Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #36 (Worship) January 5, 2014

Hello my dear friends! One of the greatest gifts given to the disciple of Jesus is the ability to offer to the Lord our worship to Him. The Psalmist shows us that worship is not an activity void of personal involvement. Worship is a verb.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36

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

Key Scripture: 4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre; With the lyre and the sound of melody. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD. Psalm 98:4-6

Core Value: Worship

We live in a world where we are stimulated by many things such as sporting events, high-energy concerts, and a multitude of different varieties of media. There is an on-going competition within each one of us for our focused attention. Here is the irony: not everything that pulls on our senses is a bad thing. Many things are good and should be enjoyed. The challenge before each disciple of Jesus is this: is there anything in our lives that is more exciting for us than Jesus?

The Psalmist shared his experience of what His relationship with the Lord looked like: He had an enthusiastic love for the Shepherd of the Psalms. May we learn how to grow in our worship of the Lord.

Principle #36 & Personal Application: Quality disciples joyfully express their enthusiastic love for the Lord.

• We express an enthusiastic love for the Lord when we shout joyfully to Him
• We express an enthusiastic love for the Lord when we break forth and sing for joy

• We express an enthusiastic love for the Lord when we sing praises to the Lord with instruments

• We express an enthusiastic love for the Lord we direct our worship to the King, our Lord

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways can this passage of Scripture enhance the depth of my spiritual growth?

For me, what does it look like when I direct my worship to the King, my Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may my worship for You be an enthusiastic experience. May You fill my heart with joyous songs of worship and praise. May my life be like a musical instrument, composed with songs of mercy and grace. May my love for You be an offering of praise to my King and my Lord.

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.

Here's a New Year's Resolution That Every Leader Needs To Make in 2014: To Live Above The Fray. Learn how to purchase your copy on Amazon.

http://www.dennybates.com/#!living-above-the-fray/c35l

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 (Worship) Principle #29. August 18, 2013

Hello my dear friends. Much love to you. Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the great value of making good choices to worship. To create a lifestyle of worship it requires a daily decision to take the right path.

On the path with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #29

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

Key Scripture: 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Psalm 96:4-5

Core Value: Worship

Life is filled with choices. Sometimes we make good ones and sometimes we experience the consequences of bad decisions. For the disciple of Jesus it is critically important to make good choices when it comes to our worship of Him. The best way to cultivate a lifestyle of worship is to be consistent. It is best done when we make daily habits (or choices) to worship God. A life filled good choices makes all the difference in the world.

Poet Robert Frost said it well:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Principle #29 & Personal Application: Quality disciples love a great God with a great worship.

• We love a great God and greatly praise Him

• We love a great God who is greater than any idol in our life

• We love a great God who is a great and mighty Creator

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways does the Lord make Himself great in my life?

Are there any idols in my heart that hinder my worship of the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I love, worship, and adore You. You are a Great God and deserve my greatest praise. There is no one like You. May my heart always be filled with fidelity for You. May no idol, within or outside of me, ever steal my devotion for 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 #28 (Worship) August 11, 2013

Hello my dear friends. 

Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds of us the sharp contrast between being entertained by others and entertaining the Lord. May we all learn the importance of presenting our lives to an audience of One.

Learning with you,

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #28

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

Key Scripture: 1 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. 3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. Psalm 96:1-3

Core Value: Worship

We live in an entertainment culture. We want to be entertained. This, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. Entertainment can fill our emotional tanks. The problem is when this legitimate activity bleeds into our worship of God. Instead of being entertained by others, we need to entertain the Lord. He needs to be the focal point in our concert of One.

Here is the personal inventory question regarding worship each disciple must ponder: do I want Jesus and others to entertain me or do I want to entertain Him?

Principle #28 & Personal Application: Quality disciples sing to the Lord as they daily proclaim of His great salvation and tell of His glory and wonderful deeds to everyone.

• We worship when we sing to the Lord and bless His name

• We worship when we proclaim good tidings of His great salvation every day

• We worship when we tell of His glory among the nations

• We worship when we tell of His wonderful deeds to everyone

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Biblical worship is an energetic, enthusiastic, engaged lifestyle. What kind of worship environment is most conducive to my worship of God? (For example, is it solitude; with a large group; lots of music; outdoors; indoors, etc.)

What kinds of thoughts fill my heart when I am worshipping the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I sing to You a new song. I praise You for I do not sing alone. There are many others who are filling the earth with praise songs for You. As I sing, I bless Your holy Name and proclaim the good tidings of Your great salvation every day. By faith, I will tell everyone I know about Your glory and the great deeds You have done for me.

