Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #3--Prayer--January 28, 2012

Hello my dear friends! In a world where it seems the white noise of a busy life can drown out the concerns of our heart, there is One who can hear us. And because of grace, we can hear Him too.

Learning to pray,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #3

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

Key Scripture: 1 Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your power. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:1-2

Core Value: Prayer

Is anyone listening to me? Jesus is. Prayer is an intimate exchange between the needy and the One who meets our every need. Prayer is the process of making petition to the One who invites us to share the deep concerns of our heart. Prayer is the way, the only way, to have direct access to a loving and holy God who joys in hearing our heart.

Principle #3 & Personal Application: Quality disciples have full confidence to pray in God’s Name, knowing that He will save, vindicate, and hear the cry of the disciple’s heart.

• The prayer of faith cries out to God for His great salvation.

• The prayer of faith cries out to God for the power of His great vindication.

• The prayer of faith cries out to God knowing that He listens to the disciple.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I make my prayers to the Lord are they filled with faith in my ability (faith in my faith) or faith in His powerful name?

How can I know for sure that God is listening to me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have saved me by Your name. You have vindicated me by Your power. I am so grateful that You hear my prayer and give ear to the words of my mouth. May my prayers always be grounded in the faith that rests upon Your great name and timeless character.

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.

Have you got your copy of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd?

What others are saying about A One Year Journey With The Shepherd:

“Denny hit a home run in Psalms of Discipleship, his sincerity in writing brings you into an atmosphere of worship and learning.” Jeff Hoffart. Upper Level Manager, Business Consultant

“I am consumed with excitement and a fresh love for the Lord after reading A One Year Journey With The Shepherd!!! . . . The personal application sections are thought provoking, and attainable. I believe they are challenging in a way that creates a desire, instead of being out of reach for the growing believer.” Ericka Miller, MA Clinical Counseling

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html for how you can purchase your copy today!

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

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #2--Grace--January 21, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Blessings, the Lord's blessings upon you today. The longer we walk with the Lord and experience His amazing grace, we come to realize that everything that is good comes from Him. In a world where so many are living empty lives, He has touched us and caused us to grow. This is what the Psalmist is testifying about in this week's Psalms of Discipleship: It is personal, it is praiseworthy, it is powerful. It is grace.

Learning with you,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #2

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

Key Scripture: 8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. 9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones. Psalm 52:8-9

Core Value: Grace

As believers, we do contribute to our spiritual growth through our faithful obedience to practice “the spiritual disciplines” like worship, Bible study, prayer, being in community, serving others with our gifts, and sharing our faith. But at the end of the day, if God is not intimately involved in all of these, we are only busying ourselves with religious activities. It is God who always gives the growth.

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NASB95)

• The disciple who is experiencing spiritual growth is “like a green olive tree in the house of God.”

• The disciple who is experiencing spiritual growth places his “trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.”

• The disciple who is experiencing spiritual growth gives “thanks forever [to the Lord], because You have done it.”

• The disciple who is experiencing spiritual growth is patient with God: “And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How do I know for sure whether or not I am growing as a disciple of Jesus?

What are some of the spiritual disciplines that I need work on in order to grow in my faith?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, because of You and Your grace that is at work in my life, I am able to experience spiritual growth. May I always trust in Your lovingkindness forever. May I always give You thanks forever because You are the One who is bringing spiritual maturity into my life. You are very patient with me. Please help me to be patient with 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.

What others are saying about A One Year Journey With The Shepherd:

“Denny hit a home run in Psalms of Discipleship, his sincerity in writing brings you into an atmosphere of worship and learning.” Jeff Hoffart. Upper Level Manager, Business Consultant

“I am consumed with excitement and a fresh love for the Lord after reading A One Year Journey With The Shepherd!!! . . . The personal application sections are thought provoking, and attainable. I believe they are challenging in a way that creates a desire, instead of being out of reach for the growing believer.” Ericka Miller, MA Clinical Counseling

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html for how you can purchase your copy today!

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

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #1--Grace--January 14, 2012

Hello dear friends! My prayer for you and for me this year is for the God of grace to convince us more than ever before that...

His grace frees us to love Him more,

His grace helps us to serve Him better,

His grace gives us permission not to be perfect,

His grace prompts us to love and accept others who are in desperate need of His grace too.

This week's Psalms of Discipleship underscores our addiction to grace.


