Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

Living In The Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 201 - 1 John 1:5-10 - Living In The Light - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 201 – 1 John 1:5-10 – Living In The Light – Growing As Disciples

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.  So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.  But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:5-10 (NLT)  

Fellowship With Me

Do you want to live in fellowship with me? Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Do you want there to be no barriers between us? Yes, I want to live in fellowship with you. Yes, I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I certainly do not want there to be any barriers between us. These are all passionate desires of my heart. I could want and ask for nothing greater than to live my life in an intimate relationship with you. How can this desire be fulfilled in my life? That is a very good question. There will be no mystery in the answer. When you gave your life to me, when you asked me to be your Savior and Lord, you told me that you would leave the darkness of your old life behind you. You said that you wanted to live and walk in the light with me. You said that you would keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. Yes, I did say all these things to you. Yes, and that was and is very good. Keep on leaving your old life of darkness behind you. Keep on living and walking in the light with me. Keep on focusing your heart and mind and life on me. Follow me to where I lead you. Do what I ask of you. I will do all these things with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will keep on loving and following and serving you with all that is within me. That is very good.

Now, there is one more thing that I want you to do. Name it, and I will do it. Come and confess your sins to me. Never think that you are without sin. Make it your daily pattern and practice to confess your sins to me so that you can receive the forgiveness and cleansing I have for you. Then you will live in an intimate relationship with me. Then there will be no barriers between us. Then you will live in fellowship with me. It will be my joy to confess my sins and receive your forgiveness and cleansing. That will be very good. 

Lord, a couple things are absolutely certain. One, I am a sinner. I have sinned in my thoughts, words, and deeds. To think otherwise would be foolish, self-deception. Two, you will forgive and cleanse me of my sins as I confess them to you. That I will gladly do. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord pulled you out of darkness so you can walk in the light with Him?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern and practice to confess your sins to the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be forgiven and cleansed of your sins as you confess them to the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how it will become your daily practice to confess your sins to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live in the light as God is in the light.

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

Promises – Day 201 – 1 John 1-5-10 – Living In The Light – 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

Christ’s Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 198 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Christ's Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 198 – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – Christ’s Power – Growing As Disciples

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) 

Your Power

You feel weak quite often don’t you? I’m not exactly sure what you mean. You feel unable to do what I am calling you to do, isn’t that right? Yes, that is right. It’s not all bad that you feel weak. Why is that? What’s the alternative? The opposite of feeling weak is feeling strong. You would much rather feel strong than weak, isn’t that true? Yes, that’s true. Would you rather that I gave you easier assignments? Would that make you feel stronger? Would you only like to do tasks for me that were easy to accomplish? That sounds boring to me. That’s what I knew you would say.

What has happened to you when I have given you a difficult assignment? My first reaction has been to feel weak and unable to do what you have asked me to do. Sometimes, I have tried to duck the assignment by asking to do something else that was easier. How has that worked out for you? You have not usually let me off the hook. You have continued to give me the difficult assignment. What has been your second reaction? Once I have said yes to you, I then begin to pray and ask for your help. Yes, that’s very good. So, would you say that your weakness has caused you to rely on my strength? Yes, that’s exactly what I would say. Isn’t that a very good thing? Yes, it is. If I gave you only easy tasks to do for me, who would you rely on for your strength? I would rely on myself. That’s not good is it? No, it is not.

When my power works through your weakness what happens? I am then able to bear an abundance of fruit for you. Who gets the glory for the fruit that I bear in and through your life? All the fruit that I bear is for your kingdom and your glory. People know that only your power working in and through me has accomplished what you have given me to do. Yes, that’s right. Would people see me working in and through your life in the very easy and boring tasks that you have sometimes wanted to do for me? No, they would not.

What has happened to your faith as I have worked powerfully in and through your weakness? My faith in you has grown as I have seen you do in and through me what only you could have done. Would your faith in me grow if I gave you only easy tasks to do for me? No, it would not.

Can you see that your weakness provides an opportunity for me to work in and through your life? Your weakness makes you rely on me. Your weakness helps you to bear more fruit for me. Your weakness allows your life to be a clearer and brighter witness for me. What do you think about your weakness now? My weakness allows your power to be on display in and through my life. Yes, it does. So, I am thankful that I am weak and you are strong. That’s very good.

Lord, I have so many weaknesses. You have so many different ways that you can powerfully work in and through my life for your glory. I will rely on you and your strength to enable me to do whatever you call me to do for you. Amen

Key Question… Why will the Lord frequently call you to do what you are unable to do with your own strength alone?

Living It Out… Rely on God to work in and through your life in spite of all your weaknesses so that He will be glorified.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will work in and through your life in spite of all your weaknesses.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has powerfully worked in and through your weaknesses.

Prayer To Bless Others… In your weakness may you allow the power of Christ to work in and through you.

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

Promises – Day 198 – 2 Corinthians 12-9-10 – Christ’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

Fully Share Our Joy

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 200- 1 John 1:1-4 - Fully Share Our Joy - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 200- 1 John 1:1-4 – Fully Share Our Joy – Growing As Disciples

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.  We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.  1 John 1:1-4 (NLT)

Fullness Of Joy 

Do you want to have fullness of joy? Do you want my joy to overflow your life? Yes, I want your fullness of joy to overflow my life. How can such a thing happen to me? How can this be true in my experience? First, I have many more questions for you. I’m listening. Do you have anything that you have heard and seen or received from me that is worth sharing with others? Have I touched your life? Did I lift your life out of the muck and mire? Did I set your feet on solid ground? Have I healed your brokenness? Have I revived and refreshed and restored your soul? Have I forgiven your sins and cleansed your unrighteousness? Am I your Savior and Lord? Have I completely turned your life around and given you a brand-new life to live? Do you now have a new hope filled future, that will last forever? Do I have a plan and purpose for your life? Am I using you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plan? Is it now your joy to love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Are you now running the race I have set before you? Is your life on course? Yes Lord, you have done and are doing all these things for me. Yes, all that you have done and are doing for me is giving me great hope and peace and joy. You are certainly my Savior and Lord. My life is in your hands, nothing could make me more grateful and thankful. I do love you with all that is within me. That is very good. 

Now then, lets come back to the topic of having your life overflowing with joy. I’d like that. Keep on remembering all that I have done and am doing for you. Don’t forget. Then simply tell others all that I have done and am doing for you. Then my fullness of joy will overflow your life. Can you do that? Can you remember? Can you tell others about all that I have done for you and the new life you have in me? Yes Lord, I can and will do that. Then you have my fullness of joy overflowing your life. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for using others to help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. In the same way that you used others to help me to come to know you, use me to help others come to know you. Then together, we will all have fullness of joy. Amen

Key Question… How are you allowing God to use you to help others to come to know Him?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you to help others to come to know Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be filled with joy as you help others to come to know the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to help others to come to know Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you share with others the joy you have found in Jesus Christ.

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

Promises – Day 200 – 1 John 1-1-4 – Fully Share Our Joy – 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

Sent For Your Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 199- Romans 13:1-5- Sent For Your Good- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises Day 199- Romans 13:1-5- Sent For Your Good- Growing As Disciples

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Romans 13:1-5 (NLT)

Submit

That is not a popular word. That has not been a popular word in society. That has not been a popular word for you. What word are we talking about? We are talking about the word submit. Tell me why the word submit is not a popular word to many. People want to do what they want to do, when they want to do it. People want to live life as they see fit. They don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Advice is generally rejected. Firm direction, rules and laws are most unwelcome. Governing authorities are even despised in society today. People who enforce the laws that are meant to protect us often come under ridicule and scorn. It has gotten so bad that law breakers are called good and law enforcers are called bad. Is this a wise way to think? Is this a healthy way to act? Who has put governing authorities in place? Who has established laws to protect society? It is foolish to not submit to authority and to fail to obey laws. It is dangerous. It is reckless. It is very unwise. I know that governing authorities are put in place by you. Governing authorities are meant to be your servants. I know that laws have been established by you to protect society. If I were to step out from under authority and go about breaking laws, I would be living a dangerous life that would be headed for disaster. I know authority and laws are in place for my protection. I also know that if I rebel against authority, I am also rebelling against you. That is true. That is wise. That is certain. So, I will submit myself to you. I will submit myself to authority you have placed over me. I will follow the laws that have been established for my good. Then I will have nothing to fear from the authorities you have placed over me. Then I will have your protection. Then I will live with a clear conscience. Yes, you will. Living this way will be very good. It is my will and plan for you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will submit myself to the governing authorities. I will follow the laws that have been established to govern society. I know you have put authorities in place to be your servants, to act for you. I know authorities are also acting on my behalf, for my good. Amen

Key Question… Why is rebelling against authority and the laws of society also rebelling against God?

