You Did For Me

The Compassionate Life - Day 257 - Matthew 25:34-40 - You Did For Me - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25:34-40 – You Did For Me – Growing As Disciples

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

Do For You

On this, I don’t want to miss the mark. On this, I don’t want to fall short. On this, I don’t want to fail to do your will. What are you talking about? On what don’t you want to fall short or miss the mark? On what do you want to make very sure that you are doing my will? I know that you have richly blessed my life. I also know that it is your will for me to generously share with others what you have given to me. It was never your intent that I tight fistedly hold on to all that you have given to me. It is your intent that I share the gifts and talents and abilities and resources you have given to me. You want me to help others in need. You are correct. You are wise in your thinking. You do know my will. It would be a tragic and foolish mistake for me to hold on to what I certainly cannot keep. I brought nothing into this world. The only thing I can take out of this world, is the fruit I bear for your Kingdom and the treasure I store up in heaven with you. Giving my life to you, by following and serving you, is the only way I can bear fruit for your kingdom, bring glory to your name, and store up treasure in heaven with you. If I help those in need, if I am doing good to others, I am doing good to you. If I am serving others, then I am serving you. Yes, that is also correct. It is vitally important that you both know and do my will.

You have given me a powerful example to follow. You gave your life away. You were a servant to all. You want me to think like you thought. You want me to speak like you spoke. You want me to act like you acted. This is what I will do without hesitation. Use me to help others in need. Open my heart and eyes and hands to those in need all around me. Use me to do your will. I am at your service. That is very good. 

Lord, you have richly blessed my life, there is no doubt about that. I know it is your will for me to share with others what you have given to me. I will generously share the gifts, talents, abilities, and resources you have given to me with others who are in need. Amen

Key Question…  How is your heart and mind and hand and life wide open to see and help those who are in need?

Living It Out…  Allow the Lord to regularly use you to help others who are in need.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will regularly use you to help others who are in need.

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

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

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

The Compassionate Life – Day 257 – Matthew 25-34-40 – You Did For Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Not Lose His Reward

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 167 - Matthew 10:42 - Not Lose His Reward - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 167 – Matthew 10:42 – Not Lose His Reward – Growing As Disciples

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

A Cup Of Cold Water

Even the small things matter. Even what kind of small things matter? Giving even small things to people in need is important. Why is that? If you are willing to give in small ways to those in need it means that your heart and mind and life are open to helping those who are in need. If you are giving even a little bit that means that you are not blindly walking through life, ignoring pain and suffering all around you. Giving a little bit is a start, it is a beginning, it is a sign that you are not being tight fisted and closed handed with those who are in need. I see. That’s it exactly. What’s it exactly? I want you to see the opportunities all around you to help others in need. I understand. That’s good.

Have I richly blessed your life? Yes, you have richly blessed my life. Have I given you many good gifts? Yes, you have given me many good gifts. Why do you suppose I have richly blessed your life and given you so many good gifts? I know that you love and care for me. Yes, I love and care for you. But most of all, I think you have blessed my life so that I can be a blessing to others. You want me to follow your example. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. Yes, I do.

So, will you freely share your time and talents and resources with others? Will you follow my example? Will you give to others what I have given to you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Why would it be a foolish mistake to fail to give to others what I have given to you? One day you will reward me for what I have done for others in this life. It would be foolish to try to hold on to what I cannot keep. I came into this life with nothing. I will take nothing of material value into the next life. I like the way that you said that. Why is that? You know that you cannot store up treasure on earth. But you also know that you can store up treasure in heaven. One day, in heaven, you will be rewarded for how you have loved and helped and ministered to those in need in this life. Keep on loving. Keep on giving. Keep on serving. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will freely give of my time and talents and resources to those who are in need. I will not be tight fisted. I will not be closed handed. I will generously give to others what you have given to me. Use my life to richly bless the lives of a multitude of others. Amen

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

Promises – Day 167 – Matthew 10-42 – Not Lose His Reward – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

I Am The Gate

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 140 - John 10:7-10 - I Am The Gate - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 140 – John 10:7-10 – I Am The Gate – Growing As Disciples

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.   John 10:7-10 (NIV)  

Fullness Of Life

Do you want life? Do you want to live in the fullness of life that I have for you? Do you want life that starts now and continues forever? Yes, I want life. Yes, I want to live in the fullness of life you have for me. Yes, I want life that starts now and continues forever. How can I have such life? You already have eternal life in me, that will continue forever. You have come to believe in me. You turned your life over to me. You left your old life of sin. You turned away from darkness. You have me as your Savior and Lord.  But something is missing in my life, isn’t it? Maybe I should rather say, I am not receiving all that you want to give me. That would be true. Tell me what I am missing?

