Saturday, February 27, 2010

Principle #8--Psalms of Discipleship

A good day to all of you, my friends! I pray that you are well and are experiencing a fresh expression of God's great love for you today. This week's principle addresses the kind of life where prayer becomes the habit rather than the occasional desperate plea. We find in this Psalm that the kind of prayer that God wants us to experience is based upon having an intimate relationship with Him. May all of us grow closer to the Lord this week...as we pray.

Praying for you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #8

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning. 2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. Psalm 5:1-3

Core Value: Prayer

Prayer is what Henri Nouwen suggests to be, “a great adventure.” This great passion that lies in the heart of the quality disciple to pray is best learned . . . by praying. In Christian bookstores today are a multitude of books dedicated to the subject of prayer. There is no lack of materials concerning the subject of prayer. But in spite of all the “how to” books, none of those books will pray for the disciple. From the heart of each believer must come the willingness to go beyond the theory behind prayer and to begin praying. Sometimes one needs to just take “baby steps” when one wants to renew one’s commitment to pray. Small successes go a long way with the person who wants to develop a deeper prayer life. A quality disciple will become a man or woman of prayer.

Principle #8 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ has a dynamic life, marked by the spiritual discipline of prayer and a firm expectation that God is at work.

• A life of prayer goes beyond the superficial. Instead, the disciple offers to the Lord a prayer that uses words (both spoken and unspoken), passionate groaning, as he or she cries for help.

• A life of prayer is God-centered and not me-centered. The disciple directs his or her prayer to the Lord, to “my King and my God. For to You I pray.”

• A life of prayer is driven by spiritual discipline: “In the morning I will order my prayer to You.” The disciple is willing to make a sacrifice of time.

• A life of prayer is given the privilege of having a front row seat as we “eagerly watch” how God is going to work through our prayers to Him.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I pray, what is my expectation of the Lord? Is the foundation of my prayer life God-centered or me-centered?

What one thing can I do this week that will enhance my prayer life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You offer great comfort to those who pray to You—knowing that You not only hear the deepest concerns of my heart but You also are working for Your glory and for my good. May my prayer life to You become mature as I learn to trust You more.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism


Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Principle #7--Psalms of Discipleship

Well, good morning to all! Today, I awaken to sunshine and the very real possibility of "warmer" temperatures than what we have been experiencing in South Carolina.

I pray that all is well with you today. This week's Psalm of Discipleship addresses two core values of the disciple's life: grace and prayer. As you read the key scripture, may I suggest you read it word for word, taking proper time to digest every word in the verse. And as you do so, keep this question in the front of your mind: Lord, what are you saying to me?

This week, may His grace warm your heart, may your times of prayer be rich as you grow closer to the Lord.

Keep on pressing on!

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #7

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man [and woman] for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3

Core Value: Grace & Prayer

It is the grace of God that allows the believer to grow deeper in relationship with the Lord. We can seek to improve our prayer life; to study the Bible on a regular basis; and to even fast and deny ourselves pleasure. But without the grace of God, all of it is for naught. Grace is given to the believer not just for one’s personal gratification. Grace is also a gift to the community of believers. Grace for the believer is to be shared by the believer to the believer. Grace is to be modeled. We all are to be trophies of His grace. The great challenge for every disciple is to become so marinated with the grace of God that we live a transformed life. It is a life we cannot “will” to do in our own strength, but a life where we lay down our will and live for His.

Principle #7 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is blessed because they are personally experiencing God’s grace and authentic prayer. Because of grace, we (the disciple of Jesus) can pray to the Lord who hears us. The disciple of Jesus Christ can become a disciple because of what God has done through the finished work of Christ. Through grace, we have been placed “in Christ.” Through grace, we can communicate with the Lord through prayer.

• Because of His Word to us, His sure promise to us, we can know that the Lord has set apart the godly man (and woman) for Himself. Disciples of Jesus Christ belong to Him!

• Because disciples of Jesus Christ belong to Him, we have been given access to Him through prayer.

• “The Lord hears.” What an amazing promise: to think that the sovereign God and Lord of the universe, the King of Glory, would not only hear the cry of our heart, but also loves and cares for us.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kind of lifestyle is the Lord calling me to live since He has set apart the godly man (and woman) for Himself?

