Tag Archives: Philippians 2:14-16

Shine Like Stars In The Universe

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 151 - Philippians 2:14-16 - Shine Like Stars In The Universe - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 151 – Philippians 2:14-16 – Shine Like Stars In The Universe – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) 

A Star In The Universe

That is what I want my life to be like. What do you want your life to be like? I want my life to be like a star that shines brightly in the universe for you. Let me be clear, my desire to shine brightly in the universe is for you. I am not concerned with making a name for myself. I am not trying to elevate my life above others. I would be satisfied to quietly serve you in some small corner of the world, if that were what you asked of me. Some of the small corners of the world do not receive much light. I know that you want everyone to hear about the salvation that they can have in you. You want others to see your life being lived out in and through your followers, Yes, I do. I want that very same thing. We are in complete agreement. That is very good.

What could hinder your being able to shine brightly as a witness in the world for me? Sin of any kind will dramatically dull my ability to shine brightly as a witness in the world for you. Do you have any sin in particular in mind? Yes, I do. I must confess that I have been a whiner and complainer and arguer. About what? You know. Yes, I do know. But you said you had something that you want to confess. Yes, I did. I’m listening. I have whined and complained and argued about my lot in life. At times, I have wished that my life would have been lived out differently. How so? I don’t really know. I have wanted something vaguely different or better or more. Sometimes, I have not liked your assignments. Rarely, have I run away from or turned down your assignments. But frequently, I have whined and complained or argued about them. That’s not good. No, I know that it is not. I know that whining and complaining and arguing is not pleasing to you. It is not. So, I have decided to stop whining and complaining and arguing. That’s good. How has your life changed since you have decided to stop whining, complaining and arguing? That is a very good question. Why is that? There have been dramatic changes. Tell me about them. I have born more fruit for you. I have had more joy in serving you. I have shined more brightly as a witness for you in the world. Then you are shining more like a star in the universe for me. Yes, I am. For that, I am very thankful.  That is very good.

Lord, I have been a whiner, complainer and arguer. I know how unpleasant I have been to be around. No more! Help me to be a bold and bright witness in the world. Help me to shine like a star in the universe. I will not whine or complain or argue about my life. Amen

Key Question… Why will complaining or arguing certainly hinder your ability to be a witness for Christ in the world?

Living It Out… .Follow the Lord’s example by going through life without arguing or complaining.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to shine like a star in the universe as a witness for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have decided not to complain or argue about your lot in life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live life without complaining or arguing so you will be a witness for Christ in the world.

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

Day 151 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 2-14-16 – Shine Like Stars In The Universe – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Word Of Life

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Philippians 2:14-16 - Word Of Life - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Philippians 2:14-16 – Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

 Shine Like Stars

What will happen if you become known as someone who is always complaining, whining or arguing about something? People will ignore me. They won’t listen to a word that I have to say. Is that all? No, they will want to distance themselves from me. No one likes to hang around someone that is always complaining, whining or arguing about something. So, you won’t be very popular? No, I wouldn’t be. Is that really the worst that could happen? No, it’s not. Complainers, whiners, and arguers often find themselves under the attack of criticism from others. I have found that you get back what you give out. You reap what you sow? Yes, that’s it exactly. That would be really uncomfortable. Yes, it would be. But, its still not the worst thing that could happen is it? What could be worse than that?

Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Who are you? Who have a called you to be? What have I asked you to do? You have called me to be a pure child of God. Yes, that’s right. Is there anything pure about being a complainer who whines and argues all the time? No, there is not. So, one of the worst things about being a whiner, arguer, or complainer would be what? If I were a whiner, arguer or complainer then I would not be living out my calling as a pure child of God. That’s right. How big a deal is that? That would be unthinkable. I want to live out my calling as a pure child of yours. Yes, I know, so you will do what? I will do whatever you have given me to do in life without whining, complaining or arguing. That’s great. 

