Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

Shine Like Stars In The Universe

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

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

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

A Star In The Universe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 152 - Ephesians 4:1-3 - Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 152 – Ephesians 4:1-3 – Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling – Growing As Disciples

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

A Worthy Life

Well, I can’t tell you how many times I have failed in this regard. What’s that? In so many ways, I have failed to live to live a life worthy of the calling I have received from you. Do you think this comes as a shocking surprise to me? No, I don’t. I wanted to let you know that I know how desperately I need your help to live out the calling I have received from you. That’s good. What’s good about that? You know that you need my help. You know that you can’t possibly live out the calling you have received under your own power and strength. If you were to think that your own very best efforts would lead to you living a life worthy of my calling that would be a tragic mistake. Why is that? I have called you to live in an intimate relationship with me. I have called you to live a life that is reliant on me. I am the one who will mold and shape you. I am the one who will change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. That’s great. I welcome all your good work in me. I trust that you will make me into the person you want me to become. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. Do your work in and through me. Yes, I will.

Do you know when and where and how I will change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? I’m not sure. Tell me. In my presence, you will come to know me. In my presence you will come to love me. In my presence, you will desire to follow and serve me. In my presence, you will desire to think my thoughts, speak my words and take my actions. In my presence, I will do my work in you. In my presence, I will make you to be like me in all that you think, say and do. As you keep on coming to me it will be the utmost desire of your heart to live a life that is pleasing to me. As you keep on coming to me you will definitely be able to live a life that is worthy of my calling. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on coming to you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have far fallen short of living a life worthy of my calling. Forgive me. Help me to be humble and gentle and patient and loving. I want to live in peaceful unity with others. I will make every effort to live a life worthy of the calling I have received from you. Amen

Key Question… How is the Lord making you to be more like Him as you live your life with and for Him?

Living It Out… .Live a life worthy of your calling by being humble, gentle, patient and loving as you live in peaceful unity with others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to live a life worthy of the calling you received from Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is helping you to live a life worthy of your calling.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a life that is worthy of your calling.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 152 – Ephesians 4-1-3 – Life A Life Worthy Of The Calling – 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

But Because You Say So

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 153 - Luke 5:5 - But Because You Say So - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 153 – Luke 5:5 – But Because You Say So – Growing As Disciples

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 (NIV)  

Obey Me

Will you obey? Don’t answer me yet. Will you go and do what I ask of you even when you do not understand? Must you agree with me completely before you will follow and obey me? Will you pick and choose when you will or will not do what I ask of you? Such an approach would not be obeying you at all. If I were to pick and choose when I would or would not obey you that would make me the guide of my own life. I cannot say that you are both my Savior and Lord if I rely on my own instruction and follow my own guidance. Such behavior would also be foolish and unproductive. Why is that? I am not all wise. I am not all knowing. I am not all powerful. Apart from you, I can accomplish nothing that will be of lasting and eternal value. Guiding my own life will lead to nothing but weariness on the way to accomplishing nothing. That’s true.

There is something else that I know. What’s that? You seldom make all the details relating to my next steps in life known to me. Why do you suppose that is? I can think of a few reasons why that is true. I’m listening. You want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to walk in faith with you. You want me to know that you are working in and through my life. You want to accomplish your purposes and plans in and through me so that glory is brought to your name so that others come to have faith in you. For all of these reasons, you often reveal my next steps in life one step at a time. Is that alright with you? Do I have a choice? Very funny. No, you do not have a choice. Yes, it is alright with me whenever and however you want to reveal to me my next steps in life. I want you to be able to accomplish all your purposes and plans in and through my life. That’s good.

There is something else I know. What’s that? I know that you will sometimes test me. How so? You will ask me to go and do what I don’t fully understand to let both you and I know if I will obey you. You already know. But I do not. So, I’m asking you to help me to always say yes to you. Help me to always obey you. That I will do. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know you will sometimes ask me to do what I don’t fully understand. It is not my job to pick and choose when I will follow and obey you. I go and do whatever you ask of me. Give me your power so I will be able to accomplish your purposes and plans. Amen

Key Question… When has the Lord asked you to do something for Him that you did fully understand?

