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

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

Faith, Freebies

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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

FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Scripture Challenge Printable

FREE 30-Day Names of Jesus Scripture Challenge Printable

Homeschooling, Faith, Freebies

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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

Faith, Homeschooling, Kids

*This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclosure policy.*

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

Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Study For Kids + FREE Notebooking Pages

Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Study For Kids + FREE Notebooking Pages

Homeschooling, Faith, Kids

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Teaching our kids the fruit of the Spirit is a powerful concept! We want them to exhibit the powerful traits of the Holy Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

What we may not realize is that if our children aren’t developing in their personal relationship with the Lord by reading the Bible, it’s very difficult to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Stay Attached

As children of God, our first and highest priority is to get to know our Heavenly Father. And the way we do this is by reading the Bible.

Reading the Word of God allows us to understand who God is, what He’s intended, why we’re here and what our purpose is. When we see that our purpose comes from Him, we learn that we cannot operate this life the way we’re designed to without Him. We must find ourselves attached remaining, abiding and staying attached to Him. 

As a fruit tree grows, we know that it’s designed to produce fruit. We expect it to. In fact the reward of growth is pruning. Pruning helps a fruit tree become healthier and produce more fruit.

Fruit Of The Spirit FREE Notebooking Pages
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Have you ever tried to rip a branch from the trunk? It’s difficult, isn’t it?! The fibers are so intertwined and connected that in order to remove a branch, it must be cut off.

Just like branches are so connected to the trunk, so must we find our lives connected to the Holy Spirit. We do this by building a personal, intimate relationship with Him. And out of that relationship we become who we are designed to be; we are a by-product of who our Father is. This is Christ-likeness bearing the image of God.

Your kids will discover that God wants to have a relationship with them, and we are designed to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Fruit Producer

As we abide in Christ and spend time with Him, we produce good fruit. And that fruit is the fruit of the Spirit.

As parents we often teach our kids to be loving, be kind, be patient. We do this because we know they’ve been taught and have the skills and abilities to be these things. But it still isn’t easy to exercise these traits. We can find ourselves operating in the things of the flesh rather than that of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is produced and accomplished out of being with the Spirit. If we abide and walk in the Spirit, we will not produce the things of the flesh.

Galations 5:16-17 says,

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

So a key to not fulfilling the things of the flesh isn’t to stop doing them, but rather replacing the things of the flesh with the things of the Spirit. By this, we produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Study For Kids

Our kids must learn about who God is by reading the Bible and studying His Word. The more they learn and know about Him, the more than the fruit of the Spirit will come out of them as a by-product of spending time with Him.

Teaching our kids the fruit of the Spirit is so important! I want to help you teach these traits along with helping you teach your kids about their relationship with the Lord. This comes first and out of that relationship, they will produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

You do who you are. If you want to change who you are, do different and you’ll become different!

To find out more about the Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Study For Kids, check it out here.

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

Your kids will discover that God wants to have a relationship with them, and we are designed to produce the fruit of the Spirit.
30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family + FREE Printable

30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family + FREE Printable

Faith, Family, Freebies

*This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclosure policy.*

What if the Word of God is powerful that it could change circumstances and situations for your family as you pray?

You’re Made In The Image Of God

When I think about us — God’s creation, His children — we were created in the very image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26-28)

A child will often model and imitate those who they are around, often becoming a lot like their parents or their peers. You are the product of your environment.

Did you know that God wants to be our environment? He wants His Word to be the lens we look at life through.

God created us in His image and likeness, which means that we don’t live by what we naturally see, but rather by the spirit. Our reality can so easily be formed on the things which we’re experiencing.

Romans 8:5 says,

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family + FREE Printable

The Power of Scripture

God’s Word is powerful. In it, it reveals His heart towards us and how we should live. But, sometimes we don’t see in the natural the things we know by the spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 says,

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Reading the Bible and taking it in does something in our hearts. When we read God’s Word, we are connecting with spiritual matters and God Himself. We are learning more about His character and nature and ours through Him.

What we need to do is allow God’s Word to become a part of who we are and not just words on a page.

Prayer Changes Things

First of all, prayer is not a suggestion in the Bible. Jesus often said, “When you pray,” as He was speaking with his disciples. So it wasn’t a matter of not praying, but when you pray.

Prayer is a lifestyle of communion and intimacy with God. We are designed to connect, to speak to and hear from our heavenly Father and it’s done through prayer.

Prayer is not just about saying mere words. That’s repetition – it becomes religious, a law and of no use. When it comes to prayer, it’s about our hearts as we share in the desires of the Lord, a hunger for things to change and a yearning for His will to be done.

Praying Over Your Family

These 30 scriptures below are powerful to pray over your family. We want to agree or confess God’s Word, to make a declaration in accordance with His will, which is His Word.

