The Fear Of The Lord + FREE 30-Day Bible Scripture Challenge

The Fear Of The Lord + FREE 30-Day Bible Scripture Challenge

My heart has been burning. The Lord is at work in me and I believe it’s not only in me, but in His church as a whole. This work is cleansing, purifying and a returning of the body of Christ back to the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. It’s a returning to the fear of the Lord.

After all that’s taken place over the number of years, there have been many people who’ve left the church, some who are searching the purpose of church, their life in Christ and what it’s all about. Sometimes, we look at the frill in our lives and determine if it’s really necessary. Is what we’re experiencing what we’re designed to experience? Have we made life something it’s not? Does our life speak of worshiping the Lord or perhaps our desires, giftings and callings rather?

The fear of the Lord isn’t spoken about widely, probably because it’s more-so misunderstood or not understood fully.

FREE 30-Day The Fear Of The Lord Scripture Challenge Printable

The First Mention Of The Fear Of The Lord

To help us understand the fear of the Lord, we need to review when it’s first mentioned in the Bible and the context around it.

Let’s look at Genesis 22.

The Lord tests Abraham (Genesis 22:1) by telling him to,

“Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2)

So what does Abraham do? He obeys the Lord. The next morning, he arose early and began preparation and the journey.

Wow. It’s almost unbelievable to think that the Lord would ask Abraham to sacrifice His son. Was it a test of obedience? Was it because Abraham was forming an idol in his heart that wasn’t the Lord? Isaac was a promise of the Lord at an old age after all. 

The only thing we know is that it was a test for Abraham. Often tests come to test our hearts and our loyalty to the Lord. The Lord knows our heart better than we do and the test will surely expose what’s really there.

And so, Abraham obeys the Lord fully. He built an altar, placed wood on top, bound Isaac and placed him upon the altar (Genesis 22:10). As he’s stretching out his hand and taking the knife to slay his son, and Angel of the Lord called to him saying,

“Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12)

The Angel states Abraham’s obedience. Abraham did not withhold his one and only son from the Lord. And it also says why… it was that Abraham feared God.

Was Abraham afraid of the Lord and the consequences? Maybe that could be the case. But true obedience doesn’t come from be afraid of God. No, this type of fear shows a holy fear of the Lord which is different than being afraid of Him.

What Is The Fear Of The Lord?

The fear of the Lord is not to be afraid or terrified of the Lord; it’s to be terrified to be apart from Him. It is to venerate, to revere, honour, respect and stand in awe of the Lord.

Isaac feared the Lord. i imagine he wanted to please the Father, yes, but what causes one to do what pleases the Father? It is holy fear.

Charles H. Spurgeon says, “Holy fear leads us to dread anything which might cause our Father’s displeasure.”

Anything that is not the fear of the Lord, is a fear centered on oneself. What you fear, give your attention, strength and affection to can become your god, so we must be watchful. 

If Abraham chose not to do as the Lord said and instead preserve his son, Isaac’s life, Abraham would have been his own god. To be your own god is to make your own decisions based on your desires, wants and outcomes; it eliminates the need for God because you are your own god.

How To Develop In The Fear Of The Lord

The fear of the Lord can be developed within us. If we read Proverbs 2:1-5 (emphasis added), it helps us to understand fearing God:

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.

FREE The Fear Of The Lord 30-Day Bible Scripture Challenge Printable

Spend some time in the Word seeing what the Lord says about fearing Him with the free printable below.

There are so many scriptures about the fear of the Lord in both the Old and the New Testament. I pray that we’re able to as a church body recognize our need for the Lord, to be in awe and wonder of Him and to be afraid of being apart from Him.

Anchored in Jesus,
Melanie

2022-2023 Grade 6 Homeschool Curriculum Picks

2022-2023 Grade 6 Homeschool Curriculum Picks

Choosing homeschool curriculum can be a challenge and your experience will be different from mine. I’ve now been homeschooling my daughter for 8 years.

I had the privilege and opportunity to work at a homeschool store for 2 years before my daughter was born. This gave me a strong foundation in beginning our homeschool journey. Though, I will say, each year there are more and more homeschool options available to consider.

My approach has always been to choose the curriculum that’s right for my children’s learning style. If a curriculum is working for my child, I don’t usually change anything. I only consider a new curriculum if something isn’t registering or working with her.

