Hello dear friends! This week's Psalms of Discipleship comes with a sobering reminder of how easy it can be to wander away from the Lord. No, I'm not referring to "losing" one's salvation; but I am making the case that we sure can lose our intimacy with Him when our worship of Him becomes compromised. It is a slippery slope of how our worship becomes focused upon other things and other people instead of the Lord. The Bible calls this idolatry or false worship.
The Psalmist reminds us of the choice we all must make often: will we trust in the things we can see or in a God we must see by faith? May we all discover a new passion to give Him our worship; the worship that is due Him.
Seeking to forsake my idols and instead fall in love with Him.
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #38
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. Psalm 20:7
Core Value: Worship
No matter what kind of a culture one lives in, there will always be the inner pull to place one’s trust in what one can see and touch. Even if we profess to be “Christians,” we can be tempted into subtle forms of “idolatry.” Years ago, as a horrific typhoon ripped through the Philippines, a photographer captured on film an image that illustrates perfectly what some people try to do: “save their idols.” Four men, drenched with a mud-soaked rain, were heroically trying to prevent the destruction of a statue of Buddha, made of stone. In fact, this was the caption: “saving Buddha.” This a true, but sad story. But before we scoff at their foolishness, how many of our own idols have we tried to save? Idols? Us? Is that even possible? Whenever we place our trust in something or someone else besides the Lord, we have stepped into the slippery slope of idolatry. Why would we want to seek to save something that cannot even save itself?
9 How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame. 10 Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit? 11 All who worship idols will be disgraced along with all these craftsmen—mere humans— who claim they can make a god. They may all stand together, but they will stand in terror and shame. Isaiah 44:9-11 (NLT)
May the Lord save us from the idols of our own making.
Principle #38 & Personal Application: The quality disciple does not worship anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
• There are some who brag about what they have and wind up worshiping it
• There are some who brag about who they know and wind up worshiping them
• But there are some, those who are followers of Jesus Christ, who brag in the name of the One who is the Lord our God and wind up worshiping Him
The temptation to compromise and cheat our worship of God is constantly pounding upon the human heart. We have been taught by the world that it is all about us. We expect to have things the way we want them to be. We are frequently being pulled down as we seek to satisfy the cries of our fleshly desires. What are we—those who have been called to worship the Lord our God and serve Him only—to do? We are to have a consuming passion for Him.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Have I allowed anything (my job, my material possessions, my time, my favorite hobby) to occupy the throne of my heart and replace the Kingship of Jesus?
Have I allowed anyone (my spouse, my family, my friends, my spiritual leader, my favorite sports star, my favorite musician, myself) to occupy the throne of my heart and replace the Kingship of Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, on more than one occasion, I have allowed my heart to become overcome in a spiritual coup d'état. Forgive me when I put things and people above You. I would much rather put my abiding trust in the name of the Lord my God.
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.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle # 37--September 18, 2010--Prayer
Hello my dear friends!
In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to take a look at one of the great promises given by the Lord to His people who have found themselves in trouble. No matter where you are today and what you are going through, I'm going to direct you to the One who holds the key. I am not going to promise you a speedy end to your troubles, but I can confidently share with you this fact: The Lord knows where you are; He knows what you are feeling; and He knows what you want Him to do about it.
Let the dialogue of prayer between you and Him begin.
On the journey with you,
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
[Note: when you order, be sure you fully complete the pay pal order form, especially your shipping address information. thanks!]
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #37
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! Psalm 20:1
Core Value: Prayer
What is the purpose of prayer? Is prayer a “wish list” we deliver to God with the strict expectation that God will answer us with what we want—the complete satisfaction of our will? Or is Biblical prayer much more than a tool that makes us feel better when our circumstances are difficult?
In his book “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home,” Richard Foster offers these valuable insights on the familiar struggle between God’s will and our own:
“To applaud the will of God, to do the will of God, even to fight for the will of God is not difficult . . . until it comes at cross-purposes with our will. Then the lines are drawn, the debate begins, and the self-deception takes over. But in the school of Gethsemane we learn that ‘my will, my way, my good, must yield to higher authority.” Pg. 50
“Struggle is important because the Prayer of Relinquishment is Christian prayer and not fatalism. We do not resign ourselves to fate . . . We are not locked into a preset, determinist future. Ours is an open, not a closed universe. We are ‘co-laborers with God,’ as the Apostle Paul put it—working with God to determine the outcome of events. Therefore our prayer efforts are a genuine give and take, a true dialogue with God—and a true struggle.” Pg. 50-51
“The fact that God speaks to us is no guarantee that we hear or understand correctly.” Pg. 51
“The Prayer of Relinquishment is a bona fide letting go, but it is a release with hope. We have no fatalistic resignation. We are buoyed up by a confident trust in the character of God. Even when all we see are the tangled threads on the backside of life’s tapestry, we know that God is good and is out to do us good always. That gives us hope to believe that we are the winners, regardless of what we are being called upon to relinquish. God is inviting us deeper in and higher up. There is training in righteousness, transforming power, new joys, deeper intimacy.” Pg. 52
“Relinquishment brings us to a priceless treasure: the crucifixion of the will.” Pg. 53
Yes, God will answer us in our time of trouble. And yes, He will deliver us in a way that gives Him the most glory. But prayer is much more than something that gets us out of trouble. In other words, prayer is a struggle that is well worth embracing. We discover that the process of prayer is far more important than getting the answers for which we were hoping. For it is through prayer we are allowed to gain a more intimate knowledge of the heart of God and of His abundant love for us.
Principle #37 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ fully expects God to answer prayer His way and in His time in the crucible of crisis.
• The believer can take comfort when our prayers are directed to the Lord
• The believer can take comfort that the Lord will answer us in the day of trouble
• The believer can take comfort in the Lord’s ability to deliver us because of His great name
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When is the last time that I can remember, where the Lord answered my prayer during a crisis?
The next time I find myself in the crucible of crisis, what kinds of things do I need to remember?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, just because I have chosen to follow You does not exempt me from having to experience trials; in fact, it seems that since I have chosen to follow You, the trials have increased, not decreased. Nevertheless, I thank You that during my day of trouble You will answer me and deliver me because of Your great Name.
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.
In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to take a look at one of the great promises given by the Lord to His people who have found themselves in trouble. No matter where you are today and what you are going through, I'm going to direct you to the One who holds the key. I am not going to promise you a speedy end to your troubles, but I can confidently share with you this fact: The Lord knows where you are; He knows what you are feeling; and He knows what you want Him to do about it.
Let the dialogue of prayer between you and Him begin.
On the journey with you,
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
[Note: when you order, be sure you fully complete the pay pal order form, especially your shipping address information. thanks!]
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #37
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! Psalm 20:1
Core Value: Prayer
What is the purpose of prayer? Is prayer a “wish list” we deliver to God with the strict expectation that God will answer us with what we want—the complete satisfaction of our will? Or is Biblical prayer much more than a tool that makes us feel better when our circumstances are difficult?
In his book “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home,” Richard Foster offers these valuable insights on the familiar struggle between God’s will and our own:
“To applaud the will of God, to do the will of God, even to fight for the will of God is not difficult . . . until it comes at cross-purposes with our will. Then the lines are drawn, the debate begins, and the self-deception takes over. But in the school of Gethsemane we learn that ‘my will, my way, my good, must yield to higher authority.” Pg. 50
“Struggle is important because the Prayer of Relinquishment is Christian prayer and not fatalism. We do not resign ourselves to fate . . . We are not locked into a preset, determinist future. Ours is an open, not a closed universe. We are ‘co-laborers with God,’ as the Apostle Paul put it—working with God to determine the outcome of events. Therefore our prayer efforts are a genuine give and take, a true dialogue with God—and a true struggle.” Pg. 50-51
“The fact that God speaks to us is no guarantee that we hear or understand correctly.” Pg. 51
“The Prayer of Relinquishment is a bona fide letting go, but it is a release with hope. We have no fatalistic resignation. We are buoyed up by a confident trust in the character of God. Even when all we see are the tangled threads on the backside of life’s tapestry, we know that God is good and is out to do us good always. That gives us hope to believe that we are the winners, regardless of what we are being called upon to relinquish. God is inviting us deeper in and higher up. There is training in righteousness, transforming power, new joys, deeper intimacy.” Pg. 52
“Relinquishment brings us to a priceless treasure: the crucifixion of the will.” Pg. 53
Yes, God will answer us in our time of trouble. And yes, He will deliver us in a way that gives Him the most glory. But prayer is much more than something that gets us out of trouble. In other words, prayer is a struggle that is well worth embracing. We discover that the process of prayer is far more important than getting the answers for which we were hoping. For it is through prayer we are allowed to gain a more intimate knowledge of the heart of God and of His abundant love for us.
