Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

The Way You Should Go

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 76 - Psalm 32:8-9 - The Way You Should Go - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 76 – Psalm 32:8-9 – The Way You Should Go – Growing As Disciples

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)

Know It All 

I have learned my lesson. What lesson have you learned? I have learned how foolish it is to pridefully and stubbornly fail to accept your guidance. How have you learned this lesson? I have taken so many missteps. I have made so many mistakes. I have wasted time and talent and resources. I have wasted so much energy going off in a dozen different unfruitful directions. Each lesson, I will tell you, has not been pain free. Being stubborn and filled with pride can leave a person weary and worn out and bruised and broken. I have experienced it all, and then some. I’m sure it seems that way to you. You don’t think so? Some never reach the end of themselves and learn to come to humbly ask me for help. You are here now. You have realized your mistakes. You are admitting your sin. Yes, I am, without a doubt. Now I see that I was like a stubborn mule. I was not willing to be led by you. But now you are. Yes, I am. That is very good.

Tell me what more you have learned? I have learned that nothing is more dangerous than to think one “knows it all”. A “know it all”, will never receive advice or accept counsel. A “know it all”, cannot be warned. A thousand people could see a “know it all” headed for a cliff. Not one person could help the “know it all” avoid disaster. The “know it all” would not hear a thousand voices in unison shouting, “watch out, stop, don’t take another step.” Only later, after the disaster might a “know it all” say, “Why didn’t you warn me?” Then there may be hope for the “know it all”. That was me. I was like a “know it all” after a disaster. The only difference is that it took my going over many cliffs and experiencing many disasters to understand that I did not “know it all”. Then I was willing to humbly ask you for your help. Then I was willing to accept your instruction and receive your guidance. Now I know that I know very little and that I desperately need your help. So, every day I will come to you to ask to guide me. I will make no plan or take no action without asking for you to direct my steps. You have learned a valuable lesson. Yes, I have. I will place all my trust in you. That is very good. 

Lord, I will not be like a stubborn horse or mule that resists guidance. I will not reluctantly submit myself to your leadership. Instead, I will listen attentively to you. I will receive your counsel. I will humbly and willingly follow you. I will joyfully do what you ask me. Amen

Key Question… How are you humbly allowing the Lord to give you His guidance as you follow Him?

Living It Out… Humbly allow the Lord to give you His guidance as you follow Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you His guidance as you humbly follow Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has guided your life as you have humbly followed Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly receive and follow guidance the Lord wants to give to you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 76 – Psalm 32-8-9 – The Way You Should Go – 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

Why Do You Boast?

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 77 - 1 Corinthians 4:7 - Why Do You Boast? - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 77 – 1 Corinthians 4:7 – Why Do You Boast? – Growing As Disciples

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

Boasting 

I don’t want to be doing that. You don’t want to do be doing what? I don’t want to be boasting about who I am or what I have done. Why is that? I have no reason to boast. Why do you have no reason to boast? Everything I am and hope to be comes from you. Everything I have done or will do has come from you. You have uniquely created me as I am. You have given me specific gifts, talents and abilities with which you have made me able to serve you. You have guided me to where you have wanted me to go. You have given me what you have wanted me to. I can do nothing of lasting and eternal value without your making me able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. So, I can’t boast. But I can give you thanks and praise and honor and glory for all your goodness to me. You have richly blessed my life. I have found great joy in loving, following and serving you. That is very good. It brings me pleasure to hear your thankfulness.

However, you have not said enough. What more can I say? Tell me about the danger of comparing yourself with others. There lies a great danger. If I were to compare myself with others, I might begin to think I am better than others and become proud and boastful. I might even begin to think that I am the source of who I am or what I have done. Then I would not give you the thanks and praise and honor and glory you richly deserve. Is that the only possibility? No, certainly not. The other possibility is equally dangerous. If I were to compare myself with others, I might think that others are far better and more gifted than myself. Then I might become jealous and envious and resentful. I might even begin to covet who others are or what they have been given. Then for quite different reasons, I would not give you the thanks and praise and honor and glory you richly deserve. Both a prideful boastful attitude and a jealous and envious, covetous attitude are not pleasing to you. No, they are not. Both of these wrong attitudes would short circuit your work in and through my life. Both of these improper attitudes would make me unable to bear fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. That’s true. So, I will focus on giving thanks and praise and glory and honor to you for the way that you are, have been and will continue to do your work in and through me. That will be very good.

