THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD (PART 4)

THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD (PART 4)

 TEXT: Psalm 19:9

⁹The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

The fear of the Lord is so important that verse 10 of our scripture today says “ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:” if you are able to let God guide your heart you will save yourself a lot of trouble in life. When a man is guided by the fear of the Lord his life is peaceful because he is content with the will and purpose of God for his life. Many people who lost sight of the plan and purpose of God for their life also have a problem recognizing the place of their leader in their lives, thereby perverting God’s agenda for them and they end up misbehaving and losing their place. 

It was the presence of the fear of the Lord in the life of Daniel that granted him a consistent promotion throughout his life. He was so consistent and God fearing that he was able to remain relevant in the reign of four kings. What an uncommon testimony.  

If any man desire to walk in glory then he must walk in the fear of the Lord from the intent of his heart. If his heart is guided by the fear of the Lord he will begin to ascend the glory realm and walk in the supernatural and he receives uncommon promotion in life. Walk in the fear of the Lord and your life will become rich and colourful

THE BURNING BUSH EFFECT (Exodus 3:1-8)

THE BURNING BUSH EFFECT (Exodus 3:1-8)

Can you remember anybody, whose life was such a radiance of God’s glory to you? Can you remember the impart they made in your life? Take some time to thank God for such vessels of glory.

CONTEMPLATION

In the book of Exodus 3:1-8 Moses encountered God in the most unusual way which led to a series of events. From that time on his life and destiny was never the same. Once he encountered the burning bush people encountered the burning bush in him. Like Moses, once you encounter the burning bush of God either through some wonderful vessels living for Jesus or through some visitation in a dream, vision or out of body experience, you can never be the same again. True worshippers with a passion for God carries a presence that makes others amazed. You cannot meet them and not pay attention. Once touched by the fire of God your life will experience a dramatic transformation. When the prophet Isaiah encountered the glory of God, he cried out “Woe is me! for I am undone;... but as soon as the fire of God touched his lips his life was never the same again.” (See Isaiah 6:1-8). The famous preacher John Wesley was once asked to tell what is the secret behind the crowd, transformation of lives and the miracles recorded in his meetings and he said, “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn”. If you allow the Lord to set you ablaze people will have no choice but to pay attention.

 Almost anybody can baptize you with water, but only the

Lord can baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (the word

“baptize” means to immerse in something). P74 FFPW.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

The grace to excel in life is more than talent and skill; it is greater than oratory and fluency of speech. It is the presence of God in the life of a man.

It is wonderful to be able to reproduce the work of others accurately but until you come out with what is original you continually walk in the shadow of others.

The man who is consumed in a divine dialogue is miles ahead of his competitors. You can see the invisible and do the impossible if you are willing to spend quality time with God.

-          REV. IGHO Y. 

THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD (PART 3)

THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD (PART 3)

 TEXT: Psalm 19:9

⁹The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

Verse 9 of our text says “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:” when a man truly has the fear of the Lord there is this purity in his words and intentions. You do not need to break your head trying to decode their actions or words. It is just as it is. There is no hidden agenda with this soul because his Yes is Yes and his No is No.

People like Saul failed because his words and actions were at variance with the commands of God and instead of accepting his fault he was always armed with excuses. His words and actions showed he was lacking the fear of the Lord. When he continued like this God called his incomplete obedience rebellion.

The lack of a consistent extraordinary manifestation in our lives is often connected to our inconsistent obedience to God because of the lack of the holy fear of God. It was the fear of God that kept Joseph from the sin of immorality with Potiphar’s’ wife. Therefore, when a man is unable to keep himself from the sin of immorality it is an indication he lacks the fear of the Lord.  It was the presence of the fear of the Lord in Joseph that moved God to set him on the path of glory and rewarded him in such a way that only very few persons ever experience. If you will walk in the fear of the Lord you will be surprise the glory that will manifest in your life. Live for God today.

. HYMN –

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

Memory Verse: All thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power. (Psalm 145:10,11)

TEXT: Psalm 145; Jeremiah 32:17-20; Romans 11:36; Revelation 14:7

All the magnificent wonder of nature reveals the majesty of God and glorifies Him. From the grateful heart of a devoted Italian monk in the year of 1225 came this beautiful message. As a great lover of nature, Saint Francis saw the hand of God in all creation, and he urged men to respond with expressions of praise and alleluia.

Giovanni Bernardone, the real name of Saint Francis, demonstrate through his own life all the tender, humble, forgiving spirit and absolute trust in God that his hymn urges others to have. At the age of 25 Bernardone left an indulgent life as a soldier, renounced his inherited wealth, and determined to live meagerly and to imitate the selfless life of Christ.

Throughout his life Saint Francis appreciated the importance of church music and encouraged singing in his monastery. He wrote more than 60 hymns for his purpose. The beautiful expressions of praise in “All creatures of our God and King” have endured throughout the centuries. A prayer written by Saint Francis has also become familiar and well-loved:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon, where there is discord, unity.

Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is error, truth.

Where there is despair, hope. Where there is sadness, joy

Where there is darkness, light.                                             

For it is in giving, that we receive. It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.

It is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.

All creatures of our God and king, lift up your voice and with us sing alleluia, alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam: o praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail in heav’n along, o praise Him! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice; ye lights of evening, find a voice: praise Him! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice; ye lights of evening, find a voice: o praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia! Dear mother earth, who day by day unfoldest blessings on our way, o praise Him! Alleluia! The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow, let them His glory also show; O praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness – O praise Him! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!  ACTION POINT: Praise God continually for His many blessings and for the wonders of Him creation. TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”

HYMN:

THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD

Memory Verse: The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love, (Psalm 33:5)

TEXT: Psalm 8;24:1, 2; 145:1-13; Isaiah 45:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26

Even though we are constantly reminded of the violence, tragedy, and ugliness in today’s world, we can still rejoice that the beauty of nature all around is ours to enjoy. Who can deny the pleasure that comes form the sight of a glowing sunset or a majestic mountain, the sound of chirping birds or the roar of the surf, and the smell of new mown hay or roses or lilies.

Maltbie D. Babcock revealed his great admiration for nature in this lovely hymn text. Although he was recognized as one of the outstanding Presbyterian  ministers of his generation, Dr. Babcock was also a skilled athlete who enjoyed all outdoor activity, especially his early morning walks. He would always comment, “I’m going out to see my father’s world.” Since Dr. Babcock was an accomplished performer on the organ, the piano and the violin, we can see why nature seemed to him to be “the music of the spheres.” In addition to being a tribute to nature, however, the hymn is a triumphant assertion of the unfailing power of God and the assurance of Christ’s eventual reign – “ and earth and heav’n be one.”

As follow Dr. Babcock’s example and give praise to God for all the beauty of his world, we cannot help being concerned that much of the loveliness is being destroyed by human carelessness and greed. The real answer to our ecological problems must be a renewed appreciation of earth as “our father’s world” and a greater responsibility for taking proper care of it. Christians should be models of this concern.

This is my father’s world, and to my list’ ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my father’s world! I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas – His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my father’s world – the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my father’s world! He shines in all that’s fair; in the rustling grass I hear Him pass – He speaks to me ev’rywhere.

This is my father’s world – O let me ne’er forget that tho the wrong seems oft so strong God is the Ruler yet. This is my father’s world! The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heav’n be one.

ACTION POINT: Determine to cultivate a renewed awareness and appreciation of the marvels of God’s creation all around you. Endeavor to be even more responsible as a caretaker of your father’s world.  TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”

ANOINTED TO MAKE PROFIT

ANOINTED TO MAKE PROFIT 

1 Corinthians 12:7-8

“But to each one is giving the manifestation of the (Holy) Spirit (the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the spirit) for good and profit. To one is giving in and through the (Holy) Spirit (the power to speak) a message of wisdom, and to another (the power to express) a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same (Holy) Spirit;” AMP

       To everyone is given the manifestation of the spirit so you ought to have certain manifestation in your life that would make the world know that the Jesus we are talking about is real. Whatever went wrong in your life can be corrected; all you just need to do is open up to Him.

      The degree of intimacy between a soul and God determines the degree of the glory made manifest. The deeper you are with Him, the deeper the glory that is revealed. The more intimate you become with Him, the more glorious the glory you carry. The bible says “the road the righteous travels is like sunrise, it goes brighter and brighter unto a perfect day.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

When you carry the glory of God it makes a lot of differences in your life.

(Transcribed from the Fragrance of Glory, copy right, March 17^th, 2012).

THE CULTURE OF THE KINGDOM (PART 3)

THE CULTURE OF THE KINGDOM (PART 3) 

TEXT: Matt. 6:9-10

9, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

When we go after God with enough hunger and passion, He will overwhelm us with His presence and bring us to the place where we are able to catch glimpses of the glory of the kingdom.  Whatever we experience here is a fore shadow of things to come. The truth remains that if God overwhelms us with all of His glory, the earth cannot contain it. In other words, we don’t have the capacity here on earth to fathom it.

So God just allows us to have a little peep into our future and that keeps us going. Once we are able to comprehend the life and the culture of the kingdom, this is where the content, form and expression of our worship are truly defined. We are then able to manifest on earth that which is in heaven and then invade earth with the heavenly realities to the glory of God.

ACTION POINT

When we totally surrender and filled with hunger for God, he allows us glimpses of the kingdom.