Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #47 (Evangelism) December 29, 2012

Hello my dear friends! I pray that you have been refreshed during this season of Advent and are now making preparations to review your life these past twelve months. I always find it useful to reflect back upon the year's events--both the good and the challenging ones.

In today's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to be reminded that before effective evangelism can take place, we've got to know the Gospel and be living it out.

Making disciples with you,

Denny Bates

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #47

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

Key Scripture: 1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, Psalm 78:1-7

Core Value: Evangelism

We know of the greatest story ever told, but many of us fail to clearly share it with those who most desperately need to hear it: those who are far outside the love of the Father and the family of God. Many of these people are “nice” people; some may even be nicer that we are. But without a relationship with Jesus, they are lost. So, what are we to do?

It has been said that found people find lost people. One of the most effective ways to create a culture of evangelism is to begin with a culture of discipleship. The Gospel is more than a story that gets people saved. The Gospel is Good News and empowers us to live an abundant life in Jesus Christ after we come to know Him. Before we can effectively reach the lost, we must first reach the believer and teach them how to become a DiscipleMaker4Jesus.

Principle #47 & Personal Application: Quality disciples desire to share the Gospel with those who will reach future generations (2 Tim. 2:2).

• We need to know the Gospel before we can tell others of it (vs. 1-4)

• We need to teach the Gospel with the goal of impacting future generations of believers (vs. 5-6)

• We need to tell others to place their confidence in the God of the Gospel (vs. 7)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When am I most at ease when sharing my faith with an unbeliever? When do I find it to be the most difficult?

How can my testimony be used as an evangelistic tool? Who needs to hear my story this week?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, May I always be ready to share of the miracle of Your Gospel with those who need to accept Your saving invitation. May I always place my confidence in the God of the Gospel.

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/

Are you looking for a helpful resource that will guide your spiritual growth in 2013? I'd like to recommend this book, "A One Year Journey With The Shepherd." Now in e-book and printed versions.

http://www.dennybates.com/#!a-one-year-journey-with-the-shepherd/c6pu

 

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #46 (Prayer) December 23, 2012

Hello my dear friends! One of the great messages that come from the Christmas season is hope. When everything was so dark, Jesus, the Light of the World, became one of us and that changed everything.

May this Christmas be a time of remembering of how God has blessed you with the love of Jesus.

Merry Christmas,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #46

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

Key Scripture: 11 I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? Psalm 77:11-12

Core Value: Prayer

There are many of us who use the end of the year as an exercise of review and meaningful reflection. We itemize “the good stuff” as well as the things that have challenged us. Some things we may ponder might cause us to experience inner joy; some memories, perhaps pain.

The Psalmist gives us a spiritual path towards embracing a healthy perspective: taking control of what we think. Good thinking always leads to a good image.

Principle #46 & Personal Application: Quality disciples use prayer as a way to move from depression to devotion.

• When we pray we need to remember what the Lord has done for us: I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

• When we pray we need to meditate on His works: I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.

• When we pray we need to exalt His greatness and character: Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I become discouraged how can the principles described in this psalm encourage me?

The greater I view God, the greater my faith becomes. In what ways does God need to be great in my life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to always remember Your deeds and wonders. May I meditate and prayerfully contemplate on what You have done in my life. There is no one like You, for Your way, O God is holy. You are great, greater than any false god. And You are great to 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/

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #45 (Prayer). December 14, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever faced a time in your life where your prayers seemed to rise no further than the ceiling and bounce right back at you? Have you ever prayed so much and after praying you actually felt worse than better? Chances are, we have all experienced these kind of feelings on our journey. Here is today's comfort: the Psalmist did too. After all of his praying, he confessed in a most transparent way: "My soul refused to be comforted."

As you continue to celebrate Advent this year, may this be a season of comfort for your soul.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #45

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

Key Scripture: 1 My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice rises to God, and He will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. Psalm 77:1-2

Core Value: Prayer

How long do you pray before it’s time to give up and do something different? Great question. Seldom, an easy answer. Do you pray until you get the answer you want or do you pray until the Lord leads you to pray in another direction? Do you pray in faith or are your prayers measured by “success?”

Again, great questions and challenging answers. Perhaps, prayer is not about getting what you want from God but it serves as a vehicle in which God gets from you what He wants.

Maybe its about surrender and submission. Maybe what He wants from you is patience and faith. Maybe the trouble you are facing is nothing more than God’s way of getting your attention.

Maybe the practice of prayer is the bridge to connecting to a God who cannot be seen but desires to be trusted, even when prayer does not seem to be “working.”

Principle #45 & Personal Application: Quality disciples cry out to the Lord during times of trouble, even when it seems that God is not listening.

Note: the Psalmist speaks for many of us as he experiences the feelings of discouragement to disappointment to deliverance. In this portion of the Psalm, he shares about his concern that in spite of his prayers, he still is without comfort. Faith in God (in His character and in His Word), not faith in our circumstances or even in our prayers is the key to trusting in the Lord.

