How to know really important stuff.

“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD — and He will delight in the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2-3)

One of the many amazing things about Jesus (when He walked this earth, back in the day), was that, in any given situation, He knew what the true PRIZE really was. He seldom responded to any situation the same. He was always listening to the Spirit, never allowing the external things to mislead Him. He never relied on a FORMULA, because He had true discernment which in turn came from the fear of the Lord.

“…if you CALL OUT for insight and CRY ALOUD for understanding, and if you look for it as for SILVER and search for it as for HIDDEN TREASURE, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)

Acquiring true DISCERNMENT requires the Fear of the Lord…and, like anything of real, lasting value and importance, takes a lot of effort (passionate pursuit!). But it’s so worth it.

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No secrets…

One of the simplest, most profound, most transforming revelations I have received in my life is that I am never alone, and that because of this, I can have no secrets.

It makes a huge difference when you’re thinking you might do something like look at porn in “secret” or formulate a lie in your mind in “secret”, if you are also aware that at that same moment, the eternal, omniscient, Living God who created you and bled for you is with you and aware of absolutely EVERYTHING.  The idea of “getting away with it” becomes hilarious foolishness, as your plans are revealed and consumed by the Light of His Presence.

And when you finally, really “get it” — when it really sinks in that deception is not an option — then an incredible weight is lifted off of you — and you begin to experience true, lasting peace and rest, as that scheming, lying part of you realizes it has nowhere to go…and just dies…even as something else glorious begins to flow in and take its place.

And I believe that as you enter into this reality with your whole heart — as you really walk in “the fear of the Lord”, then God begins to reveal to you the deep things of His own heart…

“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him,”
(Psalm 25:14)

The FEAR of God.

The FEAR OF GOD is a thing that is important beyond imagining.  It is a safe haven that cannot be overcome or overestimated.

The FEAR OF GOD will move you to avoid pornographic images and websites, even if no person will ever know and no one in the world is aware of what you are doing.

The FEAR OF GOD will inspire you to be honest, even when you are hidden in the darkness, and your flesh is seducing you to cheat on your test or accounting books.

The FEAR OF GOD will stir you to speak the Truth, even as all men around you mock it and spew lies and deception.

This FEAR is bright and clean and powerful — it is the one true HOLY FEAR — the one true HOPE that will consume all the shadowy, poisonous, lesser fears that seem to continuously lay siege to the human heart.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27)

“The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (Proverbs 19:23)