Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #42 (Worship). July 19, 2014

Hello my dear friends! Are you JOYful or joyLESS today? That is the theme of today's Psalms of Discipleship. One of the ways we can increase our joy is to increase our thankfulness.

This quote from Michael Hyatt frames our discussion:

The truth is that we will never have more of what we truly desire until we become fully thankful for what we have. —Michael Hyatt

A thankful heart always leads to a joyful one.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #42

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

Key Scripture: Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 100:1

Core Value: Worship

Joy, exuberant joy, is a vital commodity for the disciple of Jesus Christ. There are some who simply endure their brand of Christianity. Their faith is nothing more than a mundane religious experience—a lot of activity but offers nothing that ever produces any measure of joy. How sad. How frequent. How come?

Often, it is because they have replaced a relationship with God founded upon love (grace) and embraced a religion based upon performance (works).

Those who “enJoy” the Lord have discovered the power behind their ability to experience joy, no matter how challenging the present circumstance may be. They experience His joy and receive His strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Here is the takeaway: God never requires us to do something without first giving us all of the resources we need to obey Him. In this case, we are able to shout joyfully to the Lord because He has filled our heart with joy. He gives it. We give it right back to Him.

Principle #42 & Personal Application: Quality disciples shout joyfully to the Lord.

• When we are full of His joy we shout.

• When we are full of His joy we shout joyfully to the Lord.

• When we are full of His joy we shout joyfully to the Lord along with all the earth.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does it make you feel when you experience the joy of the Lord?

In what ways does His joy impact your worship of Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my worship of You is prompted by Your grace that fills my heart. Because of all You have done for me I will shout joyfully to You along with all the earth.

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://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #26 (Worship & Community). July 22, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the great joy that awaits the believer if we seek to worship Him instead of seeking to entertain ourselves. May we be a true worshiper today.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #26

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

Key Scripture: 1 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, Psalm 95:1-3

Core Value: Worship and Community

There is a stark contrast between corporate worship and corporate entertainment. In corporate entertainment, the focus is upon the ones who are entertaining and the ones who are being entertained. As a result, men applaud men and steal from God’s glory. This kind of corporate entertainment happens every Sunday and it is passed off as “corporate worship.”

On the other hand, authentic corporate worship sets the focus upon the Lord and upon Him alone. Corporate worship that is set upon Christ projects all glory and praise unto Him. Like a sweet aroma, worship offered in His name ascends and magnifies His glory. Christ-centered corporate worship fills the hearts of true worshipers with great joy. Far too many of us settle for the goose bumps of corporate entertainment instead of embracing the kind of joy that explodes within our heart when we worship Him together.

Principle #26 & Personal Application: Quality disciples sing for joy to the Lord because the Lord is a great God and a great King.

• A thankful heart is a singing heart that offers worship to the Lord

• A worshipful heart is a shouting heart that is expresses joy to the rock of our salvation

• A humble heart is an adoring heart that comes into His presence with thanksgiving

• A Word-centered heart is a marinated heart that is filled with the truths of Scripture

• A transformed heart is a focused heart that gives Jesus His rightful place as a great God and a great King

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I begin to sing out to the Lord in worship, what kinds of emotions tend to fill my heart?

Based upon this Psalm, what is my responsibility in worship of Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always seek to worship You in a way that pleases You. By faith, I sing for joy to You. I shout joyfully to the rock of my salvation. By grace, I come into Your presence with thanksgiving. May You fill my heart with Your Word so I may offer Your Word back to You as a offering of worship to You. I make this commitment to You: May I live my life in a way that best glorifies You as a great God and great King.

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

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #23 (Worship) June 27, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Have you ever wondered why it is good to give thanks to the Lord? Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives us a peek into the heart of the Psalmist and what he discovered to be true: thanksgiving leads to an even deeper worship experience with the Lord.

