A warm greeting to each of you my friends!
We live in a day and time where there has been an erosion of values, an erosion of families, and even an erosion of faith. Like most cases of erosion, it seldom happens quickly, but over time. Until one day, we look around and notice that things are just not the same. We have slipped. We have slided. We have surrendered.
Erosion is also possible in our worship of God. For me, at least, I need a fresh revival of the heart every day that will cause me to walk closer to Him. May the Lord remind us this week that our worship is not meant to be a picture of erosion, but a bedrock of His special work in our heart as we worship the Lord.
Worship Him!
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #16
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. 2 I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2
Core Value: Worship
Is it reasonable to say that one’s worship of God can be directly linked to one’s spiritual growth? For instance, if one’s worship is shallow and superficial there will be little spiritual growth because there will be no intimacy; there will be no relationship; there will be no transformational growth. In contrast, if one’s worship is deep and authentic there will be measurable spiritual growth because it is real; it is personal; it is intentional: “I will” worship God with a passionate heart that sets out to know Him.
Spiritual growth is not considered an option for those who desire to have a biblical relationship with the Lord Jesus. Spiritual growth is a must. It is the life of discipleship that shepherds the desiring soul into a closer walk with Him. The Scriptures clearly teach that everyone is needy for the Lord, desperately so. Every believer is in need of the discipled life, because without it, one can fool oneself into thinking that they are something that they are not—spiritually sufficient. We need to worship God with a passion or else we will simply fade away into a life of meaningless religious activities. Worship is the marvelous tool that God uses to give Him great glory and to give us great good.
Principle #16 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ practices an active and vibrant worship of God.
As I worship God:
• I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart
• I will tell of all His wonders
• I will be glad and exult in Him
• I will sing praise to His name
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How would my view of my life’s circumstances be different if I began to give thanks to the Lord with all my heart?
What do I have to cultivate in my life that will make my worship of God active and vibrant?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I worship You: not with a half-hearted effort, but with a whole and devoted heart. May I tell of all of Your wonders: to tell others what I have seen You do in my own life. May I be glad and exult in You: to make the choice to give You the glory and honor and praise You so deserve from me. And Lord, May I sing praise to Your name: I will let no rock or any other created thing out-praise me (Luke 19:40; Psalm 69:34).
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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