The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States “'Fear of the Lord:' the one life-giving fear" for Saturday, 18 February 2017Psalm 111:7 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his precepts can be trusted.
8 They have been established forever and ever,
to be carried out truly and honestly.
9 He sent redemption to his people
and decreed that his covenant should last forever.
His name is holy and fearsome —
10 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of Adonai;
all those living by it gain good common sense.
His praise stands forever.
Proverbs 2:2 paying attention to wisdom
inclining your mind toward understanding —
3 yes, if you will call for insight
and raise your voice for discernment,
4 if you seek it as you would silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure —
5 then you will understand the fear of Adonai
and find knowledge of God.
6 For Adonai gives wisdom;
from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.
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This sermon series has called us to live above and beyond many of our most common fears. We’ve learned human therapeutic tools that work along with our trust in God to point us toward an unafraid life. There is one kind of “fear,” however, that the Bible fully endorsed: “the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 3:6-7 gave a concise definition of the life-giving kind of “fear” today’s readings called us to: “Know him in all your paths and he will keep your ways straight. Don’t consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”
• “While we tend to associate the word ‘fear’ with a ‘hair standing on end’ or ‘fight or flight’ feeling, ‘the fear of the LORD’ is better understood as reverent awe. Indeed, the Lord is ‘fearsome,’ but not in the sense that some want to run away from or escape from God’s presence. Rather, we are called to approach the Lord with a sense of awe while in the presence of the holy.”*
Can you recall times when you have experienced this healthy, lifegiving kind of fear in particularly vivid way? Why would this type of fear cause you to want to draw closer to God, rather than to shrink away?
Prayer: O God, let me never lose a sense of awe at the privilege you offer me to accept your love and to walk through my life in your presence, with you as my Lord and guide. Amen.
* Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford, study note on Proverbs 1:7 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 1007 OT.
Family Activity: Every day is a gift from God! No matter our situation or our age, we can celebrate and give thanks, even when we face challenges and fear. Encourage your family members to choose one day this week where they will be intentionally aware of the world around them. Invite them to use their senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell to soak in God’s presence in the everyday ordinariness of life. When you gather in the evening, ask each person to share God’s gifts in their day. You can draw, make a list or create a collage of what your family experienced. Seek to become more aware of God’s goodness and blessings on a daily basis and thank God often. When you feel anxious, review your lists or look at your pictures and thank God for being present always.
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Pastor Adam preached about the Fear of the Lord last weekend. He said, "The Fear of the Lord is where we find wisdom and life. It is to live in Holy respect, awe, reverence of God, acknowledging Him for who he is and recognizing His power." I need to do more of this. I often limit God’s power to my imperfect thinking. Through Scripture, we remind ourselves of His awesome power as one who is the creator of the universe, one who breaks chains, heals bodies, frees captives and gives us eternal life.
I recently attended the IF Gathering in Nashville with my daughter, Maddy. She helped organize a local gathering for over 200 women to come together and be renewed as they heard from national speakers. The worship band from her church played, and one song in particular breathed new life into me. It is a song that reminds us to fear the Lord, reminds us to revere God and recognize His power.
The songwriter, Brooke Ligertwood, says, “There is something about singing something when someone knows in their soul is the absolute truth, and bringing that from heart knowledge to a mouth confession which then becomes faith. Faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of God. When you hear your own ears say something that is true, it creates faith.”
I invite you to click here and join me in singing What a Beautiful Name. Turn up the volume, hear the words with your ears and proclaim them with your mouth. Fear the Lord and live unafraid. Amen
What A Beautiful Name
Hillsong Worship
You were the Word at the beginning
One With God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Songwriters: BROOKE LIGERTWOOD, BEN FIELDING © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
JANE FOWLERJane serves as Group Life Program Director at Church of the Resurrection. In that capacity, she encourages our congregation to be a part of the Journey of Knowing, Loving and Serving God and others by being in authentic community and growing in your love and knowledge of Christ.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Carol Owings and family on the death of her son Greg Owings, 2/5
•Naomi Mills and family on the death of her husband John Mills, 2/5
•Friends and family of Tim Clore on his death, 2/4
• Judy Lager and family on the death of her mother Jackie O’Keefe, 2/3
•Pam Earnest and family on the death of her mother Norma Elmore, 2/2
•Tom Galbraith and family on the death of his father Allen Galbraith, 1/31
•Rick Cooper and family on the death of his wife Judy Cooper, 1/30
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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