Tag Archives: discipleship devotional

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

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

Set Apart Christ As Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 336 - 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Set Apart Christ As Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3:15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – Growing As Disciples

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Lord

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean that I am Lord? Let me start by saying that you are not just Lord generally. You are Lord specifically of my life. By that, I mean you have authority over my life. You are in charge of my life. I have bowed myself down to you. I want your will to reign over my life. You are on the throne of my life. I can say more. Go ahead, I am listening. I am not the evaluator of you. You are the evaluator of me. If my thoughts or words or actions are not in alignment with you, someone has got to change and its not you. If your word says something is true, I dare not think it is false. If your word says one thing, I better not do another. If your word says something is false, it would be foolish to think it was true. My heart and mind and life are centered on you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. I have set you apart as Lord of my life because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to live my life with or for you. I could have no greater peace or joy or hope than I do in loving, following and serving you. That is very good.

Will you keep silent about the peace and hope and joy you have in me? Is this a secret that only you should know? No, not at all. I want to share the good news. I want to be a bold witness for you. I want to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. I want others to wonder and ask why I have such radiant hope and joy within me. Speak through me. Help me to lead others to you. Use my life to help others to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Let the good that you are doing in and through me speak powerfully to others so that they will want to live their lives with you both now and forever. That I will do. I will shine brightly in and through your life. You will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I have set you apart in my heart as my Lord. I know you will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Give me opportunities to share the reason for the hope that I have in you. Help me to shine brightly in the world for you. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lordship of Christ over you guiding the way you think, speak and act?

Living It Out… Set apart Christ in your heart as Lord over your life so that you will think, and speak and act in ways that please Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that setting apart Christ as Lord will change your heart and transform the way that you think, speak and act.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you have shared the reason for your hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May setting Christ apart as Lord guide the way you think, speak and act.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 336 – 1 Peter 3-15-16 – Set Apart Christ As Lord – 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

Call To The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 342 - Psalm 18:1-3 - Call To The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18:1-3 – Call To The Lord – Growing As Disciples

I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV)  

My Strength

I am so glad that you are my strength. Why is that? I know that I am weak. In the past, when I was younger and dumber, I thought that I was strong. I thought that I could face every difficulty and overcome every problem. It didn’t take long for life to convince me otherwise. How so? I have had crushing defeats and significant setbacks. They have been my insightful but unwelcome teachers. I have gone through trouble and experienced difficulties that only you could have solved. In the mid st of pain and suffering I have cried out to you. I am no fan of pain and suffering, but I would have to say that I have learned to cry out in prayer to you in my most painful and darkest moments. That’s good. You have never left me alone. You have never abandoned me in my troubles. You have been near to me when I have been brokenhearted. I have felt your nearness. I have experienced your closeness. You have been with me to comfort me. You have lifted me up and carried when I have been sure that I could go no further. How valuable are those lessons? Beyond compare. Knowing that you love and care for me is far beyond priceless. You have been my strength. You are my fortress, rock and deliverer. You have been my refuge and shield. You have saved me from out of my troubles. You have delivered me from all my fear. I know, without a doubt, that I can trust you. I know, with certainty, that I canhold on to you because you are holding on to me. You will never let me go. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Yes, I am all these things to you. You can cry out to me. I will hear your prayers. I will be with you to help you every step of your way through life. I have a hold of you. I will never let you go. Thank you, Lord. My only response to you is one of praise and thanksgiving. You deserve all the honor and praise and glory. As long as I have breath within me, I will joyfully give all my thanks and praise to you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. You are so good and kind and merciful to me. You hear my cry and answer my prayers. Thank you for being my rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer. All my thanks and praise go to you. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord given you strength to overcome something that was far too strong for you?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to the Lord for His being your rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can rely on the Lord to be your rock and refuge, shield and strength and deliverer?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how thankful you are for the Lord delivering out of troubles in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make your needs known to the Lord by asking Him for His help.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 342 – Psalm 18-1-3 – Call To The Lord – 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

