Tag Archives: discipleship devotional study guide

Conformed To The Likeness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 11- Romans 8:29-30 - Conformed To The Likeness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 11- Romans 8:29-30 – Conformed To The Likeness – Growing As Disciples

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 (NIV)

Like Him

I have a plan. I have had it from the very beginning. For most of your life you would have never been able to guess my plan. For the same length of time you would not have believed in my plan.  For many years of your life you would have wanted no part of my plan. You would have laughed off my plan. You’re not laughing now are you? No, I am not. Now you don’t need to guess. You know what my plan is for your life. Yes, I know your plan. What is my plan? Your plan is that I will become like your Son, Jesus Christ. Yes, that is my plan. You will mold and shape my life everyday so that I will conform to the image of your Son. Yes, I will. How do you feel about my plan? I like the plan that you have had for me from the beginning. I want what you want. I want to become like your Son more than anything else in all of life. Then we are on the same page. We both have the same goal in mind. Yes, we do.

Do you think it is a little strange that you now passionately want to become like my Son? I don’t know if it is strange. It is definitely a miracle that only you could accomplish. Why do you say that? You pointed out to me that I would not have guessed, believed in or wanted your plan. Yes, I did, do you think I was right? Yes, you were right, there is no doubt about that. What happened to you? What caused your desires to change? I can’t believe that you are asking me what happened. I’m sure that you know. That’s not why I’m asking you what happened. Why are you asking me what happened? I want you to take time to think about what happened to you. I want you to know why your desires have changed. I had enough. Of what, did you have enough? I had enough of myself. I had enough of my self-centered, selfish life. I had enough of all that the world had to offer. I had enough of my own sin. I had enough of my own pain and brokenness. I wanted more. Of what, did you want more? I couldn’t articulate it at the time. I cried out to you. It was more like a scream, wasn’t it? Yes, it was.  I asked you to show yourself to me. Did I, show myself to you? Yes, you did. Obviously, I was empty. I knew that there was a void in my life. There was an emptiness that only you could fill. Now I know that the “more” I wanted was you.

You put this desire for “more” in my heart, didn’t you? Yes, I did. It was your plan that I would want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul. Yes, it was. It was you who has filled me with this passionate desire to know you. It is you that has made me hunger and thirst for you. Yes, I did. It was you that has given me great joy in my wanting to become like your Son. It is you that has given me delight in doing what pleases you. Yes, it is.

Heavenly Father, I like the plan that you have had from the beginning. I want what you want. I want to become like Jesus Christ. Mold and shape my life according to your plan. Do your work in me and make me to be like Him. Amen

Key Question… How can others tell from your life that you are related to Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Allow God to do His work in you so He can make you to be like Christ and bring His work to completion.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make you to be like Christ and bring to completion His work in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what God is using to make you to be like Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to make you like Christ and bring to completion His work in you.

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

Promises – Day 11 – Romans 8-29-30 – Conformed To The Likeness – 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

Demolish Strongholds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 10 - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Demolish Strongholds- Growing As Disciples

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

Strongholds

This world would like nothing better than to take captive hearts and minds. This world is filled full of strongholds of evil that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I need to be on guard against strongholds of evil. I must not let my heart and mind be taken captive by the thoughts and values and principles of this world. What are some examples of strongholds of evil? What types of thoughts and values and principles are taking hearts and minds captive? What specifically do you need to be on guard against? First, of all I need to be on guard against any thought or idea or value or principle that sets itself up against you. Strongholds of evil do just that. Strongholds of evil will prevent many from coming to know and love and follow and serve you. Strongholds of evil can even hinder your followers from coming to live fully in the freedom you have secured for them. Nothing will be more depressing or discouraging to one of your followers than to be held captive by a stronghold of evil. Nothing will be more defeating to one of your followers than to allow themselves to be made unproductive or unfruitful, because they are ensnared in a stronghold of evil. Would you like me to name some strongholds of evil? Yes, I would. Strongholds of evil come in a wide variety of types. Fear and doubt, greed and lust can and often are strongholds of evil. Pride and envy and anger can and often are very powerful strongholds of evil. Any one of these can take a heart and mind captive. That’s true.

