Saturday, March 29, 2008

Worship

FACE TIME:

Getting To Know God Better By Spending Face Time With Him

WEEK ONE / DAY 2 / WORSHIP

II. WORSHIP is the fuel of my soul.

For the quality disciple, it all begins with having a foundation of grace… where as a result, we can WORSHIP God in the way He prefers…

ascribe* to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
1 Chron. 16:29

*A Clearer Meaning:

What does it mean to “ascribe” something to the Lord? The basic idea is to “give, to come or to place.” The thrust of the Hebrew word (ya-hab) is a free-will offering to God. It is a humble response of submission and devotion to His grace. We are charged to hold nothing back and give to the Lord the glory—all the glory—due His name.

What does this say…What does it mean…What is God saying to me?

How do I ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name?

What kind of offering can I bring to the Lord today?

On what basis am I allowed to come before Him and worship Him?

How does the holiness of God impact my worship experience?

Talking To God: My Face Time With Him

O Holy Father, I want my life to be one that gives You glory. Give me the heart of a worshiper. Search my heart and prompt me to give You an offering that means something to You. I want my worship of You to give You glory as I bask in your holy presence. By faith and grace I will ascribe to You, give to You the glory that is due to Your name. I will gladly bring an offering that You desire. Because of what Christ did on the cross, I will come before You and worship You in the splendor of Your holiness.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Growing Kids To Become Adults

GROWING KIDS TO BECOME ADULTS

I have come to realize, very recently again, that life is full of transitions. This has become most vivid in my relationship with my son Andrew. It seems like only yesterday, that he was born. Now, he is 21 and has packed up and moved to Florida to start a new life of school, work, and brand new relationships. No doubt, there are many emotions at play in my heart: grief, sadness, joy, excitement. All valid, all consuming emotions.

And yet, there is a mysterious peace in my heart knowing that the Lord has entrusted Trish and I with this incredible gift of Andrew. We have loved him, trained him, and now have released him back to the Lord. It is hard to express this kind of love by using words, but Paul does a good job with it as he talked about Timothy, his disciple, who was like a son to him. I agree with Paul’s words:

I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! 2 Timothy 1:2 (MSG)

To Andrew: the son we love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!


For those who know Andrew, thanks in advance for keeping him in your prayers.

Experiencing grace in the journey,

Denny

March 27, 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

An Invitation To Experience Face Time

FACE TIME:

Getting To Know God Better By Spending Face Time With Him


FORWARD

What is it that makes Biblical Christianity unique when compared to the other religions in the world? First of all, the basis of Christianity is not that of a religion, but a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Secondly, where other religions gauge spiritual success by keeping legalistic rules with the goal of securing favor with the chosen deity, followers of Jesus obey Him because they love Him. Finally, Biblical Christianity is not a static life but we are compelled to grow in our own faith, even as we seek to reproduce the life of Christ in others—making disciples. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he instructed his disciple Timothy:

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

So, what does the Bible really mean when we are instructed to make disciples? Is this just for a few…or are there more global implications? I believe the Great Commission is addressed to everyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ. With every Great Commission that He gives us, it is always coupled with a Great Provision. In the case of discipleship, here are a few promises of provision He has made to the believer who desires to become a quality disciple:

1. He will give us His presence—always.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

2. He will make us fishers of men.

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

3. He will give us an eternal perspective.

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

4. He will provide everything that we need.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

5. He will invite us to join Him in His work in the Harvest.

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)

What are the qualities of a disciple of Jesus Christ? As I have studied the Scriptures, I have come to this conclusion: Before I can reproduce something in another person’s life, I must have it in my own life first. I believe the Bible teaches that there are at least seven essential spiritual elements of a quality disciple’s life. They are Grace, Worship, Bible Study, Prayer, Community, Service, and Evangelism. The mission statement below summarizes this very well.

For the quality disciple, it all begins with having a foundation of GRACE…where we can then WORSHIP God in the way He prefers…then, and only then, will we be able to experience genuine SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Bible Study, Prayer, Community)…where we will then be able to SERVE as we share our spiritual gifts…and as we experience God’s grace, worship Him as He sees fit, grow in our relationship with Him, and serve using our gifts for Him, we will then have an authentic WITNESS to the lost using both our words and our deeds.

If you are reading this book, you have already shown a willingness to take a deeper look at your life. You are willing to spend some face time with the God of the universe. The journey before you is not unique. Many before us have discovered the path or highway of holiness (Is. 35:15). They have personally experienced the path of life where God’s presence is there, witnessing an incredible fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11). Disciples of the Living Lord not only know how to talk the talk, they walk the walk (Col. 1:10).

Let the journey of a lifetime begin. The Lord willing, when our life on earth ends, you and I will meet at the very Throne of God, having eternity to give Him expansive praise and worship, where we will always see Him face to face.

Making disciples with you,

Denny Bates

Florence SC / March 2008

Face Time -- Day 1 -- Grace

FACE TIME:

Getting To Know God Better By Spending Face Time With Him

A Devotional Guide To Understanding

The Essential Spiritual Elements Of

The Quality Disciple’s Life

WEEK ONE / DAY 1 / GRACE

I. GRACE has an effect upon everything that I think and do.

For the quality disciple, it all begins with having a foundation of GRACE…

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24

What does this say…What does it mean…What is God saying to me?

What kind of worth do I put upon my life? What do I value?

What am I doing in order to insure that I will finish the race and complete the task that Jesus has entrusted to me?

In my own words, what is the gospel of God’s grace?

Talking To God: My Face Time With Him

Lord, I do want to see my life as one that has worth only when I am about doing Your business, staying on task and mission for You. Pour out Your grace upon me. Fill my heart and my mouth when You give me opportunities to testify to the gospel of Your amazing grace. This is the cry of my heart: May I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race I have entered and complete the task or mission my Lord Jesus has given me—the mission of testifying to the gospel of Your grace.