Living It Out… .Go and do whatever the Lord asks of you even when you don’t fully understand why.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord your life will bear fruit as you go and do what the Lord asks of you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are going and doing whatever the Lord asks of you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do what the Lord asks of you even when you don’t fully understand why.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 153 – Luke 5-5 – But Because You Say So – 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

But You Will Receive Power

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 155 - Acts 1:8 - But You Will Receive Power - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 155 – Acts 1:8 – But You Will Receive Power – Growing As Disciples

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Power

I want to be your witness in the world. I want to be used by you to draw others to yourself. I know that my efforts to be your witness in the world have often been powerless and feeble attempts. I know that apart from you I can do nothing of lasting and eternal value. Operating under my own power and strength will accomplish nothing. I know where the problem has been in the past. I have neither waited for or relied on your power to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I am very tired of living a fruitless life. I have had enough of rushing off to take on your assignments by myself. I don’t want any more of that. That’s good.

So, what will you do differently now that you have realized that your efforts alone will never be enough to go and do my will? I will wait for and rely on your power. I will meet with you in prayer. I will ask for your help. I will receive your instruction and follow your guidance. That does not mean that I will sit around forever. I know that there is a time to wait and a time to move out. I will wait for your green light. When you say wait, I will wait.  When you say go, I will go. It seems to me that there is a time of waiting and a time to take that faith filled first step. I will follow your timing rather than my own. I will take my first and every step with you. I want you to lead me. I want you to guide. I want you to direct my efforts. That will be very good.

Your power does seem to come with that faith filled first step. You’ve noticed? Yes, I have noticed that your power does not come to those who rush off without you. Yes, I have noticed that your power does not come to those who do not move out with you. So, I will neither run ahead of you or lag behind you. I will allow you to lead me to where you want me to go. I will allow you to give me what you want me to do. That will be very good.

Then what will you expect? What will you hope for? What will you have faith to believe? I believe that you will work in and through my life. Your Holy Spirit will empower me to do your work. Your Holy Spirit will make me able to do what I could never do by myself. Your Holy Spirit will empower me to be your witness in the world around me. Yes, He will. I will powerfully use you as my witness in the world. You will accomplish the work that I will give you to do for me. Your hopes and dreams and prayers that I have given to you will be answered. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I know that without the power of your Holy Spirit working in and through me, I will be unable to be your witness in the world. Empower me. Make me able to go and do your work. Use me near and far to be your witness so many will come to know you. Amen

Key Question… How has the power of the Holy Spirit made you able to do what you could not have done by yourself?

Living It Out… .Wait for and rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you to be Christ’s witness in the world.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will empower you to be Christ’s witness in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has empowered you to be Christ’s witness.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you wait for and rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you to be Christ’s witness in the world.

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

Day 155 – Becoming Like Christ – Acts 1-8 – But You Will Receive 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

This Is How We Know What Love Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 156 - 1 John 3:16-18 - This Is How We Know What Love Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 156 – 1 John 3:16-18 – This Is How We Know What Love Is – Growing As Disciples

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Love Others

I have not always loved others with my actions. I have not always had my eyes and ears open to see and hear the opportunities that are before me to love others with my actions.  I’m sure that I have walked right on by opportunities to love others with my actions. Forgive me. You are forgiven. What is it that you want? I want to follow your example. I want to love like you loved. I want to do what you did. What did I do? You humbled yourself. You took on the form of a servant. You loved others with your thoughts, words and actions. You laid down your life for others. Yes, that is what I did for others. That is what I did for you. For that, I am thankful beyond what my words could possibly express. That is good.

How will you love others with your actions? I’m not sure. How will you lead me to love others with my actions? You have answered my question with your question. How so? You tell me. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will keep my heart and mind and life attentive to you. I will open my eyes and ears to see and hear the opportunities to love others that you have placed before me.  I will not walk right on by the opportunities you give me to love others with my actions. That will be very good. 

