TaB

1. Gripped by Grace
Psalm 119:73-80

2. 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

3. 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

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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

10. Formation Prayers
2. Give me friends who are headed in the
same direction.
We share a common fear of God, not each other
We live exposed, vulnerable, transparent lives
before one another
We cheer when each one has success in
applying the Word

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Formation Prayers
6. Give me the truth about how You see me.
We can easily get sidetracked by the attacks of
lying enemies
We can easily focus on defense, revenge,
retaliation
We need to set all our mental, emotional
energies on God and His Word to form right responses

15. Formation Prayers
7. Give me opportunities to counsel others.
God’s teaching is seldom just about us growing
God’s purpose in creating community is growth
God never intends for us to “waste your cancer”

16. Formation Prayers
8. Give me success in several key spiritual
areas.
We cannot trust our hearts to direct us
We must have blamelessness before God as our
goal for 2013
We do not want to finish in spiritual failure,
decline or stagnation

17. 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”.