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

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #3 (Worship). January 26, 2013

Hello my dear friends! In today's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to be reminded of one of the most obvious truths of Christianity: Jesus is to be worshiped. We will discover that the worship of Jesus does not happen by accident, but by choice.

May my life be remembered as "a verb."

Dr. Denny Bates

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #3

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

Key Scripture:

1 Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it for a testimony in Joseph When he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not know: Psalm 81:1-5

Core Value: Worship

Worship of Jesus is a verb, a intentional act. As disciples of Jesus, we are created to be “worshipers.” And as disciples of Jesus who are worshipers of Him, we are to do what we were made to do: to worship and glorify the Lord. Far too many professing Christians are simply spectators when it comes living a life of worship. There is no value to watching someone else engage in heart-filled worship if the spectator does not join in too. The exhortations from the Psalmist are to the point: “Sing (verb) for joy to God . . . Shout (verb) joyfully to the God of Jacob . . . Raise (verb) a song, strike (verb) the tambourine.” Is it time to check your spiritual grammar?

Principle #3 & Personal Application: Quality disciples express a heart-felt worship that finds its roots in the Words and Works of God.

• We are to worship God with joy

• We are to worship God for what He has said

• We are to worship God for what He has done

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is it my habit to worship God out of a routine ritual that has little, to no meaning or can my worship be described as an exuberant act of joy?

What has the Lord spoken to my heart that has caused me to worship Him?

What has the Lord done for me that has caused me to worship Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith I will sing for joy to You with all of my strength. May I always remember all of the great truths from Your Word that bless my heart. May I always remember to worship You for all that You have said to me and done for me.

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/

Dr. Denny Bates | Leading with Quality in Mind

www.dennybates.com

Consultant/Ministry/Resources for leaders

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #29 (Grace). August 4, 2012

Hello my dear friends! In today's Psalms of Discipleship, for the disciple of Jesus, we are going to take a close look at how grace becomes the catalyst to worship. Once we become aware of how FREE His love is, our hearts can do nothing else but praise Him.

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #29

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

Key Scripture: 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us. 7 God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him. Psalm 67:5-7

Core Value: Grace

We live in a culture were we are taught to be “self-made” men or women. There is an ounce of truth in that when we exhibit the necessary discipline of hard work, we may experience success in business and ministry. But for the disciple of Jesus, the greater truth is that, because of His grace, we will experience His blessing. And once we recognize that all blessing comes from the Lord, it becomes natural to do what He has created us to do: praise Him.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him, above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Principle #29 & Personal Application: Quality disciples experience the blessing of God so that others may be blessed too.

• Because of grace, we can offer praise to the Lord: “Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.”

• Because of grace, we are the recipients of God’s gracious provision: “The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.”

• Because of grace, we become the visible example of God’s witness to the world: “God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does living a “grace-driven” life impact the way I seek to live my life for the Lord?

In what ways can I testify of how God blesses me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that I can join with a host of other believers in praise to You. Because of grace, I can receive Your gracious provision of everything that I need to live. May I always be a faithful witness so that others may see Your grace at work in me. May Your grace, at work in my life, draw them closer to You.

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.

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

Psalms of Discipleship (Worship) Principle #25, July 7, 2012

Hello my dear friends! If you are like me, the days of summer tend to wear me down if I spend too much time outside in this record heat. Many of us today are facing heated days that are way beyond our comfort zone. The more uncomfortable we become, the less focused we become. Life is like that for the disciple of Jesus, isn't it? It does not take much for us to lose our focus when our circumstances change. Some of us take our eyes off of Jesus and onto ourselves and our circumstances. And in effect, we misplace our worship of Him.

Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful admonition to set our hearts on our great Savior and worship Him!

Learning with you,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #25

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

Key Scripture: 1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; 2 Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. 3 Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You. 4 "All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name." Selah. Psalm 66:1-4

Core Value: Worship

It has been said that a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out. For some disciples of Jesus, our worship has become a rut. Our memories of what was once a dynamic love relationship with Jesus has slipped away into a lukewarm existence. Yes, we love Him, but the feelings have long gone away.

What has happened? Perhaps we have lost our “first love” and have replaced it with a religious “duty” where we only go through the motions. What is the answer to returning to a worship of God that has deep meaning? We must fix our eyes upon Jesus. And when we do, we will leave behind the rut of ho-hum and take a step of faith towards a passionate, joyous relationship with Him.

