Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #12 (Evangelism). March 31, 2013

Hello dear friends! I write this edition of Psalms of Discipleship to you on Easter morning. As disciples of Jesus we know that the resurrection of our Lord gives meaning to EVERYTHING we believe and practice. The resurrection is a stark reminder that our lives do not belong to us but to Him. Because He lives, we do also. And because He lives in us, we need to be about the business of reaching out to those who have yet to embrace the Good News that Jesus loves them too.

He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #12

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

Key Scripture: 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:9-10

Core Value: Evangelism

For the disciple of Jesus, salvation occurs every day. No, I am not referring to having a daily “born again” experience. Once we receive God’s gift of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins, His Spirit seals us for the day of redemption. We are saved, forever. What I am suggesting is that there is also a salvation that is a daily sanctification where Jesus saves us from ourselves every day. Scripture refers to this as “working out our salvation.”

Here is where many people outside of the family of God miss it: this kind of work is to occur after the beginning of eternal life takes place, not before. There are some who think they can work themselves into a state of salvation by being good enough, being right enough, being disciplined enough, or being worthy enough to make it to heaven. It is called the way of works and this way will never allow a person to have a saving relationship with the One who is called the Way, the Truth, and the Life. On the other hand, as a result of responding to His grace and experiencing what the Bible describes as saving faith, there are others who embrace the teachings of Jesus and begin to work out their salvation—day by day.

Here is the take-a-way. Saved people, those who have experienced new life in Jesus and who are growing in their relationship with Him, seek to reach out to those who are still trying to work themselves to heaven.

Principle #12 & Personal Application: Quality disciples know how to share the precious message of the Gospel with those who are in need of His salvation.

• The good news is that His salvation is near to those who fear (greatly respect) Him. So, whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.

• The good news is that His lovingkindness and truth have met together. So, we have a salvation not based upon a myth and legalism but a salvation based upon love and truth.

• The good news is that righteousness and peace have kissed each other. So, we who are saved have been given right standing before a Holy and Righteous God finding a peace that only comes from knowing Jesus.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Who in my inner circle of family and friends need to hear the Gospel from my lips?

Why is the peace of Christ so intimately related to my salvation?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, because of Your love and grace to me I have experienced Your salvation. Continue to hold me near to You. I praise You for Your lovingkindness and truth: they have met together. I thank You that You have allowed righteousness and peace to have kissed each other, granting me right standing and peace with You.

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 #11 (Grace) March 23, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Got thirst? We all do. The important point of today's Psalms of Discipleship is how we seek to quench our thirst.

Thirsty for Him,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #11

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

Key Scripture: 6 Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7

Core Value: Grace

Where I live when a person is parched and their mouth is dry we call it being “cotton mouthed.” It is a sensation of intense and very uncomfortable dryness in the mouth. Even the simplest of tasks like swallowing is an effort. When a person is cotton mouthed a small taste of water goes a long way in the quenching of one’s thirst.

Jesus is the antidote to the cottonmouth that occurs within the soul. Living in this world may cause us to be parched in the soul. Many attempt to satisfy this unpleasant sensation by drinking in the things that bring only temporal satisfaction. A soul that is parched and dying of thirst needs to turn to the only One who can help: Jesus Christ, the Water of Life.

13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:13-14 (NASB77)

Principle #11 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience the kind of revival in the soul that erupts with great rejoicing.

• It is the Lord who is the Source for revival

• It is the Lord who is the Source of lovingkindness

• It is the Lord who is the Source of His salvation

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What areas of my spiritual life do I need the Lord to touch and revive?

In what ways have I experienced the Lord’s lovingkindness (mercy) in my life this past week?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, please revive me again in the depths of my soul that need Your touch. Because of grace I can rejoice in You. May your mercy pour over my life as I experience Your salvation day by day.

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 #10 (Grace). March 17, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship addresses the theme of what happens when the power of God's forgiveness impacts the life of the disciple of Jesus. As the hymn writer says, "Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it; Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb."

Redeemed,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #10

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

Key Scripture: 2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah. 3 You withdrew all Your fury; You turned away from Your burning anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. Psalm 85:2-4

Core Value: Grace

Restoration. What a wonderful word! Restoration is the process of repairing or renovating a work of art. Over time, deterioration sets in. What was once a brand new painting, it ages while losing its original luster. The paint fades and the canvas cracks. And over the course of time it is overlooked for fresher works of art. In the opinion of many, it has become damaged goods and no longer pleasant to the eye. It ceases to be useful, or so it would seem.

