Saturday, September 29, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #36 (Prayer). September 29, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever run out of your own hope? You have hoped, and hoped, and hoped for it seems a long, long time and remain unsatisfied. What is the key? The psalmist shows us the power of hope is not in hope itself, but in Whom we place our hope.

Resting in the One who gives us hope,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36

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

Key Scripture: 1 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed. 2 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; Incline Your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man, Psalm 71:1-4

Core Value: Prayer

It is has been said that hope is not a strategy, but it is a great thing to have in hand. Sometimes we can hope for better circumstances, we can hope for “enough” faith to gain the victory, we can have hope in hope and never have enough equity built up in our hope account. So what is the answer for the disciple of Jesus? The answer is we need to have our hope fixed upon the character of the Lord. Here are a few examples of hope that is well placed:

Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 (HCSB)

I put my hope in You, LORD; You will answer, Lord my God. Psalm 38:15 (HCSB)

5 Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 (HCSB)

Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Psalm 119:116 (NASB77)

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. Psalm 130:5 (NASB77)

Principle #36 & Personal Application: Quality disciples, with great confidence in the Lord, cry out to their Deliverer for help.

• The prayer of faith is founded upon safe refuge in the Lord: “In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed.”

• The prayer of faith is founded upon the Lord’s righteousness and great salvation: “In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; Incline Your ear to me and save me.”

• The prayer of faith is founded upon the Lord’s faithfulness and trustworthiness: “Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.”

• The prayer of faith is founded upon the Lord’s ability to rescue and deliver completely: “Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I am feeling overwhelmed by discouragement, fear, or doubt, how may this passage of Scripture bring comfort to me?

What steps do I need to take in order to pray more and worry less?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always live like I am completely dependent upon You. In You I can find refuge and be safe. In You I focus my prayers upon the One who is righteous and true. In You I can rest upon Your faithfulness and trustworthiness. In You I trust to rescue and deliver me completely.

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/

What does a Disciple-Making Ministry look like? It looks like . . .

SOMETHING NEW

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past;
Behold, I will do something new . . .” Isaiah 43:18, 19a

MISSION STATEMENT

Something New exists to challenge believers in Jesus to experience a lifetime commitment to spiritual growth, and to empower disciples of Jesus Christ to multiply His life in all of the world. This remarkable journey of faith begins in our Jerusalem: in our home and in the marketplace where we work and play.

CORE VALUES

We value the Grace of God. It is free, undeserved, and deeply appreciated. Being recipients of the gift of grace, we desire to give it away to others who do not deserve it.

We value the worship of God. Worship is not only singing songs. Biblical worship includes a sacrifice, a submission of our will to His (Genesis 22).

We value the Word of God. We believe the Bible, revealed in 66 books, is God's truth. It is perfect and is meant to be read by believers on a regular basis. The goal of Bible reading, and even Bible study, is not the collection of more theological trivia. The goal is to experience the truth and then make the personal application that leads to personal transformation.

We value connecting with God through prayer. We believe that prayer is not a monologue, but a dialogue with God. We believe God has provided the way for us to make known to Him, not only our needs, but also our love and adoration of Him through prayer.

We value community with other believers through authentic relationships. We believe that no one can effectively live the victorious Christian life alone. We believe the "one anothers" of the Bible can only be practiced and lived with power and credibility in the presence of other believers. We value creating a safe place where we can be honest with ourselves, with each other and with God.

We value using our spiritual gifts by serving others. We believe that the spiritual and natural gifts we each have, are given by God and to be freely shared with those who are in need of our gifts.

We value living out our faith by sharing with others the love of Jesus. We believe that the Gospel Of Jesus Christ is not only Good News but is the greatest story ever told. We desire to share this love by whatever means we have.

We value growing disciples who are making other disciples for Jesus!

Wish to learn more about Something New? In box me on Facebook.
 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship (Prayer) Principle #35. September 22, 2012

Hello my dear friends,

One of the great blessings of the Psalms is the transparency we observe from the psalmists who are in trouble. They are in trouble. They are real. And they pray. Good reminders for every disciple who follows Jesus.

In His grip,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #35

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

Key Scripture: 1 O God, hasten to deliver me; O LORD, hasten to my help! 2 Let those be ashamed and humiliated Who seek my life; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt. 3 Let those be turned back because of their shame Who say, "Aha, aha!" 4 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified." 5 But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:1-5

Core Value: Prayer

Prayer offered during times of great duress is our connection between hopeless and hopeful. One of the wonderful aspects of the Bible is we are shown, time and time again, the inner thoughts of those who are facing impossible, gut-wrenching circumstances. And time and time again, the Saints of God are helped by the Hand of God in order to live out the Purpose of God.

Principle #35 & Personal Application: Quality disciples, because of grace, can turn to the Lord in times of great trials and experience His help.

• When we pray, we pray with a sense of urgency and expectation (vs. 1)

• When we pray, we pray for protection from those who wish to attack us (vs. 2-3)

• When we pray, we pray with a heart of worship and thankfulness (vs. 4)

• When we pray, we pray honestly and to the point: Lord, help me (vs. 5)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I feel I am under attack, how do I usually respond: with prayer or with panic?

How can a heart of worship help me to trust in Christ more?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I need help, help me to keep my eyes upon You. May I always look to You as my Helper and Deliverer.

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/

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #34 (Worship). September 15, 2012

Hello my dear friends,

Some days are a bit more challenging than others. Wouldn't you agree? Anyone can live out the "victorious" Christian life when life is easy. But it takes a far greater commitment to live it out when we are suffering. Some people suffer and become bitter. Others suffer and become better. What's the difference? Those who become better, even in the midst of challenging circumstances, have made a commitment to worship Jesus, no matter what.

