Tag Archives: Jesus said

The Truth Will Set You Free

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The Virtuous Life - Day 197 - John 8:31-32 - The Truth Will Set You Free - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 197 – John 8:31-32 – The Truth Will Set You Free – Growing As Disciples

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Hold To My Teaching

How will you do that? How will I do what? How will you hold to my teaching? Wait, before answering. I would like to ask you a few more questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why do you want to hold to my teaching? Why do you believe in me? Are you really one of my disciples? Now, you may start answering my questions. I do want to hold to your teaching. I want to hear and know and follow and obey your word. I want to put your word into practice. Why, you may ask. I might. I want to hold to your teaching because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is no burden for me to follow and obey your word. Loving you means that I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to be and am fully devoted to you. Without hesitation, without reservation, I want to give all that I am and hope to be to you. That is very good. I can take no credit for coming to believe in you. I can take no credit for coming to know you. I can take no credit for the love I have in my heart for you. It is you who first loved me. It was you who drew me to yourself. It is you who saved me. You helped me to come to receive you as my Savior and Lord. You have forgiven me of my sins. You have cleansed me of my unrighteousness. You are now using your word to guard and guide the course of my life. Yes, I am. You have also made me to be one of your disciples. That is true.

Let’s get a little more specific about how you will hold on to my teaching. How will you take my word into your heart and mind and life? How will you allow my word to change your heart, transform your mind, and guide your life? How will you allow my word to mold and shape you? How will you allow me to use my word to set you free? I will meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to you. I will make meeting with you in your word a daily priority in my life. I will meditate on and memorize your word. I will study your word. I will pray your word. I will sing your word. I will teach and proclaim your word. In every way possible I will take a firm hold of your word so that your word will take a firm hold of me. That will be very good. In doing so, you will be my disciple. In doing so, you will surely be set free. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I believe in you with all my heart. As your disciple, I will hold to your teaching. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. Help me to know the truth of your word. Cause me to be set free by your word as I love and follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question…  How have you been set free by God’s word as you have heard it and put it into your daily practice?

Living It Out…  Make it the priority of your life to hear and put God’s word into practice, so by it, you can be set free.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be set free by the power of God’s word as you hear it and put it into your daily practice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God uses His word to change your heart and transform your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you hear and know and follow and obey God’s word so you can be set free by it.

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

The Virtuous Life – Day 197 – John 8-31-32 – The Truth Will Set You Free – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Two Men Owed Money To A Certain Moneylender

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Two Men Owed Money To A Certain Moneylender - Luke 7:41-43 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Two Men Owed Money To A Certain Moneylender – Luke 7:41-43 – Growing As Disciples

“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Luke 7:41-43 (NIV)

How Much Debt?

How much have you been forgiven of by me? Did you have a big debt or just a very small one for which you needed my forgiveness? Lord, you know all my thoughts, words and actions. Yes, I do. Why then do you ask me these questions? You know the extent of my sinfulness far better than even I do. Yes, I do. It is important for you to think about the extent of your sin. Why is that? If you thought you had no sin, you would not need or want me at all. I don’t think that at all. I know that I am a sinner. I need no convincing on that point. That’s good. If you thought that you have just a little bit of sin, you may think that by your good efforts you might be able to pay me back. I know that I cannot pay for my own sin no matter how hard I would try. Haven’t you tried before? What do you mean? Haven’t there been times when you felt particularly sinful and thought maybe you should engage in some extra service for me because of your sin? Yes, I suppose so. How did that work out? Not very well. Why not? Trying to pay you back is just one more sin. Why do you think so? If I try to pay you back then I’m not having faith and believing that you have completely forgiven and cleansed me of my sin. No, you are not.

We could move this discussion along a little bit. Why do you want to? Well, I need no convincing about the extent of my sin. I have sinned against you and others in so many ways. It’s not like I’ve stopped either. All my sin is not just in the past. I’m a sinner now. I know that I will sin in the future. Yes, you will. So, I have a huge debt that I can’t repay. Not now, nor at anytime in the future. You’re right about that.

