Date post: | 02-Nov-2014 |
Category: |
Spiritual |
Upload: | tabernacle-baptist-church |
View: | 329 times |
Download: | 4 times |
Gripped by GracePsalm 119:73-80
Introduction
• Psalm 119 is a STYLIZED description of the Bible– Each section is composed of personal
observations and applications– Each section is creative and unique in style
Introduction
• Each of the lines in Psalm 119:73-80 begin with the same Hebrew letter
• The yodh is a pictograph of a closed hand or a working, strong arm
Introduction
• yad is a hand– ayin (eyes), and peh (mouth) are similar octets
• The letter affects words with the semantic feel of throwing, working & worshiping
Spiritual Formation
• Spiritual formation or GROWTH is critical to our advance – “NEW GROWTH” is our middle name!
• Spiritual formation is always an act of GRACE. – Grace to be caught, to be confronted, to be
corrected, to be conformed– Legalism is about keeping the rules for sake of the
rules; it is without grace
Spiritual Formation
• Spiritual formation is the PROCESS whereby we are being molded and shaped – into the IMAGE of Jesus,
– by the POWER of the Spirit
– to the GLORY of the Father.
• Spiritual formation is PRODUCTIVE -- to know Him better!
Formation Prayers
1. Give me understanding that I may learn.God has fashioned my mind, given me a
relational construction, personal spirit (Ps 139:13-17)
God establishes and directs these faculties towards His goals through His commandments
Formation Prayers
2. Give me friends who are headed in the same direction.
We share a common fear of God, not each otherWe live exposed, vulnerable, transparent lives
before one anotherWe cheer when each one has success in
applying the Word
Formation Prayers
3. Give me tests regularly that challenge my faith.
God’s answer to this test question is right God’s rulings (judgments) about whether I am
ready for this test or not is always “spot on”God’s testing is never malicious or antagonistic
Formation Prayers
4. Give me reminders regularly of Your unshakeable love for me.
We are never alone, forgotten, abandoned, forsaken or lost
We have an unfailing commitment from God
Formation Prayers
5. Give me mercy, lots and lots of mercy.God’s character offers healing throughout our
growth God’s character offers delight throughout our
growth
Without God, we will die in our sins
Formation Prayers
6. Give me the truth about how You see me.We can easily get sidetracked by the attacks of
lying enemiesWe can easily focus on defense, revenge,
retaliationWe need to set all our mental, emotional
energies on God and His Word to form right responses
Formation Prayers
7. Give me opportunities to counsel others.God’s teaching is seldom just about us growingGod’s purpose in creating community is growthGod never intends for us to “waste your cancer”
Formation Prayers
8. Give me success in several key spiritual areas.
We cannot trust our hearts to direct usWe must have blamelessness before God as our
goal for 2013We do not want to finish in spiritual failure,
decline or stagnation
Conclusion
• O God, placed in Your strong grip of grace, I want to be thrown toward Your targets with increasing accuracy.
• I want to see produce in my own spiritual life and the life of my church family and friends.
• I want to know You and fear You more in this coming year. I want to serve You more faithfully.
• I will worship You, my “Gracious Gripper”.