Category Archives: Fear / Reverence for God

Children, Father / Yahweh, Fear / Reverence for God, Loving / Kind, Parenting, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

YHWH Is A Loving Father

My loving wife gave me a card this morning. I opened it just after praying for my wife and children and for our nation and Christian brothers and sisters around the world. There were two scriptures, one from Psalms and one from Proverbs that really struck me as if from the Holy Spirit Himself. They were in part a direct confirmation of some of the things I pray for daily. Guidance and obedience for me in leading my family under God’s authority and for my children that they would know the Lord and know Him joyfully.

Proverbs 14:26

    26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge.

All of us who are parents and love the Lord want our children to have refuge in Him, to have relationship with Him. Our first step in this direction is to fear the Lord ourselves. This does not mean to fear Him as a scary and mean person, but rather as one might fear a father whom we know will discipline those He loves when they do wrong. Yet at the same time, He will give us and our family refuge.

Psalm 37:23-24

      23The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.

      24When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

No matter how much we may think we are in control of our own steps, for those of us who submit to YHWH, our loving Father, He establishes our steps and delights in us. When we make mistakes, we have a loving Father holding our hand so we do not fall headlong but rather He helps us recover from our stumble.

What a beautiful picture of our loving Father and example of the type of Father He wants us to be to our children.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Am I on the path?, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Father / Yahweh, Fear / Reverence for God, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God

What Does The Lord Require From You?

An interesting point in scripture for those of us who want to know what the Lord expects from His people.

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

      12“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 14“Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. 15“Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16“So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. 17“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. 18“He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 19“So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 20“You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. 21“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. 22“Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.

We often look at God’s instructions as punishment or keeping us from “having a good time” or “being free”. Perhaps children feel this way as well about some rules that parents make for them. However, any good and rational parent will immediately recognize there are instructions and boundaries we need to put on our children for their own good, not just for the good of the parent (e.g. don’t play in the street, don’t stick something in the electrical socket, etc.). What is more, good parents expect obedience from their children… the rules should be followed and the parents need to be respected. It is the same for us with God as our loving Father.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Fear / Reverence for God, Heaven and Hell, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Purposeful / Intentional, Salvation, Self Control

Work Out Your Salvation With Fear And Trembling

We are called to obey YHWH even when no one else is looking. Our Father is always aware of what we are doing. We are not to focus on convincing other people we are saved or righteous, but rather focus on working out our Christian walk primarily with YHWH Himself. We do so with fear and trembling, meaning we recognize that YHWH has power over us in this life and in the next. We need not be afraid of YHWH per se, but perhaps more to the point just recognizing the seriousness of the issue at hand. Should we fail to work out our salvation with YHWH, we should fear the consequences of that choice.

Philippians 2: 12-13

     12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Are you focused on pleasing and obeying YHWH as Christ demonstrated in His earthly ministry? Is this the most important objective or goal in your life? It is hard to do this, but it is the proper standard. Never lower the standard because you feel you can’t reach it. Instead, ask YHWH to help you and by His grace and power you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Mockers, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional

Are You Prepared To Honor Christ When Others Are Mocking Him?

It probably took some amount of courage for Joseph to ask Pilate for the body of Christ. He did not dally long in making this decision. He made it quickly and boldly. He made the decision to honor Christ the same day Christ hung and died publicly, with the soldiers and crowds mocking Him and abusing Him.

Luke 23:50-56

Jesus Is Buried

     50And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51(he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

We may all find ourselves in a situation where others are mocking and rejecting Christ. How will we respond? To whom does our loyalty and love belong? Whom do we fear, God or man?

Are You Prepared To Honor Christ When Others Are Mocking Him? Deciding ahead of time and playing it out in your thoughts can help prepare you for such a time. Of course, praying the Lord would strengthen your faith and give you boldness is very important.  Do not wait for the moment of trial to decide whom you serve… decide to stand for Christ ahead of time.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Mockers, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Worldliness

Whom Will You Choose?

