Are you prone to worship the Lord before, during, or after the crisis? Or does it depend upon how you are "feeling?"
Hello dear friends. I hope you are doing well today. We all go through challenging times. Some trials seem to be more difficult than others. And yet, whatever we go through, there is one consistent thing that is true: we are called to worship the Lord. This week the psalmist gives us a fresh perspective of our need to have a heart of worship. May we all discover the joy of worshiping the Shepherd of the Psalms.
Asking for a heart of worship,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #40
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; We will sing and praise Your power. Psalm 21:13
Core Value: Worship
Many of us who seek to follow Jesus Christ frequently experience the negative results of a hurried pace of life and fail to experience the intimacy of knowing Him. Our religious habits have trained us to know all of the right answers but we often lack the discipline (or faith) to apply what we know to be true. We all need to take a deep, cleansing breath and learn the art of being still before the Lord. Worship is the healing balm to a life that is overstretched and overwhelmed by the cares of this world.
When our world is rocked by chaos, crisis, and change, what are we to do? Do we go into panic mode and forget our great God or do we apply His grace as we worship the Lord and place our trust in Him?
Pastor and writer Mark Batterson shared this nugget of truth at the Catalyst Leadership Conference: “It is hard to be still . . . and just stand there and trust the Lord.”
The psalmist said it this way:
"Cease striving [or be still] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 (NASB95)
Grace allows us to be still, to cease striving and worship Him.
Principle #40 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a heart to worship the One who is exalted and worthy of praise.
What does it mean to have a heart of worship?
• A heart of worship is set upon an exalted God
• A heart of worship is set upon a God who is strong
• A heart of worship is set upon a God who evokes singing and praise to the One who has all power
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I set my heart upon the Lord, what kinds of emotions usually fill my mind?
What kinds of spiritual disciplines (for example: prayer, Bible study, fasting, journaling, solitude, etc.) help me to focus upon the Lord and worship Him?
What does it mean for me to exalt the Lord in His strength while I sing and praise His power?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, often I am weak and failing. I need Your mercy and grace in abundance. Worship of You is my catalyst to spiritual growth. May my worship of You be empowered by Your strength and power. In faith, I will sing and praise Your power.
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.
I spent the week blogging from Atlanta and reporting on what I experienced with the leadership sights and sounds of CATALYST2010. If you are interested in learning what today's leaders are saying, I'd like to invite you visit my other blog, Quality Leadership Consultants, and learn with me from leaders who are leading other leaders.
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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.
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