Good day to you my friends! In sunny South Carolina the pollen is still with us, but at least the yellow clouds are gone and you can now see across the road as the beautiful plants are in full bloom. In other words, things are growing around here. People are also growing; especially those who are serving the Lord and serving others.
It was the great song writer and singer of the 60's who reminded us "You're gonna have to serve somebody." I'm sure you remember Bob Dylan's catchy chorus:
You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
The quality disciple is also going to serve somebody. This is the theme of this week's Psalms of Discipleship devotion. God has given us the incredible blessing of being able to serve. May we serve Him with a fresh awareness of how He can use each one of us today to be an incredible blessing to others.
Serving Him with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #15
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, Psalm 8:4-6
Core Value: Service
Many have wondered why God did not take them immediately into heaven upon the point of their conversion. Why did He delay their departure? It is because He has a plan for their life here on planet earth. It is a plan that was set in place before they were even born. It is a plan of service, of doing good works (Eph. 2:10). God has prepared the disciple to be His servant. All one needs is a little bit of encouragement from the Scriptures in order to learn what He has gifted one to do; and then to get involved in what He has already prepared the believer to do—to serve. What a phenomenal thought: God had a plan of service for the Christian’s life before they were born. What a comfort, what a joy, to serve within the structure of His will for His people.
The pressure is off! God’s people do not need to worry what to do for the Lord. He has gifted them, equipped them, and prepared them to do His will. The quality disciple comes to have this great assurance of God’s sovereignty in their life—God has prepared each believer to serve Him. Brad Waggoner reminds us that service is not an option to the disciple of Jesus Christ. “Since we are created to produce good works, serving others simply isn’t an option (pg.110). . . . Every Christian is created to produce good works. Service to God and others is not an a` la carte offering on a spiritual menu; it’s part of the main course” (pg. 111). Waggoner, Brad J. 2008. The shape of faith to come: spiritual formation and the future of discipleship. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.
Principle #15 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ is a responsible and devoted manager of God’s assets.
• It is a great honor to be created and cared for by the Creator God of the universe
• It is a great honor to be given the privilege to be crowned with glory and majesty
• It is a great honor to be tasked with the job of managing His assets
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What is the most important task that God has given me to manage for Him?
How is my service to God impacting those who are closest to me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what a blessing it is to know that I am in Your thoughts and that You really care for me. What an honor it is that You would desire to crown me with glory and majesty. What a responsibility You have given to me: to rule over the works of Your hands. May I always be found faithful as I serve 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.
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