Tag Archives: Growing As Disciples

Live As Children Of Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Ephesians 5:6-8 - Live As Children Of The Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Ephesians 5:6-8 – Live As Children Of The Light – Growing As Disciples

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light Ephesians 5:6-8 (NIV)

In The Light 

Be very careful where you walk. Keep a close watch over how you live your life. I’m not sure what you have in mind. Can you be more specific? Yes, I can be more specific. There are places you should not go. There are things you should not do. There are circumstances you should avoid. There are influences you should not allow into your life. There is counsel you should not accept. Why are you saying these things to me? Can you tell me more? You have left the life that you once lived. You have walked away from the darkness of your old life. You are no longer following the patterns, practices and values of the world. You are no longer living a sinful, self-centered and self-sufficient life. You are no longer living a self-indulgent and disobedience life. You want to know me. You want to live a life that is pleasing to me. You want to know and do my will. Instead of walking in the darkness, you want to live in the light with me. Is all of what I said true? Yes, I want to live and walk in the light with you. I want to know and do your will. In every way, I want to do what is pleasing to you. I want to live a life that is completely reliant on you. That is very good.

To keep on walking in the light, you must continue to make a clean break with the darkness. The darkness of the world is all around you. You must not let yourself become part of it. You must separate yourself from all the darkness that is in the world. You must not allow your heart or mind or life to be conformed to the world and all its evil. You must walk away from darkness and you keep on walking forward in the light with me. I get it. I understand.

You will be a light in the world. You will shine brightly for me. You will stand out from all the evil that is in the world. You will live your life in such a way that others will see my life being lived out in you. Others will be drawn to me through the testimony of your life. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I will help you to live this life that I am calling you to live. Will you rely on me? Will you do what I ask? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, at one time I was living in darkness. I followed all the values, patterns and practices of the world. I thought, and said and did what was evil. I have left that life behind me. Help me now to live and walk with you. Help me to live as your child of the light. Amen

Key Question… What must you separate yourself from if you want to leave the darkness of your old life?

Living It Out… Separate yourself from darkness so that you can live and walk in the light with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live and walk in the light with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living and walking in the light with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live and walk as a child of the light.

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

Therefore – Ephesians 5-6-8 – Live As Children Of Light – 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

Hear My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - John 10:27 - Hear My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – John 10:27 – Hear My Voice – Growing As Disciples

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (ESV)

Listen Carefully

Do you want to be able to hear my voice? Will you listen carefully to everything I want to say to you? Yes, I want to be able to hear your voice. Yes, I will listen carefully to everything you want to say to me. That’s good. Do you have any concerns? Are any questions coming to your mind? You know me. I have a ton of questions. Go ahead and ask me what is on your heart and mind. I have a hard time hearing you. It is not easy for me to recognize your voice. How can I learn to hear your more clearly? How can I be sure to recognize your voice? You have asked very good questions. Why do you think it is hard to recognize and hear my voice? I live in a noisy world that is filled with different voices that are all shouting for my attention. It seems like my life is under constant bombardment by messages from the world. Do you know why it seems that way to you? Not really. It seems that way because your life really is under bombardment by many messages from the world. I thought so. I have learned one thing for certain. What’s that? You will never shout for my attention. Your voice does not scream loudly in my ear. No, it does not. Why don’t I scream for your attention? Why don’t I force you to listen to me? You gave me a free will. You want me to willingly come to you. You want me to come to sit quietly in your presence so I can hear what you want to say to me. You want me to make a choice to carefully listen to you. Yes, I do. It would do no good for you to scream for my attention if I was unwilling to listen to you. No, it would not. 

But, I do want to listen to you. I do want to hear everything you want to say to me. That’s good. What will you do so that you can hear from me? I will withdraw from the noise of the world. I will separate myself from all the voices that are screaming for my attention. Every day, I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you. I will quiet myself before you. I will meet with you in your word. I will listen. I will hear. I will put into practice whatever you teach me. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will follow you. What do you think will happen to you as you meet with me in my word? I will learn to hear you more clearly. I will recognize your voice more surely. Yes, you will. Here I am right now, I’m listening to you. That is very good.

