Think – Do

Posted on by
Reply
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

Serve Others

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - 1 Peter 4:7-11 - Serve Others -Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – 1 Peter 4:7-11 – Serve Others -Growing As Disciples

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

Given You Gifts

I have given you gifts. It is time for you to use them. I want you to urgently and passionately use the spiritual gifts that I have given to you. I want you to pour yourself out in service to others. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. You will go where I send you. You will do all that I ask of you. There is no doubt about that. I want to know and do your will. I want to do all the good works that you have prepared for me to do for you. I want your hand to be on me. It is my prayer that you will richly bless my life. I want to shine brightly for you in the world. I want people to be drawn to you because of the way that you have been working in my life. I want to use every one of the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. I don’t want any one of my spiritual gifts to be unused and go to waste. I want to fulfill all your purposes and plans for my life. I want to reap a rich harvest for your kingdom. Your desires are very good. Your desires are my desires for you.

What’s that? You said that you want me to urgently and passionately use the spiritual gifts that you have given to me. Yes, I did. Can you tell me more about that? Yes, I will. Your time on this earth is short. If you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name, the time to begin is now. There is no time to waste. Wasted time is a wasted opportunity. Keep your eyes open. Listen carefully to my voice. Go where I send you. Do what I ask of you. Join me in the work that you see me doing. Be urgent. What about being passionate? Don’t be half-hearted. Give yourself fully to me and the work that I have prepared for you. My hand will be on you. You will have my blessing. I will use you. I will set you on fire with passion to love, follow and serve me. That is what I want. That is the prayer of my heart. Yes, I know and I will hear and answer that prayer.

Lord, I know that you have given me many good gifts. Help me to urgently and passionately use every one of my gifts to serve others. Powerfully use me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I will rely on all your strength to bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… How are you now using your God given spiritual gifts to serve others?

Living It Out… Use all your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God has given you spiritual gifts so that you can serve others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are using your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you use all your God given spiritual gifts to serve others.

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

God’s Will – 1 Peter 4-7-11 – Serve Others – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guides

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 Way Out

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - A Way Out - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – A Way Out – Growing As Disciples

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

Take It Now

Let’s start with the basics on temptation. I’m listening. You will be tempted. That should come as no great surprise to you. It doesn’t, I have been tempted in what seems like a thousand different ways. It’s not that many. It should also not greatly surprise you in the ways that you will be tempted. Your temptations have been and will continue to be quite predictable. Have you ever noticed the predictability of your temptations? Yes, I have noticed that my temptations usually center around a few basic themes. That’s right. It’s very important for you to recognize when, where, why and how you will most likely be tempted. Why is that? My promise to you is that I will provide you a way of escape out of your temptations. The first way of escape of out of your temptations is to not enter into them in the first place. What do you mean by that? How is that possible? You have a good idea of when, where, why and how you will be tempted, is that right? Yes, it is. Stay away from when, where, why and how you will be tempted. Don’t let anything feed the when, where why and how of your temptations. Is that clear enough to you? Yes, it is. So, you will remove yourself from potentially tempting circumstances before you are tempted? Yes, I will. You will also eliminate from your life anything that feeds tempting desires within you? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

I have a couple more points to make. I’m listening. You will not be tempted in any way that is uncommon to man. What does that mean? You will not experience any unique or unusual temptations that others have or will experience. So, I can’t use the uniqueness of one of my temptations as an excuse, if I were to fail victim to it. That’s right. You will also not face temptations that are beyond your ability to bear. So, I can’t tell myself that I have no hope of overcoming my temptations. That’s right.

Now, I want to talk about two more ways of escape from your temptations. You have my full attention. My word will provide you a way of escape from your temptations. How so? Let my word dwell in you richly. Meditate on my word. Memorize my word. Pray my word. Allow my word to change your heart and transform your mind. Let my word guard and guide all that you think, say and do. As you allow my word to dwell in you richly, My Spirit will use my word to fight in you, with you, and for you, against temptations that you will face in life. Will you allow my word to dwell in you richly? Yes, I will. You mentioned that there was one more way of escape from temptations I will face in life. Yes, I did. What is it? Run from temptation. Don’t hang around temptation. Immediately take the way of escape from temptation that I will provide at the moment I provide it. Take it now, don’t delay. Will you run from temptation when it approaches? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I am under no illusions about my ability to withstand temptation. I will need your strength and ability to flee temptation that will come my way. Help me to always take the way out of temptation you provide at the moment you provide it. Amen

Key Question… What tempting situations and activities must you remove yourself from before you are tempted?

