Attitude and Outlook

Continued... "permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God" (Act 9:31). 

Psalm 118 describes the attitude and outlook of one who truly has a deep sense of reverence for God. 

"Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever." Ps 118:4

So often when we are in tough situations or bad things happen, we blame God. It's all His fault for allowing hurt and pain. However, if we have a true reverence for God, we know that God owes us nothing, and His plan is far greater than we'll ever know. 

Consider Job. He was an honest of upright man who worshiped God.. and God brought Job to the attention of Satan. Why? Because God knew that God is worthy of praise, honor, reverence based on WHO HE IS... not on what He does or allows. God is God and circumstances and situations do not change that fact. Job fully understood that... because Job had a deep sense of reverence for God. 

"You are my God, and I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You; You are my God, I will extol You. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever." Ps 118:28, 29.

A deep sense of reverence for God will not only impact my actions, but my attitude and outlook.

Click this to read Psalm 118

List of Actions and Attitudes

As I continue my study on "permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31)", I read Psalm 112 this morning. As read it, I realized that Psalm 112 is a list of actions and attitudes that should be a result of fearing the Lord and delighting in His commandments.

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God is not just fearing God or being in awe of Him. Rather a true deep sense of reverence for God will impact my actions and attitudes.

The doing, actions, don't come first. Rather developing a sense of reverence of God is first and foremost. Because of that reverence for God Almighty—I act. Being in the presence of God Almighty, learning who He is, and learning about Him...... that creates a reverence. And because I am learning who God is..... I act in accordance with that knowledge... or rather I should be acting in accordance with that knowledge.  

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God will have an impact...... or it should have an impact in my life and then be evident to those around me.

Psalm 112 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.2 His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.3 Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God].5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.6 He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.8 His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid while he waits to see his desire established upon his adversaries.9 He has distributed freely [he has given to the poor and needy]; his righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) endures forever; his horn shall be exalted in honor.10 The wicked man will see it and be grieved and angered, he will gnash his teeth and disappear [in despair]; the desire of the wicked shall perish and come to nothing.Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Vote for TJ Bell

I had the privilege to meet TJ Bell, NASCAR Camping World Truck Driver for the #50 MAKE Motorsport Team.

He does a lot on/off the track to support and honor our Heroes in Uniform (First Responders and Military). This year, TJ and the #50 Team are also supporting and honoring The Fallen Linemen Foundation. 

Take a moment and vote for TJ Bell for Most Popular Driver of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. You can vote one (1) time each day. 

Share this with your friends too! The more votes, the greater the possibility that TJ will win! 

Here's the link to vote: 

http://www.nascar.com/mostpopulardriver?wid=720947a0c042c4

TJ and me at Chicagoland Speedway 2012. 

Looking for Wisdom?

"They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God." Acts 9:31 (MSG)

He has redeemed His people, guaranteeing His covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring. Reverence for the Eternal is the first step toward wisdom. All those who worship Him have a good understanding. His praise will echo through eternity! Ps 111:9, 10 (VOICE)

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear. The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever. Ps 111:9, 10 (AMP)

Looking for wisdom? It all begins with a deep sense of reverence for God! For as a deep sense of reverence for God is developed, the focus is on God and then God can reveal His will and plan for your life.

Awesome and Reverence Inspiring

In my Bible study, I’m studying Colossians, but went off on a rabbit trail. Colossians 1:1 talks about Paul being on special assignment from God (an apostle). I then went back to when Paul began his special assignment—Acts 9. This verse stood out to me: "They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God." Acts 9:31 (MSG) 

So onto another rabbit trail. What does it mean to have a “deep sense of reverence for God” and how does a person become “Permeated”. So I went back to the Psalms because many of the Psalms talk about reverence and fear of God.

Today, I read Psalm 99. These verses stood out: 

The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble [with reverential fear]! He sits [enthroned] above the cherubim, let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them confess and praise Your great name, awesome and reverence inspiring! It is holy,and holy is He! Psalm 99: 1-3 (AMP). 

And

You answered them, OLord our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy. Psalm 99:8, 9 (NKJV)

Praise the God-Who-Forgives, praise His awesome and reverence inspiring Name…. yes, that should create a deep sense of reverence for God Almighty!