His grace frees us to love Him more,
His grace helps us to serve Him better,
His grace gives us permission not to be perfect,
His grace prompts us to love and accept others who are in desperate need of His grace too.
This week's Psalms of Discipleship underscores our addiction to grace.
From one grace junkie to another,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #1
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Core Value: Grace
Forgiven? Really? Just like that? Yes. Really. Just like that. It is grace that causes the broken to be blessed. It causes the rejected to be redeemed. Grace causes the humble to be helped. It is grace that causes the sinner to be saved. No one is perfect. No one ever gets it right all of the time. Fortunately for the disciple of Jesus, the grace of Jesus is perfect. His grace does set us free all of the time.
The words of this old hymn illustrate the great truth of grace, perfectly.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive?
Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!
Principle #1 & Personal Application: Quality disciples know that, because of grace, God desires a heart that has been broken because of sin. Grace frees us from the need to perform a futile religious act that has no power to appease a Holy God.
• The sacrifices that God wants from His children are not those religious sacrifices that come from our flesh, from our own vain imaginations. Instead, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
• The Lord wastes no experience in the life of the disciple—even when we have failed the Lord and sinned against Him. Because of grace, we can experience “a broken and contrite heart.”
• The person who is “in grace” is broken-hearted by sin. A person who is exposed to God’s grace will be quick to confess one’s sin. Why? Because of the personal relationship that exists between the disciple and one’s God.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I sin, when I miss the mark, how quick am I to keep short accounts with God and confess my sins to Him?
Have I ever tried to cover my sin with a religious exercise that never changed my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how truly grateful I am that in spite of my shortcomings, Your love for me remains steadfast and true. By the power of Your Holy Spirit and through Your grace, may I resist the temptation to cover my sin with religious exercises that have no power to change my heart. Instead, may I always remember that what pleases You the most is a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. You will never despise these.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2012 All rights reserved.
Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!
You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.
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www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
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