Our goal is simple: to follow the instructions of Jesus Christ and go and make disciples. Remember, a quality disciple makes up a quality life. The Discipled Life: We need to study it, practice it, and teach it. "For Ezra had set his heart TO STUDY the Law of the Lord, and TO DO IT and TO TEACH his statutes and rules in Israel." Ezra 7:10
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #25 (Grace). July 13, 2013
Hello my dear friends,
Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives comfort to the person who feels
surrounded by his or her enemies. Some disciples of Jesus default to
fear when the battle is near. Other disciples follow the example of the
Psalmist and trust in the Lord.
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #25
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will
take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? 17 If the LORD
had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of
silence. 18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness,
O LORD, will hold me up. 19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within
me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:16-19
Core Value: Grace
Have you ever felt you were surrounded by someone or something that was
opposing you at every turn? Have you ever experienced the feeling of
being outnumbered by your foes? Have you ever considered throwing up the
white flag of surrender during the heat of battle and just giving up?
One of the great struggles the disciple of Jesus faces is the struggle
of confrontation. Sometimes it can be demonic. Sometimes, the battle
lies within. And there are other times where the opposition comes in the
form of other people, perhaps even from other Christians.
It
is important to note the strategy the Psalmist took. First, he posed the
logical question: “Who will stand up for me?” Second, he offers the
best solution to his circumstances: He assigns the credit (the glory) to
the One who has a history of delivering him and comforting him.
What lesson can we learn from his example? It is okay to raise the
question of “who will stand up for me?” Perhaps the enemy is Satan, or
the thoughts within, or even in the appearance of another person. It is
also okay to confess that Jesus is our defense.
Principle #25
& Personal Application: Quality disciples look to the Lord for help
when enemies seek to overwhelm and destroy.
• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord will stand up for us against evildoers
• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord is our help
• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord’s lovingkindness (mercy) will hold us up
• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord will console us and comfort our soul.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How does the grace of God help me not be overcome by worry and anxiety?
Because the Lord has given me grace, what comfort does He offer me when my “foot has slipped?”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am grateful that You will stand up for me against
evildoers who do evil things to me. I am thankful for Your presence in
my life. Without Your presence I would be lost and forsaken forever. And
when I do stumble and fall, You are there to pick me up and pour out
Your mercy upon me. And just when I cling the edge of despair, You are
there to comfort me and delight my soul.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service
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/
Labels:
deliverance,
enemies,
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Sunday, July 7, 2013
Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #24 (Worship) July 7, 2013
Hello
my dear friends, today's Psalms of Discipleship is a Psalm of Worship. I
have learned (well, it is more accurate to say, I am learning) how to
make the connection of my great needs to my view of a much greater God.
Learning, still learning, to worship Him,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #24
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD
has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is
firmly established, it will not be moved. 2 Your throne is established
from of old; You are from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O
LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods lift up their
pounding waves. 4 More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty
breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your testimonies are
fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm
93:1-5
Core Value: Worship
“Is God bigger than my dreams?” “Will I ever figure out my place in this world?”
These are the kinds of questions I often default to when life is not
going the way I have intended. My plans have gone from Plan A to Plan B
to a downward spiral of Plan Z and beyond. It is when nothing is going
my way that I need to step back and then lean forward and embrace the
character of God. He is in control. He reigns. He is Lord . . . and I am
not.
Feeling stuck in your career? Feeling out of control in
your personal life? Become paralyzed in your spiritual life? Like the
Psalmist, take a closer look to the Lord who reigns. Gaze into His Word
and worship Him now. A focused worship of God will produce a clearer
path to walk, a path where His Spirit leads us to go.
Principle
#24 & Personal Application: Quality disciples lift up the name of
the Lord and praise Him for His great and awesome power.
• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty
• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord has clothed Himself with strength
• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord’s throne of rule is firmly established
• When we worship God we acknowledge that even the waters of the sea testify of His majesty
• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord is a holy and awesome God
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Is there anything “trite” in my approach to God when I typically pray?
In other words, do I treat Him like some cosmic bellhop whose sole
purpose is to run and fetch for me when I pray OR do I approach His
throne with a reverent fear and respect?
What benefit is there to me when I begin to pray God’s Word back to Him? (Using this psalm as an example)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no one like You. You reign and are clothed in
majesty. You had no beginning and You have no end. You are from
everlasting. I join in with Your creation and worship Your holy and
great name.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service
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/
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