From one grace junkie to another,

Denny



Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #1

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

Key Scripture: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Core Value: Grace

Forgiven? Really? Just like that? Yes. Really. Just like that. It is grace that causes the broken to be blessed. It causes the rejected to be redeemed. Grace causes the humble to be helped. It is grace that causes the sinner to be saved. No one is perfect. No one ever gets it right all of the time. Fortunately for the disciple of Jesus, the grace of Jesus is perfect. His grace does set us free all of the time.

The words of this old hymn illustrate the great truth of grace, perfectly.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive?

Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

Principle #1 & Personal Application: Quality disciples know that, because of grace, God desires a heart that has been broken because of sin. Grace frees us from the need to perform a futile religious act that has no power to appease a Holy God.

• The sacrifices that God wants from His children are not those religious sacrifices that come from our flesh, from our own vain imaginations. Instead, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”

• The Lord wastes no experience in the life of the disciple—even when we have failed the Lord and sinned against Him. Because of grace, we can experience “a broken and contrite heart.”

• The person who is “in grace” is broken-hearted by sin. A person who is exposed to God’s grace will be quick to confess one’s sin. Why? Because of the personal relationship that exists between the disciple and one’s God.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I sin, when I miss the mark, how quick am I to keep short accounts with God and confess my sins to Him?

Have I ever tried to cover my sin with a religious exercise that never changed my heart?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how truly grateful I am that in spite of my shortcomings, Your love for me remains steadfast and true. By the power of Your Holy Spirit and through Your grace, may I resist the temptation to cover my sin with religious exercises that have no power to change my heart. Instead, may I always remember that what pleases You the most is a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. You will never despise these.

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.

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html for how you can purchase your copy today!

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

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #52--Evangelism--January 7, 2012

Hello my dear friends! Happy New Year to you! For many of us, the New Year is always a convenient time to make "new resolutions," to "turn over a new leaf," to change our bad habits into good ones, etc.

Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us that as we live out our lives as Christian disciples, we will have an impact upon the lost. May we, more than ever before, be the kind of representatives of Jesus that cause the lost to crave to know Him too.

Touched by grace,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #52

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

Key Scripture: 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:12-13

Core Value: Evangelism

If we model IT (the Christian life) in the right way IT (the Christian life) will be attractive to those who need to have a saving relationship with Jesus. We are not talking about more rules, more meaningless rituals, or more religion. We are talking about possessing an authentic relationship with Jesus that is contagious, infecting others with His passionate love. Unless we are walking IT (the Christian life) out in meaningful ways, then our talk becomes nothing more than white noise that drowns out the truth. And IT is too important to give the lost the wrong message.

The Gospel, evidenced in our own lives, gives much grace to those who have blown IT. This is the kind of message that resonates in the hearts of those who have been beaten down with guilt and shame: salvation comes to those who need it and then seek IT. Will we allow IT to be seen through us?

Let IT be Lord, let IT be.

Principle #52 & Personal Application: The quality disciple lives an authentic life that is attractive to sinners who need to have a saving relationship with Jesus.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God does restore to us the joy of His salvation.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God sustains us with a willing spirit.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God can use us to teach unbelievers the ways of the Lord.

• Even when we stumble and fall, God can use us to lead sinners towards a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How can God use my testimony of personal failure to be a tool that would cause others to consider Jesus?

What would I say to the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus?

Do I know how to share the Gospel in a way that is clear and convincing?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the One who restores. You are the One who gives me such great joy in Your salvation. May I always be prepared to share my life experiences of faith to those who still need to bend their knee 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.

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html for how you can purchase your copy today!

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

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #51--Grace--December 31, 2011

Hello my dear friends! As we come to the end of another year, its a convenient time to reflect upon the experiences that impacted us this year; both the good and the not so good. In every day, and in every experience, the Lord was with us. One of the most profound things He has done is the work He has done in our heart. Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives us a front row seat into the thoughts of David as He asked God for a great miracle: a brand new heart.

A new heart, every day, all year long. What a gift for each one of us to look forward to in the coming new year.

Happy New Year!

Denny



Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #51

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

Key Scripture: 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

Core Value: Grace

Planned obsolescence. We buy it. We use it. We break it. We dispose of it and begin the whole cycle again until we die. Those of us who are old enough remember the quality that went into the electrical fan that sat on a table keeping us cool. Our sole responsibility was to inject lightweight oil into the motor on occasion that not only guaranteed the long life of the appliance but also meant we could spend our hard-earned money on other things.

