Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

These Men Had Been With Jesus

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 128 - Acts 4:13 - These Men Had Been With Jesus - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 128 – Acts 4:13 – These Men Had Been With Jesus – Growing As Disciples

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV)

Notice

That’s exactly what I want. What is exactly what you want? I want my life to be noticeably different because I have been spending time with you. How do you want your life to be different? I want my life to be less like my life and more like your life. How so? I want to think like you think. I want to speak like you speak. I want to act like you act. As I spend time in your presence I want to be totally changed. I want less of me and more of you. I want there to be no other explanation for the way that I think and speak and act than that I have been with you. I want others to see your life being boldly and brightly and courageously being lived out in and through me. I want others to be drawn to you because of what they see of you in me. Does that make sense? Is that possible? Is that a great desire and a good prayer? What do you think? I think these desires have developed in me only because I have been in your presence. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to conceive these desires within me. You have given me a hunger to know you. You have made it my passion to become like you. These desires so dominate my life that I want nothing less or more or else. I will be most thankful for all the work you have done, are doing and will do in and through me. There is something else I want to make clear to you and to myself. What’s that? I want none of these things for myself. I want to become more like you so that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I am not trying to be somebody. I am not trying to make a name for myself. I will be happy to be your humble servant. I will be pleased if I can serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. There is something else that I know. What’s that? You have given me these desires. You will fulfill these desires. As I remain in your presence, I cannot be unchanged. We both want the same thing. I want to become like you. You want me to become like you. So, I will continue to allow you to do your work in and through me. That will be very good. I will change you. I will mold you. I will shape you. Others will notice that you have been with me. I will make you a bold and bright and courageous witness in the world for me as you continue to remain in my presence. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, the world is trying to pull me in a thousand different directions. Busyness is what will prevent me from spending time with you. Help me to set aside a daily time and place where I can spend time with you. Make me more like you as I am in your presence. Amen

Key Question… Why is it impossible to be with Jesus and remained unchanged in the way you think, speak and act?

Living It Out… Make it your daily practice to spend time with Jesus so that you can become more like Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will dramatically change everything about you as you spend time with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what has helped or hindered you in spending time with Jesus.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you spend time with Jesus so you can become more like Him.

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

Day 128 – Becoming Like Christ – Acts 4-13 – These Men Had Been With Jesus – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 276 - Romans 8:26-27- In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 276 – Romans 8:26-27- In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness – Growing As Disciples

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

Weak Or Strong?

There is no doubt about that. There is no doubt about what? I am weak. How are you weak? How much time do you have? I could go on and on about how weak I am. That wouldn’t be a bad exercise. Why is that? You don’t need to worry so much about your weaknesses. When you should begin to worry is when you begin to think you are strong. Why is that? What do you do when you know you are weak? I come to rely on you. I ask you for your help. What do you do when you begin to think that you are strong? I rely on my own gifts and talents and abilities. I try to go and do your will with my own efforts. You do now see the problem, don’t you? Yes, I do.

You had a very specific weakness in mind when you said there was no doubt about your weakness. Yes, I did. Tell me about the weakness you had in mind. I can’t tell you how often I have not known how to pray. Does that seem like a weakness to you? Yes, it does. Are you sure about that? No, I’m not. If you haven’t known how to pray what have you done? If you don’t know how to pray what will you do? If I don’t know how to pray, I will ask you to show me how to pray. That is what I have done and that is what I will do. When have you been so sure of how to pray that you didn’t need to ask me to show you how to pray? When have you not needed me to guide your prayers? You’ve got me there. I can’t say that I have ever not needed you to guide my prayers. I have always and will always need you to show me how to pray. Yes, you will.  Wouldn’t needing and relying on my help be more of a strength than a weakness? Yes, it would. Wouldn’t relying on yourself to come up with your own prayers to pray be more of weakness? Yes, it would. Aren’t you strongest when you rely on me? Yes, I am. Aren’t you weakest when you rely on yourself? Yes, I am. So, what will you do? I will rely on you to show me how to pray. I will let you guide my prayers. That will be very good.  

