Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #30 (Worship). August 31, 2013

Hello my dear friends!

In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to learn how to give thanks and why it is good for us to give thanks to the Lord. Its another great reminder of all He has done for us.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #30

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

Key Scripture: 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Psalm 96:7-8

Core Value: Worship

Throughout the Psalms the disciple of Jesus is exhorted to give thanks (Ps. 44:8; 57:9; 75:1; 100:4, etc.). Have you ever considered why? It is good to give thanks to the Lord because it reminds us of all He has done for us. It is good to give thanks because it moves our mentality of independence from the Lord to dependence upon the Lord. It is good to give thanks because it fills our hearts with praise and adoration of Him.

Principle #30 & Personal Application: Quality disciples, by faith and through grace, give their lives to the Lord as an act of worship.

• We give our worship to the Lord together

• We give our acknowledgement to the Lord that He is deserving of all glory and strength

• We give to the Lord the glory of His name

• We bring an offering (ourselves) as we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kind of worship environment helps me to focus upon the Lord?

When I consider giving the Lord glory and strength, what am I doing? What are some of the Names of God that have special meaning to me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing me to return to You what belongs to You: my praise and worship of You and Your glorious name. May I always ascribe to You all glory and strength. May I always be a part of a community of worshipers who praise and glorify 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

Do you have a spiritual life plan? Everyone needs one. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!my-spiritual-life-goals/c17n7

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #27 (Worship). August 3, 2013

Hello my dear friends,

Worship of the Lord is one of the greatest activities granted to us by Him. Worship is far more than a bland ritual performed out of a religious duty. Biblical worship is grace-driven and based upon a love relationship with Jesus. The Psalmist offers the invitation to worship. He invites us to come.

Coming with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #27

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

Key Scripture: 6 Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Psalm 95:6-7

Core Value: Worship

Worship is more than singing a song and beating a tambourine. Worship is more than just showing up at a specific location on a specific day at a specific time with specific people going through specific rituals. Worship is simply bowing one’s will to the will of God while at home, at work, or even at church. Worship is a grace-driven activity that enhances the spiritual growth of the Quality Disciple.

Is your experience a ritualistic, works-driving worship or are you responding to His irresistible grace that draws you into His presence? His invitation to you and to me is one of grace: to come and worship Him.

Principle #27 & Personal Application: Quality disciples follow the lead of the Great Shepherd into an intimate worship experience.

• The invitation is to come and worship

• The invitation is to come in humility

• The invitation is to come before the Lord our Maker

• The invitation is to lead to this great confession: He is our God and we belong to Him

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What is my “worship style?” In other words, in what ways do I worship the Lord?

What is my greatest challenge that keeps me from cultivating a habit of worship?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I gratefully accept Your offer to come and worship You. I come with a posture of humility as I bow down my knee and my will to You. I confess that You are my Maker and my God. I look to You as the Shepherd of my soul.

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 #26 (Worship & Community). July 22, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the great joy that awaits the believer if we seek to worship Him instead of seeking to entertain ourselves. May we be a true worshiper today.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #26

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

Key Scripture: 1 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, Psalm 95:1-3

Core Value: Worship and Community

There is a stark contrast between corporate worship and corporate entertainment. In corporate entertainment, the focus is upon the ones who are entertaining and the ones who are being entertained. As a result, men applaud men and steal from God’s glory. This kind of corporate entertainment happens every Sunday and it is passed off as “corporate worship.”

On the other hand, authentic corporate worship sets the focus upon the Lord and upon Him alone. Corporate worship that is set upon Christ projects all glory and praise unto Him. Like a sweet aroma, worship offered in His name ascends and magnifies His glory. Christ-centered corporate worship fills the hearts of true worshipers with great joy. Far too many of us settle for the goose bumps of corporate entertainment instead of embracing the kind of joy that explodes within our heart when we worship Him together.

Principle #26 & Personal Application: Quality disciples sing for joy to the Lord because the Lord is a great God and a great King.

• A thankful heart is a singing heart that offers worship to the Lord

• A worshipful heart is a shouting heart that is expresses joy to the rock of our salvation

• A humble heart is an adoring heart that comes into His presence with thanksgiving

• A Word-centered heart is a marinated heart that is filled with the truths of Scripture

• A transformed heart is a focused heart that gives Jesus His rightful place as a great God and a great King

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I begin to sing out to the Lord in worship, what kinds of emotions tend to fill my heart?

