Tag Archives: discipleship devotional

If We Walk In The Light

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 161 - 1 John 5-7 - If We Walk In The Light- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 161 – 1 John 5-7 – If We Walk In The Light- Growing As Disciples

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)

A Choice

I know that I have made a choice. I know that I will need to keep on reaffirming my choice every day as I continue to follow you. What choice did you make? What choice will you need to keep on making as you follow me? I made a choice to leave the darkness of this world. I made a choice to separate myself from evil. I made a commitment to not sit or stand or walk around with the evil darkness of this world. I left behind my old life in the world, as if it were a pile of old, dirty and stinky clothes. I determined that I would never allow myself to be clothed in the evil darkness of the world ever again. I took, have taken and will continue to take an inventory of my life. I will ask myself and I will ask you, “Is there anything that must be removed from my life, if I want to continue to walk in the light with you?” That question will never be unimportant. That question will never be irrelevant. That question will never be out of fashion. I will keep on asking you and myself that question. Why is that? The world and all that is in it is a tempting place. My life is constantly being bombarded by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. I will need to be on guard. I will need to stand firm. I will need to submit my heart and mind and life to you as I continue to resist and reject evil in all its varied forms. Yes, you will.

Making a choice to reject evil will never be enough. Why is that? As I reject evil it must be replaced with something else. As I reject evil, I will accept you. As I reject evil, I will fully embrace and accept the new life you have and will continue to give me. You will lead me. You will guide me. You will guard and protect me. You will strengthen me and make me able to continue to walk away from darkness into the light with you. The darkness of this world will have no power over me as I continue to live and walk in the light with you. You will help me to hunger for you. You will satisfy my life with your goodness as I live my life with and for you. I have decided. I have fully rejected evil. I have fully accepted you into my heart and mind and life. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. I will follow you all the days of my life. That is very good. Yes, it is. 

Lord, I know that this is a dark and sinful world. I will face decisions in which I must continue to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with you. I know I am not alone. You are with me to help me. You will help me to keep on walking in the light with you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord helped you to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with Him?

Living It Out… Reject darkness in all its forms so that you will be able to keep on walking in the light with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to continue to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have rejected darkness to walk in the light with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you reject darkness so you can walk in the light with the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 161 – 1 John 1-5-7 – If We Walk In The Light – 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

Go And Do Likewise

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 162 - Luke 10:30-37 - Go And Do Likewise- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 162 – Luke 10:30-37 – Go And Do Likewise- Growing As Disciples

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”   Luke 10:30-37 (NIV)

Go And Do

I will go and do what you ask of me. What am I likely to ask you to go and do? You are likely to ask me to go and help people in need. How do you know that I will ask you to go and help people in need? You want me to become like you. You want me to go and do what you did. You loved God. You loved others. God sent you on a mission to demonstrate His love to others. You will send me on a mission to demonstrate your love to others. I have no doubt about that, not one bit. That’s good. Will you have to travel a great distance to go and help people in need? Will it take the best of detective skills to discover someone in need? No, there are people in need all around me. I will just need to open my eyes to see those who are in need. I will just need to open my ears to you to hear you guiding me to help someone in need. Has this been a problem for you in the past? Yes, I have had a problem of both noticing and then going to help someone in need. Why is that? I have been preoccupied. I have been distracted. I have been too busy. I have not wanted to be interrupted. I have not wanted to be inconvenienced. How does all this sound to you? It sounds pathetic. It sounds embarrassing. It sounds self-centered. I don’t like what I am hearing from myself. I can imagine you don’t like the sound of what I’m saying either. That was then. What about now? Now, I want to help others in need. Now, I will go and help those who are in need all around me. Now, I want to be used by you. Now, I will go where you guide me. Now, I will do what you ask of me. I will love others just like you have loved me. I will allow you to use me to demonstrate your love in the world. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know I have walked right on by people in need. I either didn’t see their need or I didn’t want to see their need. Open my eyes to see those who need my help. Give me a heart of compassion to go and help those who are in need. Use me in your service. Amen

Key Question… What joy have you found in being used by the Lord to go and help others in need?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to go and help those who are in need.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to go and help those who are in need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are go and helping those who are in need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to use you to go and help those who are in need.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 162 – Luke 10-30-37 – Go And Do Likewise – 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

Heard My Voice In Prayer

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 163 - Psalm 66:16-20 - Heard My Voice In Prayer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 163 – Psalm 66:16-20 – Heard My Voice In Prayer – Growing As Disciples

Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:16-20 (NIV)  

A Pure Heart

I want to be able to pray prayers that you will hear and answer. That is a very good desire that you have in your heart. What do you think I want? I think we both want the same thing. You want me to pray prayers that you can hear and answer. Yes, I do. Have no doubt about that. What might hinder your prayers from being heard and answered? If I were to have an ungrateful and unthankful heart, I doubt that my prayers would be heard and answered. How will you make sure that you don’t have an ungrateful and unthankful heart? I will live a life of offering praise and thanks to you. I will remind myself of your goodness. I will make known your goodness to others. I will offer my testimony of your loving kindness to others. That will be very good.