Lord, it is the priority of my life to recognize and hear your voice. I will listen carefully to everything you want to say to me. I will hear your words and put them into practice. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Guide my life by your word. Amen

Key Question… What will help or hinder your ability to listen to and really hear the Lord’s voice?

Living It Out… Set apart a time and place each day to spend time with the Lord so you can recognize and hear His voice.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to recognize and hear His voice.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are growing in your ability to recognize and hear God’s voice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to and hear the voice of the Lord so you can know and follow Him.

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

Discipleship – John 10-27 – Hear My Voice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

All The Days Of My Life

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50695217 – jesus written on desert road

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

Following Him

Who am I and what have I done for you? You are my Good Shepherd. You have led me through life. You have met all my needs. When did I become your Good Shepherd? I think you became my Good Shepherd even before I acknowledged and was ready to accept the fact that I was a lost sheep. I was wandering through life. I was getting beat up, bruised and battered by life.  I was living my life without you. I was walking on a path that led away from you. Yes, you were. You sought me out. You pursued me. There was no place that I could wander that you weren’t watching and waiting for me to turn to you. Yes, I was. 

You did turn to me. You did acknowledge me as your Good Shepherd. You did give your life to me. Yes, I did. What did you need when you turned your life over to me? I needed forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. I needed healing and restoration. Yes, you did. Where did I bring you so that your soul could be restored? You brought me into quiet places where I could meet with you in your word. You allowed me to rest in your presence. You allowed me to taste and see your goodness. You fed my hunger and satisfied my thirst for you. You refreshed, restored and filled my soul. Yes, I did.

What has happened to you as you have remained in my presence and met me in my word? You are changing my heart and transforming my mind. You have set on fire a flame of desire within me to want to do what pleases you. You have given me new thoughts to think and new feelings to feel. I want to know and love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me to do what you ask of me. That’s very good, isn’t it? Yes, it is my joy to know and love you.

Your life has not been all joy and sunshine since you have started following me. No, it hasn’t been. I’ve gone through many ups and downs and twists and turns in life. I have experienced pain and suffering, joy and sorrow. I have had powerful enemies and great friends. I have had amazing victories and devastating defeats. I walked in the light and through the darkness. Yes, you have. I have never been alone. You have always been with me. You have been my comforter and guide. You have given strength. You have been my fortress and deliverer. You have taught me to rely on you. You have shown me that I have nothing to fear. Yes, I have. 

What are you sure of as you follow me? I know that your hand is on me. You are blessing my life as I follow and serve you. Yes, I am. Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Yes, it will. I can and will live in your presence both now and forever. Yes, you will.

Lord, thank you for being my Good Shepherd leading me through life. You have been with me in and through all the ups and down and twists and turns in life. You have shown me your love, restored my soul, protected me and met all my needs. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord led you to a quiet place where He could restore your soul?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and a place where and when you will meet with the Lord to allow Him to restore your soul.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord is with you to help you in and through every up and down and twist and turn in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord restores your soul as you meet in quiet places with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to be your Good Shepherd leading you through all that you will experience in life.

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

Life – Psalm 23-6 – All The Days Of My Life – 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

Life – Giving Rebuke

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 15:31 - Life -Giving Rebuke - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 15:31 – Life -Giving Rebuke – Growing As Disciples

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 (NIV)

Listen

Those words are troubling to me. What words are those? Those first three words, “He who listens” are bothering me. Why is that? I’m pretty sure that I’m not a good listener. I’m a much better talker than a listener. Maybe, I’m not very good at either. But, I do know that I talk a lot when I should be listening more. You can learn much more by listening, than you can by talking. Thinking about what you are going to say rather than carefully listening is not a good habit. I know. That has been my standard operating procedure. Why do you think that is? Do you think what you want to say is more important than what others have to say? That must be it. My own pride has made me more of a talker than a listener. Sometimes, I talk so much I’m sure others must feel that they can’t get a word in edge wise. That’s not good. I know it’s not. Do you want to learn to listen better to others? Do you want to listen more attentively to me? Yes, I want to listen better to others. Yes, I want to listen more attentively to you. That’s good.