Lord, there is nothing I have received that has not come from you. There is nothing I have done of value that you have not made me able to accomplish. I give you praise for the way you have been, are, and will be working in and through me for your glory. Amen

Key Question… What of lasting and eternal value would you be able to accomplish without the Lord helping you?

Living It Out… Give thanks and praise to the Lord for how He is working in and through you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that it is the Lord who is working in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is working in and through you to accomplish His purposes.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give thanks to the Lord for the way He has been, is, and will continue to work in and through you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 77 – 1 Corinthians 4-7 – Why Do You Boast – 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

Draw Near To God And He Will Draw Near To You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 78 - James 4:7-10 - Draw Near To God And He Will Draw Near To You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 78 – James 4:7-10 – Draw Near To God And He Will Draw Near To You – Growing As Disciples

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7-10 (ESV)  

Humbly Draw Near

Thank you, Lord, that I can draw near to you. Thank you, Lord, that you draw near to me. As a humble act of submission, I will make it my regular and frequent practice to draw near to you. How often will you draw near to me? I will certainly draw near to you every day. But I am certain that I will need to draw near to you far more frequently than just every day. Why is that? I desperately need your help. I certainly need your wisdom. I definitely need your protection. So, I can envision drawing near to you through the moments of my day. That will be very good.

What happens to you when you humbly draw near to me? When I humbly draw near to you, I am submitting myself to you. I am asking for your help. I am coming to rely on you. I am placing all my trust in you rather than in myself. I am making myself fully available to you. I am withdrawing from the world and entering into your presence. I am listening to your voice. I am focusing my heart and mind and life on you. I am making myself available to receive your instruction and follow your guidance. I am turning away from my own thoughts to seek your thoughts. I am waiting in solitude and silence before you so that you can guard and guide my life. That is very good.

What have I done for you as you have humbly drawn near to me? When I have humbly drawn near to you, you have drawn near to me. You have filled me with your peace. You have removed my heart and mind and life from the storm of evil thoughts, opinions, values and circumstances that have swirled around me, that have sought to entrap me. You have caused the devil to flee from me. You have reordered and reprioritized my perspective. You have refocused my heart and mind and life on you. You have helped me once again to place all my hope and trust on you. You have set my feet back on a firm foundation. You have made me able to see, once again, how to live and walk and move forward with you on the path of life. Yes, I have done all these things for you. Will you keep on submitting yourself to me by drawing near to me? Will you make humbly drawing near to me your ongoing moment by moment strategy to resist evil in all its forms? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I will draw near to you. I know you will draw near to me. Help me to resist the devil so he will flee from me. Guard my heart and mind and life from his attacks. Help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds as I follow and serve you.  Amen

Key Question… How has God changed your thoughts, words and actions as you have humbly drawn near to Him?

Living It Out… Humbly submit yourself to God by drawing near to Him, resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you humbly submit yourself to God by drawing near to Him, the devil and his evil will flee from you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been humbly drawing near to God and resisting the devil.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly draw near to God and resist the devil so he will flee from you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 78 – James 4-7-10 – Draw Near To God And He Will Draw Near To You – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Your Steadfast Love

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 79 - Psalm 63:1-4 - Your Steadfast Love - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 79 – Psalm 63:1-4 – Your Steadfast Love – Growing As Disciples

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4 (ESV)

Earnest Desire

It is my earnest desire to seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my joy to be in your presence. It is my delight to meet with you in solitude and silence. You have placed within me this insatiable desire for you. If I were like a thirsty traveler crawling across the desert floor in search of water, my desire would not be stronger than it is for you. This desire within me is not to my credit. This desire did not originate in me. I have not given birth to this desire, nor would I be able to stir it up within me. You have started this flame of desire within me. You have fanned the flame of this desire within me. For this I give you my wholehearted and undying thanks. That is very good.