Where is the battle fought against strongholds of evil? The battle ground is in the heart and mind. What are the weapons that are used in the battle against stronghold of evil? Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit fights against strongholds of evil. How so? Your word changes hearts and transforms minds. Your word is continually changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has pushed worldly thoughts out of my heart and mind. Your word has strengthened my heart and mind so that I can take every thought and make it captive to you. That is true. That is right. That is good. But I am not alone in this fight. No, you are not. Your Holy Spirit takes your word and uses it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word and the power of your Holy Spirit tears down strongholds, they have done so in my life, that is for sure, without a doubt. So, I will continue to allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to tear down strongholds in my life and in the lives of others. That will be very good.

Lord, I don’t want anything to be a stronghold that has control over any portion of my life. I want to live in all the freedom you have secured for me. I will allow your word and the power of the Holy Spirit to take my thoughts and make them obedient to you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord broken down a stronghold that once had control over a portion of your life?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit to break down any stronghold that has control in your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will break down any stronghold that has control over a portion of your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has broken down a stronghold over your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to help you to take every though captive and make it obedient to Christ.

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

Promises – Day 10 – 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 – Demolish Strongholds – 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

Power To The Weak

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 8 - Isaiah 40:29-31 - Power To The Weak - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 8 – Isaiah 40:29-31 – Power To The Weak – Growing As Disciples

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV)

Power 

I certainly need that. You certainly need what? I certainly need your power. For what do you need my power? I need your power to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I need your power to do the work you have given me to do for you. I need your power to live the life you have called me to live. When did you come to the conclusion that you need my power? Well, it has become quite obvious to me that I don’t have the power I need to accomplish your purposes, fulfill your plans, do the work you have given me to do, or even live the life you have called me to love. How did that become obvious to you? My weariness has certainly revealed my lack of power. My own fruitless efforts have also revealed my lack of power. I know that you have said that, apart from you, I can do nothing. Yes, that is true. Well, I have done a lot of nothing, under my own power and strength. I know it is not your will for me to accomplish nothing. No, it is not.

It is a very good that you have come to realize that you need my power and strengthen working in and through you. Why do you suppose that you need my power and strength? Why do you suppose that I did not create you with all the power and strength that you would need in life? You did not want me to be self-reliant You did not want me to be self-sufficient. Why is that? You love me. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to come to you for all that I need. You want to refresh and revive and renew and strengthen me as I come to rest in your presence. You want me to walk through life with you. Yes, I do. If I never needed your help, would I be drawn into an intimate relationship with you? Would I come to rest in your presence, if I was never weary or worn out? Would I ever rely on you, if I never needed your help? Would I ever come to know and love you as I do, had you not made me as I am? I doubt it. So, I am thankful that you made me to want to enter into your presence to live my life in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good. You will have all that you need from me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have set apart a time and place to meet with you on a daily basis. It is my joy to rest in your presence. You refresh, revive, renew and strengthen me. Give me your power to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Work in and through my life. Amen

Key Question… What daily time and special place have you set apart to wait on the Lord?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern and practice to wait on the Lord so He can renew your strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will renew your strength as you wait on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are regularly waiting on the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait on the Lord so He can renew your strength.

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

Promises – Day 8 – Isaiah 40-29-31 – Power To The Weak – 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

Ask

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 6 - Mathew 7:7-8 - Ask - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 6 – Mathew 7:7-8 – Ask – Growing As Disciples

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock

I have definitely not been doing enough of that. You have not been doing enough of what? I have not been doing enough asking. I have not asked you for all that I need. I have not turned all my worries into prayers to you. I have not been doing enough seeking. I have let my life become too comfortable, maybe even complacent. I have no urgency to seek and find all that you have for me. I’m not sure that my eyes have been wide open to all that you want to show me. I have certainly have not been knocking on doors of opportunity that you want me to walk through. There are some elements of truth to what you are saying. I do want your prayers to be urgent and energetic. I do want you to ask, I do want you to seek, I do want you to knock, all with great passion and persistence. But from my vantage point I see that you are weary and worn out. You are discouraged and depressed. You are filled with worry and anxiety. In your current state, you do not even realize that you have been walking through doors of opportunity that I have opened before you. You are forgetting that you have been and are now asking for my help and seeking all that I want you to know and to learn from me. So, much of what you are feeling is not true. Well then, what should I do?