Living It Out… Make sure that you immediately take the way out of temptation that your Heavenly Father provides to you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will provide a way out of temptation that you must take immediately.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your Heavenly Father has provided you a way out of temptation.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way of escape out of temptation that your Heavenly Father will provide to you.

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

God The Father – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – A Way Out – 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

Love Your Enemies

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Love - Luke 6:27-31 - Love Your Enemies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Luke 6:27-31 – Love Your Enemies – Growing As Disciples

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

Hearing You

This is a difficult assignment. This is demanding task. What’s that? You are asking me to love my enemies. You are asking me to pray for everyone who mistreats me. You want me to do good to those who hate me. You are telling me to bless those who curse me. You are saying that if someone strikes me on the one cheek then I should turn to them and let them strike me on the other cheek. You want me to give to others without expecting anything in return. You want me to do to others what I wish they would do for me. Do I have all this right? Am I hearing you correctly and properly understanding all that you are asking of me? Yes, you are understanding me correctly. Can you say any more about what you are asking of me?

Have I done what I am asking of you? Am I asking anything of you that I was unwilling to do? Do you think I am asking of you what I haven’t already done? Haven’t I set before you an example to follow? Haven’t you said that you want to become like me. Haven’t you said that you want to love like I loved. Didn’t I hear you say that you wanted to give like I gave and serve like I served? Isn’t it your hope that you will think, say and do what I thought, said and did? Yes, all that you are saying is true. In every way, I want to become like you. Well then, you can and will follow my example. Yes, I will. That will be very good.

You are right about one thing. What’s that? You cannot live the life that I am calling you to live. You cannot love like I loved, give like I gave or serve like I served with your own effort and strength. Your own efforts will result in failure. What then can I do? You can ask that I live my life in and through you. You can rely on me completely. You can allow my Spirit to work in and through your life. You can ask for my power and strength to make you able to live the life that I have called you to live. Will you allow me to make you able to love like I loved, give like I gave and serve like I served? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, the idea that you want to display your loving mercy through me to my enemies is a difficult assignment. In the past, my worst desire has been to take revenge and get even. Not now, not ever again. Use me as your witness in the world. Amen

Key Question… How will your enemies know, from your behavior, that you love them?

Living It Out… Allow God to display His love to others in the world through you as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that one day God will reward you for loving even your enemies and those who have hated and hurt you.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been using you to show His love even to your enemies.

Prayer To Bless Others… May God’s love be on display through your life as you love and bless the lives of your enemies.

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

Love – Luke 6-27-31 – Love Your Enemies – 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

Seasoned With Salt

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Character - Colossians 4:6 - Seasoned With Salt - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – Colossians 4:6 – Seasoned With Salt – Growing As Disciples

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

My Words

What words are coming out of your mouth? How are you evaluating the words that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are you placing a guard over the words that come out of your mouth? Do you think that I will be pleased with every word that you are allowing yourself to speak? Are your words full of grace? Do your words offer kindness, mercy and love? How well am I able to use your words as a witness for me in the world? Are others drawn to your words? Do your words offer a pleasant flavor that is attractive for all to hear or are your words just like everyone else’s in the world? You have asked me a lot of questions. Have I spoken words that are not pleasing to you? Have I spoken words that have not be full of kindness, mercy and love? Have my words been harsh and critical? Have my words been sarcastic and cutting? Have my words been filled with judgement? Have I selfishly spoken words to solely express my own opinion, make my points and win arguments? Now, it is you who has asked me a lot of questions.

I would like to hear you answer the questions that you have asked of me. I thought you might say that. I am sure that I have spoken words that have not been pleasing to you. Why is that? Your questions have caused me to think more about the words that have been coming out of my mouth. What have you heard? I have heard words that were not filled with kindness, mercy and love. I have spoken words that were filled with judgement. I have been harsh and critical and sarcastic and cutting with the words that have come out of my mouth. I have spoken words solely to get my point across so that I could clearly express my opinion. Do you always need to express your opinion? Is there anything far more important than you being able to clearly make your point?

