Thursday, June 27, 2013

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #23 (Worship) June 27, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever wondered why it is good to give thanks to the Lord? Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives us a peek into the heart of the Psalmist and what he discovered to be true: thanksgiving leads to an even deeper worship experience with the Lord.

Learning to do what is good,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #23

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

Key Scripture: 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, 3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music upon the lyre. 4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. 5 How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:1-5

Core Value: Worship

“It is good” is one of God’s most favorite expressions. When He created the heavens and the earth, He remarked “it is good.” When he made the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and every animal, he said, “it is good.” And after Had finished creating His prize possession, a man and a women, He looked at all of His creation and declared it to be “very good.”

The Bible teaches us that God is good. The Word of God also encourages us to respond to His goodness by doing good things. For example, it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to His name. The Psalmist did a good thing when he began to give thanks and worship the Lord. Why is it a good thing to do? Because when we do He receives the glory and we receive the good, an even deeper intimacy with Him.

Principle #23 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are assertive in their thanksgiving to the Lord all day long for the things He has done.

• We give thanks to the Lord because it is a good thing to do

• We sing praises to the Name that is above any other

• We declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness by night

• We are made glad by the marvelous things He has done, is doing, and will do for us

• We are in awe of His great works and His unfathomable thoughts

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kinds of spiritual disciplines do I practice (for example: worship, prayer, Bible reading, serving, fasting, meditation, solitude, etc.) that help me focus upon the Lord and His greatness?

Do I ever pray aloud? How does/how would praying aloud help me focus upon the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is good to give thanks to You and to sing Your praises to Your name. May I make it a regular habit to declare Your lovingkindness (mercy) in the morning and then declare Your faithfulness to me after a long day. By Your love and grace You have made me glad by what You have done for me and for all who place their trust in You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

What do Abraham, Moses, David, Jonathan, Paul, Timothy, Peter and Jesus have in common? FRIENDSHIP. Looking for a practical Bible study on Friendship this summer? Try this one: 8 Great Stories of Biblical Friendship based upon Building A Christian Community of Friends. Only $5.99 in ebook format from Something New Christian Publishers #TheQualityDisciple

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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #22 (Prayer). June 16, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship reveals the heart of our Great God. He does care, really care, for you and for me. It is a Psalm of deliverance, a Psalm of what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, a Psalm of the power of prayer, and a Psalm of promise and hope.

A witness to His great promises,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22

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

Key Scripture: 14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 "With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Core Value: Prayer

This passage of Scripture is quite personal. In June of 1998, I had this Psalm written on an index card and kept it in my shirt pocket, often reflecting upon it throughout the day. On July 2, I had a massive heart attack. During the aftermath, it was touch and go: either it was going to be graduation day and I would finally meet Jesus face to face, or He would extend my life on this earth. After my heart attack my wife found the index card on my dresser and she began to claim the wonderful promises mentioned in these verses. By no means are these promises a “formula” for getting what we want. Instead, the promises of God are based upon the relationship we have with Him, trusting Him for the outcome that will bring Him the greatest glory.

In His mercy, He delivered me. In His mercy, He answered and rescued me. In His mercy, He has added almost 15 years to my life. In His mercy, He will be there for you too.

Principle #22 & Personal Application: Quality disciples love and know the Lord and communicate with Him too.

• We pray because we love the Lord. Because we love the Lord, He desires to deliver us.

• We pray because we know His name. Because we know His name, He desires to set us securely on high.

• We pray because when we are in trouble we know that we can call upon Him. Because we call upon Him, He will answer us and rescue us and honor us.

• Because the Lord is our Shepherd, our Refuge, Our Mighty God, He will satisfy us with a long life and allow us to see His salvation.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I pray (especially when I am in trouble or burdened) do I do so out of a heart of love and worship or is my motive to relieve my discomfort?

There are many promises in this passage of Scripture for the disciple of Jesus. Which one resonates with me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always have a heart that is full of love for You. May I become fully acquainted with knowing Your name. Thank You for delivering me from the things that are harmful to my walk with You. Thank You for the provision of prayer where I can cry out to You and receive Your protection. Thank You for showing me Your great Salvation.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #21 (Prayer). June 9, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Prayer is the lifeline God has given to us. In today's Psalms of Discipleship we see an example of how our confession is so important when we are surrounded by our enemies.

Learning to pray,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #21

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

Key Scripture: 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" 3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Psalm 91:1-4

Core Value: Prayer

Prayer offered up in the name of Jesus is one of the believer’s most essential spiritual tools. When you are surrounded by a host of your enemies, its important to make sure you have a reliable connection to the Lord. Perhaps you may remember these lyrics popularized by The Manhattan Transfer:

Operator
Information
Give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And Jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line
By Russell Jones, Chad Hugo, and Pharrell Williams

His help is only a call away.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3

Principle #21 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience the awesome wonder of praying to a powerful God.

• We experience His power as we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty (vs. 1)

• We experience His power as we confess to Him that He is our refuge and fortress (vs. 2)

• We experience His power as we trust in Him to deliver us and protect us (vs. 3-4)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In a very practical way, what does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High?

When trouble comes my way, how have I seen the Lord become my refuge and fortress?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is by Your grace that I can dwell in the shelter of the Most High. By grace, I can abide and live in the shadow of the Almighty. By faith I can declare that You are my Refuge and my Fortress, my God in whom I trust.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

Got your copy of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd yet? Only $19.99. Free shipping in the USA. Click on this link for more information.
Dr. Denny Bates | Leading with Quality in Mind | A One Year Journey With The Shepherd
www.dennybates.com

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #20 (Grace). June 1, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Are you living in the favor of God? Today's Psalms of Discipleship describes a way of life that every disciple of Jesus desires: to live in the FOG, in the Favor of God.

Because of amazing grace,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #20

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

Key Scripture: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

Core Value: Grace

Years ago I was on a flight from Northern California to the Philippines. As the plane taxied down the runway, the pilot waited . . . and waited . . . and waited for clearance from the tower to take off. On that night, he never got permission to take off. Instead, he turned the plane around and went back to the terminal. Why? Too much fog.

I recently became aware of a term that caught my attention. “Living in the FOG.” Living in the Favor Of God means that I am fully engaged in the grace of God. Living in the favor of God means that I have discovered a way of life where I am receiving far more than I deserve.

On that night in Northern California, it was not safe to proceed because of the fog. For the disciple of Jesus, living in the FOG is not only safe, but also essential.

Principle #20 & Personal Application: Quality disciples delight in having the Lord’s favor and constant encouragement.

• It is because of grace that the favor of the Lord is upon us

• It is because of grace that the Lord will confirm the work of our hands

• It is because of grace that that we are affirmed and encouraged by Him

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

As I examine my life, what specific examples can I recall where the favor of the Lord has been upon me?

In what areas of my life do I need some encouragement from the Lord (i.e., relationships, career, ministry, etc.)?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may the favor of the Lord my God be upon me. Thank You for Your constant encouragement as I live for You.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

Looking for a way to enrich your devotional life? May I suggest this resource: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd

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

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e