Saturday, June 30, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #24 (Worship). June 30, 2012

Hello dear friends! Warm, very warm, no, really it's HOT greetings from sunny South Carolina! This week's devotion reminds us of what happens when we choose to focus upon the character of God: we are reminded of His goodness and His greatness. As we live in uncertain times, its good to know that His goodness and greatness remains the same.

Worship Him!

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #24

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

Key Scripture: 4 How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. 5 By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; 6 Who establishes the mountains by His strength, Being girded with might; 7 Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples. 8 They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Psalm 65:4-8

Core Value: Worship

Do you remember praying this simple prayer as a child? “God is good. God is great. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” For me, as I folded my little hands and closed my eyes, it was a memorized prayer that became a routine part of my every meal. After awhile the words I was praying lost their impact upon me. This sweet prayer became a religious duty instead of a heartfelt prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving. This familiar example is one of many I share on how easy it is for the believer to lose the magnitude of what we are saying out loud. In this case, GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS GREAT. WE SHOULD THANK HIM FOR EVERYTHING HE PROVIDES to us.

This is what the Psalmist does in this portion of Scripture. As He describes the goodness and greatness of God, he becomes overwhelmed with waves of worship. The more He talks about the goodness and greatness of God, the more his heart fills up and the more he has share about the goodness and greatness of God. This is what happens when we set our focus upon the character of God: we become personally acquainted with His goodness and greatness, filling our hearts with expressions of worship.

Principle #24 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are blessed as they worship a great, awesome, and mighty God.

• We worship God because of His drawing us, by grace, into His presence.

• We worship God because of His awesome deeds.

• We worship God because of His majestic power and glory.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I begin to set my focus upon the Lord and His power, what kinds of thoughts come to my mind?

What kind of things can I do that will help me worship God for who He is?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are a mighty and glorious Savior. You invite me into Your presence. You satisfy my soul. You are the God of all creation and I am in awe of You. And powerful and mighty You are, You love me; You value me; You call me Your very own.

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.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Postscript:

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

In today's picture are two of my mentors. Everyone needs one. Who is yours?

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #23 (Prayer) June 23, 2012

Hello my dear friends! It's great to connect with you again. This week's Psalms of Discipleship points us to one of the great truths of the Bible: Prayer is the tool provided for us to connect with the only One who can help us.

Praying for you. Thanks for praying for me.

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #23

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

Key Scripture: 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity, 3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow, Psalm 64:1-3

Core Value: Prayer

Most everyone I know has a cell phone. You see people walking, talking, listening, texting, and viewing their screens almost all the time. Cell phone users are a unique tribe of people: blue tooth, long in the tooth, the cell phone phenomenon has changed our culture when it comes to communication. It seems we are always communicating . . . until the coverage drops or the battery dies and the communication comes to an abrupt end.

Fortunately for the disciple of Jesus, we are on an unlimited data plan that has been fully funded by His sacrifice on the cross. We have been given access to the Father through the Son so that we may communicate to Him the concerns of our heart. When the enemies of our soul surround us, He is only a call away. As an old song stated, “Information. Give me Jesus on the line.” #911

Principle #23 & Personal Application: Quality disciples place their trust in the Lord when words of slander are used against them.

Note that David did not ask the Lord to change His circumstances but asked for God’s help in the midst of them. What did David do? He prayed. He asked the Lord to . . .

• Hear his voice

• Preserve his life

• Hide him from his vicious enemies

When our enemy attacks, he usually does so with vengeance: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB95)

When our enemy attacks, we must be aware of his schemes: so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NASB95)

When our enemy attacks, he will accuse us and want us to forget our place, our position in Christ: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10 (NASB95)

When our enemy attacks, sometimes he will use the words of others to bring harm to us: "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him. Jeremiah 9:8 (NASB95)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I feel I am under spiritual attack, what does this Psalm teach me to do?

I know what it feels like when hurtful words are used against me. What can I do to control my tongue from hurting others?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am under attack, keep me ever mindful of my need to place my fears and concerns upon You. Keep me alert to pray. Keep me close to You. Keep me safe. Keep me.

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.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/


Postscript:

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates
Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17)

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship, Principle #22 (Grace) June 9, 2012


Hello my dear friends! Have you ever felt like you were grasping onto the last straw and when it breaks (and it most likely will) you will fall into an abyss of hopelessness and despair? If that resonates with you, you are not alone. Many believers today are facing challenging circumstances with frayed relationships, uncertain financial times, and an unending assault upon the truth. What is a disciple of Jesus to do? We can look to the example of the Psalmist and refocus our mind upon the Good Shepherd of the Psalms.

