Tag Archives: discipleship devotional

A Good Name In The Sight Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 29 - Proverbs 3:3-4 - A Good Name In The Sight Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 29 – Proverbs 3:3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God – Growing As Disciples

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Love And Faithfulness

I want to live a life of love and faithfulness. Why is that? You lived a life of love and faithfulness. How did I live a life of love? You loved the unlovable. You forgave the unforgivable. No one was outside the bounds of your love. No one was beyond your reach. No one could not receive your forgiveness. Your love was not some untested theory. Your love was costly. Your love was sacrificial. Your love had no limits. Your love was put into practice. Your love was on display. You humbled yourself and came into this world to die on a cross so that my sins could be forgiven, and my unrighteousness cleansed. Your love made it so I could be adopted into your family. Your love made it possible for me to live in a new and intimate relationship with God. I now love you, because you first loved me. I want to keep on living in your love. I want your love to flow in and through me. To sum it all up, I want to be like you. I want to love others just as you have loved me. That is very good.

Why do you want to live a life of faithfulness? I want to live a life of faithfulness because I love you. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask me. Again, you are my example. How am I your example? You were faithful. You didn’t retreat. You didn’t give up. You didn’t quit. You kept on moving forward despite the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. You endured temptation. You faced rejection. You suffered persecution. You were faithful to do everything your Heavenly Father asked you to do for Him. This even as you suffered and died on the cross. Nothing could thwart you from completing your mission. You remained entirely faithful. Yes, I did. I want to remain faithful just as you were faithful. That is very good.

What is your prayer? Without your help, I know that I cannot love like you loved. Without your strength, I know I cannot remain faithful as you were faithful. So, I am asking for your help to love like you loved and to be faithful like you were faithful. There is something else I know. What’s that? You will certainly help me to love like you loved and be faithful like you were faithful. I have no doubt. I am filled with faith. That is very good. You will hear and answer this prayer. Yes, I will. 

Lord, this is the life I want to live. This is the kind of life you lived. You lived a life of love and faithfulness. You loved those who were thought to be unlovable. You were faithful in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. Help me to be loving and faithful. Amen

Key Question…  How has your life filled up with anxiety and stress and pressure because you have relied on yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord, to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so that you will come to fully rely on Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with humility.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to clothe yourself with humility.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually live a life of love and faithfulness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Proverbs 3-3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight 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

Container

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 328 - 2 Timothy 2:20-21 - Container - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 328 – 2 Timothy 2:20-21 – Container – Growing As Disciples

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage.  Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (MSG)  

Instrument

Do you want to be an instrument that is ready for my use? Do you want to be a container that I can use to bless the lives of others? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want me to use you to draw others to me? Yes Lord, I want to be a container and instrument that is ready for your use. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want you to use me to lead others to you. That is very good.

What will prepare me for your use? How can I make sure that I a container and instrument you can use? Those are good questions that I will let you answer. I had a feeling you might ask me to answer my own questions. Why is that? You have already provided me the answers to those questions. Repeating back the answers to you will help them to become more deeply rooted in my heart and mind. That is correct. So, I am listening. To be a container and instrument you can use I must flee evil desires. I must leave my old life of sin behind. I must not allow myself to engage in sinful thoughts or words or actions that will render my life unusable to you. I must not think or speak or act according to the values and principles and practices of the world. I must resist temptation and fight against evil. I must throw off the dirty and stinky clothes of my old life. That is what I did when I gave my life to you. That is what happened when you became my Savior and Lord. I left my old life behind. Yes, you did and that is very good. What else? As I am fleeing my old life there is something I must also pursue. With just as much determination to flee the old life behind me, I must pursue the new life ahead, that you have given to me. Not only have you forgiven and cleansed me of my sins. But you have clothed me with a completely new life to live. Yes, that is true. I must put on my new life by living in a close and intimate relationship with you. I must listen attentively to you. I must follow you to where you lead me. I must do whatever you ask of me. I must allow you to use me for your purposes to fulfill your plans. Will this be difficult? Will it be a great burden for you to follow and serve me? No, it will not be difficult or a great burden to follow and serve you. Why is that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your love for me has filled me with desire to love you. It is now my desire to do what pleases you. I want to be a container and instrument in your hands. That is very good. Yet, you will have battles. You will come under attack. The world and all its evil will try to lure you back into your old life. Does this come as a surprise to you? No, it does not. What have you been given to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? What will strengthen you against every attack from the world and all its evil? You have given me your word. What will you do with my word? As I am fleeing my old life and pursing my new life in you, I will allow your word to do its work in me. I will meet daily with you in your word. That will be very good, then you will certainly be a container and instrument ready for my use. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have turned away from sin and confessed you as my Savior and Lord. I have given all I am and hope to be to you. I want to be a container and instrument that is ready for your use. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How has God’s word been preparing you and making you ready for His use?

