Tag Archives: spiritual formation

Humble Yourselves

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble Yourselves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble Yourselves – Growing As Disciples

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 5:6-7 (NIV)

My Anxiety

I would have never guessed the true source of my anxiety. What’s the true source of your anxiety? I’m not absolutely positive that I am correct. But, it seems to me that pride is the true source of my anxiety. How is pride the true source of your anxiety? Well, my pride has told me that I can handle every problem and that I can work my way out of every difficult circumstance. My pride has told me to keep my problems and difficult circumstances to myself. My pride has told me that I should not want or need help from anyone. So, I should not ask anyone for any help of any kind. Does that include me? I’m embarrassed to say, yes, it has included you. That’s not good. No, it’s not.

How has not wanting or needing or asking for any help of any kind worked out for you? Not well, at all. Pridefully trying to be self-sufficient and self-reliant has only served to fill my life full of anxiety. That should come as no surprise to you. Why is that? Do you think I made you to be self-sufficient and self-reliant? No, I don’t think so, I doubt it. Do you think I made you to live in close and intimate relationships with others and with me? Yes, I do. Would you live in close and intimate relationships with others and me if you never needed any help of any kind? Knowing myself, I would say, no, not ever. Then your needing help is a good thing? Then your needing to rely on me is a very good thing? Yes, it is. I can see that now. 

Will you ask for help? Will you come to rely on me? Will you cast all your anxieties on me? Yes, Heavenly Father, I will ask you for your help. I will come to rely on you. I will cast all my anxieties on you. What will happen to you when you do these things? I will be helped. I will be relieved. The pressure and anxiety that has been filling my life will be released. I will be filled with peace and calm and joy. Why is that? You will be helping me. You will be lifting me up. You will be encouraging me. Why will I be doing all of these things for you? You love and care for me. Yes, I do. You can be sure of that.

Heavenly Father, I have pridefully thought I could handle every problem and work my way out of every difficult circumstance. I was wrong. My pride only served to fill my life full of anxiety. Now, I will humbly cast all my cares on you. I know you care for me. Amen

Key Question…  When has prideful self-reliance caused your life to be filled with anxiety?

Living It Out…  Humble yourself before God so you can cast all your anxieties on Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will lift you up, in due time, as you humble yourself before Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how humility has helped you to cast your anxieties on God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you humble yourself before God by casting all your anxieties on Him.

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

Mixed Emotions – 1 Peter 5-6-7- Humble Yourselves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Give And It Will Be Given To You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - Give And It Will Be Given To You - Luke 6:36-38 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Give And It Will Be Given To You – Luke 6:36-38 – Growing As Disciples

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:36-38

 Giver

What am I like? You are unlike any other. How do I treat you? You don’t give me what I deserve. Instead, you give me what I don’t deserve. What do you mean by that? You give to me based on who you are and not based on what I have done. What have you done? I have sinned, wandered away and ignored you. I’ve done worse than that. At one time I was your enemy. I took your name in vain and even mocked you and your followers. I had no interest in you at all. So how did I treat you then? Well, there were a lot of negative consequences that I experienced as a result of my sin. When I was in deep pain, I cried out to you and asked for your help. Did I judge you? Did I condemn you? Did I turn you away? No, you did not. That is what I deserved. What did you receive instead? You gave me forgiveness. You welcomed me to you with your arms opened wide. You showered me with your kindness, mercy, and love. How did that feel to you? It felt great. I couldn’t believe it. I felt so loved and accepted. What did my kindness, mercy, and love, motivate you to want? I wanted to follow you. I wanted to be like you. I wanted to treat others just like you have treated me. Is that what you still want today? Yes it is.

Tell me how you want to treat others? When I am wronged, I will give forgiveness. When others don’t act like I would expect I will give acceptance rather than judgment. Instead of condemnation, I will give kindness, mercy and love. Why would you be willing to do this?  Because that is exactly what you gave to me. I want to be like you and do what you have done and are still doing today.

What do you think will happen as you treat others with kindness, mercy, and love? I think that I will be a tool in your hands. I will be like a vessel through which your love can pour. My life will become like a signpost pointing people to you. Has that been happening in your life these days? Yes, I believe that even people who have regarded themselves as my enemies can see your life shining through me. Do you want more of this to happen? Yes, I do.

