Hi there dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a reminder of how prayer can be the very tool we need to help us not worry ourselves to death. Many of us know the Lord and have walked with Him for years, and yet, we are often prone to worry about things over which we have no control.
In addition to this week's Psalms of Discipleship devotion, I'm offering you a free podcast of a lesson I taught in April at my local church. I think you will find it to be a good companion study with this topic. You can hear the lesson posted on my website by clicking on this link:
http://bit.ly/iLyNts
Learning not to worry as much,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #17
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:4-6
Core Value: Prayer
Worry much? For many of us, worry seems to be the first order of business when we are facing a situation where we are “worried” about the outcome. Worry has been compared to a rocking chair where a whole lot of energy is spent while we are going nowhere. We know not to worry, and yet, we do. We worry about our health, our wealth (or lack of it), our relationships, our possessions, and our world. We worry about things we cannot control. Is there a way, a sure way, we can leverage our energies from worry into peace? Here are some good words from the apostle Paul:
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
It is that simple. The antidote to worry is to pray about everything. What kinds of things do you need to share with the Lord today?
Principle #17 & Personal Application: The quality disciple not only seeks the Lord in prayer, but experiences His saving power too.
• When we seek the Lord in prayer, He will answer us.
• When we seek the Lord in prayer, He will deliver us from all our fears.
• When we seek the Lord in prayer, He will grace our countenance.
• When we seek the Lord in prayer, He will save us out of all of our troubles.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I get into trouble, is my first thought to cry out to God for help?
Can I recall any recent experience where my prayer was answered?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how often I forget to come to You with my needs in prayer. Forgive me when I seek to solve my life’s dilemmas using my own strength. May I always seek You because You will answer me and deliver me from all of my fears. May I experience a transformation upon my countenance because of your grace at work in my heart. May I confess my poverty (I am poor in spirit and spiritually bankrupt without You) and cry out to You; beseeching You to save me from all of my troubles.
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/
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