BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 1-4
FEAR OF THE LORD
MEMORIZE: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord " (Romans 6:11)
READ: Genesis 39:7-9
Isaiah 11:2 says the Holy Spirit manifests in seven major ways - as Spirit of the LORD, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the LORD. In Daniel, He manifested as the Spirit of Wisdom. In Joseph, He manifested as the Spirit of Counsel. Yet, in Joseph, He also manifested as the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord (Genesis 39:7-9). This was what enabled Joseph in the face of temptation to say ‘No’ to sin. His reply revealed his mindset which was made possible by the fear of God. He said, ‘How could I do this evil and sin against God?’ Sinning against God was a taboo! This tells us that apart from hiding God’s Word in your heart according to Psalms. 119:11, the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life equally keeps sin at bay. If sinning is no big deal to you, or nothing pricks you whenever you sin, it simply shows the absence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
In John 4:23, Jesus talks of true worshippers. In the encounter between Christ and Satan recorded in Matthew 4:8-10, it is clear that only God should be worshiped. No matter how much you love, appreciate or revere your Pastor, General Overseer or leader, never idolize the fellow. If you do, you cease to be a true worshipper. In the same way, a leader should never worship those he is leading. It is very dangerous. King Saul lost his kingdom because he was afraid of the people. Whenever you seek to receive men’s approval, you will offend God. If you fear God, you will not fear men. If you fear men, you cannot fear God. A true servant of God will not look at faces of members of the congregation before deciding whether to preach a particular message or not.
In places where the leader worships the crowd or congregation, the truth is suppressed and he will not be able to discipline erring ones. When a leader refuses to discipline the erring flock, he indirectly hands it over to God. If you sin and your pastor refuses to discipline you, you are in danger. Those who sin secretly and make all efforts to cover up such a sin, especially from their pastor, are undoing themselves. If you love yourself, immediately report yourself to your pastor. It is better for your pastor to cane you, than for God to use His big stick on you. Ask God for the fear of God that will keep you far from sin.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for the Spirit of the fear of the Lord to take root in your heart.
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The Household of Faith
The Household of Faith, a ministry of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was established in Chicago, Illinois in 2004.
The Pastor in Charge of the church is Pastor Akin Gbenro.
This ministry has over 250 members within the the Chicago and Indianapolis Area.
The Pastor in Charge of the church is Pastor Akin Gbenro.
This ministry has over 250 members within the the Chicago and Indianapolis Area.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has a vision to spread the Word of God to the ends of the earth. It is a Bible believing church, where the teaching and a missionary approach emphasize the proper conduct and moral behavior of people. The church has an appeal to all types of people worldwide, with a determination to teach people in their various geographical areas, stages of secular life and levels of spiritual development.
The General Overseer of the church is Pastor E.A. Adeboye.
The church was founded in 1952 and since then, the church has grown to over 5,000 parishes worldwide with a total congregational strength of over one million people.
Presently, there are established missions in many African countries, as well as Europe, Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, South America and Australia.
RCCG has also been involved in establishing schools, rehabilitation centers, child care and support centers.
The General Overseer of the church is Pastor E.A. Adeboye.
The church was founded in 1952 and since then, the church has grown to over 5,000 parishes worldwide with a total congregational strength of over one million people.
Presently, there are established missions in many African countries, as well as Europe, Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, South America and Australia.
RCCG has also been involved in establishing schools, rehabilitation centers, child care and support centers.
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