Psalms of Discipleship--April 17, 2011

Psalms of Discipleship—April 17

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

Psalm 60:11-12
11 O give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

Core Value: Prayer

Principle #15 & Application:
The quality disciple lives in the on-going tension between spiritual defeat and spiritual victory, knowing only a complete surrender to God will produce a great victory.

Some background: In this psalm David has responded in prayer after his nation has been attacked by the Edomites who inflicted great damage. This temporary setback is a lesson in perseverance and in prayer. For the disciple of Jesus there are many spiritual battles that must be fought, and some of these we will lose. The key is to learn from defeat and set out to win the next victory. This is done when we believe and turn to God. After a defeat . . .

• We need to cry out to God for help against our adversary.

• The worst place we can place our trust is in other people.

• We need to believe that through God we will do valiantly (mighty things).

• We need to yield our will to His will for it is God, and only God, who will defeat our foes.

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I lose a spiritual battle what kind of steps do I take in order to fight another day?

The Bible teaches that “Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” There is a part for me to play and there is a part that only God can play. What is my role and what is His promise to me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, remind me to cry out to You when I find myself on the losing end of a spiritual battle. I look to You for help against my adversary. I know that looking to other people instead of You will never produce a good outcome for me. I thank You that through You I will do mighty things as I testify of Your deliverance of my life.

Want to learn more about how to live as a Disciple and a DiscipleMaker for Jesus?

Visit my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com

For back copies of the 2011 CAS bulletin visit this website: http://psalmsofdiscipleship--sandhurst.blogspot.com/