What do you hope to gain as you seek me with all your heart? What do you hope will be the outcome of your coming to meet with me? What do you believe I will do in you, for you and through you as you draw near to me? I hope to come to know you intimately. I want to hear your voice. I want to receive your instruction. I want to follow your guidance. I want you to guard and guide my life. Is that it? No, I’m just getting warmed up. As I am in your presence, I want you to mold and shape my life. I want you to change my heart and transform my mind. I want to be able to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want to be able to live a life that is pleasing to you. Is that it? No, I have much more that I hope for and believe that you will do in me, for me, and through me as I remain in your presence. I want to be able to shine brightly in the world for you. I want to be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want others to be drawn to you through your life being lived out in and through me. Surely this must be all you want from me? No, I am not nearly done with my what I am asking for from you. I want to be able to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want my life to be filled with praise and thanks to you. I want to give you the honor and glory that you deserve. I want to worship you with all that is within Is that it? Is that enough? Have I asked for too little? Yes, I want more. I want you to show me what I failed to ask you for. I want you to teach me how to pray. I want you to give and grant all the prayers that you would like me to pray. I don’t want to miss out on anything that you would like me to receive from you. I want to fully live the life that you have called me to live so I can bring you all the glory due your name. Now, for the moment, I am done with my requests from you. I believe that you will hear and answer these prayers that you have given me to pray. Yes, I will hear and answer your prayers as you keep on earnestly seeking me with all your heart. 

Heavenly Father, my soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you. I will earnestly seek you. I will seek you as if I were a thirsty person crawling across the desert floor looking for water. I want to come to know you and give you praise for your steadfast love. Amen

Key Question… How has God refreshed and revived your life as you have earnestly sought Him?

Living It Out… Earnestly seek God with all your heart so you can come to know Him and His steadfast love.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will come to know God’s steadfast love as you earnestly seek Him with all your heart.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are earnestly seeking God with all your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you earnestly seek God so you will come to know His steadfast love.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 79 – Psalm 63-1-4 – Your Steadfast Love – 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

Living By God’s Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 80 - 1 Corinthians 4:20- Living By God's Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 80 – 1 Corinthians 4:20- Living By God’s Power – Growing As Disciples

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT2)

Lot Of Talk

I have seen and heard far too much of that. You seen and heard far too much of what? I have seen and heard far too much talk. I have seen far too little power. What do you mean by too much talk and too little power? Let me clarify something before I go too much farther. Go ahead. When I say that I have I have seen far too much talk and far too little power I am talking both about in my life and in the world around me. I am commenting just as much about myself as I am about the world around me. What kind of power are you hoping to hear and see far more of your life and in the world? I am hoping to hear and see far more of your power at work in and through my life and in the world around me. Let me be clear, I am hoping to hear and see your power at work so that your purposes and plan will be accomplished, and glory will be brought to your name. I have no desire to make a name for myself. I don’t want to be the center of attention. I don’t want anyone to be drawn to me. Self-interest is not driving my desire to see you powerfully at work in my life or in the world around me. I want your power to bring you glory and draw a multitude of people to you. I want to see a rich harvest for your kingdom. That is very good.

Why do you think you have seen far too little of my power working in and through your life and in the world around you? There could be any number of reasons. Name a few. I could have something in my life that is hindering your power to be at work in and through me. I could be asking amiss or not asking at all for your power to be at work in me or in the world around me. I could be relying far too much on my own thoughts, wisdom and ideas. I could be praying with wrong motives. I might not be praying according to your will. You might want me to be more fervent and persistent in prayer. You might want to draw me far deeper in my relationship with you. Could all of these be true at one time or another? Yes, that is a very distinct possibility. Could you go wrong by drawing nearer to me? Could you make a mistake by being more fervent and persistent in your prayers? I doubt it, certainly not. Will I show you if you are praying amiss? Will I help you to see and remove what is hindering your prayers? Without a doubt. Will keep on coming to me? Will you keep on praying to me? Will you rely on me rather than on yourself? Yes, I will. Then you will see my power at work in you and in the world around you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I have seen and heard far too much talk and too little of your power at work. Remove anything from my life that will hinder your power to work in and through me to accomplish your purposes and bring you glory. I will come to rely on you and your power. Amen

Key Question… What prayers are you now praying for God to be powerfully at work in a situation?