Living It Out… Allow yourself to be a container and instrument to be used by God so you can bring honor and glory and praise to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use you as His container and instrument to bring glory to His name.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are determined to be a container ready for God’s use.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow yourself to be a container that God can use for His glory.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 328 – 2 Timothy 2-20-21 – Container – 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

Imitate Their Faith

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 347 - Hebrews 13:7 - Imitate Their Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 347 – Hebrews 13:7 – Imitate Their Faith – Growing As Disciples

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

Imitate Me

That is a thought I never thought I would think. What’s that? What thought did you never think you would think? I would have never thought that any life other than yours would be worthy of imitating. Why is that? You are the only one that is without sin. We are all broken. We are all imperfect. We all take missteps. We all make mistakes. We all sin. Yes, that is true. But I haven’t yet fully stated the full thought I thought I would never think. Go ahead, I’m listening. You have brought leaders into my life that proclaimed the word of God to me. My life has been profoundly changed by what I have heard and seen in the faithful leaders you have brought into my life. How so? They hungered for your word. They proclaimed your word. They lived their lives of faith according to your word. Yes, they did. Their lives have been well worth remembering, considering and imitating. That is true. Just as they hungered for your word, so will I hunger for your word. Just as they proclaimed your word, so will I proclaim your word. Just as they lived a life of faith, so will I live a life of faith. Yes, you will. It seems to me you still haven’t said the thought that you never thought you would think. That is true, I haven’t. It seems to me that you want me to also live a life of faith that is worth remembering, considering and imitating. That is exactly what I want you to do. Why does that seem so impossible? Why does that seem so unlikely? Why is it that you can hardly bring yourself to think and speak those words? Well, as I have said, “I am broken. I am imperfect. I take missteps. I make mistakes. I sin.” Yes, but you are forgiven and cleansed of your sins. You have been given a completely new life to live. You are fully devoted to me. You love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. You hunger for my word. You listen attentively to me. You are following me to where I lead you. You are doing what I have given you to do. We agree that you are doing none of these things perfectly. You, nor any of mankind, will ever live a perfect life, except in and through me. You and I and everyone else knows that. So, isn’t your life a worthy example to imitate? If you say so. I say so, do you believe me? Yes Lord, I believe you. That is very good. Keep on loving, following and serving me. Keep on being an example, others can imitate. That is what I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for bringing faithful leaders into my life to proclaim the word of God to me. They have set a powerful example before me for me to imitate. They hungered for your word. I will hunger for your word. They lived a life of faith. I will live a life of faith. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lord making your life of faith worthy of being remembered, considered and imitated?

Living It Out… Life a life of faith that the Lord can use as an example for others to imitate.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make your life a faith an example that others can imitate.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living a life of faith worth imitating.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a life of faith that is worthy of being imitated.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 347 – Hebrews 13-7 – Imitate Their Faith – 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 Constant In Prayer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 365 - Romans 12:12 - Constant In Prayer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 365 – Romans 12:12 – Constant In Prayer – Growing As Disciples