Father, change my heart and mind. I want to think and act as you do. Instead of judgment and condemnation I want to freely give kindness, mercy and love to others. Use my life as a signpost that points people to you.  Amen 

Key Question…  How has the Lord demonstrated generous giving to you so that you wanted to follow His example?

Living It Out… Give to others the same kindness, mercy and love that He has given to you.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to give to others the kindness, mercy and love that the He has given to you.

Get Ready To Share…   Share with another person or your small group how God has used you to show His kindness, mercy and love to others.

Prayer To Bless Others…   May you freely give love and kindness to others so you can be a witness and signpost that points them to God.

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

Identity – Luke 6-36-38 – Give And It Will Be Given To You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

My Joy May Be In You

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - John 15:11 - My Joy May Be In You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – John 15:11 – My Joy May Be In You – Growing As Disciples

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete  John 15:11 (NIV) 

Complete Joy

Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Do you want me to hear and answer your prayers? Do you want to bear and abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want your life to be filled with my joy?

Yes, I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I have made drawing near to you the priority of my life. I want to know you. I want you to know me. I want to hear your voice. So, I am listening attentively to all that you want to say to me. I know that you want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You love and gave yourself to me. I love and am giving myself to you. I want to live each moment of everyday in an intimate relationship with you. I will go where you lead me. I will do what you ask of me. We both want the same thing. Yes, we do.

Yes, I want you to hear and answer my prayers. I don’t want anything to hinder my life of prayer with you. I want my life to be like an open book before you. I will confess all my sins to you. I will draw near to receive your forgiveness and cleansing. Only you can make me clean in your sight. I want and need you to teach me to pray. I know that you will give me prayers to pray. I know that you will give me prayers that you will hear and answer. I want my life to be a constant dialogue of talking with and listening to you.  I want to hear your voice as clearly as you hear mine. We both want the same thing. Yes, we do.

Yes, I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I want my life to bring glory to your name. I know that apart from you I can do nothing that will last for all eternity. I have no higher desire in life than to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My life is at your disposal. Use me however you see fit. I know that you have a purpose and a plan for my life. I know that you have good works already prepared for me to do for you. I will rely on you to give me the strength to do whatever you have given me to do for you. We both want the same thing. Yes, we do.

Yes, I want my life to be filled with your joy. There is no mystery to me about how to be filled with your joy. Listening attentively to you will bring me joy. Living in an intimate relationship with you will bring me joy. Having my prayers heard and answered by you will bring me joy. Bearing fruit for your kingdom will bring me joy. Bringing glory to your name will bring me joy. I know that it is your desire and will for me to live in your joy. Nothing would please you more than for you to see me living in your joy. I know that you will help me to live in your joy. Living in your joy is part of your purpose and plan for my life. Everything you and I both want will be surrounded and enveloped by your joy. We both want the same thing. Yes, we do.

Lord, I am here to listen to all you want to say to me. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I will remain in your love. I will obey your commands. I will rely on you for all I need. Fill me with your joy as I love, follow and serve you. Amen

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

So That – John 15-11 – My Joy May Be In You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

We Can Comfort

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - We Can Comfort - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – We Can Comfort – Growing As Disciples

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

Give What You Have Received

What you have received from me is not only for yourself. What’s that? Think about all that you have received from me. You have given me so much for which I am so very thankful. Yes, I know that you are thankful to me. That’s not the point that I want to make with you right now. I want you to understand that when you receive something from me I also want you to share it with others. Like what? You tell me. Name something that you have received from me.  

I have received your forgiveness. How can you share my forgiveness with others? I could forgive others just like you have forgiven me. I can also share with others how they can come to you to receive your forgiveness for their sins. Yes, you can. What else?  

I have received hope from you. I know that you have a plan for my life. You created me. You are molding and shaping my life. My life isn’t broken beyond repair. You are the God of second chances. You can and do still want to use me according to your purposes. Yes, I do. I could share with others all the hope I have in you. Yes, you can. I want to use your words to encourage others that are without hope in life. What else?  

I have received your love. I know that you love and accept me. I am your child. You are my Father. I can live my life with and for you. You are on my side. You want to help me. You want me to rely on you. You want me to live in a close and intimate relationship with you. You want me to know you. You want me to hold on to you as I walk through life. I love you because you first loved me. I can share your love with others. I can let others know how much you love them. Yes, that’s right. Do you know that people are desperate to be loved and accepted? They have a void of emptiness in their hearts that only I can fill. You have the best secret in all of life. I love you and you love me. I am with you. I will never forsake you. Is this a secret that you want to keep to yourself? No, I want everyone to know of your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. I want everyone to know the hope they can have in you. Yes, I know that you do.