Restoration is not only a wonderful word, it is a marvelous action of a loving and kind God who delights in restoring what is broken and damaged by sin. Listen to the Everlasting Words of the One who Restores:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

14 and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (MSG)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (ESV)

6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: 7 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.” Romans 4:6-8 (NLT)

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (NLT)

Principle #10 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are free to receive God’s unconditional love expressed in a radical forgiveness.

• We are free to receive God’s unconditional love because Jesus forgives us and covers our sin

• We are free to receive God’s unconditional love because He has turned His anger away from us

• We are free to receive God’s unconditional love because He has restored us

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways can I express my gratitude to God for His unconditional love for me?

Grace is something that can never be earned or repaid. But because of grace I can be thankful. For what can I be thankful?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Your blood has not only covered my sin but has cleansed me too. Thank You for taking the penalty of sin and death upon Yourself and for withdrawing Your fury and burning anger from me. Thank You for restoring me with Your great salvation.

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 #9 (Grace) March 9, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's key word is "neighborhood" and the key lesson is not about where you live but with whom you live it.

Resting in the grace of Immanuel, God with us,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #9

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

Key Scripture: Psalm 84:10-12 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Core Value: Grace

We live in a culture where we often judge others by where they live. The language of “They are from the other side of the tracks,” clearly sends the message of being less than. Many of us have bought into the American Dream that claims more is better and bigger is best. Unfortunately, there are many people who live in the most exclusive of neighborhoods who are excessively sad, disillusioned, and empty. The key to life, to the abundant life, is not where you live but with whom you are living it.

The Psalmist was right on when he realized he was much better off being close to the Lord than to be in the middle of what the world calls success. Don’t you want to be His neighbor?

Principle #9 & Personal Application: Quality disciples place a high value on living a Christ-centered life.

• It is the grace of God that ignites the desire to be in the presence of the Lord

• It is grace of God that provides the warmth of His fellowship and the protection of his shield

• It is the grace of God that gives blessing to the person who trusts in Him

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What are some of my biggest distractions that seek to draw me away from wanting to spend quality time in God's presence?

What one thing can I think of that I need to yield my way and give my trust to the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is true: a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. Thank You for the promise that You are a sun and shield to me. You do give grace and glory and You withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of host, how blessed I am because I trust in You.

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 #8 (Grace) March 2, 2013

Hello my dear friends! There are many days I come to the end of my strength. Some call this experience "running on fumes." Jackson Browne wrote about it when he said,

Running on-running on empty
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind

Here is what I am suggesting we need to consider. When we are running on empty, running in our own strength, we need to "run into the Son."

Just sayin,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #8

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

Key Scripture: 5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! 6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7

Core Value: Grace

Life can be hard, challenging, overwhelming, exhausting, and impossible to bear. And sometimes, it can seem to get even worse. During stressful times, the human response is most always to trust in our own strength, our own way of thinking, our own way, our own will. And for a season, it may even appear that we are succeeding in winning the game of life. But no one can sustain this approach for long. After awhile, we will give in, we will give up, and we will be even worse off than where we started. Works will always produce exhausted people. A works-driven mindset will never work for the disciple of Jesus.

On the other hand, the grace-driven mindset discovers a strength that is from the Lord. The believer who lives by grace experiences the blessing of being on God’s path for them. And even during our times in the valley, a place of spiritual dryness and fatigue, grace leads us through the valley into an oasis of His love that quenches our thirst. And here is the best part: when Jesus fills our tank with His grace, we are empowered, “we go from strength to strength,” to live in victory. Escorted, empowered by grace, we find ourselves in the presence of the One who makes our strength, our victory, possible because of the Cross.

Principle #8 & Personal Application: Quality disciples express a deep gratitude for God's sustaining strength.

• The disciple is blessed with God's sustaining strength: How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!

• The disciple finds a spiritual oasis during the driest of times: Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.

• The disciple lives out a habit of living in God's strength: They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways can I make it a habit to trust in the Lord's strength when I want to trust in mine?

For me, what does it look like in my life when I go from strength to strength?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am blessed because my strength is in You. When I experience spiritual dryness, may I be satisfied in the waters of Your blessing. And may I live my life, going from strength to strength.

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