Fear is the Beginning

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7

This fear is one of awe and reverence, a feeling of deep respect and love. This reverence comes from a right relationship with God. But it doesn't stop there. That's just the beginning. Beginning of what?

"... what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees..."  Deuteronomy 10:12-13

First you fear Him, then you start to walk. While walking, you learn to love. Out of love, you develop a desire to serve. When serving, you display obedience. Our obedience comes out of love and respect for Him.

It's true, fear is the beginning.

Act and Believe

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

This verse has been one of my favorites for at least a decade now. But I wonder... do I act and believe accordingly? I still worry about how things will turn out at work. I still wonder what to do next. I still feel stuck and long for something different.

I've learned to focus on what I know to be true instead of what I feel.
I know He loves me. (Psalms 103:10-12, Isaiah 43:1-4, Lamentations 3:22-23, John 15:9-11, Romans 5:8, Titus 3:4-7, 1John 3:1; 4:9-10)

I know He wants the best for me. (Psalms 84:11; 145:8-9, Isaiah 30:18, Philippians 1:6, James 1:17)

I know He is sovereign and in control of everything. (Job 28-41; 42:2, Psalms 135:6, Isaiah 40:10-31)

It's not always easy, but I go with what I know to be true and the feelings follow... eventually. And even if they don't, it doesn't change the truth. "He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future."

Reflections

Weekends are for reflection!

It's My Choice

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:6-9

It starts and ends with my choice.
I'm told not to worry. I have a choice.
I'm told to worship, petition, and give thanks instead. I have a choice.
I'm promised if I obey, "He will guard my heart and mind with His peace".
I'm told to think about truth, excellence, right, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy things. I have a choice.
I'm told to put these things into practice. I have a choice.
I'm promised if I occupy my mind with these things, "He will be with me".
The choice is simply mine to make.

Rest

Weekends are for rest!

Intimate Relationship

"Knowing God involves an intimate, personal relationship that is developed over time through prayer and getting answers to prayer, through Bible study and applying its teaching to our lives, through obedience and experiencing the power of God, through moment-by-moment submission to Him that results in a moment-by-moment filling of the Holy Spirit."
Anne Graham Lotz

There are two parts to building an intimate relationship with Him, my part and His.
I pray, He gives answers.
I study the Word, He shows me application.
I obey, He allows me to experience His power.
I submit, He fills me up with the Holy Spirit.

He is always faithful to do His part. Am I?

Wait and Listen

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

Two things in this verse jump out at me.
1. In the morning. The writer states this not once but twice. The Lord should be the first one I talk to in the morning. He should be my first priority. I can't wait till the end of the day to talk to Him about today for the first time.

2. Wait in expectation. Oh how I dread the word wait! For a long time I thought it meant to sit still, like a bump on a log, and I don't always sit well. Webster defines wait as " to be ready". Am I ready to listen? Do I watch for His answer to my requests? He has promised when I seek Him, I will find Him. How often do I miss His answer because I don't wait with expectation?

Thankful

Weekends are for being thankful!