Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #51--Grace--December 31, 2011

Hello my dear friends! As we come to the end of another year, its a convenient time to reflect upon the experiences that impacted us this year; both the good and the not so good. In every day, and in every experience, the Lord was with us. One of the most profound things He has done is the work He has done in our heart. Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives us a front row seat into the thoughts of David as He asked God for a great miracle: a brand new heart.

A new heart, every day, all year long. What a gift for each one of us to look forward to in the coming new year.

Happy New Year!

Denny



Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #51

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

Core Value: Grace

Planned obsolescence. We buy it. We use it. We break it. We dispose of it and begin the whole cycle again until we die. Those of us who are old enough remember the quality that went into the electrical fan that sat on a table keeping us cool. Our sole responsibility was to inject lightweight oil into the motor on occasion that not only guaranteed the long life of the appliance but also meant we could spend our hard-earned money on other things.

The human heart is the epitome of planned obsolescence. It breaks all the time and needs to be constantly replaced. The disciple’s heart comes with an extended lifetime warranty of sorts. Unlike the fans that kept on working after many years of use, the human heart is different. Because of sin (which rusts us away), our heart is always in need of repair. Those who have given their heart to Jesus have the promise of a replacement heart that is clean. It is a miracle every time it happens.

In a word, it is grace. May we learn to echo the prayer of David when he requested, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

Principle #51 & Personal Application: A quality disciple requests a miracle every day: the creation of a clean heart from the Lord.

• It is a miracle of grace when God can “create” (literally make something out of nothing) in me a clean heart.

• It is a miracle of grace when God renews a steadfast spirit within me.

• It is a miracle of grace when God does not cast me away from His presence.

• It is a miracle of grace when God does not take His Holy Spirit from me.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What does it feel like, what descriptive words come to mind, when God removes the plaque of sin that has sickened my heart?

Am I more prone to allow guilt to keep me from enjoying the presence of the Lord or do I live like the shed blood of Jesus has set me free?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the miracle of a clean heart. You are the Great Physician and only You can heal the sin-sickened heart. Thank You for the miracle of renewing in me a steadfast spirit. Thank You that I will always be a child of Yours and You will never cast me aside and take away Your precious Holy Spirit from me.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html

for how you can purchase your copy today!

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #50--Grace--December 24, 2011

Hello my dear friends. Warm Christmas greetings to you on this Christmas Eve. For some of us, this time of the year is an emotional challenge for a variety of reasons: perhaps we have lost a job and can no longer afford to join in the materialistic aspect of Christmas OR perhaps we have lost a loved one or even our own health. For some, Christmas is just not the same as it used to be: it has lost it's innocence and has almost become just another day on the calendar.

Years ago as I was finishing my shift as a toy department manager, I stood in the cold before getting into my car. Another 12 hour day during that Christmas rush had taken its toll upon me. In my heart, this thought came to mind: "in a few years or less, most of the toys I had sold to my customers would find their way into the county landfill, consumed and disposed of."

I began to worship the Lord and thank Him for not consuming and disposing of me. He considers me and He considers you to be a priceless gift. And one day, He is coming again. Until then, may each one of us experience a renewed sense of His great love for us this Christmas season.

This Christmas Song, "Jesus Christ is Coming Again," came to me during my ride home. I'd like to share it with you. It is set to familiar tune of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town."

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (2x)

Jesus Christ is coming again (repeat)

He knows your every desire

He knows what's on your heart

He knows what will give you joy

And His love will never depart

Oh Ha le ha le luia

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (2x)

Jesus Christ is coming (repeat 3x)

Again



Maranatha (Come quickly, Lord Jesus) and Merry Christmas to you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #50

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: Purify me with hyssop (*), and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

* "Hyssop" was a shrub with hairy stems that could be dipped into liquid, and the priests used hyssop to sprinkle blood or water on people needing ceremonial cleansing (Lev. 14:4, 6; Num. 19:6, 18; see Ex. 12:22). Today's believers find their cleansing in the work Jesus accomplished on the cross (1 John 1:5-10; Heb. 10:19-25). Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – Wisdom and Poetry.

Core Value: Grace

The great need of sinners is to be cleansed from the filth of a dirty life marred by the effects of sin. The great hope for sinners is the promise of forgiveness. The great message of the Gospel is the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. This is a message that rings true any time of the year, but especially during Advent and Christmas where we celebrate God’s great love for us, revealed to us, when He sent His Son, His one and only son to come and live among us and to die for our sins. Immanuel, God with us, by faith is now Christ in us, the hope of glory!

Merry Christmas!

Principle #50 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences spiritual renewal; made clean by the blood of Christ.

As the great hymn writer reminds us, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

• Grace is the cleansing agent that purifies the soul stained with sin.

• Grace is the means where the disciple is not only washed, but “shall be whiter than snow.”

• Grace is God’s gift to the sin problem. This is the only antidote that will keep us spiritually alive: the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What is it in my life that the Lord needs to clean up in my heart?

When I read from God’s Word, what are some of the Scriptures He has used in the past that “cleanse” me? (Make a list of these and refer back to them often. For example, see 1 John 1:9; Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 4:12-16, etc.)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for purifying me with Your blood. By Your grace, I am clean before You. May I walk in the knowledge of Your love and forgiveness. May I never take for granted what You did on the Cross for me. May I ever give You unending thanksgiving and praise. Alleluia! Your blood avails for me!

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Looking for a tool that will help encourage you to experience a more meaningful and disciplined devotional life in 2012?

Check out this free sample of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd.

Click on this link for your FREE preview:

http://bit.ly/sXCkYL

Available for purchase on Monday, December 19 via www.dennybates.com

.