Principle #37 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ fully expects God to answer prayer His way and in His time in the crucible of crisis.
• The believer can take comfort when our prayers are directed to the Lord
• The believer can take comfort that the Lord will answer us in the day of trouble
• The believer can take comfort in the Lord’s ability to deliver us because of His great name
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When is the last time that I can remember, where the Lord answered my prayer during a crisis?
The next time I find myself in the crucible of crisis, what kinds of things do I need to remember?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, just because I have chosen to follow You does not exempt me from having to experience trials; in fact, it seems that since I have chosen to follow You, the trials have increased, not decreased. Nevertheless, I thank You that during my day of trouble You will answer me and deliver me because of Your great Name.
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.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle # 36--September 11, 2010--Worship
Twitter....Facebook.....Texting....Email.....Instant Messaging....Skype......Blogging....and the old-fashioned, but very useful, face to face meeting over a cup of coffee. Words, words, words. We live in a day and time where our capacity to communicate has never been better. Or is it?
Hello my dear friends. It is true. Modern technology has provided us with multiple platforms to use words. And yet, with all of these new ways to communicate, are we listening and talking any better than we were before?
This week's Psalms of Discipleship focus is upon the use of words (those that are spoken and those that are just inner thoughts) and how they can be used to worship the Lord and please Him.
The fresh challenge before each one of us is this: do the words we use please the Lord? It is my prayer that His Words would become our words and words of worship to Him.
Seeking to improve my worship of Him by using the right kinds of words,
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Core Value: Worship
Worship can be an inward experience as well as an outward expression of the heart. Our worship of God can take on different kinds of forms. One form of worship is words. Words have meaning. Words are the windows that reveal what we seek to communicate. Words help us offer our worship to the Lord. The constant challenge for each disciple of Jesus is to make certain the words one is using (those that are spoken and those that are only thought) are acceptable to the Lord.
Here are some questions that must be posed to the quality disciple: “does what I say aloud match what I am pondering upon in the deep recesses of my mind? Or have I succumbed to a life where what I say and think no longer has credibility?”
When we make a commitment to have His words become our words, our worship of Him impacts every area of our life. Remember, worship is not just limited to what we do on a Sunday morning with other believers. Worship is a lifestyle. Brad Waggoner says this:
“You know when you are around a leader who spends time meditating and reflecting on God’s Word. During the times in my life when I am consistently in God’s Word, it comes out my pores. You cannot keep it contained. It bleeds out into your thinking and into your conversations.” Pg. 70 (Waggoner, Brad J. 2008. The shape of faith to come: spiritual formation and the future of discipleship. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.)
Michael Wilkins says,
“Abiding in Jesus’ words does not mean perpetual Bible study. Rather, it means to know and to live in what Jesus says about life. Instead of listening to the world’s values, disciples must listen to what Jesus says.” Pg. 357 (Wilkins, Michael J. 1992. Following the Master: discipleship in the steps of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
In other words, we listen to His Word, we think about it, and then we say it out loud.
Principle #36 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ experiences an authentic worship that is both verbal and non-verbal.
Using words that are acceptable to the Lord will help us worship the Lord in the way He desires:
• Authentic worship is personal as we “let” or open our life to the person and influence of Jesus Christ
• Authentic worship is spoken via the words of our mouth
• Authentic worship occurs in the deep recesses of our heart, meditating upon the greatness of our God
• Authentic worship is acceptable in the sight of the One who alone is worthy of our worship
• Authentic worship is directed to the Lord, our rock and our Redeemer
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What is it like for me to experience a conversation with God or with others after I have marinated my heart in God’s Word?
How can my words become a catalyst for worship?
What do I spend most of my waking hours thinking about within the recesses of my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, like the psalmist, I too desire this to be true of me: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
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.
Hello my dear friends. It is true. Modern technology has provided us with multiple platforms to use words. And yet, with all of these new ways to communicate, are we listening and talking any better than we were before?
This week's Psalms of Discipleship focus is upon the use of words (those that are spoken and those that are just inner thoughts) and how they can be used to worship the Lord and please Him.
The fresh challenge before each one of us is this: do the words we use please the Lord? It is my prayer that His Words would become our words and words of worship to Him.