You can’t be a poor listener to others and a good listener to me. Those two don’t go together at all. I will remind you that I do often speak into your life through the voices of others. You need to listen very carefully to whatever is being said to you. Don’t be so full of yourself that you cannot hear others or me speaking to you. You need to remember that you don’t know it all. You need to know that you don’t see it all. Others will know and see what you don’t or can’t know or see. You have asked for my wisdom. You have sought my instruction. You want me to lead and guide your life. Yes, I want all these things from you. Then stop being defensive. Be open. Be receptive. Be humble. Be listening. Expect that I will use others to speak into your life. Considering deeply all that is being said to you.

Don’t think that everything you hear will be pleasant and easy to receive. Some of what you hear will be difficult and painful and challenging. Some of what you hear may cut you to the core. Don’t dismiss hard words and painful rebukes as not coming from me. Some of these words will be life giving rebukes that you must hear and receive if you want to grow wise. Will you listen to life giving rebukes so that you will grow wise? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have not been receptive to life-giving rebukes. I have stubbornly refused to listen. I have thought that I was under attack and raised my defenses. I have resisted your speaking into my life. Forgive me. Now, I will listen to all that you want to say to me. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord spoken into your life through a life-giving rebuke from another person?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to make you wise as you listen to life-giving rebukes.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will make you wise when you listen to life-giving rebukes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are listening attentively to life-giving rebukes.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen attentively to life giving rebukes so that you can be made wise.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 15-31 – Life – Giving Rebuke – 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

Whoever Serves Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - John 12:25-26 - Whoever Serves Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – John 12:25-26 – Whoever Serves Me – Growing As Disciples

The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.  John 12:25-26

My Call

What does it mean to lose my life in this world?  Am I living for the pleasures of this life? Does all of life revolve around me and what I want?  Am I guided by comfort?  When have I set aside my will, plans, and desires to serve you, Lord? Those are good questions. Do you have any answers? Right now, I want to sit here and live with these questions. I think it would be a mistake to quickly answer and dismiss them all in my favor. I agree. Then, I feel like I’m on the right track. You are. I also sense a danger here as well. What’s that? I could sacrifice my life in complete service to others and yet not know you. What do you mean? Isn’t it possible to give up my life in service to the wrong purpose, plan, or person? Yes, it is. Tell me more of what you’re thinking.  You are calling me to give up my life to follow you. It isn’t a call to give up my life to become a serving maniac. As I give up my life to you, the only way I can serve correctly is to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. It’s not as if you’ll give me a huge “to do” list and check back with me at the end of my life, I know that. How do you know that? You said, “follow me” and where you are, that is where I will be. Yes, that’s true. How will that be possible? How will that happen? That will only happen as I follow you. I need to wait, watch, and listen for your guidance. Otherwise I will likely go off course and not do what you want me to do and waste a lot of time doing what is unnecessary. That is exactly right. 

I’m calling you right now.  Come follow me.  Don’t love the world.  Love me.  I will guide your life.  You will have real joy as you join me in the work I will give you to do.  Is this what you want to do?  Is this who you want to be?  Do you want to be my follower?  Do you want to serve me?  Yes Lord, I do.  Good, then come.  I am calling you right now.

Lord, today is the day I will stop living for myself. The things of this world no longer have me in their grip. I want to know and do your will. My eyes are on you. My ears are attentive to you. I have heard your call. I will follow you. I will do all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How have you chosen to love Christ rather than the things of this world?

Living It Out… Respond to Christ’s call to come to Him so that you can follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ is calling you to come to Him so that you can follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have come to Christ to follow and serving Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow the Lord to where He leads you to do all that He asks of you.

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

Identity – John 12-25-26 – Whoever Serves Me – 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

Hold Unswervingly

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Hebrews 10:23 - Hold Unswervingly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Hebrews 10:23 – Hold Unswervingly – Growing As Disciples

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Hold On

Life has it challenges. You will face difficulties and hard ships. You will experience pain and suffering. You will grow weary and feel worn out. Does any of what I am saying come as a surprise to you? No, I have experienced everything that you have stated. Yet, you have never quit. You have never walked away and said that you have had enough. No, I have not. Why is that? I will tell you a few things. Go ahead. I don’t possess great strength. I am not able to endure more than others. I feel pain and suffer from discouragement just like anyone else. Tell me then, why is it that some people become bitter and some become better as a result of the trials and difficulties that they have gone through in life. Why is it that some become stronger as they go through pain and suffering while others give up, quit and walk away? Those are good questions. You must know the answers. Why is that? You have neither grown bitter or given up, quit or walked away. I’m really curious about one thing. What’s that? Those that have given-up, quit and walked away, where have they gone? If I were to walk away from you, I have no idea where I could go. Walking away from you has not been nor will it ever be a choice for me. That’s good. In trials just the opposite has happened to me. What do you mean by that? In great difficulty some have walked away from you. In great difficulties, I have been drawn to you. You alone are my strength. You alone are my hope. In you alone, do I trust. You have led me through all the pain and suffering I have faced in life. The harder life has gotten the more I have held on to you. I don’t consider myself to have great virtue or outstanding wisdom because I have held on to you. If I have known one thing, it is this, there is no one or no thing worthy of holding on to other than you and your promises. There are a few more vitally important things that you know. Like what? You tell me. I am not just holding on to you. With a much stronger grip you are holding on to me. Yes, I am. Even if my grip were to weaken you would never let go of me. No, I would not. How do you know what you know about me? I know about you because you have been with me through all that I have experienced in life. What else? I know about you because of your precious and great promises. Yes, and where can my promises be found? Your promises can be found in your word. Yes, and what have you done with my promises? I have held on to you and your promises. Yes and as you have held on to me and my promises, you have become better rather than bitter and held on to me rather than walked away from me. Yes, that’s true. Keep on holding on to me and my promises. Yes Lord, I will. I will be holding on to you as we walk together through life. 

Lord, you have been faithful to me. You have blessed my life with your precious and great promises. Your promises have sustained and strengthened me through every difficulty in life. Thank you that I can hold on to you and your word. Amen

Key Question… What are some promises of God that strengthen and encourage you as you hold on to Him?

Living It Out… Spend time with God in His word so you can know, be encouraged by and take a firm hold of all His promises.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ and all His promises are worthy of your unwavering and unswerving trust?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have held on to Jesus Christ through difficulties in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you unwaveringly and unswervingly hold on to God and His promises as you follow Him today.

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

Let Us – Hebrews 10-23 – Hold Unswervingly – 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

You Love Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - John 14:15 - You Love Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – John 14:15 – You Love Me – Growing As Disciples

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.  John 14:15 (NIV)

Obey Me 

You do want to obey me. I can see that quite clearly. Do you know why you want to obey me? I haven’t always wanted to obey you. There were times when obeying you was the farthest thing from my heart and mind. I was more interested in obeying my own passions, lusts and desires. I lived solely for my own comfort and pleasure. I pursued my own thoughts and goals and dreams. I was so full of myself that I had no room for you in my heart and mind. Even the idea of obeying you was completely foreign to me. I didn’t think that I wanted or needed you in my life. I was completely self-reliant and self-sufficient. I felt so sure that I had all that I would ever want and need. What happened? I was wrong. The self-centered and sinful life that I was living can only end in brokenness. It didn’t take long for me to become bruised and battered and broken by the life I was living. Soon enough, I cried out to you for help. I asked you to rescue me from the life I was living. I turned myself over to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sin and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I said that I would follow you as my Savior and Lord. Yes, you did. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.

