6/14/24 Lit Word "Deeper Respect"

Date: 6/14/24
Today's Reading:
OT: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24
NT: Acts 10:1-23
Psalms: 133:1-3
Proverbs: 17:7-8

Neal’s Lit Word

Title: “Deeper Respect”

Scripture: Acts 10:1,2

Now there was a certain man named Cornelius of the Italian cohort, a devout man, and one who feared God, who gave gifts to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.

[Cornelius is given a vision by God in Acts chapter 10, but he was not a Jew, “God’s chosen people.” This series of passages shows that God is reaching outside of what “God’s chosen people” thought was acceptable at the time. It points out that devotion and fear of the Lord is what makes for a true follower.]

Observation: What is God saying to me?

The fear of the Lord is a good thing! It opens the door of devotion and true relationship with God. Why fear the Lord? The Lord is the ruler and ultimate decision maker for all of creation. He deserves and requires our deepest respect and honor. He is the Ultimate Master, therefore demands our highest devotion. The fear of the Lord calls our attention and devotion to be given to the One we respect more than anything else. The fear of the Lord is healthy and it can open doors, dreams and visions through divine devotion to the Creator of all things.

Application: What will I do about it?

A lack of respect for what ought to be respected can land us in lots of trouble. When you have a healthy respect for something, you tend to be more careful with it. Fear and respect causes you to take better care in your attitudes and actions. We tend to lean toward that which we fear and respect the most.

Prayer:

Holy God, You are worthy of our fear, respect and devotion. Continual prayer, giving and devotion are not formalities and ritual to us, they are a supernatural response that declares your value and worth. Teach us to honor You in sincere devotion. Amen!

I Am Grateful For… open doors through devotion and lessons that lead me to respect the Master more than anything else.

Tracker Questions

How is your relationship with God founded in the “Fear of the Lord?”

What can you do to shift your devotion to Christ toward a deeper respect?