Learning to do what is good,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #23

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

Key Scripture: 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, 3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music upon the lyre. 4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. 5 How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:1-5

Core Value: Worship

“It is good” is one of God’s most favorite expressions. When He created the heavens and the earth, He remarked “it is good.” When he made the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and every animal, he said, “it is good.” And after Had finished creating His prize possession, a man and a women, He looked at all of His creation and declared it to be “very good.”

The Bible teaches us that God is good. The Word of God also encourages us to respond to His goodness by doing good things. For example, it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to His name. The Psalmist did a good thing when he began to give thanks and worship the Lord. Why is it a good thing to do? Because when we do He receives the glory and we receive the good, an even deeper intimacy with Him.

Principle #23 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are assertive in their thanksgiving to the Lord all day long for the things He has done.

• We give thanks to the Lord because it is a good thing to do

• We sing praises to the Name that is above any other

• We declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness by night

• We are made glad by the marvelous things He has done, is doing, and will do for us

• We are in awe of His great works and His unfathomable thoughts

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kinds of spiritual disciplines do I practice (for example: worship, prayer, Bible reading, serving, fasting, meditation, solitude, etc.) that help me focus upon the Lord and His greatness?

Do I ever pray aloud? How does/how would praying aloud help me focus upon the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is good to give thanks to You and to sing Your praises to Your name. May I make it a regular habit to declare Your lovingkindness (mercy) in the morning and then declare Your faithfulness to me after a long day. By Your love and grace You have made me glad by what You have done for me and for all who place their trust in You.

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

What do Abraham, Moses, David, Jonathan, Paul, Timothy, Peter and Jesus have in common? FRIENDSHIP. Looking for a practical Bible study on Friendship this summer? Try this one: 8 Great Stories of Biblical Friendship based upon Building A Christian Community of Friends. Only $5.99 in ebook format from Something New Christian Publishers #TheQualityDisciple

Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!Building%20a%20Christian%20Community/c17ce

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #44 (Worship) December 9, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Grace to you and peace to you. I hope in this season of Advent you are being refreshed by His presence. Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder of how simple, yet profound, our worship of Jesus can be offered. He makes three great statements: "We give thanks / Your name is near / Men declare your wondrous works"

In this Christmas season, its a good reminder to give thanks, to know that His Name is near and that we have a story (the greatest story) to tell of all He has done in our lives.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #44

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

Key Scripture: We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; Men declare Your wondrous works. Psalm 75:1

Core Value: Worship

There is something special in the heart of disciples of Jesus that takes place when worship of our great God is done in community, among a body of believers. Yes, there is a time and place for a personal, one to one, worship experience between the disciple and his or her Lord. But there is also a place for corporate worship.

This worship chorus by Otis Skillings reminds us of the beauty of living in the presence of Jesus Christ with others.

We are one in the bond of love
We are one in the bond of love
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God
We are one in the bond of love

When Me becomes We, HE is glorified and We are blessed.

Principle #44 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience an intimate worship because of God’s glorious name.

Note how this verse is translated in the NLT and the Message:

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. (NLT)

We thank you, God, we thank you— your Name is our favorite word; your mighty works are all we talk about. (MSG)

Because of God’s name (His character, attributes, fame, reputation):

• We give thanks to Him: Because He is near

• We experience the nearness of His name: His Name is our favorite word

• We declare His wondrous works: His mighty works are all we talk about

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When the Lord fills my heart with worship, what examples of His wondrous works come to my mind?

What is it like to experience the nearness of His name?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith I give thanks to You, O God. I give thanks for Your name is near. May I always be faithful to share of Your mighty works to everyone one in my circle of influence.

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/

Psalms of Discipleship is a ministry of Something New and is set up for tax-deductible contributions at this time. If you would like to make a financial investment in my discipleship ministry and the Lord leads you to do so, you can direct your gift to Something New Ministries. Not only will you receive a tax credit for your generous gift, you will be investing in something that has deep meaning for you—changed lives. Your financial gift will be deeply appreciated at this time. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!give/c1ya0