Matching Funds Drive 2024

Matching Funds Drive 2024

I praise the Lord for your concern for this ministry to help hurting people. Our counseling ministry has been in operation for twenty-seven years and is a safe place for people to come for help. We pray and desire to continue demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ to those we help. Many of our clients struggle with shame and suffering in isolation. IBCC offers a place of love, grace, and mercy for those hurting and needing help.

Our matching fund campaign is a unique opportunity to make a difference. With a generous pledge of $14,000 to be matched, we are excited to present an opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in providing counseling for our clients in 2024! The campaign, which you can help us kickstart, will start on May 15th and conclude on September 15th, 2024. 

How can you participate? 

Participating in our matching fund campaign is simple. You can donate by clicking on the button below, you can do so through our website (www.indianabcc.com) via PayPal and note your donation for the matching funds. Your contribution will be automatically matched, doubling the impact of your support.

We are truly grateful for your thoughtful consideration and appreciate your prayers and financial support. Thank you! Your past contributions have been instrumental in our ability to provide a haven for those in need. We ask that you continue to pray for our clients, staff, and ministry so that we may persist as a beacon of hope and healing in our community. 

How To Process Your Fear

"...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
-- 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear was the first emotion recorded in Scripture after the fall. Adam said, "I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself" (Genesis 3:10). Ever since the fall of man, fear is an emotion we all need to address in our lives.

 Feeling fear is a natural response when our emotional, psychological and physical safety is threatened. For fear to intensify, it must possess two attributes: we must perceive it as imminent (present) and potent (dominant) over us. For example, the number one fear people experience is death. When we are young and healthy, death seems far away. However, when diagnosed with a life-threatening illness like cancer, fear, and anxiety can overwhelm us. The truth is those in Christ are all delivered from the fear of death! (Hebrews 2:15)

Acknowledging and understanding your fears and addressing them with the truth early in the process can be of great help. 

Asking yourself and processing these questions can help you begin to work through your fears. Work through one concern at a time. You might want to start by addressing your greatest fear first. 

What is my reason to fear? Is it a rational fear? Does the initial fear lead to other related concerns? 

How imminent is it? How powerful is it?  

How realistic is it? 

You cannot remove everything in your life that causes you fear. However, you can work on lowering its intensity. These are the critical questions to address it...What thoughts do I have that makes this object of fear grow in intensity? Am I asking myself repetitive what about or what-if questions that are increasing my fear? What lies am I believing? 

What Biblical truth can bring me comfort and speak truth to my fears? Make a list with two columns. On one side, write down the list of negative thoughts or lies that build on the fear and the other column, the Biblical truth that speaks to each negative belief or lie. 

What bodily sensations does this fear cause me to have? Increased heart rate? Tingling in my arms? Heavy breathing and pressure on my chest? Are my physical symptoms caused by my emotions or do I have a physical issue? Do I need to seek medical help? 

What reactions does this fear cause me to have? Is my reaction healthy for me and others around me? Is there panic or a fearful response?

What bad habits that come from my fear? Am I developing phobias, avoidant behaviors, addictions, obsessions?

Is there someone I can reach out to help me work through these questions and gain a healthier perspective?

What does it look like for me to allow Christ to comfort me in my fears? (1 Peter 5:7)

When the resurrected Christ first appeared to His disciples He found them cowering in fear of the Jews. He simply said to them, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19). God's provision for personal redemption had come and they no longer had to be afraid. The same is true for us today!

The Reality of Fear and Anxiety

Isaiah 41:10 "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Our present world situation brings the reality of fear and anxiety home for many of us. Fear is an emotion that powerfully energizes our nervous system. When we experience fear, the amygdala in our brain is activated. The amygdala is the part of our brain designed to be on guard and protect us from fearful things and people. Fear impacts all of us in various ways. The command, "fear not," is the most repeated in the Bible. Yet, it is not always the easiest to do.  

Many people I counsel struggle with various degrees of fear and anxiety. Their distress ranges from generalized anxiety to the impact of past trauma and living with chronic PTSD. I try to help them understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles they are experiencing, and guide them through a process to help address their fears. 

