B.E.S.T. Shabbat

Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (Psalm 33:8) Click here to listen to " Fear of the Lord and the Awe of God " In today’s world of increasing iniquity, what the bible calls lawlessness and the increasing narcissism, what is spiritually fueling the fire is a diminishing of the fear of the Lord and the result is a loss of awe or of wonder.   Today, I want to propose that we are created to fear as a step into awe and wonder.   The scriptures tell us that the beginning of our relationship on learning to live in a healthy relationship with God and our lives is to fear God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psa 111:10) There is a reason in times past when people spoke of a person whose lifestyle strove to follow the ways of God, that person was labeled as a “God-fearing” person.   If you were to a

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19) Click here to listen to " Fear of the Lord " Faith is undergirded by our trust in the Spirit of God. Last week we looked at the role of fear in formulating our faith.   There is a difference between the emotion of fear and a “spirit” of fear. Paul tells us: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2Ti 1:7). What marks or differentiates a “spirit” from an emotion is conscious intent.   An emotion is usually a response to a stimulus in our lives that “evokes” the emotion. Emotions are primitive, meaning they are wired into our bodies, minds, and spirits. Emotions are normal and a sign that we are passionate. A spirit is different. An emotion can be corrupted by a spirit. Desire can be corrupted into lust.   It is normal and