When you have HOLY fear, you will fear NOTHING but God.
When you have UNHOLY fear, you will fear EVERYTHING but God.Unholy fear makes people want to run away from God in anger and resentment, but holy fear draws you closer to God in love, appreciation, and gratitude.
~ Dr. Michael Youssef in his series What’s Life Like Down Under?
In these messages on the book of Ecclesiastes, Dr. Youssef explains how King Solomon ponders the benefits of everything under the sun, then concludes that nothing is as beneficial as a right relationship with the One True God who lives ‘above the sun’.
You can subscribe to Dr. Youssef’s Leading the Way podcast via iTunes or get them on line at www.leadingtheway.org . I often listen to his sermons on my iPod while I walk … now if I could only figure out how to make notes while I do that!
Keeping it real,
I am very pleased to list this post in the following blog carnivals …
- Thankful Thursday @ Grace Alone (guest hosted this week by Lori’s Reflections)
- What Are You Learning? @ Chats With And Old Lady
For more encouragement, visit some of the other blogs in these carnivals, and consider participating by submitting a post of your own!
Hi Tammie. I LOVE that quote. So true! If we fear God, it truly does take away other fear. There is nothing left to fear. This is something that I’ve been recognizing recently as I grow even closer in my walk with God. It’s a beautiful thing. I wish it for everyone.
@ Jennifer: I immediately recognized the truth of what he was saying, because I have learned that when I am experiencing unreasonable fear in some area of my life, that’s my cue to start looking for sin. After I have confessed the sin AND retreated from it, I can move past the fear, even if there are details that still need to be worked out.
What a great point about having a holy fear versus an unholy fear. I know I want to draw closer to God. I often think of the verse “greater is He that is in me, than he who is in the world” whenever I become fearful. When God is for us, who can be against us? BTW, thanks for visiting Heart Choices on Thankful Thursday. It’s one of my favorite blogging days.
@ Debbie: I love the verse you mentioned, and a great companion to it is found in Isaiah 45 where God says, “I will go before you.” Fear melts when I remember that HE goes before me and that HE will equip me, as long as I am obedient to Him.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I enjoyed reading some of your posts. The one on forgiveness made me think about the different words. Thank you for sharing! Amanda:)
Thank you Tammie, for visiting my blog today!
I love the quote above, so true!
thanks and blessing~
Gina
Thank you for sharing such a powerful quote this week.
You are a blessing,
Lori
Awesome post.
@ Amanda: So glad my forgiveness post gave you food for thought.
@ Gina: Dr. Youseff’s insight about fear really turned a light on in my mind.
@ Lori: I was happy to share it. Thanks for hosting Thankful Thursday!
@ Denise: Thanks Denise! I really appreciate your regular visits and your sweet encouragement.
Thanks for the information about the podcast. Sounds like something I could really use right now.
Hi Tammie!
Thank you for the visit yesterday! I love to meet new bloggy friends! More exciting I love to meet Sisters in Christ found in ‘blogville’! What a NEAT CONNECTION!
~I want HOLY fear!~
God Bless,
Deanna
@ debi b: Hope you enjoy the podcast, I certainly have found it to be helpful.
@ Deanna: I’m with you … I want HOLY fear! By the way, I really enjoyed your blog, especially your testimony about Lord = Life. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Thank you for a great quote to reflect on this Sunday morning!
Hi Tammie – On this Sunday evening you have me smiling as I read the quote. It’s a great way to end the day and will give me wonderful thoughts to go to sleep to. Thank you for sharing.
@ Jay: So glad you enjoyed the quote.
@ Barbara: I love going to sleep with wonderful thoughts bumping around in my head. So glad to share this one with you!
Talking of God and fear. For understanding and controlling fear my Christian UK publication now an obligation free download-able e-book ‘The End of Fear’ may interest someone reading here. G-d Bless,
Pastor
Weldon Pellew