Hello
my dear friends, today's Psalms of Discipleship is a sobering reminder
of the responsibility the Lord gives to the disciple to be salt and
light in our society. We have not been given the option to ignore the
needs around us and pass them on to the government to take care of the needs.
Instead, the first line of care belongs to the church.
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #5
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges
in the midst of the rulers. 2 How long will you judge unjustly And show
partiality to the wicked? Selah. 3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and needy;
Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:1-4
Core Value: Community
We live in a day and time where the powerful are protected and the
vulnerable people in our community (the homeless, the working poor, the
single mother, the unplanned baby who is aborted, etc.) are overlooked
at best, at worse, they are targeted as a “problem” and treated with
disdain. It is important to note from this passage of Scripture that God
is not talking to non-believers. He is addressing His pointed concern
to His own congregation, to His own people.
Yes, it is
important that we have people in our governments who are advocates for
the vulnerable, but the greatest responsibility for the care of people
does not rest entirely upon the government, but upon the people of God.
Jesus was pretty clear on what He expected His disciples to do:
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I
have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one
another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John
13:34-35 (NLT)
Principle #5 & Personal Application: Quality disciples seek to protect and serve even the most vulnerable in society.
• The believer will not show favor to the affluent and influential at the expense of the downtrodden
• The believer will be an advocate to the weak and fatherless, to the afflicted and destitute
• The believer will be a rescuer to the weak and needy, delivering them out of the hand of the wicked
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Is it more common for me to show favoritism to those whom society deems
as “acceptable” or am I more willing to align myself with the
disadvantaged? Why?
What is God leading me to do in order to speak on behalf of the powerless?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in my weakness, in my great need, You came to me. How then
can I not reach out to others who are weak and needy? Grant me the
grace and the courage to do the right thing, all of the time.
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.
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
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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
