Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

You Are Faithful

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Luke 16:10-12 - You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Luke 16:10-12 – You Are Faithful- Growing As Disciples

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)

Little Things

You would like to have large responsibilities. You would like to be in charge of many things. You would like me to use you in significant ways. You would like your life to make a large impact. You would like your life to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. You would like to bring glory to my name. Is all of this true? Yes, all of this is true.

If you want these desires and prayers of your heart to come true, is there a price you must pay? That sounds like a good question. What price must I pay if I want to be powerfully used by you? You must learn to be faithful in little things, if you want me to give you large responsibilities. You must show me that you can handle little details, if you want me to use you in significant ways. You must be willing to do work that goes unnoticed. You must be willing to do jobs for which you will receive little or no recognition. You must humble yourself and take on the form of a servant. You must learn to serve like I served. You must learn to give like I gave. No task will be too small for you. No job will be below your station in life. You must learn to go where I guide you. You must be willing to do whatever I ask of you. Will you go where I guide you and do all that I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will.  That will be very good. But there is more.

What else are you asking of me? You must give up on the idea of being powerfully used by me. You must stop thinking of doing great things for me. You must give up on the idea of doing and being great. These thoughts are too dangerous for you. These desires are too tempting for you. Think about doing all the little things I ask of you. Do the one little thing after another that I will give you to do for me. All the little things I give you to do for me will bring glory to my name. All the little things I give you to do for me will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom. Will you also do all the little things that I ask you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will do whatever you ask of me, whenever you ask it of me, however and wherever you ask it of me. Then you will know and do my will. Then these prayers and desires of your heart will be heard and answered. Then I will powerfully use you for my kingdom and glory.

Lord, I need your wisdom, power and strength. I want to be faithful and trustworthy in all my responsibilities. I’m sure that I have done what did not need to be done and left undone what needed to be done. Help me to be completely faithful and trustworthy. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

If – Luke 16-10-12 – You Are Faithful – 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

Forgiven – Forgive

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythm - Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgiven - Forgive - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythm – Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – Growing As Disciples

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

Forgiveness

You have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have received from me what you did not deserve. You have been given what you could not earn or merit. Your old life is dead and gone. The power of sin over your life has been broken. I am your Savior and Lord. You have a completely new life to live in me. For that, I am so very thankful. I am excited and anxious and thrilled to live the new life that you have called me to live. That’s very good. 

I have a couple questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. What will my new life look like? How will I know if I am living the life that you have called me to live? Those are very good questions. Tell me, the answers to those questions. You think I know the answers to those questions? I am certain you know the answers to those questions. I will know I am living the life you have called me to live when I am allowing you to mold and shape my life. Every day you will be changing me. Your work in my life will never stop until the day I come to live forever in heaven with you. That’s right. I am the work of your hands. I will be your masterpiece. Day by day, I will become more like you. You will allow me to think your thoughts. You will help me to walk in your ways. You will teach me to know and do your will. Yes, I will. I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. That’s right.

What else will you do for others just like I have done for you? I will forgive others just like you have forgiven me. When someone sins against me, I will not hold that sin against them. Just as I have received your forgiveness, others will also receive my forgiveness. That is very good. What will be the result of your freely forgiving others? As I forgive others, I will be a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Others will be drawn to you because they will see you living in and through my life. They will want what I have. What’s that? They will want to live in an intimate relationship with you. They will want to love like you loved. They will want to forgive like you forgave. Yes, they will. As you live like I lived and do what I did you will bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. That is the prayer and desire of my heart. I will hear and answer that prayer and desire of your heart.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world so that I could be forgiven of all my sins and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. Make me able to love others just like you love me. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Amen

Key Question… When has forgiving someone released you from a heavy burden that you were carrying?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will help you to forgive others just as you have been forgiven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group hoe you are forgiving others who have sinned against you.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you forgive others just as you have been forgiven by your Heavenly Father.

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

Rhythms – Matthew 6-14-15 – Forgiven – Forgive – 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

Brings Healing

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - Proverbs 12:18 - Brings Healing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 12:18 – Brings Healing – Growing As Disciples

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Listen And Speak

How carefully are you monitoring the thoughts that you allow yourself to think? How well are you guarding the words that are coming out of your mouth? Those are two very good questions. I’m not sure that I am doing a very good job of monitoring my mind or guarding my mouth. Why is that? I know that I have been thinking and saying words that have not been pleasing to you. How so? I have thought and said words that have pierced others like a sword. My words have been cutting. My words have been critical. My words have been sarcastic. Those are not words that I like to hear. Are those words that you like to hear? Are those words that anyone likes to hear? No, they are not. Those kinds of words do damage that is difficult to repair. That’s true. 

What kind of words do you like to hear? I like to hear words of encouragement. I like to hear words of affirmation. I like to hear words that uplift my spirit and express confident hope in my future. I like it when others see positive things in me that I don’t even see in myself. I like it when other say words that spur me on to bigger and better things. What do these kinds of words do for you? These kinds of words bring healing to my entire being. These kinds of words unlock the potential that you have created in me to fulfill. These words help me to be and do all that you have in mind for me. When I hear these kinds of words I get up and get going to do your will. Would you like to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others? Would you like your words to bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? Would you like me to speak through you so that others will get up and get going to do my will? Yes Lord, I would.

How can I know your words? How can I know the words that will bring health and hope and healing into the lives of others? If you want to be able to speak these kinds of words into the lives of others you must learn to do two things well at the same time. What’s that? You must listen well to others and you must listen well to me. Listen to what others are saying to you. Listen to what others need to hear. Listen to what I am saying to you. Listen to what I want to give you to speak into the lives of others. As you listen to others and listen to me I will give you words to speak that will bring health and hope and healing. Will you do these two things well? Will you listen and speak well for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, often I have hurried my thoughts and rushed my words. I have said reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. Forgive me. I want to think your thoughts and speak your words. Use my mind and mouth to speak words of healing to others. Amen

Key Question… How has the Lord used you to speak words that brought healing to another person?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to think well thought out healing words to speak to others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used you to speak healing words to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak well thought out words that bring healing to others.

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

Wisdom – Proverbs 12-18 – Brings Healing – 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

Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord

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Discipleship Study - If - 1 Peter 2:1-3 - Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – If – 1 Peter 2:1-3 – Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)

Grow Up 

Do you want to continue to grow up in your salvation? Do you want to become mature in your faith? Do you want to taste of my goodness? Do you want to live the life that I have called you to live? Yes, I want to grow up and become mature in my faith. Yes, I want to continue to grow up in my salvation. I want to taste of your goodness. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want nothing less than all that you have for me. What must I do if I want to continue to grow up in my salvation and mature in my faith? How can I keep on tasting of your goodness? Those are very good questions. 

There are two things that you must do if you want to grow up in your salvation and mature in your faith. There are two things that you must do if you want to live the life that I have called you to live. There are two things you must do if you want to receive all that I have for you. There are two things you must do if you want to keep on tasting of my goodness.

What things must I do? You must rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. That sounds very difficult. Actually, that sounds impossible. If it were up to you and your efforts it would be impossible for you to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. But, you have tasted my goodness. You have received my grace and mercy. You have turned from your sin to follow me. On the cross I broke the power of sin over your life. You now have a new life to live in me. You are now dead to sin and alive to me. I know this is all true. I have given my life to you. I know that I have a new life to live in you. I know that you have broken the power of sin over my life. Yet, I have had a very difficult time ridding myself of evil and leaving sin behind me. There is something else that you must also do, that you haven’t been doing. What’s that? You must feed on my word. You must desire my word like a newborn baby. As you feed on my word you will continue to taste of my goodness. As you feed on my word your hunger and thirst for me and the life I have for you will grow. As you feed on my word I will change your heart and transform your mind. You will no longer want the evil that is in the world. You will want to rid yourself of every evil. You will want to leave evil behind you. As you meet with me in my word you will taste of my goodness, grow up in your salvation, mature in your faith and be able to rid yourself of evil and leave it behind you. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, that is what I want.

Lord, thank you for your word. Your word has helped me to rid myself of evil. Feeding on your word has allowed me to taste your goodness. Feeding on your word and tasting your goodness has caused me to continue to grow up in my salvation. Amen

Key Question… How has daily feeding on God’s word allowed you to taste the goodness of the Lord?

Living It Out… Leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word so that you can continue to grow up in your salvation.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will grow up in your salvation as you leave evil behind you and feed on God’s word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are leaving evil behind and feeding on God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rid yourself of all evil and desire God’s word so you can grow up in your salvation.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

If – 1 Peter 2-1-3- Tasted The Kindness Of The Lord – 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

Nothing Is Impossible With God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Faith - Luke 1:37-38 - Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Luke 1:37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With God- Growing As Disciples

For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 (NIV) 

Your Servant

I am your servant. I will go where you send me. I will do what you ask of me. I will not second guess your word. I will not doubt your command. It is my wholehearted desire to know and do your will. It is my prayer to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. I know that you can do the impossible. Nothing is too hard for you. You can and will do what I cannot possibly do by myself. With your guidance, I will know what to do for you. With your direction, I will know where to go for you. With your power and strength, I will be able to do whatever you ask of me, of that I am certain. Apart from you, I can do nothing that will amount to anything that would last for all eternity. That’s true. But, you will make me able to bear fruit for your kingdom. You will cause me to bring glory to your name. Yes, I will of that you can be sure.

How will you know where I am guiding you? How will you know what I am asking of you? How will you receive all the power and strength that you will need from me? I will wait in your presence. I will listen to your voice. I will follow your instructions. I will not run ahead of you. I will not wander away from you. I will not lag behind you. I will follow you to wherever you lead me. I will join you in the work that you will give me to do for you. I will rely on you for all that I need to do your will. I will not rely on my own power and strength. To do so would be a tragic mistake that would result in certain failure. Yes, that’s true. 

Why are you so willing to follow me? Why are you so committed to serving me? I want to follow and serve you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am on fire with passion to live my life fully and completely with and for you. There is no place I would rather go, nothing I would rather do, than go to where you lead me to do what you ask of me. I want what you want. My life is in your hands. Use me however you desire. I am all yours. I am your servant. Yes, you are and yes, I will use you according to my purposes and plans.

 Lord, I will say yes to you no matter what you ask of me. I will believe and trust in you even when you ask me to join you in doing what seems impossible. I know you are God and there is nothing impossible that you can’t do. Amen

Key Question… What is God asking you to do for Him right now that seems nearly impossible to you?

Living It Out… Say yes to God by following and serving Him wherever He leads you to do whatever He asks of you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can wholeheartedly trust God’s will and plan for your life as you follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has asked you to participate in doing what seems impossible.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you say yes to God to join Him in what He wants to do in and through you even when it seems impossible.

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

Faith – Luke 1-37-38 – Nothing Is Impossible With 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

Renewing Of Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)  

New Mind 

Are you weary of the thoughts that you have been thinking? Do you want to think new and different thoughts? Would you like to think higher and better thoughts? Do you want to leave your old life and its pathetic thoughts behind you? Do you know that it is your thoughts that will guide the entire course of your life? Everything that you think, say and do starts out as a thought in your mind. If you want to live a new and different life you will need to stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new and different and higher and better thoughts. If you want your life to be fruitful and bring glory to my name you will need to think my thoughts. If you want to know and do my will you will need to know my thoughts and then put them into practice. So, what do you want your life to look like? How will the course of your life unfold? What thoughts will you think? What words will you speak? How will you feel? What will you do with your life? 

I will give my life to you. Only you can change my thoughts. Only you can transform and renew my mind. I can’t stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new thoughts without your help. No, you cannot. Do you want my help? Will you ask for my help? Will you do what I ask of you when I show you how I will help you? What will you ask of me? What do you want me to do? If you want to think my thoughts and know and do my will you must come to meet with me in my word. It is my word that will transform and renew your mind. My word is the only tool that will renew and transform your mind. As you meditate on my word, my thoughts will push your old thoughts out of your mind. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will teach and train you. My word will guard and guide you. My word will sustain and strengthen you. My word will make you able to be fruitful and bring glory to my name. So, I will ask you again. Will you do what I ask of you? Will you come to meet with me in my word? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will have a new and transformed mind.

Lord, I give myself to you. All that I have, am, and hope to be is yours. Use all of me according to your purposes and plans. Transform and renew my mind with your word so I can think your thoughts and do your will for your glory. Amen

Key Question… How is God’s renewal and transformation of your mind helping you to know and do His will?

Living It Out… Spend time meditating on God’s word daily so that He can use it to transform and renew your mind.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to transform and renew your mind.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word is transforming and renewing your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to transform your mind so that you can know and do His will.

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

Transformation – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 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

Rejoice And Be Glad

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Let Us - Psalm 118:24 - Rejoice And Be Glad - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Let Us – Psalm 118:24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – Growing As Disciples

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

 Today Is A Gift

You have today. Today is a day that I made. How will you use it? Are you glad that I made today. Do you have anything to be glad and rejoice about today? Will you allow this day to be a special day? How will you use this day that I have given to you? Those are very good questions. Why do you think so? I don’t normally think about any one day as more important or special than another. Is that a good thing? Do you consider any days to be special?  I consider birthdays, anniversaries and holidays to be special days. Obviously, Christmas and Easter are very special days. You like to celebrate on all those days?  Yes, I do. Lets talk more about your average every day of the week kind of days. You don’t celebrate the average every day of the week kind of days do you? No, I don’t. What do you do on average every day of the week kind of days? I put one foot in front of the other and keep on doing what must be done. That sounds boring, routine and very depressing. Do you think that is the way that I want you to live? I’m not sure what you mean. I want your life to be exciting. I want you to consider the beauty and possibilities of each day that I have given to you. Do you think I want you to trudge through life with your head down working to accomplish your endless “to do” lists? No, I suppose not. I want you to look up. I want you to consider how I might use you today. I want you to wonder about where I might lead you to do what I might ask of you. I want you to live in the conscious awareness of my presence. Can you live in an intimate and joyful relationship with me as your trudge through life with your head down, putting one foot in front of the other, doing what you think must be done? No, I suppose not. You like receiving gifts, don’t you? Yes, I do. How do you feel when you are about to receive a gift? When I am about to receive a gift I am full of anticipation. I am excited and energized by the wonder and mystery of an unknown gift. Do you know where I am headed with my questions? I think so. Each day I give you is a gift.  I want you to approach each day with anticipation. I want you to be excited and energized and filled with wonder as you begin each day with me. I want you to be glad and rejoice in the opportunities that I will bring to you in the gift of each new day. Do you think you can do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I can. I will trust and rely on you as I walk with you in each new day that you have given to me. 

Lord, this is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. You have been my refuge in storms. In my weakness you are my strength. You have heard my prayers. You have guarded and guided my life. I will trust you and rely on your for all I need. Amen

Key Question… What reasons do you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord today?

Living It Out… Rejoice, be glad, and give thanks to the Lord today for all He has done and is doing for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that today you have an abundance of reasons to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group reasons you have to rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rejoice, be glad and give thanks to the Lord for all He has done and is doing for you.

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

Let Us – Psalm 118-24 – Rejoice And Be Glad – 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

Discern

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Discipleship Study - Let Us - Job 34:4 - Discern - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – Let Us – Job 34:4 – Discern – Growing As Disciples

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. Job 34:4 (NIV)

Willing To Listen 

Are you willing to listen to what I have to say to you? Yes, I am willing to listen. I do want to hear from you. Am I about to hear what I don’t want to hear? I didn’t say that. But, if you can only hear what you want to hear then you will not be able to hear from me. You have to be able to listen attentively to what you don’t expect to hear. You have to be able to accept words that you might like. You have to be able to receive words that might challenge and confront you. Will you humble yourself before me so that you can hear from me? Yes Lord, I will humbly listen to you.

Beware of thinking that you already know. Beware of thinking that you don’t need to hear anymore. Beware of thinking that you have far more to give than to receive. Quiet yourself before me and listen to what I have to say. Stop being so full of yourself that you can’t take in all that I want to say to you. Come to me knowing that you need my guidance. You need my counsel. You need my instruction. Yes Lord, I know that I need your guidance, counsel and instruction.

Make listening to me the priority of your life. Don’t race through life so fast that you don’t take time to stop and listen to me. You will be able to get where I want you to go to do what I want you to do only if you take time to stop and listen to me. Set a part a quiet place where you can hear from me. Don’t let the noise of this world make it so you cannot hear from me. Are you listening to me right now? Yes Lord, I am listening to you. What then are you going to do? I am going to pick a time and a place to stop to listen to you. That will be very good. Don’t take one more step. Don’t do one more thing until you have secured in your heart and mind a time and a place when we will meet. I will do just that. How often will we meet together in our time at our place? We will meet everyday. Do you know why that will be very good? Yes, I do. There is not a day that I don’t need to hear from you. You have heard me say that to you before. Yes, I have. It pleases me when you remember and put into practice what I have said to you.

I have one more thing that I want to say to you. What’s that? You will not hear everything you need to hear from me by meeting alone with me. Why is that? I made you to live in relationship and in community with other believers. Some things you need to hear you will hear as we meet together alone.  Other things that you need to hear you will only hear as you meet with me together with other believers. You are meant to live and meet together with my body. Listen to what I have to say to you. Listen to what I give to others to say to you.  Speak to others what I have given you to say to them. Together you will know my will and follow my ways. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, help me to have a humble heart and mind that is willing to listen. Help me to be able to discern your will and to know what is right. Make me receptive to all that you want me to hear and know. Speak into my life. Guide me according to your plan. Amen

Key Question… Why will humility be required of you if you want to discern the Lord’s will and know what is right?