When is the last time that I have cried out to the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am in awe of You. Thank You for loving me, for setting me apart, for choosing me to be one of Your children. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, teach me to pray; please help me to develop a more intimate, more authentic relationship with You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism


Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #6--February 13, 2010

Good morning to all of you my friends from snowy South Carolina (now, there is a paradox for you--snow and South in the same sentence).

As I awaken to a fresh snowfall, my memories take me back a few years ago and my winter visit to Ukraine. There is a great contrast between barren and dirty landscape and a fresh snowfall. The snow in Ukraine covered the unappealing with its beauty. This is what God does for His children.

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NASB95)

All of this is possible because of RELATIONSHIP. We can take great joy in knowing that He pursues us; He loves us; He wants us to know Him better. In this week's Psalms of Discipleship, the core value is Prayer. As we will soon learn, prayer is much more than a list we give to God. Prayer is founded upon a relationship with the Lord.

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #6

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1

Core Value: Prayer
Andrew Murray suggests that the prayer life of the believer is not about getting things from God, but a much more meaningful and relational experience than the Lord serving as some kind of cosmic bellhop for us. “Prayer is not merely coming to God to ask something of Him. It is, above all, fellowship with God and being brought under the power of His holiness and love, until He takes possession of us and stamps our entire nature with the lowliness of Christ, which is the secret of true worship” (Living A Prayerful Life, 1983, pg. 46). One’s prayer life must be more than just a vain ritual that has no meaning to it. Prayer, biblical prayer, must be deeply personal.

Principle #6 & Personal Application: The quality disciple fully expects God to answer prayer.

• This kind of dynamic prayer life is not founded upon a variety of man-made methods (works), but is founded upon having a vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus (grace).

• It is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ that the disciple can have a relationship with the One who does answer prayer.

• When the burdens of this world seek to crush us, Jesus Christ is the One who relieves us in our distress. Sometimes, He even chooses to remove that which is causing us distress. Always, He is with us in our distress.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I pray why do I expect God to answer me?

What kind of distress (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) am I facing this week? In what ways has the Lord been at work in me during this time?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, please remind me to come to You—first—when I am undergoing times of distress. Forgive me for the times when I seek to rescue myself using my own strength and wit. Grant me the faith to trust You with my life. May I truly believe that You will be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism


Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Principle #5--Psalms of Discipleship

Hello again my friends!

Trust that all of you are doing well and are finding joy in your journey with the Lord. Having an effective prayer life is an important core value of the disciple of Jesus. I am sure that you are like me--knowing that prayer is important, but often allow many "good" things to get in the way of being consistent in prayer. This week's psalm is a great reminder of the beauty of prayer: we so desperately need to talk with Him and He so desires to talk with us.

May the Lord help us be good listeners and conversationalists this week.

Keep on pressing on!

Denny


Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. Psalm 3:4

Core Value: Prayer

It is through prayer that we have the opportunity to breathe in heaven’s air. Prayer is a time of communion. It is meant to be a dialogue, not simply a monologue. Prayer is the power for the believer’s life that enhances spiritual growth. Prayer, simply put, is having a conversation with God. Prayer is a time to listen to the Lord’s small, still voice; it is a passionate articulation of what is on our mind; it is the most intimate time of sharing the concerns of our life; and it is the deep cry of the human heart directed toward God.

Prayer then, is a dialogue, not a monologue where only one voice is heard. “To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah” (Psalm 3:4 NIV) and further illustrated by the psalmist: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy” (Psalm 130:1-2 NIV).

Prayer is not a sterile communication system. Instead, prayer with God is all about cultivating an ongoing love relationship.

Principle #5 & Personal Application: The disciple of Jesus Christ experiences an intimate and interactive dialogue with God as he or she prays.

• The person who follows Jesus Christ knows the One who wants to hear the cry of our heart.

• Because there is a personal relationship between Jesus and the disciple, prayer is more than just a futile exercise. Instead, prayer becomes the very language of intimacy.

• Prayer is not a monologue. Prayer is a dialogue. How wonderful it is when the disciple pauses to listen and hear from God. Selah (chew on this—ponder it, think about it, meditate on it).

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Can I sense any difference in the intensity of my prayer, not only when I pray to God in my mind, but also use my voice to speak out loud to Him?

What do I need to improve upon in my life in order to better listen to God when He speaks to me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is such a blessing to me that You not only want me to talk to You about my life, but You also want to talk to me about Your life. May our conversations always help me become more like You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.