I am reminded of this great gospel song that perfectly describes the process:

[If you] Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And [then] the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Principle #25 & Personal Application: Quality disciples have a heart full of joyous praise and worship for an awesome and glorious God.

• Our worship is to be exuberant: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious” (vs. 1-2)

• Our worship is to be focused upon God’s awesome works and great power: “Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.” (vs. 3)

• Our worship is to be joined in chorus with the whole world: “All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name” (vs. 4)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does the command “shout joyfully to God” impact the way I worship the Lord? What does it mean to make His praise glorious?

As I reflect upon this passage of Scripture, what kinds of things come to my mind when I consider His awesome works in my life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith fill my heart with worship for You. I shout joyfully to You. I sing the glory of Your name. By grace, I make Your praise glorious. In thanksgiving, I focus my heart upon Your awesome works and great power. In obedience, I join my voice with every other believer on the earth and sing praises to Your name.

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/

Postscript:

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #24 (Worship). June 30, 2012

Hello dear friends! Warm, very warm, no, really it's HOT greetings from sunny South Carolina! This week's devotion reminds us of what happens when we choose to focus upon the character of God: we are reminded of His goodness and His greatness. As we live in uncertain times, its good to know that His goodness and greatness remains the same.

Worship Him!

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #24

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

Key Scripture: 4 How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. 5 By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; 6 Who establishes the mountains by His strength, Being girded with might; 7 Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples. 8 They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Psalm 65:4-8

Core Value: Worship

Do you remember praying this simple prayer as a child? “God is good. God is great. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” For me, as I folded my little hands and closed my eyes, it was a memorized prayer that became a routine part of my every meal. After awhile the words I was praying lost their impact upon me. This sweet prayer became a religious duty instead of a heartfelt prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving. This familiar example is one of many I share on how easy it is for the believer to lose the magnitude of what we are saying out loud. In this case, GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS GREAT. WE SHOULD THANK HIM FOR EVERYTHING HE PROVIDES to us.

This is what the Psalmist does in this portion of Scripture. As He describes the goodness and greatness of God, he becomes overwhelmed with waves of worship. The more He talks about the goodness and greatness of God, the more his heart fills up and the more he has share about the goodness and greatness of God. This is what happens when we set our focus upon the character of God: we become personally acquainted with His goodness and greatness, filling our hearts with expressions of worship.

Principle #24 & Personal Application: Quality disciples are blessed as they worship a great, awesome, and mighty God.

• We worship God because of His drawing us, by grace, into His presence.

• We worship God because of His awesome deeds.

• We worship God because of His majestic power and glory.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I begin to set my focus upon the Lord and His power, what kinds of thoughts come to my mind?

What kind of things can I do that will help me worship God for who He is?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are a mighty and glorious Savior. You invite me into Your presence. You satisfy my soul. You are the God of all creation and I am in awe of You. And powerful and mighty You are, You love me; You value me; You call me Your very own.

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/

Postscript:

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity of doing things that I have only dreamed about previously. By God’s grace I hope to build a leadership coaching and speaking business and impact the market place for Jesus. My business is a RELATIONSHIP business, so as you pray for me ask the Lord for KEY contacts that will lead me to KEY people in KEY organizations. In your own circle of influence, do you know anyone who desires to grow in leadership? I’d love to meet them.

In order to gain a better understanding of what I am offering, you can check out my website at

http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/dennybates

In today's picture are two of my mentors. Everyone needs one. Who is yours?

Psalms of Discipleship (Worship) Principle #10. March 17, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Living in a world of big problems can be somewhat discouraging UNLESS we continually look to the One who is bigger than any of our problems. This is what worship does for the disciple of Jesus: when we keep our focus upon Him, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of His glory and grace."

May we all turn our eyes upon Jesus today and worship Him.

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #10

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

Key Scripture: Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5

Core Value: Worship

On a clear night one can look up into the sky and see the brightness of Venus and Mars. And that’s not all. The fullness of the Moon and the supporting cast of countless stars provide the backdrop for God’s glory. The more we gaze at the heavens, the smaller we become. And that’s good. Once we come to the place where we believe God is bigger than our problems, greater than all of our wisdom, and more powerful than anyone or anything, we become ready to worship Him and Him alone.

This is what worship does for God and for us: For Him, He receives the glory that He deserves. For us, we get to partner with creation and give praise and worship to Him.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Principle #10 & Personal Application: Quality disciples worship a big, awesome God.

• God is the God of heaven: Even the heavens cannot contain our God

• God is the God of earth: Even His glory is above all the earth

• God is our God: Even we, those who love and follow Him, can worship and adore the God of heaven and earth

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kinds of emotions fill my heart when I realize that God is exalted above the heavens?

