Tag Archives: spiritual formation

A Good Name In The Sight Of God

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

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

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

Love And Faithfulness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Becoming Like Christ – Proverbs 3-3-4 – A Good Name In The Sight Of God- 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

Clothe Yourself With Humility

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

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

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

Clothe Yourself With Humility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 5 - 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - Not Rest On Men's Wisdom - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 5 – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom – Growing As Disciples

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Your Word

What do you rely on? What do you place your faith in? What is worthy of all your trust? Do you rely on seemingly wise and persuasive words of men? Are you taken in by the wisdom of the world? Is your life founded on the thoughts, opinions and values of the world? Does your faith rest on the wisdom of men? You have asked a lot of questions. Do you have any answers? I have only one answer. Let me hear it. My faith rests on you. I would like to hear more from you on this subject. 

It is true, that at one time I placed my faith on wisdom that comes from the world. My life conformed to the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. I thought like the world thought. I spoke like the world spoke. I acted like the world acted. I was no different than anyone else that is living in the world. What did you find out? There is no hope and joy and peace in living a life that is founded on the patterns and practices of the world. There is no purpose and meaning in thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways. My worldly life became a bruised and battered and broken life. I was empty. I wanted more. I wanted something else. I wanted you. I wanted to know you. I wanted to love you. I wanted to follow and serve you. I wanted to live my life in ways that would please you. Did I know all of this at the time? Certainly not. But you brought me to yourself. You came into my life. You forgave my sins and gave me a new life to live. Yes, I did.

How is your life now different? My faith rests on you. My faith rests on your word. My faith rests on your power. What do you know? I know that you are using your word to make me like you. Your Holy Spirit powerfully uses your word like a sword. He uses the sword of your word to fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Yes, that is true. What do you do with my word? I take your word into my heart and mind and life. I am letting your word mold and shape me. I am letting your word teach and train me. I am letting your word guard and guide me. Now I know without a doubt that my faith rests on you and the power of your word. That is good. What are you asking? I am asking for your Holy Spirit to continue to use your word to do your work in and through me. I will hear and answer that prayer. 

Lord, I will no longer place my faith in the seemingly wise and persuasive words of men. To do so would be foolish. I will rely on you. I will trust your word. I will place all my faith in the power of God. Work in, for, and through me according to your good pleasure. Amen

Key Question…  When has the power of God accomplished something that you could have never done on your own?

Living It Out…  Place all your faith in the power of God rather than on the seemingly wise and persuasive words of men.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the power of God will work in and through and for you according to His good pleasure.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith is resting on the power of God.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you place all your faith in God rather than on seemingly wise and persuasive words of men.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 5 – 1 Corinthians 2-4-5 – Not Rest On Men’s Wisdom – 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

Accept Instruction

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 9 - Proverbs 19:20 - Accept Instruction - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 9 – Proverbs 19:20 – Accept Instruction – Growing As Disciples

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) 

Listen To Advice

I think I have learned my lesson. I hope I have learned my lesson. I pray that I have learned my lesson. What lesson are you talking about? I think and hope and pray that I have learned to listen to advice and accept instruction. Has this been a hard lesson for you to learn? You know the answer to that question. Nothing is hidden from you. That’s right. Yes, it has been a hard lesson for me to learn. Why is that? It is very hard for a “know it all” to listen to advice and accept instruction. Have you been something of a “know it all’? A little bit. Now, aren’t you funny? I have been far more than a little bit of a “know it all.” I have also thought that I am “almost never wrong.” That is a problem, isn’t it? Yes, it is a huge problem.

Tell me why it is a huge problem to be a “know it all” and an “almost never wrong” kind of person. First of all, I want to become like you. You want me to become like you. It is both your and my goal that I become like you. Proudly thinking that I “know it all or that I am “almost never wrong” is nothing like you. You were not filled with pride. You were filled with humility. If I am to become like you, I will need to trade in my pride for your humility. Yes, you will. That is absolutely true.

Why is it a foolish and dangerous mistake to give others the impression that you think you “know it all” and are “almost never wrong?” What are the consequences of these prideful attitudes? If others think I won’t listen to advice or accept instruction, then they won’t take the time or make the effort to tell me what I need to hear. They will let me go on my own way into the pain and trouble and suffering that could have been avoided. I will not be the beneficiary of the wisdom others would be willing to share with me. You won’t be able to speak into my life through the wisdom of the people around me. I will have no sounding boards. I will accept no feedback. My life could be heading for a train wreck without anyone to warn me, simply because my pride would not allow me to listen to advice or accept instruction. That’s true. 

I will tell you a little secret. What’s that? If you are unwilling to listen to others, you will also be unwilling to listen to me. The pride that will cause you to fail to listen to advice and accept instruction from others, will also prevent you from hearing and following and obeying me. Of that, I am positive. Will you humbly listen to advice and accept instruction from me and others? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I cannot tell you how often I have thought I knew it all. What a mistake. I have frequently given others the impression that I was unwilling to listen to advice and accept instruction. Another big mistake. Help me now to eagerly accept advice and instruction. Amen

Key Question… When have you been positive that the Lord spoke into your life through advice and instruction from others?

Living It Out… Eagerly accept and carefully listen to advice and instruction that the Lord wants to give to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will often give you advice and instruction through people He brings into your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you advice and instruction to follow.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly listen to advice and accept instruction.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 9 – Proverbs 19-20 – Accept Instruction – 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

Hearts Burning Within Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 11 - Luke 2:32 - Hearts Burning Within Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 11 – Luke 2:32 – Hearts Burning Within Us – Growing As Disciples

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 (NIV)

On Fire

That is my hope. That is my dream. That is my desire. That is my prayer. What’s that? It is my hope and dream and desire and prayer to be set on fire by you. I want you to completely turn my world upside down. I want you to rock my world. I want to be completely changed. I want to burn passionately for you. I want to shine brightly for you. I don’t want to be a little warm. I don’t want to be a faint glimmer. I want to burn white hot for you. I want to shine like a star in the universe for you. I want to love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to completely lose myself in loving, following and serving you. I want you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. It is my guess and eager expectation that I will look nothing like my old self when you get done with me. You will make me moldable. You will make me usable.  You will make me new. I will be made able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. What those might be, I have no idea. But, I am here and now telling you that I am completely available to you. There is one thing that I do know without a doubt. What’s that? You will make me to be like you. You will give me a completely new life to live. That’s true. And yet, there is something else that I know. What’s that? I will be the work of your hands. You will make me into your masterpiece. Yes, I will. You can count on me to do all these things in your life. That’s great. That’s fantastic. That’s overwhelming.

What tool will I use to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? What will I use to set you on fire to love, follow and serve me? You will use your word. You will open up the Scriptures to me. You will use your word to speak into my life. You will use your word to mold and shape me. You will use your word to teach and train me. You will use your word to guard and guide me. Yes, I will. Will you continue to meet with me in my word? Will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? Yes, I will.  That will be very good. Then you will be changed. Then you will be made new. Then you will be set on fire to love, follow and serve me. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want nothing more than to be set on fire by you. I want to burn passionately for you. I want to love and follow and serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Fill my heart with desire so that I will live my life completely with and for you. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord opened up the Scriptures for you so that you could be set on fire by Him?

Living It Out…  Ask the Lord to set you on fire so you will passionately love, follow and serve Him throughout your life.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will set you on fire so you will passionately love, follow and serve Him.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has set you on fire to love, follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you allow the Lord to set you on fire so you can live passionately with and for Him.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 11 – Luke 24-32 – Hearts Burning Within Us – 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

Walks With The Wise

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 8 - Proverbs 13:20 - Walks With The Wise - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 8 – Proverbs 13:20 – Walks With The Wise – Growing As Disciples

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) 

Suffering Harm

Well, I have done plenty of that. You have done plenty of what? I have suffered plenty of harm. Why is that? I have wrongly chosen to become a companion of foolish people. Sometimes, I have wondered what has been wrong with me. How so? I have attracted so many foolish people into my life. Is that right? Yes, it is. In that case, who would be a foolish person? That would be me, without any doubt. It is also true without a doubt and without any exception that a companion of fools will suffer harm. It is not a question of “if” it is just a matter of “when”. Harm comes to all those who make themselves to be companions with fools. That is true. I need no convincing. That is good.

What do you want to do with what you have learned? First, I will distant myself from foolish people. I will not let foolish people into my inner circle. I will not allow foolish people to become my counselors. I will not tag along with foolish people as they go down the path, that will certainly end in harm. Having said all of this, I will still minister to everyone who needs to come to know you. The most foolish decision of all is to live a life without you. I will allow you to use me to rescue those that are on the path that leads away from you. I will hope to be used by you ,to bring people to you, so that they will come to know and love you as their Savior and Lord. That will be very good.

What else will you do with what you have learned? I will seek to walk closely with wise people that you will bring into my life. Why is that? Walking distantly with wise people you bring into my life will be of no benefit to me. I will not become wise unless I walk closely with the wise. Walking closely with wise people will help me to see what I cannot see. Walking closely with wise people will help me to know what I have not known. Walking closely with wise people will help me to do what I almost certainly would have never done. You want to use wise people to help me to become wise. That is true. So, I will allow you to do what you want to do. I will walk closely with the wise people you bring into my life. That will be very good.  

Lord, I have made terrible choices about who I would walk with closely in life. I can’t tell you how many times I have suffered harm by allowing myself to become a companion of a foolish person. Help me now to walk closely with wise people you bring into my life. Amen

Key Question… How has your life suffered harm because you were a companion of a foolish person?

Living It Out… Make it your plan to walk closely with the wise people the Lord brings into your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to grow wise as you walk closely with the wise people He brings into your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how walking closely with other wise people has helped you to grow wise.

Prayer To Bless Others… Walk closely with the wise people the Lord brings into your life.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 8 – Proverbs 13-20 – Walks With The Wise – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

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

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

A Workman

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - 2 Timothy 2:15 - A Workman - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – 2 Timothy 2:15 – A Workman – Growing As Disciples

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.                                  2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

A Workman 

That is exactly what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be a workman that correctly handles your word. That is a very good desire. Why do you want to be a workman that knows how to correctly handle my word? I know that the only way to live a life that is pleasing to you is to hear and obey your word. If I love you, I will obey your commandments. If I want to want to have a secure foundation for my life, I need to put your word into practice. These are all part of being a workman that correctly handles your word. That’s right.

What effort are you willing to make to become a workman that correctly handles my word? I will set aside a daily time to meet with you in your word. I will listen attentively to all that you have to say to me. I will immerse myself in your word. I will meditate on your word day and night. I will study your word. I will memorize your word. I will hide your word in my heart, so I will not sin against you. I will allow you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life with your word. That is very good. 

How will you allow me to use you as a workman that correctly handles my word? It is my prayer that your word working in and through my life will make me a bright and bold witness for you in the world. So, I will not keep your word as a secret. I will teach your word. I will pray your word. I will share your word with others so that they can come to know you. I know that your word will give me hope and meaning and purpose. How so? I will allow your word to guide me to where you want me to go. I will allow your word to give me what you want me to do. I will allow your word working in me to bear fruit for your kingdom so that glory can be brought to your name. That will be very good.

What can you be sure of as a workman who correctly handles my word? I will never regret following and obeying your word. I will never be embarrassed because I put your word into practice. I will live a life that will be filled with joy because I have correctly handled your word. There is no better way that I can possibly spend my time than becoming a workman who correctly handled your word. I will life a life with no regrets because I will have known you and done your will. That’s right. That will be very good. 

Lord, I will immerse myself in your word. I will let your word dwell in me richly. I will mediate on your word day and night. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Help me to be a workman who rightly handles your word. Amen

Key Question… What strategies are you employing to grow as a workman who correctly handles God’s word?

Living It Out… Immerse yourself in God’s word so you can become a workman who correctly knows how to handle it.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to be a workman who rightly handles His word.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are like a workman who handles God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you immerse yourself in God’s word so you will become a workman who correctly handles it.

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

God’s Word – 2 Timothy 2-15 – A Workman – 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

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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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

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

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

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

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

A Guard Over My Mouth

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 10 - Psalm 141:3 - A Guard Over My Mouth - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 10 – Psalm 141:3 – A Guard Over My Mouth – Growing As Disciples

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

My Mouth 

Sometimes, I can’t believe what comes out of my mouth. How so? I’m not sure that I want to go into detail. I don’t want to relive and rehearse or even rethink the dumb things, I have said. I would like to move forward. I would like to think and speak and act differently. Are you asking for my help? Yes, I am asking for your help. I am asking you to change everything about me. Change my heart. Transform my mind. Give me your thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. Change me from the inside out. You know something you aren’t saying. Yes, I do. Tell me what you know. I will never be able to simply set a guard over my mouth or a door on my lips if you don’t change what is in my heart and on my mind. So, I am asking you to do a complete work in my heart and mind. You are the only one who can help me to set a guard over my mouth or a door on my lips. My efforts alone,  to do this, will only end in miserable failures. So, I’m not thinking that there is a quick and simple, band aid answer, to my prayer. That’s good. You have work to do in me. Yes, I do.

You do know that you are a work in progress? You do know that day by day, I am molding and shaping your life? You do know that my work in your life will continue every day until you come to meet me face to face? Yes, I know these things. Yes, I believe that you are doing this kind of work in me.  I am thankful that your work in me will not end until I am completely changed in your presence. That’s good. I do want to cooperate fully with your work in me. I want to submit myself completely to you so that I am not getting in the way of your work. I don’t want to slow down the pace of your work in me. That’s good. 

How have I been changing your heart? How have I been transforming your mind? How have I been giving you my thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take? In your presence you have been changing my heart. In your word you have been transforming my mind. I can’t leave your presence, meeting with you in your word, without my heart being changed and my mind being transformed, in some way. As I draw near to you and you draw near to me, you are continually making me new. You are giving me new thoughts to think, words to speak and actions to take. Am I also helping you to place a guard over your mouth and a door on your lips? Yes, you are. For that, I am very thankful. That’s good. 

Lord, help me to place a guard over my mouth. When I should not speak, help me to keep my mouth firmly shut. Steer me away from worthless conversations that will discourage me and others in our faith. Use my words to boldly spur others on in their faith. Amen

Key Question… How are you relying on the Lord to help you to place a guard over your mouth?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to place a guard over your mouth.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to place a guard over your mouth.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your words to encourage others in their faith.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to help set a guard over your mouth.

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

Becoming Like Christ – Day 10 – Psalm 141-3 – A Guard Over My Mouth – 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