Hello dear friends! I trust that all of you have experienced a refreshing weekend. This weekend my wife, Trish, and I celebrated 25 years of marriage. What a blessing she has been to me over the years as we seek to follow more closely the Shepherd of the Psalms.
This week we are going to take a look at Psalm 22:27 and the benefit of becoming attractional to those who are still looking for the Lord of the Harvest. May we all gain a fresh understanding of how the gospel, at work in our lives, can make all the difference in the world, literally.
May His love be seen in us,
Denny
PS. Free shipping and handling for a limited time (October 14-October 31). Order your copy now of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace for only $15.99 (a $4 savings!). 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 my website,
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Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #41
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. Psalm 22:27
Core Value: Evangelism
As a believer, is your life “attractional?” In other words, does your life attract the people who have yet to experience the saving power of the gospel? As disciples of Jesus, we must seek to think like Him, to act like Him, to love like Him. In her foundational book on evangelism, Rebecca Pippert offers this clear and convincing challenge to those who desire to follow Jesus:
“If we are to be followers of Jesus, his values must permeate our values. We need to be concerned more with how our lives reflect his love, his holiness, his obedience, than with the latest witnessing techniques. When we live as Jesus did, in his power and with his presence, seekers will be drawn to us. Evangelism will not be a dreaded task to be ticked off every Wednesday. Rather, sharing Jesus will become a true delight and evangelism will become a lifestyle.” (Pg. 102) Pippert, Rebecca Manley. 1979. Out of the salt shaker and into the world. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Has evangelism become a “religious duty (a dreaded task)” or has it become a lifestyle for you? May our own love for the Lord of the Harvest give us the kind of lifestyle that will attract others to love and follow Him.
Principle #41 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a heart for the Lord of the Harvest.
• The Lord of the Harvest will have an impact upon the whole world as people will remember Him and turn to Him.
• The Lord of the Harvest will be the sole recipient of worship from all of the families of nations.
• The Lord of the Harvest seeks out laborers who will join Him for the great harvest of souls who need Jesus Christ.
36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said* to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:36-38 (NASB95)
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. John 4:35 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Who is in my immediate circle of family and friends who are lost without Christ?
What kinds of practical things can I begin to do that will allow me to share the Gospel in a way that will be clear and convincing to my lost family and friends?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of the Harvest. You have already told me that the fields are white unto harvest and that the laborers are few. Please Lord, add me to Your team of laborers and thrust me into Your harvest. May many souls come to know You because of the power of Your Gospel that is at work within me.
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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