Come close to me. Rest in my presence. Let me revive and refresh and restore your soul. Keep on asking me for all you need. Turn every one of your worries into a prayer to me. I will hear and answer your prayers. Listen attentively to my voice. Seek to receive all that I have for you. Don’t be in a hurry. Don’t rush off. Linger in my presence. I will strengthen you. I will encourage you. I will lift you up. Keep on going through the doors I open for you. Don’t retreat. Don’t back up. Keep on moving forward with me. I will be with you to help you. I will be all that you need. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on asking. I will keep on seeking. I will keep on knocking, as I rest in your presence. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will ask, I will seek, I will knock. I believe you will hear and answer my prayers. You will give me what I need. You will help me to find what I am seeking. You will open doors for me to walk through. Thank you for all your goodness, kindness and mercy. Amen

Key Question… How are you regularly asking the Lord for what you need from Him?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord for what you need from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers you pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you are asking from the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask the Lord for what you need.

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

Promises – Day 6 – Matthew 7-7-8 – Ask – 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

Come Close To God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 5 - James 4:7-10 - Come Close To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 5 – James 4:7-10 – Come Close To God – Growing As Disciples

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:7-10 (NLT)

Humility

What is it that has most prevented you from coming to me? What has hindered you from drawing near to me? Those are good questions. Do you have an answer? Yes, I have an answer, but it is not a good one. Why is that? My answer will be correct. It will not be good. I’m listening.  I have lived a pride filled, self-reliant and self-sufficient life. Somewhere deep down inside of me, I must have told myself that I have no need to draw near to you, because my life was going quite nicely. You’re right, that is a correct answer and it is not a good one. It is only correct in that it described my almost unconscious self-talk and thoughts. Yet, it is a false answer in every other way. How so? A life without you, is never going quite nicely. A pride filled, self-reliant and self-sufficient life is an empty life without hope or joy or peace. It is a life headed toward disaster. It is a dark and sinful life that will most certainly be bruised and battered and broken before long. This is your voice of experience isn’t it? Yes, it is.

You are no longer living a pride-filled, self-reliant, and self-sufficient life. No, I am not. What happened to you? I discovered the error of my ways. I learned that the true wages of sin is death. I was fully bruised and battered and broken. My lifestyle led me to rock bottom. There was no more pride or self-reliance, or self-sufficiency left in me. All I could do was humbly cry out to you. All I wanted to do was draw near to you. You helped me to come to you. Yes, I did. What else did I do for you? You drew near to me. You heard my cry and prayer. You came into my life. You healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You allowed me to taste of your kindness and mercy and love. You lifted me up and have set me on a path of loving and following and serving you. Yes, I have done all these things for you. My life has never been the same since. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have lived a pride filled life with divided loyalties. I have followed you and the ways of the world. No more, no longer, not me. I will submit my heart, mind and life to you. I will draw near to you. Draw near to me. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your daily practice to draw near to God?

Living It Out… Humbly submit yourself to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lift you up as you humble yourself before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are drawing near to the Lord on a daily basis.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you draw near to God so He can draw near to you.

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

Promises – Day 5 – James 4-7-10 – Come Close To 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

Meditates Day And Night

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 7 - Psalm 1:1-6 - Meditates Day And Night - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 7 – Psalm 1:1-6 – Meditates Day And Night – Growing As Disciples

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.  Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:1-6 (NIV)

A Blessed Life

Who wouldn’t want to live that kind of life? What would living that kind of life require? What kind of life do you want to live? I want to live a blessed life. What do you mean by that? I want to live a happy life. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to live a life that you can and will bless. Do you not know what kind of life I can and will bless? Do you not know what you must do if you want to live a life that I will bless? Is there some mystery here? Is there something that is unclear to you? Have I not been specific enough? You have been quite clear. You have been very specific. I have no doubt in my heart and mind about what goes into living a life that you can and will bless.

Very well then, describe a blessed life to me. If I want to live a blessed life, I will separate myself from evil of every kind. I will withdraw from both evil circumstances and evil people. I will not walk in the counsel of the wicked. I will not stand in the way with sinners. I will not sit in a seat with mockers. No, I will not allow myself to fit in the world’s pattern of thinking or speaking or acting evilly. I will not allow my heart and mind and life to be molded according to values and practices of this world. How will this be possible? That is a very good question. Only your word living and dwelling in me richly will make me able to separate myself from the evil that is in this world. Only your word dwelling in me richly will make me able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. So, I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will guide my life. Then I will be able to live a life that you can and will bless. Yes, you will, without a doubt. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know that there are both unhelpful and unhealthy situations and people I must separate myself from as I follow you. I also know that you want me to meditate on your word day and night so you can change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Amen

Key Question… How is meditating on God’s word changing your heart and transforming your mind?

Living It Out… Make it your day and night practice to meditate on God’s word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will bless your heart and mind and life as you meditate on His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are meditating on God’s word day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meditate on God’s word day and night as He watches over your life.

