Discipleship Essentials*
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, My prayer today is that my life will reflect Your will. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may, indeed, keep Your commandments carefully. I pray that my actions will reflect Your principles, and that others around me will see the consistency of my walk in You, and be drawn to Your great salvation. I pray these things in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Psalm 119:1-16
1 Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.
2 Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!
6 Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.
7 When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your principles. Please don’t give up on me!
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
10 I have tried my best to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your principles.
13 I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.
Background on the Text – Who Wrote It? Why Was It Written? Who Was the Audience?
Heavenly Father, The psalmist’s plea for You not to give up on him, is my plea as well! I confess to You right now that I am not what I ought to be and I don’t always live by Your commands. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live faithfully and obediently each moment of this day. I know that without Your presence I am doomed to failure, but with You in my life, all things are possible. Glorify Yourself in my life today that that those around me may see You in me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Observation – What Does the Text Say?
(Specifically look at the bold verses, if any, to answer these questions.)
Interpretation – What Does the Text Mean?
Application – How Can I Respond to the Text’s Insights and Teachings?
Each Week’s Check List
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Growth Point |
How |
Encouraged and strengthened me by |
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Fallen short areas |
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What will I do with these insights? |
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What did God say to me today? |
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Share insights and growth points |
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Changed/transformed how? |
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Thoughts...Please Don't Give Up on Me!
Here we see the authenticity of the psalmist coming through. While he is writing on the topic of God’s commands, and how important it is for us to obey them, he confesses that he hasn’t lived up to the standards God sets, and begs God not to forgive up on Him. In our lives as followers of Jesus, we also face the reality that our thoughts, words and actions, don’t always line up with our professions of faith in Jesus. Some respond to this disparity by giving up. Others respond by developing a large “hypocrisy factor” in their lives—they don’t “walk the talk,” but they pretend that they do. The psalmist comes up with a better alternative—confess to God that we have failed and beg for mercy! Even after we receive the new life that Jesus offers us, we are pulled toward sin—we are tempted by Satan. He doesn’t give up on us just because we have professed Jesus from Lord. We must be fervent in prayer, as the psalmist was, falling on God’s grace every, single day of our lives, for as we do God WILL be gracious to us, God will shower us with mercy and blessing. He WILL empower us with the Holy Spirit that we will be able to remember His commands and live them out in our daily lives. Remember, when you feel like a failure, fall on God’s grace—He is always there. Failure is an action, not a person. We are NOT destined to fall short, but to live in victory, because of what Jesus has done for us.