Holy Spirit, often I have no idea how to pray. I have no thoughts to think or words to say. I am left speechless, which is a good thing. I will rely on you to teach me how to pray. Guide my prayers. Intercede for me. Bring my prayers into alignment with God’s will. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Holy Spirit been teaching you to rely on Him to guide your prayers?

Living It Out… Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers so that they will be in alignment with God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide your prayers so that they will come into alignment with God’s will.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has been teaching you how to pray.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray in and through your weakness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 276 – Romans 8-26-27 – In The Same Way The Spirit Helps Us – 4 Page Discipleship 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

Be Constant In Prayer

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 365 - Romans 12:12 - Constant In Prayer - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 365 – Romans 12:12 – Constant In Prayer – Growing As Disciples

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Pray

These words all fit together don’t they? What words all fit together? Hopefully, patiently and constantly, are all words that fit together. They all are part of one whole picture. Say more, about how these words fit together in one whole picture. You are on the right track. I pray because I am hopeful. I know that you delight to hear my prayers. You will draw near to me as I draw near to you in prayer. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to come to rely on you for your help. I believe that you will hear and answer my prayers. So, I pray with hopeful expectation. That is very good. Yes, it is my delight to hear your prayers. It is my joy to meet with you in prayer. I do want you to live in an intimate relationship with me. I will hear and answer your prayers. There is more.  I’m listening. You have asked me to keep on praying. You have told me to never give up and quit praying to you. Some prayers are answered almost immediately. Some prayers are answered over an extended period of time. Some prayers are answered in ways far better than I could have hoped for, dreamed of or even imagined. Some prayers, because of your loving grace and mercy, are never answered. What do you mean by that? I am not all wise. I am not all knowing. I know there have been many times I have prayed prayers that I am so glad you did not answer. Well, you did answer. No, is an answer. Some of the best answers to my prayers have been an answer of “no”. When I pray with hope, I am praying that you will hear and answer my prayers according to your will and purpose and plans. My hope is rooted in you. That is very good. Yes, it is. I am filled with confident hope in you. So, with that in mind, I will pray patiently. I will keep on praying. I will not give up. I will not quit. Similarly, I will be constant in prayer. What do you mean by that? I will be praying to you both over time and all the time. How will make prayer a priority in your life? How will you continue to be constant in your prayers? How will you keep on praying over time and all the time? I will set aside a time and place for us to meet daily in prayer. I will draw near to you. You will draw near to me. You will guide my prayers. You will give me prayers to pray. You will hear and answer my prayers as I walk through a prayer filled life with you. Yes, I will. Keep on coming to me in prayer. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, it is my joy to come to meet with you in prayer. I will set aside a daily time and place for us to meet together in prayer so that our time together becomes an absolute priority in my life. Help me to continue to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly. Amen

Key Question… Why is prayer likely to fall by the wayside unless you make it a priority in your life?

Living It Out…  Rely on the Lord to help you to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to pray hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are praying hopefully, patiently and constantly.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction and constant in prayer.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 365 – Romans 12-12 – Constant In Prayer – 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

They Too Will Listen To My Voice

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 330 - John 10:14-16 - They Too Will Listen To My Voice - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 330 – John 10:14-16 – They Too Will Listen To My Voice – Growing As Disciples

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14-16 (NIV) 

Your Voice

I feel like I am in training. How so? What training do you need to receive? I want and need to be able to hear your voice. Hearing your voice does not come naturally to me. It is not easy for me to hear your voice. Why is that? The world is a noisy place. Often times, I have been a busy person. The noise of the world and the busyness of my life have often made me hard of hearing. But I have no doubt about one thing. What’s that? You will speak to me. You want me to be able to hear your voice. Yes, I do want you to hear my voice. What will hearing my voice do for you? Hearing your voice will help me to come to know and love and follow and serve you. That’s true, what else? Hearing your voice will help me to know and do your will. You will use your voice to guard and guide my life. Your voice will lead me to where you want me to go and give me what you want me to do. That is also correct.

What will you do if you want to hear my voice? I will do four things. I will go to a quiet place. I will leave the noisy world behind me. In a quiet place, I will also quiet myself before you. It will do no good to leave the noisy world behind if my heart and mind are racing and filled with noise within me. So, a quiet place and a quiet me are absolutely required if I want to hear from you. That is true. You might have noticed that I often withdrew to a quiet place to meet with my Heavenly Father. Yes, I did notice. I want to be like you. I will follow your example. That is very good. You have mentioned two things you will do so that you can hear my voice. What are the remaining two? I will meet with you in your word. Why is that critically important? There are a lot of voices in the world. I need to guard my heart and mind and life from deceptive voices. You will always speak to me in ways that are consistent with your word. Your word will help me to recognize your voice. Oftentimes, your voice will simply apply your word to my life in very specific ways. Is that the voice of experience? Yes, it is. That’s good. You are growing. You are learning. What else do you need to do if you want to hear my voice? I need to obey your voice. I need to go and do what you ask of me. If I am unwilling to obey your voice, there would be no point in you speaking to me or me listening to you. So, I will listen attentively to your voice so I that can hear and follow and obey you. That will be very good. 

Lord, thank you for being my Good Shepherd. I am one of your sheep. You know me intimately. Help me to hear and recognize your voice. I want to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I will go where you guide me and do what you ask of me. Amen

Key Question… When have you stopped to wait to receive instructions and guidance from the Lord?

Living It Out…  Listen attentively to the Lord’s voice so He can guide you through life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will guide your life as you listen to Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group you are listening to the Lord’s voice guide you through life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the voice of the Lord so you can follow Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 330 – John 10-14-16 – Listen To My Voice – 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

Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 57 - 1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 57 – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World – Growing As Disciples

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)  

The World 

The world is an enticing place. When did you discover that? I know, I know, it should come as no huge revelation to me that the world is an enticing place. But for some reason my eyes were blind to the fact that I have been captivated by all that the world has to offer. Materialism and a continual desire for more has been a nearly constant temptation for me. The world seems to bombard me with the idea that I must have the latest and greatest thing, or I will be incomplete and unfulfilled. The world and all its cravings and lusts ask me, “How could I possibly live without this?” The continual desire for more is bad enough but trying to pursue and fulfill that desire could easily cause my life to go off course. I could misspend my entire life by pursuing all that the world has to offer. Why won’t that happen to you? I love you. I want what you want. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to do what is pleasing in your sight. Your love for me and my love for you is guarding and guiding my life. I am on the path of life, walking with you. Yes, you are. It is the utmost desire of my heart to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That is very good.

Let me ask you a question. I’m listening. How is our love for each other guarding and guiding your life? I am drawn near to you. You draw near to me. I want to enter into your presence. I want to listen to your voice. I want to hear your instructions. I want to follow your guidance. In your presence you have set me on fire to love, follow and serve you. You have given me a passionate desire to live my life with and for you. In your presence, you are making me to be like you. You are helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and take your actions. Yes, I am. My desire for you has pushed the desire for the world out of my heart and mind and life. The more devoted I am to you, the less interested I am in the world. That is very good. 

Heavenly Father, I know that I have been in love with the world. I have loved the things of this life. Help me to make a clean break with the world so I can be fully devoted to loving, following and serving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Amen

Key Question… What are signs or symptoms of someone who has fallen in love with the world?

Living It Out…  Make a break from the world and be devoted to loving, following and serving your Heavenly Father.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that your Heavenly Father’s love for you and yours for Him will protect you from loving the world.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how your love for your Heavenly Father causes you to obey Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make a clean break with the world so you can love, follow and serve your Heavenly Father.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 57 – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World Or Anything In The World – 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

Hidden Your Word

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 59 - Psalm 119:9-16 - Hidden Your Word- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 59 – Psalm 119:9-16 – Hidden Your Word- Growing As Disciples

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)

Hidden 

That is what I have been doing with your word. What have you been doing with my word? I have hidden your word in my heart. How have you hidden my word in your heart? I have let your word dwell in me richly. I have read your word. I have meditated on your word. I have memorized your word. I have studied your word. I have prayed your word. I have even taught your word. Most importantly, I have taken hold of your word so that your word will take hold of me. That is very good.

