Hello my dear friends....greetings to each one of you. Have you ever given much thought to "ambition?" What is it in life that makes you passionate? Are you often passionate about the Lord . . . or are you in a cycle of selfish ambition where it is all about you? This seems to be a familiar struggle and awkward tension for many disciples of Jesus. We all want to do the right thing but are easily distracted by the cares and pleasures of this world. Today the Psalmist reminds us of the great need and value of surrendering our way for His. It is the way of worship.
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #3
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2
Core Value: Worship
Ambition. We all have some. Some, more than others. There are some who practice godly ambition and others who have selfish ambition. Everyone has experienced the rush of life where one’s own strengths seem to satisfy the present need of the moment. Amazed that we have kept our balance, we set out on new adventures, trusting in what “worked” before, human wit and wisdom. Our success, accomplished in our own strength, breeds even more confidence in self and less in God. The scary thing about this way to success is how quickly the path of deception leads us away from our dependence upon God.
The Lord wants to transform us. He wants us to change. He is more interested in changing who we are. What is the cure, the reliable antidote, to overcoming this spiritual sickness that depends upon self and not upon God? There is a place in the disciple’s life of sweet surrender where our will bends and yields to His will. We must approach God for Who He is, not for what He can do for us. Dave Harvey explains,
“As we cooperate with God’s work, what delights us is no longer indulged ambition, or even ambitions for God, but God himself.” (Rescuing Ambition. 2010. Crossway: Wheaton, IL: Pg. 79)
Having an ambition to know God, intimately: this is called worship. As we love and serve the Lord, it must be our ambition to worship Him.
Principle #3 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is driven by a passionate desire for a surrendered life that is consumed by worship for God.
A life that is surrendered to God is characterized by . . .
• A worship that offers the most intimate of prayer requests to the One who knows us the best.
• A worship that cries out to God for help.
• A worship that surrenders our will for His.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Do I trust the Lord enough to be honest with Him and share the most intimate desires of my life to Him?
When do I find it the most difficult to surrender my will (my own desires and selfish ambition) and embrace the Lord’s will for me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that You not only want to hear the voice of my supplications but You already know what they are. As I worship You I thank You that I can cry to You for help. As I worship You I do so with humility, thanksgiving, and great reverence as I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary and surrender my will, my life 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.
www.dennybates.com
Note: Looking for a way to enhance your devotional life in 2011? Allow me to suggest purchasing a copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. You can order your copy 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, follow this link to my website where you can download a FREE SAMPLE at,
http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html
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