Living It Out… Rely on the power of God to work in and through you to accomplishes His purposes and bring Him glory.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can rely on the power of God to work in and through you for His purposes and glory.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group when the power of God has been working in and through you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on God’s power to work in and through your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 80 – 1 Corinthians 4-20 – Living By God’s Power – 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

Guard Your Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 81 - Proverbs 4:20-27 - Guard Your Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 81 – Proverbs 4:20-27 – Guard Your Heart – Growing As Disciples

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27 (NIV)

Pay Attention

That is what I will do, without a doubt. What will you do without a doubt? I will pay attention to you. I will listen closely to your words. I will treasure everything that you have taught me. I will hear and obey you. I will guard my heart and mind. I will be very careful about the words that I allow to come out of my mouth. I will focus my heart and mind and life on you. You will have my full-hearted devotion. I will live the life that you are calling me to live. Why will I have your full-hearted devotion? I will follow and obey you because I love you. It would be foolish and impossible to believe that I loved you if I was unwilling to follow and obey. The desire of my heart is to love, follow and obey you. It my joy to do what you ask of me. That is very good. 

Will you be alone in your effort to follow and obey me? I’m not sure what you mean by that question. Will I help you to follow and obey me? Does your following and obeying me rest on your own strength alone? Certainly not, I would have no hope of living a life that is devoted to you without your help. I am weak. I am prone to wonder. I am susceptible to temptation. You will help me to follow and obey you. You will guard and guide me as I follow you. You will sustain and strengthen me as I follow you. How will I keep you on course? How will I guard, guide, sustain and strengthen you? You will lead me. You will teach me. You will train me. How so? You will use your word to speak into my life. You will use your word to change my heart. You will use your word to transform my mind. Your word will make me able to resist temptation. Your word will make me able to stand against evil. As I remain in you and your words remain in me, I will live the life that you are calling me to live. I will not wander off. I will stay on course. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Yes, you will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will pay attention to what you have taught me. I will not forget or fail to pay attention to you. I will guard my mouth from saying and eyes from seeing what is not helpful. I will fix my heart, mind and life on you. Use your word to keep me on course. Amen 

Key Question… How has God used His word to keep you from swerving to the right of left as you follow Him?

Living It Out… Allow God’s word to guard and guide and keep on course as you love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will keep your life on course as you love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are guarding your heart and mind as you follow the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to guard and guide your heart and mind as you love, follow and serve Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 81 – Proverbs 4-20-27 – Guard Your Heart – 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

Search Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 82 - Psalm 139:23-24 - Search Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 82 – Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me – Growing As Disciples

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Search Me

I’m not sure if this is the best or worst time to pray this prayer. Why is that? I am so frustrated. I am absolutely churning inside. There is no calm within. Do you mean to say that you are angry? Yes, I am angry. Do you have ample reason to be angry? Are you justified in being as angry as you are? Probably not. Do you think that I am pleased with your anger? Certainly not. Have you let a relatively minor situation get the best of you? Without, a doubt. Have you lost all your perspective and allowed yourself to overcome with emotion? There is no doubt about it. Guess what. What? This is a perfect time to draw near to me. This is an ideal time to ask me to search you to remove any offensive way that is within you. Why is that? What is at the surface? What has coming bubbling out of you? What is obvious for both of us to see? I can see that I am unnecessarily angry. I can see that I have foolishly let something upset me. I have let a minor detail in life cause me to lose all perspective. That is good. What is good about that? It is good that you see these things. It is great that you are confessing them to me. You are not trying to hide anything from me. No, I am not. That’s very good isn’t it? Yes, I can see that now.