Based upon this Psalm, what is my responsibility in worship of Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always seek to worship You in a way that pleases You. By faith, I sing for joy to You. I shout joyfully to the rock of my salvation. By grace, I come into Your presence with thanksgiving. May You fill my heart with Your Word so I may offer Your Word back to You as a offering of worship to You. I make this commitment to You: May I live my life in a way that best glorifies You as a great God and great King.

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 #44 (Worship) December 9, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Grace to you and peace to you. I hope in this season of Advent you are being refreshed by His presence. Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder of how simple, yet profound, our worship of Jesus can be offered. He makes three great statements: "We give thanks / Your name is near / Men declare your wondrous works"

In this Christmas season, its a good reminder to give thanks, to know that His Name is near and that we have a story (the greatest story) to tell of all He has done in our lives.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #44

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

Key Scripture: We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; Men declare Your wondrous works. Psalm 75:1

Core Value: Worship

There is something special in the heart of disciples of Jesus that takes place when worship of our great God is done in community, among a body of believers. Yes, there is a time and place for a personal, one to one, worship experience between the disciple and his or her Lord. But there is also a place for corporate worship.

This worship chorus by Otis Skillings reminds us of the beauty of living in the presence of Jesus Christ with others.

We are one in the bond of love
We are one in the bond of love
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God
We are one in the bond of love

When Me becomes We, HE is glorified and We are blessed.

Principle #44 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience an intimate worship because of God’s glorious name.

Note how this verse is translated in the NLT and the Message:

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. (NLT)

We thank you, God, we thank you— your Name is our favorite word; your mighty works are all we talk about. (MSG)

Because of God’s name (His character, attributes, fame, reputation):

• We give thanks to Him: Because He is near

• We experience the nearness of His name: His Name is our favorite word

• We declare His wondrous works: His mighty works are all we talk about

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When the Lord fills my heart with worship, what examples of His wondrous works come to my mind?

What is it like to experience the nearness of His name?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith I give thanks to You, O God. I give thanks for Your name is near. May I always be faithful to share of Your mighty works to everyone one in my circle of influence.

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/

Psalms of Discipleship is a ministry of Something New and is set up for tax-deductible contributions at this time. If you would like to make a financial investment in my discipleship ministry and the Lord leads you to do so, you can direct your gift to Something New Ministries. Not only will you receive a tax credit for your generous gift, you will be investing in something that has deep meaning for you—changed lives. Your financial gift will be deeply appreciated at this time. Click on this link for more information:

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Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #14 (Worship). April 14, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Worship of Jesus is to be a very intimate experience. Some of our best worship experiences are not always in a church service with hundreds (or even thousands) of other believers. Instead, we may often experience a deeper worship while taking that walk in the park, when driving alone in our car during a long trip, or even when we are alone with our thoughts in our favorite chair. Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us that our worship must become deeply personal before we attend the next corporate worship service.

Does any of this resonate with you? I'd love to hear your feedback.

Learning to worship the Lord as an audience of One,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #14

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

Key Scripture: But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16

Core Value: Worship

Worship is a very personal experience. Yes, there are times when it is appropriate to worship with other believers. When corporate worship is focused upon Jesus and His glory and is not distracted by those who those who either intentionally or unintentionally draw attention to them, corporate worship can be a good thing, a very good thing to do. However, unless we are able to worship our God in a personal way and learn how to be alone with Him, our corporate offerings of worship can be shallow, lacking any depth of an authentic worship experience.

The Psalmist gives a very practical testimony: “But as for me.” May that be our response also. “But as for me, may I sing of Your strength, of Your lovingkindness, and of Your protection.”

Principle #14 & Personal Application: Quality disciples have a heart that sings of the Lord’s strength, His lovingkindness, and His protection.

In this Psalm, David’s enemies have surrounded him on every side. His foes desired to crush and humiliate him. What can we learn from his experience? Even though our enemies may surround us, like David, we can offer to the Lord a heart of worship:

• We can sing and worship Him for His strength

• We can joyfully sing of His lovingkindness (mercy) in the morning

• We can worship Him for His protection: “For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I feel overwhelmed by the enemies of my soul, what do I need to do?

Is there a heart of worship inside of me? What do I need to do in order to cultivate the kind of trust that will help me get through the difficult challenges of life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for being with me during my times of troubles. My enemies are great, but You are greater! Remind me to offer my worship to You. Help me to sing of Your strength. Help me to sing of Your lovingkindness (Your mercy) in the morning, and help me worship You for Your great protection to 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.

Are you interested in going deeper in your walk with Jesus? Check out my website for a list of resources that will help you become "A Quality Disciple."

www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/