Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #30 (Worship). August 31, 2013

Hello my dear friends!

In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we are going to learn how to give thanks and why it is good for us to give thanks to the Lord. Its another great reminder of all He has done for us.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #30

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

Key Scripture: 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Psalm 96:7-8

Core Value: Worship

Throughout the Psalms the disciple of Jesus is exhorted to give thanks (Ps. 44:8; 57:9; 75:1; 100:4, etc.). Have you ever considered why? It is good to give thanks to the Lord because it reminds us of all He has done for us. It is good to give thanks because it moves our mentality of independence from the Lord to dependence upon the Lord. It is good to give thanks because it fills our hearts with praise and adoration of Him.

Principle #30 & Personal Application: Quality disciples, by faith and through grace, give their lives to the Lord as an act of worship.

• We give our worship to the Lord together

• We give our acknowledgement to the Lord that He is deserving of all glory and strength

• We give to the Lord the glory of His name

• We bring an offering (ourselves) as we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What kind of worship environment helps me to focus upon the Lord?

When I consider giving the Lord glory and strength, what am I doing? What are some of the Names of God that have special meaning to me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing me to return to You what belongs to You: my praise and worship of You and Your glorious name. May I always ascribe to You all glory and strength. May I always be a part of a community of worshipers who praise and glorify 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

Do you have a spiritual life plan? Everyone needs one. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.dennybates.com/#!my-spiritual-life-goals/c17n7

Psalms of Discipleship (Worship) Principle #29. August 18, 2013

Hello my dear friends. Much love to you. Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the great value of making good choices to worship. To create a lifestyle of worship it requires a daily decision to take the right path.

On the path with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #29

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

Key Scripture: 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Psalm 96:4-5

Core Value: Worship

Life is filled with choices. Sometimes we make good ones and sometimes we experience the consequences of bad decisions. For the disciple of Jesus it is critically important to make good choices when it comes to our worship of Him. The best way to cultivate a lifestyle of worship is to be consistent. It is best done when we make daily habits (or choices) to worship God. A life filled good choices makes all the difference in the world.

Poet Robert Frost said it well:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Principle #29 & Personal Application: Quality disciples love a great God with a great worship.

• We love a great God and greatly praise Him

• We love a great God who is greater than any idol in our life

• We love a great God who is a great and mighty Creator

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

In what ways does the Lord make Himself great in my life?

Are there any idols in my heart that hinder my worship of the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I love, worship, and adore You. You are a Great God and deserve my greatest praise. There is no one like You. May my heart always be filled with fidelity for You. May no idol, within or outside of me, ever steal my devotion for 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

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #28 (Worship) August 11, 2013

Hello my dear friends. 

Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds of us the sharp contrast between being entertained by others and entertaining the Lord. May we all learn the importance of presenting our lives to an audience of One.

Learning with you,

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #28

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

Key Scripture: 1 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. 3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. Psalm 96:1-3

Core Value: Worship

We live in an entertainment culture. We want to be entertained. This, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. Entertainment can fill our emotional tanks. The problem is when this legitimate activity bleeds into our worship of God. Instead of being entertained by others, we need to entertain the Lord. He needs to be the focal point in our concert of One.

Here is the personal inventory question regarding worship each disciple must ponder: do I want Jesus and others to entertain me or do I want to entertain Him?

Principle #28 & Personal Application: Quality disciples sing to the Lord as they daily proclaim of His great salvation and tell of His glory and wonderful deeds to everyone.

• We worship when we sing to the Lord and bless His name

• We worship when we proclaim good tidings of His great salvation every day

• We worship when we tell of His glory among the nations

• We worship when we tell of His wonderful deeds to everyone

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Biblical worship is an energetic, enthusiastic, engaged lifestyle. What kind of worship environment is most conducive to my worship of God? (For example, is it solitude; with a large group; lots of music; outdoors; indoors, etc.)

What kinds of thoughts fill my heart when I am worshipping the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I sing to You a new song. I praise You for I do not sing alone. There are many others who are filling the earth with praise songs for You. As I sing, I bless Your holy Name and proclaim the good tidings of Your great salvation every day. By faith, I will tell everyone I know about Your glory and the great deeds You have done for me.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #27 (Worship). August 3, 2013

Hello my dear friends,

Worship of the Lord is one of the greatest activities granted to us by Him. Worship is far more than a bland ritual performed out of a religious duty. Biblical worship is grace-driven and based upon a love relationship with Jesus. The Psalmist offers the invitation to worship. He invites us to come.

Coming with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #27

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

Key Scripture: 6 Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Psalm 95:6-7

Core Value: Worship

Worship is more than singing a song and beating a tambourine. Worship is more than just showing up at a specific location on a specific day at a specific time with specific people going through specific rituals. Worship is simply bowing one’s will to the will of God while at home, at work, or even at church. Worship is a grace-driven activity that enhances the spiritual growth of the Quality Disciple.

Is your experience a ritualistic, works-driving worship or are you responding to His irresistible grace that draws you into His presence? His invitation to you and to me is one of grace: to come and worship Him.

Principle #27 & Personal Application: Quality disciples follow the lead of the Great Shepherd into an intimate worship experience.

• The invitation is to come and worship

• The invitation is to come in humility

• The invitation is to come before the Lord our Maker

• The invitation is to lead to this great confession: He is our God and we belong to Him

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

What is my “worship style?” In other words, in what ways do I worship the Lord?

What is my greatest challenge that keeps me from cultivating a habit of worship?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I gratefully accept Your offer to come and worship You. I come with a posture of humility as I bow down my knee and my will to You. I confess that You are my Maker and my God. I look to You as the Shepherd of my soul.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #26 (Worship & Community). July 22, 2013

Hello my dear friends! Today's Psalms of Discipleship reminds us of the great joy that awaits the believer if we seek to worship Him instead of seeking to entertain ourselves. May we be a true worshiper today.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #26

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

Key Scripture: 1 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, Psalm 95:1-3

Core Value: Worship and Community

There is a stark contrast between corporate worship and corporate entertainment. In corporate entertainment, the focus is upon the ones who are entertaining and the ones who are being entertained. As a result, men applaud men and steal from God’s glory. This kind of corporate entertainment happens every Sunday and it is passed off as “corporate worship.”

On the other hand, authentic corporate worship sets the focus upon the Lord and upon Him alone. Corporate worship that is set upon Christ projects all glory and praise unto Him. Like a sweet aroma, worship offered in His name ascends and magnifies His glory. Christ-centered corporate worship fills the hearts of true worshipers with great joy. Far too many of us settle for the goose bumps of corporate entertainment instead of embracing the kind of joy that explodes within our heart when we worship Him together.

Principle #26 & Personal Application: Quality disciples sing for joy to the Lord because the Lord is a great God and a great King.

• A thankful heart is a singing heart that offers worship to the Lord

• A worshipful heart is a shouting heart that is expresses joy to the rock of our salvation

• A humble heart is an adoring heart that comes into His presence with thanksgiving

• A Word-centered heart is a marinated heart that is filled with the truths of Scripture

• A transformed heart is a focused heart that gives Jesus His rightful place as a great God and a great King

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I begin to sing out to the Lord in worship, what kinds of emotions tend to fill my heart?

Based upon this Psalm, what is my responsibility in worship of Him?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I always seek to worship You in a way that pleases You. By faith, I sing for joy to You. I shout joyfully to the rock of my salvation. By grace, I come into Your presence with thanksgiving. May You fill my heart with Your Word so I may offer Your Word back to You as a offering of worship to You. I make this commitment to You: May I live my life in a way that best glorifies You as a great God and great King.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #25 (Grace). July 13, 2013

Hello my dear friends,

Today's Psalms of Discipleship gives comfort to the person who feels surrounded by his or her enemies. Some disciples of Jesus default to fear when the battle is near. Other disciples follow the example of the Psalmist and trust in the Lord.