What might also hinder your prayers from being heard and answered? If I lived a life of prayerlessness, I would not have prayers that are heard and answered. You won’t answer a prayer that is never prayed. So, I will pour out my heart to you. I will make my needs and the needs of others known to you, every day as I come to meet with you in prayer. That will be very good. 

Is there anything else that might hinder your prayers from being heard and answered? If I cherished sin in my heart, I am sure that my prayers would go unheard and unanswered. What will you do about that? How can you possibly have a heart that is pure before me? That is a good question. Do you have an answer? Yes, I do. I must leave my old life of sin. I must confess my sins to you. I must turn my life over to you. You will give me a new life to live. You will cleanse me. You will purify me. Only you can make me pure and righteous in your sight. That’s true. Do you have any doubts about my ability to make you pure and righteous in my sight? No, I do not. Why is that? The blood of your Son has paid for my sin and cleansed my unrighteousness. He has made me able to enter your presence. His righteousness is now my righteousness. Now, I can give praise and pray prayers that you will hear and answer. Yes, you can. Will you? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, forgive my sins and cleanse my unrighteousness. Only you can make my heart pure. Help me to not cherish sin in my heart. Help me to pray prayers you can hear and answer. I will continue to offer prayers and praises to you for your goodness to me. Amen

Key Question… Why will cherishing sin in your heart hinder your prayer being heard and answered?

Living It Out… Meet in prayer with the Lord so you can make your prayers and praises know to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what prayers you are praying to the Lord right now.

Prayer To Bless Others… With a pure heart make your prayers and praises know to God.

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

Day 163 – Becoming Like Christ – Psalm 66-16-20 – Heard My Voice 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

So Then Faith Comes By Hearing

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 164 - Romans 10:17 - So Then Faith Comes By Hearing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 164 – Romans 10:17 – So Then Faith Comes By Hearing – Growing As Disciples

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Growing Faith

I want my faith in you to grow. I want to be able to move forward with you. I have no desire to remain as I am. Is there any chance I will allow you to stay as you are? I doubt it. Do you believe that I also want you to be able to move forward with me? Yes, I believe that you want me to move forward with you. You have a very strong desire to be fully devoted to me. Yes, I do. Where did that desire come from? I have no doubt about that. You placed in me a burning desire to know and love and follow and serve you. Will my desire for you be accomplished? I hope and pray and believe you will accomplish all your desires for me. That is very good.

Let’s zero in on your faith. I’m listening. You have my full attention. How do you think I will grow your faith? You will use all the circumstances of life to grow my faith. You will grow may faith as I go through the trials and tribulations of life. You will use the assignments you give me to grow my faith. You will grow my faith as you work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. You will place people in my life who will spur me on in my faith. Yes, all of these are true. But can you think of an even more significant or fundamental way that I will grow your faith? Yes, I can. Let me hear your thoughts out loud. You will grow my faith as I live in an intimate relationship with you. You will grow my faith as I live in a dialogue of prayer with you through all the moments of life. You will grow my faith as I meet with you in my word. You will grow my faith as I allow your word to sink deeply into my heart and mind and life. You will use your word to help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your action. Hearing your word speaking to me will definitely grow and strengthen my faith in you. Yes, it will.

So, you have a role and responsibility in the growth of your faith. Yes, I do. What is your role in the growing of your faith? I must come to live in an intimate relationship with you. I must meet with you in your word. I must allow you to use your word to speak into my life. Will you meet with me in my word? Will you hear everything I want to say to you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, it is my prayer that you will grow and strengthen my faith. I want you to do things in and through me that I could never do by myself. Give me faith to go and do whatever you ask of me. As I meet with you in your word, use it to increase my faith in you. Amen

Key Question… Why will it never be a waste of your time to meet with God in His word on a daily basis?