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Pray

These words all fit together don’t they? What words all fit together? Hopefully, patiently and constantly, are all words that fit together. They all are part of one whole picture. Say more, about how these words fit together in one whole picture. You are on the right track. I pray because I am hopeful. I know that you delight to hear my prayers. You will draw near to me as I draw near to you in prayer. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to come to rely on you for your help. I believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. So, I pray with hopeful expectation. That is very good. Yes, it is my delight to hear your prayers. It is my joy to meet with you in prayer. I do want you to live in an intimate relationship with me. I will hear and answer your prayers. There is more.  I’m listening. You have asked me to keep on praying. You have told me to never give up and quit praying to you. Some prayers are answered almost immediately. Some prayers are answered over an extended period of time. Some prayers are answered in ways far better than I could have hoped for, dreamed of or even imagined. Some prayers, because of your loving grace and mercy, are never answered. What do you mean by that? I am not all wise. I am not all knowing. I know there have been many times I have prayed prayers that I am so glad you did not answer. Well, you did answer. No, is an answer. Some of the best answers to my prayers have been an answer of “no”. When I pray with hope, I am praying that you will hear and answer my prayers according to your will and purpose and plans. My hope is rooted in you. That is very good. Yes, it is. I am filled with confident hope in you. So, with that in mind, I will pray patiently. I will keep on praying. I will not give up. I will not quit. Similarly, I will be constant in prayer. What do you mean by that? I will be praying to you both over time and all the time. How will make prayer a priority in your life? How will you continue to be constant in your prayers? How will you keep on praying over time and all the time? I will set aside a time and place for us to meet daily in prayer. I will draw near to you. You will draw near to me. You will guide my prayers. You will give me prayers to pray. You will hear and answer my prayers as I walk through a prayer filled life with you. Yes, I will. Keep on coming to me in prayer. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, it is my joy to come to meet with you in prayer. I will set aside a daily time and place for us to meet together in prayer so that our time together becomes an absolute priority in my life. Help me to continue to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly. Amen

Key Question… Why is prayer likely to fall by the wayside unless you make it a priority in your life?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to help you to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are praying hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction and constant in prayer.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 365 – Romans 12-12 – Constant In Prayer – 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

Clothe Yourself With Humility

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 7 - 1 Peter 5:5-7 - Clothe Yourself With Humility - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 7 – 1 Peter 5:5-7 – Clothe Yourself With Humility – Growing As Disciples

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)

Clothe Yourself With Humility

Why do you think I want you to clothe yourself with humility? I can think of quite a few reasons why you want me to clothe myself with humility. That’s good. I would like you to tell me your thoughts. You want me to become like you. You clothed yourself with humility. You want me to clothe myself with humility. It is your plan that I become like you. That’s true, that is my plan.

What will you do differently because you are clothing yourself with humility? I will come to rely on you. I will stop relying on myself. I will stop thinking that I can overcome every difficulty with my own gifts, talents, strengths and abilities. I will stop trying to solve all my problems by myself. What has happened to your life when you have tried to solve all your problems by yourself? My life has filled up with anxiety and stress when I have relied solely on myself to overcome all my difficulties. What would you like to do differently?  I would like to come to rely on you. I would like to ask you for your help. I would like to cast all my anxiety on you because I know that you care for me. I care for you, is that a reason why I want you to clothe yourself with humility? Yes, it is. Can you see how pride has caused you a great deal of stress and anxiety? I can now. Your pride has prevented you from coming to ask me for help. Yes, I can see that now, quire clearly. That’s good.

So, what will you rely on as you clothe yourself with humility? I will rely on you and your promises. Nothing in all of life, not money, not power, not position or anything else is worthy of my trust. You alone are worthy of my trust. I can hold on to all your promises. Yes, you can. Will you? Yes, I will.

What kind of relationship will you have with other people as you clothe yourself with humility? I will know without a doubt that I am no better than anyone else. I will be willing to humbly love and care for others just as you love and care for me. I will do for others what you have done for me. That is very good. There is something else that I want you to do. What’s that? Not only do I want you to give help to others, but I want you to be willing to receive help from them as well. Will you clothe yourself with humility so you can both give and receive help? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Then you will be filled with my grace and peace.

Lord, I’m not better than others. I don’t think I’m betters than others. Help me to be like you. Help me to clothe myself with humility. Help me to live a humble life that is completely reliant on you. Help me to live a grace and peace filled life of serving others. Amen

Key Question… How has your life filled up with anxiety and stress and pressure because you have relied on yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord, to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so that you will come to fully rely on Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with humility.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to clothe yourself with humility.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on Christ to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so you will come to rely on Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 7 – 1 Peter 5-5-7 – Clothe Yourself With Humility – 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

A Way Out So You Can Stand Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 13 - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - A Way Out So You Can Stand Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 13 – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – A Way Out So You Can Stand Up – Growing As Disciples

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Ways Of Escape

I know that I am not unique. I know that I am not all alone. I will never experience temptations that are not common to the rest of mankind. Nor will I ever be tempted beyond my ability to withstand that temptation. That’s true. I also know that you will provide me a way of escape out of every temptation I will face. Yes, I will.  