So how will you comfort others with the comfort that you have received from me? I will share with others all that I have received from you. I will tell others how they can live in a relationship with you. I will tell others how much you love them. Yes, you will. That is what I am calling you to do. Go and tell others about me.

Lord, you have met with me when I have been suffering. You have comforted me in my affliction. You have taught me to rely on you when I have been in need. You have used others to bring comfort into my life. Use me now to comfort others with your comfort. Amen

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

So That – 2 Corinthians 1-3-4 – We Can Comfort – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Enemies In Your Minds

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Colossians 1-21-22 - Enemies In Your Minds- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Colossians 1-21-22 – Enemies In Your Minds- Growing As Disciples

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation– Colossians 1:21-22 (NIV)

Your Enemy

That is for sure. What is for sure? At one time I was living as your enemy. I thought, said and did what was evil in your sight. I lived for my own comfort and pleasure. I went my own way and did my own thing. I had no time for you. I had no desire for you. I had no thought of you. I did not want or need you in my life. What happened? Well, I can tell you that I was sadly mistaken. Life without you is meaningless. Life without you has no purpose. Life without you has no direction. Without you, I wandered to where I shouldn’t have gone.  Without you, I did what I should not have done. Without you, there is only one place my life could end up. Without you, my life ended up being bruised and battered and broken. That is the certain result of living a dark and sin-filled life apart from you. A life of sin pays its own wages. Those wages are a bruised and battered and broken life that will one day end in death and final and permanent separation from you. That’s true. 

But you would not leave me in that condition. You would not let me live a life without you. You pursued me. You sought me out. You would not let me go. No, I would not. So, when I had reached the end of the road, you gave me somewhere to turn. You gave me a hope to have. You gave me words to pray. You put a cry in my heart and mind and life that you would hear and answer. Yes, I did. What hope did you have? What cry was in your heart? What prayer did you pray? I cried out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me. I asked you to rescue me from a life without you. I asked you to forgive my sin. I asked you to cleanse my unrighteousness. I asked you to come into my heart and mind and life. I said that I wanted you to be the Savior and Lord of my life. I told you that I would follow you to wherever you led me. I told you that I would do whatever you asked of me. Did I hear and answer every one of your prayers? Yes, you did. That’s right. You have been forgiven of all your sins. You have been cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You are holy in my sight. I have healed your bruised and battered and broken life. I am your Savior and Lord. I am leading and guiding you. You are now following me and living the new life that I have given you to live. Yes, I am. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, there is no doubt I was a rebellious sinner completely alienated from you. I thought, said and did what was evil. But, you sought me out and rescued me from a life without you. You died for my sins, reconciled me to God and gave me a new life to live. Amen

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

The Mind – Colossians 1-21-22 – Enemies In Your Minds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Being Confident

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - Philippians 1:6 - Being Confident - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – Philippians 1:6 – Being Confident – Growing As Disciples

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Confident 

I’m confident. You are confident about what? I am confident that you began a good work in me. When did I begin my good work in you? Now, if I were to quickly answer that question, I would give the wrong answer, I’m sure. What would be your wrong answer? I would say that your good work began in me on the day that I began to follow you as my Savior and Lord. You’re right, that is the wrong answer. It isn’t a bad answer, it’s just the wrong answer. What is the correct answer? You began your good work in me before I was born. You designed and created me in my mother’s womb. Yes, I did.

But, let’s talk about the work I have been doing in and through you since the day you started to follow me as your Savior and Lord. I’d like that. How do you know that I have been doing a good work in you? Well, looking back over the years, I can see the dramatic changes you have made in me. How so? I am nothing like the person I once was. My whole perspective has changed. My values are completely different. My hopes and dreams are nothing like what they once were. Go into some detail. At one time my thoughts were entirely on the things of this earth. I gave no thought to the things of heaven. My goal was to pursue the comfort and pleasures of this life. I lived solely to please myself. I lived a dark and sinful life. I was walking on a path that led away from you. I was self-indulgent. I was self-centered. I was self-sufficient. In total, I was insufferably proud. To tell you the truth, I would have been quite embarrassed to have my thoughts and words and deeds held up to your close scrutiny. What has changed? You have and are continuing to change my heart and transform my mind. You have given and are giving me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. You are helping me to become like you. It is my utmost and highest desire to do what is pleasing in your sight. I know that I am far from perfect. But, I have been and am willing for you to take a close look at my life. You will find flaws. You will find mistakes. You will find sins. I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt about something else. What’s that? You are not finished with me yet. You will continue to mold and shape my life. You will continue to make me into the person you have called me to be. You will keep on doing your work in and through my life. Yes, I will. For that, I am thankful beyond measure. That is very good. 