Seek Peace And Pursue It

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 28 - 1 Peter 3:10-12 - Seek Peace And Pursue It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 28 – 1 Peter 3:10-12 – Seek Peace And Pursue It – Growing As Disciples

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV)

See Many Good Days

What would that look like? What would what look like? What would a good day look like? Would you like to love life and see good days? Yes of course, who wouldn’t want to love life and see many good days? Then wouldn’t it be important for you to have some idea of what a good day would look like? Yes, it would, I can see that now. Your question does make sense. Your question is worthy of considerable thought and needs a good answer. Yes, it does. I would describe a good day as one that is good and pleasing to you. It is the desire of my heart to do what is pleasing to you. If I had a day that was successful in that regard, I would call it a very good day. I would very much like to live many of those kinds of good days. Can you describe that kind of day a little more clearly? Yes, I can. If I keep my heart and mind and life away from evil that would be part of a very good day. If I turned from evil and did good, that would also be part of a very good day. If I sought peace and eagerly pursued it by working for it, that would again be part of a very good day. Basically, any good day, would be one in which I went and did your will and lived the life you are calling me to live. A good day would include bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. Most importantly, a very good day would include and require me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. None of what I have described would be remotely possible unless I lived and walked closely with you. Why is that? Apart from you, I can do nothing. Without you, living a good day would not be possible! That’s true.

I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is the desire of my heart to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. Nothing would please me more than to live out many good days with and for you. Nothing would thrill me more than for you to give me prayers to pray that would be your delight to hear and answer. Use my life for your glory. Bear fruit through my life for my kingdom. Use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Let me see many of these kinds of good days with you. Yes, you will, you can be sure of that. I will hear and answer your prayers. You will see many good days with me both now and forever. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know your eyes are on me. You can see and hear all I think, say, and do. Help me to seek peace, do good and live a righteous life that is pleasing to you. Give me prayers to pray that it will be your delight to hear and answer. Help me to bear fruit for you. Amen

Key Question…  How are you making it your continual practice to turn away from evil to do good?

Living It Out…  Make it your continual practice to seek peace, do good and live a righteous life so the Lord can answer your prayers.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you seek peace, do good, and live a righteous life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking peace, doing good and living a righteous life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you seek peace, do good and live the righteous life the Lord has called you to live.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 28 – 1 Peter 3-10-12 – Seek Peace And Pursue It – 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

What Good Is It?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 179 - James 2:14-17 - What Good Is It? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 179 – James 2:14-17 – What Good Is It? – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV)

Real Faith

What do you suppose real faith looks like? Real faith is living and active. Real faith will cause me to follow you to wherever you lead me. Real faith will enable me to do whatever you ask of me. Real faith will not allow me to sit around and do nothing. If I have real faith, I will be living in an intimate relationship with you. I will hear your voice. I will follow your guidance. I will receive your instructions. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. Will faith will cause me to spring into action. That will be very good.

I have some more ideas about real faith. I have more to say about real faith. I’m listening. I have already said that real faith involves living in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, you did say that. If I have real faith, I will not run ahead of you. If I have real faith, I will not lag behind you. Real faith will keep me right beside you. I will not wander away from you to do my own thing. I will not rely on my own strength to try to accomplish your will. Real faith will prevent me from being self-reliant and self-sufficient. I will place all my faith in you. I will rely on all your help. Living my life with and for you will be the goal of my real faith in you. That will be a very good goal.

I have even more ideas about real faith. I would like to hear all your ideas about real faith. Real faith will cause me to live a life of prayer. Real faith will cause me to live a life of worship. As I live a life of real faith, I will continue to give you praise and thanksgiving as I walk through life with you. These things will all be true because you will be with me to help me. You will be near to me. I will be near to you. I will be living in an intimate, moment by moment life of real faith in you. Yes, you will. Then real life will also fill my life with peace and hope and joy as I love, follow and serve you. This is what real faith will look like. Yes, it does. Yes, it will. All my faith is you. Yes, it is. That is very good. 