We all must decide in our lives… whom will we choose? Will we choose to follow the crowd or will we choose Christ? The crowd will demand we reject Christ.  Even in many churches today, the members do not live according to the word of God. They live more by the laws of man than those of God.  There are an absurd number of churches that can’t figure out if God changed His mind on homosexuality because some mortal judges passed a court ruling by one vote. They pursue the ways of men rather than those of God.

Often the seeming easy route, the route to be praised and accepted by men, will lead away from God. Perhaps it is subtle sometimes and often not subtle at all. The crowd will not draw you toward God. We must seek personal holiness and a relationship with our Father in heaven. We must pray, worship, and study. We must ask for the Spirit to lead us and be willing to obey and follow, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. Then perhaps we may be ready and willing to stand for Christ when all others around us call out to crucify Him.

Luke 23:13-25

Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release

     13Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15“No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16“Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

      18But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” 19(He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. 25And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Jesus chose obedience to the Father. Jesus chose to die for our sins so we may be forgiven. Whom will you choose? Decide ahead of time or you will likely fail when the situation is difficult around you.  Start by asserting yourself for Christ in small ways at first to gain confidence if you find that helpful. Take small steps until you are ready to take bigger ones. Pray for God to help you be bold for Him.

Keep in mind that in some cases you will not face an angry mob. You may face coworkers or friends at the coffee bar or in the office kitchen or at lunch. They may just be speaking against Christ and how He calls us to live in seemingly small ways. Will you stand up for Christ?

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Fear / Reverence for God, Guide, Holy / Set Apart, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Prayer, Purposeful / Intentional

Yeshua Sets The Example In Submitting Fully To God’s Will

Reading in Luke 22 about Yeshua’s arrest in the garden, we see that He went voluntarily, without fighting or resisting. Yeshua was committed to obeying the will of the Father. He was to fulfill the plan YHWH had for our salvation by suffering for our sins and dying on the cross. Once again in Luke 23 we see this attitude reinforced.

Luke 23:1-7

Jesus before Pilate

     1Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”

      6When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.

Yeshua had been explicitly asked about paying taxes to Caesar and His answer was to pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. He did not tell people to avoid paying taxes. Those who wanted to destroy Yeshua lied. This should not surprise us.

Mark 12:13-17

 13Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.

Yeshua ignores the lies and responds only to the question from Pilate, and not in a way that appears to be trying to defend Himself or get released from punishment. Even still, Pilot found no guilt. None the less, YHWH used Pilate and others to facilitate His plan. Rather than releasing the man in whom he found no guilt, Pilate sent Yeshua to Herod.

Yeshua sets the example for us to follow in submitting to the will of the Father, even when it seems not in our own perception of our best interest. YHWH’s plans are bigger than any one of us. His vision and wisdom far exceed anything we could hope to achieve. He is infinite…without limits and boundaries. We are certainly not.

Let us submit to YHWH and seek His will. Pray for the Spirit to guide us and work to develop a relationship with YHWH through time together in prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures. Ask also for the courage and conviction to submit and obey even when it is hard. In this way we become holy, which is to say set apart for YHWH’s use.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Self Control, Share the Good News

Will You Stand With Christ In Conflict With Man?

We all have days where we fail in our pursuit of living for Christ. Peter boasted that he would face death and not deny Christ, but quickly found out that is easier said than done. Christ knew Peter would fail, and told him so, but still loved Peter.

Luke 22:54-65

Jesus’ Arrest

     54Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly.

      63Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him, 64and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.

Let us indeed seek to be bold like Peter in our pursuit of living for Christ, but let us also seek humility and ask the Spirit for His grace to support and guide us. Keep in mind, the others had not even followed as far as Peter. Peter was in this position only because of his passion to support Christ and his boldness. We may not be in the same position as Peter, but we will face times where we either stand up for Christ amongst others who reject or deny Him or we don’t. We either make choices to live our lives in a way that is consistent with His instruction or we don’t. There is no middle ground. There is no “private” Christianity that we keep completely to ourselves.  When we stand for Christ, people may and often will make us feel uncomfortable or outright confront us.

We are also reminded we should not expect good treatment from those who reject Christ. If they treated Christ in this way, and He is infinitely better than us, then how shall they treat us?