Heavenly Father, I know you started a good work in me. I welcome your good work in me. Sometimes, I have been impatient and slow to notice your good work in me. Thank you for molding and shaping my life and never stopping doing your good work in me. Amen

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

Mixed Emotions – Philippians 1-6 – Being Confident – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Finish Its Work

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Mixed Emotions - James 1:2-4 - Finish Its Work - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – James 1:2-4 – Finish Its Work – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

OK

OK, what? I’m here again. I’m in another trial. Normally, I would not be too pleased that I’m in another trial. I’m not a huge fan of trials. I have often railed and rebelled against trials. I have not wanted to stay in them. I have tried to get out of them as soon as possible. I have tried to duck them. I have sought to avoid them. I have backed up from them. I have tried to go around them. I have certainly not welcomed them into my life. That’s certainly true. What about now? I am saying OK. I am acknowledging that I am in a trial. I will let this trial have its full effect in my life. I will allow you to use this trial to mold and shape my life. Use this trial to do your work in me. That’s your prayer? Yes, that is my prayer. I am welcoming this trial into my life because I know that, even though you are not the author of this trial, you will use it to grow and strengthen my faith. You will develop perseverance in me. Yes, I will.

What has changed your attitude? Looking back over my life is changing my attitude about trials. How so? You have always been able to bring some great good out of the trials I have gone through. It may have taken a long time, in some cases many years, for me to see your hand at work in the trials I have gone through. I may never fully understand all the trials I have gone through. What I will do is trust you. What I have done and will continue to do is draw near to you as I go through trials in life. In every trial, I will come to rely on you. In every trial, I will ask for your help. I will cry out to you for wisdom. In every trial, you have heard and answered my prayer. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. You have helped me. You have sustained me. You have strengthened me. Yes, that is what I have done and will continue to do for you as you go through trials. For that, I would not trade anything. For that, I will endure every trial as you grow and strengthen my faith in you. That is very good. 

Lord, I know I am a work in progress. You are not done molding and shaping my life. You are still making me into the person you want me to become. I will joyfully allow trials to test my faith and do their work in me. Grow and develop my faith as I follow you. Amen

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

Mixed Emotions – James 1-2-4 – Finish Its Work – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

United In Mind And Thought

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - 1 Corinthians 1:10 - Humble Yourselves - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Humble Yourselves – Growing As Disciples

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)  

United

How can I stay united with my fellow believers?  There are bound to be differences of opinion. Everyone has a slightly different take on how they see the world. Each person sees life from the lense of their own experience. Everyone has a different make-up. Each one of us is unique. How can I possibly have the same mind and thought with others? I have different experiences. I have different perspectives. My background and make-up and experiences are unique. I don’t even like the idea of agreeing with others. I don’t really want to think like others think. The idea of having my mind in sync with others is not a pleasant thought to me. I want to be different. I want to be creative. I don’t want to color within the lines. I want to do things that are outside the box. I like change. I don’t want to live with what is comfortable and familiar. I can’t accept the way that things are. I want to dream about how things could be. I want new and different experiences. I don’t want to conform. I don’t want to live up to other’s expectations. I don’t want to come under someone else’s judgement. I want to use all the gifts and talents and abilities you have given to me. I don’t want to live under any restrictions. I don’t want to live under someone else’s constraints. I want to boldly go and do what ask me to do. You sound just like the person that I created you to be. Really? Yes, really.