The human heart is the epitome of planned obsolescence. It breaks all the time and needs to be constantly replaced. The disciple’s heart comes with an extended lifetime warranty of sorts. Unlike the fans that kept on working after many years of use, the human heart is different. Because of sin (which rusts us away), our heart is always in need of repair. Those who have given their heart to Jesus have the promise of a replacement heart that is clean. It is a miracle every time it happens.

In a word, it is grace. May we learn to echo the prayer of David when he requested, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

Principle #51 & Personal Application: A quality disciple requests a miracle every day: the creation of a clean heart from the Lord.

• It is a miracle of grace when God can “create” (literally make something out of nothing) in me a clean heart.

• It is a miracle of grace when God renews a steadfast spirit within me.

• It is a miracle of grace when God does not cast me away from His presence.

• It is a miracle of grace when God does not take His Holy Spirit from me.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What does it feel like, what descriptive words come to mind, when God removes the plaque of sin that has sickened my heart?

Am I more prone to allow guilt to keep me from enjoying the presence of the Lord or do I live like the shed blood of Jesus has set me free?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the miracle of a clean heart. You are the Great Physician and only You can heal the sin-sickened heart. Thank You for the miracle of renewing in me a steadfast spirit. Thank You that I will always be a child of Yours and You will never cast me aside and take away Your precious Holy Spirit from 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.blogspot.com/

Why A One Year Journey With The Shepherd May Be A Great Resource For You!

You are invited to spend some time reading and reflecting upon “Psalms of Discipleship: A One Year Journey With The Shepherd,” a simple, easy to use, devotional experience. By spending five minutes or fifty-five minutes on the weekly devotion and Bible study, you will be afforded the opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. This unique devotional consists of fifty-two practical lessons designed for small group or individual study.

Now available in print and eBook formats. See http://www.dennybates.com/Home/OneYearJourney.html

for how you can purchase your copy today!

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #50--Grace--December 24, 2011

Hello my dear friends. Warm Christmas greetings to you on this Christmas Eve. For some of us, this time of the year is an emotional challenge for a variety of reasons: perhaps we have lost a job and can no longer afford to join in the materialistic aspect of Christmas OR perhaps we have lost a loved one or even our own health. For some, Christmas is just not the same as it used to be: it has lost it's innocence and has almost become just another day on the calendar.

Years ago as I was finishing my shift as a toy department manager, I stood in the cold before getting into my car. Another 12 hour day during that Christmas rush had taken its toll upon me. In my heart, this thought came to mind: "in a few years or less, most of the toys I had sold to my customers would find their way into the county landfill, consumed and disposed of."

I began to worship the Lord and thank Him for not consuming and disposing of me. He considers me and He considers you to be a priceless gift. And one day, He is coming again. Until then, may each one of us experience a renewed sense of His great love for us this Christmas season.

This Christmas Song, "Jesus Christ is Coming Again," came to me during my ride home. I'd like to share it with you. It is set to familiar tune of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town."

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (2x)

Jesus Christ is coming again (repeat)

He knows your every desire

He knows what's on your heart

He knows what will give you joy

And His love will never depart

Oh Ha le ha le luia

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (2x)

Jesus Christ is coming (repeat 3x)

Again



Maranatha (Come quickly, Lord Jesus) and Merry Christmas to you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #50

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

Key Scripture: Purify me with hyssop (*), and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

* "Hyssop" was a shrub with hairy stems that could be dipped into liquid, and the priests used hyssop to sprinkle blood or water on people needing ceremonial cleansing (Lev. 14:4, 6; Num. 19:6, 18; see Ex. 12:22). Today's believers find their cleansing in the work Jesus accomplished on the cross (1 John 1:5-10; Heb. 10:19-25). Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – Wisdom and Poetry.

Core Value: Grace

The great need of sinners is to be cleansed from the filth of a dirty life marred by the effects of sin. The great hope for sinners is the promise of forgiveness. The great message of the Gospel is the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. This is a message that rings true any time of the year, but especially during Advent and Christmas where we celebrate God’s great love for us, revealed to us, when He sent His Son, His one and only son to come and live among us and to die for our sins. Immanuel, God with us, by faith is now Christ in us, the hope of glory!

Merry Christmas!

Principle #50 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences spiritual renewal; made clean by the blood of Christ.