Living It Out… Make it your highest priority to meet daily with God in His word so He can grow and strengthen your faith in Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to grow and strengthen your faith in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to grow and strengthen your faith in Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with God in His word so He can grow and strengthen your faith in Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 164 – Romans 10-17 – So Then Faith Comes By Hearing – 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

Those Who Earnestly Seek Him

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 165 - Hebrews 11:6 - Those Who Earnestly Seek Him - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 165 – Hebrews 11:6 – Those Who Earnestly Seek Him – Growing As Disciples

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Seek You

There is something that I know about you. What’s that? You put this passionate desire within me to seek you with all my heart. What makes you think so? This desire certainly did not originate with me. I would have never been able to predict that one day I would have this desire in me. I can take no credit for this desire being in me. What can you do? I can give you all my thanks and praise to you for putting this desire in me. Why is that? You could have given me no greater gift than the desire to seek you with all my heart. Really? Yes, really. What makes you say that? You are helping me to come to know and love and follow and serve you as I earnestly seek you with all my heart. You are transforming the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and the actions of my life as I earnestly seek you with all my heart. You are guarding and guiding the entire course of my life as I earnestly seek you with all my heart. You are helping me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you as I seek you with all my heart. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name as I earnestly seek you with all my heart. Could there be any greater gift than to be made able to live the life you have called me to live? Are you asking me that question? I’m not sure. But I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I can think of no better gift or greater reward of seeking you than to be made able to know and love and follow and serve you. I certainly don’t desire anything more. I certainly don’t want anything less. Although I do have a request to make. What’s that? Keep on fanning the flame of my desire for you. Keep on making me passionate in my desire to live my life with and for you. Keep your hand on me.  Keep on stirring me up for you. Keep me burning white hot for you. Help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use me according to your purposes and plans. I am at your service. I will hear and answer these prayers and this desire of yours. I will help you to be white hot for me. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, you have put a passionate desire in my heart to seek you. Fan the flame of my desire. Help me to seek you at all times. Help me to live a life that is fully devoted to you. Reward my efforts by helping me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How are you earnestly seeking the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to bless your life as you earnestly Him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will reward you for earnestly seeking Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are earnestly seeking the Lord with all your heart?

Prayer To Bless Others… May you earnestly seek the Lord with all your heart.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 165 – Hebrews 11-6 – Those Who Earnestly Seek 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

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 166 - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 166 – 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain – Growing As Disciples

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

Great Gain 

I have had the wrong idea of what constitutes great gain. How so? For much of my life I have pursued material possessions and worldly wealth. I have wanted all the comforts and pleasures that the world had to offer. I have been discontented. I have had an almost continual never-ending desire for more. I have wanted the next latest and greatest new thing. This desire and pursuit is like a never-ending treadmill. I want off. That’s good.

What do you want? I will tell you want I don’t want. What don’t you want? I don’t want to misspend my life. I don’t want to chase after what will never satisfy. I don’t want to pursue what will amount to nothing. What will amount to nothing? All the worldly riches and material possessions of this life will amount to nothing. I brought nothing into this world. I will take nothing out of this world. That’s true. It makes no sense to spend my life on what will amount to nothing. No, it doesn’t. 

Let’s go back to my question. What do you want? Rather than trying to acquire worldly wealth and material possessions, I want to store up treasure in heaven with you. What do you mean by that? I want to bear abundant, eternal and lasting fruit for your kingdom. The fruit I bear for you is like treasure in heaven. How so? Let’s say, you ask me to reach out to someone to tell them about the new life that they can have in you. Let’s say, that person gives their life to you and begins to follow you as their Savior and Lord. One day that person will be in heaven. Yes, they will. I will have had a role in them coming to know you. You will have used me to accomplish your purposes. You will have worked in and through me. That is how I want to spend my life. I want to be used by you. As I allow you to use me, I will be storing up treasure in heaven. Yes, you will. So, instead of trying to store up worldly wealth and material possessions I will store up treasure in heaven with you. That will be very good. Help me to do that. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, for much of my life I have been trying to acquire worldly wealth and material possessions. No more of that. It is the desire of my heart to store up treasure in heaven with you. Help me to bear abundant, eternal and lasting, fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question… How have you been learning to be content with what the Lord has given to you?

Living It Out… Spend your life storing up treasures in heaven rather than acquiring worldly wealth and possessions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be content with what He has given to you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has made you able to store up treasure in heaven.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be content with what God has given to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 166 – 1 Timothy 6-6-10 – Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain – 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

My Soul Thirsts For God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 167 - Psalm 42:1-2 - My Soul Thirsts For God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 167 – Psalm 42:1-2 – My Soul Thirsts For God – Growing As Disciples

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)  

Meet With You

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will come to meet with you. Why will you come to meet with me? That seems like an odd question for you to ask me. Why is that? You do want me to come to meet with you? Yes of course, I want you to come to meet with me. I want to hear why you want to come to meet with me. Well, first of all I thirst for you. What does that mean? I long to be in your presence. I want to come to rest before you. Is there something you need from me? Without a doubt, I need to be revived and refreshed and renewed and restored by you. I am weary. I am worn out. My life feels like a dry and dusty desert where there is no water. My heart and my mind and my life ache for you. I have an emptiness inside me that only you can fill. I can see that in you.