Let me ask you some questions. I’m listening. You have my complete attention. Do you want others to live the life that I have called them to live? Can you wish for others what you want for yourself? Do you want others to live out their uniqueness? Will you encourage others to live the life that I have called them to live? Yes, I can wholeheartedly support all of these things. So, will you be comfortable when other’s thoughts and words and deeds look and sound different than yours? You will not place any restrictions and constraints on others? No, I will not. Can you see how there can be unity amongst all the beautiful diversity that I have created? Yes, I can. Will you pray for unity of thought and mind among your fellow believers, as they live out the unique lives that I have given them to live? Yes, I will. That’s good. That is the unity that I desire. That is the unity that will be a bold and bright witness for me in the world. That is what I want. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know that disunity among believers is a prideful and ugly thing that is a poor witness to the world. Help me to not be a part of any disunity among believers. Help me to pray for unity in the church that will be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Amen

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

The Mind – 1 Corinthians 1-10 – United In Mind And Thought – 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 Message Of The Lord

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 - The Message Of The Lord - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 – The Message Of The Lord – Growing As Disciples

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (NIV)  

Spread My Word

Will you honor my word? Will you take my word into your heart and mind and life? Will you hunger and thirst for my word? Will you value my word just as if it were more valuable silver or gold or any earthly treasure? Will you allow my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? Will you look intently into my word? Will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? Will you allow my word to form the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life? Will you let my word guard and guide your life? Will you allow my word to make you able to resist temptation and stand against evil? Will you read my word? Will you study my word? Will you memorize and meditate on my word? Will you teach and proclaim my word? Will you pray my word? Will you grab a hold of my word so it can grab a hold of you? Finally, will you put my word into practice? You have asked me a lot of questions. That’s right, I have asked you a lot of questions for which there is only one answer, if you will truly honor my word. That’s what I thought. To say no to any one of your questions would be dishonoring to your word. That’s true.

I can only say yes to you not because I have no choice, but because I have no other desire. It will be no sacrifice for me to honor your word. If I say that I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, which I do, how could I not also love the words that have come out of your heart and mind and life? How could I not want to honor everything you have to say to me? How could I not passionately desire that your word will grow and flourish in my life? How could I not want your word to spread rapidly to others just as it has to me. I will pray diligently and work heartily to see that your word will be honored and spread all around the world. Use me for this purpose. Use me for this plan. Yes, I will use you to honor and spread my word far and wide to others all over the world. Thank you, Lord!

Lord, it is my desire to honor and accept your word into my life. You have used your word to change my heart, transform my mind, guide and guard my life. It is my prayer that you will use me to honor and spread your word to others as it has been to me. Amen

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

Prayer – 2 Thessalonians 3-1-3 – The Message Of The Lord – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Wherever You Go

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - Joshua 1:8-9 - Wherever you Go - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – Joshua 1:8-9 – Wherever you Go – Growing As Disciples

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV) 

Your Thoughts

What are your thoughts? That seems like an odd question to me. Why is that? I don’t know that I have ever been asked, what are my thoughts. Really? Well, if I have been asked about my thoughts there has usually been some context. You gave me no context. You simply asked me about my thoughts. Yes, I did. I will ask you some follow up questions. That will help. What do you allow your mind to think? Do you think thoughts that are good and right and true? Do you think thoughts that are pure and helpful and healthy? What do you allow your mind to dwell on? Do you take control of the thoughts of your mind? Do you focus your attention on what you want to think? Do I have control of my mind? Can I choose or reject the thoughts of my mind? You tell me. I know that my mind is a battleground. I know that I think good and bad thoughts. A thought may come into my mind but that does not mean I must continue to think about it. I can choose to reject thoughts that are not good and pleasing to you. Yes, you can.

Is your mind strong? How successful have you been at rejecting thoughts that are not good and pleasing to me? At one time my mind was very weak. I would continue to think about every thought that came into my mind. What has changed? How has your mind grown stronger? Meditating on your word has changed my mind. How so? Meditating on your word has given me a hunger for your thoughts. Meditating on your word has given me a distaste for thoughts that are not good and pleasing to you. Meditating on your word has been cleansing and healing and transforming my mind. You are changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life by your word. Yes, I am.

So, I will answer your question. Go ahead. My thoughts are on you and on the life you have called me to live. I want nothing less and nothing more than to know and do your will. I want my thoughts to be good and right and pleasing to you. So, I will keep on meditating on your word. I will meditate on your word day and night. I will be careful to do everything written in your word. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will meditate on your word day and night. Your word will constantly be on my mind and in my heart. Help me to put into practice everything you have written in your word. Guard, guide and bless my life by your word as I follow and obey you. Amen

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

God The Father – Joshua 1-8-9 – Wherever You Go – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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