What you get with your purchase of this Bible study and devotional book is 52 weeks of practical and easy to use exercises that will help draw you into a deeper relationship with the Shepherd of the Psalms.

Print version is $15.99 (includes shipping and handling). Ebook format (works on your computer and ipad) is $9.99.

For print orders of fifteen books or more, contact me for a quantity discount at dennybates@gmail.com

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #49--Grace--December 18, 2011

Hello my dear friends. This time of the year is always a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us. He sent His Son into the world so that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17). Today's Psalms of Discipleship offers great hope to the ones who have blown it; have sinned; have missed the mark. That circumstance would apply to all of us. Because of grace, we are forgiven and made clean. Merry Christmas to you!

Jesus is not only the reason for the season, He is the reason for every season of our lives.


Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #49

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:1-4

Core Value: Grace

A fresh snow is a wonderful contrast to what it often hides. I recall a December trip I made to visit some friends who are serving the Lord in Kiev Ukraine. While parts of the land were breathtaking, other parts of the surroundings (and people) were still recovering from the harsh conditions of living under the Soviet rule for so many years. The landscape was barren, dirty, and unsightly. And then it snowed, covering up the ugly with a beautiful curtain of white snow. After a while, after the snow was shoveled and trampled upon, what lied beneath was seen again.

In some ways this is like our lives. We are a sinful people. We are dirty and unsightly. And we are in need of grace; the kind of grace that washes whiter than snow; the kind of grace that covers us with the cleansing blood of Jesus; the kind of grace that forgives us of our sin. Lord, may Your grace and love snow on us. Grant us a blizzard!

Principle #49 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the cleansing power of forgiven sin.

• Grace allows the believer to experience the gracious lovingkindness of God.

• Grace allows the believer to be the recipient of the greatness of a compassionate God who has the power to blot out “my” transgressions.

• Grace allows the believer to be thoroughly washed and cleansed from iniquity and sin.

• Grace allows the believer to “own” one’s own sin, refusing to blame others but accepting full responsibility for spiritual failure.

• Grace allows the believer to realize that sin is personal and it is against God.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I sin, how quick am I to keep short accounts with God and confess my sin to Him?

When is the last time that I have experienced the feeling of being thoroughly washed and cleansed of the residue of guilt from my sin?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are gracious and kind to me. Thank You that according to the greatness of Your compassion, You blot out my transgressions. Thank You for washing me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleansing me from my sin. Help me to keep short accounts with You and “own” my sin. Help me to remember that my sin is personal and it does cut Your heart and cause You pain.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

Looking for a tool that will help encourage you to experience a more meaningful and disciplined devotional life in 2012?

Check out this free sample of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd.

Click on this link for your FREE preview:

http://bit.ly/sXCkYL

Available for purchase on Monday, December 19 via www.dennybates.com.

What you get with your purchase of this Bible study and devotional book is 52 weeks of practical and easy to use exercises that will help draw you into a deeper relationship with the Shepherd of the Psalms.

Print version is $15.99 (includes shipping and handling). Ebook format (works on your computer and ipad) is $9.99.

For print orders of fifteen books or more, contact me for a quantity discount at dennybates@gmail.com

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

The Hope of the Perfect Christmas

Hello dear friends. As we continue to celebrate the season of Advent, here are a few thoughts for us to consider as we look for the perfect Christmas.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Denny


I. INTRO: LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS


When I ask to you to frame in the picture of your own mind, the “Perfect Christmas,” what images flood your mind?

Is it a white Christmas? Is it getting everything you asked for? Is it being together with family and close friends? Is it like Courier and Ives? In a one-horse open sleigh?

Searching for the “Perfect Christmas?” The harder we try, the harder it seems to get


II. SEVERAL QUESTIONS, SEVERAL GOOD QUESTIONS COME TO MIND:

A. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you do…WHERE do you turn for help…WHAT do you NEED?

B. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you do?

1. Some panic—and overreact

2. Some are paralyzed—and do nothing but seek shelter in a cave

3. Some press on and persevere—seeking to move on as best they can

C. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHERE do you turn for help?

1. Some look inside for answers—as if we have all the answers

2. Some look outside to the world—as if a final answer awaits those who seek spiritual help in a secular avenue

3. Some look up for help in some system of religion—in hope of some resolution and relief from the pain

D. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you need? I suggest there are at least four things…

1. You need Good counsel

2. You need Strength

3. You need Stability

4. You need Peace of mind

E. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, to WHOM should we trust to give us what we need?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. Isaiah 9:6 (MSG)

III. IT IS JESUS CHRIST WHO GIVES US WHAT WE NEED

A. We need good counsel. He is our WONDERFUL (or AMAZING) COUNSELOR—No one can give counsel, good advice like Him.

Psalms 16:7 (NIV)

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalms 32:8 (NIV)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

B. We need strength. He is our MIGHTY (or STRONG) GOD—There is no one as strong, as mighty as He

Psalms 18:16-18 (NIV)

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

Psalms 68:28 (NIV)

28 Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.


C. We need stability. He is our EVERLASTING (or ETERNAL) FATHER—He will always be our Father and He will never forsake us—ever!

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

D. We need peace of mind. He is our PRINCE OF PEACE (or WHOLENESS)—Only He can calm the troubled waters of our restless soul.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

CONCLUSION:

1. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your hope

2. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your COUNSELOR

3. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your STRENGTH

4. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your STABILITY

5. When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your PEACE

6. He is the ANSWER to your deepest need when life hands you an impossible circumstance

7. Jesus Christ is the HOPE OF A PERFECT CHRISTMAS—for you, and for me.

8. And this HOPE can be yours IF YOU TRUST HIM AND BELIEVE WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS WAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR YOUR SIN DEBT.

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)

9. Jesus Christ is the HOPE OF THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Merry Christmas!

Denny

12/14/2011

What is Advent?

Advent is a spiritual season of preparation before Christmas celebrated by many Christians. In Western Christianity, the season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24.

Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. During this time, Christians observe a season of prayer, fasting and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope and joy. Many Christians celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time. [Source: About.com]

Ready or Not! Here comes the Christmas Rush!!! Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? Check out a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration." This four week, interactive study is a great tool for individual and group study. "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent.

A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas. Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order: http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #48--Prayer--December 10, 2011

Hello my dear friends! When you get in a jam and find yourself in trouble what can you do? For those who are disciples of Jesus, He provides to us a "life line" that always connects and always helps those who call upon Him. As we continue to experience Advent this season, its a great time to remember that we have access to the One who is called Immanuel, God with us. He is our lifeline. These clever pop lyrics remind us of this great truth:

Operator
Information
Give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And Jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line

In His grip,

Denny


Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #48

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15

Core Value: Prayer

Anyone remember the television game show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” As the questions to the contestant became more challenging and the risk to reward increased with each cash prize, a “life line” was offered. This last resort was used when the contestant was stumped and needed the help of a friend who would answer the phone (hopefully) and would have the correct answer (maybe). I never kept score on how many times the person on the phone was able to help, but I do know that not every call proved helpful. This is not the case for the believer who uses his or her lifeline to Jesus. He not only answers on time, but also is always helpful to anyone who calls upon His name.

Principle #48 & Personal Application: The quality disciple practices the kind of prayer that not only brings personal deliverance but honors God too.

• We are to pray when we are in trouble.

• We are to pray with expectancy that God will answer us and rescue us.

• We are to pray and give honor to the One who not only hears our prayers, but answers them too.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When you are experiencing a “day of trouble” how certain are you that the Lord will listen to you?

In what ways can you honor the Lord after He has answered your prayer?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always call upon You in the day of trouble. Forgive me when the tough times come my way and I look to myself or others for deliverance. I take comfort in Your promise that You will rescue me in my day of trouble. May I always give You honor and praise.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

Also available at these fine retailers. Please give them your business!

Aroma Underground (Best coffee and ambiance in town)
Locals, in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center on 2nd Loop Road (Great burgers and bbq)

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #47--Worship--December 3, 2011

Warm greetings to you, my dear friends! Today we are going to spend our time pondering the greatness of our God. Sometimes, a busy lifestyle can dilute our view (and even need) of God. You probably know what I mean when I say it is easy to slip into an auto-pilot mode in my relationship with the Lord. I want to enjoy His presence, but not always want to focus upon Him. The Psalmist reminds us of how awesome our God is. As we celebrate the month of Advent, today's Psalms of Discipleship is a great reminder of how great our Savior really is: He is awesome!

Our God is an awesome God!

Denny

Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #47

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken, And summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth. 3 May our God come and not keep silence; Fire devours before Him, And it is very tempestuous around Him. Psalm 50:1-3

Core Value: Worship

How awesome is your God? Not how awesome is his God or her God nor their God, but your God? Do you only know God by His reputation in the lives of your family or peers? Has your view of God been limited to somewhat familiar Bible stories that occurred a long, long time ago? Or have you experienced the reality of His power in your life? One of life’s saddest testimonies is to live a life where one is so close to experiencing God, but remains so far away. One of the great dangers that disciples of Jesus face is to get so used to worshiping an abstract God that religious ritual replaces a vibrant relationship with the Lover of our soul, and we fail to notice the difference.

How do we keep the fire for a passionate love for God blazing? The first step is to adjust our view of God. We must see Him as a holy and majestic God! And when we do, everything we do changes: the way we understand grace, the way in which we worship, the way we crave God’s Word, the way we pray, the way we become engaged in community, the way we serve, and the way we share our faith with those who need to be introduced to Jesus.

Principle #47 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a big view of a holy and majestic God.

• We worship a God who is the Mighty One, God, the Lord.

• We worship a God who is majestic over all the earth.

• We worship a God who is the perfect example of beauty.

• We worship a God who cuts a path of holiness, making His presence known.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is my view of God one that is high and lifted up, where He has sovereign power or is He more on my level, unwilling (or unable) to handle my big problems?

Do I typically worship God for what He can do for me or do I worship God for who He is?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Mighty One, God, the Lord, and You have spoken. Help me to listen. You are majestic over all the earth. Your sovereignty rules over Your creation. You are perfect in beauty. There is no one like You. You are holy. You are awesome. You are good. And . . . You love me.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

Also available at these fine retailers. Please give them your business!

Aroma Underground (Best coffee and ambiance in town)
Locals (Great burgers and bbq)

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #46--Grace--November 26, 2011

Hello my dear friends! The weekend of Thanksgiving is a convenient time to reflect upon the Lord and thank Him for the blessings He has poured out upon us. One of those blessings is His grace. It is because of grace that we do not have to live PERFECT lives in order to please Him and be accepted and loved by Him. One of the great truths of the Christian life is that all of us are living lives of process. In other words, we all have our stuff. And most likely, we always will have to deal with our stuff until we arrive in Heaven. Until then, what are we to do? We are to look to God's promises. In today's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to be reminded of our powerlessness to get better and His power to transform us.

Thankful for each one of you,

Denny

Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #46

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Psalm 49:15 (NLT)

Core Value: Grace

Quicksand. Once you fall into it, the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. No matter how much energy you expend, no matter how ingenious your plan, quicksand always wins when it is just you and it. Every one of us has our quicksand, our “stuff.” We have those besetting sins that so easily entangle us, the ones that cling to us no matter how hard we work to eradicate them (Hebrews 12:1). Some of those sins are the familiar addictions: to drugs, to alcohol, and even an addiction to pride.

