Our goal is simple: to follow the instructions of Jesus Christ and go and make disciples. Remember, a quality disciple makes up a quality life. The Discipled Life: We need to study it, practice it, and teach it. "For Ezra had set his heart TO STUDY the Law of the Lord, and TO DO IT and TO TEACH his statutes and rules in Israel." Ezra 7:10
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #23 (Prayer) June 23, 2012
Hello
my dear friends! It's great to connect with you again. This week's
Psalms of Discipleship points us to one of the great truths of the
Bible: Prayer is the tool provided for us to connect with the only One
who can help us.
Praying for you. Thanks for praying for me.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #23
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my
life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of
evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity, 3 Who have
sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their
arrow, Psalm 64:1-3
Core Value: Prayer
Most everyone I
know has a cell phone. You see people walking, talking, listening,
texting, and viewing their screens almost all the time. Cell phone users
are a unique tribe of people: blue tooth, long in the tooth, the cell
phone phenomenon has changed our culture when it comes to communication.
It seems we are always communicating . . . until the coverage drops or
the battery dies and the communication comes to an abrupt end.
Fortunately for the disciple of Jesus, we are on an unlimited data
plan that has been fully funded by His sacrifice on the cross. We have
been given access to the Father through the Son so that we may
communicate to Him the concerns of our heart. When the enemies of our
soul surround us, He is only a call away. As an old song stated,
“Information. Give me Jesus on the line.” #911
Principle #23
& Personal Application: Quality disciples place their trust in the
Lord when words of slander are used against them.
Note that
David did not ask the Lord to change His circumstances but asked for
God’s help in the midst of them. What did David do? He prayed. He asked
the Lord to . . .
• Hear his voice
• Preserve his life
• Hide him from his vicious enemies
When our enemy attacks, he usually does so with vengeance: Be of sober
spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB95)
When our enemy attacks, we must be aware of his schemes: so that no
advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his
schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NASB95)
When our enemy attacks,
he will accuse us and want us to forget our place, our position in
Christ: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation,
and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His
Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down,
he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10
(NASB95)
When our enemy attacks, sometimes he will use the
words of others to bring harm to us: "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It
speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But
inwardly he sets an ambush for him. Jeremiah 9:8 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I feel I am under spiritual attack, what does this Psalm teach me to do?
I know what it feels like when hurtful words are used against me. What can I do to control my tongue from hurting others?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am under attack, keep me ever mindful of my need to
place my fears and concerns upon You. Keep me alert to pray. Keep me
close to You. Keep me safe. Keep me.
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 /
Postscript:
I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have
only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a
leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place
for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me
ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY
organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who
desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.
In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at
http:// www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/ dennybates
Labels:
communication,
enemies,
intercession,
prayer,
protection
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Psalms of Discipleship, Principle #22 (Grace) June 9, 2012
Hello
my dear friends! Have you ever felt like you were grasping onto the
last straw and when it breaks (and it most likely will) you will fall
into an abyss of hopelessness and despair? If that resonates with you,
you are not alone. Many believers today are facing challenging
circumstances with frayed relationships, uncertain financial times, and
an unending assault upon the truth. What is a disciple of Jesus to do?
We can look to the example of the Psalmist and refocus our mind upon the
Good Shepherd of the Psalms.
Clinging to Him,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in
the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of
Your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand
upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8
Core Value: Grace
One of the
greatest challenges that face the disciple of Jesus is the battle that
lies in the mind. It is in the mind where spiritual battles are either
won or lost. There is always the constant tension to believe the truth
and live it out or to embrace the lie and be bound up in it.
The best way, the only way, to win the battle for the mind is to focus
it upon the Lord. This does not come easily. It takes a strong will. It
requires a choice. But when we do make the choice to focus our thoughts
upon the Lord, the truth of His promise becomes crystal clear: We see
that He is our help. We will have a song of joy. And we will cling to
Him as He holds us up.
Principle #22 & Personal
Application: Quality disciples experience the mysterious tension of
doing their part as God does His.
