Tag Archives: Discipleship

A Crown That Will Last Forever

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 324 - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - A Crown That Will Last Forever- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 324 – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – A Crown That Will Last Forever- Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Run

Run in such a way that you will get the prize. What does that mean to you? A great runner trains with great discipline. Their entire life is focused on their training. A great runner continually pushes themself to their limit in each workout. After their workout they make sure that they eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest so that their body can recover and be ready for their next workout. This process repeats itself daily throughout their running career. It’s a never-ending cycle of workout, rest and recover. Day by day the great runner improves little by little until they are ready to run their race to win. They have a confidence about their ability to run well because they have paid the price by training hard. That’s right.

Are you in training? Yes, I am. You’re not training to run are you? No, I am not, at least not like a runner in a race. I do want to run well. But my race is not the physical race of running. I am not running to win a temporary prize like a trophy or an Olympic gold medal. My race is to run well for you. I am training to be all that you want me to be. I’m not primarily training my body, although my body is not exempt from training. I am primarily training my heart and mind and soul to be obedient to you. My body is a secondary part of my training so that it does not hinder my running well for you. My body must obey my heart and mind and soul. That’s right.

Are you all alone in your training? Do you have a coach to help you with your training? I am not all alone in my training. I do have a coach to help train me. I would never be able to train myself. I would be completely without hope if my training depended on myself. You are my coach. You are my trainer. Yes, I am. My main job is to submit myself to your training. How do you do that? I submit myself to your training as I meet with you every day in your word. Your word is my training manual. You guide my training by your word. You train me as you apply your word to my life. Yes, I do. I use my word to mold and shape you into the person I want you to be.

How will you know if you are running well?  There is only one way that I can run well. There is only one way to gauge if I am running well. How is that? To run well I must keep my eyes on you. I must follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I will know if I am running well if I keep my eyes on you and do what you ask of me. If I were to take my eyes off you I would certainly run off course and have no idea where you wanted to lead me or what you wanted to do through me. So, you will keep your eyes on me? Yes, I will. You will keep meeting with me day by day so that I can train you? Yes, I will. Then you will be training hard, running well, and finishing strong. That is exactly what I will do. That will be very good.

Lord, help to train hard like a great athlete. Help me to run well and in such a way as to get the prize. Help me to keep my eyes on you so I do not run aimlessly without direction. Help me to finish strong and not be disqualified for the prize. Amen

Key Question…  How are you training hard, like a great athlete, as you follow Jesus Christ?

Living It Out…  Train hard, run well, and finish strong as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that Jesus Christ will help you to train hard, run well, and finish strong as His follower.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are training hard and running well as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you train hard, run well, and finish strong as a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

Promises – Day 324 – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – A Crown That Will Last Forever – 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

Lives Forever

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 323 - 1 John 2:15-17 - Lives Forever - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 323 – 1 John 2:15-17 – Lives Forever – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Love For You

I do not love the world. I do not love the things of this world. I no longer have sinful cravings that come from this life. My eyes are not filled with lust. My heart is not full of boasting. Nothing from this world is motivating my life or filling my desire. What is your desire? What is motivating your life? What has turned you away from pursuing all that this life would offer you? What has given you a new and higher and better perspective? Why is your life on a different course? My love for you has filled me with desire. I want to know you. I want to love you. I want to live my life with and for you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to attentively listen to you. I want to follow your guidance. I want to receive your instruction. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to follow you to where you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. Your love for me and my love for you has turned me away from what is alluring in this life. I will no longer pursue what has no lasting value. I will pursue you and the life you are calling me to live. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I am living from a heavenly perspective. I want to store up treasure in heaven with you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have very good desires in you. That is because they have come from you. That is true.

Do you know what has happened to you? Do you know where you are on your journey? I am not sure what you mean. Your life of salvation has already begun. My Holy Spirit is in you. You are walking through life with me. Even though life in your current body will end; you will one day come to live forever in heaven with me. My Holy Spirit in you is guiding and guarding you and giving you good work to do, that will last for all eternity. This is the life of salvation I have given you to live now and forever. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, things of this world mean nothing to me. I will not live for the cravings of sin. Instead, my love for you has given me the desire to know and do your will. I will want to please you; in all I do. Thank you that my life of salvation with you has already begun. Amen

Key Question…  Why is doing the will God far more important than anything else you could do with your life?

Living It Out…  Let your love for God give you the desire and ability to know and do His will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will live in heaven with God for all of eternity.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your love for God is giving you the desire to know and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May your love for God give you the desire and ability to know and do His will.

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

Promises – Day 323 – 1 John 2-15-17 – Lives Forever – 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

Your Reward From Heaven Will Be Very Great

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 322- Luke 6:32-36 - Your Reward From Heaven Will Be Very Great - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 322- Luke 6:32-36 – Your Reward From Heaven Will Be Very Great – Growing As Disciples

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!  And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.  “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.  You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.   Luke 6:32-36 (NLT)                                                        

Your Example

I want to be like you. I want to follow your example. What do you have in mind? In what way do you want to be like me? How do you want to follow my example? Well, as much as possible, I want to be like you and follow your example, in every way. But I do now have something specific in mind. I want to love like you love. I want to be compassionate as you are compassionate. Tell me more. I want to love and do good to my enemies. How did I do some of my very best work in loving my enemies. Ha, you loved me, when I was living as your enemy. Was that some of your best work? Well, it was certainly the difference between life and death for me. Then you have your answer to your question. But I will say it brought me great delight in seeing you give your heart and mind and life to me. You responded to my call. You received the gift of salvation that I made available to you. For that, I am grateful. For that, I am thankful. For that, you will have my never-ending praise. I will also say that it brings me great delight in seeing you so passionately want to be like me. You will be doing very well to follow my example. Yes, I will be living the life you have called me to live. I will be the person you have called me to be. I will be living a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I will be living out the life of salvation you have given me to live. Yes, that is exactly how you should be thinking about the way to live your live with and for me.

I do want you to be mindful of something as well. What’s that? You have already received your gift of salvation. Your place in heaven with me is being kept and guarded for you. You have a future in me that will last forever. This is a settled question. This is a done deal, bought and paid for by my death on the cross for you. Your sins have been forgiven. Your unrighteousness has been cleansed. You have been made right in my sight. Now the way that you love and do good to your enemies will be rewarded. The way that you are compassionate as I am compassionate will be repaid. No good deed, no loving act, will go unnoticed and left unrewarded when you come to live forever in heaven with me. I will be mindful of that. I will love as you loved. I will be compassionate as you are compassionate. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to be like you. I want to be compassionate as you are compassionate. I want to love others just as you have loved me. I will follow your example; I will love and do good to my enemies, for I once was also living as your enemy. Yet, you loved me. Amen

Key Question…  How are you mindful of living in a way that will one day rewarded by the Lord?

Living It Out…  Live in such a way that you will one day be rewarded for loving and doing good toward your enemies.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will one day be rewarded for loving and doing good to your enemies.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are loving and doing good to your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you love your enemies and do good to them.

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

Promises – Day 322 – Luke 6-32-36 – Your Reward From Heaven Will Be Very Great – 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

Have And Enjoy Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 321 - John 10:10 - Have And Enjoy Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 321 – John 10:10 – Have And Enjoy Life – Growing As Disciples

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (AMP)

Enjoyable Life

I know that is what you have given me to live. What have I given you to live? You have given me an enjoyable life to live. Yes, that is exactly what I have given you to live. How would you describe the enjoyable life I have given you to live? You have given a life that is filled with hope and meaning and purpose. You have made it so I can live in an intimate relationship with you. You have forgiven my sin and cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You have filled me with your Holy Spirit. I am no longer dead in my trespasses and sins. You have made me truly alive to you. I can come to know you. I can come to love and follow and serve you. I can follow you to where you lead me. I can do what you ask of me. I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I can be a witness for you in the world. I can store up treasure in heaven with you. What could be more enjoyable? Day by day and moment by moment I can walk through life with you. I know that you love and care for me. I am your child. I am your friend. You are guarding and guiding me through life. You are my shelter in every storm. You are my refuge in every adversity. You are with me to comfort me no matter what this sin broken world throws at me. My heart and mind and life are focused on you. You have my full attention. I know that your hand is on me. Your favor is with me. What could be more hopeful? What kind of life could have more meaning and purpose? Living my life with and for you is a life filled with joy. How is that for a description of an enjoyable life? That is very good.

