TEXT: ‘Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long’ (Proverbs 23:17 AMPC). The Bible says, ‘The fear of man brings a snare’ (Proverbs 29:25). How many of us have experienced that in some form or another? The Book of Proverbs also mentions another fear, “The Fear of the Lord” several times. These references show what godly fear can achieve, working in us and for us. ‘Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God’ (Proverbs 2:5 NLT). Hopefully, Today’s Teaching will help us to do just that. The “Fear” mentioned means reverential awe, recognising God for who He is and what He stands for. Jesus taught us to pray on this basis, ‘Our Father in heaven, we honour your holy name’ (Matthew 6:9 TLB). 1. The Fear of the Lord is Informative A. It’s the beginning of knowledge – ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7) Man wants to know about anything and everything, but often fails to include God in that quest. ‘Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God’ (Proverbs 2:5). Godly fear helps us to discover what God is...
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TEXT: ‘Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious’ (1 Peter 2:7). The Apostle Peter had started working life as a rugged fisherman, so it’s perhaps surprising he used words like “precious” in his epistles. Today’s Teaching studies them to see what we can learn. In J R Tolkien’s book, “The Lord of the Rings”, Smigel called the ring, “My precious”. He couldn’t bear to live without it and did everything possible to get it back. In the end he perished, falling down into the raging fire trying to retrieve his precious ring. Surely this incident confirms the words of Jesus, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matthew 6:21). Who or what is precious to you? Are you doing what Jesus encourages everyone to do and store up treasure in heaven? 1. Precious Faith – ‘Simon Peter a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to you which have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ’ (2 Peter 1:1 GNV). ‘That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 1:7). How foolish to just...
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