Fear God, 29

~ The Israelites Were Commanded to Fear God, 22 ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.  Serve the Lord!  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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Bible Answer, 27

~ Did You Get It Right? ~

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~~~~ bible answer ~~~~

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question 27:  What king of Judah had the longest reign?

answer:  King Manasseh ruled for 55 years.

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem” (2 Kings 21:1a).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Quote: Pearls in the O.T.

~ How Many Times Are Pearls Mentioned in the Old Testament? ~ 

In Biblical times pearls were considered very valuable. 

The following is an excerpt from a book.

In Eastern lands the most costly gems were reserved for royalty.  Only the king was allowed to wear the finest.  In this parable we will find that the one pearl of great price is purchased for the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The word pearl is used sparingly in the Bible and is not even mentioned in the Hebrew Old Testament.  The Old Testament exception in English translations is when the word is found in the Authorized Version (King James) where we read “of coral, or of pearls” (Job 28:18).  The context is a listing of items of value including gems and gold.  These precious items are contrasted to wisdom, which is seen to be of even greater value.  The conclusion is that the fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil shows understanding (Job 28:28).  Many newer translations more accurately render this passage using another word in place of pearl (such as crystal, quartz, or jasper).

~ from “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church, pgs 21-22 (ISBN: 9780741462329)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .