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—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! One of the greatest challenges for the disciple of
Jesus is to admit need . . . to oneself, to others, and sometimes even
to God. Contrary to popular belief, being in need is not a sign of
weakness but a fact of life. Jesus not only meets our every need, He is
our greatest need.
I need Him every hour. You do too.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #39
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper. 13 He will have
compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will
save. 14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And
their blood will be precious in his sight; Psalm 72:12-14
Core Value: Grace
How needy are you today? We live in a culture where being in need is
seen as a weakness. It takes courage to admit need. It takes a measure
of humility to come to the place where it feels safe to be real enough
to accept help. Spiritual pride says, “no thanks. I’ve got it.”
Spiritual humility says, “thanks for offering. I’ll take it.”
What do you need to do with your needs? Give them, all of them, to Jesus.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from
his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
Principle #39 & Personal Application: Quality disciples need rescuing by the only One who can save.
Note: This is a Messianic prophecy that points to Jesus Christ, the Righteous King.
Application:
The quality disciple needs rescuing by the only One who can save.
• There is no one like Jesus: Only Jesus can rescue the needy and afflicted when they cry for help (vs. 12).
• There is no one like Jesus: Only Jesus can offer the kind of
compassion for the poor and needy that will transform their lives (vs.
13).
• There is no one like Jesus: Only Jesus can grant His
peace to those who are in places of oppression and violent conflict (vs.
14).
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I am going through a difficult circumstance, how does the grace of God help me cope?
What can I learn from Jesus’ example on how He relates to the needy, afflicted, and the poor?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, May I have Your heart, Your passion, for those who are in
desperate need of rescue by You. May I have Your ears so I can be in
tune with the cries of those who are hurting. May I have Your hands so I
can touch the needy with Your love. And may I have Your feet that will
lead me down the path of service done in Your name.
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/
Looking for an easy way to boost your devotional life? Add Psalms of
Discipleship: A One Year Journey With the Shepherd to your library. Now
in ebook format.
http://www.dennybates.com/#!A%20One%20Year%20Journey%20With%20The%20Shepherd/c6pu
