Hello my dear friends! As I write today, I look out the window and see a breezy day as Irene blows by South Carolina. On one hand, I am relieved that "she" decided to ignore us and head up north. On the other hand, I have dear friends in the Lord who are in her path and will be given a much more rude introduction to her fury. I am burdened to pray for them. I know you will pray too. No doubt, there will be destruction of personal property that will cause great loss. Even sadder, there will be the destruction of property owned by the poor who will never recover. Those who have homes today will be homeless tomorrow. Who will help these people? As believers we know who should bear the greater responsibility: its not the government, it is the Church of Jesus Christ.
This is the theme of today's Psalms of Discipleship: if you want to get blessed by the Lord, consider the helpless. We help because He first helped us.
In His care,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #33
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. Psalm 41:1
Core Value: Service
One of the predominate themes of the Scriptures is stewardship. For example, if we have been given much, much is required of us. If we are in places of influence, we are expected to use our influence to help others who lack “power.” We must remember, that in God’s eyes, we are not owners of what He has entrusted to us, but “managers” or “stewards” only. I realize that this runs counter to a culture where the winner is considered to be the person who has accumulated the most toys at the end. For many, their life mission has become: we work, we collect, we store, we go back to work and collect and store and do so until we can take it to our graves. It is a “me only” life. The gospel is completely different: it is a “Christ in me” life. It is Christ in me who allows me to work, collect and store so I might be able to help those who are helpless. It’s a call to service, and if we embrace it, the promise of Scripture is that the Lord will consider us blessed.
“Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.” Let the blessings flow!
Principle #33 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has compassion for the poor.
• If we take care of the poor, the Lord will bless us: “How blessed is he who considers the helpless (the poor).”
• If we take care of the poor, the Lord will take care of us: “The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.”
• We are to love the poor, with a sense of humility and service:
7 And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13 "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:7-14 (NASB95)
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
In what ways has the Lord called me to minister to the poor?
Do I know anyone who is poor? What can I do to serve them?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You say that the poor will always be with us. Give me Your eyes to see them; Your heart to love them; Your compassion to serve them. May I never become so full of myself that I ignore the needs of my fellow man.
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
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #32--Worship--August 20, 2011
Hello my dear friends, got worship? If you are like me, I face a thousand distractions every day that divert my attention away from the Lord. Distractions like: The up and down (mostly down these days) trends of the stock market; Attempting to do things beyond my hula hoop that suck the life out of me; Worrying about circumstances in which I have absolutely no control over.
I so want to come to the place in my journey with Jesus where I no longer desire to be in the rat race, much less seek to win it. I want to learn to abide or rest in Him. I want to cultivate a laser-like focus upon my Jesus and worship Him. I want to know Him, better. By His grace, I believe He desires that for you too.
Worship Him!
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #32
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" Psalm 40:16
Core Value: Worship
Focus. Distractions. Focus again. More distractions. Focus once again. Spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder). Do you see a pattern here? Believers who love Jesus face the constant challenge of keeping our eyes and heart upon Him. Why?
For some, the pleasures of the world are enticing, resulting in our loss of focus upon Him. We look to things and others to fill our life. Others of us are not very good listeners. When the Lord is speaking to us, our minds quickly wander to the next random thought. Then, there are some of us who struggle with a form of spiritual ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) finding it difficult to rest in the Lord and sit before Him and enjoy His presence. Both of these spiritual disorders quench our Christian journey.
Fortunately for us, there is One who can heal us and make us whole. Through His grace, He embraces us and allows us to “be still and know that He is God” (Ps. 46:10). It is by His grace that we can follow the invitation given in the Gospel song, “turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.”
This is what a focused worship will do for us: We will rejoice. We will be glad. We will love His salvation.
Principle #32 & Personal Application: The quality disciple seeks to magnify the Lord in everything one thinks, says, and does.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will rejoice in Him.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will be glad in Him.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will love His salvation.
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified." But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:4-5 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Does my life magnify the Lord in what I think, in what I say, and in what I do?
Do I really love His salvation in a way that causes me to magnify the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is within the confines of my own heart where a true worship of You must exist. When I choose to worship You, may I always rejoice in You. When I set my heart to worship You, may I always be glad in You. And Lord Jesus, when I worship You may I never forget to love Your salvation. May my life become an instrument that magnifies You.
