Fear of the Lord - My Thoughts

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I’m starting to believe that the Fear of the Lord is one of the keys to a truly intimate relationship with the Lord. If you can get to where you truly understand this as God intended us to, you will be able to walk with the Lord and your desires will start to line up with His.

So I’m going to keep pursuing this. So far, I’ve not really answered my questions. Instead I’m just fanning the flames of my desire to know God more and delve in deeper. I guess in the end that is how it is supposed to work anyway. God created us to desire romance and He wants us to love Him and pursue Him as He has done with us.

So the chase is on!

Someone mentioned recently that Jesus was very clear that He only did what the Father told Him to do. But do you notice that unlike us He did not have to plead with God constantly to show Him the answer, to tell Him what the right path was? He was so in tune with God, that He knew what God wanted without all the pleading we do.

Now I’m not saying that we should stop asking God for guidance and to speak to us. What I’m saying is my goal is to become so intimate with God that hopefully one day I won’t have to plead with Him to reveal Himself to me anymore. It will be a constant connection. That is what God desires with us, we just get distracted and disconnect.

Now I know you may be saying, “But Jesus was God, so of course He knew what the Father wanted Him to do.” But I believe scripture tells us that although Jesus is God, He is also distinct. It is hard for us to wrap our minds around that concept, but if we could easily do so, we would be able to know the thoughts of God and personally I prefer a God who is much smarter and more capable than myself!

Jesus humbled Himself when He came to earth and while He was God, He was also man. He said we would do greater works than Him when the Helper came (Holy Spirit). So why not this as well? Now I’m not saying I’ll ever get to this point, but it doesn’t hurt to dive in and try to get that close to God.

The other day when we were talking about the Fear of the Lord at my house church I wrote these words and this verse in my notebook that I’m going to share with all of you today. In the coming days I’ll share more scriptures, but if you are interested I encourage you to get a concordance and start looking up the fear of the Lord yourselves.

Seek out, cry out for the fear of the Lord!

Proverbs 2: 3-5

“. . . and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if 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.”

Righteousness and Fear of the Lord

Recently I’ve started meeting with one of the other women in my house church on a weekly basis for what we call an LTG (Life Transformation Group). It is basically like an accountability partner. We meet weekly to talk about anything we need prayer for, to get to know one another better and to discuss our Bible reading, amoung other things.

One thing the two of us have been discussing lately, is the true meaning of things we’ve heard all our lives. Do we truly understand them? For example, one thing we both talked about was righteousness. We’ve heard this word all our lives in church, but do we really know exactly what this means? What does being righteous entail? Is there a difference between how man defines this and God?

That has led us both in a search to better understand righteousness based on God’s word and we are both delving into this and sharing each week what we’ve come up with based on our Bible study and prayer time with God.

At the same time, our house church has started a search we believe is related. As we were discussing things with the children, one of them asked what the “Fear of the Lord” was and none of us had a real good answer. We decided we would all do some searching and share what we deteremined the next week. We came up with lots of good stuff and determined in the end that we still do not fully understand it, but we do believe it is the key to truly knowing the Lord and walking in His ways.

I believe these two concepts go hand in hand. I’m not exactly sure how yet, but I believe they are related: Righteousness and the Fear of the Lord.

Many of the verses we found regarding the Fear of the Lord were in Psalms and Proverbs. There were also other scattered throughout the Bible as well. I’ll share some of the verses with you shortly. If you have any comments of your own I would love to hear them!

Tired & Stressed

So, it is once again quarter end and this is my most stressful one yet. This is my third quarter end (I've been there 6 1/2 months now) and the acquisitions are coming like crazy. I like what I'm doing but currently I have more on my plate than can be done by one person. I put in 14 hours yesterday (Saturday), 10 1/2 today and will be working tomorrow (Labor Day). I knew this was coming but it is still very overwhelming when I figure out what needs to be done and how much time I have to do it in.

But the good news is, we can learn something new in all these experiences. I'm learning to rely on God and not so much on myself. For once, there is absolutely no way I can do what is needed in my own power and I'm learning to let go. I'm learning to put my focus on my Lord and rely on Him to get me through the day. I am starting to get a glimpse of what it means to do all things through Him.

