Want to unlock the true purpose of life and draw closer to God? Ever wondered how holy fear can transform your life and secure a lasting legacy? What does the Bible say about fearing God and its profound implications for your spiritual journey? Dive into these captivating narratives and biblical insights to discover the transformative power of true fear and its role in leading a fulfilling, abundant life.

The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life

In this book, John Bevere, the author, outlines a six-week journey for transformation. The focus is on cultivating a deeper reverence for God. Each week introduces practical steps and biblical insights. These are designed to help readers align their daily lives with the awe and fear of the Lord.

In the first week of our journey, we explore the concept of holy fear—a virtue that unlocks the purpose of life and brings us closer to God. John Bunyan describes it as a treasure given to those greatly beloved by God. Consider the story of Solomon, a man who had immense wisdom and success, yet lost his way by straying from the source of his wisdom: the fear of God. Solomon's story teaches us that holy fear is fundamental to a fulfilling, abundant life.

Holy fear is not about being scared of God but rather having a profound reverence and awe for Him. It draws us closer to Him and helps us align our hearts with His. This fear is a gift that allows us to remain on the path of life, bringing wisdom, protection, and blessings.

One powerful anecdote illustrates this concept. In 1994, at a church conference, the speaker felt compelled to talk about the fear of the Lord despite the congregation's initial resistance. The lack of reverence was evident, but once addressed, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The manifest presence of God filled the arena, leading people to repentance and a profound experience of His presence.

We also learn about the tangible presence of God and how it is tied to reverence. In one instance, during a conference in Brazil, the speaker confronted the congregation's lack of reverence, which led to a powerful manifestation of God's presence, including a supernatural wind that stunned everyone present.

God's glory is another crucial aspect of holy fear. Described as "unapproachable light" and a "consuming fire," His glory is everything that makes God, God. It is His immeasurable weight and magnitude, revealed in full splendor. When we comprehend His greatness, our holy fear grows, transforming us and drawing us closer to Him.

Throughout this journey, we are encouraged to ponder God's greatness, approach Him with awe, and embrace holy fear as our treasure. This path leads to an intimate relationship with God, where we experience His presence, wisdom, and blessings in our lives. As we continue to explore the awe of God, we are reminded to value this fear, as it brings us closer to the divine and transforms us into His image.

Is Solomon's Story the Ultimate Lesson in Embracing Holy Fear?

In understanding the depth of God's love, we recognize our immense value to Him. Jesus' words in Luke 12:5-7 emphasize fearing God, not from a place of terror, but from reverence, contrasting with unholy fear which distances us from Him. This holy fear is not to be confused with fear from human threats but instead is rooted in respect for the divine. 

Our worth is not measured by people but by God’s love, as demonstrated by His willingness to give His Son for us. This profound love is illustrated by His countless thoughts about us, more numerous than grains of sand, showing our significance to Him.

Stories from the Bible, like Aaron's sons and Ananias and Sapphira, serve as reminders of the importance of approaching God with reverence. These narratives illustrate the consequences of irreverence and hypocrisy, urging us to maintain integrity in our actions and motivations. 

We should not be swayed by the fear of man but instead be anchored by the fear of God, which liberates us from the need to seek approval from others. Our true image, which God sees and will reveal, is more important than our perceived or projected image.

As believers, we should focus on building for the eternal. Our actions, motives, and how we live in accordance with God’s will determine our rewards in eternity. Our present life, a mere vapor compared to eternity, is an opportunity to prepare for everlasting significance. 

The judgment seat of Christ will evaluate not our sins, which are forgiven, but our deeds and the motives behind them. This divine judgment is eternal, emphasizing the need to live purposefully, building others up in truth and love, rather than focusing on temporary gains. This understanding drives us to live with holy fear, ensuring that our life’s work aligns with God’s eternal kingdom.

Week 2: Embrace Holy Fear - Jesus' Teachings on Reverence and Eternal Significance

True holiness is about being entirely devoted to God. Authentic holiness isn’t bondage; it’s true freedom. The fear of God is integral to holiness. If you fear God, you’ll obey Him; if you fear man, you'll end up following man's desires.

Consider Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit. Their fate was severe, highlighting the importance of fearing God over man. The apostle Paul emphasized this when he said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. He focused on his true image before God, not the one projected to others.

Peter, Barnabas, and other Jewish believers faltered by fearing disapproval from conservative Jewish leaders. This hypocrisy led to behavior that wasn’t holy. Paul rebuked Peter, underlining the danger of fearing man over God.

Peter, later in life, warned believers against reverting to old desires, emphasizing that God shows no favoritism and will judge everyone based on their actions. Reflecting on past leaders like Saul and David, Peter understood how entitlement and fear of man led to their downfalls. 

The fear of God helps us avoid the deception of projecting a false image, empowering us to live with integrity and truth. It’s vital to keep God's word alive in our hearts, as it pierces deep into our innermost thoughts and desires, exposing our true selves.