Clinging to Him,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22

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

Key Scripture: 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8

Core Value: Grace

One of the greatest challenges that face the disciple of Jesus is the battle that lies in the mind. It is in the mind where spiritual battles are either won or lost. There is always the constant tension to believe the truth and live it out or to embrace the lie and be bound up in it.

The best way, the only way, to win the battle for the mind is to focus it upon the Lord. This does not come easily. It takes a strong will. It requires a choice. But when we do make the choice to focus our thoughts upon the Lord, the truth of His promise becomes crystal clear: We see that He is our help. We will have a song of joy. And we will cling to Him as He holds us up.

Principle #22 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience the mysterious tension of doing their part as God does His.

• Disciples of Jesus are to keep their focus upon the Lord: “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches”

• Disciples of Jesus are to remember the faithfulness of God: “For You have been my help”

• Disciples of Jesus are to experience His presence and respond with joy: “And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy”

• Disciples of Jesus do their part and Jesus does His: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kinds of spiritual disciplines (habits) I can practice that will cultivate a more focused meditation upon the Lord?

What circumstance am I facing today where I sense my soul is clinging to the Lord? How does this Scripture describe God’s part in helping me cope with my circumstance?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may You always remind me of Your faithfulness to me. Help me remember those sweet times of when I experienced Your touch. May I always remember that You have been my help, even during the dark times. May I always be comforted by Your presence as I sing for joy to You. And may I remember to do my part (cling to You, by grace) as I behold Your keeping power of Your right hand.

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.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Postscript:

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #21 (Worship) June 3, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Grace to you this day. Are you "thirsty" and where do you go to quench that thirst? The Psalmist allows us to listen in on his conversation with the only One who has the power to quench his thirst. Listen carefully as we discover the "how."

Refreshed by Living Water,

Denny

P.S. At the end of this week's devotional, is a prayer update. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #21

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

Key Scripture: 1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:1-4

Core Value: Worship

Eleven times in these four verses the word “You” or “Your” is mentioned. It is pretty apparent that the Psalmist has His focus upon the Lord. This is an ultimate, unchanging principle of worship in the most simplest of terms: what I choose to focus my mind upon is what I am going to worship.

Conversely, eight times the Psalmist refers to himself with the words, “my” or “I.” Now, be sure to catch this: Each time he refers to himself, it is always in the context of submission to God. This is the beauty of worship. The Lord did not create us as mindless robots with no will. God took the risk and gave us “free will” to love and worship Him freely.

And this is what God’s love does to us: His love has overcome our hearts with spiritual thirst. And we, with gratitude, freely worship Him.

Principle #21 & Personal Application: Quality disciples cultivate a spiritual thirst that only the Lord can satisfy.

A heart that is thirsty for the Lord will experience several things:

• A thirsty heart will seek God earnestly.

• A thirsty heart will have a soul that yearns for the Lord.

• A thirsty heart will be aware of God’s power and glory.

• A thirsty heart will be satisfied because of God’s lovingkindness and mercy.

• A thirsty heart will worship and praise God with one’s lips and with one’s hands.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I am spiritually thirsty, where do I go to quench my thirst?

What practical things can I do that will enhance my thirst for the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my God! By Your grace, I desire to seek You earnestly. May my soul always thirst for You and for You alone. May I experience Your power and glory. May I be the recipient of your mercy. May I always offer you praise and worship with my lips and with my hands.

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.

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

One Week Later on the Journey:

I want to thank all of my Psalms of Discipleship friends for your kind words and heart-felt encouragement. I have been overwhelmed by many friends like you with inspirational notes, phone calls, text messages, and occasional hugs this past week. The best way I can compare the experience of this week is living long enough to hear all of the testimonials of my funeral before I die. Your love and encouragement have taken away the sting of last week’s announcement. I really am doing okay and at peace, knowing that my Father will not only give me direction but also provide for my every need.

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

The Lord has a good plan in all of this. He is amazing in how He takes the hard things and brings good things to His kids (Romans 8:28). As you pray for me, I am also praying for you. May He grant each one of us a renewed sense of our love for Him and love for each other.

Leading with Quality in mind,

Denny Bates