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

Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17)