I would like to address anxiety. You might be asking, what is the difference between fear and anxiety? Fear has a known object (sometimes not consciously remembered) related to a past or present experience. When a person experiences anxiety, they may not always know the cause. 

WHAT IS ANXIETY ALL ABOUT?

• Anxiety is a sense of being out of control.


• It is a fear of the unknown.


• It is an assumption that bad things will occur.


• It is a sense of uncertainty, tension, or uneasiness about a future event, but not always sure of what the specific activity or thing feared. 


• It is an uncomfortable feeling of dread characterized by nervousness, tension, and apprehension.
• Anxiety is extremely common in unhealthy relationships. 


• It can associated to past trauma relating to a feeling of being out of control or trapped.


• Anxiety occurs when a person becomes afraid to address a negative situation and emotion inside.
• It is an adaptive feeling of high nervousness experienced by all of us, to something unpleasant and generally leads to some action to relieve the feeling.


• It can be free-floating, a term used to describe a lack of focus on a specific target. Unlike a fear that develops in reaction to a particular (real or imagined) danger, anxiety can have no apparent cause of which the person is aware.


• An exaggerated state of anxiety, resulting in a profound disturbance in the ability to function, is called panic.




WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF WITH ANXIETY?

• Daily remind yourself that you are God's child, and he will take care of you for eternity. 

Luke 12:32, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

• Acknowledge your feelings and express them in prayer. 

Philippians 4:6,7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

• When anxiety starts to surface, stop and ask yourself, "What negative thoughts am I thinking?". Attempt to see the circumstance from a positive perception. 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

• Address double-mindedness: Plan A (God's will) vs. Plan B (my will) thinking. We must be careful to align our thoughts and surrender our will to God's plan for our life. 

1 Peter 5:6,7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

• Practice self-awareness and assess your thoughts. What do you believe about this event or situation? What are the lies you are believing or feeling? What is the truth of God's Word that speaks the truth? Are you under a spiritual attack? Separate facts, assumptions, and feelings. 

1 Peter 5:8,9 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

• Write down and share with God your feelings and thoughts in a diary or a notebook. 

Psalm 141:1 " O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!"

• Read and personalize the Psalms every day. 

Psalm 61:1-3 "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."

• Plan how you will respond step-by-step if a panic attack occurs. Work on being self-aware at the onset of your trigger. Understand what your trigger is. Take your thoughts captive. Take time to relax and do something that you enjoy. Practice relaxation exercises by breathing deeply and slowly.

2 Corinthians 10:5 "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"

• Learn the importance of mutual emotional regulation. Talk to a trusted friend who will listen and understand you when you are anxious. It can help you to have greater clarity and return to joy. 

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Overcoming Self-Contempt

Overcoming Self Contempt

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

Condemnation is a judicial term that declares a person guilty and worthy of punishment from a judge or jury. Self-contempt is passing sentence on yourself for your own actions. These are significant issues in the lives of many of our clients. The Apostle Paul says that for those in Christ, there is no condemnation. That means absolutely zero! This critical reality is especially true for those abused or who have experienced performance-based conditional love. They have a difficult time receiving God's love and forgiveness for themselves. They are plagued by self-loathing and believe the lies of condemnation. 

It is a joy to come alongside others and help expose the lies they believe and receive freedom in Christ! One former client put it this way.

"Satan had convinced me that I was a hypocritical wretch. The lies and accusations were so subtle, mingled with enough truth that I felt trapped, powerless and afraid to believe anything else. Praise the Lord that I am finally free. I am a new person. I have learned that most of what I had believed were lies. I no longer have thoughts of killing myself. I can communicate and forgive. I have a new love for the Word of God, and I feel confident as I approach the throne of grace."