It sounds to me like you have some questions. Yes, I do have a few questions. What will your way of escape out of temptation look like? Is there some wisdom you can give me about your ways of escape out of temptation? Those are very good questions that I would like to hear you answer. I thought you might say that. Well, I did. So, let me hear your answers. The ways of escape out of temptation will be as varied as the temptations themselves. Give some examples. One way of escape out of temptation is to not let myself enter into it in the first place. I already know when, where and how I am most likely to be tempted. I am not usually overtaken by some rare and unusual temptation that I have never encountered before. I already know that there are places I should not go and things I should not do. Being around certain people and places and in some circumstances is like opening a door to temptation. So, you will not go where you should not go? You will not do what you should not do? You will separate yourself from people and places and things that you find tempting? Yes, that’s true. That’s a good start. What else? I know that my defenses against temptation can be weak or they can be strong. How so? If I am allowing your word to dwell in me richly, my defenses against temptation will be strong. Why is that? I will be meditating on your word. I will be thinking your thoughts, speaking your words and taking your actions. So, my word will guard and guide your life? Yes, that’s it. So, you are really talking about my defenses for you rather than your defenses? Yes, I am. On my own, without your protection, I am defenseless against temptation. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it to fight in me, with me, for me and through me so I will be able to stand against temptation and resist evil. That’s true. What else? I am not meant to live the Christian life alone. What do you mean by that? It is your plan that I become rooted and grounded in a body of believers. That’s true. As I live in close relationships with fellow believers I will be strengthened and encouraged and lifted up. It is your plan for me to be strengthened by, and to strengthen, other believers so we can stand against temptation and resist evil. Yes, it is. Anything else? Yes, sometimes your way of escape out of temptation simply involves running from it. Yes, it does. Will you take all these ways of escape? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that I will never experience a temptation that is not common to the rest of mankind. I am not unique, nor am I all alone. Thank you for always providing, for me, a way of escape out of temptation. Help me to see and quickly take that way. Amen

Key Question… Why will you lose your opportunity to take the way of escape out of temptation if you don’t quickly take it?

Living It Out… Watch for and take the way of escape out of temptation that the Lord will provide for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take His way of escape out of temptation.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have seen and taken the way of escape out of temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way out of temptation that the Lord provides.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 13 – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – A Way Out So You Can Stand Up – 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

Put Them Into Practice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 344 - Matthew 7:24-29 - Put Them Into Practice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 344 – Matthew 7:24-29 – Put Them Into Practice – Growing As Disciples

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,  because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)  

My Words 

What must you do with my words, if you want to become wise? What must you do with my words, if you want your life to have a firm foundation that is able to withstand the storms of life? What must you do with my words, if you want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me? First, let me say that there is no “if” about any of your questions. How so? I want to become wise. I want my life to have a firm foundation that can withstand the storms of life. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. That is very good. Yes, I think it is good to be clear about what my desires. We are on the same page. I want what you want. We both want the same thing. That is very good.

Now, to answer your questions. I must do two things with your word if I want to become wise, have a firm foundation for my life and live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. First, I must hear your words. How often must you hear words? Is there a day that I don’t need to hear from you? Certainly not. I need to hear from you every day. How will you listen to my word? I will listen attentively to your word. Casually and inattentively and half-heartedly listening to your word will bring me no benefit. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and soul. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word day and night. That is very good. I have more to say. I’m listening. I will read and study your word. I will memorize and meditate on your word. I will pray and proclaim your word. I will take hold of your word as it takes ahold of me. What do you mean by that? I will allow your word to change my heart and transform my mind and guide my life. Yes, all of these are excellent strategies for hearing my word. What else must you do with my word for it to be powerfully effective in your life? If it isn’t clear by now, I will state it clearly here. Hearing your word only is not enough. For your word to do its complete and full and powerfully active work in my life, I must put it into practice. That is good. That is right. That is true. Hear and put my word into practice and you will be wise, have a firm foundation for your life and be able to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. That is what I want. That is what I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord, for your word. 