I want to make the most of every opportunity to be used by you. I want my words to be filled with kindness, mercy and love. I want you to use the words of my mouth to draw others to you. I want my words to add a pleasant and attractive flavor in the world. I want my words to stand out as a bright and shinning witness for you in the world. Will that ever happen if you must use your words to express your opinions, make your points and win your arguments? No, when I am speaking in those ways I am sure that you are not speaking through me. At those times, I have speaking my words solely on my behalf. Will you allow me to speak through you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want to be a witness for you in all I think, say and do. Guard my thoughts. Give me your words to say. Help my life to express your kindness, mercy and love to everyone so that I will be a vibrant life-giving witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… How is the grace that you have received from Jesus Christ being spread through you to others?

Living It Out… Let your life and your conversation be life giving and encouraging so that you will be a vibrant witness for Christ.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you just the right words to say to others as a witness for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how Jesus Christ has used your words to minister to another person.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your words be full of grace and seasoned with salt so you will answer others well.

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

Character – Colossians 4-6 – Seasoned With Salt – 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

Show It

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - James 3:13 - Show It - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – James 3:13 – Show It – Growing As Disciples

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 (NIV)

Success?

I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to demonstrate that I am both wise and understanding. Why do you want to be wise and understanding? What do you mean by asking me that? What is wise? What is understanding? How are you defining those terms? Why is it your desire and goal to be wise and understanding? I’m still not fully understanding where you are headed with your questions. Let’s take a step back. I will ask you another question. Go ahead, I’m listening. What possible reasons could a person have for wanting to be wise and understanding? A person might want to be wise and understanding so that they can be successful in life. I suppose you will now ask me what a successful life would look like. You are right about that. What would a successful life look like to you? What would a successful look like to someone else? Now, I’m starting to understand where you are headed with your questions. Someone might evaluate their success in life by how much they have acquired. They would think that their life is successful if they have acquired possessions, power and prestige in an abundance. They might think that their life has been successful if they have lived a life filled with comfort and pleasure. Their desire for wisdom and understanding would simply be tools on that path to their idea of success. That’s right. Is this how you view success? Is this why you want wisdom and understanding? No, it is not.

How do you define success? My life will be successful if I have come to know and do your will. My life will be successful if I have born an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. That is a very different definition of success. Yes, it is. Only my followers would ever hold on to that definition of success. That’s right. Loving, following and serving you is my desire and goal in life. So, it should be easy for you to now tell me why you want to have wisdom and understanding. I want to have wisdom and understanding so that I will be able to know and do your will. Wisdom and understanding from you, will guide me on the proper path in life. My life will succeed in bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name if I have your wisdom and understanding. Yes, it will. Without your wisdom and understanding I will be unable to know and do your will. That’s right. It is my prayer that I will have your wisdom and understanding so that I can live my life fully for you. That is a prayer that I will hear and answer.

Lord, I want to be wise and understanding. I want my life to be filled with your wisdom and understanding. Help me to do humble deeds that display wisdom as I follow and serve you. Use my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question… Who has been a good role model for you by displaying wisdom through their actions?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to show you what humble and wise deeds you can do for others as you follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will lead you to do humble deeds for others that display true wisdom and understanding.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is leading you to humbly and wisely serve others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do wise, humble and good deeds for others as you follow and serve the Lord.

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

Wisdom – James 3-13 – Show It – 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

Lead The Blind

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Guidance - Isaiah 42:16 - I Will Lead The Blind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – Isaiah 42:16 – I Will Lead The Blind – Growing As Disciples

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

Unfamiliar Paths

I’m not a fan of unfamiliar paths. I have never wanted to blindly enter a situation. I would like to know where I am going. I would like to know what I should be doing. I don’t like uncertainty. You know that I have wanted you to give me a roadmap with each step of my way marked out for me. Yes, I am aware of what you have wanted from me. Do you think I will ever give you a roadmap with every step of your marked out for you? No, I don’t think that you will ever give me a roadmap marking out every step of my way. Why is that? I have never heard or seen of you doing that for anyone. That’s right. Why won’t I ever give you a step by step roadmap to follow? I’m not sure. If I gave you a step by step road map would you follow me or the roadmap? That’s a very good question. We both know that if I had a roadmap through life I would follow that roadmap. That’s right. It is not my plan for you to follow a roadmap. It is my plan for you to follow me. I want you to live in a vital and intimate relationship with me. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, I want to live a vital and intimate relationship with you. That’s very good.