What will happen when you do the work I have given to you without complaining, whining or arguing? I’m not sure what you mean. We have talked about the worst that could happen. Yes. Well, what is the best thing that could happen if you live as a pure child of God? I would be attractive to others. They would be drawn to me. They would wonder why I was living so different from most of the people they know. The world is full of whiners, complainers and arguers. Yes, it is. I would shine like a bright star in this dark world. Yes, that’s it exactly.

As you shine like a bright star in the universe what will you be able to hold out to those who are drawn to you? I will be able to hold out you. You are the word of life. You are my Savior and Lord. Yes, I am. People wouldn’t really be drawn to me. It is you living in and through my life that would draw others to you. But, I would be using you. Your life would speak out for me. Your words would explain the life that others could have in me. Yes, and then they would want to give themselves to you. They would want the same life that I have in you. Yes, they would.

When people give themselves to me because of the testimony of your words and your life will that be valuable and important? I know of nothing that would be more valuable and more important in life than to see others coming to you because of how you were able to use my life. Then your life would have been well used and well spent? Yes, definitely. You would not have labored or run the race of your life in vain? Certainly not, my life would have been well used by you. That’s right.

Lord, thank you for calling me to live as your pure child of God. Keep complaining, whining and arguing far from me. Help me to shine like a bright star in the universe. Use my life as a vibrant witness for you as I hold out the word of life to others. Amen

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

Life – Philippians 2-14-16 – Shine Like Stars – 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

Blameless And Pure

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Philippians 2:14-16 - Blameless And Pure- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Philippians 2:14-16 – Blameless And Pure- Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

Just Do It

Just Do It. Now that’s a thought. What do you mean by that? You know exactly what I mean. Just do what I ask of you. Do you want to obey me? Will you do what I ask of you? Yes, I want to obey you. Yes, I will do what you ask of me. Why then do you grumble and complain and argue about what you have already agreed that you will do for me? Wouldn’t it be better if you just did what I asked of you without any hesitation? Wouldn’t it be best if you did what I asked of you without grumbling, complaining and arguing? Yes it would be best if I just did what you asked of me without any questions or indecision or internal debate on my part. Let me ask you a question. Go right ahead. Do you have more or less joy in serving me when you do something without question or when you reluctantly do what I ask of you? I don’t think that I have any joy at all when I reluctantly do something for you.

Let’s consider an example. I’m game. You know that I want you to come together with other believers to worship me. Yes, I know that you want me to go to church. That’s not exactly what I said but you have the idea. Why do you ask yourself each week if you are going to church? I’m not sure if I will be going to church or not. Isn’t that the same as saying I’m not sure if I will obey you or not. Yes, I suppose so. Most of the time you do gather with other believers to worship me. Yes, I do. But, many times you go reluctantly with an attitude of grumbling, complaining and arguing. That’s true. Wouldn’t you have more joy in gathering to worship me if you just decided once and for all that you were going to go to church every Sunday? Yes, I suppose that I would. Do you know why that is? No, I’m not sure. Grumbling, complaining and arguing are joy stealers. You will never feel complete joy in reluctantly doing what I ask of you. I get that.

How do you think I feel about grumbling, complaining and arguing? I’m pretty sure that you don’t like any of it. No, I don’t. Why do you think I don’t like grumbling, complaining and arguing? You didn’t create me to be a grumbler, complainer or arguer. No, I did not. Grumbling, complaining and arguing are the ways of the world. You want me to be different. You want me to stand out. You want me to be filled with joy. Yes, I do. When you are filled with my joy you will shine brightly like a star in the universe. When you grumble, complain and argue you will be living in the darkness of the world. I want to shine brightly for you. Then follow me and just do what I ask of you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I am making a decision now about how I will respond in the future to difficult or unpleasant tasks. I am going to serve you willingly without grumbling, complaining or arguing. I give you permission to ask me to do whatever you want me to do for you. Amen

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

So That – Philippians 2-14-16 – Blameless And Pure – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Work For Nothing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 253 - Philippians 2:14-16 - Work For Nothing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 253 – Philippians 2:14-16 – Work For Nothing – Growing As Disciples

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!  Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)

My Work 

Your work is to go out into the world. Do everything without arguing and complaining. No whining. No engaging in disputes. Have a good attitude. Live a clean life in thought, and word, and deed. Then you will be blameless and pure. You will live as my child. You will show yourself to be one of my followers. You will be different. You will stand out. You will shine like a star in the universe in the darkness of this world. Others will be drawn to me because of the witness of your life. They will get a good glimpse of me when they look at you. They will see my life being lived out in and through you. How does all this sound to you? This sounds like the desire of my heart. This sounds like the goal and purpose of my life. This sounds like my passionate and persistent prayer. That is very good.

