why will it never benefit you to carry a grudge against someone who has done evil against you?

Living It Out… Forgive others and let go of grudges so you can see the good the Lord will be bring even out of evil done against you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will bring good even out of evil that has been done against you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has brought good even out of evil done against you.

Prayer To Bless Others…May you never hold a grudge but rather recognize that God can bring good even out evil done against you.

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

If – Genesis 50-15 – Holds A Grudge – 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

Temple Of The Holy Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 131 - 1 Corinthians 6-18-20 - Temple Of The Holy Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 131 – 1 Corinthians 6-18-20 – Temple Of The Holy Spirit – Growing As Disciples

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV)

Honor Me

Do you want to honor me? Do you want to honor me with all your thoughts and words and actions? Do you want to honor me with all that is within you? Do you want to honor me with your body? Yes, I want to honor you with all that is within me. I want all my thoughts and word and actions to honor you. I want my body to honor you. How can all this be true of me? How can I make sure to honor you? First, you must do what you have just done. What have I just done? You have made a decision. You have stated your intent. You have committed to a plan. It is your decision and your intent and your plan to honor me. Yes, this is what I have done. That is very good.

Do you know why it is important that you have stated your decision and intent and plan? I’m not sure. Temptation will certainly come your way. Evil desires will try to entice. Sexual immorality will seek to ensnare you. It is then when you need to remember your decision, intent and plan. It is then that you will need to put your decision and intent and plan into action. How will I put my decision and intent and plan into action? How will I make sure that I will honor you with all that is within me? That is a good question that you must answer. I can think of only one answer. Let me hear your answer. I must flee evil desires that try to entice me. I must run from sexual immorality when it seeks to ensnare me. Why is that? Lingering around evil desires and sexual immorality is the surest way to be enticed and ensnared by them. I must not allow myself to enter tempting circumstances. I must not place myself in the midst evil and enticing desires. I must immediately run from this evil and these temptations. It is not good enough to simply run away. I know that, without a doubt. To where will you run? I will run to you. I will leave evil and enticing desires far behind me, as I run to you. By running away, I will be resisting the devil. By running to you, I will be submitting myself to you. When I do both, the devil and all is evil will flee from me. That is true. That is good. That is right. That is how you will put your decision and intent and plan to honor me into action. That is how you will be able to honor me with all that is within you. That is my decision, intent and plan. That is very good.

Lord, I will honor you with my body. That is my advance decision. I know that your Holy Spirit lives and dwells within me. I don’t want any of my thoughts or words or actions to grieve you. So, I will immediately flee sexual immorality whenever it approaches me. Amen

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

Promises – Day 131 – 1 Corinthians 6-18-20 – Temple Of The Holy Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Do Immeasurably More

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 36 - Ephesians 3:20-21 - Do Immeasurably More - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 36 – Ephesians 3:20-21 – Do Immeasurably More – Growing As Disciples

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 

Imagine That?

I have no doubt about that. You have no doubt about what? You have done in, for, and through me what I could have never thought of, or even imagined. Not in a million years could I have dreamed of being where my life is today. Where is your life today? My life is right here with you. I delight to be in your presence. I want to draw near to you. You have my full attention. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I want to know you. It is my joy to think and speak and act in ways that please you. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. Could I have pictured myself as one of your followers? Could I have dreamed up the desire to be fully devoted to loving and following and serving you? Would your plans ever be more important than my plans?  Not, a chance. But that’s what I want. That is who I am. I am your child. I am your follower. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and King. You turned my life around. You changed my direction. You altered my course. There is no doubt that you have been at work in me. You have been molding and shaping my life. I am the work of your hands. You are making me into your masterpiece. Now, I want what you want. Yes, that is exactly the work I am doing in you, for you, and through you.

Do you have any idea of what I will do in you, for you, and through you, in the future? Do I have any idea of what I might look like in the future? Yes, you could rephrase my question in that way. Generally, yes, specifically no. That is an interesting answer, can you say more? Generally, I know that you will be making me to be more and more like you. You will help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. You will help me to know and do your will. Others will be drawn to you, because they will see you living and shining brightly through me. You want me to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Yes, I do. Is this what you want? Yes, it is. You have no idea of what I will specifically do in, and for, and through you? No, I do not. I do know one thing, however. What’s that? You will do in, and for, and through me, what I could never ask for, think or dream of, or even imagine. Why is that? Your thoughts and plans and ways, are far higher and far better than mine. Yes, they are. For that, I am grateful and thankful. That is very good.