As the great hymn writer reminds us, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

• Grace is the cleansing agent that purifies the soul stained with sin.

• Grace is the means where the disciple is not only washed, but “shall be whiter than snow.”

• Grace is God’s gift to the sin problem. This is the only antidote that will keep us spiritually alive: the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What is it in my life that the Lord needs to clean up in my heart?

When I read from God’s Word, what are some of the Scriptures He has used in the past that “cleanse” me? (Make a list of these and refer back to them often. For example, see 1 John 1:9; Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 4:12-16, etc.)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for purifying me with Your blood. By Your grace, I am clean before You. May I walk in the knowledge of Your love and forgiveness. May I never take for granted what You did on the Cross for me. May I ever give You unending thanksgiving and praise. Alleluia! Your blood avails for 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.blogspot.com/

Looking for a tool that will help encourage you to experience a more meaningful and disciplined devotional life in 2012?

Check out this free sample of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd.

Click on this link for your FREE preview:

http://bit.ly/sXCkYL

Available for purchase on Monday, December 19 via www.dennybates.com

.

What you get with your purchase of this Bible study and devotional book is 52 weeks of practical and easy to use exercises that will help draw you into a deeper relationship with the Shepherd of the Psalms.

Print version is $15.99 (includes shipping and handling). Ebook format (works on your computer and ipad) is $9.99.

For print orders of fifteen books or more, contact me for a quantity discount at dennybates@gmail.com

Psalms of Discipleship--Principle #49--Grace--December 18, 2011

Hello my dear friends. This time of the year is always a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us. He sent His Son into the world so that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17). Today's Psalms of Discipleship offers great hope to the ones who have blown it; have sinned; have missed the mark. That circumstance would apply to all of us. Because of grace, we are forgiven and made clean. Merry Christmas to you!

Jesus is not only the reason for the season, He is the reason for every season of our lives.


Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #49

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

Key Scripture: 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:1-4

Core Value: Grace

A fresh snow is a wonderful contrast to what it often hides. I recall a December trip I made to visit some friends who are serving the Lord in Kiev Ukraine. While parts of the land were breathtaking, other parts of the surroundings (and people) were still recovering from the harsh conditions of living under the Soviet rule for so many years. The landscape was barren, dirty, and unsightly. And then it snowed, covering up the ugly with a beautiful curtain of white snow. After a while, after the snow was shoveled and trampled upon, what lied beneath was seen again.

In some ways this is like our lives. We are a sinful people. We are dirty and unsightly. And we are in need of grace; the kind of grace that washes whiter than snow; the kind of grace that covers us with the cleansing blood of Jesus; the kind of grace that forgives us of our sin. Lord, may Your grace and love snow on us. Grant us a blizzard!

Principle #49 & Personal Application: The quality disciple experiences the cleansing power of forgiven sin.

• Grace allows the believer to experience the gracious lovingkindness of God.

• Grace allows the believer to be the recipient of the greatness of a compassionate God who has the power to blot out “my” transgressions.

• Grace allows the believer to be thoroughly washed and cleansed from iniquity and sin.

• Grace allows the believer to “own” one’s own sin, refusing to blame others but accepting full responsibility for spiritual failure.

• Grace allows the believer to realize that sin is personal and it is against God.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I sin, how quick am I to keep short accounts with God and confess my sin to Him?

When is the last time that I have experienced the feeling of being thoroughly washed and cleansed of the residue of guilt from my sin?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are gracious and kind to me. Thank You that according to the greatness of Your compassion, You blot out my transgressions. Thank You for washing me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleansing me from my sin. Help me to keep short accounts with You and “own” my sin. Help me to remember that my sin is personal and it does cut Your heart and cause You pain.

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 tool that will help encourage you to experience a more meaningful and disciplined devotional life in 2012?

Check out this free sample of A One Year Journey With The Shepherd.

Click on this link for your FREE preview:

http://bit.ly/sXCkYL

Available for purchase on Monday, December 19 via www.dennybates.com.

What you get with your purchase of this Bible study and devotional book is 52 weeks of practical and easy to use exercises that will help draw you into a deeper relationship with the Shepherd of the Psalms.

Print version is $15.99 (includes shipping and handling). Ebook format (works on your computer and ipad) is $9.99.

For print orders of fifteen books or more, contact me for a quantity discount at dennybates@gmail.com

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