Lord, you have changed the course of my life. You have given me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. It is my pleasure and joy to follow and serve you. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Bear fruit through my life. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord directed you to meet the needs of someone in distress?

Living It Out…  With a heart filled with faith, go and do what the Lord asks you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will have you go and help others who are in distress.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group what the lord has given you to go and do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your faith be accompanied by action.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 179 – James 2-14-17 – What Good Is It? – 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

Gives Me Strength

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 92 - Philippians 4:13 - Gives Me Strength - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 92 – Philippians 4:13 – Gives Me Strength – Growing As Disciples

I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

Assignments

There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt about what? There is no doubt in my mind that you will ask me to go and do things that are beyond my ability. Is this a rare occurrence? Is this something quite unusual? I wouldn’t say so. What would you say? I would say that at a minimum you frequently ask me to do what is way outside my comfort zone. It isn’t even rare for you to ask me to do something that is far beyond my ability. I can never say to myself, “This couldn’t be the Lord speaking to me; He would never ask me to do something so difficult and far beyond my ability” In fact, just the opposite is true. How so? When a difficult task is before me, I tend to believe that you are asking me to come to rely on you. In difficult moments of decision, when I am deciding to take on or reject an assignment, I often suspect that you are asking me to move forward with you. You are once again asking me if I will place all my faith and trust in you. In all of these moments of decision, when you are asking me to do something for you, I pray that I will have all the strength I will need to say, “yes” to you. That is very good.

What would your life be like if I never asked you to do something that was difficult and challenging? What would be the condition of your faith if you never needed to come to rely on me? How much fruit for my kingdom and glory would you bring to my name if you sat back and rested on easy street the rest of your life? You do make my life exciting. I know that I will never be bored as I follow and serve you. You want me to come to rely on you every day. You want me to place all my faith and trust in you with every step on my journey through life with you. Often, I have asked you to allow me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. Frequently, I have said that I want to shine brightly in the world for you, so I could bring glory to your name. I know that all that you want to do in and through me will require full engagement and significant effort on my part. Make no mistake about it, I welcome you to do in and through me whatever is in your plans. I will welcome your difficult and challenging assignments. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will rely on you to make me able to do all that you ask of me. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know what you are up to. You have often asked me to go and do what was far beyond my ability. You have often caused me to cry out to ask you for help. You have made me reliant on you. Thank you for hearing my prayer and deepening my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… How has your faith grown as you have relied on the Lord to help you to do an impossible task?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to go and do what is far beyond your ability.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to go and do all that He asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to do what was far beyond your ability.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to give you the strength you will need to do what He asks of you.

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

Day 92 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 4-13 – Gives Me Strength – 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

Cast All Your Anxiety On Him

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 54 - 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Cast All Your Anxiety On Him- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 54 – 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him- Growing As Disciples

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 5:6-7 (NIV)  

Help Me

That is exactly what I believe that you will do. What will I do? You will help me. Why will I help you? You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. You care for me. What do you mean by that? You love me. You went to great lengths to make it possible for me to live in an intimate relationship with you. How so? You broke down the barrier that separated us from each other. You sent your one and only Son into the world to die for my sins. You made it possible for my unrighteousness to be cleansed. You made it so I could be righteous in your eyes. You made it so I could live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I did all these things for you. Yes, I do love and care for you. Yes, I made it possible so that you can live in an intimate relationship with me. Yes, you have been forgiven of your sins and cleansed of your unrighteousness. My Son has made you pure and holy in my sight. For all of these things I am thankful beyond what my words could convey. That is very good. 