There are also those sins that cling to us, having impacted our psyche over many years. For instance, of having the need to be perfect (all the time) as well as the need to hide behind the mask of acceptance, failing to feel safe enough for others to know the real me (the me who is still in process). All of these issues are quicksand. If we fall into these deadly traps and seek to deliver ourselves, we are in grave danger (pun intended). The way of works is the way of hopelessness and certain spiritual defeat.

However, there is another way that delivers us from the clutches of sin. It is called the way of grace. It is grace that throws us the lifeline that rescues us. It is grace that gives us the ability to float in our challenging circumstances. It is grace that allows us to breathe. It is grace that allows us to embrace the promise of a life that is redeemed by the power of God.

Principle #46 & Personal Application: The quality disciple embraces the promise of a life that is redeemed by the power of God.

• Grace makes it possible for the disciple to come to the right conclusion: “But as for me”

• Grace makes it possible for the disciple to experience a life that is redeemed: “God will redeem my life.”

• Grace makes it possible for the disciple to be snatched away from eternal death and to escape to eternal life: “He will snatch me from the power of the grave.”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Spend some time pondering this statement of truth: “God will redeem my life.” What kinds of thoughts come to my mind as I focus upon this truth?

Think about the time when you did not have a relationship with the Lord. What would be the key points of truth about your testimony that you could share with a “Christ seeker” who was looking for a way to be snatched away from the power of the grave?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, may I always have the kind of relationship with You where I “own” my faith. This is my statement of what I believe to be true: But as for me, God you did redeem my life and You did snatch me from the power of the grave. Thank You for saving me.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #45--Worship--November 19, 2011

Hello my dear friends! As we approach the holiday season, we will be exposed to busier than usual schedules, messages from the media that do not mention Christ, and an inner pressure to conform to the materialism that defines Christmas. What better time of the year than to "reboot" our inner life and once again consider how great is our God. This is the message of today's Psalms of Discipleship: the majestic greatness of the Lord.

Jesus so adores us. O come let us adore Him!

Denny


Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #45

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 9 We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Your temple. 10 As is Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. Psalm 48:9-10

Core Value: Worship

Is God great? Sure He is. But is He greater than our biggest problems? Therein lies the great challenge. Do we live like God is great or do we accept a mediocre faith that never experiences the supernatural work of daily grace that grows our faith to believe God for “greater things?” Do we pray great prayers to a great God expecting great blessing or do we live in spiritual defeat? How does one gain a greater view of a great God? We look to His Word and observe what it says about Him. We think about His lovingkindness (His mercy), just as the Psalmist did.

Principle #45 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is overwhelmed by the majestic greatness of God.

• The quality disciple experiences God’s unfailing love. “We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Your temple.”

• The quality disciple experiences God’s unending praise. “As is Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth.”

• The quality disciple experiences God’s perfect power and righteousness. “Your right hand is full of righteousness.”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Have I ever taken the time to think, ponder, contemplate, how much God really does love me?

What are some of the things that I can praise God for today?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder to take the time to consider how much You do love me. May I keep my mind on Your lovingkindness, Your unfailing love for me. Fill my heart with praise for You that I may join in with all of creation’s choir who worship You. Finally, I worship You for Your great power and Your perfect righteousness. Lord, there is no one like You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

Ready or Not! Here comes the Christmas Rush!!!

Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? Check out a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration." This four week, interactive study is a great tool for individual and group study.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #44--Worship--November 12, 2011

Hello my dear friends! A casual glimpse at today's news can either send our moods spiraling into a downward slide OR we can choose the way of grace and ask the Lord for a song, one of His songs, to fill our heart. Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a simple reminder of what a simple song can do for the person who has a heaviness in each step. When we sing praises to the Lord we are rising above our circumstances and giving our own private concert to an audience of One.

Keep singing that love song,

Denny

Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration." This four week, interactive study is a great tool for individual and group study.


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #44

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm. Psalm 47:6-7

Core Value: Worship

When there is a song in our heart for the Lord it seems to make life just a little bit more tolerable. There is a unique sense to music where it can bend our attitude towards one of hope and joy when despair consumes us. Music can be the ultimate mood swinger, especially when it is used to glorify God. The instructions of the psalmist are simple and to the point: no matter what we are going through, good or bad, we are to sing praises to God and our King. Looking for some clever lyrics to make the point? Try using His Word. It is sweet music to His ears.

Principle #44 & Personal Application: The quality disciple sings one’s praises to God.

• We sing our praises to God.

• We sing our praises to our King.

• We sing our praises singing to Him, using His Word (a skillful psalm).

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Does God ever give me a special song for Him that I can sing to Him in worship?

How can I use my Bible as a songbook for God?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by Your grace You have given me the ability to worship You by singing praises to You. May You always fill my heart with a worship that pleases You. Help me seek from Your Word those words that will put a song of worship for You in my mouth.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism


"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

The Characteristics of a Serial Spiritual Abuser: A Prayerful Response to Penn State and the State of the Church

The Characteristics of a Serial Spiritual Abuser

In this important and timely letter to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2), Paul addresses a topic that has relevance to any believer who has been spiritually abused or has been the abuser. Current Newspaper headlines scream of stories of child abuse, most recently with the Penn State tragedy. If the reported charges prove to be true, the moral failure of one man was covered up by the moral failures of others who sought to protect the “program” and its leaders more than protect the rights of innocent lives (the abused children). What if just one leader had stood up and brought a penetrating light to the offense? What if one leader, who had the power to intervene and protect the lives of those who would be abused in the future, had said ENOUGH! NO MORE!? “What if” is the haunting reminder to every leader that his or her position of leadership is a stewardship given by God and with it comes a great and humbling responsibility. If we leaders get it right, lives are blessed. If we get it wrong and look out for our own selfish interests, people’s lives are greatly harmed.