You have come to the right place. You have a good desire in you. What will you do when you come to meet with me? I will pour out my soul to you. I will talk with you about my life. I will remember all the good things that you have done for me. I will recall how you have been with me to help me. I will praise you for your goodness and kindness and mercy and love for me. What will happen to you as you remember what I have done for you? What will happen to you as you praise me with all your heart? What will happen to you as you pour out your heart to me? You will lift me up. You will take away the weight of discouragement that I feel in my soul. You will encourage me. You will give me hope and a future. You will restore to me the joy that I have in your salvation. You will give me new energy and enthusiasm to keep on following and serving you. You will fill my life with passion and purpose. You will be my rock. You will be my strength. You will be my deliverer. Yes, I will do all these things for you. Yes, I am all these things to you. I will place all my hope in you. That will be very good. 

Lord, I have been discouraged. I have been downcast. I have been defeated. I will place all my hope in you. I will thirst for you. I will allow you to revive, refresh, renew and restore my life. You are my rock. I will praise and thank you for all your goodness to me. Amen

Key Question… How has God revived and refreshed and renewed and restored your soul as you thirsted for Him?

Living It Out… Thirst for God so your soul can be satisfied by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will satisfy your soul as you continue to thirst for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has satisfied your soul when you have thirsted for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your soul thirst for God so you can be refreshed, revived, restored and renewed by Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 167 – Psalm 42-1-2 – My Soul Thirsts For 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

Accepts As Pure And Faultless

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 168 - James 1:26-27 - Accepts As Pure And Faultless - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 168 – James 1:26-27 – Accepts As Pure And Faultless – Growing As Disciples

f anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26-27 (NIV)

Pollution

There is a lot of pollution in the world. What does that mean? I think you know. You tell me about pollution that is in the world. Are we talking about things in the world that might pollute my heart and mind and life? Are we talking about things in the world that might ruin my faith? Yes, that is what we are talking about. Then, I can comment on that. I have some thoughts about that. Let me hear your thoughts. My life is under bombardment from the world. My heart and mind and life are under constant attack whether I realize it or not. How are you under bombardment and under attack? The world would like me to adopt all its thoughts and opinions and values. The world would like me to live according to its principles and practices. The world would like to mold me into its likeness. These are the constant and unrelenting messages that I am receiving from everything that is in the world around me. What would your life look like if you allowed it to conform to the pattern of this world? My life would be self-centered and self-serving. My life would be self-reliant and self-indulgent. I would have no need of you. My own thoughts, opinions and values would take the place of needing to hear from you. I would follow my own counsel. I would chart my own course. I would plot my own destiny. I would do my own thing. In a sense, I would be like my own god. I would do what I wanted, when I wanted, when I pleased. I would walk on a path that led away from you. I certainly would not live a life that would be pleasing to you. That thought would be the farthest thing from my mind. I have no desire to live this kind of life. That’s good.

What kind of life do you want to live? I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to live a life that shines like a light in this dark world. How will you do that? I will rely on you. You will help me to keep my life from being polluted by the world. How so? You will help me to remove anything from my life that is not pleasing to you. You will help me to keep a tight rein on my tongue. You will help me to think and speak in ways that are pleasing to you. Yes, I will. What else will I do for you. You will give me things to go and do for you. You will give me ways to serve you by serving others. You will make it  not only my thoughts and words but also my actions demonstrate the reality and vibrance of my faith in you. Yes, I will. That will be very good. Yes, it will.

Lord, I want to live a vibrant life of faith with you. With that in mind, I will keep a tight rein on my tongue. With your help, I will keep from life from being polluted by the world. Then, I will also go and do what you ask of me. I will fulfill the ministry you give me. Amen

Key Question… What have you had to remove from your life so that your life would not be polluted by the world?

