Healthy Fear The Life God Blesses Part 2

Ah, Ah Choo!

To bless = bestow favor upon To bless = bestow favor upon

We cannot predict those blessings, yet we can align ourselves in the best position to receive those blessings

As your Father, He is a... Loving Father who desires a close relationship Jeremiah 3:19 - How gladly would I treat you like sons… I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.

As your Father, He is a... Moral Father who wants you to walk in his ways Jeremiah 3:4-5 - Have you not just called to me: ‘My Father 5 will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever?’ This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can.

Hebrews 12:5,6 "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

As your Father, He is a... Caring Father who wants you to live well Proverbs 17:21 - To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.

Psalms 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. Psalms 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

“Daddy, Sir” “Daddy, Sir”

Romans 8:14-17 … those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

“Daddy, Lord”

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

1. Clarity Unless truth can penetrate hearts and minds, it only remains an option.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

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 knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Psalm 119:9-16 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Clarity of mind brings a clarity of passion

Proverbs 2:1-7 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, Proverbs 2:1-7

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-7 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blame- less. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blame- less.

Proverbs 1:29-31 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, 30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

2. Conviction What we are convinced of brings conviction.

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the over- whelming conviction that I had nowhere to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insuf- ficient for the day.” Abraham Lincoln

Isaiah11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Psalm 147:11 The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

3. Courage “When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand up and be counted.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Calamity Clarity Conviction Courage

“Give me ten people who fear no one but God and hate no one but the Devil and we will change our world within one generation!” John Wesley

4. Compassion “Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

2 Corinthians 5:9-11 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men… 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Clarity Conviction Courage Compassion One Area of Improvement