But there is much more. I knew you weren’t finished. I have an eternal, never ending future, that is being kept and guarded in heaven for me. One day, and not too distant from today, I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Then there will be no sickness or sadness. Then there will be no pain or suffering or loss. In your presence I will be made completely new. So, keeping my heart and mind and life focused on you now is reminding me of the glorious future I will have with you forever in heaven. So, I am filled with joy. I can live and enjoy the life I have with you now because I know that it will never end. That is true. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know it is the devil’s plan to steal, kill, and destroy life. I will not let that happen to me. I will keep my heart, mind and life focused on you. I will follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me, so I can enjoy the life you have given to me. Amen

Key Question…  How has loving, following, and serving the Lord given your life enjoyable hope and meaning and purpose?

Living It Out…  Keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord so you can enjoy the life He has given you to live.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that keeping your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord will fill your life with joy.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group the joy you have found in loving, following, and serving the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have and enjoy the life the Lord has given you to live.

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

Promises – Day 321 – John 10-10 – Have And Enjoy Life – 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

Get Wisdom Get Understanding

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 320 - Proverbs 4:5-12 - Get Wisdom Get Understanding - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 320 – Proverbs 4:5-12 – Get Wisdom Get Understanding – Growing As Disciples

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.  She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”  Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:5-12 (NIV)

I Desperately Need Wisdom

That is something I desperately need. That is something I’m surely lacking in my life. What do you desperately need and what is surely lacking in your life? I need wisdom. Well, that certainly is the beginning of wisdom. What is the beginning of wisdom, am I missing something, have I said something important? Yes, you have said something very important. You have said a couple very important things. First, you have humbly admitted that you need wisdom. You are under no illusions about the amount of wisdom you possess. You know that there is a severe shortage of wisdom in you. Humbly acknowledging your great need is the beginning of wisdom. Then, I am at a good starting point. Yes, that is true. But you said something else. You expressed some desperation in your need for wisdom. You have some passion in you about your need for wisdom. That puts you in an even better position regarding wisdom. How so? If you know you need wisdom and you are passionately desiring and seeking wisdom, will you not come and ask me for it? Yes, of course I will come and ask you for wisdom. What would be the point of my admitting and being passionate about need if I did nothing about it? It would be foolish to passionately admit a need and then do nothing about it. That is true. Yet, in this case, your doing, will consist of your coming to me to ask me for my help. This is true, because your admission of desperate need also contains the idea, that you will not be relying on yourself. You will not try to work your way out of being unwise. You will come to rely on me, isn’t that what you will do? Yes, that is exactly what I will do. I will ask for and rely on you for wisdom. I know that you will generously give me wisdom as I ask you for it. Yes, come to me. Ask me for wisdom. Rely on my wisdom to guard and guide your life. That is what I will do. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not live my life according to worldly wisdom. I will not rely on my own wisdom. I will ask you to guard and guide my life according to your wisdom. Help me to think, and to speak, and to act wisely so I can make decisions that are pleasing to you. Amen

Key Question…  How passionately are you seeking to life your life according to God’s wisdom?

Living It Out…  Ask for, receive, and rely on God’s wisdom to guard and guide you through life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will generously give you wisdom when you ask Him for it.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has generously given you wisdom throughout your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you ask for, receive, and rely on wisdom from the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 320 – Proverbs 4-5-12 – Get Wisdom Get Understanding – 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 Will Reap A Harvest

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 319 - Galatians 6:7-10 - We Will Reap A Harvest - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 319 – Galatians 6:7-10 – We Will Reap A Harvest – Growing As Disciples

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)

A Rich Harvest

I want what you want. What do I want? Do you want to reap a rich harvest for my kingdom? Do you want to store up treasure in heaven with me? Do you one day want to hear me say, “Well done”? Yes of course I want to reap a rich harvest. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I certainly want to store up treasure in heaven with you. Nothing would please me more than to hear you say, “Well done”. With these desires in mind, there a few things that you must know. You have my full attention. What must I know? You must know that you will reap what you sow. And you have two choices before you. You can so to your sinful nature. Doing so will lead to destruction. Or you can sow to the Spirit. Sowing to please the Holy Spirit will bring life now and forever. Sowing to please the Holy Spirit will also bring a rich harvest for my kingdom. Well, I will sow to please the Holy Spirit.  I will do what is good and right and true. Never will I sow to the sinful nature. I will not do anything that would cause evil to grow in my life. I will separate myself from evil in all its forms. You will have my full attention. My heart and mind and life will be fully focused on you. I will seek to know and do your will. That is very good.

But there is more that you must know. I’m still listening. The road ahead will not be easy. I will ask you to do what is difficult and demanding. I will ask you to give your very best effort. You may grow weary. You may be tempted to give up and quit. Don’t do it. Come to me. Rest in me. Allow me to refresh and renew and revive you as you keep on serving me. That I will do. That will be very good. 

There is still more that you must know. You still have my attention. Don’t immediately expect a rich harvest for my kingdom. Sowing and reaping are always in different seasons. You may go long stretches without seeing the fruit of your labor. Don’t become discouraged. Don’t be depressed. Keep on relying on me to work in and through your life. Keep on abiding in me and remaining in my presence. I will keep on using you. One day, you can be very sure that you will reap a rich harvest for my kingdom, because you didn’t give up. I won’t give up. I won’t quit. I will keep on serving you until we meet face to face. That will be very good. Then you will hear me say, “Well done.” Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will not sow to the sinful nature. Instead, I will sow to what pleases the Holy Spirit. Strengthen me so that I will keep on doing all the good things you have given me to do for you. Help me, in due time, to reap a rich harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Key Question…  Why is it important to keep in mind that sowing and reaping a harvest will always be in different seasons?

Living It Out…  Never give up and keeping on serving the Lord so that in due time you will reap a rich harvest.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will reap a rich harvest if you do not give up and keep on serving the Lord.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are not giving up and are continuing to serve the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you keep on doing the good you have been given to do, so in due time you will reap a rich harvest.

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

Promises – Day 319 – Galatians 6-7-10 – We Will Reap A Rich Harvest – 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                                  http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

According To His Purpose

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 295 - Romans 8:28 - According To His Purpose - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 295 – Romans 8:28 – According To His Purpose – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NIV)

God Works

I am at work all the time. I am at work in your life. I am working for your good. Do you know that? Yes, I believe that you are working in my life. Yes, I believe that you are working for my good. What about when things don’t seem to be going your way? What about when something terrible has happened in your life? Do you believe that I can bring about good even when something bad has happened in your life? I know that you are not the author of bad things that happen in my life. I know that you weep when I weep. Yes, I do. I know that you are close to me when I am brokenhearted. Yes, I am. I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. No, I will not. I know that you comfort and heal me when I am bruised and broken. Yes, I do. I believe that you can redeem anything by bringing good things out of bad things that have happened in my life. Yes, I can and yes, I will.  Sometimes, I have had no idea how you could possibly bring any good out of what has happened to me. Sometimes, I have felt all alone and wondered where you were when I was brokenhearted. My pain paralyzed me. I thought that I couldn’t possibly go on and move forward. I was too weary and worn out to take even one step. I cried out to you. I wasn’t sure that you had heard or answered my prayer. Nevertheless, I continued to trust in you. I knew that you loved me, and I loved you. I knew that you called me according to your purpose. I knew that you had a plan for my life even if I couldn’t see it. So, after some time, I once again moved forward. I began again to take one step at a time with you. It has only been after some time has passed that I have been able to look back and see the truth that you can and do bring good out of bad. You have healed every one of my hurts. You have comforted me in all my afflictions. I have never been alone. You have been with me all the time. When I could walk no further you have carried me. Through the pain of all my troubles my faith in you has grown. During all my heartache I have learned to trust and rely on you. Now I would not wish my pain on anyone else. Now I would not trade what I have gone through with you for anything else. You have shown me your love. You have revealed your purposes and plans to me. My life is in your hands. There is no place I would rather be. I am all yours. You are my Savior and my Lord. I will follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. That is very good. I will lead you. I will guide you. I am with you now and forever.

