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 #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