What can you be certain of as you follow me? I can be certain that you will lead me by ways that I have not gone before. You will guide me on unfamiliar paths. You will lead me through rough places that I probably would not have chosen for myself. That sounds like a dramatic understatement. Yes, it is, I have wanted to walk on well-marked and familiar paths. I have not wanted to travel through difficulty. You have wanted a smooth path that is well lit and easy to follow. Yes, that’s right. Let’s talk about that. Why do you think I will lead you on unfamiliar and difficult paths? You want me to come to rely on you. You want my faith in you to grow. You want to do in and through me what I could have never done by myself. Those are very good answers. What kind of path has caused you to rely on me? When has your faith in me grown stronger? When have you know with the greatest certainty that I was working in and through your life? All your questions have one answer. You have worked powerfully in and through my life when you have led me on a difficult path. That’s right. What else can you also be certain of as you follow me? You will always be with me. You will never forsake me. You will shed light on my path. You will smooth out the rough spots that are ahead of me as I love, follow and serve you. That’s right. I will lead you through life as you follow me every step of your way.

Lord, I will hold on to your hand through dark places along unfamiliar paths to unknown places. I know you will give me light to guide my way and smooth out the rough spots ahead of me. I will trust in you every step of my way as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… What are some dark, unfamiliar and unknown paths that the Lord has helped you to walk through?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to lead you by the hand along unfamiliar paths to unknown places, giving you light along the way.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will give you light in darkness and guide you along unfamiliar paths and to unknown places.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has given you light and smoothed out your path through life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to lead you on unfamiliar by ways that you have not known.

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

Guidance – Isaiah 42-16 – Lead The Blind – 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

May Approach God

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - Ephesians 3:12 - May Approach God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – Ephesians 3:12 – May Approach God – Growing As Disciples

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Into My Presence

The way has been opened. The dividing wall has been broken down. The chasm has been bridged. There is now no barrier. There is now no separation. Nothing is preventing you from coming to me. My Son, has forgiven you of all your sins. My Son, has cleansed you of all your unrighteousness. He has redeemed your life. He has set you on new course. He has given you a new life to live. You are now acceptable in my sight. You are now welcome in my presence. You have been adopted into my family. You are my child. I am your Heavenly Father. I am calling you to come to me. Do you hear my call? Do you have my desire? Do you long to be in my presence? Do you want to know me? Do you want to be known by me? Do you want to come into my presence? Do you want to live in an intimate relationship with me? Yes, Heavenly Father I want what you want. I have your desire. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. That is very good.

Like a famished beggar, I hunger for you. Like a dessert crawler in search of an oasis, I thirst for you. Like a heart broken lover, my heart aches for you. Yet, I am not starved. I am not dehydrated. I am not unloved. You have lavished me with your love. You fed my hunger. You have satisfied my thirst. You have not withheld any of your goodness from me. You have shown me every kindness, extended to me every mercy and filled me with your love in limitless abundance. Yet, somehow, I cannot get enough of you. I cannot spend too much time in your presence. I cannot receive too much of what you want to give me. You fill me with desire for you. You keep drawing me back to you. I cannot give you enough adoration. I cannot praise and thank and worship you enough. I cannot bow down deep enough. I cannot raise my hands in praise high enough. I want to stay longer. I want to know you more. I want to be known by you more. It is my delight to rest in your presence. It is my joy to know you and be known by you. That is very good.

I will bring my confession to you. I will bring my intercession to you. I will bring my petitions to you. Guide our conversations. Help me to hear all that you want to say to me. Give me thoughts to think. Give me feelings to feel. Give me words to speak. Give me prayers to pray. Yes, I will. Help me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Help me to live and walk in a constant dialogue with you. I am your child. You are my God and Father. I am so thankful that I can live and walk with you. I can always come into your presence to be with you. Yes, you can. Yes, you will.

Lord, thank you for making it possible for me to enter God’s presence. I will make it the priority of my life to make time to enter His presence. I will joyfully express worship, confess sin, give thanks, pray prayers of intercession and petition as I meet with Him. Amen

Key Question… Why can you confidently and boldly enter God’s presence?

Living It Out… Make it a daily priority of your life to take time to enter God’s presence so that you can hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to confidently and boldly enter God’s presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are confidently and boldly entering God’s presence.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you take every opportunity, Christ has secured for you, to confidently and boldly enter God’s presence.