So, you know that I love and care for you. You believe that I can and will help you? Yes, I do. What are you going to do with that information? I’m not sure what you mean by that question. I will clarify what I mean by asking you a couple more questions. Have you asked for my help? Have you cast all your anxieties on to me? Not exactly, not really. What have you done? I have held on to my anxieties. I have carried the weight of my worries. Why have you done that? I’m not positive. Take a guess. I would say that my pride has told me that I don’t need to ask for help. My pride has convinced me that I should be able to fend for myself by holding on to anxieties and carrying my worries as I solve my problems by myself. How has that worked out for you? Not well, at all. How so? My life is filled with anxiety and unsolved problems. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

What will you need to do if you want my help? I will need to do two things. I will need to set aside my pride and I will need to ask you for your help. So, not only do you need to believe that I will help you; you will need to ask me to help you, is that correct? You are asking me if something is correct? Yes, I am. Yes, that is certainly correct. I do believe that you will help me. I will ask you to help me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I have proudly held on to my anxieties. I have foolishly carried the weight of my anxieties. Carrying my anxieties has worn me out. Now, I see the error of my ways. I will turn my anxieties over to you. You will help me because you care for me. Amen

Key Question…  How has your Heavenly Father brought peace into your life when you have cast all your anxieties on Him?

Living It Out…   Humbly turn every one of your anxieties over to your Heavenly Father so He can fill you with His peace.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you can turn over every one of your anxieties to your Heavenly Father.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are turning all your anxieties over to your Heavenly Father.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 54 – 1 Peter 5-6-7 – Cast All Your Anxiety On Him – 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

We Are More Than Conquerors

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 364 - Romans 8:35-39 - We Are More Than Conquerors - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 364 – Romans 8:35-39 – We Are More Than Conquerors – Growing As Disciples

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)  

Your Love

Your love surrounds me. Your love comforts and encourages and strengthens me. Your love guards and guides me. Your love protects me from trouble and hardship, persecution or famine or nakedness danger or sword. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. Will I go through dark and difficult days? Will the forces of evil come against me? Will I face trials and tribulations in life? Yes, without a doubt. You did, why wouldn’t I? Why would I be exempt from the pain and suffering that is in this sin broken world? Might I have to endure something quite difficult. Might some say, “I’m done for now.” It is certainly possible. But they would not know the whole truth. They would not see the entire picture. They would not know that you have always been with me. You have never abandoned me. I am yours. You are my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. I am your child. Yes, I am your Savior and Lord. Yes, I am your God and Father. Yes, you are my child. You are holding on to me and I am holding on to you. Yes, I am holding on to you. Your grip on me is unbreakable. You will never let me go. Yes, I will never let you go. What else do you know? You have a glorious eternal future that is stored up and being kept and guarded in heaven for me. Can there be any greater hope? Can there be any greater victory? Could I have any more joy? Could I want or ask for anything more? What do you think? I think, I am and will be more than a conqueror because of all that you have done for me. That’s right. That’s true. That’s certain.

So, what kind of thoughts will you think? What kind of life will you live? Will you be timid and weak? Will you be fearful and afraid? No, certainly not. I will not be fearful or afraid. My life is in your hands and you will never let me go. You will be with me to help me. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. So, my heart and mind and life will be focused entirely on you. I will boldly and joyfully live the life you are calling me to live. That will be very good.

Lord, I know nothing will ever be able to separate me from your love. You have been with me to help me through dark and difficult days in life. You have comforted, strengthened and sustained me. You have made me more than a conqueror through your love. Amen

Key Question… Why will nothing be able to ever separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to supply all that you need through all the trials and tribulations in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has made you to be more than a conqueror through His love for you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been with you to help you throughout all of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live as more than a conqueror through the love of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 364 – Romans 8-35-39 – We Are More Than Conquerors – 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

Keep A Grip On Hope

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 362 - Lamentations 3:19-26 - Keep A Grip On Hope - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 362 – Lamentations 3:19-26 – Keep A Grip On Hope – Growing As Disciples

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.  I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom.  But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:  GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.  They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.  GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.  It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from GOD. Lamentations 3:19-26 (MSG)

Remember

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. When will you remember my love and compassion? How will you remember my love and compassion? Is remembering my love and compassion something that may be easier said than done? I’d like to tackle that last question first. Go right ahead, tackle that last question. Remembering your love and compassion is easier said than done. This world and this life is filled with adversity and hardship. This world and life and all its adversity and hardship could easily divert my focus and take my eyes off of you. I could be tempted to focus my heart and mind and life on all that is swirling and raging around me in this world. And at this time, in this current situation, there is plenty to make me fearful and afraid and forgetful of your love and compassion. That would be a big mistake. Why is that? You want me to know your love and compassion. You want me to live in your love and compassion. You want your love and compassion to give me a firm grip on the hope I have in you, right now, and in my eternal future in heaven with you. Yes, I do want you to have a firm grip on all the hope you have in me. It is my love and compassion that will give you hope to carry you through all the adversity and hardship you will face in this life. I get that. I understand. That’s good.