How does knowing about the glory of God impact the way I choose to live my life?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, by faith, You have filled my heart with a profound sense of wonder and awe of Your infinite greatness. May I always remember that You are exalted above the heavens. May I always recall that Your glory is above all the earth.

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/

Need some encouragement in your devotional life this year? Check out this resource from Something New Christian Publishers!

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #40--Worship--October 15, 2011

Hello dear friends! Allow me to pose a question: what motivates you to worship God? Lets ask it another way: what do you expect to happen when you worship God?

Worship is a very intimate experience. Or, it should be. If worship is only a hallow act, it will leave us empty. However, if our worship for God is driven by love for Him we will be filled with His joy.

In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are given an example of what happens to the human heart that has been touched by God's love: worship occurs. May that be our theme as well.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #40

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

Key Scripture: 1 My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Psalm 45:1-2

Core Value: Worship

Worship is not only something we do, but it is a lifestyle too. Worship is not just singing some songs about Jesus, but a choice to live life through the grid of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Biblical worship is not a legalistic, regimented duty we perform in hopes that God will love us more. Biblical worship is a heart-felt response to God’s great love for us. We worship Him because of Who He is and for all that He has done for us.

Principle #40 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a full heart with an overflowing love for Jesus; becoming overwhelmed by His beauty.

• A full heart for the Lord overflows with a good theme. There is an unquenchable desire to share with Him carefully crafted words of gratitude.

• A full heart for the Lord testifies of the uniqueness of Christ. There is a complete devotion to the Son of God.

• A full heart for the Lord is humbled by the grace of God. There is an acceptance, by faith, which we believe that Jesus Christ has done everything we need through His work on the cross.

It is the gospel, the good news, which prompts our heart to worship Him.
[We are] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB95)

Or more simply put,

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What can I begin to do that will enhance my worship and devotion to Jesus?

If I were to write a “love letter” to the Lord Jesus, what would I want to communicate to Him?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are beautiful to me. May You give me a heart that is full and overflowing with thoughts and words that will best express my love for You. May I always keep my devotion fixed upon You and not slip into the trap of loving others more than I love you. Thank You for the grace that comes from Your lips to my heart. Thank You for Your completed work on the Cross.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

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

Looking for practical and easy to devotional book and personal journal based upon the Psalms? Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace may be a book for you! Click on the link for a free sample. Available in both print and ebook formats.

http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #36--Worship--September 17, 2011

Hello my dear friends! The Psalmist, once again, directs our conversation towards the core value of "Worship." Worship is not about us, but about Jesus. In today's Psalm we are going to be reminded that worship is more than just singing a few praise songs on Sunday morning. To contrast, worship is a sacrifice of praise--all day long.

May our worship of Jesus be like a sweet aroma to Him.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #36

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

Key Scripture: The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Core Value: Worship

Why do we worship? Is our worship founded upon obligation or gratitude? Do we offer worship to God out of a sense of obligation where we feel we owe God so much that the “least” we can do is give Him our worship? Or is our worship to God offered from a heart that has fallen in love with its Maker? In our culture it seems that even worship of God can become another consumable product that is used and then thrown aside for the next, best thing. The Bible has plenty to say about worship and how it is used to please God. For one, worship, biblical worship, is not limited to a specific location, day or time.

Worship Is Not About Where You Worship; It Is About Who You Worship.

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." | Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. | You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. | Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. | God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:20-24 (NIV)

There are some people who believe that the only place where God can be worshiped appropriately is in a church building on a Sunday morning at a certain time. Thankfully, God has refused to allow Himself to be placed in a box. The wonder of worship is that God can be worshiped anyplace, at anytime.

Principle #36 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the presence of the Lord both day and night, resulting in a life of on-going praise and worship.

• We worship the Lord for His unfailing and unending lovingkindness (mercy).

• We worship the Lord for His song: a song of deliverance, a song of comfort, a song of praise sung to His glory.

• We worship the Lord for His Lordship of our lives: He is the God of my life.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What are the circumstances of my life that often hinder my worship of the Lord?

What would my life as a Christian begin to look like if my worship of the Lord would be greater than my worries?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by faith in You, I thank You that You do command Your lovingkindness in the daytime. By faith, You do bless me with Your song in the night. May I always worship and praise You: for You, O Lord, are the God of my life.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.

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

Looking to go deeper in your devotional experience?

A fresh resource for your spiritual growth is Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. Now in a downloadable ebook! http://t.co/vtTWQZy5