• In times of crisis we raise our voice to the Lord

• In times of crisis we expect God to hear us

• In times of crisis we seek the Lord, even during the darkest of times and even if we do not receive instant relief

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Have I ever prayed to the Lord where I felt no different inside my heart?

What reasons come to mind on why God delays in answering some of my prayers?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always trust You, even when I do not see a change in my circumstances.

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/

Dr. Denny Bates | Leading with Quality in Mind

www.dennybates.com

Consultant/Ministry/Resources for leaders

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #44 (Worship) December 9, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Grace to you and peace to you. I hope in this season of Advent you are being refreshed by His presence. Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder of how simple, yet profound, our worship of Jesus can be offered. He makes three great statements: "We give thanks / Your name is near / Men declare your wondrous works"

In this Christmas season, its a good reminder to give thanks, to know that His Name is near and that we have a story (the greatest story) to tell of all He has done in our lives.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #44

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

Key Scripture: We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; Men declare Your wondrous works. Psalm 75:1

Core Value: Worship

There is something special in the heart of disciples of Jesus that takes place when worship of our great God is done in community, among a body of believers. Yes, there is a time and place for a personal, one to one, worship experience between the disciple and his or her Lord. But there is also a place for corporate worship.

This worship chorus by Otis Skillings reminds us of the beauty of living in the presence of Jesus Christ with others.

We are one in the bond of love
We are one in the bond of love
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God
We are one in the bond of love

When Me becomes We, HE is glorified and We are blessed.

Principle #44 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience an intimate worship because of God’s glorious name.

Note how this verse is translated in the NLT and the Message:

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. (NLT)

We thank you, God, we thank you— your Name is our favorite word; your mighty works are all we talk about. (MSG)

Because of God’s name (His character, attributes, fame, reputation):

• We give thanks to Him: Because He is near

• We experience the nearness of His name: His Name is our favorite word

• We declare His wondrous works: His mighty works are all we talk about

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When the Lord fills my heart with worship, what examples of His wondrous works come to my mind?

What is it like to experience the nearness of His name?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith I give thanks to You, O God. I give thanks for Your name is near. May I always be faithful to share of Your mighty works to everyone one in my circle of influence.

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/

Psalms of Discipleship is a ministry of Something New and is set up for tax-deductible contributions at this time. If you would like to make a financial investment in my discipleship ministry and the Lord leads you to do so, you can direct your gift to Something New Ministries. Not only will you receive a tax credit for your generous gift, you will be investing in something that has deep meaning for you—changed lives. Your financial gift will be deeply appreciated at this time. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!give/c1ya0

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #43 (Worship). December 2, 2012

Hello my dear friends! How BIG is your God? Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder that no matter how big your problems might appear to be, your God is much BIGGER. The lesson? If we do not worship Him, we will be overwhelmed by our small problems.

Learning to worship Him, in a BIG way,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #43

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

Key Scripture: 12 Yet God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth. 13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. 15 You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams. 16 Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun. 17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter. Psalm 74:12-17

Core Value: Worship

Have you ever felt like that some of your biggest problems might be bigger than God’s ability to help you? Most of us would never allow the thought to even cross our mind. But perhaps, in a fleeting moment of being real, we have at least considered the possibility. Sure, we know that God is at work in others, but in us? Hmmmm.

The Psalmist chooses not to focus upon his big problems but sets his testimony upon the greatness of his great God. This is what worship of Jesus will do for the disciple: it changes our perspective from one of hopeless desperation to firm faith.

Principle #43 & Personal Application: Quality disciples worship a great and awesome God.

God has a history of doing great and awesome acts, all for His great glory.

• He works deeds of deliverance

• He rules the sea that He created

• He created day and night

• He established all the boundaries of the earth

• He has set in place the seasons of summer and winter

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I consider the works of the Lord, what kinds of worshipful thoughts come to my mind?

Because God is great and mighty, what effect does that have upon my prayers?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my King who works deeds of deliverance in my life everyday. I worship You for Your great power and sovereignty over the earth and over me. May I always keep a high view of who You are (Almighty God) and who I am (a child of the King).

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 . . .

· A ministry that focuses upon making Quality disciples for Jesus.

· A ministry that encourages believers to connect in community and experience the discipled life.

· A ministry that seeks to help other believers learn how to live the discipled life by offering seminars, workshops, keynote speaking and interactive coaching.

· A ministry where investments are not made in buildings, but in building lives.

Psalms of Discipleship is a ministry of Something New and is set up for tax-deductible contributions at this time. If you would like to make a financial investment in my discipleship ministry and the Lord leads you to do so, you can direct your gift to Something New Ministries. Not only will you receive a tax credit for your generous gift, you will be investing in something that has deep meaning for you—changed lives. Your financial gift will be deeply appreciated at this time. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!give/c1ya0