daily prayer

Great morning! How are we faithing? Fear is used in a variety of ways in the Word and it needs to be explained so when you read the Word you understand the different meanings brought forth or at least search for the usage. We've all heard, "fear the Lord" and at least for me, I always thought that meant to be scared of God which I did not understand because I love God and I know he loves me so why would I be scared of him? I could be scared of retribution or rather punishment for wrong deeds like a parent disciplines their child but it is more respect than being scared. More knowing a whoopin is a comin! The respect we have for our Lord is built on love and recognising the authority he has over us. I don't want to get into Greek and Hebrew translation definitions but just show how the word fear and it's derivatives are used. Lets touch on these;

Here we see that the fear these people used to have was a fear of dread and now have come to know God on an intimate level. No longer do they operate under the "fear" of retribution from God.

Romans 8:15
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
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This way is used like cowardice. "Don't be afraid" or "don't be timid".

John 14:27
27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
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This one is used as reverence. Our reverence for God must always be present simply because of who he is.

Proverbs 28:14
14 How blessed is the man who fears always,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
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This translation doesn't use our English word fear but the Greek word is the same one used for timidity.

Matthew 8:25-26
26 And He said to them, "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm.
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Now this is exactly what we perceive in the English, Moses was shaking in his boots as it were.

Acts 7:32
32'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.' And Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look.
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All of this to open your eyes and to look a little deeper when you read the Word and dig in to find if what YOU perceive is actually what is implied. I've done it lots of times just to find out later I totally missed it. Don't be upset if this happens to you just be thankful when your eyes are opened. Misconceptions often lead to terrible fears and trepidation and very well could be unwarranted. Ponder this today...

Remember Linda Handzel's knees...remember Paul LaRose...remember Ann Manns...remember Luther Stivers...remember Edgel Ratliff

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for your Word that speaks to us. Help us understand and to have a mindset that seeks truth and not the lies that the enemy tosses. Lord we know the battleground is in the spirit and the mind. Teach us to seek your will and truth. Bless those mentioned today, heal their bodies, heal there spirits, heal their minds and take charge of their lives. We ask for protection for our leaders and wisdom to make sound choices. Bless the emergency workers who sacrifice for others and it's in Jesus name we pray, amen