Reverence and Awe

Reverence and Awe

Hebrews 12: ²⁸ Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe; ²⁹ because our God is indeed a destroying fire.

 

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Hearing the eloquent words pour out of the speaker’s mouth, I was engaged. I could not get enough of this particular speaker. I purchased recordings and distributed them to as many people as possible.

 

• I was enamored.
• I admired every word of the speaker.
• I took action to tell others about the speaker.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, provides the a very different view of GOD that is quite disturbing. He says GOD is a “Consuming fire” or in this version a “Destroying fire.” Because of this, we need to worship HIM in reverence and awe.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is all seeing, all knowing and all-powerful.
• GOD is everywhere and I cannot escape HIM.
• GOD’s power should be revered and not taken lightly by me.

 

I should be a fan of GOD. I mean, I should like HIS style, HIS power and HIS timing. Unfortunately, I don’t like HIS style, the way HE uses HIS power or HIS timing. I easily get upset at GOD when HE doesn’t deliver me when and how I expect. Fortunately for me, HE is patient.

 

GOD deserves reverence and awe from me. HE can do anything, anytime and anywhere. By believing in JESUS, I have access to the Most High GOD. HE loves when I pray and rely on HIS power. I gladly surrender to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by calling GOD a “Destroying” or “Consuming” fire?
• Have you ever seen something so powerful that it memorized everyone?
• Will you look at GOD as the all-powerful being HE is and align your reverence to HIM today?

Incredible Credit

 

Incredible Credit

Acts 26: ⁴ “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. ⁵ They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. ⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. ⁸ Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

 

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“Self-promote” was the suggestion to get ahead in corporate. I was always taught that hard work speaks for itself. I pondered how I was going to implement promoting myself and take credit more often.

 

As I was driving my family out of town, I hit a huge pool of water on the pavement. The car spun around and around then came to a stop. With trucks on the highway, it was incredible no one hit us. I could not take credit for this miracle of deliverance.

 

• Incredible things have happened in my life.
• I have seen Incredible things that humans would normally take credit for.
• There have been some unexplained incredible things that happened to me that can only be explained one way.

 

Paul continues to explain his defense to King Agrippa. He said he was raised religious and became a Pharisee. This is the group of people that murdered JESUS for saying HE was and is GOD. Paul then asks “Why should any of you consider it incredible that GOD raises the dead?”

 

• GOD wants me to believe in HIS incredible power.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS SON, who was incredibly raised from the dead.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS incredible plan HE has for me.

 

Incredible is only natural for GOD. I mean, HIS power is not my power, HIS ways are not my ways, and HIS thoughts are not my thoughts. HIS power is incredible when I see and hear about HIS miracles. I am grateful GOD includes me in HIS incredible plan.

 

• Are you trying to figure out GOD using human rationality?
• Are you giving humans more credit than you should?
• Will you look at what GOD is doing and see the incredible things HE performs daily?

Filled with Awe

Ezekiel 1: ²⁶ Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. ²⁷ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. ²⁸ Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

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Rumbles of the storm were now distant. The sun was out and I saw the most brilliant rainbow, then another. I figured I would visit it so I ran over to the next block, it moved. I ran further and the elusive rainbow stayed its distance.

• When I was a child I did not understand what true power was.
• When I was a child I did not understand the forces that were around me.
• When I was a child I did not understand what it meant to just be in awe.

Instead of marveling at the wonder, I went to touch the rainbow. I don’t know if I wanted to grab it for bragging rights or if it were simply curiosity, but I wanted it. Now that I have grown up I admire the stormy gales and rushing winds. When it all clears I am in awe at GOD’s mighty power and serenity HE brings by placing a rainbow as a sign that HE would never again flood the earth to get rid of mankind.

• GOD’s awesomeness is all around me every day.
• GOD’s mighty power can be seen by me if I would only open my eyes daily.
• GOD speaks to me daily through the wonders of nature if I would only stop and listen.

Busy days blind me to GOD’s awesomeness. Mad paced deadlines and due dates keep me from sitting and looking at what GOD made. BUT GOD is still awesome. HE is still there whenever I simply look up and see HIM. HE is to be awed, there is no one like HIM!

• Have you taken a moment to stop and see GOD’s awesomeness?
• When is the last time you gave GOD credit for what HE has done?
• Can you stop for a moment today and look outside to see what GOD is doing all around you?
• Will you be filled with the awe of the LORD?

Filled with Wonder

Isaiah 4: ² In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. ³ Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. ⁴ The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. ⁵ Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. ⁶ It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

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As I looked at this passage this morning I noticed that I was left out. I’m not saying that I’m not included in the promises. I am saying I don’t have anything to do but sit here and watch.

• The LORD will be beautiful and glorious.
• The LORD will wash away the filth, HE will cleanse bloodstains.
• The LORD will create.

Sometimes I think GOD is just sitting around doing nothing but watching HIS experiment to see if I will make it out of the maze of life. As I sin, it equates to running into a wall and if I get lost it is similar to going into a dead end section of the maze. BUT GOD wants me to take off my blinders.

• GOD wants me to see only HIS glory so I won’t use my own.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS power so I won’t think I need any of mine.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS promises so I won’t get caught up pouting over what I don’t have.