You still haven’t fully answered my question. What’s that? Why do you want to obey me? You love me. You did not turn away from me when I cried out to you. You did not reject me. You did not shame me. You threw your arms around me and welcomed me into your family. You made me to be your child. You forgave me of all my sin. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You healed my bruised, battered and broken life. You filled me with your Spirit and set me on the path of life following you as my Savior and Lord. Yes, I did. Now, I love you because you first love me. Day by day I am living in your love. Moment by moment my love for you grows stronger. My heart and mind are captivated of thoughts and filled with desires to do what pleases you. It is no inconvenience or burden for me to obey you. I want what you want. I take pleasure and have great joy in doing your will. In every way I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. I want to love you just as you have loved me. That is the desire of my heart and mind and soul. I want nothing else. I want nothing less. You have answered me well.

Lord, I do love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My heart and mind are captivated by thoughts of doing what pleases you. It is my joy and pleasure to do whatever you desire. I will go where you guide me to do all that you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… How is your love for the Lord captivating your thoughts and motivating your desire to obey Him?

Living It Out… Allow your love for the Lord to captivate your thoughts and motivate your desire to obey Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your love for the Lord will captivate your thoughts and motivate your desire to obey Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for the Lord is motivating your desire to obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your love for the Lord always motivate your desire to obey Him.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

If – John 14-15 – You Love Me – 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

Ears To Hear

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Mark 4:21-25 - Ears To Hear - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Mark 4:21-25 – Ears To Hear – Growing As Disciples

He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” Mark 4:21-25 (NIV)

Hearing

Do you have ears that are hearing? Don’t be quick to answer that question. I know that you have ears. I also know that your ears are in working order. The question is, “ Are you really hearing all that I want you to hear?” I would guess that I am not hearing all you want to say to me. I am pretty sure that I am not hearing and receiving and learning all you want to teach me. That is a very good guess. Why do you think that is true? There are plenty of times that I have heard what you wanted me to hear and then a short time later I have forgotten what you said to me. Did my words really go in one of your ears and out the other? Yes, they did.  Those words did not stay in you long enough to change your heart or transform your mind. No, they did not. Did you really learn anything from me then? No, I did not. That’s not good. That’s not what you and I both want is it? No, it isn’t, I want your words to change my heart and transform my mind.

What is the source of the problem? Why are my words sometime going in one of your ears and out the other? Do you think I know the answer to that question? I know that you know the answer to that question. I think that I am failing to carefully consider your words. What does that mean to you? I’m not meditating on your word. I’m not letting your word sink deeply into my heart and mind. I not taking enough time or making a full enough effort to grab hold of your word. Maybe, it’s the other way around. Maybe, I’m not taking enough time or making a full enough effort to let your word grab ahold of me. I’m racing right by your word. I’m lightly considering it. What would help you to more full consider my word? I think two things would help me to more fully consider your word. Tell me your thoughts. I need to carefully consider how to put your word into practice. That would help me to better hear all that you are saying to me. Yes, it would. What else? I also need to consider how I can share with others all that you have been teaching me from your word. You don’t want me to hide or keep quiet about what you have been teaching me. No, I do not. I can shine brightly like a light in the world as I share your word with others. Yes, you can. Putting your word into practice and sharing it with others will make me able to carefully consider your word. Yes, it will.

Lord, I will take time and make a full effort to carefully consider all that you want to say to me from your word. I will be a light in the world and richly and boldly share with others all I have heard and received and learned from you. Amen

Key Question… How are you taking time and making an effort to carefully consider what you hear in God’s word?

Living It Out… Share with others what you have heard, received and learned from the Lord as you have carefully considered His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will receive from the Lord as you take time and make an effort to carefully consider His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are taking time to carefully consider God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take time and make an effort to carefully consider all that the Lord wants to teach you from His word.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

If – Mark 4-21-25 – Ears To Hear – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

If We Confess Our Sins

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - 1 John 1:8-10 - If We Confess Our Sins - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – 1 John 1:8-10 – If We Confess Our Sins – Growing As Disciples

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:8-10 (NIV) 