What would you like me to do for you? I would like you to forgive me. You are forgiven. I would also like you to search me. That is never hard for you, but it is especially easy today. Yes, it is. Well, I would like you to remove this anger from me. What anger? Yes, I get it. You have already removed this anger from me. Is there something else that you would like me to do for you? Yes, I would like you to help me to overcome situations that might be frustrating. I would like you to give me victory over anger. What do I want you to do? You want me to be quick to listen, slow to speak and be slow to become angry. Yes, I do. That’s what I want as well. Good, I will hear and answer your prayer. I will lead you in my everlasting way. You will live the life that I am calling you to live. Thank you, Lord.  

Lord, I welcome you to search me. I don’t confidently say that thinking you will find no offensive way that is within me. Just the opposite is true; I am sure you will find an offensive way in me that certainly needs to be removed. I welcome your work in me. Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word as a tool to search your thoughts and words and actions?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to search you and remove any offensive way that is within you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will search you and remove any offensive way in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group an offensive way that the Lord has removed from your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to search you and remove any offensive way in you.

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

Day 82 – Becoming Like Christ – Psalm 139-23-24- Search 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

He Did Not Retaliate

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 83 - 1 Peter 2:20-23 - He Did Not Retaliate - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 83 – 1 Peter 2:20-23 – He Did Not Retaliate – Growing As Disciples

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  1 Peter 2:20-23 (NIV)

Patiently Endure

That is what I want to do? What do you want to do? I want to follow your example. I want to patiently endure suffering and mistreatment without retaliating. That is very good. What will happen to you if you follow my example? For one, I will stand out in the world. Why is that? Most everyone living in the world does not patiently endure suffering and mistreatment without retaliation. This is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth world. Payback is far more common than patiently enduring. Yes, it is. Why are you willing to patiently endure suffering and mistreatment. I want to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. I want to do what you did. I want to become like you in all that I think, say and do. Can you say more about what will happen to you as you patiently endure suffering and mistreatment? Well, I will certainly draw nearer to you. Why is that? I won’t have the ability to patiently endure suffering and mistreatment without your help. Without, your help I am more likely to retaliate than patiently endure. So, I will draw nearer to you as I ask for your power and strength. What else? I will shine brightly for you as a bold witness in the world as I patiently endure suffering in the world. As I have said, that counter culture like response will stand out and be noticed. In doing so, I will be pointing others to you. Others will see and recognize that your life is being lived out, in and through me. Your kindness, mercy and love will be flowing in and through my life. Not only will this behavior stand out and be noticed, it will also be highly attractive. Others will see the life I have in you. They will want to come to know and love you through the bold witness of me living the life you have called me to live. Yes, they will. So, as I patiently endure suffering and mistreatment, my life will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. So, that is what I will do with all the power and strength that you give me. That will be very good. 

Lord, there have been plenty of times when I have wanted to retaliate against those who have mistreated me. Doing so would ruin any opportunity I might have to be a bold witness for you in the world. Help me to follow your example by enduring mistreatment. Amen

Key Question… How has enduring mistreatment without retaliation enabled you to be a witness for Christ in the world?

Living It Out…  Endure suffering and mistreatment without retaliation so you can be a bold witness for Christ in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to endure mistreatment so you can be a bold witness for Him in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have followed Christ example of how to endure mistreatment.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not retaliate when others mistreat you.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 83 – 1 Peter 2-20-23 – He Did Not Retaliate – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

A Good Work In You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 84 - Philippians 1:3-6 - A Good Work In You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 84 – Philippians 1:3-6 – A Good Work In You – Growing As Disciples