Lord, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul. I am determined to live my life according to your purposes and plans. Thank you that you have brought good things even out of bad things that have happened in my life. Amen

Key Question…  How has God been able to bring about good even out of something bad that has happened in your life?

Living It Out…  Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and make it your priority to live your life according to purposes.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will bring good things even out of the bad things that happen in your life.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has brought good out of bad that has happened in your life.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you love God with all your heart and mind and soul as you live your life according to His purposes.

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

Promises – Day 295 – Romans 8-28 – According To His Purpose – 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

Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 318 - Proverbs 11:24-25 - Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 318 – Proverbs 11:24-25 – Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed – Growing As Disciples

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

Refreshed

Is that what you would like to be? Is what would I like to be? Would you like to be refreshed? Yes of course, I would like to be refreshed. How can I be refreshed? I want you to take note of something from nature. What’s that? Have you ever noticed a lake that is completely dead, with no life in it? Yes, I have noticed a dead lake before. What have you noticed about a dead lake? It has no outlet. Water flows into it but water does not flow out of it. There is no outlet. Yes, there is no outlet. Having no outlet is not healthy. Are we still talking about lakes? You are astute this morning. No, we are no longer talking lakes. We are talking about you. If you have no outlet, you will not live a healthy life.

Think of your life in this way. I have richly blessed your life. There is no doubt about that. What I have given to you is meant to be shared. What I have given to you must not be held tightly and greedily for yourself. You must not be like a dead lake that receives but has no outlet. My life and blessings are meant to flow in and out of your life. I intend to use you to refresh the lives of others. As you refresh the lives of others you will also be refreshed. If you do not refresh the lives of others, you will become dry and stagnant. You will not live the life that I intend for you to live. You will live a life of poverty. Oh, you may look wealthy to others. You may look like your life is overflowing with an abundance of wealth. But you, in reality, will have poverty in you, that a world full of money cannot solve. You will live like a spiritual pauper in your soul. You will not be storing up real treasure in heaven with me. You will not be accomplishing my purposes or fulfilling my plans. You will not be a tool in my hands. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. I will freely give what you have given to me. I will refresh the lives of others as you refresh me. I will be generous and give to others what you have given to me. I will allow you to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I will store up real treasure in heaven with you. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, help me refresh others with refreshment that comes from you. Give me a place. Secure me a ministry. Use me in your service. Work in and through me for your purposes. Help me whet the appetites of others for you. Refresh me also as I refresh others. Amen

Key Question…  When have you been refreshed as you refreshed the life of someone else?

Living It Out…  Find a way to refresh others regularly and continually, so you can also be refreshed.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use you to refresh others as He also refreshes you.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you have been refreshed as you refreshed others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you refresh others so you yourself will be refreshed.

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

Promises – Day 318 – Proverbs 11-24-25 – Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Controlled By The Spirit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 317 - Romans 8:9-14 - Controlled By The Spirit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 317 – Romans 8:9-14 – Controlled By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.  For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:9-14 (NLT)