Confession

Are you a sinner? Have you sinned against me in your thoughts, words and deeds? Have you done what you should not have done? Have you left undone what you should have done? Have you missed the mark? Have you fallen short? Have you done what is not pleasing in my sight? You know the answers to all your questions. I know the answers to all your questions. You will get no disagreement from me. I have sinned against you in my thoughts and words and deeds. I have done what I should not have done. I have left undone what I should have done. I have missed the mark. I have fallen short. I have done what is not pleasing in your sight. I admit my sin. I am confessing my sin. I am turning away from sin. I am asking for your forgiveness and cleansing. I know that you can and will forgive me of all my sin and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I have no doubt about that. That’s right. You are forgiven of all your sin. You are cleansed of all your unrighteousness.

But, you have done even more than forgive me of all my sin and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. You have broken the power of sin over my life. You have made me dead to sin and alive to you. You have set me free to live a completely new life with and for you. I now want to know and do your will. I now want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. It is now my desire to do what is pleasing in your sight.  You have shown me your kindness, mercy and love. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. Your love has drawn me into your presence. I now hunger and thirst for you. I now want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to follow you to wherever you lead me. I want to do whatever you ask of me. I now love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to walk with you. It is my pleasure to serve you. You are my Lord. You are my Savior. You are my God and King. Yes, I am. I am all yours. Yes, you are. For that I am so very thankful. That is very good.

Lord, I am a sinner. I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. I have done what I should not have done and left undone what I should have done. I admit all my sins to you. Thank you for forgiving my sins and cleansing me of my unrighteousness. Amen

Key Question… When have you foolishly attempted to hide and cover up your own sinfulness?

Living It Out… Make it your regular practice to be specific in admitting and confessing your sins to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will forgive your sins and cleanse you of all your unrighteousness.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you regularly and specifically confess your sins to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you confess your sins to the Lord so you can receive His forgiveness.

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

Identity – 1 John 1-8-10 – If We Confess Our Sins – 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

Glad

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Matthew 5:11-12 - Glad - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Matthew 5:11-12 – Glad – Growing As Disciples

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

Persecution

Don’t be surprised. The world hated me. The world will hate you. The world insulted me. The world will insult you. The world persecuted me. The world will persecute you. The world spoke every evil against me. The world will speak every evil against you. You are in good company with me. You are in good company with my followers that have gone before you. You have been given the privilege to believe in me. You have also been given the privilege to suffer for me. Everyone who desires to live a Godly life will be persecuted. I’m telling you this now so that you will not fall away from me. You will not become discouraged. You will not give up. You will not quit. You will be encouraged. You will be strengthened. You will be lifted-up. You will keep on loving, following and serving me. You will shine brightly for me as a witness in the world. Yes, I will, with all your help. 

What will you do? How will you respond when times of hate, insult and persecution come against you? I will remember your words of warning to me. I will remember the kind of life you lived. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. You will be my strength. You will be my encouragement. You will be my support. I will live like you lived. I will do what you did. What did I do? How did I live? You kept on loving others even when they hated, insulted and persecuted you. You did not harbor hate. You did not seek revenge. You did not pay back evil with evil. You kept on doing your Father’s will. You drew near to your Father as He drew near to you. He sustained you. He helped you. You relied on Him. That is what I will do. I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. I know that you will bring me through every difficulty in life. You will be with me to help me. I will rely on you completely Yes, I will be with you to help you. Yes, I will bring you through every difficulty in life. Yes, you can and will rely on me every step of your way through life. You will be my witness. Your life will bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.

Lord, I know I am in good company with you and your followers when I am insulted, persecuted and falsely spoken of, because of my faith in you. I will be glad because I know that a great reward awaits me in heaven. Help me now to be your witness in the world. Amen

Key Question… Why is it important to not retaliate against mistreatment if you want to be a witness for Christ?

Living It Out…Remain joyful while being mistreated for your faith because you know that a great reward awaits you in heaven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can be glad while being mistreated because you know a great reward is waiting for you in heaven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are remaining joyful while being mistreated for your faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice and glad when you are being mistreated as a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

Be – Matthew 5-11-12 – Glad – 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