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/
I so want to come to the place in my journey with Jesus where I no longer desire to be in the rat race, much less seek to win it. I want to learn to abide or rest in Him. I want to cultivate a laser-like focus upon my Jesus and worship Him. I want to know Him, better. By His grace, I believe He desires that for you too.
Worship Him!
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #32
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" Psalm 40:16
Core Value: Worship
Focus. Distractions. Focus again. More distractions. Focus once again. Spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder). Do you see a pattern here? Believers who love Jesus face the constant challenge of keeping our eyes and heart upon Him. Why?
For some, the pleasures of the world are enticing, resulting in our loss of focus upon Him. We look to things and others to fill our life. Others of us are not very good listeners. When the Lord is speaking to us, our minds quickly wander to the next random thought. Then, there are some of us who struggle with a form of spiritual ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) finding it difficult to rest in the Lord and sit before Him and enjoy His presence. Both of these spiritual disorders quench our Christian journey.
Fortunately for us, there is One who can heal us and make us whole. Through His grace, He embraces us and allows us to “be still and know that He is God” (Ps. 46:10). It is by His grace that we can follow the invitation given in the Gospel song, “turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.”
This is what a focused worship will do for us: We will rejoice. We will be glad. We will love His salvation.
Principle #32 & Personal Application: The quality disciple seeks to magnify the Lord in everything one thinks, says, and does.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will rejoice in Him.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will be glad in Him.
• Those who seek to worship the Lord will love His salvation.
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified." But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:4-5 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Does my life magnify the Lord in what I think, in what I say, and in what I do?
Do I really love His salvation in a way that causes me to magnify the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is within the confines of my own heart where a true worship of You must exist. When I choose to worship You, may I always rejoice in You. When I set my heart to worship You, may I always be glad in You. And Lord Jesus, when I worship You may I never forget to love Your salvation. May my life become an instrument that magnifies You.
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/
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #31--Grace--August 13, 2011
Hello my dear friends, I pray that each one of you are experiencing the Lord's abundant love and compassion upon you today. All around us are lonely people, very lonely people who need to experience God's unconditional love. If we have tasted of that great love, then surely we need to look for opportunities to give it away. This is the theme of today's Psalms of Discipleship: the value of experiencing unconditional love, and then giving it away.
Loved by the Good Shepherd,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #31
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. Psalm 40:11
Core Value: Grace
Do you really know how to give love away . . . with no strings attached?
In the world’s economy, love always comes with a very important condition: “you be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you. You do things my way and I will like you. However, if you ever do something or say something I do not like, I will withhold my love from you.” That’s how it is for many Christians. Love becomes a powerful leverage, to either reward or to punish. Withheld love. It happens between parents and children, between friends, and yes, even between us and God. If our children disappoint us, we are tempted not to love them fully. If our friends fail us, we snatch back our love. And if God does not act like we want Him to act, we chose to hold Him hostage using withheld love as the bargaining chip. “Lord, if you do things my way, then I will reward you by loving you more.” It’s common. It’s easy to do. And it’s wrong on so many levels.
Fortunately, we are not without hope. God does not hold a grudge. Through grace, the Good Shepherd gives His love and compassion to us. His grace allows us to love and to be loved, unconditionally. Remember, grace is getting something we do not deserve. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is free and grace is good for us. And when we begin to understand and live in a way where grace is highly valued, we can become advocates for the kind of love that changes the world, and yes, even us.
We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Principle #31 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a view of God who is compassionate and sustains His people with love and truth.
• Grace helps us see God as He really is: He is compassionate to His people.
• Grace allows us to experience His wonderful mercy: His mercy preserves us.
• Grace grounds us in His absolute truth: His truth gives us reason for not having to fear.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How would I describe my view of my heavenly Father: as a compassionate Father or an over-demanding tyrant?
What does it mean that the Lord will continually preserve me with His lovingkindness and His truth?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how I thank You for not withholding Your compassion from me. How I thank You for continually preserving me with Your lovingkindess (mercy) and Your truth. May I always live in Your grace and may I always be sure to not withhold compassion from others. May I always be merciful and an advocate for truth.
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.blog spot.com/
Loved by the Good Shepherd,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #31
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. Psalm 40:11
Core Value: Grace
Do you really know how to give love away . . . with no strings attached?
In the world’s economy, love always comes with a very important condition: “you be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you. You do things my way and I will like you. However, if you ever do something or say something I do not like, I will withhold my love from you.” That’s how it is for many Christians. Love becomes a powerful leverage, to either reward or to punish. Withheld love. It happens between parents and children, between friends, and yes, even between us and God. If our children disappoint us, we are tempted not to love them fully. If our friends fail us, we snatch back our love. And if God does not act like we want Him to act, we chose to hold Him hostage using withheld love as the bargaining chip. “Lord, if you do things my way, then I will reward you by loving you more.” It’s common. It’s easy to do. And it’s wrong on so many levels.
Fortunately, we are not without hope. God does not hold a grudge. Through grace, the Good Shepherd gives His love and compassion to us. His grace allows us to love and to be loved, unconditionally. Remember, grace is getting something we do not deserve. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is free and grace is good for us. And when we begin to understand and live in a way where grace is highly valued, we can become advocates for the kind of love that changes the world, and yes, even us.
We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Principle #31 & Personal Application: The quality disciple has a view of God who is compassionate and sustains His people with love and truth.
• Grace helps us see God as He really is: He is compassionate to His people.
• Grace allows us to experience His wonderful mercy: His mercy preserves us.
• Grace grounds us in His absolute truth: His truth gives us reason for not having to fear.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How would I describe my view of my heavenly Father: as a compassionate Father or an over-demanding tyrant?
What does it mean that the Lord will continually preserve me with His lovingkindness and His truth?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how I thank You for not withholding Your compassion from me. How I thank You for continually preserving me with Your lovingkindess (mercy) and Your truth. May I always live in Your grace and may I always be sure to not withhold compassion from others. May I always be merciful and an advocate for truth.
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.blog spot.com/
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #30--Bible Study--August 6, 2011
Warm greetings to you, my dear friends! Today we are going to discuss a topic that, for some, may be a struggle: learning how to gain a better handle on Bible study. For these, it has become a legalistic ritual. For others of you, you have found the mother lode of spiritual growth and continue to strike it rich. The psalmist gives us his perspective. May we learn and apply what he experienced.
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #30 (Bible Study)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8
Core Value: Bible Study
My way, or His way? My will, or His? This is the cosmic game of tug of war that every disciple of Jesus participates in everyday. One of the great resources the disciple of Jesus has to draw from is the Word of God. We need to study it, meditate upon it, and obey it. And yet, there is an important consideration for why we need to do this: it is not so we can become experts at Bible trivia. It is not so we can fill ourselves with knowledge, for knowledge’s sake. We approach God’s Word, through grace, because we want to know Him in a far deeper way, to embrace a more intimate relationship that will cause us to become more like Jesus.
There are at least two ways in which believers approach Bible study. One way is the way of the Pharisee. They know a lot, but are dead on the inside. Words like “should” and “must” constantly haunt the spiritual Pharisee. Bible study or a “quiet time” is done out of guilt or pride and is completely void of joy. It is this kind of legalism which drives them to performance, seeking not to only impress others who are watching, but ironically, even trying to please God in a sort of twisted way.
There is a far better way to approach Bible study. It is the way of grace. Grace draws us closer to Him. We come to learn a lot about the ways of the Lord, and a deeper knowledge of Him makes us alive on the inside. Words like “may” and “can” fill our hearts with a passion to know Him more and gives us a deep appreciation that God would reveal Himself to us on such an intimate level. Bible study or a “quiet time” is done as a “delight” as we experience a joy in His presence that only He can give (Ps. 16:11).
It is this kind of grace-driven life that draws us into a life where our imperfections are covered by the blood of Christ and where we find acceptance by Him and by those who love Him too.
Principle #30 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is so consumed by the Word of God that it becomes the only grid for how life is lived.
• Bible study, done for the right reasons, will produce a right desire: “I delight to do Your will, O my God.”
• Bible study, done in the right way, will produce a right reason to gain more knowledge of His Law: not to know more about Him, but to know Him better.
• Bible study, done with the goal of a right life, will produce a right course for life because of God’s Word that “is within my heart.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I read my Bible and come across a verse that challenges me to submit and obey, how do I usually respond to it?
What is my plan this week to place more of God’s Word within my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always find delight in doing Your will. I confess, I often want my way but grant me the grace to want Your way more today than I did yesterday and even more tomorrow. May I make a fresh commitment today to place more of Your Word within my heart.
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.
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blog spot.com/
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #30 (Bible Study)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8
Core Value: Bible Study
My way, or His way? My will, or His? This is the cosmic game of tug of war that every disciple of Jesus participates in everyday. One of the great resources the disciple of Jesus has to draw from is the Word of God. We need to study it, meditate upon it, and obey it. And yet, there is an important consideration for why we need to do this: it is not so we can become experts at Bible trivia. It is not so we can fill ourselves with knowledge, for knowledge’s sake. We approach God’s Word, through grace, because we want to know Him in a far deeper way, to embrace a more intimate relationship that will cause us to become more like Jesus.
There are at least two ways in which believers approach Bible study. One way is the way of the Pharisee. They know a lot, but are dead on the inside. Words like “should” and “must” constantly haunt the spiritual Pharisee. Bible study or a “quiet time” is done out of guilt or pride and is completely void of joy. It is this kind of legalism which drives them to performance, seeking not to only impress others who are watching, but ironically, even trying to please God in a sort of twisted way.
There is a far better way to approach Bible study. It is the way of grace. Grace draws us closer to Him. We come to learn a lot about the ways of the Lord, and a deeper knowledge of Him makes us alive on the inside. Words like “may” and “can” fill our hearts with a passion to know Him more and gives us a deep appreciation that God would reveal Himself to us on such an intimate level. Bible study or a “quiet time” is done as a “delight” as we experience a joy in His presence that only He can give (Ps. 16:11).
It is this kind of grace-driven life that draws us into a life where our imperfections are covered by the blood of Christ and where we find acceptance by Him and by those who love Him too.
Principle #30 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is so consumed by the Word of God that it becomes the only grid for how life is lived.
• Bible study, done for the right reasons, will produce a right desire: “I delight to do Your will, O my God.”
• Bible study, done in the right way, will produce a right reason to gain more knowledge of His Law: not to know more about Him, but to know Him better.
• Bible study, done with the goal of a right life, will produce a right course for life because of God’s Word that “is within my heart.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I read my Bible and come across a verse that challenges me to submit and obey, how do I usually respond to it?
What is my plan this week to place more of God’s Word within my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always find delight in doing Your will. I confess, I often want my way but grant me the grace to want Your way more today than I did yesterday and even more tomorrow. May I make a fresh commitment today to place more of Your Word within my heart.
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.
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blog spot.com/
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #29--Worship--July 29, 2011
Hello dear friends,
I am writing you a day early, but I believe you will appreciate not only the "early delivery" but will find today's devotion an encouragement that will carry you through the weekend and into next week.
Have you ever tried to count the stars of the sky? Or the granules of sand at the beach? Or the blessings of God upon your life? Impossible, I know.
I'm glad that I can't keep count,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship (Worship), July 29, 2011—Principle #29
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5
Core Value: Worship
Some people have it good . . . disciples of Jesus have it REAL good. It is no mystery to us that the goodness of the Lord toward us can have no monetary or material price placed upon it. His goodness is priceless. Even though this is true, often, we spend more time focusing upon what we do not have and fail to appreciate all that we do possess in Christ. And if we can find a way to escape what is known as “the rat race” and come to the quiet place in our daily walk with the Lord, we will be quick to see how great, how glorious, how wonderful is our God. For it is when we begin to believe what God has said about Himself and to believe that His passionate desire is to pursue His children with a radical and sacrificial love, we will begin to think, with an imagined calculator in hand, and try to count His mighty works and His tender thoughts directed to us. We try. We fail. We worship.
Principle #29 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences a worship that is so overwhelming that it becomes impossible to fully count the blessings of God.
• Biblical worship is always focused upon the Lord and His marvelous works: “Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done.”
• Biblical worship is a personal acknowledgment of how much God means to us: “And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You.”
• Biblical worship taps into the eternal, infinite character and works of God: “If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Can I list at least ten things that have have experienced this week that have been from the hand of God?
How would my life perspective be different if I made the consistent choice to worship the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done for me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have done so much for me. Forgive me for the times I forget to thank You. Lord Jesus, Your thoughts toward me, there is none to compare with You. It humbles me that the God of the universe would think about me, in a positive way. Lord Jesus, when I think about all that You have done for me I am overwhelmed with worship for You and I will praise You for as long as I have breath.
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.blog spot.com/
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
I am writing you a day early, but I believe you will appreciate not only the "early delivery" but will find today's devotion an encouragement that will carry you through the weekend and into next week.
Have you ever tried to count the stars of the sky? Or the granules of sand at the beach? Or the blessings of God upon your life? Impossible, I know.
I'm glad that I can't keep count,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship (Worship), July 29, 2011—Principle #29
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5
Core Value: Worship
Some people have it good . . . disciples of Jesus have it REAL good. It is no mystery to us that the goodness of the Lord toward us can have no monetary or material price placed upon it. His goodness is priceless. Even though this is true, often, we spend more time focusing upon what we do not have and fail to appreciate all that we do possess in Christ. And if we can find a way to escape what is known as “the rat race” and come to the quiet place in our daily walk with the Lord, we will be quick to see how great, how glorious, how wonderful is our God. For it is when we begin to believe what God has said about Himself and to believe that His passionate desire is to pursue His children with a radical and sacrificial love, we will begin to think, with an imagined calculator in hand, and try to count His mighty works and His tender thoughts directed to us. We try. We fail. We worship.
Principle #29 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences a worship that is so overwhelming that it becomes impossible to fully count the blessings of God.
• Biblical worship is always focused upon the Lord and His marvelous works: “Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done.”
• Biblical worship is a personal acknowledgment of how much God means to us: “And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You.”
• Biblical worship taps into the eternal, infinite character and works of God: “If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Can I list at least ten things that have have experienced this week that have been from the hand of God?
How would my life perspective be different if I made the consistent choice to worship the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done for me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have done so much for me. Forgive me for the times I forget to thank You. Lord Jesus, Your thoughts toward me, there is none to compare with You. It humbles me that the God of the universe would think about me, in a positive way. Lord Jesus, when I think about all that You have done for me I am overwhelmed with worship for You and I will praise You for as long as I have breath.
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.blog spot.com/
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #28--Grace & Evangelism--July 23, 2011
Hello my dear friends! Warm, very warm, greetings to you from sunny and hot South Carolina. Today we are going to take a close look at one of my favorite Psalms. It is a lesson on grace and evangelism and how God uses our most difficult times to bring glory to Him and good to us.
May the Lord use this passage of Scripture to give you great encouragement and comfort today. I'm praying for you. Thanks for praying for me.
In the hands of the One who cares for me,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship: July 23, 2011—Principle #28 (Grace & Evangelism)
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #28
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
Core Value: Grace and Evangelism
Whoever said that life would be easier once we became a devoted follower of Jesus is misleading at best, or at worst, just flat out lied to us. Yes, it would be easier on us if our Christianity were no more than a formula we could memorize and confess our way to success. Yes, it would be easier to be a Christian if a stable life was guaranteed with no difficult changes allowed. But, we know the truth. The Christian life is not based upon a formula; it is based upon having a relationship with Jesus. All of us have personally discovered that the Christian does experience wild swings of highs and lows.
The challenge for all of us who follow Jesus as His disciples is clear: will we trust Him when it seems everything is going against us? Will we trust Him or will we lean towards our own ability to make our way? Are we willing to rest in God’s character (He loves us, cares for us, has a plan for us, etc.) or will we convince ourselves that God has forgotten about us and left us to ruin? Are we patient with God? Do we have hope, no matter how deep is the pit we are in, that God is at work in us and through us? David did and so can we.
Principle #28 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the blessing of going from desperation in the pit of destruction to a supernatural deliverance that offers to the Lord unending worship, glory and praise.
• It is the grace of a patient God that helps us wait patiently for the Lord (and for His perfect work and timing) when everything within us schemes to take control and offer our own solutions.
• It is the grace of a concerned God that helps us believe that He does care for us and that He does listen to both the audible and inaudible cries of our heart.
• It is the grace of a delivering God that helps us escape from our own forms of destructive pits and miry clay to a place of stability and safety.
• It is the grace of a glorious God that helps us sing the kind of life song of praise that causes others to trust in our great God too.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I find myself in a destructive pit and reach the point of wanting to give up, what keeps me going?
Can I think of a time when the Lord used a difficult (but spiritually enriching) time in my life that caused others around me to grow closer to the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by Your grace, may I always be patient with You. I know that You have never forgotten about me and that You do hear the cry of my heart. May I always look to You as my deliverer and my stability and my safety and may my life be a life song that causes others to trust in You too.
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.
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blog spot.com/
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
May the Lord use this passage of Scripture to give you great encouragement and comfort today. I'm praying for you. Thanks for praying for me.
In the hands of the One who cares for me,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship: July 23, 2011—Principle #28 (Grace & Evangelism)
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #28
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
Core Value: Grace and Evangelism
Whoever said that life would be easier once we became a devoted follower of Jesus is misleading at best, or at worst, just flat out lied to us. Yes, it would be easier on us if our Christianity were no more than a formula we could memorize and confess our way to success. Yes, it would be easier to be a Christian if a stable life was guaranteed with no difficult changes allowed. But, we know the truth. The Christian life is not based upon a formula; it is based upon having a relationship with Jesus. All of us have personally discovered that the Christian does experience wild swings of highs and lows.
The challenge for all of us who follow Jesus as His disciples is clear: will we trust Him when it seems everything is going against us? Will we trust Him or will we lean towards our own ability to make our way? Are we willing to rest in God’s character (He loves us, cares for us, has a plan for us, etc.) or will we convince ourselves that God has forgotten about us and left us to ruin? Are we patient with God? Do we have hope, no matter how deep is the pit we are in, that God is at work in us and through us? David did and so can we.
Principle #28 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the blessing of going from desperation in the pit of destruction to a supernatural deliverance that offers to the Lord unending worship, glory and praise.
• It is the grace of a patient God that helps us wait patiently for the Lord (and for His perfect work and timing) when everything within us schemes to take control and offer our own solutions.
• It is the grace of a concerned God that helps us believe that He does care for us and that He does listen to both the audible and inaudible cries of our heart.
• It is the grace of a delivering God that helps us escape from our own forms of destructive pits and miry clay to a place of stability and safety.
• It is the grace of a glorious God that helps us sing the kind of life song of praise that causes others to trust in our great God too.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I find myself in a destructive pit and reach the point of wanting to give up, what keeps me going?
Can I think of a time when the Lord used a difficult (but spiritually enriching) time in my life that caused others around me to grow closer to the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by Your grace, may I always be patient with You. I know that You have never forgotten about me and that You do hear the cry of my heart. May I always look to You as my deliverer and my stability and my safety and may my life be a life song that causes others to trust in You too.
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.
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blog spot.com/
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #27--Prayer--July 16, 2011
Hello dear friends, today we are going to compare two very familiar, but contrasting realities that everyone of us face: frustration and success. In a very paradoxical way, both of these are joined to the hip and are experienced by every disciple of Jesus. The on-going lesson we must learn is how to properly relate to each one. The Psalmist gives us his perspective on what he did when life became difficult. He prayed.
Learning with you, praying for you today,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship: July 16, 2011—Principle #27 (Prayer)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 I said, "I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence." 2 I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Psalm 39:1-4
Core Value: Prayer
Been frustrated . . . lately . . . with your circumstances . . . with other people . . . with yourself . . . with God? Frustration. We prefer that things go our way, always. We somehow believe that anything or anyone who frustrates us is not God’s best for us. Given the choice, we will say goodbye to frustration and say hello to success. Sometimes we can become spoiled with “success.” It is a season where it seems everything is going right: every decision we make is spot on, every relationship we are in is thriving, everything we do seems to have success written all over it. Success; we get used to it; we require it like a drug; and when “the other shoe drops,” when it appears that everything we touch no longer turns to gold but to dust, each one of us must come face to face with these probing questions: what will I think and what will I do when I become frustrated? Will I lash out in a desperate way to vindicate myself or will I turn to the Lord and seek His help and allow Him to defend me?
This is the common challenge of every disciple of Jesus: to work out our frustrations our way or to yield our way and submit to His. In a mysterious way, the Lord uses our frustrations to draw us closer to Him, which is a success. It is through prayer where we present our frustrations to God and He presents His grace to us.
