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/