Hello dear friends! I trust that today you are experiencing a life that is driven by the grace of God. We all know what it's like to be driven by perfectionism and legalism and works. It kills us an inch of life at a time. However, when we tap into the sweet spot of grace, we ...come alive. Today's Psalms of Discipleship presents the case for grace in a refreshing way. If I could give it a title, it would be "The Problem With Grace." Its a problem we can appreciate and enjoy!
Grace to you,
Denny
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 37 Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; For the man of peace will have a posterity. 38 But transgressors will be altogether destroyed; The posterity of the wicked will be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him. Psalm 37:37-40
Core Value: Grace
What is grace? It is getting something good that we do not deserve. And when we do receive grace, by faith, our hearts become full of gratitude. Why? Because we know we are so undeserving, yet, as disciples of Jesus, we also know that we are valued greatly by our Lord. Experiencing a Grace-Driven life causes us to live with . . .
• More PURPOSE: our life is focused on doing the things that really matter
• More HUMILITY: our life is willing to learn more about living in the Kingdom of God
• More APPRECIATION: our life is impacted in ways where we can never thank God enough
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5
And that is the problem with grace . . . you just can’t keep up with it’s blessings!
Principle #24 & Personal Application: The quality disciple takes refuge in the God of grace and enjoys salvation, strength, and deliverance.
• In the God of grace we find salvation from the Lord.
• In the God of grace we find strength in time of trouble.
• In the God of grace we find deliverance from the wicked.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What has the Lord saved me from? Where would I be without His grace?
Do I know how not to trust in my own strength and trust in His?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, where would I be without Your saving grace? Thank You that my salvation is from You. I am grateful that You are my strength in time of trouble. I am forever thankful that You help me and deliver me from the wicked and save me. May I always take refuge in 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/
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #23--Bible Study--June 18, 2011
Hello dear friends! "Got wisdom?" This is today's topic and how we can get all of the wisdom we need in order to live as a quality disciple of Jesus. In our seeking of "it" we need to make certain we are pursuing the right kind of wisdom and not filling our lives with toxic wisdom that will poison us, quenching us in our faith.
May we all be wise, for His glory.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—(Bible Study) Principle #23, June 18, 2011
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31
Core Value: Bible Study
If there were one quality that every disciple of Jesus needs in order to navigate the uncertainties of this life, it would be wisdom. Wisdom comes in a variety of ways: there is “earthly” wisdom, which is totally insufficient for our eternal purposes. Then, there is wisdom from “above” which is “pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 ESV). This kind of wisdom is a defining characteristic that we should strive to possess.
And how does one obtain this kind of wisdom and become wise? We find our answers from the Word of God. The Scriptures teach:
• Wisdom will come to those who fear the Lord (have an awesome respect for the Lord) and have a humble, teachable spirit (Proverbs 1:1-7).
• Wisdom will come to those who submit their life under the authority of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
• Wisdom will come to those who surround themselves with other wise people (Proverbs 13:20).
Need to become wiser? There are those who seek to look and act wise and there are those who are truly wise. Will you just look the part or will you be wise? Former basketball coach John Wooden reminds us of this truth: “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
Get wisdom . . . now.
Principle #23 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has learned to seamlessly integrate the truths of God’s Word into the everyday affairs of one’s life.
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know what to say and how to say it: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom”
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know the difference between right and wrong: “And his tongue speaks justice”
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know what to do and when to do it: “The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of things come out of my mouth after I have spent time reading God’s Word?
How can I take what I know about the Bible and make it a vital part of who I am?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that my mouth will utter wisdom. I confess to You: my earthly wisdom is grossly insufficient. May the wisdom I utter always be Your wisdom. Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that my tongue will speak justice. May I always live for what is right and oppose what is wrong. Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that when the law of my God is in my heart, my steps do not slip. May I always live my life in such a way that my life choices are based upon the truths of Your Word.
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.
FROM MY BOOKSTORE!
Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
May we all be wise, for His glory.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—(Bible Study) Principle #23, June 18, 2011
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31
Core Value: Bible Study
If there were one quality that every disciple of Jesus needs in order to navigate the uncertainties of this life, it would be wisdom. Wisdom comes in a variety of ways: there is “earthly” wisdom, which is totally insufficient for our eternal purposes. Then, there is wisdom from “above” which is “pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 ESV). This kind of wisdom is a defining characteristic that we should strive to possess.
And how does one obtain this kind of wisdom and become wise? We find our answers from the Word of God. The Scriptures teach:
• Wisdom will come to those who fear the Lord (have an awesome respect for the Lord) and have a humble, teachable spirit (Proverbs 1:1-7).
• Wisdom will come to those who submit their life under the authority of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
• Wisdom will come to those who surround themselves with other wise people (Proverbs 13:20).
Need to become wiser? There are those who seek to look and act wise and there are those who are truly wise. Will you just look the part or will you be wise? Former basketball coach John Wooden reminds us of this truth: “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
Get wisdom . . . now.
Principle #23 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has learned to seamlessly integrate the truths of God’s Word into the everyday affairs of one’s life.