I'm very tired right now as I write this, but while the stress is still there I am not overwhelmed. My house church prayed for me last Tuesday because I was near a breakdown. Since then, God has been good to remind me where my focus should be when I start to get overwhelmed. He'll send me little things such as a meeting or an email through a friend which reminds me that this work is not what life is all about. The most important thing is for me to walk with Him in all I do.

I'm so thankful that God is so gracious and that He cares enough to use this time which could be very overwhelming to be a time of getting to know Him better and even a time of peace.

Top Momma

Okay, so I know I don't usually post this stuff here, but in case you don't normally visit my Ang4him-My Life blog, I figured I would post it here too. (And I just wanted everyone to know that I am still alive and kicking although I've not posted a lot lately.)





I'm a Top Momma! Visit this link and click on the picture of Austin that looks like this. . .

That will keep me on top at Top Mommas!

Other Updates:

I have been going through the rest of the seven churches and will post my remaining notes soon.

Awesome things are happening at work in regards to prayer and I'm in the middle of it. That is definitely God, as He is having me totally step out of my comfort zone. I'll fill you all in soon. Right now I need to get some rest so I can get myself up to go to RHOP in the morning.

Love ya'll and hang in there with me. I have a lot on the way!

House Churches

(Cross-post with my other blogs)

Some of you who read my blog already know that I attend a "house church" instead of a traditional church. I've grown alot in the past almost 2 years now since we started meeting in this way. My relationship with those in my church family has become more intimate and meaningful. More importantly, my relationship with God has deepened and therefore my walk with Him and my obedience to Him.

This morning I was listening to Air1 and the news segement had a short blurb on a how house churches are growing. It was very short, but I found it very interesting. Tonight I got on their website to check it out and found the original article the news blurb was based on.

Here it is for your reading pleasure if you are interested.
There's no place like home, these Christians say

I found it very interesting, especially considering I've fellowshiping and worshiping in this way for almost 2 years now.

Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)

Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18 - 29)

Praises
* Love & faith
* Service
* Perseverance
* Doing more than before

Rebuke
* Tolerate the Spirit of Jezebel

(It does mention that there are some who do not hold to Jezebel's teachings)

My Notes:
Jesus has some very harsh things to say about the woman Jezebel and what will happen if the church does not repent.

* Cast on a bed of suffering
* Those who comitt adultery with her will suffer intensely
* Will strike her children dead

God searches our hearts and minds.

I've heard of the Spirit of Jezebel before. Originally I had thought it only had to do with sexual immorality, but recently I've been learning this is more of a spirit of control. This makes sense in a way because many use their sexuality as a means of gaining control over others. And I've noticed sexual sins tend to have a greater control over us than any others when we fall into them.

Jezebel was an actual character in the Old Testaement (1 & 2 Kings) who persecuted God's prophets. The evil which possessed her was in existence prior to her, however due to the extent it manifested itself in her, these spirits have become known by her name. This is a spirit which is still very active in the world today and unfortunately seems to be overly present in our country. In some cases the results of this spirit are not only tolerated, they are wholly accepted and encouraged.

Here are a few articles I found regarding the Spirit of Jezebel if you are interested in learning more. Please note, I don't always agree fully with the articles I recommend, however I believe it is good to look into these things and bring them to God in prayer and compare them to His Word. I also believe this is a spirit we all need to be aware of in our world today.

Jezebel - The Latter Rain page
Jezebel in our Society

I Dig Jesus

It's been a bit since I was actually tagged for this, but I feel it does fit in with this blog and is fun, so here goes!

I was tagged by my friend Melly at A Cup of Tea With Me

Here are the Rules:
* Those Tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus.
* Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
* Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here with their name so that others can read them.


5 Things “I Dig” about Jesus:

1. He died for all of us, but even better, He would have still done it if He knew it would have only saved me. I know I am his favorite (yes, so are you, but I keep telling myself I am!) He is so awesome that we can all be His favorite.

2. Jesus knows me better than anyone (probably even better than I know myself) yet He still loves me more than anyone else ever could. He loved me before I was born and will love me long after I'm gone from this world. I am His Princess.

3. He is ever faithful and true. I know that no matter what He will always be there for me. Even when I can not feel His presence, I know He is there with me. No matter what happens on this earth I know that He will never betray me.

4. He is my Hope! I know He holds me in His hands and will never let me fall. Even when I don't understand, I can have faith that He knows what is going to happen, He is the victor in the end and His plans for me are the best things that could ever happen to me.

5. He is RICH!!! I know that there is nobody richer than Jesus and He wants to give me more than I could ever even imagine. Of course, sometimes in my limited knowledge I don't realize that His riches are best, but in the end His gifts are the best I could ever receive!

Tag, you're IT!!!
1. Becki at Vote for Becki
2. Shauna at Pass the Chocolate
3. Dana at Life Turned Upside Down
4. Angela at Domestic Divapolooza
5. Practical Chick

Church of Pergamum (Revelation 2:12 - 17)

Church of Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)

Praises
* They live in a town ruled by Satan but still remain true to Jesus
* They do not renounce Jesus or their faith in Him. They boldly speak of and share their faith.

Rebukes
* Tolerate in their midst those who worship Balaam and entice others to sin, idolatry, sexual immorality.
* Have those who follow the teachings of Nicolaitans.


My Notes
When reading the praises what immediately came to mind was a church who is faithful in cities that are considered to be "sin cities" in America. To me San Francisco and Las Vegas came to mind.

Based on the rebukes, my initial impression is this is a church who teaches the love of Christ boldly, but not the righteousness, holiness or obedience of Christ which is expected of followers. Liberal Churches that tolerate and/or condone (sometimes encourage) sin in it's followers lives seem to parallel this church. The Grace of the Savior is taught in a way that everything is acceptable. Unfortunately I believe there are many churches in America that teach this now, and even more troublesome is the appearance that the number is growing.

I find it very interesting that Jesus specifically mentions that this church follows the teachings on the Nicolaitans. These are the practices He made a point of commending the Church of Ephesus for hating. So I did a bit of research on these teachings. It appears there is no definitive documentation of what exactly these teaching were. However, I noted two themes in my research. One was that the teachings were very liberal to the point that paganistic rituals were considered to be acceptable as part of the teachings of Jesus. These individuals lived their lives to excess in all they did. The other theme I found was those who taught the church required a heirarchy for others to grow in Christ. The clergy were elevated above the rest of the Believers, instead of being considered servants to the body as Jesus taught.

For more research of your own visit these sites and/or do some research of your own. It is very interesting.

The Teaching of the Nicolatians
THE NICOLAITANS – an alternative view
Nicolaitans - Wikipedia Definition

The bottom line for me is that our God is a Holy and Righteous God as well as a Merciful and Loving God. Unfortunately, many churches and Believers tend to emphasize one of these characteristics to the extreme and to the detriment of the other. However, we have to remember God is both! Therefore, we need to keep a balance between the two as well. I believe the key to this is being in constast communication with the Lord through a relationship with Him that includes prayer, being in His Word and fellowship with others.

I Need You To Love Me

This is a song I heard on Air1 the other day that meant alot to me with what I've been going through lately. We serve an amazing God!


BarlowGirl - I Need You To Love Me
From the album Another Journal Entry

Why, why are You still with me?
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You

(Chorus:)
But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how much You could cherish me
Cuz You're a God who has all things
And still You want me

(Chorus)

Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been

(Chorus)

Label: Provident Music Distribution

Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

Praises
* Although afflicted and in poverty they are rich (in Jesus)
* They are slandered
* They will (and have) suffered jail and persecution, Satan will come against them
* They will be tested, but Jesus encourages them to stay faithful, even to death.
* He will give them a Crown of Life

Rebuke
None

My Notes:
I find it interesting that the things Jesus praises this church for all revolve around how they are persecuted by others. They obviously are following the Lord and not the world. I can not find one thing that Jesus rebukes them for.

I truely do not believe that we find this church in America today. This is not to say that some of us don't suffer for our beliefs or we would not be willing to die for our beliefs. We definitely do, but not to the extent that this church did back then. This reminds me of the persecuted church in other countries where it truely takes faith and trust in God to follow Him because it is a reality that you likely will lose your life for Him.

On the other hand though, I think we need to prepare for this. I believe one day soon we very well may be living through things like this. I believe we are heading down that path now. It is just a matter of time. We need to be ready so we can truely say it is a Joy for us to suffer for Christ.