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/

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