You have been listening to what is not true. You have been listening to lies from the devil and all his evil. You have been allowing words that steal, kill and destroy to come into your heart and mind and life. That is not good. You will be unable to receive the fullness of life that I have for you now as long as you continue to listen to words that will kill and steal and destroy life in you. How can I guard against life killing, stealing and destroying words from coming into my life? That is a very good question. You are wondering how you can stop thinking destructive thoughts. That’s true. The more I determine to not think a thought, the more I think it. Yes, you will never win that battle. Instead of not thinking destructive thoughts I want you to replace those thoughts with the thoughts that I think about you. How do I do that? Listen to me. Listen to my voice. Hear what I am saying to you. Meet with me daily in my word. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. My word will cleanse your mind. My word will strengthen your mind. My word will transform your mind. My word will push words that steal and kill and destroy far from your heart and mind and life. Will you listen to me? Will you meet with me? Will you allow me to give you fullness of life both now and forever? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, oftentimes I have listened to what was not true. I have allowed the devil and his evil to speak words, that steal, kill and destroy, into my life. No more! You are my Savior and Lord. I will listen only to your voice. Give me fullness of life both now and forever. Amen

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

Promises – Day 140 – John 10-7-10 – I Am The Gate – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Such Great Faith

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Miracles - Matthew 8:10 - Such Great Faith - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – Matthew 8:10 – Such Great Faith – Growing As Disciples

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Matthew 8:10 (NIV)

Faith And Action

Could I have that? Can I ask you for that? Can you have what? You can ask me for anything. Can I ask for great faith? Yes, you can ask me for great faith. Why do you want great faith? Great faith must be used. Great faith must be exercised. You will never know if you have great faith until you step out in faith. Great faith is not meant to go unused. Great faith is not passive. Great faith does not sit around and do nothing. Great faith takes action. So, if I ask you for great faith, I must also be asking you to help me to take great action. You got that right.

I want great faith. I will take great action. I will not sit around. I will not let the great faith you give me go unused. That’s good. What kind of action might you be willing to take? I will meet with you every day in your word. I will have faith to believe that you will speak to me. I will have faith to believe that you will help me to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I will have faith to believe that you will mold and shape my life. I will have faith to believe that you will give me thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. That will be very good. What else? I will go and do what you ask of me. I will have faith to believe that you will make me able to know and do your will. I will have faith to believe that you will make me able to accomplish your purpose and fulfill your plans. I will have faith to believe that you will use me as your witness in the world. I will have faith to believe that you will help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is also very good. What else? I will not give up. I will not quit. I will have no regrets. I will make no retreats. I will hold nothing in reserve. I will pour myself out in your service. I will have faith to believe that you will revive, refresh and restore me as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good. I will give you all that you have asked of me. I will give you great faith. I will help you to take great action. 

Lord, I have not always had great faith. Even now, I want and need much more faith. Grow my faith in you. Help me to rely fully on you. Help me to have faith to ask you for all I need. Help me to have faith to go and do all that you ask of me for your glory. Amen

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

Miracles – Matthew 8-10 – Such Great Faith – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A Cup Of Cold Water

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Matthew 10:42 - A Cup Of Cold Water - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Matthew 10:42 – A Cup Of Cold Water – Growing As Disciples

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

Go And Do

What is worthwhile? What do you find rewarding? What work is receiving your best efforts? What will you be glad you did when your life in this world comes to an end? Those are very good questions. The answers to those questions will help me to prioritize how I spend my time and use my life. That’s right. Do you have answers to my questions? Yes, I do. I find it worthwhile serving you. It is very rewarding for me to know and do your will. Serving you is worth my very best efforts. At the end of my life I hope to have done what you had given me to do for you. I hope to hear you say, “well done good and faithful servant.” Nothing would please me more than to hear these words from you. That is a very good desire.

