Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #22 (Prayer). June 16, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship reveals the heart of our Great God. He does care, really care, for you and for me. It is a Psalm of deliverance, a Psalm of what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, a Psalm of the power of prayer, and a Psalm of promise and hope.

A witness to His great promises,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22

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

Key Scripture: 14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 "With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Core Value: Prayer

This passage of Scripture is quite personal. In June of 1998, I had this Psalm written on an index card and kept it in my shirt pocket, often reflecting upon it throughout the day. On July 2, I had a massive heart attack. During the aftermath, it was touch and go: either it was going to be graduation day and I would finally meet Jesus face to face, or He would extend my life on this earth. After my heart attack my wife found the index card on my dresser and she began to claim the wonderful promises mentioned in these verses. By no means are these promises a “formula” for getting what we want. Instead, the promises of God are based upon the relationship we have with Him, trusting Him for the outcome that will bring Him the greatest glory.

In His mercy, He delivered me. In His mercy, He answered and rescued me. In His mercy, He has added almost 15 years to my life. In His mercy, He will be there for you too.

Principle #22 & Personal Application: Quality disciples love and know the Lord and communicate with Him too.

• We pray because we love the Lord. Because we love the Lord, He desires to deliver us.

• We pray because we know His name. Because we know His name, He desires to set us securely on high.

• We pray because when we are in trouble we know that we can call upon Him. Because we call upon Him, He will answer us and rescue us and honor us.

• Because the Lord is our Shepherd, our Refuge, Our Mighty God, He will satisfy us with a long life and allow us to see His salvation.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I pray (especially when I am in trouble or burdened) do I do so out of a heart of love and worship or is my motive to relieve my discomfort?

There are many promises in this passage of Scripture for the disciple of Jesus. Which one resonates with me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always have a heart that is full of love for You. May I become fully acquainted with knowing Your name. Thank You for delivering me from the things that are harmful to my walk with You. Thank You for the provision of prayer where I can cry out to You and receive Your protection. Thank You for showing me 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 #48--Prayer--December 10, 2011

Hello my dear friends! When you get in a jam and find yourself in trouble what can you do? For those who are disciples of Jesus, He provides to us a "life line" that always connects and always helps those who call upon Him. As we continue to experience Advent this season, its a great time to remember that we have access to the One who is called Immanuel, God with us. He is our lifeline. These clever pop lyrics remind us of this great truth:

Operator
Information
Give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And Jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line

In His grip,

Denny


Need some encouragement on how to set in place a heart of worship and thanksgiving this holiday season? At the end of today's devotion is a link to a resource called "Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #48

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

Key Scripture: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15

Core Value: Prayer

Anyone remember the television game show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” As the questions to the contestant became more challenging and the risk to reward increased with each cash prize, a “life line” was offered. This last resort was used when the contestant was stumped and needed the help of a friend who would answer the phone (hopefully) and would have the correct answer (maybe). I never kept score on how many times the person on the phone was able to help, but I do know that not every call proved helpful. This is not the case for the believer who uses his or her lifeline to Jesus. He not only answers on time, but also is always helpful to anyone who calls upon His name.

Principle #48 & Personal Application: The quality disciple practices the kind of prayer that not only brings personal deliverance but honors God too.

• We are to pray when we are in trouble.

• We are to pray with expectancy that God will answer us and rescue us.

• We are to pray and give honor to the One who not only hears our prayers, but answers them too.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When you are experiencing a “day of trouble” how certain are you that the Lord will listen to you?

In what ways can you honor the Lord after He has answered your prayer?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always call upon You in the day of trouble. Forgive me when the tough times come my way and I look to myself or others for deliverance. I take comfort in Your promise that You will rescue me in my day of trouble. May I always give You honor and praise.

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.

"Christmas Meditations of Worship: Four Weeks of Advent. A Season of Worship and Celebration."

Sights. Smells. Sounds. Sales.

For many people, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic exercise in futility. The hectic pace of the holiday season often depletes more than it fills, and the craziness of the season is normalized, causing many believers to settle for a “Christ-less” Christmas.

Reflection upon the first Advent is the first step towards regaining the reason believers celebrate Christmas: worship of Jesus Christ. You are invited to back away from the edge of Christmas season sanity and begin a four-week journey of reading, reflection, prayer, journaling, singing and serving that will give you the merriest Christmas of all.

Available in print ($10.00 includes shipping) and e-book ($5.00 pdf download) formats. Click this link to begin placing your order:

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

Also available at these fine retailers. Please give them your business!

Aroma Underground (Best coffee and ambiance in town)
Locals, in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center on 2nd Loop Road (Great burgers and bbq)

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