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August 27 - October 6, 2023
“You will be offered great opportunities, but inside you will know it violates integrity, is not above board, is questionable, or could hurt others. Listen to your conscience; don’t shun its warning. If you ignore it, you’ll forfeit your sensitivity to God.”
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV).
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1–2 NKJV)
“I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 9:1 NKJV).
The clarity and strength of our conscience can be altered. Our sensitivity is strengthened by holy fear and, conversely, is dulled by the lack thereof.
I would rather pay the price to hear God’s voice personally, regardless of how difficult the circumstances may be, than to have to settle for always hearing from Him secondhand. —JOY DAWSON
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)
Fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5)
“I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23 NKJV).
“You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4).
“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me.” (Deuteronomy 5:29
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths. —ISAIAH 65:2
These men and women don’t periodically stumble; rather, when it serves them better, they habitually ignore, neglect, or disobey God’s Word—they lack holy fear.
know [ginṓskō] God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. (1 John 2:3–4)
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV)
“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him.”
he obeyed instantly, when it didn’t make sense, when he didn’t see a benefit, when it hurt, and he did it to completion.
Even when the command didn’t make sense, had no apparent benefit attached, and was painful to carry out, he trembled at God’s Word. Godly fear motivates us both to will and to do what God asks of us. It opens the door to intimacy with Him.
Holy fear actually enables us to love more truly and more deeply not only God but also people.
Lot’s character is made evident by where he chose to dwell, the type of wife he chose, and the children he fathered through incest—the Moabites and Ammonites.
When we lack holy fear, we’ll inevitably seek to get as close to the world as possible without falling headlong into it. However, if this is our motive, it is only a matter of time before the world draws us in. We must remember we are called into the world to reach the lost, not to be part of them.
Only when we are captured by an overwhelming sense of awe and reverence in the presence of God, will we begin to worship God in spirit and in truth. —ALISTAIR BEGG
What builds trust with God? Unconditional obedience—always doing what’s asked Absolute integrity—always keeping your word Unwavering priority—always putting His desires first Knowing His heart—always choosing God’s will when making decisions
Moses chose to walk away from it all. He could have attempted to serve God in the palace, but he sought a reward that staying in Egypt couldn’t provide.
“If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.” (Exodus 33:15)
“If I have to choose between Your presence and Your blessings, I’ll take Your presence!”
Their relationship with Him is more transactional, not intimate. They know His words, but not His heart. Scripture often seems like rules and historical stories, or it’s used merely as a source of inspiration. Even worse, it’s twisted to grant permission to practice lawless behavior instead of offering life-transforming truths revealing His heart.
Why would God trust Moses but not His people? Because God knew Moses would always choose God’s heart over what looked best for him—this is holy fear.
All things have been entrusted and delivered to Me by My Father . . . and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son. (Matthew 11:27 AMPC)
Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. (John 2:23–24)
He knew a vast many human beings were not reliable. He loved them and served them but did not hold them at the level of friendship.
“Until you are very established in who I am in your life and very established in who you are with Me—the fear of the Lord—I need to keep you at a servant level even though you are an heir—a son or daughter of My kingdom. This is to protect you, so you don’t experience judgment similar to Ananias and Sapphira.”
“You are My friends if . . .” (John 15:14 NKJV)
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” There is the condition: the fear of the Lord
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14 NKJV)
We don’t gain Jesus’ trust by simply believing in Him. Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear Him.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. —PROVERBS 4:26 NKJV
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16 NKJV)
“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV).
In essence we make a request for Him to come and assist on the earth. Now His promise is established on earth as it is in heaven. Simply put, He will not force His way into our “leased earth” unless we ask for His will to be done.
“When you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong” (James 4:3).
It’s a fight, and by faith we lay hold of what eternal life provides.
Men who fear God face life fearlessly. Men who do not fear God end up fearing everything. —RICHARD HALVERSON
“‘Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth’” (Luke 21:26 NKJV).
The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe. (Isaiah 8:11–14)
your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
He said, “John, any fear in your life only identifies what you haven’t put under the cross; you still own that area of your life.”
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the LORD’S blessing for those who fear him. (Psalm 128:3–4)
When you abide in holy fear, something significant is transmitted to your descendants. Not only will they be influencers, but you will continue to be blessed through them.
