Tag Archives: he said

When He Came To His Senses

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - When He Came To His Senses - Luke 15:11-32 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – When He Came To His Senses – Luke 15:11-32 – Growing As Disciples

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:17-20 (NIV)

Let’s Celebrate

You were once a wanderer. Yes, I know. You thought you knew it all. Your heart and mind were set on doing evil. Yes, they were. You were walking in darkness along a path that led away from me. Yes, I was. Your experience was not unlike this first lost son. That’s for sure. What similarities do you see? He was so head strong and independent. He was so self-centered and unconcerned about how his actions might hurt others. All he cared about was what he wanted. Yes, that’s right. He got all that he thought he wanted, but his life left him broken, bruised, and battered. Yes, it did. He was experiencing the consequences of all his sin. What was that? He was completely destitute. When his money ran out, his friends all ran away. His starvation led him to working and living in a pigsty. That must have been humiliating for him. Yes, it was. His poverty and hunger gave him no choice. He became enslaved to others just to survive. Yes, he was. But, you have one point wrong. What’s that? He had a choice and he took it.

Let’s talk about the choice he made. Alright, he reached rock bottom and he came to his senses. What was that? Somehow he knew that he could turn away from his sin and go back to his father. He was ready and willing to confess his sin to his father. Yes, he was. He thought he might be able to pay his father back by working as his hired servant.He even had a little speech prepared. But, what happened when he tried to give it? The Father would hear none of it.

What did the Father do? The Father was watching and waiting for his son’s return. He saw him at a great distance. His heart was filled with compassion for his son. He ran out to meet him. He threw his arms around his son and kissed him. Then he covered him with a new robe and put a ring on his finger. All the father’s joy drowned out the son’s proposal to be a hired servant to his father. There would be none of that. Instead he was freely forgiven and there would be a party to celebrate. Why was that? The son who was dead was now alive. The son who was lost was now found. Yes, these are my favorite celebrations. I have no greater joy than to see my sons and daughters return to me.

You know all that I did for this lost son I did for you when you returned to me. I was watching and waiting for you. I ran out to welcome you home. I threw my arms around you. I put my robe of righteousness on you. You have my ring on your finger and my shoes on your feet. You are not working for me as my servant. No, I am working in and through you as your Father. Let’s celebrate that! That’s a great idea.

Father, thank you for watching and waiting for me when I was far away from you. Your love brought me to my senses and caused me to turn my life around and give it to you. It is now my desire to love, follow and serve you.  Amen

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

Parables – Luke 15-11-31 – When He Came To His Senses – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

God Sent Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Genesis 45:4-5 - God Sent Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Genesis 45:4-5 – God Sent Me – Growing As Disciples

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4-5 (NIV)

Looking Back

You will go through trials. You will experience difficulty. You will wonder what is going on. You will think that the dreams I have given you are long gone and dead. You will think that you are all alone. You will wonder where I am. You may want to give up hope. You may be about to lose faith. Is any of this sounding a little bit familiar to you? It certainly does sound more than a little bit familiar. I have wondered if I was all alone. I have had dreams that I have thought were long gone and dead. I have wondered where you are. I have almost given up hope. But, I haven’t lost faith. I’m still holding on to you. That’s very good. Can you look back at your past trials to see how I have used them to work in and through your life? Can you see how I have used trails to mold and shape your life? Can you look back and see that you never were alone. I have been with you on every step of your life. Yes, I can see that your hand was on me.  You were with me. I also know that you were not the author of my trails. You did not bring them on me. Yet, you have used every one of them to make me into the person who I am today. That’s right.

Can I ask you a few questions? Go right ahead. Are the dreams that you have given to me still alive? Will you still be using me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name? Do you still have a purpose and plan for my life? Do you still have good works prepared in advance for me to do for you? What do you think? I’m sure that you still want to use me. I think that you have been preparing me for however you want to use me. I’m sure that you have a purpose and a plan for my life. I know that you still have good works prepared in advance for me to do for you. You are right. Have faith in me. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I give you to do for me. Yes Lord, I will. My hand is on you. I will use you in ways that you could not have imagined.

