CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 TOPIC: THE FEAR OF GOD

 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 

DATE: Tuesday, August 22, 2023

TOPIC: THE FEAR OF GOD

MEMORISE

    And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

READ:

Proverbs 1:7-16

[7]. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

[8]. My son, hear the instruction of your father,

And do not forsake the law of your mother;

[9]. For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

[10]. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

[11]. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

[12]. Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;

[13]. We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil;

[14]. Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”—

[15]. My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;

[16]. For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood

EXPOSITION

      In both testaments of the Bible, the fear of God is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with wonder and dread before God. It is a command for everyone (Eccl. 12:13). Joseph and Job had the records that they feared God (Gen. 42:18; Job 1:1,9). Peter admonishes, *Fear God. Honour the king* (1 Pet. 2:17). And Jesus the Messiah warns severally in his teachings, *But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear Him* [God] *who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes. I say to you, fear Him!* (Lk. 12:5). No instruction can be clearer than this (cf. Prov. 16:6b).

      Both in the O.T. and N.T., the fear of God is associated with departing from all forms of evil. Though, the list of evil is inexhaustible, distinctive are idolatry, violence, killing, rape, embezzlement, ritualism, fraud, lie and deception, Satanism, terrorism, bewitchment, and the likes. And how can someone involve himself in such and still claim the fear of God: a claim of being religious, godly or Christian? That is the height of self-deceit that the devil has lured many into, having blinded their eyes of understanding. *Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service* (Jn. 16:2b). Brethren, free yourself from the trap of religious bewitchment. *For the fear of God leads to life. And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil* (Prov. 19:23). Fear God!

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: 

CAC GHB 698

1. He gave to me a seal

 Of the great debt I owe

 And as He gave, He smiled and said,

 "Always, remember Me"

2. He gave to me a seal

 All of my debts He paid,

 And as He gave, He smiled and said

 "Always, remember Me."

3. I shall treasure the seal

 Though, the debt is all paid

 The seal told of the love of One

 Who paid the debt for me.

4. I looked at it and smiled,

 Again, I looked and wept

 The earnest of His love for me,

 I'll ever treasure it.

5. It is more than a seal

 It is in remembrance,

 That all the debt of sin was paid

 By Lord, Emmanuel.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. I receive the grace of God to abide in His fear, forever. 

2. Lord, let Your fear (awe) moderate the lives and activities of my children, in Jesus' name.

3. Pray for CAC Essien Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Isaiah 66; 

Jeremiah 1:1-2:25

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed