Tag: fear the Lord
Walking by the Spirit in Freedom!
Scripture reading for March 28th: Galatians 5, Psalm 62, Proverbs 31
Galatians 5: 13-18 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use you freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Paul was writing to Jewish believers who were thinking of returning to Judaism and Jewish traditions. He exhorted them to continue to live in freedom by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus and the Father. He exhibits the fruits of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. The Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us into Truth and away from the deeds of the flesh–sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Those led by the Holy Spirit are no longer under the law but under the Spirit of love, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself!” If we live in love, we are free indeed!
Psalm 62:11-12 “Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For You will render to a man according to his work.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your power found in Your Word and Your steadfast love. Baptize me afresh in Your love that I might serve and love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and that I might love my neighbor as myself. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead and guide my hands, my steps, and my lips to do Your will and works and bring glory to Your Holy Name! Amen!
Proverbs 31:30-31 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
A Remnant of the Faithful!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Romans 11, Psalm 128, Proverbs 4
Key Scriptures: Romans 11:2-5 “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
Elijah was a powerful prophet sent to God’s people to expose their sins and backsliding. Israel had a history of killing the prophets sent to them and Elijah was a hunted and wanted man for his convicting message. However, God has a way of keeping His people in the midst of persecution and apostasy. His grace by faith is powerful. Even now, a remnant is being kept by His grace!
Faith Confession: I believe that God has the power and ability to keep His people and me in times of apostasy and trouble. Lord, thank You for the godly remnant that You are now preserving by Your grace! It is well with me for I am blessed!
Psalm 128:1-2 “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be will with you.”
Be an example of godliness!
Scripture reading for September 27th: Isaiah 7-10; 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:11-13, 15-16 “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” . . .”Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul encouraged Timothy to set the example of Christ’s godliness in character, word, and deed. The Gospel must be lived out to give a clear message and present Christ Jesus accurately. Sound doctrine and sound living brings salvation to preacher and congregation.
Isaiah 8:11-13 “For the Lord spoke thus to me with His strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of Hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me by Your Holy Spirit to stay in sound doctrine and to apply it to my own life in action and attitude. I want to bring salvation to myself and others, honoring You as holy. Amen.
Thankful for sowing and reaping!
Scripture reading for November 30th: 2nd Corinthians 9-13
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.””
Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to remember God’s great faithfulness to them and to the poor. He quoted Psalm 112:9 to remind them of the blessings that come upon the man who fears the Lord and obeys His command to give generously to those in need, especially the poor. God loves to give to those who reflect His heart of generosity. Those who sow generously will reap generously. Givers should give cheerfully realizing that God will take care of all their needs and bring them abundance to continue their generosity!
Thankful for God’s grace: “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalm 112:1-3)
Blessed to become a blessing!
Scripture reading for June 17th: Psalms 67-72
The Aaronic blessing begins Psalm 67 as a prayer. God’s face is shining or beaming with a smile of love and joy as He beholds His own people. This smile means abundant provisions of food and water. It means health to our bodies and protection from enemies. It means love and fruitfulness in our relationships and homes and a sense of knowing God and walking in His will. The Hebrew word “selah” follows this first verse and is a term meaning to pause and ponder the thought that has been presented.
Why does God love to bless His people? Surely it is because he loves and delights in His people. But this psalm states another reason for the blessing. God wants to use a blessed people to share the knowledge of His ways among all peoples. (Psalm 67:2) God desires the worship of all who are made in His image! He is their guide, ruler and judge! We are blessed to be a blessing! Nothing really belongs to us. We must keep His blessing moving and not hoard it to ourselves and our own use!
The result of being a blessing is that the earth will yield its harvest. The harvest ultimately is souls that will come to know and worship the Lord through the witness of God’s people. God wants all the ends of the earth to fear Him! (Psalm 67:6-7) We set up a cycle of blessing when we give to the Lord of our tithes and offerings so that others may hear and learn! As we give, we become like God who is the ultimate giver of everything. As we give, God is worshiped and He moves upon the lost and draws them to salvation. As we give, we are blessed by God again with more abundance so that we can give even more to Him. The cycle goes on and multiplies!
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2nd Corinthians 9:10-11