Living It Out… Be willing to enlist the help of others to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to discern His will and to know what is right.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are seeking to discern the Lord’s will and to know what is right.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you discern the will of the Lord so you will be able to know and do what is right.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

Let Us – Job 34-4 – Discern – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Delight – Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Psalm 37:4 - Delight - Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Psalm 37:4 – Delight – Desires – Growing As Disciples

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Desire

Desire, now that’s a word that has caused me a lot of pain and suffering. Why is that? My entire life has been a long pursuit of one desire after another. I have been driven by desires. I have been led along by desires. I have been guided by desires. My heart has been filled with so many different desires. Never have I been content. Never have I been satisfied. The satisfaction of one desire has led me to crave another even better desire and then to lust after one even better that. I’m worn out chasing after my desires. I can see that.

Would you agree that there are good and bad desires? I suppose so. You have a very dim view of desires. Yes, I do. Where have your desires come from? My desires have come from what I wanted or at least what I thought I wanted. You might say that my desires have come from my appetites. Where have your wants or appetites come from? That’s a good question. My wants and appetites have come from the world and all that it has to offer. Name some of your past wants and appetites. I have wanted and had an appetite for pleasure, prestige, position, power and possessions. Once you have tasted something from your wants and appetites have you found that to be unsatisfying? That’s right. Your dissatisfaction has driven you on to pursue one want or appetite after another. That’s true. It’s like you have been chasing a mirage that you will never be able to catch. That’s it exactly. So, you want to give up on your wants and desires. Yes, I do. That sounds good to me.

I have something to say to you. What’s that? It is a good thing to give up on wants and desires and appetites that come from the world. None of them will ever satisfy you. None of them were ever meant to be the pursuit of your life. Now, I know that. Now, you are the pursuit of my life. I want to know and love you. I want to know and do your will. I want to walk in your ways. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. It is now my joy and delight to follow and serve you. Do you believe that I will give you new desires in your heart? Yes, I do. Why is that? You have already been filling my heart with new desires as I love, follow and serve you. That’s right. Do you believe that I will both give and grant you new desires in your heart? Yes Lord, I do.

Lord, for too long my heart has been filled with desires that come from the world. I have wanted all that it has to offer. No more. No longer. I want you. I want the life you have for me. I will delight myself in you. Give and grant me desires that come from you. Amen

Key Question… What is the greatest and most important desire that the Lord has placed in your heart?

Living It Out… Make it the rhythm of your life to delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will both give and grant you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given and granted the desires of your heart.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you delight yourself in the Lord so you will have desires that come from Him.

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

Rhythms – Psalm 37- 4 – Delight – Desires – 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

Think – Do

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Rhythms - Philippians 4:8-9 - Think - Do - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms – Philippians 4:8-9 – Think – Do – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

My Peace

I know that you are filled with anxiety. You have anxieties piled on top of anxieties. Would you like to live in my peace? Would you like to live a life that is free from anxiety? Yes, I would like to live in your peace. I would like to live a life that is free from anxiety. How can I be free from anxiety and live in your peace? That is a very good question.

If you would like to be free from anxiety and live in my peace you must do two things. I’m listening. First you must guard the thoughts that you allow your mind to think. I know that sounds impossible. I know that you are about to say that you cannot simply stop thinking thoughts. That thought did cross my mind. Your thought is incorrect. You can control the thoughts that you allow yourself to think. You can take control of your mind. How can I control the thoughts of my mind? To begin to control the thoughts of your mind you must eliminate from your life whatever feeds the unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts that you have been thinking. How will I do that? Take a close inventory of what is feeding the thoughts of your mind. Stop subjecting your mind to whatever is unhealthy and unhelpful. What is unhealthy and unhelpful for me? That should be easy for you to figure out. I get it. Once you have eliminated what feeds unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts you must then replace them with my thoughts. How will I do that? You tell me. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word. I will memorize your word. I will pray your word. I will let your word fill my heart and mind and life. Yes, and then you will begin to think my thoughts. Then you will think thoughts that are pleasing to me. That is your first step toward living in my peace.

What is my next step toward living in your peace? Once you have begun to think my thoughts then you will live in my peace as you put all my words into practice. You will live in my peace as you put into practice all that you have learned or received or heard from me. Will you think my thoughts and put my words in practice as you follow me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know that my mind is a battle ground. I want to think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Use your word to transform my mind. Help me to think your thoughts and do your deeds as I live in peace. Amen

Key Question… How has thinking God’s thoughts and doing His will brought peace into your life?

Living It Out… Guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you thoughts to think and things to do for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are thinking God’s thoughts and doing His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you guard the thoughts of your mind as you go and do the Lord’s will.

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

Rhythms – Philippians 4-8-9 – Think – Do – 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 © A