"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND IT'S BLESSING"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND IT'S BLESSING"

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;”

Proverbs 1:9 “For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. To fear God is the beginning of having knowledge.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fear spoken of here, is not one of being terrified.

Rather it speaks of respect for God.

That respect can and ought to include a healthy fear of Him.

But, having this respect/fear of God is the beginning of having knowledge.

There is much knowledge to be gained in this life.

But this knowledge is the most valuable.

And it becomes ours as we learn to respect God and walk in that respect day by day.

2. Only fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

A man can be wise, or he can be foolish.

The choice is up to him.

God wants us to be wise. 

A wise man respects/fears God.

A foolish man on the other hand despises wisdom and instruction.

God is wise, God is wisdom, and His instruction is pure and the greatest there is.

How foolish to think we might know better than God.

I'm afraid sometimes we do.

3. We ought to listen to what our Father teaches us.

Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;”

Proverbs was written by Solomon and is a record of a father speaking to his son.

But, it's good application to view Proverbs as our heavenly Father speaking to His earthly children.

And, here we are simply encouraged to listen to what our Father would say to us. 

And contextually for children not to forsake the teaching of their mothers.

God does speak to us through His Word.

It serves us well, and brings joy to God's heart when we listen to Him, and do what He says to do.

4. What we learn from God will be a crown of grace and honor in our lives.

Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;”

The blessing of fearing God and listening to Him is stated here.

What we learn from God will crown our lives if you will.

God will crown our lives with grace and honor.

It sure makes sense to fear God and listen to Him day by day. 

Who is wiser than God?

Some Questions:

1. Isn't it a blessing to know that we can actually have the best knowledge available to man?

2. And isn't it a blessing to know that God wants to give us this knowledge?

3. Do you ever struggle with the concept of fearing God?

4. If you do struggle with it, will you ask Him to give you insight and wisdom into your struggle?

5. Will you please look forward to God's crowing your life with grace and honor this coming year?

A Prayer:

Father, like the Psalms, how we enjoy the Proverbs. The Psalms lift us up to the heavens, and the Proverbs help us walk carefully and wisely down here on earth. You connect heaven and earth for us through these two books in Your holy Bible. 

Thank You for them both. May we take to heart Your instruction, and learn to walk in the fear of the Lord. May we respect You and obey You. And may we thank You in advance for your crowning grace and honor in our lives as You have promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MAN WHO IS BLESSED"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MAN WHO IS BLESSED"

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;”

Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 1:3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God tells us how a man can be blessed, or happy.

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;”

There are many other things that could be said, and are said in Scripture about being blessed, but here in Psalm 1, the Lord tells us something very foundational and important.

Blessedness is a by product of not doing certain things

Those things are given to us in Psalm 1:1

They are…

Nor walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Or not following the advice of the wicked.

Nor standing in the path of sinners. Or standing around with sinners… Hanging out with, them as it were.

Nor sitting in the seat of the scornful. Or joining in with those who scoff at the Lord and the things of the Lord.

2. Blessedness is now explained as a result of something we do.

Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

So, while the first key to being blessed or happy is to not do certain things, here we see the second key to being blessed or happy is actually found in something a man does. It's right in Psalm 1:2.

He delights in the Law of the Lord.

And in His law he meditates day and night.

It's speaking of a man who takes delight or pleasure in everything the Lord wants for him to do and be. 

And this blessed man spends his life in fellowship with God day and night, thinking about the Word of God. 

God's Word is foundational, consistently part of his life. 

Knowing it and doing it.

3. The blessed man is described for us.

Psalm 1:3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Here we have a very simple and powerful picture of what the blessed man is like. 

The blessed man is like a tree planted along the riverbank. 

The blessed man bears fruit in each season of his life without fail. 

The leaves of the blessed man's life never wither.

The blessed man is a man who prospers in all that he does.

Some Questions:

1. Don't you think happiness is the one thing most people really want in life?

2. Haven't you heard people interviewed and asked, what they really want?

3. Isn't the answer quite often, "I want to be happy”?

4. How many times was the word "happy” used just last night (New Years eve day and night)?

5. How many times do you think the word "happy" will be used over the next couple of weeks as people wish one another "happy new year"?

6. It's an interesting reality that it's absent from so many lives, and is indeed present in so many lives don't you think?

7. Can you say that you are truly a happy person?

8. Do you desire to be a truly happy person?

9 Will You take a moment and re-read these verses and see the clear way to happiness?

A Prayer:

Father, how often do we turn to the Psalms. Thank You for them. How they speak to us so clearly. 