The Psalmist was afflicted and in pain. Perhaps you are too. May I suggest you do what he chose to do and worship God.

Worshiping Him, by faith,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #34

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

Key Scripture: 29 But I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. 32 The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. 33 For the LORD hears the needy And does not despise His who are prisoners. Psalm 69:29-33

Core Value: Worship

There are bad days, and then, sometimes, there are really bad days. There are the days when it seems that everything that can go wrong goes wrong. There are the days when the harder we try to fix the broken things of our lives; the worse it seems to be. When all else fails, our good options are limited to one response: we must worship. True, it is not easy to do so, especially when the pain and suffering are great. But it is also true that when we take our eyes off of our impossible situation (a lack of finances, poor health, challenging relationships, weak spiritual health, etc.) and place our eyes of faith upon the Lord, our faith will grow.

What impossible situation are you facing right now where worship can help you make it another day?

Principle #34 & Personal Application: Quality disciples will choose to worship the Lord, even during extreme times of suffering.

• Worship is a choice we make, a choice that is not based upon how we “feel” (vs. 29).

• When we are faithful to worship, we will experience His pleasure (vs. 30-31).

• When we are faithful to worship, our hearts will be revived (vs. 32).

• When we are faithful to worship, the Lord will hear our cry to be delivered from bondage (vs. 33).

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I become overwhelmed by my difficult circumstances, how does my worship of Jesus help draw me closer to Him?

What steps can I take that will enhance the focus of my worship? What kinds of promises has God made to me of what He will do if I worship Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me a heart of worship. It is because of Your grace that I can even begin to express back to You my gratitude for all You have done for me. Help me remember to worship You even when everything around me is challenging me to go it alone. May I always bring You pleasure as I respond in worship to You. And may my heart experience continual revival as I draw near 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 © 2012 All rights reserved.

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

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #33 (Prayer). September 8, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Why do we pray? Is it to simply "get" things from God and have Him at our beckoned call, or is there a greater purpose in prayer? Prayer, biblical prayer, is more than having a punch list where we check off our prayer requests. Prayer is all about intimacy between the Creator and His creation. It is not a monologue. It is a dialogue. Prayer is the "air" we breathe when we come into His presence. In today's Psalms of Discipleship we discover a man who is facing impossible circumstances. In response, he turns to the only One who has the power (and love) to help.

Praying to a Great God who answers great prayers,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #33

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

Key Scripture: 13 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth. 14 Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; May I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. 15 May the flood of water not overflow me Nor the deep swallow me up, Nor the pit shut its mouth on me. 16 Answer me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me, Psalm 69:13-16

Core Value: Prayer

Is your faith founded upon having life go well with you by extending to you pleasant circumstances? Is your faith in your ability to have enough faith in you? Or is your faith centered on the character of God? Is your faith directed to the One who has the power to transform you and your impossible circumstances? These are all great questions of process. For the Psalmist, he directed his prayer to the Lord. Note this: the more he talked about prayer AND prayed, the greater his testimony of faith became.

The same can be true of you as well. Look at your impossible circumstances and then look to the One who not only can work in your circumstances but who also can accomplish an even greater work . . . in you.

Principle #33 & Personal Application: Quality disciples offer their prayer for deliverance based not upon their circumstances, but upon the unchanging character of God.

• The prayer of faith is directed to the Lord.

• The prayer of faith is founded upon the greatness of the Lord’s lovingkindness.

• The prayer of faith is offered during the direst of circumstances where only God can deliver.

• The prayer of faith rests upon the kindness and compassion of the Lord.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I am facing seemingly impossible circumstances, how does prayer help me trust the Lord more?

As I take time and mediate upon God’s character, what are some of His qualities that come to mind?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always direct my prayers to You. May I always keep Your promises before me and may I always consider Your character when I am put to the test. May I always remember that I alone cannot deliver myself from my circumstances and that only You can help 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/

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #32 (Prayer). September 1, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever been in a situation where the only thing you can do is . . . PRAY? Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful illustration of what desperate believers in Jesus can do: We can pray to the One who makes all of the difference in the world.

Desperate for Jesus,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #32

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

Key Scripture: 1 Save me, O God, For the waters have threatened my life. 2 I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; What I did not steal, I then have to restore. Psalm 69:1-4

Core Value: Prayer

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt so overwhelmed with stress that you had a hard time breathing normally? Have you ever faced a circumstance where you felt alone and very vulnerable? Have you ever been on the verge of losing all hope? If you have answered anyone of these questions with a YES, then it confirms that you are a normal disciple of Jesus. Some would refuse to admit any inkling of fear and being out of control. Those folks live in an unreal world.

Fortunately, for us, the Psalmist was real with his feelings. Writing from his own struggles, he offers us a glimmer into his life by committing his great challenges with great prayer to a great God. Are you going through great problems? Take them to a great God. When will you begin?

Principle #32 & Personal Application: Quality disciples realize when persecution comes their way, prayer is the tool that draws them closer to the Lord.

This is the testimony of the psalmist whose enemies had no mercy upon him. When our enemies attack us, we can relate to his experience.

• We can pray while the waters or persecution flood us: Save me, O God, For the waters have threatened my life.

• We can pray when it feels like we are sinking: I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me.

• We can pray when we are weary and parched: I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

• We can pray when others hate us and wish for our ruin: Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; What I did not steal, I then have to restore.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does Jesus, in me, allow me to face personal attacks?

What steps can I begin to take that will sharpen my ability to pray when I feel threatened by my enemies?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for drawing me close to You when it seems I am about to drown in the deep waters of persecution. May I always turn to You when trouble comes my way.

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.

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