Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Fear of the LORD

It surprises me, that I still get surprised and chuckle at God when He answers my prayers. I asked him the other week to give me more of a fear of Him, because I feel like this is one area that I lack often, having a fear of God.

So here are some instances that are reminding me of how Powerful God really is, which has caused an utter awe and even a fear of Him...
   My pastor's son just passed away, I had just seen him a week before he died. The realization that God can and will take us whenever He see's fit, for whatever reason that we may not even know. One minute we are here, one minute we are not.
  Last night we had a big thunder storm. I sat outside beside the rain came pouring just watching the lightning and hearing the thunder. I jumped a couple times...once outside, once in my bed, and once in the middle of the night a clasp of thunder startled me in my sleep. I love absolutely love thunderstorms, but to be honest, I don't ever remember being this 'afraid' during a storm. My heart was beating so fast, I felt paralyzed and unafraid to move and I was wondering if I would even be able to sleep (but of course that was no problem for me in the end). I was SURE that there was going to be a tree down somewhere near my house by the sounds of the lightning striking something and the feel of the thunder under my feet and even inside my chest. Needless to say, I was in awe and made to see that God is ALL-POWERFUL and Sovereign over absolutely everything. The weight and depth of this, is penetrating my soul and causing me to fall in love with God so much more and to see him in a newer, more respected, more revered light!

   Then this morning, Im sitting on the porch (I really love to sit on our porch!) reading my John Piper devotions and what is it about....you guessed it....FEAR OF GOD! As soon as I read the title and the first verse, I just started smiling and chuckling!

This Fear of God, is a fear that draws us in to Him. It should not cause us to run away from Him, but to run TO Him!


'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." Exodus 20:20

"Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" Psalm 33:8

"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, fear before him, all the earth." Psalm 96:9

"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26

"The fear of the LORD tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil." Proverbs 19:23

"The fear of man lays a snare; but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe." Proverbs 29:25



His creation responds to His Sovereignty, to His Power, His Words....and we are a part of that creation. How do we respond?

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

It has been quite a while since I have been on here....mostly due to the fact that my computer is failing me so I havent been able to use it for about 2 months...so now I get to hijack my generous roommates computer!

The past couple of days for me, have been incredible days. They have been productive, and full of Jesus, and joy. I have felt more of God, seen more of God, learned more, and experienced more joy in the last 2 weeks than I have in the previous few months.
   I had thought that the season that I was in was just hopeless, and me just being worn out and selfish...and it was partly that. But I'm realizing more and more, that there of course was a purpose and a goal in that season. What, I do not know. But I'm finally at peace and truly grateful for the past year, which I have been waiting for, for quite a while it seems. I feel like God is restoring the joy of my salvation, reviving my soul. I feel alive and warm, and not almost dead and cold. My perspectives are changing, my attitude still needs some major work, but i can see that changing as well. God is growing me, He HAS BEEN growing me, just in a way that I wasnt wanting and that I probably have been fighting.
  I love that life happens in seasons. And there are those seasons that are not so much fun...that feel really dry and you have no clue what's going on. But you just have to keep going, you have to endure. And then God breaks through. I needed to learn to endure, I still do, but I actually am starting to feel stronger. I know this is just the beginning, and these things take baby steps, but I just want to say again how grateful I am for each and every season of life. The good, the bad, the frustrating, the happy. God is good through it all, and Sovereign and LORD over it all. And I always have things I need to learn and areas I can grow in!

Life is exciting. Jesus is exciting. Love is worth enduring for. God's Kingdom is victorious.

This passage has been my go-to passage for this year. It is a very popular one, but it has meant so much to me this year, and its words go deep into the depths of my heart and into my intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
      The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23