Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #47 (Evangelism) December 29, 2012

Hello my dear friends! I pray that you have been refreshed during this season of Advent and are now making preparations to review your life these past twelve months. I always find it useful to reflect back upon the year's events--both the good and the challenging ones.

In today's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to be reminded that before effective evangelism can take place, we've got to know the Gospel and be living it out.

Making disciples with you,

Denny Bates

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #47

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

Key Scripture: 1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, Psalm 78:1-7

Core Value: Evangelism

We know of the greatest story ever told, but many of us fail to clearly share it with those who most desperately need to hear it: those who are far outside the love of the Father and the family of God. Many of these people are “nice” people; some may even be nicer that we are. But without a relationship with Jesus, they are lost. So, what are we to do?

It has been said that found people find lost people. One of the most effective ways to create a culture of evangelism is to begin with a culture of discipleship. The Gospel is more than a story that gets people saved. The Gospel is Good News and empowers us to live an abundant life in Jesus Christ after we come to know Him. Before we can effectively reach the lost, we must first reach the believer and teach them how to become a DiscipleMaker4Jesus.

Principle #47 & Personal Application: Quality disciples desire to share the Gospel with those who will reach future generations (2 Tim. 2:2).

• We need to know the Gospel before we can tell others of it (vs. 1-4)

• We need to teach the Gospel with the goal of impacting future generations of believers (vs. 5-6)

• We need to tell others to place their confidence in the God of the Gospel (vs. 7)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When am I most at ease when sharing my faith with an unbeliever? When do I find it to be the most difficult?

How can my testimony be used as an evangelistic tool? Who needs to hear my story this week?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, May I always be ready to share of the miracle of Your Gospel with those who need to accept Your saving invitation. May I always place my confidence in the God of the Gospel.

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/

Are you looking for a helpful resource that will guide your spiritual growth in 2013? I'd like to recommend this book, "A One Year Journey With The Shepherd." Now in e-book and printed versions.

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

 

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #52--Evangelism--January 7, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Happy New Year to you! For many of us, the New Year is always a convenient time to make "new resolutions," to "turn over a new leaf," to change our bad habits into good ones, etc.

Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us that as we live out our lives as Christian disciples, we will have an impact upon the lost. May we, more than ever before, be the kind of representatives of Jesus that cause the lost to crave to know Him too.

Touched by grace,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #52

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

Key Scripture: 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:12-13

Core Value: Evangelism

If we model IT (the Christian life) in the right way IT (the Christian life) will be attractive to those who need to have a saving relationship with Jesus. We are not talking about more rules, more meaningless rituals, or more religion. We are talking about possessing an authentic relationship with Jesus that is contagious, infecting others with His passionate love. Unless we are walking IT (the Christian life) out in meaningful ways, then our talk becomes nothing more than white noise that drowns out the truth. And IT is too important to give the lost the wrong message.

The Gospel, evidenced in our own lives, gives much grace to those who have blown IT. This is the kind of message that resonates in the hearts of those who have been beaten down with guilt and shame: salvation comes to those who need it and then seek IT. Will we allow IT to be seen through us?

Let IT be Lord, let IT be.

Principle #52 & Personal Application: The quality disciple lives an authentic life that is attractive to sinners who need to have a saving relationship with Jesus.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God does restore to us the joy of His salvation.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God sustains us with a willing spirit.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God can use us to teach unbelievers the ways of the Lord.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God can use us to lead sinners towards a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How can God use my testimony of personal failure to be a tool that would cause others to consider Jesus?

What would I say to the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus?

Do I know how to share the Gospel in a way that is clear and convincing?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the One who restores. You are the One who gives me such great joy in Your salvation. May I always be prepared to share my life experiences of faith to those who still need to bend their knee 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.

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

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www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/