So, I’m nothing like the religious person who needs no or little forgiveness. I never want to have that attitude. If for some strange reason I think that for a moment then I will want to confess that attitude for the sin that it is. Haven’t you thought in this way before? Maybe, sometimes it is hard to even know my own sins. All I can say is that I know I’ve sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I didn’t have a small amount of sin for which you have forgiven me. You are right about that. I have forgiven you of all your sins of the past, present and future. You are completely forgiven and cleansed of your sin. You have no debt. It has been cancelled.

You say I have no debt? Yes, I do. Well, I feel something strongly toward you. What’s that? I feel a debt of gratitude, thankfulness, and love for you for all that you have done for me. This debt is not at all like an obligation; it is what wells up in my heart toward you. It is what makes me like the grateful woman who is washing your feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. I am at your feet right now. I love you. I give my life to you. I want to live my life with and for you. I have no need to ask, “who is this who even forgives sins?” You are the Son of God who died for my sin so that I could be forgiven, cleansed, and made able to live a new life in you. Yes, I am and yes, I did. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I had a very big debt and load of sin I was carrying. My heart and mind and thoughts and actions were completely evil. I was far away from you, living a broken, sin filled life. Thank you, for bringing me near to you so that I could be forgiven of all my sin. Amen

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

Parables – Luke 7-41-43 – Two Men Owed Money To A Certain Moneylender – 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

Come Follow Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Matthew 4:18-20 - Leave - Follow - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Matthew 4:18-20 – Leave – Follow – Growing As Disciples

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

Drop Everything 

Will you drop everything in an instant for me? That is an easy question that is hard to answer. I know I can’t successfully answer this question without your help. I could say that I would drop everything. I could want to drop everything. But, would I really drop everything? I don’t know for sure. I’m willing. I want to drop everything for you at anytime and in any place. I always want to make myself fully available to you. That’s a start. I can work with that. I will help you to learn to drop everything for me.

Will you stop to listen for my call? Will you set aside all that you are doing to hear everything I have to say to you? Listening is not my strong point. Stopping is even harder. I’m too busy. I’m always on the go. I will need you to do something dramatic to get my attention. I will need you to say something loudly for me to hear. I want to stop for you. I want to hear you. I will listen to you. I will respond to you. Do all that you need to do to get my attention. Raise your voice. Give me a shout. I don’t want to miss one word of all that you have to say to me. That’s not going to work. That’s not my style. That’s not what I do. What do you suggest? What do you want? Don’t be too busy. Don’t always be on the go. You will need to come to me. You will need to rest in my presence. You will need to quiet yourself before me. You will need to listen attentively to me. Being busy is no virtue. There is no prize for always being on the go. If you want to hear from me you will stop. If you want my instructions you will need to wait. Will you come to me? Will you listen for my call? Will you set aside what you are doing to hear from me? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will hear from me. 

Will you leave your old life behind to come and follow me? My old life is no prize. My old life is bruised and battered and broken, weary and worn out. My old life is full of sin and death. There is nothing from my old life that I want. There is nothing from my old life that I need. I want you. I love you. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. Yes, I am. I want to live the life that you have for me. I want to go where you lead me. I want to do all that you ask of me. I will leave my old life to follow you. That is very good. I will lead you. Follow me.

Lord, you got my attention. You made it so my ears could hear your call. I dropped everything. You helped me to leave my old life behind. You have made me able to follow you.  Lead me to where you want me to go to do all that you have given me to do. Amen

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

Rhythms – Matthew 4-18-20 – Come Follow Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Know Truth – Set Free

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - John 8:31-32 - Know Truth - Set Free - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – John 8:31-32 – Know Truth – Set Free – Growing As Disciples

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Hold On

What is truth? Where does truth come from? Does truth come from all that you hear in the world? Does truth come from your deeply held thoughts and beliefs that you have acquired and held for a very long time? Are you the final arbitrator of what is true and what is false? Are you wise enough to recognize all that is true and all that is false?