Control

That is a very important word. That is a word that will determine the kind of life you will live not only now, but forever. What word are we talking about? We are talking about the word control. As in who or what has control of your life. Can you give me more to go on? Can you make things clearer? Certainly, I can and will. Thank you. As I usually do, I will ask you several questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Is your life controlled by your sinful nature? Do you think and say and do what your sinful nature desires? Do you live for gratifying your flesh? Do you seek comfort and pleasure? Do you go out and do what feels good? Is your life controlled by sinful desires? There is no need for you to answer these questions now. I want you to think of the alternative. I want you to focus on the life that you have been called to live. So, I will ask you more questions. Again, you have my full attention. Are you controlled by the My Spirit living in you? Is it your desire to both know and do my will? Do you want to do what is good and right and pleasing to Me? Do you want to bear fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want to shine brightly for Me in the darkness of this world? Are you allowing the My Spirit to help you to put death the deeds of your sinful nature? Now, you may answer the questions that I have asked you. It is vitally important that you answer these questions today, tomorrow and every day of your life. I know why. Tell me. How I answer these questions will determine the course of my life now and forever. My destiny will be determined by what I let control my life. Being controlled by the sinful nature will lead to death now and forever. Following my sinful nature will lead me away from you now and forever. That is not my choice. That is not what I will do. I will not allow myself to be controlled by my sinful nature. Instead, I will allow myself to be controlled by your Spirit living in me. You will help me to put to death the deeds of my sinful nature. You will help me to live a real life now and forever. You will make it so I can one day live forever in heaven with you. Yes, I will. You have chosen well. You will live the life you have been called to live. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my sinful nature. I will allow myself to be controlled by you. Help me to put to death the deeds of my sinful nature. Help me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Help me to fruitfully live as a child of God. Amen

Key Question…  How different is your life now that you are controlled by the Spirit of God living in you?

Living It Out…  Allow the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life controlled my Him rather than your sinful nature.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Holy Spirit will help you to put to death the deeds of your sinful nature.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has helped you to put sinful deeds to death.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow your life to be controlled by the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you.

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

Promises – Day 317 – Romans 8-9-14 – Controlled By The Spirit – 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

Call To Me And I Will Answer You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 316 - Jeremiah 33:3 - Call To Me And I Will Answer You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 316 – Jeremiah 33:3 – Call To Me And I Will Answer You – Growing As Disciples

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

Call To Me

Do you need guidance? Do you need direction?  Do you need my help? Yes, of course I need your guidance and direction and help. That’s good. Why is that good? If you want and need my guidance and direction and help that should mean that you will stop relying on yourself. It will almost certainly mean that you have reached the end of your resources. You don’t know where else to turn. So, you will wholeheartedly cry out to me for my help. And that is good. Yes, it is good. I do have one thing to say, however. What’s that? I don’t cry out to you and ask for your help only when I am in trouble. You are not my last resort. In fact, I hope it is true for me to say that you are my first resort. Why is that true? It has become my daily pattern and practice to meet with you in prayer. Our time together, in prayer, does not occur only when I want or need something from you. Why do you want to meet daily with me in prayer? I meet with you in prayer because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I meet with you in prayer because I want to know you. I meet with you in prayer because I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice. I want to follow you to where you lead me. I want to do what you ask me. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. I want to shine brightly for you like a star in the universe. I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. These are the reasons why I am meeting with you daily in prayer. It pleases me to hear why you want to meet with me in prayer. You can be sure that I will hear and answer these desires that you have in your heart. You will live in an intimate relationship with me. You will walk with me through life. You will hear my voice guiding you. I will speak to you. I will show you what you do not know. You will live the life that I have called you to live. Thank you, Lord. You are so good and kind to me. I love you. 

Lord, I will make it my daily pattern and practice to meet with you in prayer. I will call on you and ask for your help. I will rely on your instruction. I will follow your direction. Teach me. Train me. Guide me. Help me to hear your voice. Show me what I don’t know. Amen

Key Question…  When has the Lord shown you hidden things you could not know as you have met with Him in prayer?

Living It Out…  Call on the Lord and meet with Him in prayer so He can show you what you do not know.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers as you call on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how it is your daily practice to meet with the Lord in prayer.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you call on the Lord and ask Him to show you what you do not know.

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

Promises – Day 316 – Jeremiah 33-3 – Call To Me And I Will Answer You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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