Lord, I will not be foolish. I will make it my daily pattern and habit to both hear and put your word into practice. I will allow your word to make me wise. I will allow your word to become the foundation of all that I think, say and do. Build my life with your word. Amen

Key Question… How are you making sure that you are actively putting God’s word into practice?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to hear and put God’s word into practice so you can withstand the storms of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing and putting God’s word into practice will make you able to withstand storms in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group something from God’s you have heard and put into practice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hear and put God’s word into practice.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 344 – Matthew 7-24-29 – Put Them Into Practice – 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

Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 5 - 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - Not Rest On Men's Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 5 – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Your Word

What do you rely on? What do you place your faith in? What is worthy of all your trust? Do you rely on seemingly wise and persuasive words of men? Are you taken in by the wisdom of the world? Is your life founded on the thoughts, opinions and values of the world? Does your faith rest on the wisdom of men? You have asked a lot of questions. Do you have any answers? I have only one answer. Let me hear it. My faith rests on you. I would like to hear more from you on this subject. 

It is true, that at one time I placed my faith on wisdom that comes from the world. My life conformed to the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. I thought like the world thought. I spoke like the world spoke. I acted like the world acted. I was no different than anyone else that is living in the world. What did you find out? There is no hope and joy and peace in living a life that is founded on the patterns and practices of the world. There is no purpose and meaning in thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways. My worldly life became a bruised and battered and broken life. I was empty. I wanted more. I wanted something else. I wanted you. I wanted to know you. I wanted to love you. I wanted to follow and serve you. I wanted to live my life in ways that would please you. Did I know all of this at the time? Certainly not. But you brought me to yourself. You came into my life. You forgave my sins and gave me a new life to live. Yes, I did.

How is your life now different? My faith rests on you. My faith rests on your word. My faith rests on your power. What do you know? I know that you are using your word to make me like you. Your Holy Spirit powerfully uses your word like a sword. He uses the sword of your word to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Yes, that is true. What do you do with my word? I take your word into my heart and mind and life. I am letting your word mold and shape me. I am letting your word teach and train me. I am letting your word guard and guide me. Now I know without a doubt that my faith rests on you and the power of your word. That is good. What are you asking? I am asking for your Holy Spirit to continue to use your word to do your work in and through me. I will hear and answer that prayer. 

Lord, I will no longer place my faith in the seemingly wise and persuasive words of men. To do so would be foolish. I will rely on you. I will trust your word. I will place all my faith in the power of God. Work in, for, and through me according to your good pleasure. Amen

Key Question…  When has the power of God accomplished something that you could have never done on your own?

Living It Out…  Place all your faith in the power of God rather than on the seemingly wise and persuasive words of men.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the power of God will work in and through and for you according to His good pleasure.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith is resting on the power of God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you place all your faith in God rather than on seemingly wise and persuasive words of men.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 5 – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5 – Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Many Advisers

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For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Advisers

That is what I need. What is it that you need? I need wise advisers to give me good counsel. Why is that? I can’t tell you how many times I have rushed a decision without seeking good counsel from wise and trusted advisers. What has been the result of rushing your decisions without seeking wise counsel? Quite often, I have fallen flat on my face. I have suffered harm. I have wasted time and energy and resources. I have had to retrace my steps. I have had to start over. I have had to begin again. That is not a fun process. No, it is not. It is a very painful way to learn valuable life lessons. Why do you suppose that you have failed to seek out wise advisers to give you good counsel? Here may be an even harder question for you. Why do you think you have failed to listen to the wise advisers that I have brought into your life? The answer seems obvious to me. I have been filled with pride. I have been stubborn. I have been independent. I have been self-reliant and self-sufficient. I have thought that I knew it all and that I had all the answers. I have foolishly been wise in my own eyes. On top of that, I have been impatient. That is not good. No, it is not.