Before we point our righteous finger at the world and its kind, we must come to grips that this kind of tragedy can also happen in one of the most intimate, most vulnerable of settings: the local church. Though it might not be called “child abuse” (child abuse has taken place far too many times in the church and has become a stain of shame and utter disgust), there is an abuse of God’s children that I am calling “serial spiritual abuse” that also inflicts great damage upon God’s kids. What kind of harm can a serial spiritual abuser do? They can put people under spiritual bondage, quenching their joy, robbing them of their freedom in Christ. What do serial spiritual abusers look like? More often than not, these serial abusers are not outsiders. Sometimes, they are close at hand, able to inflict the greatest amount of damage. Why are serial spiritual abusers so intimidating and seek to strike fear into those who would dare oppose them? If we are afraid of retaliation, perhaps, we allow our fear of man overrule our fear of God. If this is true, then we have compounded the problem by allowing idolatry to enter in. What can we do about it? I believe we can look to God’s Word in Galatians 5:16-26 (NASB95) and at least become aware of the characteristics of one who is a serial spiritual abuser.

1. A serial spiritual abuser will carry out the desire of the flesh
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

2. A serial spiritual abuser will do whatever they please
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

3. A serial spiritual abuser rejects grace, is not led by the Spirit, and lives under the law of performance and the stage of pride and driven ego
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

4. A serial spiritual abuser is marked by the deeds of the flesh or acts of the sinful nature
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

5. A serial spiritual abuser is marked by hate, not love
6. A serial spiritual abuser is bitter and miserable and seeks to make others feel the same
7. A serial spiritual abuser has no peace and robs others of theirs
8. A serial spiritual abuser has no patience with God, others, or with themselves.
9. A serial spiritual abuser is mean, not kind
10. A serial spiritual abuser is bad, not good
11. A serial spiritual abuser is faithless, not faithful
12. A serial spiritual abuser is harsh, not gentle
13. A serial spiritual abuser lacks any self-control
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

14. A serial spiritual abuser refuses to crucify his/her flesh with its passions and desires
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

15. A serial spiritual abuser does not live or walk by the Spirit
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

16. A serial spiritual abuser is boastful, challenges others, is envious of others
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

History is littered with failed leadership that has hurt others with devastating results. May the history that is written about us be a record of eradicating this spiritual sickness called serial spiritual abuse. May it be said of us that we said, ENOUGH! NO MORE! The wounded innocent ones are waiting for us. May they wait no longer.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ – Galatians 6:2

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith – Galatians 6:9-10

Learning to lead,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #43--Worship--November 5, 2011

Hello my dear friends! We are quickly entering into a season on the calendar that even non-believers understand: the need to give thanks. To give thanks! How much more so should believers in Jesus Christ be in tune with thanking God and giving Him glory. The Psalmist reminds us that worship is not an non-committal act of going through the motions. Biblical worship should consume all our energy with an enthusiastic worship.

Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration." This four week, interactive study is a great tool for individual and group study.

Learning with you,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #43

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. 2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2

Core Value: Worship

Worship fatigue. Do you experience it? Its symptoms are a callus heart, a mundane life, and a defeated surrender to a hollow religious experience (and calling it Christianity). Worship fatigue is the logical outcome when the most important relationship we have in the Christian faith (our love affair with Jesus) is replaced with meaningless rituals that are kept solely due to a legalistic duty, not out of love. Worship fatigue can become fatal to one’s spiritual life unless it is quickly discovered and remedied.

What is the only known antidote for worship fatigue? We surrender to Jesus. We worship Jesus by faith and in obedience and express a passionate love for the living Lord Jesus Christ. For once we know Him, really know Him, and experience Him, really experience Him, and love Him, really love Him, our worship for Him will consume us entirely (our hands and our voice), all of us. This timeless principle rings true: An energetic worship of Jesus will produce an energetic faith.

Principle #43 & Personal Application: The quality disciple practices an energetic worship of God.

• We can worship the Lord with our hands.
• We can worship the Lord with our voice of joy.
• We can worship the Lord with a reverent fear of Him.

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee

Take My Life and Let It Be | Frances R. Havergal

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What realistic steps can I begin to take that will enhance my worship of God?

What kinds of things I can shout out to God about today?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, this day I choose to renew my worship of You. I choose to become more energetic, more expressive of my love for You. Take my life, my hands, my voice, my treasures, my will, my love and use them as an offering of worship directed to You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/Advent.html

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #42--Worship--October 29, 2011

Hello my dear friends! Warm greetings to you. As I write today, I am reminded of how busy life can become for all of us. Busy is not always bad if we are busy doing the activities the Lord has entrusted to us for the day. The danger for busy people is a subtle one. We can be doing all of the right things but become so busy doing "the Lord's work" that we become consumed by the task and neglect the One who assigned the task to us. The lesson from today's Psalms of Discipleship hits the mark: we need to cease striving, to be still, to "be" and get to know Jesus better. May He turn our busyness into a deeper love for Him.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #42

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Core Value: Worship

“Cease striving.” Okay, good advice from the Psalmist, but how? How does one who is swallowed up in a culture that promotes rat race living cease striving? One translation uses the term “be still.” No matter how you translate it, it still means to quit what you are doing and become engaged to who God is and embrace what He is doing. But again, how?

The secret lies behind our heart and our willingness to worship Him. Note the progression: (1) cease striving. Slow it down. Be okay with the fact that God loves you, no matter what you do or do not do for Him. Then, (2) Know that He is God. Enjoy Him, embrace Him, exalt Him. Worship is the key for allowing us to cease striving, to quit trying so hard to impress Him and to know Him in the most intimate of ways. We need to take deep, cleansing breaths filled with worship for the One who has made Himself known through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Once we create a habit of being still before the Lord, then we can join in with the other followers of Jesus and exalt Him among the nations all over the earth.