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Under Construction 

I know that I am under construction. You are continuing to do your good work in me. Yes, I am. For that, I am thankful beyond measure. I am so glad that you are molding and shaping my life. Why is that? I want what you want. I want to become the person you have called me to be. I know that I am a work in progress. You are not finished with me yet. There is something that you are not saying. Sometimes, I get discouraged that I have not made more progress. Are you frustrated with the pace of my work in you? No, I am not frustrated with you or your work in me. I am frustrated with me. Let me ask you a few questions. I’m listening. You have my full attention. Will your frustration and discouragement do anything positive to advance my work in you? I doubt it. Actually, I’m pretty sure that my frustration and discouragement will actually slow down and hinder your work in me. Why is that? I have never seen anything good come out of my frustration and discouragement. What will pull you out of your frustration and discouragement? I need to remind myself that you are continuing your good work in me. Your good work in me will not stop until the day I come to meet with you in heaven. That’s true. So, what will you do? I will believe your promise. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. I will hold on to you as you hold on to me. I will draw near to you as you draw near to me. I will place all my faith and hope and trust in you. I will focus my attention on you. I will keep my eyes on you. That is very good.

What will you also be doing as you focus your attention on me? What will you also be doing as you keep your eyes on me? I will be taking my eyes off of myself. I will stop continually trying to measure my progress as your follower. When I take a misstep, make a mistake or sin, I will simply confess my shortcomings and weaknesses and sin to you. In those moments, I will simply drawer nearer to you, so I can keep on moving forward with you. Yes, you will and that will be very good. Always be confident and sure that you are under construction and my good work will always continue in you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I welcome your work in me. Keep on molding and shaping my life. Use me for your purposes so I can accomplish your plans. Guide my prayers for others. Help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name as I partner with others. Amen

Key Question… Where is the cutting edge of growth in the work that the Lord is now doing in you?

Living It Out… Welcome and let nothing hinder the good work that the Lord will continue to do in you as you follow Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will continue to do His good work in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what prayers you can pray for each other as you follow Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to continue His good work in you.

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

Day 84 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 1-3-6 – A Good Work In You – 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

Set Your Minds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 85 - Colossians 3:1-4 - Set Your Minds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 85 – Colossians 3:1-4 – Set Your Minds – Growing As Disciples

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)  

Mind Set

I will set my heart and mind on heavenly things rather than on earthly things. What do you mean by that? I will not pursue all that this world has to offer. I will not misspend my life on what will not last. I will not waste my time, talents and resources trying to acquire things. My life will not be about seeking to live in comfort and experience pleasure. You have made it so I can truly say that I am completely dead to the world and fully alive to you. That’s true. Do I always live out this reality? Does the world never succeed in capturing my attention? I know that I am not living out a perfect life. I do take missteps, make mistakes and sin. But you are guiding and guarding the course of my life. I am living my life with and for you. You forgive my sin. You cleanse my unrighteousness. You keep me moving forward with you. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing with and for you. For that, I am very thankful. That’s good.

What do you hope to gain? What do you hope to accomplish with your life? I hope to come to know you intimately. I hope to be able to know and do your will. I want to be used by you. I want to be an instrument in your hands. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. I want to fully love, follow and obey you. I want to shine brightly as your witness in the world. I want others to be drawn to you through the testimony of my life. I hope to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom. I hope to bring glory to your name. How will all these desires be fulfilled? You have given me these desires. You will fulfill these desires. I know you. You are both the giver and granter of desires. Yes, I am.  You give me prayers to pray that you will hear and answer. Yes, I will.

Is there anything else that you want? I want all that you want for me. I want nothing more. I want nothing less. One day when you appear in your glory, I want to be with you. I want to be able to hear you say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.” Only you can and only you will make this possible. Have I asked for enough? Yes, you have asked for everything that I want to and will give to you. I will hear and answer your prayers. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, help me to live a life that is completely dead to the world and fully alive to you. I will set my heart and mind on heavenly things, of lasting and eternal value, rather than earthly things, so I can bear much fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… Why would pursuing earthly things be one of the surest ways to misspend your life?

Living It Out… Make pursuing heavenly things that are of lasting and eternal value the goal of your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be well spent as you pursue heavenly versus earthly things.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are engaged in pursing heavenly versus earthly things.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you set your heart and mind on heavenly things rather than on earthly things.

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

Day 85 – Becoming Like Christ – Colossians 3-1-4 – Set Your Minds – 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