Living It Out… Keep your life from being polluted by the world so you can live a vibrant life of faith with and for the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to keep your life from being polluted by the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has kept your life from being polluted by the world.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 168 – James 1-26-27 – Accepts As Pure And Faultless – 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 Give The Devil A Foothold

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 169 - Ephesians 4:25-28 - Do Not Give The Devil A Foothold - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 169 – Ephesians 4:25-28 – Do Not Give The Devil A Foothold – Growing As Disciples

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:25-28 (NIV)

Anger

Well, without a doubt, I have done that. You have done what? I have held on to anger. I have carried anger from one day into another. Not only have I given the devil a foothold, I have given him a handhold as well. That’s not good. But you have learned your lesson. You have seen the damage the devil can do with unreconciled anger. Yes, I certainly have seen plenty of that. What is your attitude toward anger right now? I have hidden your word in my heart in regard to anger. How so? I have taken your word, that says I should be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” deep into my heart and mind. I have meditated on those words. I have memorized those words. I have prayed those words. I have grabbed ahold of those words and put them into practice. But that is not all. What else? Your Holy Spirit has used those words to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. At just the right time, in a potential angry moment, the Holy Spirit has brought those words into my heart and mind. Those words have helped me to resist temptation and stand against evil. Why are you so concerned about how you might express anger? It has been a troublesome issue in my life. I know that expressing my anger will not bring about the righteous life you have called me to live. No, it will not. It pleases me that you have taken my word so deeply into your heart and mind and life. You have truly allowed my word to dwell in you richly. I am so thankful that your word has strengthened me to stand against anger. That is very good.

There is another form of anger that is not evil. There is another form of anger that is good. Do you know what kind of anger is good? Yes, I think that I do. Tell me what you think. At times you have allowed me to clearly see injustice in society. Seeing injustice in society has caused a form of anger to stir up in me that has positively motivated me to take action to right a wrong in society. Others have probably seen this action more as an expression of love rather than an angry response to injustice. This then, is a good from of anger. This type of anger has caused me to love others more deeply. This type of anger has made me more passionately available for your use. This type of anger has allowed you to work in and through me so I can be a light for you in the world. This is the only type of anger that I want to see in me. You have learned some very valuable lessons about anger. For that, I am very thankful. That is very good.

Lord, I will not let the sun go down on my anger. I will not carry anger from one day into the next. I will not give a foothold to the devil. Rather, I will confess and apologize for my anger so I can be reconciled and live in peaceful, loving harmony with others. Amen

Key Question… When have you seen anger give the devil a foothold with which he could do tremendous damage?

Living It Out… Don’t let the sun go down on your anger so that you will not give a foothold to the devil.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to confess and apologize for your anger so you can be reconciled with others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when you have willingly confessed and apologized for your anger.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you never give the devil a foothold by letting your anger continue from one day into the next.

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

Day 169 – Becoming Like Christ – Ephesians 4-25-28 – A Foothold – 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

Has Been Born Of God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 170 - 1 John 5:1-5- Has Been Born Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 170 – 1 John 5:1-5- Has Been Born Of God – Growing As Disciples

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5 (ESV)

I Love You

I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. How did this come to be true? When did I start loving you? How has my love for you been growing? How has loving you changed the entire course of my life? How are all my thoughts and words and actions being motivated by my love for you? How has loving you made it not burdensome for me to want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you? Why am I no longer so strongly pulled to think and speak act in ways that are not pleasing to you? I think about these questions. Do I deserve any credit for loving you? That seems like a silly question. Do I perfectly follow and obey you? That seems like an even dumber question. You have however, asked some very good questions. I would like to hear some of your answers. Maybe, I will start with my silly and dumb questions. They are not as silly and dumb as you think. I get that. Here goes. I’m listening. I don’t deserve any credit for loving you. You have made it possible for me to love you. I only love you because you first love me. You drew me to yourself. You showed me your love. Your love has surrounded me. Your love has captured my heart and mind and life. I want to live in your love. You made it the desire of my heart to want to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. It is my joy to live my live with and for you. Even now, I do not perfectly follow and obey you. You will never catch me saying that I am not sinner. I still need your forgiveness and cleansing of all my unrighteousness. Yet, you keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I do. Every day you are molding and shaping my life. Moment by moment, you are changing me into the person you want me to become. Yes, I am. You never give up on me. No, I do not. No, I will not. I am the work of your hands. Yes, you are. This is an exciting journey. Yes, it is. It is my joy to walk with you through life. I have no idea exactly what you will do through my life. I do have an idea what you will do in my life? What’s that? You will help me to live in your love. You will help me to love you. You will help me to love others. You will help me to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Yes, I will. I am so thankful that you are working in and through me. It is my joy to love and follow and obey you. That is very good.

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my passionate desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. Help me to live in your love. Help me to joyously follow and obey you. Help me to completely love others with your love. Amen

Key Question… How has believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord changed the entire course of your life?

Living It Out… Allow your love for God to motivate your passionate desire to obey His commandments.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you able to obey His commandments as you continue to love Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group why it is not burdensome for you to obey God’s commands.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you passionately love God and obey His commands.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 170 – 1 John 5-1-5 – Has Been Born 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