How do you want my word to take hold of you? I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I want your word to help me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I want your word to help me to know you. I want your word to help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want your word to help me resist temptation and stand against evil. I want your word to help me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good.

How often do you feel a need to take hold of my word so my word will take hold of you? There is not a day that goes by that I don’t need to take hold of your word. Likewise, I need your word to take hold of me every day. So, what does that mean to you? That means that I will come to meet with you every day in your word. That is very good.

What has wanting to meet with me every day in my word required of you? I have needed to set apart a time and a place to meet with you. Why is that? That seems so formal. Wouldn’t it work to meet with me when a time and place opens up in your daily schedule? We both know the answer to that question. Yes, but I would still like to hear your answer. That approach never works. Time never opens up on my schedule. A quiet place never makes itself available to us either. A pattern and practice of meeting with you in your word will never randomly develop. Life is busy. Life is noisy. Life is chaotic. No, meeting daily with you in your word will not happen consistently if I don’t set an appointment with you. So, meeting with you in your word is on my every day schedule. So, a special time and sacred place has been set aside for us to meet together. That is very good. As meet together, my word will accomplish in and through all that you could hope for and far more than you could ever imagine. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I will hide your word in my heart. I will memorize and meditate on your word. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. Use your word to help me resist temptation and stand against evil. I will allow you to use your word to guide my life. Amen

Key Question… What strategies are you using to hide God’s word in your heart?

Living It Out…  Meditate and memorize God’s word so that it will be hidden in your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will use His word to help you to resist temptation and stand against evil.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has been guarding and guiding your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hide God’s word in your heart so you will not sin against Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 59 – Psalm 119-9-16 – Hidden Your Word – 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

A Good Name In The Sight Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 29 - Proverbs 3:3-4 - A Good Name In The Sight Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 29 – Proverbs 3:3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God – Growing As Disciples

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Love And Faithfulness

I want to live a life of love and faithfulness. Why is that? You lived a life of love and faithfulness. How did I live a life of love? You loved the unlovable. You forgave the unforgivable. No one was outside the bounds of your love. No one was beyond your reach. No one could not receive your forgiveness. Your love was not some untested theory. Your love was costly. Your love was sacrificial. Your love had no limits. Your love was put into practice. Your love was on display. You humbled yourself and came into this world to die on a cross so that my sins could be forgiven, and my unrighteousness cleansed. Your love made it so I could be adopted into your family. Your love made it possible for me to live in a new and intimate relationship with God. I now love you, because you first loved me. I want to keep on living in your love. I want your love to flow in and through me. To sum it all up, I want to be like you. I want to love others just as you have loved me. That is very good.

Why do you want to live a life of faithfulness? I want to live a life of faithfulness because I love you. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask me. Again, you are my example. How am I your example? You were faithful. You didn’t retreat. You didn’t give up. You didn’t quit. You kept on moving forward despite the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. You endured temptation. You faced rejection. You suffered persecution. You were faithful to do everything your Heavenly Father asked you to do for Him. This even as you suffered and died on the cross. Nothing could thwart you from completing your mission. You remained entirely faithful. Yes, I did. I want to remain faithful just as you were faithful. That is very good.

What is your prayer? Without your help, I know that I cannot love like you loved. Without your strength, I know I cannot remain faithful as you were faithful. So, I am asking for your help to love like you loved and to be faithful like you were faithful. There is something else I know. What’s that? You will certainly help me to love like you loved and be faithful like you were faithful. I have no doubt. I am filled with faith. That is very good. You will hear and answer this prayer. Yes, I will. 