Lord, thank you for working in, for, and through me. You have done far more than I could have ever asked for, thought or dreamed of, or even imagined. I have learned a lesson. I will no longer be timid, or reluctant to ask you to work in, for, or through me. Amen

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

Promises – Day 36 – Ephesians 3-20-21 – Do Immeasurably More – 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

The Lord Gives Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 34 - Proverbs 2:1-6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 34 – Proverbs 2:1-6 – The Lord Gives Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,  turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,  and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,  and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6 (NIV)  

Hidden Treasure

I definitely want that and all that comes with it. What is it that you want? I want wisdom and understanding and insight and knowledge. What is it that you most want to know? I want to know you. I want to know your will. I want to know your ways. I want the wisdom and insight and knowledge that can only come from you. You have very good desires within you. Do you believe that I will give you all that you are asking of me? Yes, I believe that you will give me not only what I am asking of you, but I also believe that you will give me what I could not have ever dreamed of or even imagined. That is very good.

What must you do if you want to receive all that I want to give to you? I must accept your word. By accept, I mean I must take your word deep into my heart and mind. I must allow your word to dwell in me richly. I must store up your words within me so that they are always with me. By accept, I also mean that I must be willing to set aside not only my own thoughts and ideas and opinions, but also those of the world. Your word must be and must have final authority in my life. If my thoughts and ideas and opinions are in conflict with yours, I will know who needs to change their thinking. Who would that be? That would be me. Good answer.

How urgently and passionately and fervently must you seek my word if you want to receive all that I want to give to you? I know one thing for certain. What’s that? Your word is more valuable to me than silver or gold or any hidden treasure. All of these will pass way. Your word will endure forever. Yes, it will. So, I will seek your word with all that is within me. I will cry out for your insight and understanding. I will call to you, so I can receive your instruction and follow your guidance. I will wait patiently with you in your word, so you can teach and train and guard and guide the entire course of my life. That will be very good. Yes, it will.

Lord, I will accept and store your word in my heart. I will turn my ears to your wisdom. Your word is more valuable to me than silver, gold or any hidden treasure. Use your word to give me wisdom. Use your word to help me to know and love, follow and serve you. Amen

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

Promises – Day 34 – Proverbs 2-1-6 – The Lord Gives Wisdom – 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

God Intended It For Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life - Genesis 50:20 - God Intended It For Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Genesis 50:20 – God Intended It For Good – Growing As Disciples

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

A Dream

You have a dream don’t you? Yes, I do.  Where do you think that your dream came from? It certainly didn’t come from me. Why do you say that? I’m sure that the dream that I have came from you. Why is that? The dream that I have is to bear an abundance of fruit for you. I want you to use me for your kingdom and your glory. That dream could have never started with me. Why is that? I would have never dreamed up something like that on my own. I would never have desired that without you placing it in my heart. You have a very good point. I understand why you are so certain about the origin of your dream. You are right, by the way, that dream of yours did originate with me. I’m very glad that you have embraced it as your own. Yes, I have embraced it as my own. That dream burns in my heart to be fulfilled. I ache with desire for you to use me in your service. Aren’t I using you right now? Yes, you are, but I sense that there is more. What I have been experiencing has seemed like preparation for something more. I think you want to use me more fully in some larger way. Yes, I do, you can be sure of that.

You’re anxious aren’t you? Yes, I am. You are a little discouraged? Yes, I am. Why is that? I have had so many twists and turns and ups and downs in life. I have had one trial and setback after another. I have begun to wonder if the dream that you have given to me will ever be fulfilled. Are you beginning to doubt me? No, I don’t doubt you. I think I am beginning to doubt myself. I have been wondering if I have heard you correctly. I have been wondering if you really will be able to use me for your purposes and in your plans. Do you think my ability to use you depends on you? Now, that’s an attention getter of a question. No, your ability to use me depends on you, not me. That’s right don’t ever forget that. You have been waiting for me to use you is that right? Not really. What have you been doing? I have been going wherever you have directed me. I have been doing whatever you have asked of me. So, you haven’t been sitting around waiting for me to use you, is that right? No, I have been busy doing whatever you have given me to do. Yes, that’s right and that’s very good. Have I have been using you everyday? Yes, you have been using me everyday. But, you sense that I have much more for you. You know that I have some larger purpose and plan for your life, is that right? Yes, that’s right.

You said that you have gone through twists, turns, ups, downs, trials and setbacks, is that right? Yes, that’s right. What have all those detours, trials and setbacks felt like to you? They have felt like preparation. It feels like you have been teaching me to rely on you so that I can persevere through every difficulty. When you look back over your life up to this point what do you see? I see that your hand has been on me. You have used every twist, turn, up, down, trial and setback to teach and strengthen me. Do you want me to stop teaching you? No, I don’t. Do you want me to stop preparing you for the work that I have for you? No, I don’t. Can you be thankful for every twist, turn, up, down, trial and setback that I have been able to use for good in your life? Yes, I can. Do you believe that I will accomplish my purposes and plans in your life? Yes Lord, I do. That’s very good, because I will.