Lord, thank you for giving me dreams about how you want to use me for your purpose and glory. Help me to trust you through the trials and difficulties I will face in life. Use them all to mold and shape me as your faithful servant. Amen

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

Guidance – Genesis 45-4-5 – God Sent Me – 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

Light Of The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 135 - John 8:12 - Light Of The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 135 – John 8:12 – Light Of The World – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

Light

Do you want to walk in the light? Yes, of course, I want to walk in the light. How can I walk in the light? You can only walk in the light with me. You live in a world filled with darkness. Daily your heart and mind and life are being bombarded by the darkness of this world. If you were not careful, if you paid no attention, one day you would come to think and speak and act like everyone else in this world. Your thoughts and words and actions would be no different than everyone else living in the darkness of this world. You would stumble around. You would misspend your life. You would end up doing what amounted to nothing of eternal value. Your life would be a waste. You would have born no fruit for my kingdom or brought no glory to my name. You would have missed your calling to be a light in the world, as you follow me. I certainly do not want that future. I don’t want that destiny to be true of me. Yes, I know.

So, that brings me to my next and more precise question. How can I walk in the light with you? That is a very good and important question. The answer to that question will change all your thoughts and words and actions. The answer to that question will give your life hope and meaning and purpose. The answer to that question will guard and guide your life away from darkness into the light. The answer to that question will guarantee that you will not misspend your life doing what is of no eternal value. The answer to that question will guarantee that you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I am ready for the answer to my question. Walk in the light with me. Live in an intimate relationship with me. Draw near to me in prayer. Draw near to me in worship. Draw near to me in my word. Draw near to be in the gathering of fellow believers. Draw near to me in service. Follow me to where I lead. Follow me in doing what I ask of you. Will you do all these things that are part of walking in the light with me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will have the light of life. Then you will have me guiding you though the darkness into my light. Then you will also be a light for me in the world. Thank you, Lord. These things, I will do. That will be very good.  

Lord, you are the light of the world. Not only that, you are the light of my life. Thank you for giving my life hope and meaning and purpose and direction as I have followed you. Keep me on course as I follow you to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. Amen

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

Promises – Day 135 – John 8-12 – Light Of The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

Light Of The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life In Christ - John 8:12 - Light Of The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life In Christ – John 8:12 – Light Of The World – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

Path Of Life

Where are you headed? I was going to walk down this path. Does that look like a good direction to head? I thought so, is there something wrong with it? It looks awfully dark to me. What do you think? I didn’t think of that. It does look quite dark just a head, now that you mention it. What drew you to that path anyway? I saw lots of people heading down this path. I just assumed that they knew where they were going. So, I was thinking of following them. I thought that this must be the right direction in life if so many others were taking it. So, you were going to follow the crowd? I guess I was. But, you didn’t give it much thought did you? Not really. What was so alluring about that path anyhow? It was the well-traveled path that all the popular people were taking. I wanted to be popular so I thought I’d join them. I didn’t want to stand out as being different. That would be awkward and maybe even embarrassing. You wouldn’t want that now would you? No, not at all, at least that’s what I was thinking then. What are you thinking now? I’m guessing that there must be something wrong about that path. Why is that? Why else would you be asking me so many questions about it? You’ve got a good point and you’re right, there is a problem with that path. What’s the problem?

