Hello my dear friends and a very happy July 4th weekend to you!
July 4th--Independence Day--is a celebration of freedom for Americans. Psalm 16:11 is also a celebration of freedom for those who follow Jesus Christ.
This kind of freedom is not bound to the citizens of a country but to the citizens of a Kingdom. While for Americans, July 4th is all about INDEPENDENCE (and rightfully so), for the disciple of Jesus Christ, Psalm 16:11 is all about DEPENDENCE (and rightfully so).
From my perspective, the older I become the more I have seen the need to become more dependent upon the Lord. I was reminded of this truth on July 3, 1998 (12 years ago today) when the Lord trusted me with a massive heart attack that nearly ended my life on earth. Face to face, I was reminded of my own mortality and have been forever changed. Each day since then has been received as a gift of God, a day I want to steward for His glory and for His purposes. After my heart attack, this Psalm spoke volumes to me and to my wife Trish and it remains a good reminder today.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. . . But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." Psalm 73:26, 28
12 years later, glad to be walking on the path of life with you.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #26
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11
Core Value: Grace
Everyone makes choices, even when it comes to how one lives the Christian life. We can do it our way (the way of performance and works) and quickly discover our way is never good enough; never satisfying enough; never right for us. Or we can do it God’s way (the way of grace) and become overwhelmed with gratitude for His perfect direction, His abiding presence, and His abundant provision for us. In his classic book, Spiritual Theology, theologian Simon Chan states:
“Modern Christians are not lacking in ‘relevance.’ What they do lack is a disciplined life and a critical mind to resist the temptation to conform to what everybody thinks or does (Rom 12:1-3). What they sorely need is an in-depth spiritual renewal of the whole person in order to decide for God or for the world. Decisiveness is the mark of true discipleship. ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Mt 16:24). There is no ‘middle ground,’ according to Calvin: ‘either the world must become worthless to us or hold us bound by intemperate love of it.’” (Pg. 69)
May the Lord pour out His all sufficient grace upon us as we make our choices and follow Jesus.
Principle #26 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ experiences a fulfilled life marked by the grace of God.
• Because of the grace of God, the quality disciple discovers one’s purpose in life. The Lord will make known to me the path of life.
• Because of the grace of God, the quality disciple experiences full joy on life’s path. The Lord will allow me to know fullness of joy in His presence.
• Because of the grace of God, the quality disciple rests in the Lord’s perfect provision. The Lord’s right hand contains everything that I will ever need.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How can I be certain that the Lord has me on the right path of life?
What descriptive words come to my mind when I experience fullness of joy as I abide in the presence of the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what grace You pour out upon me! Thank You for the grace that makes me to know the path of life for me. Thank You for the grace that allows me to experience fullness of joy as I abide in Your presence. Thank You for providing for me everything that I need in this life. Lord Jesus, in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Thank You that I do not have to look to anyone else or anything else to give me what I need.
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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