So here it is, our grade 6 homeschool curriculum picks for the 2022-2023 learning year!

2022-2023 grade 6 homeschool curriculum picks! Includes Saxon Math, BraveWriter, Mystery of History, etc.
2022-2023 Grade 6 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
2022-2023 Grade 6 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
2022-2023 Grade 6 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
20 Best Tips

Are you familiar with any of these curriculum choices? Let me know if they’re new or familar to you!

Also, check out these Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks from just a couple of years ago.

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks

2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks

Here we go… another year of homeschooling upon us. I couldn’t be more excited about the feast we’re about to enjoy!

 2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
2022-2023 Grade 4 Homeschool Curriculum Picks
20 Best Tips

We’re looking ahead to a great year of learning. How are you feeling about the upcoming homeschool year? Is there curriculum here that I’ve listed that you’re familar with or is new to you? Let me know!

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Scripture Challenge Printable

FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Scripture Challenge Printable

Did you know that Jesus has more than 30 names in the Bible? Take time to reflect on the names of Jesus and what He means to you with the FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Bible Scripture Challenge printable that’s below.

FREE 30-Day Names Of Jesus Scripture Challenge Printable

I AM – John 8:58
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Son of David – Matthew 1:1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

True Vine – John 15:1
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

The Word – John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Good Shepherd John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Savior – Luke 2:11
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Righteous Judge – 2 Timothy 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Son of God – Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The Mighty God – Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Founder and Perfecter of our faith – Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Cornerstone – Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

The Creator of all – Colossians 1:16
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Bible Scripture Challenge

Light of the World – John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Alpha and Omega – Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Great High Priest – Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Immanuel – Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Bread of Life – John 6:35
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

King of Kings – Revelation 17:14
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Son of Man – Mark 10:33
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;

Messiah – John 4:25-26
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Great Physician – Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.

Rabbi/Teacher – John 1:38
Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

Deliverer – Romans 11:26
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

Advocate – 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Mediator – I Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Author of Salvation – Hebrews 5:9
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Lord of All – Acts 10:36
The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

The Way, The Truth, The Life – John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Lamb of God – John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus – Matthew 1:21
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

FREE Gratitude Journal Pages For Kids Printable

FREE Gratitude Journal Pages For Kids Printable

An attitude of gratitude doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional. A person must choose to think on what they’re thankful for. This is why we need to teach our kids about gratitude. Gratitude journal pages for kids are a great way to begin.

Gratitude Takes Consciousness

Our ability to be thankful to the Lord takes consciousness. You see, a lot of what we do in life is subconscious. We don’t need to think too hard and long about most things. But gratitude requires us to consciously take time to think about what we have.

An attitude of gratitude doesn't just happen. It's taught and intentional. Grab these FREE Gratitude Journal Pages For Kids!

Gratitude Is Not About Things Or People

As a child of God, when we think on what we’re grateful for, we’re actually positioning ourselves to think on the One who gave us these things. To be thankful for what we have is partial gratitude. There’s more to gratitude!

David said in Psalm 30:4,

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

David had lots of things that he struggled with. He had lots of heartache from His past decisions, enemies that were hunting him down, and a feeling of inadequacy. I think we can all empathize with David based on some things we’ve experienced in our lives. Yet, David still remembered and thanked His God.

In Luke 17, we read in verses 10-19 how ten men who were lepers lifted their voices to Jesus. Jesus healed them, and yet only one came back and gave Jesus thanks. And the one who came back was a Samaritan who were considered an outsider. Wow!

Jesus said in verse 18,

Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

By Jesus’ remark to the Samaritan, it reminds us that God gets the glory. He is so gracious and compassionate. How could we withhold from Him what is due to Him? A simple “thanks” to Him where we set our gaze on the Lord, is all it takes. Yet we’re so easy to forget and keep walking on our way.

FREE Gratitude Journal Pages For Kids

One way to teach our kids to consciously think about what they’re thankful to God for is with a Gratitude Journal.

Be sure to grab the FREE Gratitude Journal Pages For Kids below!

How do you teach your kids an attitude of gratitude to the Lord? What are some things you do daily to outwork the spiritual discipline of gratitude? I’d love to know!

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

Gratitude Bible Study For Kids - Revised & Updated