Principle #27 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is guarded and has learned the art of directing one’s frustrations away from those who cannot help to the only One who can help.
• When we are guarded we choose to be very selective with whom we share our concerns: We are to guard our ways and we are to guard our mouth.
• When we are guarded we choose to find the correct way to “vent” our frustrations: We come to a point when it is unhealthy to just sit in and suffer spiritual heartburn with our feelings. Our frustrations will consume us and sicken us unless we redirect them to the Lord in prayer.
• When we are guarded, we can become completely honest to God by sharing with Him the deepest concerns of our heart: “Lord, make me to know my end.” Or as The Living Bible says,
Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. Psalm 39:4 (TLB)
In other words, Lord, grant to me Your perspective as I sort out the life challenges before me.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Have I ever shared my complaint of a circumstance with another person in a way that can be considered spiritual gossip?
When I become frustrated with a circumstance that I do not like, am I more prone to take my complaint to other people or to the Lord? Why is this? What can I do in order to gain a better perspective?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may Your grace help me to make the healthy choice when I am facing a frustration. I am often tempted to entrust spiritual matters (that can only be solved by You) into the hands of people who have no power to fix my problems. In fact, the problem becomes even more challenging when I bypass You in prayer and entrust spiritual gossip with them. May I learn how to be guarded with my mouth and learn the art of directing my frustrations away from those who cannot help to the only One who can help me.
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.blog spot.com/
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
Learning with you, praying for you today,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship: July 16, 2011—Principle #27 (Prayer)
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 I said, "I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence." 2 I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Psalm 39:1-4
Core Value: Prayer
Been frustrated . . . lately . . . with your circumstances . . . with other people . . . with yourself . . . with God? Frustration. We prefer that things go our way, always. We somehow believe that anything or anyone who frustrates us is not God’s best for us. Given the choice, we will say goodbye to frustration and say hello to success. Sometimes we can become spoiled with “success.” It is a season where it seems everything is going right: every decision we make is spot on, every relationship we are in is thriving, everything we do seems to have success written all over it. Success; we get used to it; we require it like a drug; and when “the other shoe drops,” when it appears that everything we touch no longer turns to gold but to dust, each one of us must come face to face with these probing questions: what will I think and what will I do when I become frustrated? Will I lash out in a desperate way to vindicate myself or will I turn to the Lord and seek His help and allow Him to defend me?
This is the common challenge of every disciple of Jesus: to work out our frustrations our way or to yield our way and submit to His. In a mysterious way, the Lord uses our frustrations to draw us closer to Him, which is a success. It is through prayer where we present our frustrations to God and He presents His grace to us.
Principle #27 & Personal Application: The quality disciple is guarded and has learned the art of directing one’s frustrations away from those who cannot help to the only One who can help.
• When we are guarded we choose to be very selective with whom we share our concerns: We are to guard our ways and we are to guard our mouth.
• When we are guarded we choose to find the correct way to “vent” our frustrations: We come to a point when it is unhealthy to just sit in and suffer spiritual heartburn with our feelings. Our frustrations will consume us and sicken us unless we redirect them to the Lord in prayer.
• When we are guarded, we can become completely honest to God by sharing with Him the deepest concerns of our heart: “Lord, make me to know my end.” Or as The Living Bible says,
Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. Psalm 39:4 (TLB)
In other words, Lord, grant to me Your perspective as I sort out the life challenges before me.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Have I ever shared my complaint of a circumstance with another person in a way that can be considered spiritual gossip?
When I become frustrated with a circumstance that I do not like, am I more prone to take my complaint to other people or to the Lord? Why is this? What can I do in order to gain a better perspective?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may Your grace help me to make the healthy choice when I am facing a frustration. I am often tempted to entrust spiritual matters (that can only be solved by You) into the hands of people who have no power to fix my problems. In fact, the problem becomes even more challenging when I bypass You in prayer and entrust spiritual gossip with them. May I learn how to be guarded with my mouth and learn the art of directing my frustrations away from those who cannot help to the only One who can help me.
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.blog spot.com/
Looking for a Bible study this summer for you and your small group? Check out this link on how you can download Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace and make it available to your small group for FREE!
http://bit.ly/lwpzNU
http://www.dennybates.com/
www.dennybates.com
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