Posts Tagged ‘fear of the lord’

Proverbs 19:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 19, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rest content, untouched by trouble.

The good life is possible! Even probable! Even certain! All you need is to understand this precious proverb and put its simple requirement into practice. The good life can be yours!

Read this marvelous sentence and comprehend it. You can have a great life, with lasting satisfaction in your heart, and avoid the pain and trouble that afflict others. What could be better? How could God and Solomon offer you more? Is this the best proverb? Maybe.

First, the fear of the LORD leads to life. The word “lead” means much more than an inclination or possibility of occurrence. Here it means to have a specific result, if allowed to act; to lead or conduce to some state or condition. It means more than possibility, or even probability – it means definite certainty (Pr 10:16; 11:19,24; 14:23; 19:23; 21:5).

What kind of life is offered? A great life! Great in every way of happiness, prosperity, and success. David and Peter called it loving life and seeing good days (Ps 34:9-16; 112:1-3; I Pet 3:10-12). Solomon called it a rich, long, and honorable life avoiding dysfunction and death (Pr 10:27; 14:27; 22:4). Jesus called it the abundant life (Jn 10:10).

Second, the fear of the LORD brings lasting satisfaction. The world is unhappy. Consider their divorces, drugs, drunkenness, and extreme everything. They crave fulfillment and peace, but they cannot find it. God will not let them have it (Is 48:22; 57:21). God reserves peace for those that fear Him (Ps 25:12-14; 128:1-6; 149:19; Pr 14:26; 15:16).

Third, the fear of the LORD saves from evil. Pain and trouble are everywhere, because worldly men have no Protector like God is committed to those that fear Him (I Tim 4:10; Ps 145:19; II Chron 16:9). Read Psalm 91 and see how God protects those that fear Him from every danger. No wonder the righteous are as bold as a lion (Pr 28:1; 14:26).

What must you do to have these three great benefits, guaranteed by God and King Solomon? Fear the LORD. Do you fully understand this short expression used often in the Bible (Pr 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; 23:17; Deut 10:12; II Sam 23:3; Job 1:8; Ps 36:1; Eccl 7:18; 12:13-14; Luke 12:4-5; Acts 10:22; II Cor 7:1; Eph 5:21; Heb 12:28-29)?

First, to fear the LORD, you must know Him. Who is the LORD? These letters, all capitalized, represent the tetragrammaton of the Hebrews – four consonants for the true and living God’s name – I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14). When pointed up with vowels to pronounce, it is the name JEHOVAH (Ex 6:3). Do you know Jehovah God of the Bible?

No other god will do. Allah, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha, the Great Spirit, the Great Architect of the Universe, and other gods are lies! They are the manmade names for imagined deities of nations and men that reject Jehovah of the Bible. They have no more reality or value than Zeus, Jupiter, Aphrodite, and Venus of the Greeks and Romans.

No false concept of Jehovah will do. The followers of Charles Taze Russell, the so-called Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not know Him. The Russellites, as they should be called, stole God’s name from the Bible to justify their cult of false prophecies, adoration of pyramids, and the blasphemous demotion of Jesus Christ to merely “a god” (John 1:1).

Do you know God Jehovah of the Bible? The God that created all things from nothing in six 24-hour days by His voice just 6000 years ago (Gen 1:1; Heb 11:3)? The God that made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil (Pr 16:4)? The God that will soon send Jesus Christ as God to judge the earth (Heb 1:8-12; Acts 17:29-31)?

Second, to fear the LORD Jehovah, you must fear Him. To rightly fear God is to greatly love Him, reverently worship Him, and faithfully serve Him (Deut 10:12; Eccl 12:13-14; Heb 12:28-29). It is not the terror that Adam and Eve had in Eden when they hid from Him, and it is not the terror of the devils that met Jesus Christ when He was on earth.

The fear of the LORD is belief in the Creator God of the Bible with an awestruck consciousness of His glory and greatness and a loving desire to obey all He requires to please and worship Him and avoid disappointing Him in any way. It is like the humble adoration and affection that good children give a loving yet authoritative father.

Do you fear the LORD? Unless God has regenerated you, it is impossible, for the men of this world do not fear Him (Ps 36:1; Rom 3:18; 1:18-32). You must be born again by the Spirit of God to fear Him (John 1:13; 3:3; 8:47; Gal 4:6). If you have a sincere desire to love and serve this God, then you have been saved like Cornelius (Acts 10:2,22,35).

Do you fear the LORD? Thank Him for your existence to know Him (this is why you exist)! Thank Him for His word, including Proverbs, to know how to please Him! Thank Him for His Son Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death to save His elect people! Confess your sins, beg His forgiveness in Christ Jesus, and commit to always love and serve Him.

The three wonderful benefits and blessings of this proverb are yours! Humbly claim them before this glorious God, giving Him all the praise and worship due to His great name. Trust Him and His word in all matters of life and eternity (Ps 119:128), and He will be with you for a great life, for lasting satisfaction in your soul, and to deliver you from evil.

You might ask, but what about the martyrs? Surely they feared God, but look what happened to them. Their testimonies before dying and the witness of those who watched them die prove contented joy that cannot be fully described. They have eternal life, were and are fully satisfied, and the lions’ teeth or flames only sent them to Paradise early!

You might ask, but what about Job? The Bible states that he feared God, yet look how he suffered (Job 1:1). Did he have a good life, with great satisfaction, and protection from evil before his trial? Indeed (Job 1:2-3,10)! Did he get everything doubled to him in the end? Indeed (Job 42:10-17)! And he got to meet God up close and personal in between!

The greatest life is to walk with God on earth and to have eternal life with Him in heaven.

The greatest satisfaction is to know God personally, including all eternity (Ps 73:23-28).

The greatest protection is passing through death into heaven and being judged righteous.

Those that fear the LORD get all three, bought and guaranteed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 01:07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 1, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 01, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don’t be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all.

 

Proverbs 23:17-18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: May 21, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 23:17-18- Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

How easy it is to envy those who get ahead unhampered by Christian responsibility or God’s laws. For a time they do seem to get ahead without paying any attention to what God wants. But to those who follow him, God promises a hope and a wonderful future even if we don’t achieve it in this life.

Proverbs 01:07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: May 1, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.    

 One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn.  Solomon calls this kind of person a fool.  Don’t be a know-it-all.  Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel.  Learn how to learn from others.  Remember, only God knows it all.

Proverbs 2:1-6 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 2, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 2:1-6 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and it you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Wisdom comes in two ways: It is a God-given gift and also the result of an energetic search. Wisdom’s starting point is God and his revealed Word, the source of “knowledge and understanding” In that sense wisdom is God’s gift to us. But he gives it only to those who earnestly seek it. But because God’s wisdom is hidden from the rebellious and foolish, it takes effort to find it and use it. The pathway to wisdom is strenuous. When we are on the path, we discover that true wisdom is God’s and that he will guide us and reward our sincere and persistent search.

Proverbs 22:06 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 22, 2011 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 22:06 – Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Child training works! A properly trained child will fear God and live a wise and righteous life as an adult. An untrained child will not fear God or live a wise and righteous life as an adult. Only a miracle of grace can undo poor child training. God is faithful. His Word is true. Do not question this promise. Exceptions do not alter the rule. Believe it! Do it!
There is no secret or mystery here. Slothful parents hunt for special methods to train their children. They are always looking, reading, buying books, and attending seminars, but they are hardly ever training. Action is more important than technique. Consistency is more important than intensity. Stop looking for an easier or smarter way. Get busy!
This proverb is a commandment, not a suggestion. It is a promise, not a possibility. Bible believers trust this rule as much as any other verse. They are not intimidated by the task before them. They put their trust in the precious Scripture, and they get to work, today!
Solomon said, “Train.” He did not say raise. We raise vegetables, but we train children. Feeding a child nutritious meals, providing warm clothing, giving him his own bedroom, and kissing him good night is not training. Most every species of animals does these things for their young. Training a child is calculated instruction and discipline to form long-term character and wisdom in the fear of the Lord and knowledge of Scripture.
We train them “up.” This describes the period from birth to maturity. Training can begin immediately, as infants can be taught a feeding schedule and that not all crying gets immediate attention. It progresses from a control stage to an instruction stage, then to a counseling stage. It continues through puberty and a whole new set of issues. It continues to maturity, when a young adult creates a new home and starts the process again.
We train them up “in the way.” Parents cannot train every step, but they can train the way (Gen 18:19). God gives them to us with a blank slate for a mind. We fill that mind with godly knowledge and wisdom. As Scripture does not dictate every step of our lives, allowing us much individual liberty, so we train them in the way of godliness.
They are to be trained up in the way “they should go.” It cannot be the way they want to go. Each child defaults to foolishness and sin from our first parents. Without training against that default instinct, they will grow into committed and hardened sinners. No training is default training – you will have a fool for a child (29-15). The way they should go is the way of righteousness laid out plainly in Scripture (Duet 6:4-9; Eph 6:4)
When they are “old,” they will follow the training. Here is a promise to be believed, but it also allows for possible difficulties during adolescence, or the teenage years, before they are “old.” Properly trained as a child, the teenage years do not have to be difficult. If trained consistently, they will revert to that training as an adult. Believe it! Count on it!
What is child training? It is a consistent example of righteous living that the child can first feel and then observe as they grow up. It is teaching the existence of God and the absolute authority of the Bible. It is enforcing God’s rules and parental authority strictly and severely. It is teaching by reproof and the rod. It is teaching by repetition throughout the day. It is using both positive and negative reinforcement for behavior. It is a very open relationship with children, allowing them to know you and learning them well.
What is not child training? Yelling is not child training. Sending them to a Christian school is only a part of child training. Browbeating or nagging them is not child training. Spurts of rules and punishment is not child training. “Time out” is not child training. Playing catch in the yard is not child training. Sesame Street is not child training. Putting the mother in charge is not child training. Rocking them tenderly is not child training. Giving them an allowance without hard labor is not child training.
Previous generations grew up on farms observing the training of animals. If they did not train certain animals, they would either starve or be severely handicapped. Child training was easy after watching colts broken and mules trained for the plow. There is no rocket science here, and the search for new or creative techniques misses the boat. Any parent can train their children, if they will flush their selfishness and slothfulness and get busy! It is shame that seeing-eye dogs can be trained, but children cannot!
The children of this generation are a mess. They are arrogant, foolish, ignorant, immature, lazy, profane, rebellious, selfish, and wasteful. There is an obvious cause for their personal and social dysfunction. Their parents were too busy, selfish, and lazy to train them. The consequences are a generation of fools, which will beget more fools. Our nation’s future is bleak, not because of Washington, but because of foolish parents.
Let the righteous arise! Every godly parent should seize this proverb as his own and get to work. Godly and wise descendants are one sentence away (with a little regular effort)! Give a reasonable and consistent effort, and trust the Lord for the rest (Palms 127:1-2). He can multiply a few loaves and fishes to feed a great multitude with much left over. He can bless your efforts to bear the fruit of righteous children, who will rejoice your heart. There is no reason to be defeated! There is every reason to be elated! Lord, help us!

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