How will you know that you have served me well? How will you know that your life has been well spent? The only way that I will know the answers to those questions is by listening to you. I know that you are leading my life. I know that you are prompting me to do things for you. I know that it is your will that I serve others on your behalf. You don’t want me to walk right on by someone in need. You don’t want me to spend all that I have been given on myself. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to give like you gave. You want me to have a soft heart and an open hand to those that are in need. You want me to use all my gifts, talents and abilities to serve others. Yes, I do.

Will you go and do what I prompt you to do for me? Will you allow yourself to be inconvenienced? Will you sacrifice your own comfort and pleasure so that you can minister to the needs of others on my behalf? Yes Lord, I will go and do what you ask me to do for you. I want you to use my life however you desire. I want my life to be a bright and shining witness for you in the world as I serve others on your behalf. Do this and you will one day hear me say, “well done, good and faithful servant.” Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, it will be my joy to serve others on your behalf. I will watch for opportunities to do good things for others because I am following you as one of your disciples. Use my life as a bright witness for you in this world as I love like you loved and give like you gave. Amen

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

If – Matthew 10-42 – A Cup Of Cold Water – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Two Sons

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Parable Of The Two Sons - Matthew 21:28-32 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Two Sons – Matthew 21:28-32 – Growing As Disciples

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  Matthew 21:28-31 (NIV)

What Do You Think?

What do you think?  About what?  What thoughts do you let occupy your mind?  I’m not sure what you’re asking.  The thoughts that you have in your mind and entertain in your heart will guide the course of your life.  Can you give me an example?  I would be happy to.  At one time you had it in your mind that you were pretty special.  You thought you had the world by the tail.  You didn’t think you needed any help from anyone.   You were independent, headstrong, pride-filled and stubborn.  Yes, I sure was.  You were like your own little god.  You certainly didn’t want or need me in your life.  Yes, that is sad but true.  You lived entirely for your own comfort and pleasure.  You did what you wanted, when you wanted it. Yes, I did.  Now, why don’t you finish the story and tell me how your thinking changed.  Alright, I’d be happy too.

My life was really headed in the wrong direction away from you.  I was living a dark and sinful life.  Soon enough I began to suffer the consequences of my sinful life.  The wages my sinful life paid was brokenness, pain and suffering.  My life began to fall apart.  I began to see that I wasn’t as strong and smart as I thought I was.  My pain overcame my pride.  I know that I needed help so I cried out to the only one I thought would help me.  That was you.  You answered my cry.  Yes, I did.  What did you do?  I turned away from my sinful life to follow you.  I asked you to be my Savior and Lord.  Yes, you did.  So your emphatic no to me became a yes to me, is that right?  Yes, that’s right.  Your change of mind and heart is now directing the course of your life.  It sure is.

Do you see any possible dangers ahead to avoid?  Yes, I do.  What are they?  First, let me say that I want my life to continue to be a constant day by day, moment by moment, yes to you.  Why is that?  It’s not because I’m now religious.  It’s because I have a relationship with you.  You love me.  Yes, I do.  My love for you gives me delight to do what pleases you.  So, what’s the danger?  I don’t ever want to slip into becoming a religious person that obeys you because I should obey you.  What do you think would happen then?  I’d stop following you and go back to doing pretty much my own thing.  On the outside I’d probably still look quite religious but my heart would be far from you.  Yes, it would.  But, the good thing is that won’t happen.  Why not?  You tell me.  We love each other too much to ever let that happen.  That’s right.  Keep loving me and delighting to do my will and you’ll never waver off course.  Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know that there is a big difference between being self-righteous, moral, and religious and living a life of faith in you. I love you Lord. It is my desire to live for you and work in your vineyard, as I love, follow and serve you in this life.  Amen

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

Parables – Matthew 21-28-31 – The Two Sons – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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