Be prepared to face challenges in this world if you choose to live for Christ. When you fail, get back up again and ask forgiveness, pray again for help from the Spirit, and continue in your pursuit of living for Christ.

Decide ahead of time, will you stand with Christ in conflict with man?

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Comforter, Controlling Thoughts, Encouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Father / Yahweh, Fear / Reverence for God, Guide, Jesus (hearing from God), Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Learning To Pray Effectively, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Righteous, Strong in Our Weakness

Follow Yeshua’s Example of Prayer and Submission

Yeshua sets the example for intense prayer. We have a hard time living up to His example. No matter what we face, however, let us follow His example and come before the Father in prayer. Let us submit to the Father’s will and trust in the Father’s wisdom, even if we have an opinion or preference which is different. We may even pray for the Spirit’s help that we would not fall into temptation.

Luke 22:39-46

The Garden of Gethsemane

     39And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. 45When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Let us model ourselves and our relationship with the Father after the example of Christ, whether we face big situations or every day small ones.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Fear / Reverence for God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus (hearing from God), Loving / Kind, Thankfulness

Remembering Yeshua And His Sacrifice

Let us take time to reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord, Yeshua. He suffered and died for us. His body was bruised and His blood shed. Let us remember humbly and with thanksgiving, realizing that it is indeed us who deserve death rather than He.  Yeshua knew He was to suffer and die. In His last hours of freedom in His earthly ministry He chose to celebrate Passover with close friends and put forth some instructions about how we may remember His sacrifice. He wants us to remember it. Don’t let it become a habit so common and without thought that it loses significance, being reduced only to ritual. It should be emotional and spiritual experience in which we humble ourselves and ask forgiveness, remembering His sacrifice to make a path to forgiveness for us.

Luke 22:14-23

The Lord’s Supper

     14When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. 21“But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. 22“For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

Pray the Spirit would guide you in remembering Christ as you participate in the Lord’s supper. Don’t let it become ritual without meaning… a check box on your weekly routine.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Fear / Reverence for God, Merciful, Prayer, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Teachable

Remember God’s Mercy Even In Hard Times And Ask For It

We are all sinful. Sometimes the Lord chooses to rebuke or punish His people for their sin for our benefit and His glory. He is a loving God but also a just God.

Remember God’s mercy even in hard times and ask for it.

Psalm 102

Prayer of an Afflicted Man for Mercy on Himself and on Zion.

A Prayer of the Afflicted when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.

      1Hear my prayer, O LORD!
And let my cry for help come to You.

      2Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress;
Incline Your ear to me;
In the day when I call answer me quickly.

      3For my days have been consumed in smoke,
And my bones have been scorched like a hearth.

      4My heart has been smitten like grass and has withered away,
Indeed, I forget to eat my bread.

      5Because of the loudness of my groaning
My bones cling to my flesh.

      6I resemble a pelican of the wilderness;
I have become like an owl of the waste places.

      7I lie awake,
I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop.

      8My enemies have reproached me all day long;
Those who deride me have used my name as a curse.

      9For I have eaten ashes like bread
And mingled my drink with weeping

      10Because of Your indignation and Your wrath,
For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

      11My days are like a lengthened shadow,
And I wither away like grass.

      12But You, O LORD, abide forever,
And Your name to all generations.

      13You will arise and have compassion on Zion;
For it is time to be gracious to her,
For the appointed time has come.

      14Surely Your servants find pleasure in her stones
And feel pity for her dust.

      15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD
And all the kings of the earth Your glory.

      16For the LORD has built up Zion;
He has appeared in His glory.

      17He has regarded the prayer of the destitute
And has not despised their prayer.

      18This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

      19For He looked down from His holy height;
From heaven the LORD gazed upon the earth,

      20To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To set free those who were doomed to death,

      21That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion
And His praise in Jerusalem,

      22When the peoples are gathered together,
And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

      23He has weakened my strength in the way;
He has shortened my days.

      24I say, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days,
Your years are throughout all generations.

      25“Of old You founded the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

      26“Even they will perish, but You endure;
And all of them will wear out like a garment;
Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.

      27“But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.

              28“The children of Your servants will continue,
And their descendants will be established before You.”

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.