Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #41. (Worship) June 29, 2014

Hello my dear friends! Much grace to you today. Is is possible that we can worship God but do it for all of the wrong reasons? I believe it is not only possible but very likely IF we worship Him for the wrong reasons.

Today's reminder from Psalms of Discipleship is to make certain that our worship is authentic, not artificial.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #41

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

Key Scripture: Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For holy is the LORD our God. Psalm 99:9

Core Value: Worship

Worship is more than an action. It is also an emotion. Some people believe that “just doing it” will appease God and add another point to their ever-growing list of brownie points. It is entirely possible to worship God and yet have your heart far from Him.

The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29:13 (NIV)

6 Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ 8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-8 (NLT)

The kind of worship Jesus is after comes from the heart. It is a worship of love and adoration of Him.

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 (NLT)

May our worship be authentic and not artificial.

Principle #41 & Personal Application: Quality disciples exalt the Lord our God.

• We worship the LORD

• We worship the LORD our God

• We worship the LORD, a holy God

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

God would never require me to do something I could not do. What does it mean to exalt Him?

In what ways does His holiness impact the way I worship God?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is by faith that I exalt You, the Lord my God. May my worship of You be received as an act of reverence and awe for Who You are: for You are holy and my God
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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://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com
 
Do you like to read? Here is a list of my favorite books on leadership and discipleship. Check it out on the link below:
http://www.dennybates.com/#!great-reads-for-the-leader/cq20

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #40 (Prayer) June 20, 2014

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever "forgotten" that we serve a supernatural God who answers our prayers in a supernatural way. This psalm is a good reminder of how God works in and through us.

Learning with you,

Denny



Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #40

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

Key Scripture:
6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called on His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; They kept His testimonies, And the statute that He gave them. 8 O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them; Thou wast a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds   Psalm 99:6-8

Core Value: Prayer

“It’s impossible!” is what many of us feel when our circumstances skew our perspective of how big God really is in our lives. Many kinds of fears cause us to back up from crossing the finish line of victory. Fears like . . .

•    I’m not good enough

•    I’m never going to reach my dreams

•    I’m always being overlooked and no one will give me a chance

When we believe that our prayers are directed towards a supernatural God who responds in supernatural ways we will never be the same again. Impossibilities are simply God’s platform to show off His glory. May He show off His glory in and through each one of us.

1 O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God." Selah.
3 But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. Psalm 3:1-4 (NASB77)

Principle #40 & Personal Application: Quality disciples call upon a supernatural God who responds in supernatural ways.

•    We call upon a God who is The Lord of our lives

•    We call upon a God who answers us in supernatural ways

•    We call upon a God who offers us supernatural forgiveness instead of his awful wrath

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I pray to God how keenly aware am I of His desire to listen to my requests?

When is the last time I experienced a supernatural response to my prayers?

Prayer:
    Lord Jesus, when I call upon Your Name may my heart be aware of Your great power and love for me. Help me have great faith to believe You for supernatural responses to my prayers. May Your mercy and forgiveness flood my heart when my sin besets me.

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://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2014 All rights reserved.