Affirmations for Dismantling Self-Contempt

•    I acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 
•    I choose to love myself as God wants me to love myself. 
•    I do not need to punish or hurt myself. 
•    What was forced on me by others was not my fault. 
•    I refuse all false guilt. 
•    It is all right to be healed inside. 
•    I choose to take care of myself. 
•    I do not deserve to be hurt by others. 
•    I am not an evil person.
•    I will see myself as Christ sees me today. 
•    I deserve to be treated respectfully. 
•    It is all right to make a mistake. 
•    I am not a ____________ (whatever you call yourself inside). 
•    It is all right for me to have joy!
•    My body is not evil. 
•    I am precious in God's sight. 
•    I am not a mistake. 
•    God delights in me. 
•    I reject Satan's opinion of me and receive God's opinion of me.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help your walk with Jesus! 

2022 Fall Praise Banquet

We are very excited to invite you to the IBCC Fall Praise Banquet on Thursday evening of November 10th, at 6:30 pm at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN. 

Unfortunately, Covid-19 significantly impacted our banquet the last two years. We hope to reestablish the banquet this year as many of our friends and supporters look forward to this event every year. We are moving our annual get-together to a Thursday evening in hopes that it will help make it possible for more to attend. 

We are delighted to have testimonies and an IBCC ministry update, and I will share a special message for our supporters. The cost is $30.00 per person. To make a reservation for the banquet, reply to this email, use the donate button below, call our office at 317-585-1845, or email us at office@indianabcc.com. RSVP by October 28th.

Finally, many of our supporters look forward to the banquet to donate or commit to their upcoming yearly pledge. If you cannot attend this year’s banquet, prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you do to support IBCC. 

Serving Christ,

Jeffrey Pokone

RSVP by emailing us at office@indianabcc.com or call our office at 317-585-1845. You may pay for your reservation through the donate button on this website.

Love and Acceptance in Christ

Love and Acceptance in Christ

Many of our clients consistently struggle to understand and receive the reality of being in Christ. Unfortunately, they feel hopelessly stuck finding their value and acceptance from God and others through their performance. They never feel good enough. Here are ten critical Biblical truths that we help our clients embrace. 

• My holiness is not dependent on my efforts; it is dependent on the finished work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in me.

Ephesians 4:24 "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

• I can stop trying to get holiness and accept that I am already holy.

1 Peter 1:16 "since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

• My achievements do not make me more holy, nor do my failures make me less holy. 

Philippians 3:8, 9 "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

• The Holy Spirit is working in me to putting to death sin in my life. 

Romans 8:13 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

• I can receive God's forgiveness and thus forgive myself for my past failures. 

Colossians 2:13-14 "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

• God loves me unconditionally. My performance does not determine his love and forgiveness. 

1 John 4:10" In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

• I am acceptable to God and others. My worth and value are in the finished work of Jesus Christ- NOT MY EFFORTS. His love and acceptance are gifts through faith, and He has saved me by grace. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

• I can accept myself based on how Christ sees me. He created me and loved me unconditionally. His acceptance does not change because of my weaknesses. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

• I am no longer condemned for my mistakes and failures because God knows about them and has forgiven ALL of my sins. 

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

• My identity is not determined by my education, vocation, wealth, power, or position. My identity is a beloved child of God. 

1 Peter 2:9,10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

Repentance Is A Beautiful Thing

Repentance is a Beautiful Thing

2 Corinthians 7:10,11—"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! At every point, you proved yourselves innocent n this matter.

Repentance is evidence of the transformational gospel in Christian life. Nothing matters more in my clients' lives than genuine repentance when struggling with habitual sin. It is a beautiful thing to witness. Why? Repentance brings life! Without it, the client will be unable to live out of their new heart in Christ. 

Paul was encouraged by the godly sorrow demonstrated in the Church at Corinth after his first letter to them. He described in 2 Corinthians 7:10,11 the characteristics of repentance. 