What is the danger of being proud and stubborn, independent, self-reliant and self-sufficient, impatient and wise in your own eyes? I will not be able to receive your instruction. I will not be able to accept your guidance. I will not be able to know and do what you ask of me. My life will be unfruitful and unproductive. I will go through life bouncing from one thing to another. I will walk a crooked path. I will not accomplish or fulfill your plans for my life. You understand the danger before you quite well. I have learned by every one of the mistakes I have made. Yes, you have learned well.

How are you now living your life differently? I am admitting that I need advice. I don’t know it all. I need wise counsel. So, I am listening attentively to you. I am also listening closely to the wise counselors that you have brought into my life. I am receiving your instruction. I am following your guidance. Why is that? I want to go and do your will. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to live a life that has no regrets. One day I want to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Keep on listening to me. Keep on receiving wise counsel. Keep on following good advice. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have made many mistakes because I rushed a decision. I did not seek wise counsel. I did not listen to good advice. I did not rely on you or any wise counselors you brought into my life. Forgive my pride. I will act on all the good counsel you give to me. Amen

Key Question…  Why will you rarely regret taking a little extra time to receive advice before making a decision?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to give you wise counsel through trusted advisers He brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wise counsel through trusted advisers He brings into your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you listen to and act on wise counsel from trusted advisers.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to wise counsel from trusted advisers that the Lord brings into your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 325 – Proverbs 11-14 – Many Advisors – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Who Is Wise?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 273 - James 3:3 - Who Is Wise? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 273 – James 3:3 – Who Is Wise? – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 (NIV)

Who Is Wise?

I wouldn’t quickly raise my hand on that question. You wouldn’t quickly raise your hand on what question? I wouldn’t quickly raise my hand to say that I am wise. Why is that? I have made more than my share of dumb mistakes, foolish missteps and unwise decisions. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought and said and done what was truly unwise. At times, I have thought I was quite gifted at putting my foot in my mouth. Then it seems to me that you have the beginnings of wisdom within you. How is that? How can that be? What have you admitted? What are you abundantly aware of? What do you know without a doubt? I have admitted that I am unwise. I am abundantly aware of my own lack of wisdom. I know without a doubt that I need wisdom. Where did such an awareness of your lack of wisdom come from? I would guess that you have helped me to see my own lack of wisdom. You guess? No, I know that you have helped me to see that I need wisdom. Why do you suppose I have allowed you to see your own lack of wisdom? You want to change me. You want to make me wise. You want me to be able to think and speak and act in ways that are wise. You want my life to demonstrate your wisdom in the world. Yes, I do. Your understanding is correct. So, recap from me what you know. I know I am unwise. I know you have helped me to see that I am unwise. I know you want to make me wise. I know you want to work in and through me in ways that will demonstrate your wisdom in the world. I know I can ask for you to help me to be wise in all that I think, say and do. Yes, you can. You will be my source of wisdom. Yes, I will. What word would you use to describe your willingness to admit your need for wisdom? I would use the word humility. So then, can you now agree with me that you have the beginnings of wisdom in you? Yes, I can. That’s good. Thank you for helping me to humbly see that I desperately need wisdom. You are welcome. 

Now, the beginning of wisdom starts with an attitude of humility. You will receive wisdom as you humbly come to rely on me. But how will your life demonstrate my wisdom in the world? How will people be able to see my wisdom in operation in the world? Not only by the wise thoughts you give me. Wise thoughts are a starting point. I need your wise thoughts in me to be sure. But wisdom is demonstrated by wise words and wise actions. You want to give me wise thoughts to think, wise words to speak and wise actions to take. Yes, I do. Will you think and speak and act according to the wisdom I give you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then my wisdom will be demonstrated in the world. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, give me your wisdom and understanding. Help me to live a life of humility that demonstrates your wisdom to the world. Help me to be wise in all that I think, say and do. Help me to live a life of love and service to others. Help me to pattern my life after yours. Amen

Key Question…  What has helped or hindered your ability to ask for and receive wisdom from God?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to make you wise in all that you think, say and do, so you can demonstrate His wisdom in the world.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you think and speak and act wisely so you can demonstrate His wisdom in the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to demonstrate His wisdom in the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May all that you think, say, and do demonstrate wisdom.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 273 – James 3-13 – Who Is Wise? – 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