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know what to say and how to say it: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom”
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know the difference between right and wrong: “And his tongue speaks justice”
• The believer who is grounded in God’s Word will know what to do and when to do it: “The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of things come out of my mouth after I have spent time reading God’s Word?
How can I take what I know about the Bible and make it a vital part of who I am?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that my mouth will utter wisdom. I confess to You: my earthly wisdom is grossly insufficient. May the wisdom I utter always be Your wisdom. Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that my tongue will speak justice. May I always live for what is right and oppose what is wrong. Lord Jesus, Your promise to me is that when the law of my God is in my heart, my steps do not slip. May I always live my life in such a way that my life choices are based upon the truths of Your Word.
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.
FROM MY BOOKSTORE!
Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #22--Grace--June 11, 2011
Hello dear friends! Warm greetings to each of you on this day. I thank the Lord for you. Many of you are in a challenging set of circumstances where you are. Some of you are in harms way in Afghanistan. Others are planting seeds of the Kingdom in Ukraine and in Eastern Europe. Then, there are many of us are living in the United States... seeking to live out the discipled life that Jesus calls us to live. The common thread for all of us? We are in desperate need of His grace.
Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the value of living the grace-driven life. It's been a good reminder for me. I pray that it will be a good reminder for you too--no matter where you are living and serving today.
Captured by His grace,
Denny
PS. Thanks again to all who lifted me up in prayer this past week as I defended my dissertation. I passed . . . by the grace of God :)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. 26 All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing. Psalm 37:23-26
Core Value: Grace
Just try harder.
Anyone ever told you this before? What if you have “tried harder” and the harder you tried, the harder it got and the harder it got, made you want to try even harder . . . and yet, no matter how hard you tried, and how many times you tried, you failed (and did so miserably)?
Sometimes the answer to life is not to try harder but to trust more. In our own strength, we can only do as much as we can do. The result of our trying is often limited to how we feel on a given day. Is there a better way of living the Christian life?
I believe there is and it is called the grace-driven life. When we set out to live a grace-driven life we are committing to trust the Lord for His endurance, His persistence, His power, His agenda, His life to become our own. Remember, grace gives us what we do not deserve. It pleases the Lord Jesus to give us “established steps” so we might hold on to His hand when we do fall. His grace allows us to live a life of faith where our physical needs are met, no matter how young or old we might be. His grace allows us to create a legacy where even our descendants are a blessing. This is what a grace-driven life will accomplish.
It’s time to quit trying so hard. May we all experience what it means to live a life that is driven by grace.
Principle #22 & Personal Application: The quality disciple does not have to strive for an impossible perfection but gladly presses in to experience a grace-driven life.
• A grace-driven life is marked by steps that are established by the Lord.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a protective Hand that grips us tightly, even when we fall.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a testimony that speaks of God’s great faithfulness to provide.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a desire to give away our time, resources, and talents.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a legacy of our family (our descendants) who become a blessing too.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Can I recall a time when I suffered a stumble and, yet, the Lord caught me?
Am I experiencing a grace-driven life? If not, what must change in me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank You for granting me steps that are established. May I always sense the grip of Your hand, Your grace. Thank You for the promise of Your gracious provision for everything I need in this life. And because I am experiencing the wonder of Your grace, may I always have a giving heart and be a vessel of Your grace to others.
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: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the value of living the grace-driven life. It's been a good reminder for me. I pray that it will be a good reminder for you too--no matter where you are living and serving today.
Captured by His grace,
Denny
PS. Thanks again to all who lifted me up in prayer this past week as I defended my dissertation. I passed . . . by the grace of God :)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. 26 All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing. Psalm 37:23-26
Core Value: Grace
Just try harder.
Anyone ever told you this before? What if you have “tried harder” and the harder you tried, the harder it got and the harder it got, made you want to try even harder . . . and yet, no matter how hard you tried, and how many times you tried, you failed (and did so miserably)?
Sometimes the answer to life is not to try harder but to trust more. In our own strength, we can only do as much as we can do. The result of our trying is often limited to how we feel on a given day. Is there a better way of living the Christian life?
I believe there is and it is called the grace-driven life. When we set out to live a grace-driven life we are committing to trust the Lord for His endurance, His persistence, His power, His agenda, His life to become our own. Remember, grace gives us what we do not deserve. It pleases the Lord Jesus to give us “established steps” so we might hold on to His hand when we do fall. His grace allows us to live a life of faith where our physical needs are met, no matter how young or old we might be. His grace allows us to create a legacy where even our descendants are a blessing. This is what a grace-driven life will accomplish.
It’s time to quit trying so hard. May we all experience what it means to live a life that is driven by grace.
Principle #22 & Personal Application: The quality disciple does not have to strive for an impossible perfection but gladly presses in to experience a grace-driven life.
• A grace-driven life is marked by steps that are established by the Lord.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a protective Hand that grips us tightly, even when we fall.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a testimony that speaks of God’s great faithfulness to provide.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a desire to give away our time, resources, and talents.
• A grace-driven life is marked by a legacy of our family (our descendants) who become a blessing too.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Can I recall a time when I suffered a stumble and, yet, the Lord caught me?