Seeking to improve my worship of Him by using the right kinds of words,
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Core Value: Worship
Worship can be an inward experience as well as an outward expression of the heart. Our worship of God can take on different kinds of forms. One form of worship is words. Words have meaning. Words are the windows that reveal what we seek to communicate. Words help us offer our worship to the Lord. The constant challenge for each disciple of Jesus is to make certain the words one is using (those that are spoken and those that are only thought) are acceptable to the Lord.
Here are some questions that must be posed to the quality disciple: “does what I say aloud match what I am pondering upon in the deep recesses of my mind? Or have I succumbed to a life where what I say and think no longer has credibility?”
When we make a commitment to have His words become our words, our worship of Him impacts every area of our life. Remember, worship is not just limited to what we do on a Sunday morning with other believers. Worship is a lifestyle. Brad Waggoner says this:
“You know when you are around a leader who spends time meditating and reflecting on God’s Word. During the times in my life when I am consistently in God’s Word, it comes out my pores. You cannot keep it contained. It bleeds out into your thinking and into your conversations.” Pg. 70 (Waggoner, Brad J. 2008. The shape of faith to come: spiritual formation and the future of discipleship. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.)
Michael Wilkins says,
“Abiding in Jesus’ words does not mean perpetual Bible study. Rather, it means to know and to live in what Jesus says about life. Instead of listening to the world’s values, disciples must listen to what Jesus says.” Pg. 357 (Wilkins, Michael J. 1992. Following the Master: discipleship in the steps of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
In other words, we listen to His Word, we think about it, and then we say it out loud.
Principle #36 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ experiences an authentic worship that is both verbal and non-verbal.
Using words that are acceptable to the Lord will help us worship the Lord in the way He desires:
• Authentic worship is personal as we “let” or open our life to the person and influence of Jesus Christ
• Authentic worship is spoken via the words of our mouth
• Authentic worship occurs in the deep recesses of our heart, meditating upon the greatness of our God
• Authentic worship is acceptable in the sight of the One who alone is worthy of our worship
• Authentic worship is directed to the Lord, our rock and our Redeemer
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What is it like for me to experience a conversation with God or with others after I have marinated my heart in God’s Word?
How can my words become a catalyst for worship?
What do I spend most of my waking hours thinking about within the recesses of my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, like the psalmist, I too desire this to be true of me: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
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.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle # 35--September 4, 2010--Bible Study
Hello my dear friends.....warm greetings to you.
Have you ever considered your spiritual goals for Bible study? Is your goal simply to check it off as one more religious duty and move on to more "important" things? Is your goal to become a harvester of biblical trivia that will show others how much you know? Or is your goal life transformation? This is when God's Word is richly applied to your life. In your Bible study perhaps you have taken time to discover what the author says, what he means, and then what the passage of Scripture means to you.
In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to take a close look at the unique qualities of the Word of God. The book we have in our possession contains not only wonderful truths, but it also has the power to transform our lives; if we embrace the truths and learn how to personally apply them.
Let the application begin.
Denny
PS. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace, is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
Or you can visit my website at www.dennybates/resources
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #35
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11
Core Value: Bible Study
Love letters. At one time we probably either wrote a love letter or received one, or both! Perhaps your first love letter was sent to your grammar school classmate, hoping that the encrypted code in the letter would be understood by a wink or a tender smile that communicates, “message received!” In a similar way, that is God’s hope for us. He loves us and He has taken the risk with us by sending us a love letter with a clear, unencrypted, message that requires our response: will we love Him or ignore Him? There are many who read God’s love letters (The Bible), have mastered its content, but have failed to become transformed by its message.
The goal of the quality disciple should never be the accumulation of biblical facts for the sake of knowledge, but the personal application of those facts that lead to a transformed life.
Robertson McQuilkin lends his perspective on this when he writes,
“A learning of the Word of God can be validated only by a transformed life . . . The only teaching that can be rightly called ‘Bible teaching’ focuses, not on processing information, but on hearing and responding to God’s own loving voice.’” Pg. 70 [cited Larry Richards, ‘Church Teaching: Content Without Context,’ Christianity Today, 15 April 1977, p. 16]. McQuilkin, Robertson. 1992. Understanding and applying the Bible, Chicago, IL: Moody Press.
Scot McKnight adds to the discussion of how we are to approach the Bible:
“God did not give the Bible so we could master him or it; God gave the Bible so we could live it, so we could be mastered by it. The moment we think we’ve mastered it, we have failed to be readers of the Bible.” Pg. 52 (The blue parakeet: rethinking how you read the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
May we all fall in love with the Author of His love letters and be mastered by Him.