The fear of the Lord is a gift that protects us from departing from Jesus. It guides us away from evil and keeps us in His presence. A powerful illustration is the story of a fallen televangelist who realized in prison that he loved Jesus but didn’t fear God. His lack of holy fear led to his downfall, but his realization brought transformation.

Holiness is brought to maturity through the fear of the Lord. Paul urges us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, emphasizing that holiness is not just positional but also behavioral. It’s about aligning our actions with our new nature in Christ, empowered by God’s grace.

We are called to pursue holiness with intense effort and purpose. This pursuit is necessary for seeing the Lord and experiencing His manifest presence. Without it, we risk knowing about God without truly knowing Him. True holiness must originate in our hearts, driving our outward behavior.

Living a holy life requires divine help, which comes from God’s grace. This grace empowers us to live a godly life, enabling us to pursue holiness. It’s not about trying in our own strength but relying on God’s power to live a set-apart life.

True holiness is about being completely His, characterized by purity and empowered by grace. The fear of the Lord motivates us to pursue holiness, leading to deep intimacy with God. Embrace this holy fear, for it is the key to living a life that glorifies Jesus.

Week 3: Can Holy Fear Be the Key to True Freedom and Holiness?

Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God, relying more on rituals than genuine faith. God desires humility, contrition, and reverence for His Word. Like Paul urges in Philippians, obey God unconditionally, whether in the comforting presence of others or alone in challenging times. Obedience, especially in difficult moments, exemplifies holy fear and draws us closer to Him.

Holy fear propels us to act on God’s commands without delay. Like Jesus teaching us to reconcile immediately before offering gifts to God, our prompt obedience signifies our reverence. Delayed obedience risks missing God’s blessings and opportunities. Consider the biblical examples of Saul and Eli, whose delayed actions led to missed blessings and divine displeasure.

Obeying God sometimes defies human logic, yet His wisdom always prevails. From Jesus turning water to wine to Peter casting nets after an unproductive night, God’s seemingly illogical commands lead to miraculous outcomes. Trust in God’s wisdom over your understanding, as His ways are higher and always beneficial.

Holy fear means obeying God even without immediate personal gain. Queen Esther risked her life to save her people, driven by her reverence for God. Similarly, Iranian believers faced danger to spread the gospel. True obedience places God’s kingdom above personal benefit, reflecting a heart fully devoted to Him.

Obedience can be painful, yet it’s a true test of our faith. Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion exemplify ultimate obedience despite immense pain. We must arm ourselves with the same resolve, choosing God’s will even when it hurts. Our temporary sufferings lead to eternal joy and fulfillment in God’s plan.

Partial obedience is disobedience. King Saul’s failure to fully execute God’s command led to his rejection as king. In contrast, Jesus’ complete obedience, even unto death, fulfilled God’s plan of salvation. We must strive to obey God’s Word to its entirety, ensuring we honor Him fully.

Our conscience, a gift from God, guides our moral compass. Ignoring its warnings dulls its sensitivity, leading to spiritual shipwreck. Maintaining a clear conscience through repentance and alignment with God’s Word keeps us sensitive to His guidance. Paul’s life exemplifies the importance of a clear conscience, ensuring we remain true to our faith.

Pray for a heart that trembles at God’s Word, seeking immediate and complete obedience. Reflect on your actions, ensuring they align with God’s commands even when it’s illogical, lacks personal benefit, or is painful. Guard your conscience diligently, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things. May your obedience be a testament to your reverence and love for God. Amen.

Week 4: Embracing Obedience - Lessons from Paul, Jesus, and Esther

Intimacy with God starts with holy fear, a reverence for His glory that purifies our motives and produces obedience. David's Psalms illustrate God's deep knowledge of us, reflecting the effort needed for true intimacy. Just as in a marriage, knowing each other deeply requires time and effort. God desires this level of closeness with us, and we control how close we become to Him.

Encountering a businesswoman who mischaracterized Jesus led to a profound realization: many believe in a "different Jesus" shaped by personal preferences rather than Scripture. Paul warned the Corinthians about this danger. True intimacy with God requires knowing Him as He truly is, not as we imagine Him.

Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter His kingdom—only those who do His will. Obedience to God's commands, not just emotional or verbal declarations of faith, marks true believers. We must rely on God's grace and divine nature to live obediently.

God shares His secrets with those who fear Him. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, despite not understanding why, exemplifies the obedience and fear of God that leads to intimacy. God revealed Himself as "Jehovah-Jireh" to Abraham because of this deep trust and obedience.

Abraham's and Lot's stories illustrate different levels of intimacy with God. Abraham, who feared God, knew His plans and interceded for others. Lot, though righteous, lacked this intimacy and was unaware of impending judgment. Intimacy with God involves knowing His heart and priorities.

Moses, another friend of God, spoke to Him "face to face." This trust was built on Moses' unwavering obedience and prioritization of God's desires. Despite hardships, Moses valued God's presence over His blessings. Unlike Israel, who knew God only by His deeds, Moses knew His character.