Now, I will tackle your other questions. I’m listening. To remember your love and compassion, I will meet with you in the morning. I will not let a day start without meeting with you. As I am in your presence, I will once again be reminded of your love and compassion for me. Why is that? Each morning as we meet together you will once again, as always and forever, show your love and compassion to me. Yes, I will continually show you my love and compassion as we meet together. As we meet together my heart and mind and life will be focused on you, rather than on all that swirls around me in the world. That’s good. I will be comforted and encouraged and strengthened and given an abundance of hope. Why is that? Because, I know that you have a firm grip on me, and I have a firm grip on you. Nothing could be better than or stronger than that. Yes, we both have a firm grip on each other and that is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. They are new every morning. Your love and compassion is what continues to give me a firm grip on hope. Thank you that your love and compassion has sustained my life. Amen

Key Question… How is recalling God’s unlimited love and never-ending compassion helping you to keep a grip on hope?

Living It Out… Continue to remember how God’s love and compassion has brought you through adversity and hardship in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the love and compassion of God will bring you through any adversity and hardship you face in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the love and compassion of God has given you a grip on hope.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you remember your hope in God whose love never ends and His compassion never runs out.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 362 – Lamentations 3-19-26 – Keep A Grip On Hope – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide.pdf

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 Hope Of All The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 361 - Matthew 12:18-21 - The Hope Of The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 361 – Matthew 12:18-21 – The Hope Of The World – Growing As Disciples

Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.  He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.  And his name will be the hope of all the world.” Matthew 12:18-21 (NLT)

Look

“Look,” that sounds like such a casual word. It sounds not too dissimilar from a glance. I know without a doubt that this is not the intent or meaning of this word in this context. What do you think it means? I think it means to look intently. I think it means to look with intensity. I think it means to look with all that is within me. I think it means to look in such a way that my heart and mind and life will be transformed. Looking at you, cannot leave me unchanged. You couldn’t be more correct.

How has looking intently at me changed you? How have you been transformed by looking at me with all that is within you? I have come to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It has become my passionate desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. It is my joy to follow and serve you. Say more. Looking intently at you has filled my life with hope and peace and joy. I have been able to place my full and complete trust in you as I have remained in your presence, keeping my focus on you. That is very good.

Say more. Even in the midst of a significant crisis, which we are all now in, I have been able to live in the fullness of hope that you have given to me. Is this a hope that you wish to hold on to and keep to yourself? No, not at all. Now, more than ever it is my desire and plan to proclaim to all, the hope that is available in you. You are not only my hope. You are the hope of all the world. So, it is my prayer that you will powerfully use me and all your followers to boldly proclaim you to the world. There is hope in no one or nothing else. Your kindness and mercy and love is available to all. All who hear your call have an open invitation to come to you. So, powerfully use me to proclaim the hope and salvation available to all through you. That is a prayer that I will certainly hear and answer. Proclaim me to the world. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, thank for being my hope. I will place all my faith, hope and trust in you. Thank you for also being the hope of the whole world. Help me to be a bold witness for you in the world. Guide my prayers today, as I pray through these times of significant crisis. Amen

Key Question… When have times of crisis caused you to even more consciously place all your hope in Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to boldly use you as His witness in the face of significant crisis.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ is not only your hope but also the hope of all the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are placing all your hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be a bold witness for Christ because He is the hope of the whole world.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 361 – Matthew 12-18-21 – The Hope Of All The World – 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