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Today is Thursday July 22, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Proverbs, chapters 8-11. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-22
Today's Message: Fearing God
You will often hear the phrase “Fear the Lord” or “Fear God” in some form throughout the Bible. Many people, including Christians, misunderstand what it actually means to, “Fear God.” A lot of people have actually walked away from God or refuse to let Him be a part of their lives because they are told to, “Fear God.” So, what does fearing God mean? God tells us what it means through His Word. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God....For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” - II Corinthians 7:1,10. As a Christian learns to live a morally, uncorrupted life with God in it, he learns to fear God. God will take the most corrupted person, convert him, and satisfy every need and desire simply by fearing Him. Jesus Said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you....If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” - John 15:3,10,11. Now, that is where people get stopped in their tracks, they do not want to keep God's commands. People of the world strive on fame and riches to satisfy their flesh, while one might have fun for a season it will not last. There is always something bigger and better out there to entice the flesh, it is never satisfied, but God can satisfy.
Let me tell you something, the world and people who live in it does not care about anyone, all they see are dollar signs and people worshiping them. Go to someone who lives in the world and ask them for help when you have nothing and see what you get. Nothing! Our nation is quickly falling because of this very reason. We better get our priorities straight before it is too late, life does not just end when we die here on earth. Those that refuse to fear God will literally have hell to pay for ignoring Him. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ” - Romans 6:23. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:14,15. Fearing God means believing all of His Word. No one escapes the lake of fire unless they know Jesus Christ. With that said, many assume fearing God means that they have to be afraid of Him. Well, they should be afraid of Him, He is our Creator and Heavenly Father, He gave us every ability that we have and all the thanks He gets is rebellion, immoral, corrupted behavior from those who were made in His own image. How would you feel if your child rebelled against every thing that you tried to teach him?
Fearing God means having respect for Him and just listening to something He has to say once in a while. He does not expect us to know everything He has to teach us, but He does expect us to start somewhere. God knows who you are, what you do, did, and will do, you are His child, He made you well before He even created the heavens and earth. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate....The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water....While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” - Proverbs 8:13,22-24,26-30. Those who think they have everything under control and God is not playing a part in their lives better wake up and stop ignoring His alarm. God is always in control, even Satan can only do so much to us. God knew when we were going to fall, but He also knew when we would realize we need help to get up and that He is our only help. So, you messed up, get over it, seek His forgiveness, accept responsibility for your actions, and move forward. He does not want us to go through needless suffering, but we bring it all on our own because we do not listen to Him.
Although God can do all things, God has chosen that we must cooperate with Him if we want Him to do them. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” - Proverbs 9:10-12. This wisdom and understanding covers every aspect of life: physical, moral, spiritual, financial, and our social well-being. The basic difference between the wise man and the fool is in the use each makes of his time, talents, and material possessions. When we rely on God and His Word it will result in fearing Him, and receiving things we never imagined, even the things we desire. In fact, when we learn to fear God, we will learn to desire better things as the old things we desire are no longer something we think we need.
We all are on one of two roads in our journey through life. The road followed by the wise is narrower and more difficult, but it brings happiness, satisfaction, peace, and eternal life. However, the broad road of the fool inevitably leads to immoral, corruption, and ultimately, the eternal lake of fire. Nonone is forced to follow God, yet no one is forced to face the eternal lake of fire either. The choice is yours, “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” - Proverbs 10:27-30. Fearing God means eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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