Just as others have invested their time and talents and resources into your life, do likewise. Just as others have spurred you on in your faith, do likewise. Just as others have labored so that you could come to know and love and follow and serve me, give yourself to the same work. You can spend your life in no better way. This is the way to bear fruit for my kingdom. This is how you bring glory to my name. This is how you will store up treasure in heaven with me. This is how you will know that you will never work for nothing. Will you do this? Will you do all that I ask you? Will you give yourself tirelessly to my work? Yes, Lord, I will do all you ask of me. I will joyfully give myself to your work. I will not grow weary. I will not become tired. I will not give up and quit. You seem quite confident. My confidence is in you and not in myself. You will make me able. You will keep me moving forward with you. You will help me to accomplish your work. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that. Thank you. Lord.

Lord, I am at your service. Use me for your purposes. Just as others have invested in my life so I could come to know, love, and follow and serve you, use me likewise. Help me to spur others on in their faith. Help me to shine as an example that others can follow. Amen

Key Question… Who will be living proof that you have wisely invested your life in the spiritual well-being of others?

Living It Out…  Invest your time and talent and resources in others in ways that will help them to become vibrant followers of Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to help others to become bright and shining witnesses for Him in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to help others to grow in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you invest your life in others in ways that will help them to grow in their faith.

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

Philippians 2-14-16 – Promises – Day 253 – Work For Nothing – 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

Shine Like Stars

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 151 - Philippians 2:14-16 - Shine Like Stars - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 151 – Philippians 2:14-16 – Shine Like Stars – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) 

A Star In The Universe

That is what I want my life to be like. What do you want your life to be like? I want my life to be like a star that shines brightly in the universe for you. Let me be clear, my desire to shine brightly in the universe is for you. I am not concerned with making a name for myself. I am not trying to elevate my life above others. I would be satisfied to quietly serve you in some small corner of the world, if that were what you asked of me. Some of the small corners of the world do not receive much light. I know that you want everyone to hear about the salvation that they can have in you. You want others to see your life being lived out in and through your followers, Yes, I do. I want that very same thing. We are in complete agreement. That is very good.

What could hinder your being able to shine brightly as a witness in the world for me? Sin of any kind will dramatically dull my ability to shine brightly as a witness in the world for you. Do you have any sin in particular in mind? Yes, I do. I must confess that I have been a whiner and complainer and arguer. About what? You know. Yes, I do know. But you said you had something that you want to confess. Yes, I did. I’m listening. I have whined and complained and argued about my lot in life. At times, I have wished that my life would have been lived out differently. How so? I don’t really know. I have wanted something vaguely different or better or more. Sometimes, I have not liked your assignments. Rarely, have I run away from or turned down your assignments. But frequently, I have whined and complained or argued about them. That’s not good. No, I know that it is not. I know that whining and complaining and arguing is not pleasing to you. It is not. So, I have decided to stop whining and complaining and arguing. That’s good. How has your life changed since you have decided to stop whining, complaining and arguing? That is a very good question. Why is that? There have been dramatic changes. Tell me about them. I have born more fruit for you. I have had more joy in serving you. I have shined more brightly as a witness for you in the world. Then you are shining more like a star in the universe for me. Yes, I am. For that, I am very thankful.  That is very good.