Principle #42 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is learning how “to be” and earnestly seeking to know and experience the Lord through worship.

• We need to cease striving. True worship occurs when we stop trying to impress God with our busyness and begin to rest and enjoy His presence.

• We need to know that He is God. True worship occurs when we seek to know Him (know His character, know His ways, know His heart).

• We need to join the rest of creation and exalt Him. True worship occurs when we join together in unison with creation and exalt and praise His name.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kinds of activities keep me striving and not resting in the Lord?

If a non-believer asked me to introduce the Lord to them, what would I tell them about the Savior?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You know how busy I can be—especially when it comes to doing things in Your name. Forgive me for the times when I equate busyness with godliness. Help me learn to love and serve You according to Your daily agenda for my life. This is the desire of my heart: to cease striving, to be still and to know You better today.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

Looking for some practical tools on how to live the discipled life? Check out my website!

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #41--Grace--October 22, 2011

Hello my dear friends! Greetings to you.

Everyone has problems (even the spiritual people do too). Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a grace-driven reminder that no matter how big our problems might be, God is much bigger. One of the keys to the experiencing the victorious Christian life is gaining the right perspective. When my problems become bigger than God, I have demeaned Him and reduced Him to my level. However, when I see my God is bigger than my problems, I have not only brought glory to Him but have taken that healthy step of faith that will help me walk through the problems. My view of God will be enhanced and I will be reminded that He is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Resting in His big promises even as I face my small problems,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #41

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3

Core Value: Grace

How big is your problem? How big is your God? Herein lies two important questions that each disciple of Jesus must not only honestly ask, but also answer truthfully. When one goes through a personal life crisis, it may seem to be a problem that has no answer and no prospects of a good outcome. Be it a health problem, a career problem, or a relationship problem, we have all faced challenging circumstances that severely test our faith. We go into the problem knowing that God has an answer for everything. And yet, when we are fighting to keep our wits, we may doubt if He has an answer for our problem. . . this time.

Here is a lesson that we need to be constantly reminded of: it is much easier to study about and to know God’s character and His promises before the storm hits, so that when life becomes hard we know what we believe no matter what may come our way.

This is the same kind of faith the Apostle Paul experienced when he said, “…for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him…” 2 Tim 1:12

The quality disciple is able to trust Jesus with everything, knowing “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” That would include our world (with all our problems) too.

Principle #41 & Personal Application: The quality disciple lives in God’s protective care and experiences His comfort and perfect peace.

• It is by the grace of God we can find a safe refuge and strength when we are in trouble.

• It is by the grace of God we can resist the urge to panic and be overcome by a terrifying fear that would seek to overwhelm us.

• It is by the grace of God we can live in God’s care and experience His comfort and perfect peace.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kind of refuge and strength does the Lord provide to me?

What kinds of things cause me to fear? How can this passage of Scripture encourage me when I become afraid?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my refuge and my strength. You are my very present help when I am in trouble. Because of Your greatness and Your grace, I will not fear when my circumstances seek to fill my heart with doubt and unbelief. By faith, may I keep my eyes upon You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #40--Worship--October 15, 2011

Hello dear friends! Allow me to pose a question: what motivates you to worship God? Lets ask it another way: what do you expect to happen when you worship God?

Worship is a very intimate experience. Or, it should be. If worship is only a hallow act, it will leave us empty. However, if our worship for God is driven by love for Him we will be filled with His joy.

In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are given an example of what happens to the human heart that has been touched by God's love: worship occurs. May that be our theme as well.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #40

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Psalm 45:1-2

Core Value: Worship

Worship is not only something we do, but it is a lifestyle too. Worship is not just singing some songs about Jesus, but a choice to live life through the grid of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Biblical worship is not a legalistic, regimented duty we perform in hopes that God will love us more. Biblical worship is a heart-felt response to God’s great love for us. We worship Him because of Who He is and for all that He has done for us.

Principle #40 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a full heart with an overflowing love for Jesus; becoming overwhelmed by His beauty.

• A full heart for the Lord overflows with a good theme. There is an unquenchable desire to share with Him carefully crafted words of gratitude.

• A full heart for the Lord testifies of the uniqueness of Christ. There is a complete devotion to the Son of God.

• A full heart for the Lord is humbled by the grace of God. There is an acceptance, by faith, which we believe that Jesus Christ has done everything we need through His work on the cross.

It is the gospel, the good news, which prompts our heart to worship Him.
[We are] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB95)

Or more simply put,

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What can I begin to do that will enhance my worship and devotion to Jesus?

If I were to write a “love letter” to the Lord Jesus, what would I want to communicate to Him?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are beautiful to me. May You give me a heart that is full and overflowing with thoughts and words that will best express my love for You. May I always keep my devotion fixed upon You and not slip into the trap of loving others more than I love you. Thank You for the grace that comes from Your lips to my heart. Thank You for Your completed work on the Cross.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Looking for practical and easy to devotional book and personal journal based upon the Psalms? Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace may be a book for you! Click on the link for a free sample. Available in both print and ebook formats.

