Psalms of Discipleship (Worship) Principle #39--May 3, 2014

Hello my dear friends. No matter how much the world changes around us, one truth remains the same: we love and serve a God who is holy. It is entirely possible that we can drift away with the currents of "if it feels good do it" and "everyone does right in their own eyes." What keeps us from becoming a shell of who we need to be? We need to be keeping our focus upon our God who is holy. The Psalmist gives us a wonderful template on how it can be done, through grace.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #39

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

Key Scripture: 3 Let them praise Thy great and awesome name; Holy is He. 4 And the strength of the King loves justice; Thou hast established equity; Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool; Holy is He. Psalm 99:3-5

Core Value: Worship

It has been said that we live what we believe. Or do we? We believe it is against the law to break the speed limit when we drive our car, but many of us do it anyhow (sometimes). We would agree that eating too much of the unhealthy foods we love to consume is bad for us, but we do it because we like it (a lot).

As disciples of Jesus we would agree that God is holy and because He is this truth should influence what we say, what we think, and what we do; but does it? This is the grace-empowered goal for us: to live in a way where His holiness makes a difference in us and then through us. How is it done?

Perhaps this will help:

But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18 (AMP)

Grace is the portal towards a greater worship of God. Step on in.

Principle #39 & Personal Application: Quality disciples worship an awesome God: Holy is He

• We worship a God who is great and has an awesome name: Holy is He

• We worship a God who loves justice: Holy is He

• We worship a God who is exalted: Holy is He

• We worship a God who is worthy of all praise: Holy is He

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I focus upon the word “Holy” what kinds of thoughts come to my mind?

What kinds of feelings rise upon inside my heart when I focus upon His holiness?

How does my focus upon a holy God influence what I say . . . what I think . . . what I do?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I ever seek to praise Your great and holy name. I thank You that You love justice and are righteous in all Your ways. I thank You for the honor of being able to exalt You, sit at Your footstool and worship You. May the confession of my mouth always be: Holy is He.

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2014 All rights reserved.

Looking for a wonderful companion tool for Psalms of Discipleship? Check out this link:

Dr. Denny Bates | Leading with Quality in Mind | Psalms of Discipleship

Consultant/Ministry/Resources for leaders/Coaching

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #33 (Worship) October 5, 2013

Hello my dear friends!

Today's Psalms of Discipleship declare the greatness of our God. The heavens declare His righteousness. Everyone on earth has seen His glory and everyone is expected to worship Him only. A Great God requires a great worship.

Learning to worship Jesus greatly,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #33

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

Key Scripture: 6 The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory. 7 Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast themselves of idols; Worship Him, all you gods. Psalm 97:6-7

Core Value: Worship

We live in a world where “tolerance” has become the new agenda, the new world-view. In the Christian life there are some negotiables and there are some non-negotiables.

It is true that a disciple of Jesus needs to be a person of tolerance on non-moral issues such as the mode of baptism (immersion vs. sprinkling). However, there is no room for any kind of tolerance when it comes to Who is deserving of our worship. It is Jesus and Jesus only.

He will not tolerate a divided heart.

Principle #33 & Personal Application: Quality disciples align themselves with those who worship the One True God

• The heavens declare His righteousness. So do we

• All the people have seen his glory, including us

• Everyone must worship Him and Him alone. So must we

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What comes to my mind when I think about declaring His righteousness?

What are some of the idols in my life that seek to keep God off of the throne of my heart?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always give You glory as I tell others of Your righteousness. May my heart always be devoted to You and to You alone.

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.

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #12 (Evangelism). March 31, 2013

Hello dear friends! I write this edition of Psalms of Discipleship to you on Easter morning. As disciples of Jesus we know that the resurrection of our Lord gives meaning to EVERYTHING we believe and practice. The resurrection is a stark reminder that our lives do not belong to us but to Him. Because He lives, we do also. And because He lives in us, we need to be about the business of reaching out to those who have yet to embrace the Good News that Jesus loves them too.

He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #12

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

Key Scripture: 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:9-10

Core Value: Evangelism

For the disciple of Jesus, salvation occurs every day. No, I am not referring to having a daily “born again” experience. Once we receive God’s gift of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins, His Spirit seals us for the day of redemption. We are saved, forever. What I am suggesting is that there is also a salvation that is a daily sanctification where Jesus saves us from ourselves every day. Scripture refers to this as “working out our salvation.”

Here is where many people outside of the family of God miss it: this kind of work is to occur after the beginning of eternal life takes place, not before. There are some who think they can work themselves into a state of salvation by being good enough, being right enough, being disciplined enough, or being worthy enough to make it to heaven. It is called the way of works and this way will never allow a person to have a saving relationship with the One who is called the Way, the Truth, and the Life. On the other hand, as a result of responding to His grace and experiencing what the Bible describes as saving faith, there are others who embrace the teachings of Jesus and begin to work out their salvation—day by day.

Here is the take-a-way. Saved people, those who have experienced new life in Jesus and who are growing in their relationship with Him, seek to reach out to those who are still trying to work themselves to heaven.

Principle #12 & Personal Application: Quality disciples know how to share the precious message of the Gospel with those who are in need of His salvation.

• The good news is that His salvation is near to those who fear (greatly respect) Him. So, whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.

• The good news is that His lovingkindness and truth have met together. So, we have a salvation not based upon a myth and legalism but a salvation based upon love and truth.

• The good news is that righteousness and peace have kissed each other. So, we who are saved have been given right standing before a Holy and Righteous God finding a peace that only comes from knowing Jesus.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Who in my inner circle of family and friends need to hear the Gospel from my lips?

Why is the peace of Christ so intimately related to my salvation?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, because of Your love and grace to me I have experienced Your salvation. Continue to hold me near to You. I praise You for Your lovingkindness and truth: they have met together. I thank You that You have allowed righteousness and peace to have kissed each other, granting me right standing and peace with 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