•  Earnestness: Sincere conviction that demonstrates aggressively pursuing righteousness. This attitude ends indifference and complacency toward sin. 
•  Clearing of yourselves: A desire to clear one's name by doing whatever it takes to restore trust and confidence.
•   Indignation: Genuine repentance leads to righteous anger over one's sin and displeasure at the shame it has brought on the Lord's name. 
•  Fear/Reverence - a healthy fear of God that acknowledges His perspective regarding sin leading to genuine repentance. 
•  Longing: Refers to the willingness of the repentant person to restore the relationship of the one they have sinned against. 
•   Zeal: This refers to loving someone or something so much that one hates anyone or anything that harms the object of his love. 
•   Vindication: refers to the desire to see divine justice done. The repentant person no longer tries to hide his sin and protect himself—he wants to know that the sin avenged no matter what it would cost him. 
•  Innocent in the matter: The essence of repentance is an aggressive pursuit of holiness out of conviction and not condemnation. The Greek word for clear means "pure" or "holy." They demonstrated the integrity of their repentance by their purity.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these posts to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

How to Respond to Suffering

How to Respond to Suffering

Romans 8:38,39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Everyone will face seasons of suffering, Christians and non-Christians alike. Sometimes the season of suffering is very long, possibly until the day God takes us home to be with him. Grief may include the loss of a loved one, illness, divorce, disillusionment, temptation, or the consequences of sin—to name a few. We all must evaluate how to respond to our suffering. 

Whatever the cause, mishandling life’s trials can produce bitterness, pride, disillusionment, and fear—rather than the faith, character, strength, and endurance that God wants to provide.

God wants to strengthen our life message by suffering well through providing victory over personal suffering. Here are some practical suggestions for dealing with your grief:

1. Remember that God controls everything. He is Sovereign. 

Everything that happens in my life and this world is under the umbrella of His sovereignty. There is also nothing in my life that he does not know about. God is omnipotent or all-knowing. Nothing takes him by surprise. Job suffered a terrible loss in his life, but God had a hedge about Job limiting the destruction. God purposed to draw Job into a deeper understanding of who He was. He would learn that focusing on God produces an enduring faith. (Job 1:10, 20-22; 42:5) In God’s timing, Job emerged victoriously. God promises that every event in our lives will work for our good to transform us into the likeness of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29) We understand and are enabled to comfort others by receiving God’s loving comfort and grace during our sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). We can pray, “I trust in thee, O Lord—Thou art my God—my times are in thy hand.” (Psalm 32:14-15) Our lives are made fruitful by the pruning shears of a loving Father. (John 15:2)

2. Focus on the person and presence of the Lord Jesus.

Faith is trusting in the person of Jesus Christ and His Holy Word. (Hebrews 11:6, 13:5-6) Do not focus your attention (and emotions) on yourself and yours, the circumstance, or your offender. If we focus on the offender or event, that will emotionally dictate and control our lives. Immerse yourself in Scripture and make prayer a priority. Paul charged Timothy: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned......the Holy Scriptures, which can make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15) Be honest with God about your pain but surrender your desires and choose to trust Him — whatever the answer may be. Pray for acceptance, strength, and the desire to seek God’s will in all things. Look to Christ and love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Faith in God brings contentment in every circumstance. (Philippians 4:11-13)

3. Commit the situation to God.

We must trust God and accept that he is a Sovereign God regardless of what we think or feel. If you do not believe in the sovereignty of God, you will drive yourself crazy with questions. God is in charge of the situation and will work for our good when we trust him (Romans 8:28). When calamity comes, we must commit the problem to him. If someone hurts us deeply, he knows and loves us, and we must turn the hurtful situation to Him.   

4. Forgive all offenders from the heart.

Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is an act of will. Many do not “feel” like forgiving when others hurt them. We must forgive (Matthew 18:34-35; Hebrews 12:15) to keep our focus on the Lord, receive His enduring power and provision, and avoid spiritual torment. Forgiveness is not letting the offender off the hook. But it is releasing them to God. It is trusting God to deal with that person in His wise and just way as only He can do. In doing this, we deny Satan a foothold in our lives.

5. Ask God to forgive you if you have failed.

We may suffer because we have made bad choices following our wisdom and sinful will. When personal failures occur, ask for and accept God’s forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) Continuing thoughts of “what if” and “if only” will bring unnecessary torment. God is faithful, and He forgives sin. Do not despise God’s discipline in the continuing consequences of your sin. Allow them to deepen your humility and dependency on Jesus Christ.