• Disciples of Jesus are to
keep their focus upon the Lord: “When I remember You on my bed, I
meditate on You in the night watches”
• Disciples of Jesus are to remember the faithfulness of God: “For You have been my help”
• Disciples of Jesus are to experience His presence and respond with joy: “And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy”
• Disciples of Jesus do their part and Jesus does His: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of spiritual disciplines (habits) I can practice that will cultivate a more focused meditation upon the Lord?
What circumstance am I facing today where I sense my soul is clinging
to the Lord? How does this Scripture describe God’s part in helping me
cope with my circumstance?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may You
always remind me of Your faithfulness to me. Help me remember those
sweet times of when I experienced Your touch. May I always remember that
You have been my help, even during the dark times. May I always be
comforted by Your presence as I sing for joy to You. And may I remember
to do my part (cling to You, by grace) as I behold Your keeping power of
Your right hand.
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 /
Postscript:
I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have
only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a
leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place
for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me
ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY
organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who
desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.
In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at
http:// www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/ dennybates
Labels:
cling to the Lord,
focus,
grace,
joy,
meditation,
remember,
spiritual battle,
spiritual victory
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #21 (Worship) June 3, 2012
Hello
my dear friends! Grace to you this day. Are you "thirsty" and where do
you go to quench that thirst? The Psalmist allows us to listen in on his
conversation with the only One who has the power to quench his thirst.
Listen carefully as we discover the "how."
Refreshed by Living Water,
Denny
P.S. At the end of this week's devotional, is a prayer update. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #21
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My
soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land
where there is no water. 2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see
Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than
life, My lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:1-4
Core Value: Worship
Eleven times in these four verses the word “You” or “Your” is
mentioned. It is pretty apparent that the Psalmist has His focus upon
the Lord. This is an ultimate, unchanging principle of worship in the
most simplest of terms: what I choose to focus my mind upon is what I am
going to worship.
Conversely, eight times the Psalmist refers
to himself with the words, “my” or “I.” Now, be sure to catch this: Each
time he refers to himself, it is always in the context of submission to
God. This is the beauty of worship. The Lord did not create us as
mindless robots with no will. God took the risk and gave us “free will”
to love and worship Him freely.
And this is what God’s love
does to us: His love has overcome our hearts with spiritual thirst. And
we, with gratitude, freely worship Him.
Principle #21 & Personal Application: Quality disciples cultivate a spiritual thirst that only the Lord can satisfy.
A heart that is thirsty for the Lord will experience several things:
• A thirsty heart will seek God earnestly.
• A thirsty heart will have a soul that yearns for the Lord.
• A thirsty heart will be aware of God’s power and glory.
• A thirsty heart will be satisfied because of God’s lovingkindness and mercy.
• A thirsty heart will worship and praise God with one’s lips and with one’s hands.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I am spiritually thirsty, where do I go to quench my thirst?
What practical things can I do that will enhance my thirst for the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my God! By Your grace, I desire to seek You
earnestly. May my soul always thirst for You and for You alone. May I
experience Your power and glory. May I be the recipient of your mercy.
May I always offer you praise and worship with my lips and with my
hands.
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 /
One Week Later on the Journey:
I want to thank all of my Psalms of Discipleship friends for your kind
words and heart-felt encouragement. I have been overwhelmed by many
friends like you with inspirational notes, phone calls, text messages,
and occasional hugs this past week. The best way I can compare the
experience of this week is living long enough to hear all of the
testimonials of my funeral before I die. Your love and encouragement
have taken away the sting of last week’s announcement. I really am doing
okay and at peace, knowing that my Father will not only give me
direction but also provide for my every need.
I am genuinely
excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed
about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching
and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business
is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY
contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your
own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in
leadership? I’d love to meet them.
In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at
http:// www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/ dennybates
The Lord has a good plan in all of this. He is amazing in how He takes
the hard things and brings good things to His kids (Romans 8:28). As you
pray for me, I am also praying for you. May He grant each one of us a
renewed sense of our love for Him and love for each other.
Leading with Quality in mind,
Denny Bates
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