Hello my dear friends! I pray that your heart is full of the Lord's love for you. I find it fascinating that as great as God is, and how small we are, His love for us is overwhelming. I am often reminded of the great truth from Romans 5:8 that says, "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Once again, we are reminded that we are the undeserving recipients of grace.
In my journey I have come to discover that the bigger God is in my life, the smaller I become. Conversely, the bigger I become (in my own eyes), the smaller He becomes. Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder of God's greatness. May we all be humbled by His great love for us.
In awe of Him,
Denny
A special note: I am pleased to share with you a spiritual growth resource I have been writing for several months entitled Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. In it are 13 devotions as well as a five day journal entry for each devotion. Also included is a 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace. The book is designed for individual study as well as a small group resource. Final proofs are being made. We hope to have a release date by September 7. Information on how to purchase the book and its pricing will be available soon. A couple of prayer requests for you to consider:
1. My heart is for this resource to be a tool that will encourage those who read it. Pray that many hearts will be changed.
2. My goal is that this resource will provide a catalyst for the building up of a community of friends who will grow in grace together. Pray for an outcome where there will be measurable spiritual growth.
3. My desire is for God's glory: the Shepherd of the Psalms. May He receive all glory as we follow Him.
For more details, check out this link: http://bit.ly/c59DX7
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #34
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1
Core Value: Worship
Disciples of Jesus Christ are given a privileged “front row seat” as we gaze at the nighttime sky. We’ve all done it: on a cloudless night where there is little man-made light that distracts from the glow of heaven’s lights consisting of the moon and countless stars that make up our cosmic neighborhood called the Milky Way, we look; we stare; we are overcome by our smallness and His greatness. We are in awe of God’s glory.
How can it be that the same God who created all of this heavenly landscape by the work of His hands can also have an intimate love-relationship with us? If we are not careful, we can begin to over analyze this question and fail to do what is necessary, which is to worship God. In the book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster reminds us that,
“Worship is something we do. Studying the theology of worship and debating the forms of worship are all good, but by themselves they are inadequate. In the final analysis we learn to worship by worshiping.” Pg. 170
May the Lord grant us the grace to look beyond our inward self and to set our gaze on His majestic glory and worship Him.
Principle #34 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is struck by the wonder of God’s marvelous creation.
• It is a wonder to know that God has put in place, in the heavens, a creation that knows its place: to tell of the glory of God.
• It is a wonder to know that God has placed His fingerprints on His creation.
• It is a wonder to know that God receives all glory from His creation.
O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! Psalm 8:1 (NASB95)
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 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! Psalm 8:3-5 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When is the last time I was really struck by and in awe of God’s creation?
What kinds of steps can I begin to take that will give me a better appreciation of God’s creation?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the heavens do tell of the glory of God. As I gaze at Your creation, I worship You. May I never take for granted the wonder of what You have made. May I always be struck by the wonder of God’s marvelous creation.
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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