6. Find God’s clear direction and obey it.

What are your choices? You can resist the circumstances, and question God’s wisdom (a victim mentality), or you can pour yourself into Bible study and prayer and faithfully obey Him. God will give us His direction through the Holy Spirit and His Word when we choose to listen and follow. We must give God control, looking diligently for His will. It might include more suffering. (Luke 9:23) But God extends His grace and peace to His faithful during their trials and suffering. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The question is not “How long will this last?” but rather “How do I choose to respond?”

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

Blessings,

Jeff

The Only Way to Freedom

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31,32

Truth and freedom go together. That is the way God designed it to be. Lies and bondage go together as well. The path a person chooses to follow will impact their life and generations that follow. In the Gospel of John, the person of truth, Jesus Christ, gives his children the pathway of truth and the freedom it brings. 

The True Jesus 

Jesus said many false Christs would come in His name (Matthew 24:5). These come in the form of a false gospel. Jesus is the only true God and brought into the world grace and truth. There is no other god and no other way to find eternal life but through the true gospel of Jesus Christ, "Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.

True Conversion 

A faithful follower of Jesus Christ who has received a new nature will produce a change in heart and life of a person. John 3:20,21 "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed, But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." Jesus is the true vine, and every branch that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does not bring fruit, he prunes bearing fruit (John 15:1,2).

Hearing the Truth 

In John 10:27, Jesus said that "my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Since you are a disciple, Jesus said you would know the truth, and that truth brings freedom to your life (John 8:31,32). The contrast Jesus made is to those that believe the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44-47).

The Spirit of Truth 

The Holy Spirit is the indwelling supernatural helper leading us into the truth. In John 14:16,17, Jesus brings comfort to his disciples with the blessing of the coming Spirit of truth, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even as the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." 

The Word of Truth

We are in a battle for what is truth. In John 17:15-19, facing death, Jesus prayed for his disciples to be removed from this world and sanctified in the truth, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth"  John 17:17. He acknowledged that absolute truth came from the heavenly father, and God's word is foundational for living in God's kingdom. 

There is no greater joy in ministry than to walk alongside those that are pursuing truth. I pray that you and those you love will follow Jesus in finding freedom in Christ! 

Serving Christ, 

Jeff

Wisdom Calls Out!

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?" 
Proverbs 8:1 

Are you hungry for wisdom?  Is your need for knowing what is truth becoming more desperate? My answer to these questions is a resounding YES! In a world where evil is good and good is evil, I have never been more dependent on the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's Word. The pursuit of wisdom in our lives is directly related to our relationship and dependence on the person of truth Jesus Christ.

Wisdom has many facets: insight, counsel, prudence, understanding, discernment, discipline, competence, discretion, instruction, guidance, knowledge, and righteousness. 

What is wisdom?  The most frequent Hebrew word for wisdom is "chokmah," which means skill. Wisdom is the art and practice of living life with each area under Christ's dominion. It is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best ends. 

There are two kinds of wisdom—one from God and another from the world, flesh, and Satan.

"This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle; willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy." (James 3:15-17)

Wisdom from above is the Lord's plan by which He can transform the moral and spiritual chaos of human life into an incarnation of God's attributes of justice, equity, truth, and faithfulness. It impacts our lives in all that really matters. 

How do we pursue wisdom?  This treasure of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding rests in the hands of God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Since it comes from above (James 3:17), we cannot attain it apart from Him and His Word.

What is the condition for attaining wisdom?  Proverbs 9:10 gives us the answer: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  

• Job 28:28—"And to man, He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'"

• Psalm 86:11—"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."

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

What is the fear of the Lord?  To fear God is to have an attitude of awe and humility before Him. It is to recognize the weaknesses of human flesh and our need for complete dependence upon Him in every area of our lives. "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:23)

Why have so many people failed to develop awe and humility before God? Many people put their faith in themselves, walk in pride, and Satan blinds unbelieving eyes. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6. Therefore, if we humble and ask God for wisdom, he will give it to us in great abundance, James 1:5. 

I pray that God will lead you in His knowledge, wisdom and understanding as you live for Jesus Christ! 

Serving Christ, 

Jeff