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #39--Grace--October 8, 2011

Hello my friends! I have just returned from the Catalyst Leadership Conference in Atlanta with a full heart and a tired body. All that I experienced can be best described as drinking from a fire hydrant. I'm still processing what I have heard, but one quote I will share with you as it pertains to this week's Psalms of Discipleship. "We can become tired doing the wrong things instead of doing the things God puts before us to do." In other words, we often work in our own strength, wasting our energy, doing the things that wear us out to the point where we find ourselves not having the energy to do the things that God is directing us to do. The bottom line? We face the ongoing challenge of living by works or by grace.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #39

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 4 You are my King, O God; Command victories [or salvation] for Jacob. 5 Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. 7 But You have saved us from our adversaries, And You have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah. 9 Yet You have rejected us and brought us to dishonor, And do not go out with our armies. Psalm 44:4-9

Core Value: Grace

There are two ways that people seek to live out the Christian life. One way is to try as hard as one can to appear spiritual. This means we pray more, study more, and serve more in the attempt to make God like us more. This leads to an obvious question: how much is enough in order to gain God’s favor? The second way, the biblical way, is to pray more, study more, and serve more as a response to God’s great love for us. This is the path of a grace-driven life. Consider this wonderful, freeing truth: Before we do one thing for God, we have already experienced His favor because of the finished work of Christ.

A note of background here: Psalm 44 is a wonderful contrast between grace (unmerited favor) and works (or performance). When we live by grace (God does it all) we experience an outcome we do not deserve. When we deviate from grace and live by works (We do it all) we experience an outcome we do deserve. In the context of this Psalm, all is going well until verse 9. May we not repeat the mistakes of our spiritual forefathers.

Principle #39 & Personal Application: The quality disciple must live by grace and not by works or grace will become spoiled.

• It is by grace that we are saved.

• It is by grace that we are victorious in the Lord.

• It is by grace that we realize our own efforts (our bow and sword) will not save us.

• It is by grace that we can give thanks to the name of the Lord forever.

• It is by works that we reject God’s grace and suffer the results of our choice.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways have I noticed the grace of God strengthening my relationships with family and friends?

How can I guard myself from poisoning grace with my desire to take matters into my own hands?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for Your grace. It has not only saved my soul, but has also empowered me to live the Christian life as Your disciple. May I never trust in my own bow and sword. May I always boast in Your ability to take care of my every need.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

Looking for practical and easy to devotional book and personal journal based upon the Psalms? Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace may be a book for you! Click on the link for a free sample. Available in both print and ebook formats. http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #38--Bible Study--October 1, 2011

Warm greetings to you dear friends! We live in an age where a plethora of information is at our finger tips. Got a question? Google it! Need a coupon to go shopping? Download it and print it. Need life direction? hmmmmmm......... Now, that's a good question. In this week's Psalms of Discipleship, we are going to be reminded of the wonderful resource that will give us all of the direction we need as we walk with Jesus.

On the journey with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #38

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4

Core Value: Bible Study

Every one of us is on a journey. For every journey, there is a beginning point and a destination. Usually, the most excitement comes not at the beginning or end, but during the trip. In more philosophical terms, it is called the “Process.” And it is during the process that we have the opportunity to find out what we are really made of. This is especially true and underscored when adjustments have to be made during our journey. The test is this: are we willing and able to “adjust and go” when plan A has to yield to plan B, or do we ignore the newest travel updates, stick to our plans, much to our own harm?

Lets illustrate: We have seen old-fashioned road maps (typically, once you unfold them, they are never the same again) go the way of the eight-track player. Now, even our cell phones have the capacity to lead us to our destination. Simply type in the address of where you want to go, and presto! The GPS does the rest as this lady with the flat personality in the phone we have never met tells us where to go, twists and turns and all. If we trust that voice we cannot see, our chances are very good that we will reach our destination. Ignoring the voice, or somehow not being able to hear the voice clearly, usually leads to anywhere we do not want to go.

It is by spending time in the Bible where we can discern His plan for our lives. Listen often and listen carefully and we will find our way.

Principle #38 & Personal Application: The quality disciple finds direction for life by following the life-changing truths of Scripture.

• A commitment to study the Bible may result in finding direction for life: The life-changing characteristics of the Bible are light and truth.

• A commitment to study the Bible may result in one’s experiencing a deeper, more intimate relationship with the God of the Bible.

• A commitment to study the Bible may result in an overwhelming sense of gratitude that is expressed in joyous praise and worship to the God of the Bible.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What recent example can I recall where I sensed a leading of the Lord for direction after reading my Bible?

What can I do to increase my awareness of where to look in the Scriptures in order to address the concerns of my heart?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for Your Word. It truly is a Guide to my life. May I always look to Your Word for light and truth. May Your Word always cause me to gain a closer relationship with You. And may the time I spend in Your Word not result in only more biblical facts that I store that have no meaning to me, but may what I read and study cause me to worship You with joyous praise.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

Looking for practical and easy to devotional book and personal journal based upon the Psalms? Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace may be a book for you! Click on the link for a free sample. Available in both print and ebook formats. http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html


www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #37--Prayer--September 25, 2011

Hello dear friends. I trust all of you are resting in the Lord's great love for you. This week we are going to take a look at a wonderful conversation within the soul of the Psalmist. May his words be an encouragement to any of us who are in despair.

Grace and peace,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #37

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

Core Value: Prayer

Soul talk is good for the soul. What is “soul talk?” It is those conversations I have in my head and heart that no one hears but me and God. It is a moment of complete frankness and transparent candor on how I feel about what is going on in my life with the only One who “gets it” and can do something about it. A healthy conversation within the soul always includes two components: the problem and the best solution to my problem. In this case, the Psalmist states the problem is one of despair, of depression. Fortunately, he had a problem that had a solution and directed it towards the One who is our glory and the One who lifts our head (Ps. 3:3).

Principle #37 & Personal Application: The quality disciple practices the kind of faith that is centered upon hope in God.

• The prayers of the quality disciple are offered in faith, even when one’s circumstances are difficult: We pray in faith even when we our soul is in despair and we are deeply disturbed.

• The prayers of the quality disciple are centered upon hope in God. Our hope is not in our “faith” nor is our hope in our ability to improve our circumstances. Our hope must be in God.