Jesus extends friendship to those who obey His commands. Belief alone isn’t enough; trust is built through obedience. This relationship, like that of Abraham and Moses, is marked by knowing and prioritizing God's heart. There are over 500 commands in the New Testament, not for salvation but to glorify God. True friendship with Jesus is a result of holy fear and obedience.

In essence, intimacy with God involves deep mutual knowledge and trust, built through obedience and reverence. This relationship is available to all who seek God earnestly and prioritize His will above their own.

Week 5: Is True Intimacy With God Reserved for Those Who Obey Like David and Moses?

In Week 6, we explore the profound benefits of holy fear, beginning with the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Despite God's promise to Abraham, Rebekah's barrenness meant Isaac had to fervently pray for fulfillment. This teaches us that God's promises often require our active faith and passionate prayers.

A key aspect of holy fear is its power to dispel all other fears. Isaiah 8:11-14 highlights that when we fear God, we are safe from anxieties and conspiracies. The story of a mother and daughter who prayed aloud when threatened by armed men, and a woman who cried out to Jesus when a man with a knife hid in her car, illustrates this vividly. Their faith and fear of God protected them miraculously.

Holy fear also ensures a godly legacy. Comparing Max Jukes' troubled descendants with Jonathan Edwards' illustrious lineage shows the long-term impact of fearing God. The promise extends to our children and future generations, ensuring their success and influence.

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 3:13-15 and Isaiah 33:6 emphasize that holy fear is the key to wisdom, protecting us from life's snares and leading us to make sound decisions. The story of King Abimelech, who feared God and was kept from sinning with Sarah, Abraham's wife, exemplifies this.

Riches, honor, and long life are promised to those who fear the Lord and walk in true humility (Proverbs 22:4). Wealth, viewed properly, is a means to bless others and fulfill God's mission. The story of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple who boldly requested Jesus' body, shows that true wealth accompanies holy fear.

Finally, finishing well in life, marked by humility and holy fear, ensures longevity and productivity. The story of King Uzziah, who lost his way due to pride and false spirituality, serves as a caution. Embracing humility and holy fear, as Jesus taught, guarantees a strong finish.

The grand finale of this journey is understanding that holy fear is a treasure, one that ensures joy, prosperity, protection, and eternal rewards. It transforms us into people of dignity and honor, impacting our world and securing a lasting legacy. May we all pursue this treasure with relentless fervor, for it is the key to living and finishing well.

Week 6: Unlocking Life's Treasures

In this journey, we explore the profound concept of holy fear—a virtue that brings us closer to God and unlocks life's true purpose. John Bunyan calls it a treasure given to those beloved by God. Take Solomon, for example: a man blessed with immense wisdom and success who faltered by straying from the fear of God, showing us that holy fear is crucial for a fulfilling life.

Holy fear is not about being terrified of God but having profound reverence and awe for Him. This respect draws us closer to God, aligning our hearts with His, and bringing wisdom, protection, and blessings.

In 1994, at a church conference, a speaker felt compelled to address the fear of the Lord despite initial resistance. This led to a dramatic change in atmosphere, with the manifest presence of God filling the arena and leading people to repentance. Similarly, during a conference in Brazil, addressing the congregation's lack of reverence resulted in a supernatural manifestation of God's presence.

God's glory, described as "unapproachable light" and a "consuming fire," is another key element of holy fear. When we grasp His greatness, our reverence grows, transforming us and drawing us closer to Him. Stories from the Bible, like those of Aaron's sons and Ananias and Sapphira, remind us of the importance of approaching God with reverence and maintaining integrity.

Holy fear is about living a life devoted to God, beyond the fear of human judgment. It’s about focusing on eternal rewards rather than temporary gains. Paul’s admonition to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" highlights the importance of our true image before God over our projected image.

Throughout this journey, we're encouraged to embrace holy fear, recognizing it as a gift that guides us away from evil and keeps us in God's presence. This fear is essential for longevity in ministry, as seen in encounters like one in Malaysia, where holy fear maintained purity and effectiveness.

Our response to God's Word should be one of trembling and immediate obedience, even when it defies logic or lacks visible benefits. Obedience can be painful, like Jesus' suffering, but it's a true test of faith and leads to eternal joy. Guarding our conscience and aligning our actions with God’s commands ensure we remain sensitive to His guidance.

Intimacy with God starts with holy fear, purifying our motives and producing obedience. This relationship, like a deep marriage, requires time and effort. Stories of biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, and Paul illustrate the profound intimacy that comes with reverence and obedience.

Holy fear dispels all other fears, ensuring protection and a godly legacy. It brings wisdom, riches, honor, and long life, as promised in Proverbs. Embracing humility and holy fear, as Jesus taught, guarantees a strong finish in life.

Ultimately, holy fear is a treasure that ensures joy, prosperity, protection, and eternal rewards. It transforms us into people of dignity and honor, impacting our world and securing a lasting legacy. May we all pursue this treasure with relentless fervor, for it is the key to living and finishing well.

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