We all have so much to be thankful for . May God's greatest blessings be yours now and forever. Amen.
**Before reading today's lesson devotional to the children, ask them what they think the word "fear" means. Talk about it.
Then,explain to the children that The Bible uses words that are known to us ,but at times can mean different things. "Fear" is one of those words . Today we will learn what the Bible teaches in connection to "serving the Lord with fear."
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Opening prayer: Join together in prayer to our Heavenly Father thanking Him for His wisdom ,guidance,mercies and may He grant us all the gift of understanding and a prepared heart to be filled with His truth.
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Hymntime For The Children :
THE B-I-B-L-E
The B-I-B-L-E,
Yes that’s the book for me;
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E.
Yes that’s the book for me;
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E.
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A Closer Look at Psalm 2:11
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11
The word -fear- in many Bible verses
means respect and reverence for our merciful Lord.
To " serve the Lord with fear " as
written in Psalm 2:11 tells us the humble and blessed relationship
children of God have with Him.
Our Heavenly Father proclaims to us in Psalm 2:11 that in serving Him with obedience from the heart we can rejoice ...as there is much to rejoice about .
Being part of Christ's ministry is reason to rejoice with trembling.
When you share the truth and love of Christ with others
as opportunities come about,you are truly serving the Lord with reverence.
Children , you are the light that Jesus Christ called you to be in
this darkening world. Jesus proclaimed :
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.
In all things always trust in our Heavenly Father .
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Ask-- Does God keep an eye on us ?
Read:
Behold, the eye of the LORD is toward them that fear Him,
toward them that wait for His mercy;Psalm 33:18
ASK: Who is a shield to those that fear Him ?
READ: Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD:
he is their help and their shield. Psalm 115:11
ASK-Who does the Lord take pleasure in ?
READ: The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 147:11
Ask---What is it to really rejoice with trembling ? Is there anything that has happened
Behold, the eye of the LORD is toward them that fear Him,
toward them that wait for His mercy;Psalm 33:18
ASK: Who is a shield to those that fear Him ?
READ: Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD:
he is their help and their shield. Psalm 115:11
ASK-Who does the Lord take pleasure in ?
READ: The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 147:11
Ask---What is it to really rejoice with trembling ? Is there anything that has happened
to you that was so wonderful that your heart was pounding and you felt a smile on your face that stretched from ear to ear ?
Tell about Paul to the children :
When Paul's eyes opened from knowing our Saviour - he rejoiced with a fear and trembling that was not only spiritually healthy but a well-spring of motivation for him to be a bold and faithful servant of God.
When Paul's eyes opened from knowing our Saviour - he rejoiced with a fear and trembling that was not only spiritually healthy but a well-spring of motivation for him to be a bold and faithful servant of God.
Now read the following asking the children to pay close attention .
From Phillipians 2:12-18
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling.
*13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among
whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
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We have a great reminder in verse 13 which tells us that God is with us . We are never alone in our labors for Him . Our full duty is complete because greater is He who dwells within us allowing us to bring forth good fruit as also declared by Jesus in John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
In this new year, may all those who are called to be lights in this world for Jesus Christ ,shine bright , rejoice and honor God in the ways He has
made known to us .
May we all humbly and thankfully reflect upon the spiritual truth
spoken by Mary as written in Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them
that fear him from generation to generation.
May God richly bless all of you with greater understanding
of His Word, Wisdom and may your vocation in Christ be
abundantly fruitful.
May God richly bless all of you with greater understanding
of His Word, Wisdom and may your vocation in Christ be
abundantly fruitful.
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Close in Prayer .
Julie Pisacane
February 26, 2023