Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.
It is possible to be doing everything right and still have fear that something is wrong? If you're driving and a Police car pulls up behind you, most of us immediately tense up and feel a bit queasy. Fear begins at the top of our heads and slowly falls downward over the rest of our bodies. We aren't doing anything wrong, but the presence of Police can cause us fear.
A policeman serving in the kitchen at a community event doesn't bring us the same kind of fear. He still wears the uniform, his badge and his gun as an authority figure and he could arrest someone at anytime; but we don't fear a cop washing dishes!
Fear can be the result of many things; our sense of guilt, a good sense of wisdom in dangerous situations, a memory of previous bad experiences. Some fears become uncontrollable and develop into phobias that can cause emotional instability. Fear is a boundary marker and a mindset. Fear can be the beginning of understanding a more excellent way of Life.
A policeman serving in the kitchen at a community event doesn't bring us the same kind of fear. He still wears the uniform, his badge and his gun as an authority figure and he could arrest someone at anytime; but we don't fear a cop washing dishes!
Fear can be the result of many things; our sense of guilt, a good sense of wisdom in dangerous situations, a memory of previous bad experiences. Some fears become uncontrollable and develop into phobias that can cause emotional instability. Fear is a boundary marker and a mindset. Fear can be the beginning of understanding a more excellent way of Life.
DAY 13 WORD
“And now, Israel,
what doth the Lord thy God require of thee,
but to fear the Lord thy God,
to walk in all his ways, and to love him,
and to serve the Lord thy God
with all thy heart
and with all thy soul,”
Deuteronomy 10:12
what doth the Lord thy God require of thee,
but to fear the Lord thy God,
to walk in all his ways, and to love him,
and to serve the Lord thy God
with all thy heart
and with all thy soul,”
Deuteronomy 10:12
DEEP THOUGHTS
The power of God strikes fear in me when a bolt of lightning strikes near me. I'm in awe when I think about the power and fury of storms, that by their nature, they destroy nature. I do fear God, but it's not like a fear of falling off a cliff if I get too close. My fear has changed over the years as I get to know more about God and His Love.
When I think of how much love God has lavished on us, it blows me away. It's like standing on top of a mountain after you've climbed a long trail to get there. The sight is unbelievable! In sunny skies, grey skies, stormy skies and even in a blizzard when you can't see any skies; the sight in your mind is His presence in your heart.
The Bible is full of verses about fear being the beginning of understanding. Here are only a few of them:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline
(Proverbs 1:7).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding
(Psalm 111:10).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
(Proverbs 9:10).
I used to have a fear of going to hell before I understood that perfect Love casts out fear.
God Is Love
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
Fear of God is an awe inspiring mindset. He makes it simple to avoid hell. Just Love God and keep His commandments. Love other people the way God Loves you. It's not like the fear of a Cop who might give you a ticket. The appearance of a Police car behind you causes a volcano of fearful thoughts to erupt in your mind. God isn't a cop. He's the Judge who already forgave you for any crimes you've committed because He sent His one and only Son to pay the price for your crimes. Believe in Christ and your fear becomes the beginning of understanding God's unfathomable Love.
Focus on God in the face of fear. Focus on Love in the face of hate. Focus on knowing that God's Love will never leave you. Focus on knowing how much God Loves you and values you. You are worthy of God's love. God is love and God loves you.
When I think of how much love God has lavished on us, it blows me away. It's like standing on top of a mountain after you've climbed a long trail to get there. The sight is unbelievable! In sunny skies, grey skies, stormy skies and even in a blizzard when you can't see any skies; the sight in your mind is His presence in your heart.
The Bible is full of verses about fear being the beginning of understanding. Here are only a few of them:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline
(Proverbs 1:7).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding
(Psalm 111:10).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
(Proverbs 9:10).
I used to have a fear of going to hell before I understood that perfect Love casts out fear.
God Is Love
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
Fear of God is an awe inspiring mindset. He makes it simple to avoid hell. Just Love God and keep His commandments. Love other people the way God Loves you. It's not like the fear of a Cop who might give you a ticket. The appearance of a Police car behind you causes a volcano of fearful thoughts to erupt in your mind. God isn't a cop. He's the Judge who already forgave you for any crimes you've committed because He sent His one and only Son to pay the price for your crimes. Believe in Christ and your fear becomes the beginning of understanding God's unfathomable Love.
Focus on God in the face of fear. Focus on Love in the face of hate. Focus on knowing that God's Love will never leave you. Focus on knowing how much God Loves you and values you. You are worthy of God's love. God is love and God loves you.
For more information about how you can become a YWAP supporter and volunteer, please leave a message or call us at 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. #ywapbuffalo #ywap4God #ywap716 #JLYASDW
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