The Worry of God: Psalm 139

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139.13-14

The Trinity is a mystery.

Holy Spirit fills, guides, gifts and empowers us.

Jesus saves, redeems and sets an example for us.

Father is... our Father.

A parent, a father, worries about his kids:

1. God knows his children. vv. 1-3

2. God protects his children. v. 5

3. God is always on our side. v. 7ff

4. God always wants the best for us. vv. 17-18

Take Away Point-

God, my Father, loves me with a love I cannot understand.

He is mine, and I am his.

I will love him forever.

The Work of God: Psalm 22

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22.1

There are times when God seems distant and unconcerned with us.

At other times he seems to anticipate our needs, and meet them.

But God is always close at hand.

How God works...

1. God delivers those who trust in him. v. 4.

2. God is a lifetime companion. v. 9.

3. God stays close, at all times. v. 19.

4. God provides for our salvation. vv. 16-18.

Take Away Passage-

For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22.16-18

The Will of God: Psalm 15

And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6.8

Good People and God People

Becoming God People:

1. God People live holy lives. (v. 2)

   Righteous living.

   Truth Telling.

2. God People control their tongues. (v.3)

   Do not gossip.

   Do no harm.

   Do not speak evil.

3. God People live in integrity. (v. 4)

   Despise sin.

   Honor faith.

   Keep promises.

4. God people are above reproach. (v. 5)

   They help financially.

   They cannot be bribed.

   They will not lie.

Take Away Point-

I can continue to live my life, satisfied being a good person;

or I can become the person, the God person,

that God wants me to be.

The Word of God: Psalm 119

The Word of God

11 March 2012, Third Sunday of Lent

Psalm 119

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119.33-34

Some thoughts on Psalm 119

Reasons to study and know the Word of God:

1. To be blessed by God.

   Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
   Who walk in the law of the Lord! v. 1

2. To live a pure life.

   How can a young man cleanse his way?
   By taking heed according to Your word. v. 12

3. To be able to share faith with others.

   So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
   For I trust in Your word. v. 42

4. The Bible is better than wealth and fame.

   The law of Your mouth is better to me
   Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. v. 72

Take Away Point-

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119.105

The Worship of God: Psalm 84

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84.10

A Primer on Worship

1. We need to address God in worship.

   How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! V. 1

2. Worship is where we are made to be.

   Even the sparrow has found a home. v. 3

3. Those who worship are blessed.

   Blessed are those who dwell in your house. v. 4

4. Fellowship with God is better than anything.

   Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. v. 10

Take Away Point-

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

LORD Almighty,
blessed are those who trust in you. Psalm 84.11-12

How to Study the Bible: Psalm 119.26-33

Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,

that I may follow it to the end. Psalm 199.33

General Rules (for Bible Study)-

• Get a Bible you can read and understand.

• Come up with a plan. Make it reasonable.

• Get an accountability partner.

• Just do it!

When you get started, pay attention to...

1. What it says- Information. (v. 33)

2. What it means- Interpretation. (v. 34)

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.

3. What it does- Application. (v. 35)

Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

Take Away Point-

The Bible is God's Word; “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” I should read it, study it and know it more than I do. To know God, I will get to know his word.

7 Simple Steps: Psalm 103.1-5

Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul. Psalm 103.1-2

One of the reasons many Christians don't pray is that they don't know how...

Step 1. Praise the Lord. vv. 1-2

Praise God for who he is and what he has done

Thank him for his care and answering prayers

Step 2. Pray for blessings. v. 2

Ask God to bless your church

Pray blessings on your family, neighbors, friends

Ask God to bless you

Step 3. Pray for pardon. v. 3

Confess and repent of your sins

Confess and repent for your church, denomination, nation, family

Receive God’s grace and pardon

Step 4. Pray for healing. v. 3

Ask God for healing for yourself and others

Pray for healing in your body, emotions, relationships, spirit

Step 5. Pray for redemption. v. 4

Pray for those who are unsaved

Ask God to renew the joy of your salvation

Step 6. Pray for loving kindness. v. 4

Pray that you might be more loving to others

Pray to receive the other fruits of the Holy Spirit

Step 7. Pray for renewal. v. 5

Ask for your passion to be restored

Request a renewed spirit from the Holy Spirit

Not in Polite Company- Secret Sins: Psalm 139.1-16

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139.14

The problems in many of marriages, and relationships in general, have to do with two things, and they go together:

• Secrets. Secrets help us to believe that others do not know what we are doing. We can “get away” with something. It gives us the feeling of power.
• Low self-esteem. When we do not think much of ourselves, we look for anything that will make us feel better. When we get to this point, we are one step away from disaster.

In reality, we can have no secrets.
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. Psalm 139.1-2

God knows everything that there is to know about us.

When we keep secrets we are courting trouble.
Common troublesome secrets include:
Pornography, flirting, fantasizing…

Self-esteem should come from God, the one who made us.
You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139.13

When we look to others for validation, we undermine God’s plan for our lives.
Consider the Woman at the Well. John 4.

Take Away Point-
God loves me enough to give his life for me. He knows everything about me, even my secret sins, and he still loves me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.