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

Promises – Day 7 – Psalm 1-1-6 – Meditates Day And Night – 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 Still

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 12 - Psalm 46:10 - Be Still - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 12 – Psalm 46:10 – Be Still – Growing As Disciples

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

Quiet

What a magnificent promise. I could want nothing more. I could think of nothing better. What promise are you referring to? I am referring to your promise that I can know you as I quiet myself before you. That is a very good promise. Yes, I know, of that I am certain. You are aware of the premise to that promise? Yes, I am. Tell me about the premise to my promise. Many of your promises have a premise. Many of your promises require something to be true in order for them to be fulfilled. This promise is no different, in that regard. What will be required of you, if you want to come to know me? I must make being quiet and still before you, a priority, if I want to know you. That is true. Why is it critically important for you to make being quiet and still before me a priority? This hectic life is filled with activity. Great demands are placed on my time. I am constantly being tempted to live a life that is filled with busyness. It would even be easy to believe that always being busy is some kind of virtue. It is not, I know that for sure, without a doubt in my mind. Not only is this world a hectic and busy place; it is also a very noisy place. Often, it is hard to even hear myself think over the noise and distractions of this life. I am no stranger to being overwhelmed by voices that would like to place demands on my time and energy and resources. I could run myself in ragged circles trying to please everyone in this world. Life could pull me in every direction other than toward you if I am not careful. That would not be good. No, it would not. There is one thing I know about with great certainty. What’s that? You will not generally shout for my attention. You will rarely make me come to be quiet and still before you. No, not generally. It is your desire that I draw near to you. It is your plan that I come to you with my heart filled with desire for you. Yes, it is my desire and plan for you to drawn near to me. With that in mind, I would say the best gift you have ever given to me, is the desire to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. So, I will make quieting myself and being still before the priority of my life. I will carve out a specific time and a special place to meet with you on a daily basis. That will be very good. Yes, I know. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, it is the utmost desire of my heart and goal of my life to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Help me to quiet myself before you. Help me to withdraw from the noise and busyness of this hectic life so I can clearly hear from you. Amen

Key Question… How are you making it your daily practice to quiet yourself before God so you can come to know Him?

Living It Out… Set aside a daily time and place to be still before God so you can come to know Him.

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

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to know God as you have been still before Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be still before God so you can come to know Him.

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

Promises – Day 12 – Psalm 46-10 – Be Still – 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

Do Not Judge

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 14 - Matthew 7:1-2 - Do Not Judge- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 14 – Matthew 7:1-2 – Do Not Judge- Growing As Disciples

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)  

Judging Others

I have been proud. I have been arrogant. I have thought that I was in some way better than others. It is hard to admit. It is embarrassing to say out loud. But, it is true. It has been so easy to see the faults of others and so difficult to see the faults of my own. I have been so willing to closely examine someone else’s life and so unwilling to examine my own. What a joke. What a hypocrite. Sometimes I nauseate myself when I get a true glimpse of my own behavior. All I can ask is that you forgive me. All I can say is that I need your help. You are asking for my forgiveness and help? Yes, I am. That is my prayer. You will have both. You are forgiven and I will help you.

Tell me exactly what you want. I want to be like you. I want to be kind. I want to be gracious. I want to be forgiving. I want to love others just as you have loved me. I want to be able to follow your example. What is my example? You loved and forgave people while they rejected you. You loved and forgave people as they were hurting you. You prayed for your enemies as they were crucifying you on the cross. What clearer example of love and forgiveness can there be? I will answer my own question. There can be no clearer example of humbly loving and forgiving others. You have given me a crystal-clear example to follow. You want me to love and forgive others regardless of how they have or are currently treating me. That’s true.

Why do you want to become like me? You love me. I love you. You rescued me from a life without you. You made it so I can live in an intimate relationship with you. As I am in your presence, I am being changed. How so? I am becoming more like you. I am learning to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want to live as you lived. I want to do what you did. Why is that? It was your pleasure to serve your Heavenly Father. It was your desire to bear fruit for His kingdom and bring glory to His name. That’s right. As I am loving and forgiving others, I will be doing the same. Yes, you will. That is why I want to become like you. That is why I will not engage in judging others. That is very good.

Lord, I don’t know why it is easy to see others faults and so difficult to see mine. Why have been I been so willing to give judgement when I have only wanted to receive grace? Forgive me. Help me to be as gracious and kind to others as you have been to me. Amen

Key Question… Why is it so easy to see other’s faults and so difficult to see your own faults?

Living It Out… Don’t ever let yourself take up a judgmental attitude toward others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to refrain from judging others.

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

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never engage in judging others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 14 – Matthew 7-1-2 – Do Not Judge – 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

Love Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 15 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Is – Growing As Disciples

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Love Looks Like

I have no doubt that this is what love looks like. I also have no doubt, whatsoever, that this is what you look like as well. I am equally sure that my life does not measure up to this description of love. Why is that? I’m not sure. I’m human. I am a sinner. Occasionally, I am some of these things in part. I am never all of these things in full, nor do I even come close to displaying a significant portion of these qualities all together at one time. I may be patient and proud. I may be kind and boastful. I may be truthful and angry. What is quite clear, is that, I desperately need your help. Why do you need my help? You want me to become like you. I want to become like you. I want to be able to demonstrate your love to the world. I want your love to flow through me. I want to love others just as you love me. I want others to see your love in me so that they will be drawn to you. I’m sure we have the same goals. We do have the same goals, don’t we? Yes, we do have the same goals. I want you to love others just as I love you. I want you to follow my example. I do want you to become like me. That’s good. Yes, it is very good.

Well, I know what will not work. I know what has not worked. What’s that? It will not work, it has not worked, for me to simply try harder to love others. I have tried that over and over year after year. My efforts have met with miserable failure. Yes, I have noticed. Let me ask you a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Didn’t you say you wanted to become like me? Yes, I did. How will you become like me? I will become like you as I spend time with you. I will become like you as I draw near to you. I will become like you as I walk with you. I will become like you as I am in your presence. Yes, you will. As you become like me, what won’t you need to try harder to do? I will not need to try harder to love others because you will be changing me and making me more like you. Loving others will be the biproduct of you making me to be more like you. Now, you get it. Now, you understand. Yes, I do. That is very good.  

Lord, I have not loved others just as you have loved me. My love for others has been far from perfect. Forgive me. Help me. I want to love others like you love me. Develop in me the highest and best qualities of love. Help me demonstrate your love to the world. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord provided you an example of how to love others?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord’s example by loving others just as He loves you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love others just as He loves you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is making you able to love others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you love others just as the Lord loves you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 15 – 1 Corinthians 13-4-7 – Love Is – 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 With Each Other

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 16 - Colossians 3:12-14 - Bear With Each Other - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 16 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Bear With Each Other – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Fully Clothed

That’s what I want. What’s that? I wanted to be fully clothed with your love. I want to be filled with compassion and kindness. I want to be gentle and patient. I want to live a life of humility. That’s good. But, I’m not there yet, that is for sure. It is very hard for me to bear with other’s weaknesses. It is not easy for me to overlook and let go of grievances. I want to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Above all else, I want to put on love. I want your love to flow through me. I want your love to live in me. I want to be able to live in perfect unity with others. That’s very good.

So, what are you asking of me? I want to be changed. I want to be different. I want to be like you. I want to live the life you are calling me to live. That is the most important starting point. Why is that? You desire to live the life that I am calling you to live. Not many have that desire. Not many want to be changed. Not many want to be different. Most are living, self-satisfied lives. They see weaknesses in others but none of their own. They hold on to anger and bitter grievances with others. Their lives are filled with disunity of every kind. So, your desire is very good. 

What has your desire to be like me caused you to do? I have drawn near to you in prayer. I have come to rely on you. I have come to be in your presence. I have continued to meet with you in your word. What has been happening to you as you have drawn near to me? Are you the same person? Can you be in my presence and remain unchanged? No, I cannot be in your presence and remain unchanged. No, I am not the same person that I was before I started meeting with you. Are you encouraged or are you discouraged? Are you learning to clothe yourself with my love? I am encouraged. I know that you are working in my life. You are helping me to fully clothe myself with your love. Yes, I am. Will you keep on allowing me to change you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Day by day, I will continue to help you to keep on clothing yourself with my love. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want to love and forgive others as you love and forgive me. Help me to be fully clothed with your love. Help me to forgive and set aside every grievance I have with others. Help me to live in perfect unity with others so I can live as your child in this world. Amen

Key Question… How is your being clothed with Christ’s love helping you to bear with the weaknesses of others?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love and bear with the weakness of others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with His love so you will be able to love and forgive others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been clothing you with His love.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow Christ to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love others.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 16 – Colossians 3-12-14 – Bear With Each Other – 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