There are actually two problems. How can that be, there is only this one path? There is a problem with who chose the path and the path itself. Who chose the path? That would be me. Isn’t it my job to choose my path in life? Yes, if that’s what you want. I’m confused. If you want your own path, go ahead and choose it. That’s what I did. I know. That brings us to the second problem. What’s that? I’m not on that path. You’re not? No, that path leads away from me into darkness. People on that path will stumble and grope around in darkness for a long time. Some will eventually find their way back to me, many others will not. Those who find their way back to me will regret the time they wasted on that wrong path. Well then, I definitely don’t want to go down that path. I’m glad you got my attention and directed me to the right path. Yes, I’m very glad that you are paying attention to me. But, it’s time now for you to make a big decision. What’s that?

You are going to have to decide who will choose your path in life? Are you going to be the one continually choosing or are you going to follow me? If you follow me you will have my light to guide you through life. You will know which direction to head because I will be leading you. If you choose your own path in life you will be doing a lot of stumbling around in darkness. You will go places and do things that are not in my plans for you. I don’t want that at all. I didn’t think so. Will you follow me? Yes Lord, I will. Very good, let’s move away from here. Follow me on this path.

Lord, thank you that you are the light of the world. You guide and direct me through life and keep me from walking in darkness. You are the Light of my life. Guide my next steps so that I will be able to follow you and live according to your plan. Amen

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

Life In Christ – John 8-12 – Light Of The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

The Unmerciful Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - Matthew 18:23-34 - The Unmerciful Servant - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – Matthew 18:23-34 – The Unmerciful Servant – Growing As Disciples

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 (NIV)

Weight Lifted

I want you to do something for me.  Anything Lord, you just say the word.  What is it?  I want you to think about all the people that have hurt you in some way throughout your life.  That might take some time.  I’m sure that it will.  It’s going to be a fairly long list.  The longer, the better.  I don’t want you to forget anyone or anything that has been done to you.  This seems like kind of a weird request coming from you.  Yes, I’m sure that it does.  Take however long you need to today to work on your list and come back to me.  Will you do that?  Yes Lord, I will.

I’m back.  That took quite a while.  Yes it did.  Is your list as exhaustive as it can possibly be?  I think so.  Do you have all your enemies written down?  Yes, it was easy to remember them.  How about everyone that has cheated, lied or stolen from you? They’re all on here.  How about people who broke their promises or betrayed you?  Oh, a couple more names just came to mind.  Write them down.  Got it.  Do you have everyone that hurt, rejected, judged or manipulated you?  You weren’t kidding about not leaving any names off the list.  No, I wasn’t.  Ok, I’ve added a few more names.  How about anyone who disappointed you, didn’t follow through or live up to your expectations?  Slow down a little bit.  I’m writing.  Has anyone ever used, rejected or devalued you?  Yes!  Are they on the list?  Not yet.  I’ll wait.  Are you done now?  Yes, I think so.  That’s good.

What would you like to do with the people on that list?  Could you zap them for me?  No, I cannot.  This is a serious moment for you, let’s not joke around.  Alright, I’m just a little nervous about how long this list is.  Why is that?  I’m pretty sure that I shouldn’t have this kind of a list.  Why not?  It’s a really heavy burden to carry.  How so?  It has worn me out carrying anger and unforgiveness around for so long.  Yes, it has.  That’s why I had you make a list.  I wanted you to see that you are being weighed down by unforgiveness.  I’m getting a pretty clear picture right now, that’s for sure.

What do you want to do with all these people on your list?  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  What’s that?  I want to love and forgive them.  There are some pretty nasty people on your list.  Are you sure you want to forgive them?  I was once a pretty nasty person.  Yes, you were.  You forgave me.  Yes, I did.  So, yes I want to forgive everyone on my list.  I want to do for them what you’ve done for me.  So, I’m forgiving them all right now.  That’s very good.  How do you feel?  Like a weight has been lifted.  As a matter of fact, it has.

Lord, you have forgiven me of an enormous debt of sin, at great cost to you, that I could never hope to repay. I am so thankful for your forgiveness. Help me to have a forgiving heart towards others like you have had toward me. Amen

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

Parables – Matthew 18-32-25 – The Unmerciful Servant – 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