Learning with you,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #25

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

Key Scripture: 16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? 17 If the LORD had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. 18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. 19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:16-19

Core Value: Grace

Have you ever felt you were surrounded by someone or something that was opposing you at every turn? Have you ever experienced the feeling of being outnumbered by your foes? Have you ever considered throwing up the white flag of surrender during the heat of battle and just giving up? One of the great struggles the disciple of Jesus faces is the struggle of confrontation. Sometimes it can be demonic. Sometimes, the battle lies within. And there are other times where the opposition comes in the form of other people, perhaps even from other Christians.

It is important to note the strategy the Psalmist took. First, he posed the logical question: “Who will stand up for me?” Second, he offers the best solution to his circumstances: He assigns the credit (the glory) to the One who has a history of delivering him and comforting him.

What lesson can we learn from his example? It is okay to raise the question of “who will stand up for me?” Perhaps the enemy is Satan, or the thoughts within, or even in the appearance of another person. It is also okay to confess that Jesus is our defense.

Principle #25 & Personal Application: Quality disciples look to the Lord for help when enemies seek to overwhelm and destroy.

• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord will stand up for us against evildoers

• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord is our help

• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord’s lovingkindness (mercy) will hold us up

• We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord will console us and comfort our soul.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

How does the grace of God help me not be overcome by worry and anxiety?

Because the Lord has given me grace, what comfort does He offer me when my “foot has slipped?”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am grateful that You will stand up for me against evildoers who do evil things to me. I am thankful for Your presence in my life. Without Your presence I would be lost and forsaken forever. And when I do stumble and fall, You are there to pick me up and pour out Your mercy upon me. And just when I cling the edge of despair, You are there to comfort me and delight my soul.

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…

Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

Dr. Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2013 All rights reserved.

You can learn how to live as a Quality Disciple and a DiscipleMaker4Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://www.dennybates.com/#!blog/c1a4e

Psalms of Discipleship. Principle #24 (Worship) July 7, 2013

Hello my dear friends, today's Psalms of Discipleship is a Psalm of Worship. I have learned (well, it is more accurate to say, I am learning) how to make the connection of my great needs to my view of a much greater God.

Learning, still learning, to worship Him,

Denny

Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #24

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

Key Scripture: 1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods lift up their pounding waves. 4 More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:1-5

Core Value: Worship

“Is God bigger than my dreams?” “Will I ever figure out my place in this world?”

These are the kinds of questions I often default to when life is not going the way I have intended. My plans have gone from Plan A to Plan B to a downward spiral of Plan Z and beyond. It is when nothing is going my way that I need to step back and then lean forward and embrace the character of God. He is in control. He reigns. He is Lord . . . and I am not.

Feeling stuck in your career? Feeling out of control in your personal life? Become paralyzed in your spiritual life? Like the Psalmist, take a closer look to the Lord who reigns. Gaze into His Word and worship Him now. A focused worship of God will produce a clearer path to walk, a path where His Spirit leads us to go.

Principle #24 & Personal Application: Quality disciples lift up the name of the Lord and praise Him for His great and awesome power.

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord has clothed Himself with strength

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord’s throne of rule is firmly established

• When we worship God we acknowledge that even the waters of the sea testify of His majesty

• When we worship God we acknowledge that the Lord is a holy and awesome God

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

Is there anything “trite” in my approach to God when I typically pray? In other words, do I treat Him like some cosmic bellhop whose sole purpose is to run and fetch for me when I pray OR do I approach His throne with a reverent fear and respect?

What benefit is there to me when I begin to pray God’s Word back to Him? (Using this psalm as an example)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no one like You. You reign and are clothed in majesty. You had no beginning and You have no end. You are from everlasting. I join in with Your creation and worship Your holy and great name.

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