Am I experiencing a grace-driven life? If not, what must change in me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank You for granting me steps that are established. May I always sense the grip of Your hand, Your grace. Thank You for the promise of Your gracious provision for everything I need in this life. And because I am experiencing the wonder of Your grace, may I always have a giving heart and be a vessel of Your grace to others.
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: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #21--Prayer--June 4, 2011
Hello dear friends! I pray that all of you are experiencing what the psalmist called "the desires of your heart." One of the desires of my heart will be the fulfillment of a five year journey. The Lord gave me a desire to grow in my knowledge of Him and a desire to become a better leader. He has done this in a very practical way as I have made the journey towards the completion of a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership. Now, finally, I see the finish line.
On Tuesday, June 7 at 1:30 I'll be making an oral presentation before my dissertation committee. Would you pray and ask the Lord for these three things? He would be glorified; He would give me clarity of mind and peace of heart; and He would grant me much mercy and grace in my time of need :) (Hebrews 4:16).
I am "delighted" that you are a part of my journey. My desire for you is that the Shepherd of the Psalms would encourage you and grant to you the desire of your heart.
Growing with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #21
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:3-5
Core Value: Prayer
My way . . . or His way. These are the two choices disciples of Jesus make every day. It would seem, at least on the surface, to be an obvious choice: His way. But one thing often gets in the way of the best choice: Me. My way. My will. My desires. The word the psalmist uses, “delight,” means to become like pliable clay. The gripping image of this word does not escape us. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that God is the potter and we are the clay. But what kind of clay are we? Hardened by our own stubborn will or are we softened by His grace, submitting our desires for His?
In this portion of Scripture are sweet reminders of what God wants to do in us and for us. What is our part? We must trust in the Lord. We must abide in Him and cultivate a faithful life. We must delight ourselves in the Lord and we must commit our way to Him. What will He do for us? He will give us the desires of our heart and He will do it in a way that will remind us that He did it in a way that only He could.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. And what would those desires be? He wants You to experience them and enjoy them! How? You can discover them through prayer.
Principle #21 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences an intimate spiritual life—fueled by prayer—which is built upon one’s trust in the Lord.
Prayer is the fuel the believer needs…
• To place one’s trust in the Lord. Trust in the LORD and do good
• To cultivate faithfulness. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness
• To delight one’s self in the Lord. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart
• To commit one’s way to the Lord. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Does prayer characterize my life? Or am I more prone to work out things in my own strength?
What does it mean to delight myself in the Lord? If I do so, what promise has He made to me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is only by Your grace that I can place my trust in You and do good. It is only through grace that I can rest in Your promises and cultivate a faithful life. May my heart always desire to delight myself in You. May I always commit my way to You. And give me the faith to trust You for the desires of my heart that You have already planted within me.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
On Tuesday, June 7 at 1:30 I'll be making an oral presentation before my dissertation committee. Would you pray and ask the Lord for these three things? He would be glorified; He would give me clarity of mind and peace of heart; and He would grant me much mercy and grace in my time of need :) (Hebrews 4:16).
I am "delighted" that you are a part of my journey. My desire for you is that the Shepherd of the Psalms would encourage you and grant to you the desire of your heart.
Growing with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #21
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:3-5
Core Value: Prayer
My way . . . or His way. These are the two choices disciples of Jesus make every day. It would seem, at least on the surface, to be an obvious choice: His way. But one thing often gets in the way of the best choice: Me. My way. My will. My desires. The word the psalmist uses, “delight,” means to become like pliable clay. The gripping image of this word does not escape us. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that God is the potter and we are the clay. But what kind of clay are we? Hardened by our own stubborn will or are we softened by His grace, submitting our desires for His?
In this portion of Scripture are sweet reminders of what God wants to do in us and for us. What is our part? We must trust in the Lord. We must abide in Him and cultivate a faithful life. We must delight ourselves in the Lord and we must commit our way to Him. What will He do for us? He will give us the desires of our heart and He will do it in a way that will remind us that He did it in a way that only He could.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. And what would those desires be? He wants You to experience them and enjoy them! How? You can discover them through prayer.
Principle #21 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences an intimate spiritual life—fueled by prayer—which is built upon one’s trust in the Lord.
Prayer is the fuel the believer needs…
• To place one’s trust in the Lord. Trust in the LORD and do good
• To cultivate faithfulness. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness
• To delight one’s self in the Lord. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart
• To commit one’s way to the Lord. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Does prayer characterize my life? Or am I more prone to work out things in my own strength?
What does it mean to delight myself in the Lord? If I do so, what promise has He made to me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is only by Your grace that I can place my trust in You and do good. It is only through grace that I can rest in Your promises and cultivate a faithful life. May my heart always desire to delight myself in You. May I always commit my way to You. And give me the faith to trust You for the desires of my heart that You have already planted within me.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace is now available in eBook for only $7.99 per download (a 50% savings). Great idea for your computer, iPad or Kindle!
Learn how you can photocopy up to 10 free copies of this eBook for your discipleship ministry. http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
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