And it's been said that this 1st Psalm is like a key to the entire book of Psalms. And Your Word is the central part of that key, unlocking the truth of God to the soul of man. Lord, may this truly be a happy new year for us, regardless of what may come and go in our lives. You promise that we can be happy, and You do not tell lies. So, may we walk into this new year with Your Word being a regular part of our lives. And, may we take Your counsel to heart and avoid those things and people that would cause us to not enjoy the happiness that You have for us. Thank You Father. In Jesus’ name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LAST WORDS IN THE BIBLE"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LAST WORDS IN THE BIBLE"

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:18 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;”

Revelation 22:19 “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Revelation 22:21 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. The Holy Spirit and the Bride say "Come”.

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

The Holy Spirit is inviting people to come to Jesus and be saved, and to grow in Him.

The bride of Christ is also (or should be) evangelizing, preaching, teaching the Word of God, and inviting to come to Christ. 

For those who hear, they also say "come”.

And the Lord invites the thirsty to "Come”.

Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.

Our God is a Saving God, not a condemning God.

He wants people to be saved.

He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

But wants all men everywhere to repent and be saved.

2. God's Word is complete and He warns against tampering with it.

Revelation 22:18 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;”

Revelation 22:19 “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

This is a very stern, serious, and true warning from God.

No one is to add to the Bible. 

Or they will have added to them the plagues that are written in the book of Revelation.

Also, no one is to remove or take away from the words in God's Holy Bible. 

Or God will take them away from their part in the Book of life and from the Holy City and from the things written here,.

In other words, God's Word is to be left as it is. 

It's all that we need for life and Godliness.

3. Jesus says "Surely I am coming quickly" and the grace of God be with you all.

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Revelation 22:21 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

When Jesus says "Surely I am coming quickly”, He means that when the events of the last days begin to happen, they will happen in rapid order. Jesus will come very quickly.

We want Jesus to come back again. 

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God's grace is for us to have and to grow in.

So be it.

Some Questions:

1. Do you wonder if we are actually very very close to the end of the world as we know it?

2. Do you know the Bible gives us the signs of the last days?

3. Do you look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

4. Are you afraid of what might happen to you?

5. Do you know that if you are afraid God will help you with your fears?

6. Do you know how much He loves You and and wants to make You His own if you are not at this time?

A Prayer:

Father, we are at the end of a year. And we have just looked at the end of the Bible. The end of all things do happen.

Only You know when Jesus is coming. But from reading Your Word it appears that the end is truly near. The end means the start for those who are saved. The start of our eternal future with You. We can hardly wait. Today as people celebrate the New Year they will say, "Happy New Year”. Lord, how sad will it be if they don't know You and perish this night, or in this new year. Please fill us with a compassion and an urgency to share Christ with as many people as we can, and to be faithful in serving You in the place and ministry that You have us in. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING (HEAVEN)”

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING (HEAVEN)”

Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:5 “Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God is going to dwell with us, and we with Him in heaven.

Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

John tells us that he heard a loud voice from heaven shouting as it were. 

God's home is now among His people.

God is going to live with His people.

We are and will be His people.

God Himself will be with us.

No doubt what was just said above is the greatest thing about heaven, God.

He will be with us.

And we will be with Him.

2. There are certain things which will not be in heaven.

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

God is going to remove all of the sorrows we have. 

There will be no sorrow in heaven, none at all. 

There will also be no death in heaven, none at all.

And, there will be no crying in heaven, none at all.

Furthermore, there will be no more pain in heaven, none at all.

Because all that we know now of this world and it's evils' will be gone forever.

3. God is going to make all things new.

Revelation 21:5 “Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””

John now hears God's voice speaking and giving a message.

He told John to "look”, to "see”, and to write the things he was seeing.

God is going to make all things new.

All things.

Nothing from the past remains.

Except God's saved people. 

We can depend on these things to be true. 

God is trustworthy and true.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder when, where, and under what circumstances you will leave this earth and head for heaven?

2. Do you know that God has absolutely promised to get you there safe and sound?

3. Will you please try for a moment to reflect on the difference heaven will be like compared to this present world and life?

4. Isn't it wonderful that we can depend 100% on everything that God has told us?

A Prayer:

Father, we do not know what a day holds. This will no doubt be the last day on earth for many all around the world. Their appointment with death will come this day. It could be our day personally for all we know. But because You have saved us and forgiven us, we can look, and do look, forward to a glorious eternal future with You. It's thrilling to think about it. 

And the most thrilling thing is that it's all true. We love You, and wait for You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT OF GOD"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT OF GOD"

Revelation 20:11 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.”

Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

Revelation 20:13 “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Revelation 20:15 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. There is a great white throne in heaven.

Revelation 20:11 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.”

God allowed John to see into heaven.

We will one day see what John saw.

In fact we will spend forever in heaven.

But as Christians we will not appear before this throne.

