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/
Hello my dear friends,
Got problems? We all do. Got lots of questions? You bet. Got answers?
Sometimes. Got Jesus? We do if we are His disciples. Today's Psalms of
Discipleship reminds us that worship is the key to overcoming
insurmountable problems.
What are you focused upon today? Your Problems or Your Savior?
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: 17 May his name endure forever; May his name increase as
long as the sun shines; And let men bless themselves by him; Let all
nations call him blessed. 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders. 19 And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. Psalm
72:17-19
Core Value: Worship
When we fix our
attention on our problems, we can become stuck in them. No doubt, there
are plenty of challenging problems that fill our lives. No doubt, we
often have more questions than answers that come to mind. But there is
no doubt that when we focus our faith upon the great name of our great
God, our heart is lifted up, our joy overflows, and our insurmountable
problems are placed at the feet of Jesus.
When we worship Jesus it means we are taking the steps of faith to fix our eyes upon Him instead of our problems.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Principle #40 & Personal Application: Quality disciples keep a
sharp focus upon the Lord’s great works and His glorious name.
• We worship the Lord for His enduring name: “May his name endure forever; May his name increase as long as the sun shines.”
• We worship the Lord for His blessing upon us: “And let men bless themselves by him; Let all nations call him blessed.”
• We worship the Lord for His amazing works: “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. ”
• We worship the Lord for His glorious name: “And blessed be His glorious name forever.”
• We worship the Lord for His sovereign glory over the whole earth:
“And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. ”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
As I read and meditate upon this passage of Scripture what kinds of thoughts are crossing my mind?
How can I apply the truths of this passage upon the challenges I am facing today?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your enduring Name. May Your name be
known among every tribe, nation, and ethic group around the world. I
praise You for Your blessing upon my life. I marvel at the amazing works
of Your hands. I bless You Lord Jesus and bless Your glorious name
forever. May the whole earth be filled with Your glory. Amen, and Amen.
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/
PS. If you live within driving distance to Columbia International
University, I'd like to invite you to join us for a one day seminar and
prayer retreat on November 17. Click on the link below for more
information on "Changing Places: Understanding the Process of
Transition"
http://www.dennybates.com/#!changing-places/c184w
Hello
my dear friends! Have you ever felt like you were grasping onto the
last straw and when it breaks (and it most likely will) you will fall
into an abyss of hopelessness and despair? If that resonates with you,
you are not alone. Many believers today are facing challenging
circumstances with frayed relationships, uncertain financial times, and
an unending assault upon the truth. What is a disciple of Jesus to do?
We can look to the example of the Psalmist and refocus our mind upon the
Good Shepherd of the Psalms.
Clinging to Him,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in
the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of
Your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand
upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8
Core Value: Grace
One of the
greatest challenges that face the disciple of Jesus is the battle that
lies in the mind. It is in the mind where spiritual battles are either
won or lost. There is always the constant tension to believe the truth
and live it out or to embrace the lie and be bound up in it.
The best way, the only way, to win the battle for the mind is to focus
it upon the Lord. This does not come easily. It takes a strong will. It
requires a choice. But when we do make the choice to focus our thoughts
upon the Lord, the truth of His promise becomes crystal clear: We see
that He is our help. We will have a song of joy. And we will cling to
Him as He holds us up.
Principle #22 & Personal
Application: Quality disciples experience the mysterious tension of
doing their part as God does His.
• Disciples of Jesus are to
keep their focus upon the Lord: “When I remember You on my bed, I
meditate on You in the night watches”
• Disciples of Jesus are to remember the faithfulness of God: “For You have been my help”
• Disciples of Jesus are to experience His presence and respond with joy: “And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy”
• Disciples of Jesus do their part and Jesus does His: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of spiritual disciplines (habits) I can practice that will cultivate a more focused meditation upon the Lord?
What circumstance am I facing today where I sense my soul is clinging
to the Lord? How does this Scripture describe God’s part in helping me
cope with my circumstance?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may You
always remind me of Your faithfulness to me. Help me remember those
sweet times of when I experienced Your touch. May I always remember that
You have been my help, even during the dark times. May I always be
comforted by Your presence as I sing for joy to You. And may I remember
to do my part (cling to You, by grace) as I behold Your keeping power of
Your right hand.
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/
Postscript:
I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have
only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a
leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place
for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me
ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY
organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who
desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.
In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at
http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates
