Fear of the Lord

Welcome! If you’re studying An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell with us, we’re in Chapter 9 this week, “The Right Kind of Fear.” This chapter had me looking for some clarity on the word “fear.” Here’s what I learned… 

When we think of fear, we usually think of the everyday common meaning of the word.

Fear – (v) to be afraid of something, (n) something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined. (Dictionary.com)

My NLT study Bible, as well as Dictionary.com have another definition.

Fear – profound reverence and awe of God. Synonyms: honor, respect, to stand in awe of.

When I think of fear being awe and respect for God, I get a clearer understanding of Scripture.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever! (Psalm 111:10 NLT)
In this verse, fear of the Lord isn’t shaking in my boots fear, it’s sincere respect and honor for God and His Word. The more time I spend with God, the better I get to know Him, and the more understanding I receive of His Word.

Wisdom is more than just knowing facts or knowing what the Bible says. Wisdom is asking God for understanding, listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and making good decisions based on what we know to be true and the insight God gives us.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Now when I read this, I understand it differently.

Respect and honor for God our Father is the foundation for understanding and discerning Scripture. The more I grow to know Him, the more I desire to be obedient to Him, as He takes me deeper into His Word and guides me in wisdom.

What are your thoughts on fear, wisdom and obedience?

God Bless,

He Makes a Way {Something to Think About}

But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
(Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT)

Do not dwell on the past. God’s already working on the future, and there is so much more to come! He will make a way where we see no way. He makes the impossible possible!

God bless you today!

In Christ,
Laura

Linking up today with my friends at Fresh Brewed SundaysJumping Tandem, and Sharing His Beauty.

An Untroubled Heart Online Study - Week 9

Have a great week!
Laura

Week 9 – Feb. 26-Mar. 3, 2012
Monday & Tuesday
  • Read the Chapter 9 “The Right Kind of Fear.” Underline or take notes on points you want to remember or go back to.
 Tuesday/Wednesday
Wednesday & Thursday
  • Reflect on, and answer, the Bible Study Questions at the end of the chapter. (These questions can help us go deeper into Scripture and the study, but please don’t get stressed out if you can’t, or don’t want to, answer them all.)
Friday
  • Spend time in prayer and reflecting on this week’s reading. 

Jesus is Enough


If you took a moment to think about one thing that attracts you to Jesus, what would it be? What’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For me, it’s the fact that when I spend time with Jesus I am the center of His attention. He’s never too busy. He never tells me “just a minute.” He puts me first. And He puts you first too.

He always has enough time.
Do I make enough time for Him?

He always has enough patience.
Do I have enough patience to wait on His plans and His timing?

He always has enough love.
Do I have enough love for Him that I trust and follow without question?

He always has enough concern.
Do I have enough concern for others?

He always has enough grace.
Do I have enough grace to extend to His children?

The answer is no. I don’t have enough. I am a work in progress, and only through Him is there hope for me.

But Jesus…He gave everything He had for you and for me. He knows what each of us is going through. He knows the pain, disappointment, and despair of living in this world.

Jesus has enough…to listen, to comfort, to strengthen, to protect, to guide, and to forgive us. He is enough.

Jesus, who puts us first, is enough. He is more than enough. He is everything.

What is one thing that attracts you to Jesus?

In Christ,
Laura

Photo credit: Laura Rath

I’m linking up today with Bonnie, who offered this writing prompt, at Faith Barista, as well as Thought Provoking ThursdaysBrag on God Friday, and Spiritual Sundays.

Lay Your Cares at the Foot of the Cross

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I can hand off my worries and cares to God and let Him take them so I can go about other things.

So, why isn’t it that easy? Why do I find myself still worried and stressed out if all I have to do is give my cares to God?

I’ve found that giving my cares to God isn’t a one time act. If new fears and worries aren’t surrounding me, I’m trying to take back what I’ve already handed off.

Comfort in Our Troubles {Something to Think About}

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)

There is purpose in our trials. Although we may not see it at the time, God can bring good from anything and everything in our lives. When we experience trouble and receive God’s love and comfort, we can then be there for others and share the comfort God has given us. He comforts us in our trying times, so we can comfort others in theirs.

God bless you today!

In Christ,
Laura


Linking up with my friends at Brag on God Friday, Fresh Brewed Sundays, Jumping Tandem, and Sharing His Beauty

An Untroubled Heart Online Study - Week 8

Have a great week!

Week 8 – Feb. 19-Feb. 25, 2012
Monday & Tuesday
  • Read the Chapter 8 “Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown.” Underline or take notes on points you want to remember or go back to.
Tuesday/Wednesday
Wednesday & Thursday
·  Reflect on, and answer, the Bible Study Questions at the end of the chapter. (These questions can help us go deeper into Scripture and the study, but please don’t get stressed out if you can’t, or don’t want to, answer them all.)

Friday
·  Spend time in prayer and reflecting on this week’s reading. 



Vulnerability and Trust

Trusting someone comes with a certain level of vulnerability. To trust means we rely on someone else to be responsible, to take care of something or someone we’ve placed in their care. It leaves us vulnerable to be disappointed if that person doesn’t prove reliable.

The more we get let down, the more hesitant we are to trust again, and that spills over into other relationships.

I wonder if this is why we find it difficult to trust God. Having been burned by others, how do we know God is reliable?

Trusting God means we leave our lives in His hands. We trust Him with those we love and situations we go through. We trust that He will guide us to the path He wants us on. Trusting God means we believe He knows what’s best for us.

So, how do we know God is reliable?

Fear of What Could Happen

Do you know anyone who always seems to be waiting for something bad to happen? Who lives in fear of the worst case scenario? Maybe this even describes you.

God never said our lives would be easy. Once sin entered the world, the stress-free, problem-free days without trials were over. In fact, Jesus said it bluntly.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. (John 16:33 NLT)
We each go through storms in life we wish we didn’t have to face, and each of us reacts and responds differently in the face of trouble.

Jesus told us what to expect (trials and sorrows), but He also told us where to find peace (in Him) and what He’s done (conquered the world.)

What Have You Done?

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:13 NLT)
I’ve read this Scripture verse many times and always thought about how angry God must have been at Adam and Eve. As a parent, I know I would have been angry. I mean, really, the one tree they were told not to eat from is the one they couldn’t resist.
But not long ago I was reading this section of Genesis, and I heard something different in God’s words…

To read more of this post, join me at 5 Minutes for Faith today where I’m talking about God’s love and care for us…no matter what we’ve done.

I hope you’ll follow me over there, and if you do, will you leave a comment so I’ll know you stopped by? 

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,
Laura


Linking up with Barbie at Fresh Brewed Sundays, Deidra at Jumping Tandem, and Joan at Sharing His Beauty

An Untroubled Heart Online Study Week 7

Have a great week!

In Christ,
Laura

Week 7 – Feb. 12-Feb. 18, 2012
Monday & Tuesday
  • Read the Chapter 7 “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” Underline or take notes on points you want to remember or go back to.
 Tuesday/Wednesday
Wednesday & Thursday
·  Reflect on, and answer, the Bible Study Questions at the end of the chapter. (These questions can help us go deeper into Scripture and the study, but please don’t get stressed out if you can’t, or don’t want to, answer them all.)

Friday
·  Spend time in prayer and reflecting on this week’s reading. 

I Choose to Trust God

Welcome and thanks for visiting! If you’re studying An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell, we’re in Chapter 6 “Learning to Trust Again” this week. I apologize for being late in getting my thoughts posted. Thanks for your patience!

“The choice is ours. We can focus on the worries, burdens, and fears of our limited experience and miss the joy that can be ours or, like Joseph, we can take the risk, venture out, and truly believe that God has a plan.” ~Micca Campbell, An Untroubled Heart

Which choice do you make?

I know which choice I want to make. I want to trust God so completely that I don’t worry about the day-to-day, and I don’t get down when life isn’t going smoothly.

He Gives Me Strength {Something to Think About}

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:3 NLT)
How comforting to know that as I wait on the Lord, He gives me all the strength I need for the wait.

God bless your day!

An Untroubled Heart Online Study - Week 6

Welcome! If you're reading An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell with me, what do you think so far? Is there one point that stands out for you? Below is the suggested reading schedule for this week.

God Bless,
Laura

Week 6 – Feb. 5-Feb. 11, 2012
Monday & Tuesday
  • Read the Chapter 6 “Learning to Trust Again.” Underline or take notes on points you want to remember or go back to.
Tuesday/Wednesday
Wednesday & Thursday
·  Reflect on, and answer, the Bible Study Questions at the end of the chapter. (These questions can help us go deeper into Scripture and the study, but please don’t get stressed out if you can’t, or don’t want to, answer them all.)
Friday
        ·  Spend time in prayer and reflecting on this week’s reading.

Trust in God Sustains Me

Have you heard about One Word 2012? It’s choosing one word to focus on throughout the year—making the effort to keep that focus in front of you every day. My word for 2012 is Trust—complete and unquestionable trust in God.

As I focus on trusting God in all things, I want to spend more time in Scripture looking specifically at verses on trust. And I’d also like to share them here with you.

Today I’m looking at Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT)…