Psalms of Discipleship
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Psalm 55:1-5
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted, 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.
Core Value: Prayer
Principle # 6 & Application:
The quality disciple, when faced with circumstances that cause overwhelming fear, turns to the Lord in prayer.
The Psalmist David was in serious trouble. His enemies sought to harm him and were sparing no energy in attempting to do so. Like us, he was human. Like us, he was in desperate need of His Lord. A disciple of Jesus who faces the terror of life. . .
• Seeks out God in prayer (vs. 1-2)
• Shares the reality of the obstacles with the Lord (vs. 3)
• Speaks honestly with God in describing one’s feelings (vs. 4-5)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
In what ways does the Lord comfort me when I feel overwhelmed by fear?
Do I feel I can be honest with God with my inner feelings? In what ways can I be more honest with God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am in trouble and feel threatened by my enemies, help me to remember to seek You out in prayer; to share with you the obstacles I am facing; and to speak honestly about what I am feeling.
You can learn how to live as a Disciple and a DiscipleMaker for Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com
Psalms of Discipleship
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Psalm 56:3-4
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Core Value: Worship
Principle # 7 & Application:
The quality disciple turns great fear into greater faith by choosing to praise and worship the Lord. The believer who trusts in the Lord:
• Turns fear into trust
• Turns fear into praise and worship
• Fears God more than man
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
What kinds of things cause me to be afraid? How quick am I to turn my fear into faith (trust in the Lord)?
How can my decision to worship God in the midst of adversity help me trust Him more?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am afraid, may I put my trust in You. God, in Your word do I praise and worship You. God, in You I have put my trust. By faith, I shall not fear man but fear and honor and respect only You.
You can learn how to live as a Disciple and a DiscipleMaker for Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com
Psalms of Discipleship
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Psalm 56:13
For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.
Core Value: Grace
Principle # 8 & Application:
The quality disciple rejoices in all that Jesus has on the Cross, empowering the disciple to walk before God’s life-giving light. God’s grace allows the believer...
• To have one’s soul delivered from death
• To keep one’s feet from stumbling
• To walk (or live) with assurance and safety before God’s life-giving light
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How has the grace of the Gospel impacted the way I live before the Lord?
Think back over the events of your life and ponder these words: “I may walk before God In the light of the living.” Can I think of an example where I sensed God’s life-giving light (in facing temptation, etc.)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how I thank and praise You for delivering my soul from death. Without Your intervention on the Cross, my feet would always stumble and I would never be able to live or walk before You in Your life-giving light.
You can learn how to live as a Disciple and a DiscipleMaker for Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com
Psalms of Discipleship
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Psalm 57:1-3 Core Value
1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. 2 I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.
Core Value: Grace
Principle # 9 & Application:
The quality disciple is keenly aware of the need to run to God and take refuge in Him.
• Grace allows us to see God as a gracious God (vs. 1a)
• Grace allows us to find a safe place in God (vs. 1b)
• Grace allows us cry out to a Most High God who is working for our good (vs. 2)
• Grace allows us to trust Him for protection from those who are foes (vs. 3a)
• Grace allows us to be the recipients of His lovingkindess and His truth (vs. 3b)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How has God been gracious to me?
What does it mean for me to take refuge in the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, O my God, I thank You that it is in Your holy character to be gracious to me. My soul does take refuge in You. In the shadow of Your protective wings, I hide in them. I cry out to You, my God Most High. You are the One who accomplishes all things for me. You send from heaven my deliverance and protection from those who are my foes. You send to me Your lovingkindness and truth.
You can learn how to live as a Disciple and a DiscipleMaker for Jesus by visiting my website at www.dennybates.com and my teaching blog at http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com
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