You have asked a lot of questions of me. Truth definitely does not come from the world. My heart and mind are under constant attack from all the falsehood that is in the world. The thoughts and values and opinions of the world stand in direct opposition to your truth. Following the “so called truth” that is in the world will enslave me. Hearing and believing and holding on to your truth will set me free. My long acquired and deeply held beliefs may or may not be the truth. Each one of my thoughts needs to be taken captive and examined by the truth that is in your word. I am certainly not the final arbitrator of what is true and what is false. I definitely do not have the wisdom that I need to correctly discern what is true and what is false. I know that you are true. Your word is true. I know that you will show and teach me what is true. Yes, I will help you to know what is true. You can rely on me. I will speak the truth into your life.

Do you want to be set free? Yes, of course I want to be set free. What must I do if I want to be set free? You must come to know the truth. I am the truth. My word is the truth. You must come to know me. You must hold on to my teachings. You must listen and put into practice all that I show and teach you. Will you come to me? Will you listen to me? Will you hold on to my teachings? Yes, I will come to you. I will listen to every word that you have to say to me. I will put into practice all that you have to show and teach me. Then you will be set free. Then you will have new thoughts to think. Then you will have a new life to live. I will give you a new heart, a new mind and a new life as you hold on to me and my teachings.

Lord, my life is under constant bombardment from all the falsehood that is in the world. I want to come to know and hold on to your truth. Help me to hear, know, and put all your teachings into practice. Set me free as I come to know and hold on to your truth. Amen

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

Rhythms – John 8-31-32 – Know Truth – Set Free – 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

The Truth Will Set You Free

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - John 8:31-32 - The Truth Will Set You Free - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – John 8:31-32 – The Truth Will Set You Free – Growing As Disciples

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Hold On 

Do you want to be my disciple? Will you hold on to my teaching? Will you make my word the priority of your life? Would you like to know the truth? Will you allow the truth of my word to set you free? You have asked me a lot of questions. I will start by saying that I want to be your disciple. I want to be one of your followers. I know that as your disciple and follower I must hold on to your teachings. I’m sure that, “by holding” to your teaching you are not referring to a light grasp. I will hold on to your word for dear life. Your word is and will be the priority of my life. I will meditate on your word day and night. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will seek your word more than silver or gold. I will let your word guard and guide my life. That will be very good.

Let’s talk about how my word will set you free. I’d like that. My word has the power to change your heart. My word has the power to transform your mind. Would you like a new heart? Would you like a new mind? Yes, I would like a new heart and a new mind. You are right about the importance of the firmness of your grip in taking hold of my word. Occasional hearing of my word will not change your heart or transform your mind. You must feast on my word. You must take my word into your heart and mind. The world and all that is in it is working full time to conform your heart and mind according to its patterns, practices and values. You must allow my word to remain in you continually. You must hunger and thirst for my word. You must allow my word to have a far greater influence over your life than anything else that is in the world. Will you meet with me in my word? Yes, It will be my delight to meet with you in your word. How often will you meet with me in my word? There is not a day that will go by that I do not need to hear from you. There is not a day that will go by that I will not be excited to hear all that you have to say to me. I will meet with you in your word every day. I will take hold of your word every day. I will let your word take hold of me every day. Then you will know the truth. Then you will be set free by my word as you come to know me and hold on to my teachings.

Lord, it was you who drew me to yourself. You rescued me from the dark and dreary life I was living. You made it possible for me to follow you as my Savior and Lord. You have helped me to hold on to your teachings. You set me free to follow and serve you. Amen

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

The Mind – John 8-31-32 – The Truth Will Set You Free – 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