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.
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