Lord, thank you that you can even use evil that people have done to me to accomplish your purposes and plans in my life. Help me to persevere through every setback in life on the way to you accomplishing your plans in my life. Amen

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

Life – Genesis 50-20 – God Intended It For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

The One Who Is In You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises - 1 John 4:4-6 - The One Who Is In You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – 1 John 4:4-6 – The One Who Is In You – Growing As Disciples

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:4-6 (NIV) 

Overcoming Evil

There is evil in this world, are you watching and on guard against it? Yes, I’m watching and on guard. What do I need to be on guard against? What do I need to be watching out for? Those are good questions. You need to have an attitude of watchfulness. You need to have ears that are attentive to my voice. You need to be listening to all that I want to say to you. You need to be watching for all that I want to show to you. Does this sound like something that will be hard for you to accomplish? It sounds easy. But, I’m not foolish enough to think that it will be easy. Why is that? It’s easy to be absorbed in all the activities of life. It’s easy to race through life and forget to listen to all that you want to say to me or to fail to watch all that you want to show to me. It’s easy to become conformed to all the patterns, practices and values of the world. If I am not very careful, I could become unaware of how the world is continually trying to shape me into its mold. It’s much harder to be attentive and watchful to all that you want me to hear and see. Yes, it is.

Let’s talk about the focus of your attention. Alright, go ahead. You have my full attention. Good, that’s what I want. You have mentioned two possibilities. You can either focus your attention on the world or you can focus your attention on me. If I focus my attention on the world I will have a very difficult time listening to what you want me to hear or watching what you want me to see. Yes, that’s exactly right. I will have a very difficult time identifying what is true and what is false. Does that sound like an understatement to you? I will have an impossible time identifying what is true and what is false. That’s more like it. If I have the focus of my attention on you, I will be able to know what is true and what is false because my eyes and ears will be open to you. That is also correct. As I continue to have my focus on you I will grow in my ability to listen to what you want me to hear and to watch what you want me to see. How do you know that? That has been my experience as I have had my focus on you. That is very good.

Let’s talk about overcoming evil that is in the world. To overcome evil in the world I must be able to identify it. I also must have the strength and desire to resist it. Can you identify or overcome evil if your focus is on the world? Certainly not, if my focus is on the world then I will be wrapped up and enticed by evil. That is not my will for you. It is my will that my Spirit living in you will make you able to overcome evil that is in the world. Do you believe that my Spirit living in you will make you able to overcome evil in the world? Yes, I do. Why do you believe? You have changed the desires of my heart as I have had my focus on you. You have given me both the desire and strength to do your will. You have made me able to overcome evil in the world. Yes, I have.

Holy Spirit, thank you that you live inside of me. You have made me able to know what is true and what is false. You have made me able to recognize and overcome evil that is in the world. Help me to hear and really listen to you. Amen

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

Promises – 1 John 4-4-6 – The One Who Is In You – 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

Repent

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 357 - Acts 17:30 - Repent - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 357 – Acts 17:30 – Repent – Growing As Disciples

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30 (NIV) 

My Way, Your Way 

That’s what it came down to. I had to make a choice. I had to come to a decision. What choice did you need to make? What decision did you have to come to? I had to decide what kind of life I was going to live. Was I going to live my way or was I going to live your way? Tell me about that. I was living a self-centered, self-indulgent, self-prompting life with me at the center. I was on throne. I was the boss. I was in control or at least I thought so at the time. Everything revolved around me. I lived for comfort. I sought pleasure. I was independent, strong willed and stubborn. No one could tell me anything. I followed my own counsel. I listened to my own advice. I went where I wanted to go. I did what I wanted to do. Did you enjoy this life that you were living? For a time, I thought that I did. But I was wrong. How so? I was living a sinful life that led me into brokenness. There is no truer statement than, “The wages of sin is death.”  How do you know that to be true? I was living a pain filled life that was without hope. I was suffering the natural consequences of the way that I was living. Yes, you were. But the story does not end there. No, it doesn’t.

What happened to you? My pain and suffering and brokenness caused me to cry out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me, if you were real. Did I show myself to you? Yes, you did. I now know that you had been pursing me. You would not let me go. You would not let me live a life without you. It was your plan to rescue me from a life without you. So, what happened to you? I reached rock bottom. I asked for your help. I said that I wanted to follow you. I told you that I want you to be my Savior. I asked you to come into my life. I asked for forgiveness of my sin. I told you that I would allow you to turn my life around. I said that I would no longer live my way and that I wanted to live your way. Yes, you did. That is what you have been doing these many years. Do you have any regrets? Do you have any second thoughts? None, whatsoever. You are my Savior and Lord. It is my pleasure and joy to live my life your way. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask me. I am fully devoted to you. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good. Yes, it is. 

Lord, I believe in you. I have turned away from my old life. You are my Savior and Lord. I want to live the new life you have secured for me. Do your work in me. Change my heart. Transform my mind. Help me to follow and serve you with all that is within me. Amen

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 357 – Acts 17-30 – Repent – 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