Lord, this is the life I want to live. This is the kind of life you lived. You lived a life of love and faithfulness. You loved those who were thought to be unlovable. You were faithful in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. Help me to be loving and faithful. Amen

Key Question…  How has your life filled up with anxiety and stress and pressure because you have relied on yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord, to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so that you will come to fully rely on Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with humility.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to clothe yourself with humility.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually live a life of love and faithfulness.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Proverbs 3-3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God- 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

Clothe Yourself With Humility

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 7 - 1 Peter 5:5-7 - Clothe Yourself With Humility - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 7 – 1 Peter 5:5-7 – Clothe Yourself With Humility – Growing As Disciples

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)

Clothe Yourself With Humility

Why do you think I want you to clothe yourself with humility? I can think of quite a few reasons why you want me to clothe myself with humility. That’s good. I would like you to tell me your thoughts. You want me to become like you. You clothed yourself with humility. You want me to clothe myself with humility. It is your plan that I become like you. That’s true, that is my plan.

What will you do differently because you are clothing yourself with humility? I will come to rely on you. I will stop relying on myself. I will stop thinking that I can overcome every difficulty with my own gifts, talents, strengths and abilities. I will stop trying to solve all my problems by myself. What has happened to your life when you have tried to solve all your problems by yourself? My life has filled up with anxiety and stress when I have relied solely on myself to overcome all my difficulties. What would you like to do differently?  I would like to come to rely on you. I would like to ask you for your help. I would like to cast all my anxiety on you because I know that you care for me. I care for you, is that a reason why I want you to clothe yourself with humility? Yes, it is. Can you see how pride has caused you a great deal of stress and anxiety? I can now. Your pride has prevented you from coming to ask me for help. Yes, I can see that now, quire clearly. That’s good.

So, what will you rely on as you clothe yourself with humility? I will rely on you and your promises. Nothing in all of life, not money, not power, not position or anything else is worthy of my trust. You alone are worthy of my trust. I can hold on to all your promises. Yes, you can. Will you? Yes, I will.

What kind of relationship will you have with other people as you clothe yourself with humility? I will know without a doubt that I am no better than anyone else. I will be willing to humbly love and care for others just as you love and care for me. I will do for others what you have done for me. That is very good. There is something else that I want you to do. What’s that? Not only do I want you to give help to others, but I want you to be willing to receive help from them as well. Will you clothe yourself with humility so you can both give and receive help? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Then you will be filled with my grace and peace.

Lord, I’m not better than others. I don’t think I’m betters than others. Help me to be like you. Help me to clothe myself with humility. Help me to live a humble life that is completely reliant on you. Help me to live a grace and peace filled life of serving others. Amen

Key Question… How has your life filled up with anxiety and stress and pressure because you have relied on yourself?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord, to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so that you will come to fully rely on Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with humility.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to clothe yourself with humility.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on Christ to help you to clothe yourself with humility, so you will come to rely on Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 7 – 1 Peter 5-5-7 – Clothe Yourself With Humility – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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

A Way Out So You Can Stand Up

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 13 - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - A Way Out So You Can Stand Up - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 13 – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – A Way Out So You Can Stand Up – Growing As Disciples

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Ways Of Escape

I know that I am not unique. I know that I am not all alone. I will never experience temptations that are not common to the rest of mankind. Nor will I ever be tempted beyond my ability to withstand that temptation. That’s true. I also know that you will provide me a way of escape out of every temptation I will face. Yes, I will.  

It sounds to me like you have some questions. Yes, I do have a few questions. What will your way of escape out of temptation look like? Is there some wisdom you can give me about your ways of escape out of temptation? Those are very good questions that I would like to hear you answer. I thought you might say that. Well, I did. So, let me hear your answers. The ways of escape out of temptation will be as varied as the temptations themselves. Give some examples. One way of escape out of temptation is to not let myself enter into it in the first place. I already know when, where and how I am most likely to be tempted. I am not usually overtaken by some rare and unusual temptation that I have never encountered before. I already know that there are places I should not go and things I should not do. Being around certain people and places and in some circumstances is like opening a door to temptation. So, you will not go where you should not go? You will not do what you should not do? You will separate yourself from people and places and things that you find tempting? Yes, that’s true. That’s a good start. What else? I know that my defenses against temptation can be weak or they can be strong. How so? If I am allowing your word to dwell in me richly, my defenses against temptation will be strong. Why is that? I will be meditating on your word. I will be thinking your thoughts, speaking your words and taking your actions. So, my word will guard and guide your life? Yes, that’s it. So, you are really talking about my defenses for you rather than your defenses? Yes, I am. On my own, without your protection, I am defenseless against temptation. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it to fight in me, with me, for me and through me so I will be able to stand against temptation and resist evil. That’s true. What else? I am not meant to live the Christian life alone. What do you mean by that? It is your plan that I become rooted and grounded in a body of believers. That’s true. As I live in close relationships with fellow believers I will be strengthened and encouraged and lifted up. It is your plan for me to be strengthened by, and to strengthen, other believers so we can stand against temptation and resist evil. Yes, it is. Anything else? Yes, sometimes your way of escape out of temptation simply involves running from it. Yes, it does. Will you take all these ways of escape? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you that I will never experience a temptation that is not common to the rest of mankind. I am not unique, nor am I all alone. Thank you for always providing, for me, a way of escape out of temptation. Help me to see and quickly take that way. Amen

Key Question… Why will you lose your opportunity to take the way of escape out of temptation if you don’t quickly take it?

Living It Out… Watch for and take the way of escape out of temptation that the Lord will provide for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take His way of escape out of temptation.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have seen and taken the way of escape out of temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way out of temptation that the Lord provides.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 13 – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – A Way Out So You Can Stand Up – 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

Break Up Your Unplowed Ground

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 313 - Hosea 10:12 - Break Up Your Unplowed Ground - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 313 – Hosea 10:12 – Break Up Your Unplowed Ground – Growing As Disciples

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

Unplowed Ground

What does that mean? What does what mean? What does it mean to break up unplowed ground? This refers to your heart. What is the condition of your heart? Is your heart like hard, unplowed ground? Or is your heart like fertile soil that can produce a crop or bear fruit? Are you sowing to the righteous life that I have called you to live? Or are you planting wickedness in your heart and mind and life? Are there things in your heart that must be rooted out so that righteousness can grow and flourish in you? Think of your heart as a garden. How are you tending to your heart? Now, I understand what it means to break up unplowed ground in my heart. That’s good.

How will you break up the unplowed ground of your heart? Not on my own, that is for sure. Why is that? I need your help. Tending to my heart is not something I can do on my own, all by myself. I need your wisdom. I need your guidance. I need your direction. So, I will seek you with all my heart. That will be very good. I have no doubt that you will show me what needs to be rooted out of my heart and mind and life. What kinds of things might need to be rooted out of your heart? There is a long list of possibilities. Let me hear what comes to your mind. Fear and doubt need to be rooted out of my heart. Worry and anxiety need to be rooted out of my heart. Pride and arrogance need to be rooted out of my heart. What needs to be planted in your heart? Again, I have some ideas. Let me hear what comes to your mind. Faith and courage need to be planted in my heart. Hope and joy and love need to be planted in my heart. Humility and integrity need to be planted in my heart. Steadfastness and faithfulness need to be planted in my heart. You have some very good ideas about what needs to be rooted out and what needs to be planted in you.

Do you believe that I will help you? Do you believe that I will break up the unplowed ground of your heart so you can live the righteous life I have called you to live? Will I help you to root out wickedness and plant and nurture righteousness in you? Yes, I believe that you will make my life fruitful. You will do your work in my heart and mind and life as I seek you with all my heart. That I will, you can be sure of that. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I don’t want to have a hard heart like unplowed ground. I am choosing to sow to the righteous life you have called me to live. No longer will I plant to wickedness. Break up my unplowed ground as I seek you with all my heart. Bear fruit through all of my life. Amen

Key Question…  What spiritual disciplines are helping you to sow to the righteous life God has called you to live?

Living It Out…  Choose to sow to the righteous life God has called you to live as you seek Him with all your heart.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be sowing to righteousness and allowing your heart to be plowed as you seek the Lord.

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

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you break up the unplowed ground of your heart and seek the Lord.

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

Promises – Day 313 – Hosea 10-12 – Break Up Your Unplowed Ground – 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