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/