Principle #14--Psalms of Discipleship

Warm greetings to you my friends,

For many of us life comes fast, quick, and sometimes hard. On the path of our life journey, the pace can become so rapid that we miss the wonder of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. You have most likely heard the expression, "the rat race." Think about this. Who would want to win the kind of race where we become physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted; and at the end of our life, have nothing to show except for what the world places supreme value upon: material possessions, fame, and as the record shows, I took the blows and "I did it my way" (thanks, Frank Sinatra). Really, is this the best way?

There is a far better way. It is the way of worship. May the Lord grant us a heart to experience the awe and wonder of knowing Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Amazed by His wonder,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #14

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

Key Scripture: O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! Psalm 8:1

Core Value: Worship

Worship that focuses upon the Lord will lead us to an even greater depth of love. That we can even love God, others, or even ourselves is because He took the initiative first (this is called “grace”) and loved us (Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 4:19-21). The point of discipleship is not the creation of another church program that occupies the time of already busy believers. The point of discipleship is not even about doing all of the spiritual exercises well and knowing all of the Bible trivia answers. Discipleship is all about love.

This “Great Command” to love and worship God (Mark 12:30) is the very foundation of the Christian life, and consequently, living out the discipled life as the Bible teaches. Everything we do is measured by the way we love God, the way we love our neighbors, the way we love our self. In other words, the command to love God completely and to love our neighbor as we love our self is an expectation for everyone who claims the name of Christ. Biblical discipleship is an all or nothing proposition. Far too many have watered down the kind of love commitment Jesus wants His followers to embrace.

Principle #14 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ is overwhelmed with awe and wonder of who God is.

• There is a worship that is personal: the Lord is my Lord

• There is a worship that is corporate: the Lord is our Lord

• There is a worship that celebrates the majesty of His name: there is no name like His name

• There is a worship that helps me focus upon the greatness and magnificence of God: there is no one like my great and mighty Lord

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What do I need to do in order to expand my view of God’s greatness and majesty?

Every disciple has a distinctive worship personality. What is my pathway or “style” of worship? Do I best respond in my worship of Jesus Christ when (1) I commune with God in nature; (2) I am alone in solitude, reading, reflecting, praying; (3) I am in a “worship” service with many other believers; (4) I am surrounded by a wide array of appealing sights, smells, and sounds that stimulate; (5) I am with a small group of other disciples of Christ; (6) I am serving others by using the gifts God has given me? (This thought inspired by Gary Thomas in “Sacred Pathways”; Zondervan)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, there is no one like You. You are the Lord, my Lord, our Lord. Your name is majestic. When I say Your name out loud, worship for You rises up in my soul. Your greatness is everywhere on the earth and in the heavens above. May I never lose my sense of awe and wonder for who You are.

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

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