How will you benefit by loving others with your actions? I have not thought of that. Think about that question now. I will have great joy in following your example. I will rejoice that I have been used by you to help draw others to you. I will have great peace in knowing that you have used me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I will have satisfaction in knowing that I have been able to shine brightly as your witness in the darkness of the world around me. I will be grateful that you have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. In addition to all this, I will be thankful that you have allowed me to store up treasure in heaven with you as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I will not love others only with my words. I will follow your example. I will lay down my life for others. I will do for others what you have done for me. I will love others with my actions. Give me opportunities to demonstrate your love to others in the world. Amen

Key Question… How has loving others with your actions allowed you share the love of God with others?

Living It Out… Follow the Lord’s example by loving others with your actions.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to love others with your actions.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has led you to help others with your actions.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow the Lord’s example by loving others with your actions.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 156 – 1 John 3-16-18 – This Is How We Know What Love Is– 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

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

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 156 - Galatians 5:22-26 - The Fruit Of The Spirit Is - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 156 – Galatians 5:22-26 – The Fruit Of The Spirit Is – Growing As Disciples

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)

In Step 

I want your fruit to grow and develop in me. I want all your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to fully flourish in me. That is a very good desire to have in you. How do you suppose this desire came to be yours? This desire does not come from the world. This desire did not originate in me. You placed this desire in my heart and mind. You gave me the desire to live by your Spirit rather than by the thoughts and values and principles of the world. You made it possible for the passions and desires of my old sinful nature to be crucified on the cross with you. The old me no longer lives. You have given me a completely new life to live in you. Yes, that is exactly what I have done for you.

I have noticed something about you. What’s that? You are sometimes impatient. You want to see more progress. You want to see more results. You want to see more of my fruit in your life. There is no doubt about that. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t lose heart. My fruit is growing in you. Day by day and moment by moment, my fruit is steadily and surely growing in you. You may be the last one to recognize the slow and steady and sure growth of my fruit in you. But have faith that my fruit has been and will continue to grow in you. Yes Lord, I will.

There is one way for you to be certain that my fruit is and will continue to grow in you. How is that? You tell me. I will keep in step with your Spirit. I will be attentive to the Spirit’s work in and through me. I will listen to the Spirit’s voice. I will follow His instruction. I will receive His guidance. I will go where I am led. I will do what I am asked. I will certainly continue to leave behind the old and worldly and sinful life I once lived. I will keep on living the new and vibrant and alive life that you have given me to live with and for you. That will be very good. 

Holy Spirit help me to keep in step with you. Help me to live by your Spirit living and working in and through me. Grow your fruit in me. Cause your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to fully flourish in me. Amen

Key Question… How has your life changed slowly, day by day, over time as you have sought to live by the Spirit?

Living It Out… Keep in step with the Holy Spirit so He can continue to grow His fruit in you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will grow His fruit in you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you keep in step with the Holy Spirit so He can grow His fruit in you.

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

Day 157 – Becoming Like Christ – Galatians 5-22-26 – The Fruit Of The Spirit Is – 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

Came A Gentle Whisper

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 158 - 1 Kings 19:11-12- Came A Gentle Whisper - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 158 – 1 Kings 19:11-12- Came A Gentle Whisper – Growing As Disciples

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)

Quiet 

I know one thing that is for certain. What’s that? I will only hear your whispers if I want to hear your whispers. Why do you say that? Life is busy and noisy. If I want to hear your voice speaking to me, I will need to quiet myself before you. That may seem like an easy task to some. But it is not. It takes a vigorous and committed effort to regularly and consistently quiet myself before you. Why is that the case? The demands of life scream for my attention. All that seems urgent but is ultimately not all that important attempts to monopolize all my time. There is never enough time to complete all the items on the “to do” lists of life. Trust me, I know. I have raced through life accomplishing the urgent and the unimportant. I do trust you, on this. Your life is not hidden from me. I have seen the frantic activity of your life. I know.