Living It Out… Submit to governing authorities and the laws of society as an act of obedience to God.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has put authorities and laws in place to bring order in society.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how authorities and the laws of society have protected your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you submit to the authority God has placed over your life.

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

Promises – Day 199 – Romans 13-1-5 – Sent For Your Good – 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

Take My Side

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 195- Psalm 119:153-160 - Take My Side - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 195- Psalm 119:153-160 – Take My Side – Growing As Disciples

Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.  Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.  The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.  LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.  Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.  Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.  See how I love your commandments, LORD. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.  The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.          Psalm 119:153-160 (NLT)

Your Side

Whose side do you think I’m on? What kind of question is that? I’m not even sure what that question means. It is not a difficult question. Am I on your side? Can you come to me when you are in trouble? Can you rely on me to help you? Can you tell me whatever is in your heart and on your mind, without any fear? Do I love and care for you? Am I kind and merciful to you? Do I love and care for you? Do you want to draw near to me when you are in trouble? Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Will I reject you? Will I turn away from you? Will I leave you empty handed? Do you need to fend for yourself? Do you need to work your own way out of trouble that is certain to come your way in this life? I will ask you again, “Whose side do you think I’m on?” Am I on your side? Now, I understand your questions. That’s good.

I will answer your questions. It’s about time. You are on my side. You had some reluctance to answer that question. Yes, I did. Why is that? If I say that I believe that you are on my side that answer has some implications. Like what? If I believe that you are on my side, I will pour out my heart to you in prayer. I will never be reluctant to come to ask you for help when I am in trouble. I will never make relying on myself my first course of action. I will believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. I will believe that you will never turn away from me. You love and care for me. You are kind and merciful to me. You will never leave me empty handed. I can pour my heart out to you without any fear of being rejected. I don’t need to fend for myself. I need have no fear. No, you do not. What will you do? I will believe that you are on my side. You are always ready to help me. You will use your word to strengthen and encourage me when I am in trouble. I will draw near to you. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will walk through life with you. I will love you because I know that you love me. That will be very good. Yes, it will be. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for being on my side. I know I can call out to you in prayer when I am in trouble. You will hear and answer my prayers. You will use your word to strengthen and encourage me when I am in trouble. Thank you for all your goodness to me. Amen

Key Question…Why can you be sure that God is on your side and will hear and answer your prayers?

Living It Out…Draw near to God and call out to Him in prayer when you are in trouble because He is on your side.

Seeing It Happen…Have faith that God is on your side and will help you when you are in trouble.

Get Ready To Share… May you draw near to God and call out to Him in prayer because He is on your side.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow and obey God’s word so your life will be filled with joy.

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

Promises – Day 195 – Psalm 119-153-160 – Take My Side – 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

Joy In Your Commands

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 193 - Psalm 119:137-144 - Joy In Your Commands- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 193 – Psalm 119:137-144 – Joy In Your Commands- Growing As Disciples

O LORD, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair.  Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy.  I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words.  Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.  I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments.  Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true.  As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.  Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. Psalm 119:137-144 (NLT)

Joy

Do you want your life to be filled with joy? What kind of question is that? Who would not want their life to be filled with joy? To want anything otherwise would be foolish beyond belief. You would think so, wouldn’t you? The truth is that many, most really, do not know what would fill them with joy. Now, that I can imagine. That, I understand. Tell me your thoughts. Many have reached the end of their lives and have realized that they pursued the wrong things. It has been like they have been climbing a ladder all their lives, only to realize that it was leaning against the wrong wall. Say more about this, what have many wrongly pursued? How have many misspent their lives? I will start by saying that to pursue anything or anyone other than you will only lead to great regret. But people do it all the time. They pursue money and power and position. They seek comfort and pleasure. They revel in the recognition and honor and applause of the world. Sadly, all the trophies and awards of this life will one day end up in a garbage bin. None of these pursuits will satisfy. None of these desires will bring happiness and joy. The fulfillment they offer is only temporary and will not last beyond this life. To live for these things will only lead to a misspent life, filled with regret, for what could have been. This will not be true of you, why is that? I am pursuing you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to come to know and love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to live my life with and for you. And so, what are you doing? I’m am listening to you. I am meeting with you daily in your word. I am following your instructions. I am receiving your guidance. I am going where you guide me. I am doing what you ask me. I am making it my pattern to put your word into practice as I love, follow and serve you. And what are you experiencing? I am filled with joy. Why is that? I know that I am living the life you have called me to live. I have no regrets. I have no second thoughts. I have great joy and peace knowing that I am living my life in a relationship with you. That is very good. And yes, my joy is in you. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word has been showing me how to live my life in ways that will be good and right and pleasing to you. Your word has been blessing my life and filling me with joy, as I have put it into practice. I will keep on trusting your word. Amen

Key Question… How has knowing, loving, following and obeying God’s word brought great joy into your life?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern to put God’s word into practice so that He can bless your life with joy.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your life will be filled with joy as you live your life according to God’s word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been filled with joy as you put God’s word in practice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow and obey God’s word so your life will be filled with joy.

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

Promises – Day 193 – Psalm 119-137-144 – Joy In Your Commands – 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

Have Great Peace

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 196- Psalm 119:161-168 - Have Great Peace - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 196- Psalm 119:161-168 – Have Great Peace – Growing As Disciples

Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.  I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.  I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.  I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just. Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.  I long for your rescue, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands.  I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much.  Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do. Psalm 119:161-168 (NLT)  

Great Peace

Would you like your life to be filled with great peace? Would you like to be kept from stumbling? Yes, I would like both of those things to be true in my life. How can my life be filled with great peace? How can I be kept from stumbling? Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Value my word as a hidden treasure. Keep my word ever before you. Listen attentively to me. Allow my word to guard and guide your life. Follow and obey my word. Put my word into practice. Do not be only a hearer of my word. Be a doer of my word. Then you will have great peace. Then you will be kept from stumbling.

How can I go about taking your word deep into my heart and mind? How can I value your word as a hidden treasure? Meet with me daily in my word. Meditate on my word. Allow my word to change the thoughts of your mind. Allow my word to change the words of your mouth. Allow my word to change the actions of your life. My word will mold and shape you. My word will lead you on the path that I have laid out for you. Your heart will be changed, and mind transformed as you continue to meet with me in my word. So, set apart a time and place to meet with me in my word. Keep a daily appointment with me. Hunger for my word. Thirst for the life I have called you to live. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Hold on to my word. Put my word into practice as you love, follow and serve me. Then you will be filled with my great peace. Then you will be kept from stumbling. With a willing heart, filled with joy and gladness, this I will do. I will take your word deep into my heart and mind and life. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I love your word. Your word is like a great treasure. Your word has protected me when I have been under attack. Your word has given me great peace. Your word has kept me from stumbling. I will follow and obey your word. Speak to me. I’m listening. Amen

Key Question… How has loving God’s word given you great peace?

Living It Out… Love God’s word so He can use it to give you great peace and keep you from stumbling.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that loving God’s word will give you great peace and keep you from stumbling.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how loving God’s word has filled your life with peace.

Prayer To Bless Others… May allow God’s word to give you great peace and keep you from stumbling.

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

Promises – Day 196 – Psalm 119-161-168 – Have Great Peace – 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

You Answered Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 215 - Psalm 138:3-6 - You Answered Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 215 – Psalm 138:3-6 – You Answered Me – Growing As Disciples

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth. May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great. Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.  Psalm 138:3-6 (NIV)

