Hello my friends.....warm greetings to you.
No doubt, many of us have experienced the kind of stressful circumstances that force us into a pinching vise with no seeming relief to come any time soon. Life is often that way; isn't it? Often through no fault of our own, trouble is forced upon us. What is the disciple of Jesus Christ to do? Many panic and seek to solve their impossible circumstances on their own. However, there are others who will not fight their own battles alone, but will lean towards the Lord and place their trust in Him.
This is the week; this is the day; this is the time to surrender our futile attempts to work our power over our challenging circumstances. Instead, by faith, we will embrace His grace that will keep us close to Him.
Learning to surrender to a life marked by His grace,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #17
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:9-10
Core Value: Grace
A Grace-Driven life is the key to a deeper relationship with the Lord. The success of discipleship is when the experience becomes personal, sort of an “ah ha” moment, when it all begins to make sense. One goes far beyond the actual mechanics of discipleship into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Dallas Willard says this well as he writes, “As a disciple of Jesus I am with him, by choice and by grace, learning from him how to live in the kingdom of God . . . I am not necessarily learning to do everything he did, but I am learning how to do everything I do in the manner that he did all that he did . . . For a disciple of Jesus is not necessarily one devoted to doing specifically religious things as that is usually understood. To repeat, I am learning from Jesus how to lead my life, my whole life, my real life” (The Divine Conspiracy, 283).
I agree with Willard. Discipleship is all about relationship and a genuine love for Jesus Christ. It is a humble desire to learn about Him and to know and then practice His ways. A disciple of Jesus Christ seeks to give away one’s life, their whole life, away to Him and His care. When a person’s love for Jesus grows, then discipleship is well on the way to being described as a success.
Principle #17 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ has the confident assurance that there is a safe place in Him.
• The grace of God provides a stronghold: a place of protection for the oppressed believer, for the believer who is experiencing times of trouble
• The grace of God allows the believer to know the name of God
• The grace of God allows the believer to put their trust in Him
• The grace of God allows the believer to have the kind of authentic relationship with a faithful Lord who does not forsake those who seek Him
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I feel oppressed by my circumstances, what has been my typical response? Do I place my trust in myself, in others, or in the Lord?
As I think about my relationship with the Lord, why is it important for me to know His name?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what a marvelous provision of grace You have given to me. How blessed I am to have a Lord who provides a stronghold, a place of safety and comfort, when I am oppressed and feeling troubled. How blessed I am to have a Lord who has revealed Himself to me and invites me to place my trust in Him. How blessed I am to know that You will never forsake me. How blessed…I…am.
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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