It’s not God who needs to change; we do. We are not trying to convince God of anything. In fact, we need to convince ourselves of something — we don’t have it right and we aren’t perfect, but God is. His ways are perfect.

So we need to surrender and trust God instead of our own way of thinking. This is why prayer is so important; it changes you and me, not God.

Be sure to grab my 30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family Free Printable below. Consider memorizing them, praying and declaring them or use them for scripture writing.

30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family + FREE Printable

30 Powerful Scriptures To Pray Over Your Family + FREE Printable

I’d love to hear if these scripture challenges have been helpful for you. Feel free to share with me in the comments below!

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie

Are you wondering how to teach your kids to pray? Use this Prayer Bible Study For Kids as a guide to help you teach them to pray.
30 Scriptures About God’s Grace + FREE Printable

30 Scriptures About God’s Grace + FREE Printable

Faith, Freebies

*This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclosure policy.*

What is God’s grace and why do we need it? What if the grace of God was not just Him being gracious to us, but empowering us and enabling us to do what He’s called us to do?

What Is The Grace Of God?

A Look Into The Old Testament (Hebrew) Meaning of Grace

Let’s look at Genesis 6:8, the first occurrence in the Bible about grace. It says,

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

The Hebrew word for grace in this scripture is: chen (noun)

This word means:

  • favour, grace, charm
  • favour, grace, elegance
  • favour, acceptance

So Noah found favour, charm, elegance, acceptance and grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Why is it that Noah found grace or favour in the eyes of the Lord?

30 Scriptures About God's Grace + FREE PRINTABLE

Let’s read Genesis 6:5-12:

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

This section of scripture talks about the wickedness of man – that their every intent of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually

The Lord felt sorry He made man. And then verse 8 goes on to say, “BUT NOAH”.

What do you think was different about Noah?

It says in verse 9 – Noah was:

  • a just man
  • perfect in his generations
  • one who walked with God

For Noah to have these qualities about him would indicate that He’s developed character. The character of Noah made him different from the rest of the people and as a result he found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The scripture does not say that Noah worked hard to earn God’s grace. In fact, God’s grace was attracted to Noah as a result of his relationship with the Lord.

When you look into the words just and perfect, you find that Noah was about what was lawful and righteousness. He was a man who was sound, healthy, upright and full of integrity,

Now Noah sounds like a person you can trust.

When you walk with someone, what happens?

You get to know their heart, you hear from them and exchange conversation. There’s something special and significant about the relationship you build with that person. For Noah, I can imagine that if he walked with the Lord he got know His heart.

So then, finding grace in the sight of the Lord is not something you can manufacture, work towards or ask for; it’s a gift from the Lord. There’s no equation to grace.

A Look Into The New Testament (Greek) Meaning Of Grace

Let’s look at another verse, this time in the greek language.

The greek word for grace is charis. And the first occurrence of charis is found in Luke 1:30, which says:

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

The word favour in this scripture is grace.

Charis means:

  • grace
  • that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
    good will, loving-kindness, favour
  • of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
  • what is due to grace
  • the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
  • the token or proof of grace, benefit
  • a gift of grace
  • benefit, bounty
  • thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Do you suppose Mary had a relationship with the Lord?

I believe she did, just like Noah! She called herself a maidservant or handmaid of the Lord. She was likely surrendered to His Lordship therefore found grace or favour in His sight.

What Does God’s Grace Do?

The grace of God is available for a purpose and does many things:

  • God’s grace can be seen
    • Acts 11:23 – When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
  • God’s grace is the gospel
    • Acts 20:24 – But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
  • God’s grace is the passageway to salvation
    • Acts 15:11 – But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.
  • God’s grace enables and empowers us
    • Acts 4:32-35 – All the believers were one in mind and heart. Selfishness was not a part of their community, for they shared everything they had with one another. The apostles gave powerful testimonies about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great measures of grace rested upon them all. Some who owned houses or land sold them and brought the proceeds before the apostles to distribute to those without. Not a single person among them was needy.
    • Ephesians 3:8 – To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
  • God’s grace is a free gift
    • Romans 11:6 – And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
30 Scriptures About God's Grace + FREE PRINTABLE

All other religions tell you what you must do to make yourself acceptable to God, what things you must perform, what you must accomplish and what you must do. Christianity, on the other hand, centers on what God has done to make us acceptable to Him.

Grace is unmerited and unearned favour. It is the inexhaustible supply of God’s goodness whereby He does for us what we could never do for ourselves. God’s grace is what He does for us independent of us.

When we look at the references of grace, we find that it’s an environment with which we live. While grace can’t be earned, it must be accessed. You access grace by faith, you don’t earn it.

Access what has been given to you freely so that you can do what God has called you to do!

Anchored in Christ,
Melanie