Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #7 (Worship). February 24, 2013

Hello my dear friends. Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the value of worship as we grow in our love for Jesus. A life that is bound to a meaningless ritual will leave us empty, but a life that is bound to a meaningful relationship with Jesus will fill us with His presence. The question before us today is direct and to the point: do I endure Him or do I enjoy Him?

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #7

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

Key Scripture: 1 How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2

Core Value: Worship

Biblical worship of Jesus is never a passive exercise. It is energetic; it is on purpose; it is passionate. There are at least two kinds of Christians. There are some who “endure” God. They show up when they have too, pray when they need too, and give when they can afford too. For them, their faith is nothing more than a religious duty, void of any intimate relationship with their Creator.

On the other hand, there is the Christian who “enjoys” God. When they show up, they fully expect God to be there too. They rightfully anticipate the blessing of His presence to pour over their heart. These kinds of Christians see prayer as an interactive dialogue. They take Him at His word when He says to come boldly into His presence and cast all of their burdens upon Him because they know that He cares for them. Disciples of Jesus live to give knowing that they have been given the privilege of being a steward of His Kingdom resources.

Enduring or Enjoying: which one best describes your experience?

Principle #7 & Personal Application: Quality disciples have a passionate love for the Lord Jesus.

• They will long to be in His presence

• They will sing for joy

• They will experience the living God

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is my love for the Lord based upon what He can do for me or is it based upon a love relationship?

What would it look like in my life if my soul made it a habit to be passionate about my love for the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may my heart always be filled with a passionate love for You. May my soul ever long and yearn for Your courts. By faith, my heart and my flesh will sing for joy to the living God.

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

Cast Sheep? It Can Happen To Anyone Of Us. Psalms of Discipleship Bonus. February 18, 2013

This is a note written by my friend, Byron Matthews (Makayla’s Dad). Many of us have been lifting up this precious little girl for a few weeks now. May the Lord continue to touch and heal her body. If you want to follow her journey, check out this link:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/makaylamatthews

"From a shepherd’s view, I learned that real sheep have an odd condition. They find themselves many times when they cannot get up. They call it a “cast sheep”. For some reason, a sheep when they lay down can get their center of gravity too far over and roll over on their backs, leaving them unable to actually get back on their feet. This horrifying position can actually kill them if they are not helped back. Even when they are healthy, they can lie down in lush grasses and find a hole that rolls them too far over. How terrifying it is when one moment you are completely satisfied, and the next you are on your back and have no way to regain control. You are helpless. You can’t help yourself."

Byron is correct. Sometimes, life just happens. We can’t help ourselves. We need a Shepherd, a Good One. His name is Jesus. We need to place our confidence and trust in Him.

Here is a reminder of what He has promised to do and a reminder of what we must do.

This is what the Lord will do: He has promised to care for us:

23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Psalm 37:23-25 (NLT)

This is what we must do: We need to place our confidence in God:

12 Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (MSG)

Learning to trust with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #6 (Prayer) February 15, 2013

Hello dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a reminder that no matter how we feel on given day, God's Word is true, and God's character is unchanging, and God' love and care for us is perfect.

Learning with you, by the grace of God,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #6

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

Key Scripture: O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. Psalm 83:1

*Background note: From the Psalmist's view, it appears that God is either unaware or unconcerned that His enemies are threatening His people. Out of desperation, He cries out to God, "Please get involved . . . now."

Core Value: Prayer

Do I really matter? Do I have value? Does anyone care . . . even God? These types of questions are familiar to many disciples who follow Jesus. Sure, we know the “right” answers to our questions but sometimes it “feels” like we don’t matter, we don’t have value (especially when we compare ourselves to others), and sometimes we “believe” that no one really cares about us, including God.

So, what is a disciple of Jesus to do with all of these matters of the heart? We can believe the lie or we can respond just like the Psalmist did: He got real with God. He wasn’t going to be passive any longer and become the victim without a spiritual fight. He was going to engage his God with a brand new intensity. Do not remain quiet. Do not be silent, and do not be still. Or in other words, “Please get involved . . . now.”

Principle #6 & Personal Application: Quality disciples cry out to the Lord in the face of intimidating enemies.

• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the desire to intervene on our behalf

• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the power to help deliver us from our enemies

• When we are faced with adversity we look to a God who has the whole world in His hands

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I feel unsafe what assurances can I find from my Bible that will grant me peace of mind?

How do I know, really know, that God will protect me from the enemies of my soul?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always trust You, even when I cannot sense Your presence, even when it seems I feel surrounded and outnumbered by my foes.

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 #5 (Community) February 10, 2013

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/

If you are in the Florence area, you are invited to attend a one day seminar, "How to Study the Bible and Apply it to Your Life" Click on this link for more information:

http://how2studythebible.eventbrite.com/#

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #4 (Worship). February 4, 2013

Hello my dear friends! In today's Psalms of Discipleship we will learn about the dangers of exchanging our love and devotion for God to other people and other things. No disciple of Jesus ever makes it a personal goal to live a life dedicated to idolatry. But it can, and it does happen. May it not happen to us.

Learning to focus my worship, all of it, upon Jesus,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #4

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

Key Scripture: 8 "Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me! 9 "Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 "I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 11 "But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me. 12 "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices. Psalm 81:8-12

Core Value: Worship

There is nothing that is more heart breaking to Jesus than when His children share their affections with someone or something else. True, we do live in a culture where we are exposed to many “good” things that appeal to our natural passions. And yes, it is true that we still struggle with the inner man that wants its way. But it is also true that we are forced to make daily choices of allegiance to Jesus. We have to choose to make Him Lord of all. When we do not keep our worship focused upon Jesus, we open up the very real possibility of drifting away into false worship. We become idolaters. Yes, even disciples of Jesus can embrace “strange and foreign gods.”

Is there a solution for this awful outcome? Yes, there is a solution. It is our love for God and His perfect love for us that will motivate us to obey Him.

Principle #4 & Personal Application: Quality disciples seek not to only obey God but to love Him too.

• A true worship of God will lead to a heart that will listen to the Lord

• A true worship of God will protect us from the snare of a false worship

• A true worship of God will protect us from the stubbornness of our own heart

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What are some of the things (or people) that are potential (or even real) idols that tempt me?

What are some practical ways that I can protect my heart from worshipping other gods?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may my heart always be soft and willing to submit to Your Lordship. May I not succumb to the idols that pull at my heart. May I always be not only willing to listen to Your voice, but to obey You completely.

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/

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #3 (Worship). January 26, 2013

Hello my dear friends! In today's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to be reminded of one of the most obvious truths of Christianity: Jesus is to be worshiped. We will discover that the worship of Jesus does not happen by accident, but by choice.

May my life be remembered as "a verb."

Dr. Denny Bates

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #3

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

Key Scripture:

1 Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it for a testimony in Joseph When he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not know: Psalm 81:1-5

Core Value: Worship

Worship of Jesus is a verb, a intentional act. As disciples of Jesus, we are created to be “worshipers.” And as disciples of Jesus who are worshipers of Him, we are to do what we were made to do: to worship and glorify the Lord. Far too many professing Christians are simply spectators when it comes living a life of worship. There is no value to watching someone else engage in heart-filled worship if the spectator does not join in too. The exhortations from the Psalmist are to the point: “Sing (verb) for joy to God . . . Shout (verb) joyfully to the God of Jacob . . . Raise (verb) a song, strike (verb) the tambourine.” Is it time to check your spiritual grammar?

Principle #3 & Personal Application: Quality disciples express a heart-felt worship that finds its roots in the Words and Works of God.

• We are to worship God with joy

• We are to worship God for what He has said

• We are to worship God for what He has done

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is it my habit to worship God out of a routine ritual that has little, to no meaning or can my worship be described as an exuberant act of joy?

What has the Lord spoken to my heart that has caused me to worship Him?

What has the Lord done for me that has caused me to worship Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith I will sing for joy to You with all of my strength. May I always remember all of the great truths from Your Word that bless my heart. May I always remember to worship You for all that You have said to me and done for me.

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/

Dr. Denny Bates | Leading with Quality in Mind

www.dennybates.com

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Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #2 (Prayer). January 19, 2013

Hello my dear friends, grace to you.

In this edition of Psalms of Discipleship we are going to look at an "obvious" solution to our greatest need. But sometimes, even with the most committed disciple of Jesus, we can put more faith in our ability to "fix" our problems than to place our entire trust in Jesus to fix us.

Learning as I go,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #2

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

Key Scripture: O God, restore us And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved. (See also vs. 7 and 19) Psalm 80:3

Core Value: Prayer

Have you ever come to the end of yourself? It seems that everything you have attempted to do in order to “fix” your problem has crashed and burned. Out of the ashes of another failed attempt to fix the unfixable, do you often return to the very same way of doing things that will give you the very same outcome again?

Here is the illusion: sometimes we believe we are the answer to our removing our trials (and maybe, sometimes this is absolutely true). But there are some personal challenges that require us to look beyond ourselves. Some people look to man’s wisdom. Others look to false gods. The disciple of Jesus looks to the God of grace, the One who restores us, the One who shines His face upon us, the One who saves us.

Principle #2 & Personal Application: Quality disciples learn to keep short accounts with God through humility and brokenness.

• The person who keeps short accounts with God looks to the Lord for restoration and the forgiveness of sin

• The person who keeps short accounts with God is graced with the warmth and kindness of His love

• The person who keeps short accounts with God experiences the beauty of God’s salvation everyday

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does a prayer of repentance help me see God’s love for me more clearly?

What does it mean to have God’s face shine upon me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always keep short accounts with You. Without Your restoration, I am doomed to spiritual ruin. May Your face always shine upon me. May Your great salvation never be taken for granted by me.

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/

Helping lovers of Jesus make disciples for Him is the heart of my ministry. If you would like more information on how you can partner with DiscipleMakers4Jesus and Something New Ministries, click on this link.

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