Do you want to hear from me? There is nothing I want more than to hear from you. Why is that? I want to come to know you. I want to come to love you. I want to come to follow and serve you. I want to come to live my life with and for you. I want to live and walk in an intimate relationship with you. I don’t want to hear an occasional whisper from you. I want to live in an ongoing dialogue with you throughout the day by day, moments of my life. How will that be possible? Only by you making it possible, of that I am sure. Yes, but what will need to happen in you for you to be able to hear from me? I will tell you what I think. Go ahead, I’m listening. Day by day and moment by moment you will make me better able to hear your voice as I continue to quiet myself before you. How do you know that to be true? That is what you have been doing in me already. You are making me better able to hear from you. Yes, I am. Keep on quieting yourself before me. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will withdraw from the noise and busyness of life so I can hear from you. I will quiet myself before you so I can hear your gentle whispers. Speak to me. I am listening. I will hear and respond and act on everything you have to say to me. Amen

Key Question… When are you withdrawing from the noise and busyness of life so you can hear God speaking to you?

Living It Out… Set aside a time and place to quiet yourself before God so you can hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will speak to you in gentle whispers when you meet with Him in prayer.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group something God has spoken to you through a gentle whisper.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you quiet yourself before God so that you can hear from Him.

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

Day 158 – Becoming Like Christ – 1 Kings 19-11-12 – A Gentle Whisper – 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

More Than All We Ask Or Imagine

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 159 - Ephesians 3:20-21 - More Than All We Ask Or Imagine - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 159 – Ephesians 3:20-21 – More Than All We Ask Or Imagine – Growing As Disciples

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

More Than

I know that you can do more than I can think, ask or imagine. I know that you want me to be able to do what I could never do under my own power. I know that you want your power to be working in and through me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I know that you want me to be able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. How do you know all these things? You have shown me these principles from your word. You have revealed these principles to me through my experience. Tell me more about that. You have often given me assignments that are far beyond my ability to accomplish. Why would I do that? You want me to come to rely on you. You want me to come to ask you for your help. You want me to know that you will make me able to do whatever you ask of me. Anything else? Yes, you want me to know that apart from you I can accomplish nothing of lasting and eternal value. My efforts alone will bear no fruit for your kingdom or bring glory to your name. My efforts alone will add up to nothing. Can you say more about that? Yes, if I could accomplish your assignments under my own power, which I can’t, all the thanks and praise and honor and glory might not be given to you. That would be a sinful mistake. Why is that? All that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to be comes from you. There is nothing that I will accomplish that you will not deserve all the praise and honor and glory. There is more. I’m listening. If I could accomplish your assignments without your help, I am sure that I would become self-reliant and self-sufficient. I would also become proud. That would not be good. No, it would not. So, it is a very good thing that I need to ask for and rely on your help to accomplish your assignments. Yes, it is. Needing your help also causes me to live in an intimate relationship with you.  Needing your help causes me to pray as I walk through life with you. Yes, it does. That is very good. Yes, it is.

Lord, at many times and far too frequently I have been operating under my own power. I have not asked for or relied on your help. No more! I will ask for and rely on your power to help me to accomplish your purposes, fulfill your plans and bring glory to you. Amen

Key Question… When has the largeness of an assignment caused you to rely on God’s power to work in and through you?

Living It Out… Ask for and rely on the power of God to work in and through you to bear fruit for His kingdom and bring glory to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God’s power will work in and through you to help you to accomplish His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s power has enabled you to accomplish His purposes.

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

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

Day 159 – Becoming Like Christ – Ephesians 3-20-21 – More Than All We Ask Or Imagine – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Your Attitude Should Be

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 160 - Philippians 2:5-7 - Your Attitude Should Be - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 160 – Philippians 2:5-7 – Your Attitude Should Be – Growing As Disciples

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)

My Attitude

In the past, I have not always had the best attitude. Even now, my attitude needs a major adjustment. How so? I can’t possibly name all the improper attitudes I have held. Name a few, I will tell you when to stop. I have had a self-righteous attitude. I have thought I was somehow better or wiser or smarter than others. I can tell now that naming my improper attitudes will be no fun. Does that surprise you? Not really. Keep going. I have had a self-sufficient attitude. I have thought that I didn’t need or want anything from anyone, including you. That wasn’t too smart or wise. No, it wasn’t. Keep going. I have had a self-indulgent and self-serving attitude. I have thought that I deserved all the comforts and pleasures of life. I have thought that others should serve me. I have thought that life revolved around me. This is getting embarrassing. I can see that. You can stop now. Thank you for that.

Let me ask you a couple questions. I’m listening. That’s very good. What attitude do you want to have in your heart and mind? What attitude do you want to guide your life? I want to have your attitude. I want to become like you in all that I think, say and do. Really? Yes, really. What attitude did I have in my heart and mind? You counted yourself as nothing. You emptied yourself of all the rights and privileges that would have been rightly yours. Is that all? No, that is not all. You took on the form of a servant. You came into this world to serve your Heavenly Father. You came into this world to serve others. Is that what you want to do? Yes, it is the utmost desire of my heart to count myself as nothing so that I can become like you. It is the passion of my life to serve others so that I can live as you live. It will be the joy of my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name as I live to serve you and others. This is the prayer of heart? This is the work that you want me to do in and through you? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, if you could count yourself as nothing and take on the form of a servant, then I will do so as well. Help me to have your attitude. Help me to live like you lived. Help me to love you loved. Help me to give like you gave. Help me to serve like you served. Amen

Key Question… When have you mistakenly thought that others should serve you rather than you serve them?

Living It Out… Have the mind of Christ by counting yourself as nothing and take on the form of a servant.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to count yourself as nothing and take on the form of a servant.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have counted yourself as nothing and become a servant.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take on the attitude of Christ by counting yourself as nothing and serving others.

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

Day 160 – Becoming Like Christ – Philippians 2-5-7 – Your Attitude Should Be – 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

If We Walk In The Light

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 161 - 1 John 5-7 - If We Walk In The Light- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 161 – 1 John 5-7 – If We Walk In The Light- Growing As Disciples

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)

A Choice

I know that I have made a choice. I know that I will need to keep on reaffirming my choice every day as I continue to follow you. What choice did you make? What choice will you need to keep on making as you follow me? I made a choice to leave the darkness of this world. I made a choice to separate myself from evil. I made a commitment to not sit or stand or walk around with the evil darkness of this world. I left behind my old life in the world, as if it were a pile of old, dirty and stinky clothes. I determined that I would never allow myself to be clothed in the evil darkness of the world ever again. I took, have taken and will continue to take an inventory of my life. I will ask myself and I will ask you, “Is there anything that must be removed from my life, if I want to continue to walk in the light with you?” That question will never be unimportant. That question will never be irrelevant. That question will never be out of fashion. I will keep on asking you and myself that question. Why is that? The world and all that is in it is a tempting place. My life is constantly being bombarded by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. I will need to be on guard. I will need to stand firm. I will need to submit my heart and mind and life to you as I continue to resist and reject evil in all its varied forms. Yes, you will.

Making a choice to reject evil will never be enough. Why is that? As I reject evil it must be replaced with something else. As I reject evil, I will accept you. As I reject evil, I will fully embrace and accept the new life you have and will continue to give me. You will lead me. You will guide me. You will guard and protect me. You will strengthen me and make me able to continue to walk away from darkness into the light with you. The darkness of this world will have no power over me as I continue to live and walk in the light with you. You will help me to hunger for you. You will satisfy my life with your goodness as I live my life with and for you. I have decided. I have fully rejected evil. I have fully accepted you into my heart and mind and life. You are my Savior. You are my Lord. I will follow you all the days of my life. That is very good. Yes, it is. 

Lord, I know that this is a dark and sinful world. I will face decisions in which I must continue to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with you. I know I am not alone. You are with me to help me. You will help me to keep on walking in the light with you. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord helped you to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with Him?

Living It Out… Reject darkness in all its forms so that you will be able to keep on walking in the light with the Lord.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to continue to reject darkness to keep on walking in the light with Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have rejected darkness to walk in the light with the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you reject darkness so you can walk in the light with the Lord.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 161 – 1 John 1-5-7 – If We Walk In The Light – 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