This judgment is strictly for those who have rejected Christ.

2. The unsaved dead will all appear before this throne to be judged.

Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

Revelation 20:13 “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

All of those down through history who have refused God's free offer of forgiveness will be before this throne.

Every unbeliever, both small and great, will stand before God.

And several books will be opened at that time. 

Those before the throne will be judged according to what is recorded in the books.

God keeps a record of everything that every man does. 

Remember this is for non believers, not believers.

3. Death, and hades, will be cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

At this time, two things will be cast into what is called the lake of fire.

Death will go there.

Hades or the present place of punishment for the wicked will also be cast into the lake of fire.

This is called the second death.

4. Anyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life will also be cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Here is the most tragic part of the judgement.

Any person whose name is not recorded in the Book of life will also be cast into the lake of fire.

The Book of Life contains the names of those people who are saved now during this lifetime.

As a saved person your name is in God's book of life in heaven.

But if a person is not saved, their name is not in that book.

And, they will be cast into the lake of fire. 

That lake is really the place we think of when we think of hell.

It's a place of eternal torment and separation from God.

Some Questions:

1. Do you think about heaven much?

2. Do you know that every person will be there (some for just this judgement)?

3. Do you know that if you are saved you will remain in heaven forever, and you will not appear at this judgement?

4. Heaven is real, the judgment is real, and so is salvation through Jesus Christ real.

5. Are you on your way to heaven forever, or just for this judgement?

6. If you are not saved will you be saved today? I pray so.

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for the Book of Revelation. It gives us the end of the story as it were. A true and real look into the future, not fairy tale thinking, but the truth of God given to us. This section of Scripture is frightful for all who do not know Christ. May it put in us a desire to see others who do not yet know Christ come to know Him, so that they will not go to this judgement and will not be cast into the lake of fire. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT THE LORD DOES"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT THE LORD DOES"

Psalm 146:8 “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.”

Psalm 146:9 “The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”

Psalm 146:10 “The LORD shall reign forever-- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

Psalm 146:8 “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.”

Satan has blinded the minds of those who do not believe.

But God is the one who opens their eyes. 

We were once blind, but now we see.

2. The Lord raises those who are bowed down.

Psalm 146:8 “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.”

Burdens can and do come into our lives.

Burdens bend our lives downward because of their load.

But, the Lord lifts the burdens of those that are bent down beneath their loads.

3. The Lord loves the righteous.

Psalm 146:8 “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.”

We know God "So loved the world”.

And He does.

But here we are told something additional.

The Lord loves the righteous.

He has brought us to Himself, and He is able to love us with the love He wants to love us with. 

And we love You, Lord.

4. The Lord watches over the strangers.

Psalm 146:9 “The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”

Or you could say, He protects the foreigners among us. 

The Lord's love goes out to those who are not in His family.

He wants them to become part of His family.

He loves them as they are.

But wants to change them from what they are. 

No longer strangers, but now children, that is what He wants. 

He wants them to be His children.

5. The Lord relieves the fatherless and the widows.

Psalm 146:9 “The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”

The Lord has a special care for the most vulnerable.

The orphans and the widows.

Lord may we be like You.

Please help us to be so.

6. The Lord turns the way of the wicked upside down.

Psalm 146:9 “The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”

There are the righteous and there are the wicked.

Here's what God does to the wicked.

He frustrates the plans of the wicked. 

Plain and simple, that is what He does.

He calls us to walk in righteousness, and promises to bless us not frustrate our plans

His plans for us are good.

7. The Lord shall reign forever.

Psalm 146:10 “The LORD shall reign forever-- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

The Lord is with us now.

The Lord is reigning even now.

The Lord will reign forever.

The Lord will deal with all evil and wickedness.

The Lord's reign will be one of righteousness and peace forever.

We join with the Psalmist and say, "Praise the LORD"

Some Questions:

1. Isn't it a blessing to simply read what God does?

2. Don't we each have a testimony that these things are true of the Lord?

3. Are you in some valley now, please be patient and trusting, God will bless and bring you through.

5. Are their wicked people troubling you at this time?

6. Will you let God take care of You by You trusting in Him?

A Prayer:

Father, we were truly blind to You, but You have truly opened our eyes. We can see, praise the Lord. 

You constantly help us, Lord, by lifting our burdens. Thank you, and praise You, Lord.

Thank You, Father, for simply loving us. 

Lord, help us to have Your heart towards those who are strangers to Your kingdom.

And help us to be caring for those who You care for the orphans and the widows. 

Lord we want to pray for our enemies, and leave them in Your hands, vengeance belongs to You not us. 

Thank You, Father, for the glorious unending, eternal future You have in store for us. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Calvary Chapel Visalia