Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #41 (Grace). November 17, 2012

Hello dear friends,

When grace is all we've got, grace is all we need. As I get older, I become more aware every day how important grace is to the disciple of Jesus. This week I am turning 56 (where, Oh where, does the time go). Some scholars believe the number 5 has special significance. They call it the number of grace. Other scholars believe that the number 6 is the number of man. If this is true, then I am a "grace man."

Living by grace,

 

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #41

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

Key Scripture: 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

Core Value: Grace

There are times in life when a person comes to the end of their rope. Some call it “wits end.” Others call it the last straw. The disciple of Jesus calls it all sufficient grace. Notice that in all cases, the circumstances are the same. The difference? Perspective. When we look for answers and relief in all the wrong places, we will be forever frustrated. When we look to the Lord, we find everything that we need.

Like the Psalmist, our flesh and our heart may fail, but God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever.

Principle #41 & Personal Application: Quality disciples look to the Lord as the ultimate source of strength and provision.

• We look to the Lord as our best and only choice: “Whom have I in heaven but You?”

• We look to the Lord as our one and only desire: “And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.”

• We look to the Lord as weak and fragile individuals: “My flesh and my heart may fail,”

• We look to the Lord as the One who is the strength of our heart and our portion forever

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Are there any competing relationships or things that are diluting my relationship with the Lord?

What does it mean that God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, whom do I have in heaven but You? And besides You may I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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/

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Advent!

Advent begins in just a few weeks! Get your devotional copy of Christmas Meditations of Worship today. Ebook or print version.

http://www.dennybates.com/#!advent-christmas-meditations-of-worship/cmz0

 

 

Psalms of Discipleship, Principle #11 (Grace) March 24, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship is a wonderful reminder that we do not have to take this journey of faith alone. The beauty of the Christian life is having the grace that allows us to direct access to the power we need to "live life well" as His disciples. The grace given is free. Our responsibility: We must learn how to apply it.

Do you "Live Life Well"? I'm learning with you.

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #11

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

Key Scripture: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Psalm 57:7

Core Value: Grace

There is a lot to be said for good footing. Be it a long hike over rugged terrain or an athlete trying to make an athletic move, good footing is the key between success and failure. One slip on a rocky hillside and the outcome can be a scratched leg or worse. A loss of footing by the running back when making a cut in the grass can mean the difference between a game-breaking play or a loss of yards.

When it comes to disciples of Jesus, we need to be sure of the steps of faith we are taking: are our steps grounded in the confidence we have in our faith or are our steps of faith grounded in the very character of God? Our way is the way of works and is completely dependent upon us. God’s way is the way of grace and is completely dependent upon God. His grace allows us to walk with a steadfast heart.

Principle #11 & Personal Application: Quality disciples have been given a steadfast, confident heart from the Lord.

• It is because of grace that the believer’s heart is steadfast and confident

• It is because of grace that the believer can respond in a song of worship

• It is because of grace that the believer can experience a heart that is made strong and kept strong, forever

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. | My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What does it “feel” like when the burdens of this life are undergirded by a strong heart?

Can I recall a time when I wanted to burst out in song after experiencing God’s grace in my life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is because of You that my heart is steadfast and confident. It is because of You that Your grace comes to me in abundance when life presents me with burdens that seek to weigh me down. It is because of You that my heart can only have one response: to sing praises 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.

Looking for some discipleship resources on how you can better grow as a disciple of Jesus? Check out these links!

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