When I Called

Will you come and cry out to me? Will you ask me for all that you need? Why would I not come and cry out to you? Why would I fail to ask you for all that I need? That’s a very good question that you need to think about long and hard. Why is that? Haven’t you been reluctant to come and ask me for all that you need? Yes, that is true. Do you have any thoughts on the subject? There are a variety of possible reasons why I have not come and asked you for all that I need. Let me hear them. I’m not saying that I have any good reasons. I understand. Some of my reasons are so bad that I don’t really want to repeat them out loud. Go ahead anyway. I have not always come and asked for your help because my pride has told me that I don’t need your help. I have foolishly thought that I could rely on myself to handle all of my problems. How has that worked out for you? Without your help I have been weak and faint hearted in many of my efforts. I have been unable to accomplish all that you have given me to do for you. There is a reason for that. What’s that? It is my plan that you will rely on me to accomplish what I have given you to do in life. There is no way that you will ever feel strong and bold and confident without me. Would it serve you well if I allowed you to live your life confidently and boldly without me? No, it would not. Your weakness is meant to cause you to come to rely on my strength. I will be your strength. I will be your boldness. I will be your confidence. Would you like that? Yes, I would. Let me hear one more of your reasons for not asking for all that you need from me. I’m sorry to say that I have wondered if you would hear and answer my prayer. Wondered? I have doubted that you would hear and answer my prayer. How does that sound to you? It sounds terrible. I ask you to forgive me for not coming to you with faith to ask you for all that I need. You have been and are forgiven. What do you want instead? I would like my faith in you to be strong. I would like to pray bold prayers. I would like to ask for all that I need from you. There is only one way for that to happen. How is that? Start praying those prayers right now. Do you sense that there may be a relationship between your power in life and your power in prayer? I have never thought about prayer that way, until now. Now, is a good time to know that this is true, isn’t it? Yes, it is. What do you want to do differently as a result of hearing from me? I want to give you thanks and praise to you for speaking to me. I want to rejoice in knowing that you are watching over me and caring for my life. I want to begin to come and make known to you all that I need. I want to rely fully on you. I want to pray bold and confident prayers with the knowledge that you will hear and answer me. You will make me bold and confident and strong. You will make me able to do all that you have given me to do for you. Yes, I will as you come to rely on me.

Lord, thank you that I can humbly come and cry out to you. That is exactly what I will do. I will not rely on my own strength and abilities. Instead, I will rely on you. You hear and answer my prayer. You make be strong and bold as I follow and serve you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord strengthened your heart and made you bold as you have relied on Him?

Living It Out… Rely on God and humbly call out to Him so that He can make you strong and bold for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will make will make you strong and bold as you rely on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has made you strong and bold as you have called out to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly call out to God in prayer so that He can strengthen your heart and make you bold for Him.

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

Promises – Day 215 – Psalm 138-3-6 – You Answered Me – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

Pray With All My Heart

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 194- Psalm 119:145-152 - Pray With All My Heart - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 194- Psalm 119:145-152 – Pray With All My Heart – Growing As Disciples

I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD! I will obey your decrees.  I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.  I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.  I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.  In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.  Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions.  But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.  I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever. Psalm 119:145-152 (NLT)

Pray 

Why is it that you can cry out to me? Why is it that you can lay your prayers before me? Why is it well worth your time and effort to draw near to me? Will I hear you? Will I answer your prayers? Will I help you in your hour of need? Is it my delight for you to choose to live in an intimate relationship with me? Tell me what you think? What is on your heart and in your mind? You love and care for me. You are not distant. You are not far off. You have not removed yourself from me. I can cry out to you because you delight to hear from me. As a son can come to his father, so also, I can come to you. Yet, you are far better, far wiser, and more loving and caring than any human father. Your eye is always on me. Your hand rests on me. There is nowhere I can go that takes me out of your sight. There is no detail of my life that goes unobserved and unnoticed by you. You know me. You know the thoughts I will think before I think them. You know the words I will speak before I speak them. You know the actions I will take before I take them. One might think that with such knowledge you would turn away from me. Why is that? I am a sinner. I have sinned. I will sin. That is all the more reason for you to come and pray to me. Confess your sin. Receive your cleansing. Be made new. Keep on living the life I have given you to live. Cry out to me. Lay your prayers before. Allow me to hear and answer your prayers. Allow me to guard and guide your life. Allow me to fulfill all my promises to you. That I will do. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will keep on crying out to you. I will keep on laying my prayers before you. I will keep drawing near to you. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. Thank you for loving and caring for me. Fulfill your promises in my life. Amen

Key Question… How near is God to you that you can call out to Him in prayer?

Living It Out… Place all your hope and trust in God and His word because He will hear and answer your prayers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s word will guide the prayers of your heart so you can pray prayers He will hear and answer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is guiding the prayers of your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s word guide the prayers of your heart.

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

Promises – Day 194 – Psalm 119-145-152 – Pray WIth All My 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

Not Lose His Reward

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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

Key Question… Why would it be a foolish mistake to fail to help others who are in great need?

Living It Out… Freely give of your time, talents and resources to those who are in need.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will receive a reward in heaven because you have freely given to those who are in need.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are freely given to those who are in need.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you freely give to those who are in need.

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

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