Psalms of Discipleship Principle #35 (Evangelism) December 29, 2013

Hello dear friends,

Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a good reminder on how important it is for us to keep our focus upon the Lord's character. When we do so, it changes us. When we are changed by Him, we are a much more effective witness for Him.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #35

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

Key Scripture: 1 O Sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3

Core Value: Evangelism

From my perspective there is a lot of talking going on: talking about politics, talking about the economy, talking about the latest cultural fads, and a whole lot of talking about religion. But in the midst of all of this talking, is anyone connecting? There never has been a greater opportunity to connect the message of the Gospel (the Good News) to a world in desperate need of a clear path to supernatural peace.

We can debate the issues of right and wrong, good and bad, and left and right. We can even “win” the argument but lose the soul. The greatest impact for life change within the person who has yet to personally experience the love and forgiveness of God is made when we direct their focus upon the character of God. Our witness has to begin within our own heart first. We can experience the kind of life where we know that God is great, victorious, saving, righteous, and good. And by our experience, we can tell others too.

Principle #35 & Personal Application: Quality disciples speak and sing of the Lord’s mighty power and of His infinite goodness.

• Our God is a great God: He has done wonderful things

• Our God is a victorious God: His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him

• Our God is a saving God: The Lord has made known His salvation to the ends of the earth

• Our God is a righteous God: He has declared and revealed His perfect character to the nations

• Our God is a good God: He has remembered His lovingkindness (mercy) and faithfulness to us.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways does this passage of Scripture help me articulate my witness to the lost?

As I reflect upon the great truths of these verses, which one resonates the most within my heart? Why?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are a great God who has done wonderful things for me. You are a victorious God, helping me live a victorious life. You are a saving God. Thank You for saving me. You are a righteous God. I rest in Your righteousness as I approach the Father’s Throne. You are a good God, always showing me infinite mercy and faithfulness.

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://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

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Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #24 (Worship) July 7, 2013

Hello my dear friends, today's Psalms of Discipleship is a Psalm of Worship. I have learned (well, it is more accurate to say, I am learning) how to make the connection of my great needs to my view of a much greater God.

Learning, still learning, to worship Him,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #24

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

Key Scripture: 1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods lift up their pounding waves. 4 More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:1-5

Core Value: Worship

“Is God bigger than my dreams?” “Will I ever figure out my place in this world?”

These are the kinds of questions I often default to when life is not going the way I have intended. My plans have gone from Plan A to Plan B to a downward spiral of Plan Z and beyond. It is when nothing is going my way that I need to step back and then lean forward and embrace the character of God. He is in control. He reigns. He is Lord . . . and I am not.

Feeling stuck in your career? Feeling out of control in your personal life? Become paralyzed in your spiritual life? Like the Psalmist, take a closer look to the Lord who reigns. Gaze into His Word and worship Him now. A focused worship of God will produce a clearer path to walk, a path where His Spirit leads us to go.

Principle #24 & Personal Application: Quality disciples lift up the name of the Lord and praise Him for His great and awesome power.

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord has clothed Himself with strength

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord’s throne of rule is firmly established

• When we worship God we acknowledge that even the waters of the sea testify of His majesty

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord is a holy and awesome God

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is there anything “trite” in my approach to God when I typically pray? In other words, do I treat Him like some cosmic bellhop whose sole purpose is to run and fetch for me when I pray OR do I approach His throne with a reverent fear and respect?

What benefit is there to me when I begin to pray God’s Word back to Him? (Using this psalm as an example)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no one like You. You reign and are clothed in majesty. You had no beginning and You have no end. You are from everlasting. I join in with Your creation and worship Your holy and great name.

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 #14 (Worship). April 14, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Everyone has problems, sometimes, even GREAT ones. The blessing for the disciple of Jesus is that in spite of our great problems, we have an even GREATER God. In today's Psalms of Discipleship, the Psalmist is filled with a heart of worship as he praises His great God.

He is greatly to be praised!

Learning to worship Him, better,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #14

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

Key Scripture: 8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Psalm 86:8-10

Core Value: Worship

Allow me to pose this personal question to you: are your problems greater than your God? Before you respond with the “right” answer, give full pause before answering the question honestly. There are some believers who focus more upon the greatness of their problem instead of setting their heart upon the impeccable character and the incredible ways of our Great God.

Here is what I have come to realize: no matter how great is my problem; He can be greatly trusted to help me through it. The key to experiencing the greatness of God while undergoing a great problem is to worship Him greatly. A great God is worthy of great worship!

Principle #14 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are diverse members of a worldwide body of believers who worship Jesus and glorify His Name.

• Who is like the Lord? No one

• Who has works like His? No one

• Who will come and worship and glorify Him? Everyone

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What can I do today that will help me set my heart upon the Lord and worship Him?

What kinds of “great and wondrous deeds” has the Lord done in my life recently?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no one like You among the gods. O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. One day from every nation, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. What a glorious time that will be where You will receive the worship due to Your great Name and to Your wondrous deeds. You and You alone are God.

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