Principle #35 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ has an unquenchable passion to intimately know and experience the Word of God. When we intimately know and experience the Word of God…
• We believe that the Law of the Lord is perfect (blameless, whole, intact).
• We believe that the testimony of the Lord is sure (trustworthy, clear, consistent).
• We believe that the precepts of the Lord are right (straight).
• We believe that the commandment of the Lord is pure (clear, plain, radiant).
• We believe that the fear of the Lord is clean (pure, sacred).
• We believe that the judgments of the Lord are true (accurate, sure, correct).
• We believe that God’s Word is more precious than gold, sweeter than honey.
• We believe that there is a great blessing for those who obey God’s Word.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What are some evidences in my life that show I really treasure my Bible?
How can I be sure that I do not read my Bible for the accumulation of facts alone?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, May Your Word always be a treasure to my heart. I thank and praise You for a Bible that is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and more precious that gold and more sweeter than honey. As I apply and obey Your Word may I live a transformed life and experience great reward.
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.
www.dennybates.com
Have you ever considered your spiritual goals for Bible study? Is your goal simply to check it off as one more religious duty and move on to more "important" things? Is your goal to become a harvester of biblical trivia that will show others how much you know? Or is your goal life transformation? This is when God's Word is richly applied to your life. In your Bible study perhaps you have taken time to discover what the author says, what he means, and then what the passage of Scripture means to you.
In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to take a close look at the unique qualities of the Word of God. The book we have in our possession contains not only wonderful truths, but it also has the power to transform our lives; if we embrace the truths and learn how to personally apply them.
Let the application begin.
Denny
PS. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace, is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
http://bit.ly/9j2Nsp
Or you can visit my website at www.dennybates/resources
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #35
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11
Core Value: Bible Study
Love letters. At one time we probably either wrote a love letter or received one, or both! Perhaps your first love letter was sent to your grammar school classmate, hoping that the encrypted code in the letter would be understood by a wink or a tender smile that communicates, “message received!” In a similar way, that is God’s hope for us. He loves us and He has taken the risk with us by sending us a love letter with a clear, unencrypted, message that requires our response: will we love Him or ignore Him? There are many who read God’s love letters (The Bible), have mastered its content, but have failed to become transformed by its message.
The goal of the quality disciple should never be the accumulation of biblical facts for the sake of knowledge, but the personal application of those facts that lead to a transformed life.
Robertson McQuilkin lends his perspective on this when he writes,
“A learning of the Word of God can be validated only by a transformed life . . . The only teaching that can be rightly called ‘Bible teaching’ focuses, not on processing information, but on hearing and responding to God’s own loving voice.’” Pg. 70 [cited Larry Richards, ‘Church Teaching: Content Without Context,’ Christianity Today, 15 April 1977, p. 16]. McQuilkin, Robertson. 1992. Understanding and applying the Bible, Chicago, IL: Moody Press.
Scot McKnight adds to the discussion of how we are to approach the Bible:
“God did not give the Bible so we could master him or it; God gave the Bible so we could live it, so we could be mastered by it. The moment we think we’ve mastered it, we have failed to be readers of the Bible.” Pg. 52 (The blue parakeet: rethinking how you read the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
May we all fall in love with the Author of His love letters and be mastered by Him.
Principle #35 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ has an unquenchable passion to intimately know and experience the Word of God. When we intimately know and experience the Word of God…
• We believe that the Law of the Lord is perfect (blameless, whole, intact).
• We believe that the testimony of the Lord is sure (trustworthy, clear, consistent).
• We believe that the precepts of the Lord are right (straight).
• We believe that the commandment of the Lord is pure (clear, plain, radiant).
• We believe that the fear of the Lord is clean (pure, sacred).
• We believe that the judgments of the Lord are true (accurate, sure, correct).
• We believe that God’s Word is more precious than gold, sweeter than honey.
• We believe that there is a great blessing for those who obey God’s Word.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What are some evidences in my life that show I really treasure my Bible?
How can I be sure that I do not read my Bible for the accumulation of facts alone?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, May Your Word always be a treasure to my heart. I thank and praise You for a Bible that is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and more precious that gold and more sweeter than honey. As I apply and obey Your Word may I live a transformed life and experience great reward.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
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