Lord, I have been a whiner, complainer and arguer. I know how unpleasant I have been to be around. No more! Help me to be a bold and bright witness in the world. Help me to shine like a star in the universe. I will not whine or complain or argue about my life. Amen

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

Day 151 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 2-14-16 – Shine Like Stars – 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

Holding Fast

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - Philippians 2:14-16 - Holding Fast - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – Philippians 2:14-16 – Holding Fast – Growing As Disciples

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)

Shine Like A Light

That is exactly what I want to do. What’s that? I want to shine like a light in the world. I want my life to be a testimony for you. I don’t want anything to blemish my witness for you. That is a very good desire. What might hinder your testimony and witness for me in the world? If I were no different than anyone else in this crooked and twisted generation, then my life would offer no testimony or witness for you. No, it would not. Are there any behaviors that you want to be particularly on guard against right now? Yes, I don’t want to be a grumbler or a complainer or a disputer. Those are dangerous attitudes for me to hold. Those attitudes provide a direct threat to my ability to be a witness and testimony for you in the world. Yes, they do. Beyond that, you are not pleased with grumbling and complaining and disputing. No, I am not. You have called me to be grateful and thankful. You desire that I bring peace and harmony wherever I go, in whatever I do. Yes, I do.

How will you be able to stop being a grumbler or complainer or a disputer? Not, with my own strength and abilities, that is for sure. I will need you to change the attitudes of my heart and the thoughts of my mind. How do you think I will change the attitudes of your heart and the thoughts of your mind? What tool will I use to change the attitudes of your heart and the thoughts of you mind? You will use your word to change the attitudes of my heart and the thoughts of my mind. As I hold fast to your word I will be changed. You will use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Yes, I will.

How will you hold fast to my word? I will keep your word ever before me. I will meditate on your word day and night. I will hide your word in my heart, so I will not sin against you. I will let your word dwell in me richly. That will be very good.

What will be assured when you hold fast to my word? As I continue to hold fast to your word, I can be sure that my labor for you will never be in vain. As I continue to hold fast to your word, I can be positive that I will run well the race that you have set before me. Yes, you can. Will you keep on holding fast to my word? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then you will shine for me like a light in the world.

Lord, every day I will hold fast to your word. I will allow your word to change the attitude of my heart and thoughts of my mind. I will not grumble or complain so I can be an unblemished light for you in the world. Help me to run well and labor fruitfully for you. Amen 

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

God’s Word – Philippians 2-14 -16 – Holding Fast – 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

Shine Like Stars

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Philippians 2 - Shine Like Stars - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Philippians 2 – Shine Like Stars – Growing As Disciples

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) 

Work To Do

I have given you work to do for me in this world. I have a purpose and plan for your life. I have called you to go and do my will. I want you to be my bright and bold witness in the world. I want you to shine like a star in the universe.  This comes as welcome news to me. I want to know and do your will. I want to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want to shine like a star in the universe so that others will be drawn to you through my life. That is very good.

What might hinder me from being a bold and bright witness for you in the world? That is a very good question. I am glad that you asked it. However, I do think that you know the answer to this question. I will listen to what you can say to me in answer to your own question. I must confess that I have been a complainer and an arguer. I have complained about the difficulty of life and the work you have given me to do for you. I have argued with you about your purposes and plans for my life. I have said that the work was too difficult and that I am unable, unqualified and unprepared to do what you have asked me to do for you. That’s not good. I know. Why is it not good that you have been a complainer and arguer? Complaining and arguing are the ways of the world. Complaining and arguing is standard practice in the world. If I let myself be a complainer and an arguer then there will be no way that I will be able to shine as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. No, you will not. What else? If I continue to complain and argue I will never accomplish the purposes and plans you have for my life. Why is that? What you ask of me will require faith. For me to be able to do what you ask of me I will need to come to rely on you. If I come to you to complain and argue, my faith will not grow. If I continue to complain and argue, I will never rely on you to go and do what you ask of me. That’s true. So, I will stop complaining and arguing. I will place all my faith in you. I will come to rely on you. I will allow you to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans so that my labor will never be in vain. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to be a bold, bright, pure, and vibrant witness for you in the world. Help me to do what you have given me to do without complaining or arguing. Help me also, to be holding out your word of life to others in the world so they can come to know you. Amen

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

Character – Philippians 2-14-16 – Shine Like Stars – 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