Hello my dear friends. It is a joy to greet you on this first day of December. Our time together is a few days later than I planned (just goes to show again how my plans are subject to His). I deeply appreciate the prayer support offered before the Good Shepherd's Throne on my behalf during the Thanksgiving weekend. I am so grateful to share with you a good report concerning my health during my hospital stay. To God be the glory!
This week's Psalms of Discipleship completes our look at the 23rd Psalm. It is a great reminder that we have been given a wonderful set of personal "friends" who will lead us all the way to our eternal home with our Lord.
May we all be encouraged this Christmas season to remember His goodness and lovingkindness. They are following us today.
Being pursued by a loving Lord,
Denny
P.S. Looking for a fresh approach to Christmas and the Advent Season? Allow me to suggest "Christmas Meditations of Worship" to you. This serves as a great personal or group study. The book is available in both print and ebook formats.
In writing this Christmas devotional, I adapted four devotionals on worship from the book Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace (Please note: if you purchased Growing in Grace and desire to purchase Christmas Meditations, the worship devotionals are identical). I've added to each Psalm on worship selected Christmas scriptures, personal applications, classic carols, and serving exercises that will direct our heart to the Lord during this busy time of the year.
You can purchase your copy of Christmas Meditations of Worship in Florence by visiting National Hardware's Christmas Shop or online by visiting this link:
http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #47
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Core Value: Grace
Life is uncertain. There are certain times in the disciple’s journey that times of transition and change can be down right scary. Try as we might to appear to be in control, in reality, we are not. When we sense we are losing our grip on control, fear is not far behind as it seeks to invade our heart. We race ahead, seeking to outrace our rapidly beating heart.
Sometimes, during the course of our journey, we run to a place where fear rules: the cliffs of uncertainty that drain into the pit of unbelief. God knows of this place too (Psalm 139:7-12). It is where He seeks to meet us with His “posse” of goodness and lovingkindness that are continually at work to round us up and lead us to an eternal life with Him.
In his book, Choose the Life, Bill Hull suggests:
“There is a myth afoot that says as I grow spiritually I become less needy and less dependent, and after a certain discipleship regime I will have it together. Discipleship is a lifelong process, and I will be extremely needy until that wonderful moment I am completely and eternally changed. In fact the more I become like Jesus, the more I am dependent on him.” Pg. 180
We who follow Jesus will always be in need of His goodness and lovingkindness. And when they have completed their task with us, we will be at home, forever in His presence.
Principle #47 & Personal Application: The Quality disciple of Jesus Christ cannot escape from the pursuit of God’s goodness and lovingkindness as they shadow him or her all the way to the house of the Lord.
What kind of grace is it that one cannot escape?
• The kind of grace that sends out in pursuit goodness and lovingkindness for the disciple of Jesus Christ.
• The kind of grace that never stops pursuing us every day of our lives.
• The kind of grace that will be our heavenly escort as we are ushered into and dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of feelings well up in my heart when I ponder God’s goodness and lovingkindness in my life?
Have I ever contemplated what it is going to be like when the Lord calls me home to live with Him forever?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my faith is sure in knowing that You have sent goodness and lovingkindness after me, to pursue me, to shadow me, to escort me as I walk with You in this life. And when my life on this earth is over and done, I will come into Your glorious presence and live in Your house forever. May my heart always rejoice in Your grace. Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything that I need—both now and into eternity.
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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