Looking at GOD does not always mean looking at the answer guy who just sits and waits to fix my problems. HE is the way, the truth and the life. GOD is active in my life on a daily basis. Minute by minute HE is there. Sometimes I just need to see only HIM and nothing else.

• Can you look at GOD today?
• Will you seek only HIS face and try to please HIM?
• Will you ask HIM to show HIS might today?

Taking Time to Ponder

Job 25: ² “Dominion and awe belong to God;
    he establishes order in the heights of heaven.
³ Can his forces be numbered?
    On whom does his light not rise?

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Sitting on my couch “worried” I wondered if I passed my final exam. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got the job. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got another job to move back. Sitting in my house “worried” I wondered if I could ever please this boss or the next one or those to follow.  Wow, I spent a lot of time worrying!

• Worrying takes me away from peace.
• Worrying distracts me so much that I cannot see blessings.
• Worrying puts me in a ball and I cannot move forward on anything.

It’s quite amazing how distracting worry is. I mean when I try to stop worrying. I worry that I’m worrying too much! What should I do?

• GOD said “Do not worry, do not be afraid.”
• GOD said “I will be with you always.”
• GOD said “Tell them I AM.”

I had to quiet my mind from all the worry and look at who GOD is. As I stared out the window I saw a deer slowly tromp into my yard, then another, then another. Soon several deer were standing there; one began kicking up the snow and sat down. I kept looking and seven or eight were sitting. I was amazed at the sight. Then I realized, if I could just slow down and look I could see GOD every day.

Slowing down helps me see and hear GOD. HE shows HIMSELF to me daily.

• Are you looking for GOD?
• Do you think HE is far away from you right now?
• Can you look around and see HIM where you are right now?
• Can you ponder the intricacies of how HE made you and your surroundings and the heavens above?
• Won’t you add “awe” back into your relationship with GOD?

How Great Thou Art!

2 Samuel 7: ²² “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 

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Sin takes my thoughts off of how GREAT GOD really is. I mean I get so busy asking for forgiveness that I can’t bring myself to marvel at HIS greatness. Worry does the same. It robs my thoughts of the splendor of GOD. I can say the same for a busy life, troubles and even vacations.

Each distraction takes my mind off of GOD and places it on yet another prayer asking for something. GOD deserves something different.

• HEAVENLY FATHER thank YOU for being GOD, I adore YOU!
• JESUS thank YOU, thank YOU for volunteering to take my execution sentence, I am at a loss for words.
• HOLY SPIRIT, thank YOU for dwelling in my sinful body, guiding me, comforting me, leading me and interceding for me.

GOD is truly amazing! There is none like HIM and no human can match wits with HIM. HE has forgiven me and raised me up in spite of my sin!

Amazing things can happen

Ruth 4: ¹¹ Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹² Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

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²¹ Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

²² Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

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Ruth was a foreigner who decided to serve a widow instead of remarrying. What’s amazing to me is she stuck to her convictions and didn’t seem like she was secretly looking for something or trying to ‘pretend’ so she could manipulate GOD.

She wasn’t seeking a title or praise by other people BUT GOD had something different planned for her.

• GOD amazingly brought Ruth through very harsh times.
• GOD saw fit to heal a very broken situation by rescuing an older and younger widow.
• GOD delivered the right person at the right time when things seemed the most desperate and he became the redeemer.

What’s so amazing about this piece of history is JESUS was a descendant of this family when HE decided to become a human. I tried to think of an amazing story that could match what was going on here and could not think of one.  The story speaks for itself.

• GOD doesn’t need to part oceans in order to be known.
• GOD can use ordinary desires to produce something special.
• GOD can bless me without fanfare, pomp and circumstances.

Sometimes just living life is enough for GOD to do some amazing things.

• Do you think GOD is not concerned about you?
• Does life seem monotonous?
• Do you realize GOD may be doing some amazing things in your life that you are blinded to?
• Won’t you open your eyes to how amazing GOD is on a daily basis?

Is GOD amazing to you?

Acts:2: ⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

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Sitting in a church in Mexico I heard a familiar sound, it was JESUS CHRIST. The same happened again in Zimbabwe and again in Shanghai. All around the world in their native tongue, JESUS’ name is being exclaimed!

• Sometimes my mind is narrow and I think GOD is only concerned about my country.
• Sometimes my mind is narrow and I don’t believe GOD is bigger than my local situation.
• Sometimes my mind is narrow and I can’t conceive that GOD can speak to people in other countries.

When I went on a mission’s trip for the first time, I thought I was going to “teach” other people about CHRIST, when in reality I found out that GOD is much bigger than I thought. People were already exclaiming HIS name and their praise put me to shame. As I pouted for more trinkets at home, people who had nothing praised GOD for hours on end.

GOD is truly amazing. HE is the master of the incredible and the beholder of the unlimited. HE is infinitely tiny as HE is infinitely large. I sometimes waste my time trying to figure out how GOD was always in existence. Then my head explodes! I can only be amazed at how powerful GOD truly is.

HE can speak in any language and can reach a person in a war torn country. HE is so amazing HE can use a sinner like me.

• Is GOD amazing to you?
• Can HE speak through people and everyone hear the message in their own language?
• Are there parts of the Bible that you simply don’t believe because ‘you’ have not seen it?
• Won’t you turn your doubt into amazement and begin giving GOD more credit for HIS power?