• The prayers of the quality disciple that are offered in faith impact one’s attitude. Even when we are down, the Lord will gladden our heart.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I become down and discouraged, how does my hope in God’s ability to help me usually play itself out?

How focused are my prayers when hard times come my way?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I become down and in despair and it seems that there will be no end to my discouragement, please remind me of Your promise to me: You will grace my heart with hope in You. You will grant me the faith to trust You and worship You for the times when I will praise You—during the storms and after them too. May I experience a gladdened heart (a heart that has been lifted up and refreshed) so that my life may be seen by others as another testimony of Your great faithfulness to me.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #36--Worship--September 17, 2011

Hello my dear friends! The Psalmist, once again, directs our conversation towards the core value of "Worship." Worship is not about us, but about Jesus. In today's Psalm we are going to be reminded that worship is more than just singing a few praise songs on Sunday morning. To contrast, worship is a sacrifice of praise--all day long.

May our worship of Jesus be like a sweet aroma to Him.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Core Value: Worship

Why do we worship? Is our worship founded upon obligation or gratitude? Do we offer worship to God out of a sense of obligation where we feel we owe God so much that the “least” we can do is give Him our worship? Or is our worship to God offered from a heart that has fallen in love with its Maker? In our culture it seems that even worship of God can become another consumable product that is used and then thrown aside for the next, best thing. The Bible has plenty to say about worship and how it is used to please God. For one, worship, biblical worship, is not limited to a specific location, day or time.

Worship Is Not About Where You Worship; It Is About Who You Worship.

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." | Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. | You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. | Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. | God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:20-24 (NIV)

There are some people who believe that the only place where God can be worshiped appropriately is in a church building on a Sunday morning at a certain time. Thankfully, God has refused to allow Himself to be placed in a box. The wonder of worship is that God can be worshiped anyplace, at anytime.

Principle #36 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the presence of the Lord both day and night, resulting in a life of on-going praise and worship.

• We worship the Lord for His unfailing and unending lovingkindness (mercy).

• We worship the Lord for His song: a song of deliverance, a song of comfort, a song of praise sung to His glory.

• We worship the Lord for His Lordship of our lives: He is the God of my life.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What are the circumstances of my life that often hinder my worship of the Lord?

What would my life as a Christian begin to look like if my worship of the Lord would be greater than my worries?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith in You, I thank You that You do command Your lovingkindness in the daytime. By faith, You do bless me with Your song in the night. May I always worship and praise You: for You, O Lord, are the God of my life.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Looking to go deeper in your devotional experience?

A fresh resource for your spiritual growth is Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. Now in a downloadable ebook! http://t.co/vtTWQZy5

Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook!

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Ready to Order Now? Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace In A Downloadable eBook

Click on this link to purchase your eBook copy and begin your study today
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Check This Out! It is our goal at Something New Christian Publishers to place God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible. My personal goal of providing Psalms of Discipleship to you, beyond your own personal encouragement, is to enlist your help in getting the Word out and getting more people involved in transformational life change.

It will cost your friends nothing to use the material because after your initial download, I am granting you permission to photocopy up to 10 copies of this eBook for use in a small group / discipleship setting. The terms are simple: Please do not sell the material for profit and please give proper credit to the copy write owner. Other than that, go for it and become a DiscipleMaker4Jesus!

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Something New Christian Publishers:
A Quality Disciple . . . A Quality Life

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #35--Worship--September 10, 2011

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship will be an encouragement to all of us, no matter our where we are (or have been) in our journey with the Shepherd of the Psalms. We all have experienced great times as well as having gone through the dark waters of discouragement and personal failure. Thankfully, the Lord is present in each and every circumstance.

Learning as I go,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #35

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

Core Value: Worship

In his classic novel, A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens targeted the tension between good and evil when he wrote these famous words:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”

Those same words could be written today as we seek to navigate dangerous waters. In our case, the tension is between trusting in the Lord or allowing fear of our circumstances take control of us. All that surrounded him disturbed the psalmist. Words like “despair” and “disturbed” had become a part of his vocabulary. Many people, even believers, fail to move on from these kinds of words. They surrender and settle for spiritual defeat. This was not the case with the psalmist. Instead, after showing his transparency and confessing his inner struggle, he made a choice to move on to a far healthier perspective. His circumstances, for the moment, had not changed but his vocabulary did. He goes from “despair” to “hope in God,” from “disturbed” to “I shall again praise Him.” He rests in the fact that the presence of the Lord will help him.

May we all be honest to God on how we really feel. But may we also, through grace, have the faith to hope in Him and praise Him, even in the most challenging of circumstances. For even in the worst of times we can experience the best of times if we are trusting Jesus to take care of us.

Principle #35 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has chosen to worship God even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

• Even when our soul is in despair and has become disturbed, worship of the Lord must be our first response.

• Our hope is not in our wisdom, nor in our human strength, and certainly it is not in the citadels of political power. Our hope must be in God.

• It requires faith, not faith in one’s self, but faith in God to praise and worship Him.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How can I begin to make the transition in my spiritual journey where praise and worship of God becomes my default setting (in other words, “my habit”) as I respond to Him when I face difficult circumstances?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Have I ever had an experience where I sensed the presence of the Lord as I began to praise and worship Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there have been times in my life where my soul has been in despair and very disturbed. And yet, You have offered me grace. It is by Your grace that I can hope in my God. It is by faith where I can praise and worship You. May my life be marked as a disciple who has the habit of worshiping You.

PS. Thanks to all of you have given your input on a new project I am working on called Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd. I'm going to close out the survey on September 17. If you have not taken the opportunity to respond, please do so this week. It is ten questions in less than five minutes. This link will take you to the survey. Thanks again!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6HBT759

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/