What is Truth?
The Fear of the Lord!
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
*Fear of the Lord is one of the Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in Isaiah 11:2-3.
*Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe):
*With the gift of fear of the Lord we are aware of the glory and majesty of God.
*A person with wonder and awe KNOWS that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love.
*Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in its correct location with respect to God:
* we are the finite, dependent creatures,
** He is the infinite, all-powerful Creator.
God is so much mightier and powerful and bigger than you and I.
Keeping this in mind in our daily walk and in our approach to Him, we Must Deny OUR selfish desires and sinful thoughts as this is His desire for our lives, no matter how difficult that often times are.
*When you take away TRUTH—only Power is left— in the minds of people.
*How else would we check right from wrong if no absolute Truths?
*The world likes this(no absolute truth).
*I believe once we take God’s TRUTH (His words in Bible) out of our thought process and our guide for making all decisions– then we feel WE our SELF have the power and authority in OUR minds to do as WE see best for our immediate needs-
*WE try to Justify things–NOT LETTING GOD BE IN CONTROL THROUG HIS WORD AND the HOLY SPIRIT!
Who do we listen to then?
*Here is a couple quick examples that came to mind this AM.
* Look at Schools (no more prayer, teaching same sex marriage is ok, the family make up can be any way, etc).
* Government (who really makes decision on Sex, Marriage, families, child raising, poor, wealthy, their programs–Money and Power)
*Politicians (they think their way is best, news on sex scandals, saying and doing what best for them to get elected verses the people etc.-Money and Power)
*Hollywood (what do Movies,TV Shows, and Actors say to us this day about violence, death, Lust, Marriage, living together Etc?-Money and Power).
*National and local News (just listen).
* Some of our Churches (is the Word of God alive and Active Today-where is the Holy Spirit?).
*Health Care (A PILL will cure anything you or your Kids may have?-Money and Power)
*Look at” OURSELVES” (Addictions, Work, Money, Power, Hobbies, Fear, Relationships, Family Values Lust, Anger, Etc. Etc.)
*DOES ANYONE FEAR THE LORD?????
*WHO ARE WE LISTENING TOO???
*WHAT IS TRUTH???? (see end of devotion)
*WHO SETS EXAMPLE FOR OUR KIDS?
*WHO SHOULD OUR KIDS BELIEVE?
*WHO SHOULD KIDS FOLLOW? WHY?
*HOW LONG IS ETERNITY?
* HOW TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE? (John 17:3)
*WHERE IS ETERNITY?”
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who FEAR Him, who put their HOPE in His unfailing love.” – Psalm 147:10
***The most Powerful ruling stronghold for most of us is Money and Power in our society.
*If you possess either of these, then you will be courted by those who serve our society in hopes of increasing popularity and Power.
It is a competitive environment that often gives way to decisions and actions that are dictated by the financial bottom line. What’s best for ME attitude!
The Lord has a different measuring stick!!!
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
The Lord is not impressed with your ability or what you can do for Him.
** Only one thing delights the Lord—people who FEAR HIM( awe or worshipful respect for God) and put their hope in His unfailing love.
What does it mean to fear God and place our hope in His love?
**It means we acknowledge that God is the Source of ALL that we are.
*God is the ONE who gives us the ability to work, plan, and execute.
*God does not want us to look to our abilities, but to His abilities.
** Sometimes it is difficult to balance these two perspectives. However, if we ask God to show us how to maintain this balance, He will do it.
Proverbs 9:10 The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding..
The effects of sin TAINT our ability to reason as much as our ability to choose — yes, we are that broken.
A PROPER “FEAR OF THE LORD” WOULD THEN INCLUDE…
1. “reverence and awe…”
2. “being afraid to offend God in any way”
3. A trembling and quaking if one knows they have offended God and have not obtained forgiveness! ( Hebrews 10:26-27, 30-31; 12:28-29)
WITHOUT THE “FEAR OF THE LORD”… 1. We CLOSE ourselves to the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge!
2. We will flirt with EVIL and be corrupted by it!
3. Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed God’s word (e.g., suffering sexually transmitted diseases because we did not heed His Word on sexual relationships).
4. We will not come to know the love of God that gives us assurance and confidence of our salvation.
5. When fallen into sin, WE will NOT be motivated to repent and turn to God! 6. We will not be motivated to truly “work out our own salvation”!
Agape Love doesn’t repeat an offense, but rather takes the offense to the Lord in prayer.
“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”Proverbs 17:9
*Put your hope in His unfailing love today. Then you will know that your heavenly Father is looking on you as a proud Father.
Psalms 146:5 How blessed is the one whose helper is the God of Jacob,whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Lord, may I never lose sight of your awe and splendor, keeping it in mind when I approach you in prayer and worship. I am so insignificant compared to You, not worthy of Your company, yet You love me and know me more than I know myself. May I have FEAR of You, Respecting Your divinity and awe, humbling myself in obedience to Your will. May a speck of wisdom be born from this and granted to me, for Your glory, and may I further Your Kingdom by sharing the Gospel with confidence and authority, boldly winning souls for You. May I not hinder You using me in this way. In Jesus’ name,Amen.
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU AND ME TO FIND:
******* WHAT IS TRUTH?********
READ PASSAGES BELOW AND YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWER!
Isaiah 6:1-8. John 18:33-38
Matt 5:18 Matt 10:15 Matt 13:17
Matt 16:28 Matt 17:20
Matt 18:3, 18
Matt 19:23 Matt 21:21 Matt 23:36 Matt 24:2 Matt 25:40 Matt 26:21
Matt 26:34
John 3:3. John 3:5. John 3:11
John 5:19, 24, 25. John 8:34-47
John 1:17. John 14:6
John 6:26, 32, 47, 53
John 8:34, 51, 58. John 17:17
John 4:24. John 8:32. John 14:16-17
John 16:13. 1 Tim 2:3-4 Eph 6:14
Isaiah 59:4. Jer 7:28. Isaiah 59:15
1 Tim 6:13. 2 Tim 4:3-4
Rom 1:18 Acts 20:30 Rom 2:8
Rom 1:25 1 John 4:6. Job 1 & 2
2 Thess 2:9-13. Rom 7:11
2 Thess 2:10 Eph 4:22 Heb 3:13.
1 John 3:10 2 Tim 2:24-26
Col 4:5-6 Isaiah 44:18-20
Isaiah 44:17. Matt 6:25-34
Col 2:2-4 AMEN. PRAISE GOD!!!!!