Hello
dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a reminder that no
matter how we feel on given day, God's Word is true, and God's character
is unchanging, and God' love and care for us is perfect.
Learning with you, by the grace of God,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #6
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. Psalm 83:1
*Background note: From the Psalmist's view, it appears that God is
either unaware or unconcerned that His enemies are threatening His
people. Out of desperation, He cries out to God, "Please get involved . .
. now."
Core Value: Prayer
Do I really matter? Do I
have value? Does anyone care . . . even God? These types of questions
are familiar to many disciples who follow Jesus. Sure, we know the
“right” answers to our questions but sometimes it “feels” like we don’t
matter, we don’t have value (especially when we compare ourselves to
others), and sometimes we “believe” that no one really cares about us,
including God.
So, what is a disciple of Jesus to do with all
of these matters of the heart? We can believe the lie or we can respond
just like the Psalmist did: He got real with God. He wasn’t going to be
passive any longer and become the victim without a spiritual fight. He
was going to engage his God with a brand new intensity. Do not remain
quiet. Do not be silent, and do not be still. Or in other words, “Please
get involved . . . now.”
Principle #6 & Personal Application: Quality disciples cry out to the Lord in the face of intimidating enemies.
• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the desire to intervene on our behalf
• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the power to help deliver us from our enemies
• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the whole world in His hands
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I feel unsafe what assurances can I find from my Bible that will grant me peace of mind?
How do I know, really know, that God will protect me from the enemies of my soul?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always trust You, even when I cannot sense Your
presence, even when it seems I feel surrounded and outnumbered by my
foes.
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
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
