Posts Tagged ‘knowledge’

During yesterday’s message, Pastor Steve reminded us of God’s heart regarding fear. From Isaiah 41:10 and following, and Isaiah 43, we are reminded that fear is not necessary because God is with us; we don’t have to hold on to anxiety because He is our God, He will strengthen us, He will help us, He will uphold us with His righteous right hand, He has redeemed us, He has called us by name, and we are God’s. Numerous other texts in Scripture confirm that we are not to be people of fear; we are to be people of trust in our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, our LORD.

But there is a legitimate reason to possess fear. John 3:20 states, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (ESV)  That same verse in the NASB says, “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” Fear is not wrong in this instance, it is just misplaced. Job 28:28 tells us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom and to turn away from evil is understanding. Psalm 111:10 proclaims that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 says it again, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

It all seems to come down to relationship. If I am right with my Creator, I have no reason to fear because of Him; He becomes my Protector, Sustainer, Savior, and Redeemer. When I am not in relationship with God, the only way to get back in relationship is to fear Him more than any other. Just like a healthy fear of heights may help us to not wander too close to the edge, and a fear of water may prevent us from drowning, fearing God will draw us into a safer place – into the protection of His righteous right hand.

So, church, let us fear God so we don’t have to fear.

 A quick search of Scripture for the words “mind, meaning, believe, truth, understanding, know,” and “knowledge,” yields over 3,000 separate references. God’s Word has much to say about our minds. At times, I look in the Bible and wonder how the disciples could miss obvious meaning in words spoken by Jesus Christ. In Luke 18:31-33 the Twelve are specifically told of the approaching death of Jesus, but we are informed that they didn’t understand any of what was said. “Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” (How often is the meaning of God’s Word hidden from us?)

After the resurrection and all the rumors of Christ being alive again, the disciples received another opportunity to hear the teaching of the Messiah. Luke 24:44-45 says, “He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”  Christ then reminded them of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit from the Father, and told them to wait in the city of Jerusalem until they were clothed with power.

The beauty of worshiping God in spirit and in truth is that God is the originator of both. Pray that he will open our minds to the understanding of the Scripture, and that he will clothe us with power to do his will and bring him glory.

We have all heard of Moses, Aaron, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, Andrew, James and John. If you have spent much time in the Bible you probably also know of Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Debra, Boaz, Solomon, and David. But, are you familiar with Oholiab and Bezalel? They were both chosen by God for a special purpose – even though they can’t pass spell-check in a Microsoft Word document.

Exodus 31 tells us the Spirit of God filled Bezalel because he was chosen to be the head craftsman for the building of the tabernacle. Bezalel was also given “skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

God also appointed Oholiab to help Bezalel. Then God adds: “Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.”

What a wonder that God chooses to fill workers with skills and abilities. James 1:17 reminds us that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Do you have skills? Maybe you can build a cake, or turn a sentence, or sculpt a relationship. Every good gift, every skill, every ability that we possess, comes from a good God and should be used to further His kingdom.

 All quotes in this post from (NIV).