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

Freedom – Ephesians 3-12 – May Approach 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

Cry Out To Him Day And Night

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - Luke 18:7 - Cry Out To Him Day And Night - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – Luke 18:7 – Cry Out To Him Day And Night – Growing As Disciples

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  Luke 18:7 (NIV)

Persistence

Persistence in prayer has not been my one of my strongest points. I have seldom prayed more than a couple times for any one request. I must admit that I have sometimes even wondered why I need to pray at all. You know what I want and need even before I ask for it. Yes, I do. Can you think of any reasons why I want you to be persistent and consistent in your prayers to me? I know that you want me to live in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I do. Coming to meet with you in prayer is part of that intimate relationship you want to have with me. Yes, it is. Have you sometimes thought that I should give you exactly what you want at the very moment you ask for it? I have thought that before; I’ll have to admit. Why don’t I always give you what you want, when you want it? Sometimes, I have asked for something that would not be good for me. You might have something entirely different that is far better for me. I might not be ready to receive what I am asking for from you. It might not be the right timing. An improper gift or a gift given before the right time might be a curse rather than a blessing. You are wise to understand that.

What possible answers might I have for your prayers? Your answers could be “yes”, “no”, or “not yet”. That’s right. “Yes”, is not the only possible answer to your prayer. “No”, may be an even better answer to your prayer. Don’t think that I have not heard and answered your prayer simply because my answer to your prayer was “no”. In response to a “no” answer to your prayer, what would happen if you kept on praying? I might better understand why you said, “no” to my prayer? That’s right. “Not yet”, is an answer to your prayer that would offer a good reason for you to keep on praying, don’t you think? Yes, I do. Why is that? As I keep on praying, I will better understand your timing. Yes, you will.

You can be very sure of one thing. What’s that? I delight to hear and answer your prayers. It gives me great joy to see you coming to rely on me. I do want you to live in a close and intimate relationship with me. I do want you to ask me for all that you want and need. Will you keep on bringing all your prayers to me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, often I have prayed just once for something. If I didn’t receive an answer I did not pray again. Now I see that you want me to be urgent and consistent and persistent in my prayers. I will pray and not give up. I will wait until you hear and answer my prayer. Amen

Key Question… When have you been tempted to give up praying when an answer to your prayer has not come quickly?

Living It Out… Continue to come to the Lord and pray and don’t give up even when answers to your prayers do not come quickly.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will hear and will answer your prayers as you faithfully pray to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what you are persistently praying for day and night.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you persistently and consistently keep bringing your prayers to the Lord.

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

Prayer – Luke 18-7 – Cry Out To Him Day And Night – 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

Keep Yourself Pure

Posted on by
Reply
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - 2 Timothy 2:21 - Keep Yourself Pure - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 2 Timothy 2:21 – Keep Yourself Pure – Growing As Disciples

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.  2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

Ready

I know that you want to be used by me. I know that you want your life to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I know that you want me to use your life according to my purposes and plans. I know that you don’t want any of the gifts, talents and resources that I have given you to go to waste. I know that one day you would like to hear me say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You have told me all of these things in your prayers. Yes, I have prayed for all these things. It gives me great joy to know that you have heard these prayers of mine.

How you live your life will determine how fully these prayers of yours will be answered. How so? How you live your life will determine if you are ready to be used by me. I want to be ready to be used by you at all times and in every situation. If you want to be used by me you must turn and run away from evil. You must separate yourself from anything that will stimulate sinful desires within you. You must resist the urge to engage in unfruitful arguments that will only start fights. Avoid all foolish and worthless talk of every kind. Instead pursue me. Pursue the righteous life I have given you to live. You will not be alone in your pursuit of me. Be encouraged by and give encouragement to those who, with a pure heart, are also pursuing the righteous life that I have called you to live. Will you do what I am asking of you? Yes Lord, I will do all that you are asking of me. Then you will be ready to be used by me. You will be a tool in my hand. You will do the work that I have prepared in advance for you to do. You will know my will. You will walk in my ways. You will bear fruit for my kingdom. You will bring glory to my name. That is what I want. That is what you will do.

Lord, I am all yours. I will turn away and run from every evil. I will pursue you and the righteous life you have called me to live with and for you. It will be my joy and pleasure to be ready for you to use, Bear fruit and bring glory to your name though my life. Amen

Key Question… What unfruitful activity can be eliminated from your life to make you more available for the Lord’s use?

Living It Out… Turn and run away from every evil that will make unready and unusable and ineffective for the Lord’s use.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you and bear fruit through your life according to His purposes and plans.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how turning from every evil has made you ready for the Lord to use.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you turn from evil and pursue righteousness so you will be ready for the Lord to use.

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

If – 2 Timothy 2-21 – Keep Yourself Pure – 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