Psalms of Discipleship (Grace) Principle #9, March 10, 2012

Hello dear friends! I pray that all of you growing in your love for the Lord Jesus. This week's Psalms of Discipleship underscores just how important grace is when it comes to our spiritual vision. Without grace, all we see is a whole lot of legalism, works, and a wrong view of God. Grace allows us the best seat in the house. May we all enjoy the show.

In Christ,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #9

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. 2 I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. Psalm 57:1-3

Core Value: Grace

One way to look at the grace of God is to have a front row seat to the best show in town. From where we sit, no one is in the way to distract us, no one is in our line of sight. Contrast that view from having a seat at the back, behind a pillar, behind a person who has big hair. We hear what is going on and how the crowd is responding, but we can’t see a thing. Where we sit has huge implications in living the Christian life. The seat that the Lord provides us is free, undeserved, and is always the best seat in the house. It is all because of grace. This is what it means to be “in Christ”: (note the phrase “in Him)

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:2-14

How is the view from where you are sitting?

Principle #9 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are keenly aware of the need to run to God and take refuge in Him.

• Grace allows us to see God as a gracious God (vs. 1a)

• Grace allows us to find a safe place in God (vs. 1b)

• Grace allows us cry out to a Most High God who is working for our good (vs. 2)

• Grace allows us to trust Him for protection from those who are foes (vs. 3a)

• Grace allows us to be the recipients of His lovingkindess and His truth (vs. 3b)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How has God been gracious to me?

What does it mean for me to take refuge in the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, O my God, I thank You that it is in Your holy character to be gracious to me. My soul does take refuge in You. In the shadow of Your protective wings, I hide in them. I cry out to You, my God Most High. You are the One who accomplishes all things for me. You send from heaven my deliverance and protection from those who are my foes. You send to me Your lovingkindness and truth.

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.

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