Psalms of Discipleship
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Psalm 51:17 | Core Value | Principle # 1 |
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. | Grace | The quality disciple knows 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. |
Application:
The quality disciple knows 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.
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 52:8-9 | Core Value | Principle # 2 |
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. | Grace | The quality disciple experiences spiritual growth because of what God is doing in his or her heart. |
Application:
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 quality disciple experiences spiritual growth because of what God is doing in his or her heart.
· 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.
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 54:1-2 | Core Value | Principle # 3 |
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. | Prayer | The quality disciple has full confidence to pray in God’s Name, knowing that He will save, vindicate, and hear the cry of the disciple’s heart. |
Application:
The quality disciple has 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.
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 54:4 | Core Value | Principle # 4 |
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. | Grace | The quality disciple places his or her full assurance in God’s sustaining power. |
Application:
The quality disciple places his or her full assurance in God’s sustaining power.
· Behold, God is: This means He is the One who is the primary constant in my life—He will always be there for me.
· God is my helper: This means He is the One who helps me when I cannot help myself.
· The Lord is the sustainer of my soul: This means He is the One who fills my depleting tank of spiritual emptiness when I become discouraged and weary of life.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
In what ways is “God my helper?”
How does the Lord sustain my soul?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are my helper; thank You that You are the sustainer of my soul. May I always place my full assurance in Your sustaining power.
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 54:6-7 | Core Value | Principle # 5 |
6 Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies. | Worship | The quality disciple offers an intentional act of worship to the Lord that is filled with thanksgiving and praise. |
Application:
The quality disciple offers an intentional act of worship to the Lord that is filled with thanksgiving and praise.
A disciple with a heart of worship willingly . . .
· Makes a sacrifice of worship to the Lord.
· Gives thanks to His name.
· Acknowledges God for His deliverance.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How proactive have I been when it comes to willingly giving God worship and praise for who He is?
When is the last time I can remember when the Lord “delivered me from all trouble?” What was going on and what was the outcome?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good. For You have delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies. May I always offer You an intentional act of worship that is filled with thanksgiving and praise.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment